Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Nice review from Gavin Green of Car Magazine.

The new (S4) one is the best since the S1, according to my tame MX5 obsessive, it has but one problem.
The new 6 speed box is not as robust as the old (Morgan) 5 speed and fails when used heavily on the track.
Otherwise it is a delight: the 1500cc version is the "purest".

In the USA Mazda, he said, are offering a "competition" pack car, with the old 5 speed. It cannot be sold here because if emission issues....but the boxes are interchangeable, I'm told.

For the price....2016 cars at £15 to £16k, a great drivers car.

not significant, no.
mk3 was considered "fat" but that's a little irrational and doesn't stack up to driving experience. Main difference is that the latest is new and improved (for the better) and the mk3 is a lot cheaper! Both benefit, imo, with good aftermarket suspension mods.
My mk3 was great, but went for various reasons. Now back in a mk1, probably the best drive but obviously old now.

Mk 1 - If you like pop-up headlights. Becoming something of a collector's car if you get a good one.
Mk2 - Good but I prefer the Mk 2.5 with more gubbins and SVT
Mk3 - Too bulbous for me.
Mk 4 - I don't like the angled styling.
Mk 5 - Ditto.

That's my opinion but I'm biased!

PS - You don't really need spanners much as long as you take care of the bodywork. Bulletproof engines.

PPS - Try this: http://www.gocompare.com/covered/2015/06/a-short-history-of-the-mazda-mx5/

Apologies to all mx5 owners especially andymot as he told me he had one a while back and I forgot , sorry Andy !

I really enjoyed my Mk 3 Mazda. I never felt it was bulbous but compared to the Mk1 I guess it was. The only thing it needed was the suspension lowering to its original designed ride height . There’s a company near High Wycombe that does that service and driving from there to home, I realised just how good the car handled!

Reminds me of the day I inadvertently attended the MX5 equivalent of Mog 17 thinking it was a classic car show.

Got more swap offers than if I had taken a supermodel to an oldie wife swapping club.

Wow, thanks everyone for the helpful pointers. Post-'09 Mk3 (because I like the looks and they are cheap) or Mk4 roadster (may as well order new to get the just-announced revised steering & chassis settings) looks like the choice for me. Both in auto (I know , but I want the to be able to drive it when she doesn't need her 4x4 and an ankle injury means she doesn't do manuals any more).

Hoping to have a mooch around a dealer this weekend and drive an example of each generation. Then buy in January when there is tumbleweed blowing through the sales forecourt...

& don't forget the Fiat/Arbarth variant of the Mk 5 - though it'll probably have an electrical breakdown and rust at the roadside.

Will

Good point Will - I do like many Fiat & Abarth models, but with this car I like the purity of the Mazda version, rather than the flamboyant Fiat or downright extrovert Abarth.

No Need! But thankyou....

I guess driving a Morgan or even a Honda S2000 marks out its driver as a keen enthusiast - not so with an Mx5. I understand why they get a lot of stick - hairdressers cars etc etc and to be fair they aren't very powerful or fast. Great fun however and very good value.