Pleasure Above All - Mazda MX-5 (1998-2005)
Can driving pleasure, excellent handling and high performance go hand in hand with low purchase and maintenance costs? Of course! Mazda MX-5 is an almost perfect car that is not afraid of even kilometers.
The first generation Mazda MX-5 debuted in 1989. A light roadster for a reasonable price turned out to be a bull's-eye. The list of happy customers grew at an insane pace. In 1998, the production of the second generation model, marked with the NB symbol, began. Dealers again did not complain about the lack of orders.
Just two years after the start of production, the Mazda MX-5 NB has been redesigned. In 2000-2005, the concern produced the MX-5 NBFL with a slightly modified front end and new headlights. In the case of a used MX-5, economies of scale offer many benefits. Thanks to it, you are more likely to find a car in good condition, and in the event of a breakdown, buying used parts or replacements will be a relatively easy task. Also buying original items is not a problem, but Dealer bills are salty.
The clean and simple lines of the exterior don't do much with the passage of time. The 10 year old Mazda MX-5 still looks great. The age of the car is more noticeable in the interior. Yes, the cockpit is ergonomic and readable, but its designers did not let their imagination run wild. The colors of the finishing materials are depressing. However, lovers of aesthetic experiences are not at a disadvantage. There were also versions with beige seats and plastic in the lower part of the cabin, and even with a wooden steering wheel. However, their search requires some effort.
In terms of driving pleasure, the Mazda MX-5 is ahead of most, even brand new cars with powerful engines. Perfect balance, precise steering and resistance transmission make the driver feel like a real master of the situation. The sense of speed is enhanced by low-slung seats and a small interior.
The curb weight of the Mazda MX-5 is just over a ton. As a result, already the base engine 110 with a power of 1.6 hp. provides good dynamics. Using the upper registers of the tachometer, "hundred" can be dialed in less than 10 seconds. Version 1.8 (140 or 146 hp) takes less than 0 seconds to accelerate from 100 to 9 km/h. Also in this case, the desire for fast driving requires you to maintain high speeds. This is not difficult because the gear lever has a short stroke and moves from one position to another with high precision. Rigid gradation of successive runs contributes to "mixing" with it.
Fuel consumption is really decent for a sports car. "Light leg" allows you to achieve results below 7 l / 100 km. For normal mixed use, the MX-5 requires Ok. 8,8 l/100 km. Full use of the engine and suspension will cost about 12 l / 100 km.
Mazda MX-5 fuel consumption reports - check how much you spend at gas stations
Front-wheel drive, gearbox and crankshaft crammed into the central tunnel, and rear-wheel drive provide the perfect balance. The result is excellent driving performance, which was achieved despite the not very stiff suspension. Suspension comfort is certainly not the highest, but this does not interfere with the daily use of the MX-5. On longer routes, the most annoying thing is the wind noise flowing around the body and fabric roof.
The cabin is spacious, but people less than 1,8 meters tall do not have to complain. There is also room for luggage - less than 150 liters - quite a decent result in the roadster segment. However, the use of space would be easier if the shape of the trunk was correct.
The first generation Mazda MX-5 was a Spartan car. In the case of the latter, the standard of equipment has been significantly increased - you can count on ABS, two airbags, an audio system, and often also leather upholstery and heated seats. Air conditioning was not on all instances. A pity. In winter, this would greatly facilitate the removal of water vapor from the windows, and in summer, despite the open roof, it would not remain idle either. The central tunnel heats up intensively, which reduces the driving comfort at low speeds, for example, in traffic jams.
When looking for a used copy, you should not follow the age and odometer readings. "Correction" of the readings of the electronic meter is not too difficult, and a fresh but brutally used car can pay for many more unpleasant surprises than an old but well-maintained car. Unlike other rear-wheel drive vehicles, the relatively expensive MX-5 rarely finds its way into the hands of drifters or rubber burners. Owners usually do not save on maintenance and consumables.
This is reflected in the failure rate of the MX-5. The high quality of the Japanese-made roadster, combined with proper handling, ensures that the car remains virtually trouble-free and holds a leading position in the Dekra and TUV ratings. One of the few recurring problems of the MX-5 is the failure of the ignition coils, which can withstand just over 100. kilometers. Corrosion is another common problem. Rust primarily affects the elements of the exhaust system, sills, floor, trunk lid and wheel arches. However, proper maintenance can reduce the number of problems - it is especially important to clean the drain channels regularly, which solves the problem of wheel arch corrosion. As with any convertible, you need to pay attention to the condition of the roof. The skin may crack and repairs will not be cheap.
Drivers' opinions - what Mazda MX-5 owners complain about
Mazda MX-5 has many advantages, but they are not for everyone. It is best suited as a second car in the family, although with a little perseverance, the Japanese roadster can be used daily, each time enjoying driving.
No need to force anyone to drive a Mazda. Sappheiros wrote: “Any reason to get in and out is good. The mother-in-law needs something - you are at her every call, let's just sit down and leave 🙂 "It's hard to find a more original argument that would convey the essence of the matter.
Recommended engine: Mazda MX-5 is a pleasure to drive. Already the basic, 110-horsepower version rides very decently, but for a more powerful 1,8-liter engine it is worth paying extra. It provides better dynamics, is more flexible, and roadsters equipped with it tend to be better equipped. In terms of fuel consumption, the 1.6 and 1.8 engines are very similar. The driver's imagination has the greatest influence on the final result.
advantages:
+ Excellent driving performance
+ Exemplary durability
+ Optimum price/quality ratio
Disadvantages:
– High prices for original spare parts
– Coil problems and corrosion
- Finding the right car is not easy.
Prices for individual spare parts - replacements:
Lever (front, used): PLN 100-250
Discs and pads (front): PLN 350-550
Clutch (complete): PLN 650-900
Approximate offer prices:
1.6, 1999, 196000 15 km, thousand zlotys
1.6, 2001, 123000 18 km, thousand zlotys
1.8, 2003, 95000 23 km, thousand zlotys
1.6, 2003, 21000 34 km, thousand zlotys
Photos by Macczek, Mazda MX-5 user.
