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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 990
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 990 |
Why is the MX5 called "a bit dull" and "bland" ? Is that not unfair to the most popular roadster ever built and risks missing out on a very capable little car?
They are not overtly fast but are really good fun to drive due to the intimacy of all the controls, handling finesse and great revvy engines. They are superbly reliable and dependable too, which i guess canbe confused as lacking in character, but dull or bland? Hardly.
I'd not pick one over a Morgan personally but they are great fun little cars without any real downsides. We took ours on a driving holiday when our old MGB decided to break - 2000 miles in a week and every mile was a delight. ( didn't have a Morgan then!)
Lets not forget that one of the nicest gearboxes Morgan have ever used comes from an MX5. Anyone who has sampled a Morgan so fitted knows exactly how good that is - just think - they make cars as well! Every home should have one!
2015 Morgan 4/4 (Wolf fettled) previously 2014 M3W
MINI Cooper S and numerous BMC/BL relics.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,356 Likes: 353
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,356 Likes: 353 |
I think it's partly because they are reliable and easy to own which equates to no character. That's a feature of modern cars!
A mate of mine has one and it's fine but just doesn't make me want one desperately. Before that he had a Smart Roadster, and boy did that have character.
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 990
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 990 |
Quote
"A mate of mine has one and it's fine but just doesn't make me want one desperately."
I owned one for years and only really "got it" once we had used it hard and fast for that holiday week - came away with a deep respect for its talents which proved far deeper than i imagined. I'd owned it for 6 years by then!
Over 10 years of MX5 ownership now and its never let me down or had anything break or even rattle. I've serviced it well and done much rust proofing over the years to keep it in fine fettle but nothing else at all.
The Smart roadster? A mate of mine has a Brabus one - its great fun but doesn't feel robust - oh and it leaks.
Last edited by andymot; 20/12/16 07:39 PM.
2015 Morgan 4/4 (Wolf fettled) previously 2014 M3W
MINI Cooper S and numerous BMC/BL relics.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,356 Likes: 353
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,356 Likes: 353 |
Exactly that Andy. Feels fragile and leaks is character!
If they did one with a manual box I could see us having one.
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,558 Likes: 5
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,558 Likes: 5 |
Thought you would struggle to get an Elise down the side of your house? Here's mine pictured in August, brimming the tank before dawn 50 miles into a 600 mile day. Don't miss the Roadster but I get an odd twinge (that soon passes) for the black 4/4 
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,356 Likes: 353
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,356 Likes: 353 |
Very true but MrsW's daily stands outside at the top of the drive. She wouldn't want an Elise though........ Too quirky. 
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,575 Likes: 55
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,575 Likes: 55 |
Why is the MX5 called "a bit dull" and "bland" ? Is that not unfair to the most popular roadster ever built and risks missing out on a very capable little car?
They are not overtly fast but are really good fun to drive due to the intimacy of all the controls, handling finesse and great revvy engines. They are superbly reliable and dependable too, which i guess canbe confused as lacking in character, but dull or bland? Hardly.
I'd not pick one over a Morgan personally but they are great fun little cars without any real downsides. We took ours on a driving holiday when our old MGB decided to break - 2000 miles in a week and every mile was a delight. ( didn't have a Morgan then!)
Lets not forget that one of the nicest gearboxes Morgan have ever used comes from an MX5. Anyone who has sampled a Morgan so fitted knows exactly how good that is - just think - they make cars as well! Every home should have one! With you on that Andy. And you can pick up a brand new one for about £20k (ish). Makes it bargain of the century. And even better, the roof is a delight to throw up or down.
Morgan Plus 4
Royal Enfield Classic 350
Brompton M6L
Giant TCX Advanced
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,891 Likes: 350
Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
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Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,891 Likes: 350 |
I enjoyed my Mk1. Apart from the sill rot. Sweet 1.8 engine (far less vibration that the Ford in my 4/4) and the gearbox was a delight... 
Graham (G4FUJ)
Sold L44FOR 4/4 Giallo Fly
'11 MINI Countryman Cooper D All4
'90 LR 90 SW
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,643
Talk Morgan Addict
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Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,643 |
If I didn't have a Morgan, my fun car would be an MX5, no question.
Fun, reliable, rear wheel drive.
Ian
2011 Plus 4
Wild Mogs Reims 2019, Goodwood 2018, Isle of Man 2017, Carried on to Caramulo" 2016
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,723 Likes: 2
Talk Morgan Sage
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Talk Morgan Sage
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,723 Likes: 2 |
The very fact that the MX-5 is all things to all men and hairdressers (Ok, ok, it's a joke..calm down!) is the very thing that puts me off the things..
They suffer from the very Japanese trait of being overly polite to the point of irritation, and lose that essential individuality that many crave. You only have to walk around Silverstone Classic to find that the Club have about an acre of parking, which looks like a new car holding area somewhere.
They are brilliant at what they do, but would I want to own one..? No way, Jose..
Steve
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