I sold my Z4 and want a change

G

G-A-R-Y

Member
 North Bristol
Have any E85/6 owners tried the newer Mazda MX5, I've just sold my 2.5si and have been looking for something a bit younger.
I thought about SLK's but I think they are too big.
 
Depends on what you want from it.
If it's just purely for the drive, roof down ....., then it'll be great.
If you want a car to boast performance figures, 0-60 times and show off to your mates, then (in my opinion) the mx5 doesn't quite make the grade.
Don't get me wrong, I think the mx5 is a great car, one for the head not for the heart though!
 
Thought about S2000 but they hold the money, you can get two old Z's for one good S200.
Has anyone driven the little engine turbo MX5.
 
dhobbs said:
Depends on what you want from it.
If it's just purely for the drive, roof down ....., then it'll be great.
If you want a car to boast performance figures, 0-60 times and show off to your mates, then (in my opinion) the mx5 doesn't quite make the grade.
Don't get me wrong, I think the mx5 is a great car, one for the head not for the heart though!
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I want trouble free motoring, Z's are getting old and the new E89 needs a warranty and what happens if the roof breaks when you're driving around France?
 
One of my neighbours has just got himself one o them there little Fiat 124 spiders in black and tbh I think they look absolutely beautiful. He parked it next to mine and sizewise theyre comparable. Has a nice interior and I seemed to fit ok and i'm over 6 foot.
Only caveat is that it might be a bit down on power compared to the competition in its particular 'class'.
 
That's strange, I like the Mazda version but not the Fiat, I think that the 1.5 is a modern turbo engine with good mpg, light and agile. There is a 2.0 but I'm unsure if that's the old engine from the old shape,
 
Novel twist :? Z4 owner sells & buys MX5 :cry:
Id try one out if you were seriously considering one then post pics up of the new Z when you buy it :P :thumbsup:
 
I tried the fiat 124 - wasn't a huge fan - seemed a bit 'dead' in feel. Isn't half pretty though.... I quite fancied the Abarth 124 but never drove one. Somewhat pricey!! But the exhaust note is lovely...

I didn't think the latest MX5 was a turbo? Not driven a newer MX5 but the mk2 MX5 is like a little go kart :-D

The S2000 is a nice thing, I'm not a fan of the plastic interior though.

Have you thought about a late 986 Boxster or early 987 Boxster? Or even something crazy like a Lotus Elise?
 
firebobby said:
You sold your Z4 for something younger, The S2000 isn't ?? What about the e89 ??
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He said he was worried about the roof failure in those.
 
Its the question that's been asked asked a million times before on here. Without spending big or jumping into the SLK there really ain't much to compete with a E85/6. The MX5 and S2000 are tiny, the SLK is the same basic car it was 10+ years ago, albeit its had a number of facelift/engine updates but doesn't have the fun factor of a E85/6. In fact its more a kin to a E89 in that respect. The new MX5 looks terrible, its sibling the Fiat looks great but from what I have read the Mazda is the better drive :x But again neither has the interior space of a E85/6, never mind an E89. The pre DFI engined boxsters have well known engine issues that would scare many away so if the OP is scared of E89 roof issues then the potential boxster scenario will be truly terrifying. Takes you back to- with say a budget of up to £20k where do you go?!
 
groovy_hippy said:
I didn't think the latest MX5 was a turbo? Not driven a newer MX5 but the mk2 MX5 is like a little go kart :-D
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I think you are right, it might be that the Fiat version is turbo.

pvr said:
firebobby said:
You sold your Z4 for something younger, The S2000 isn't ?? What about the e89 ??
Click to expand...

He said he was worried about the roof failure in those.
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It's not just the roof, the car seems to be overly complicated. I've seen mention of "you need a warranty to own a E89".

Perhaps the E85 is still a good choice but I've had two and fancy a change, wots wrong with that. I also read that the MX5 weighs only 1000kgs, that's light. So the small economical engine would be adequate. I need to do more reading.
 
Sorry, I missed the e89 roof bit. At the end of the day, it's your money and your decision. Your biggest problem is, you have been used to probably one of the best overall roadsters there is for fun, size, kit and price :)
 
MACK, I couldn't agree more. We have both an E85 and an early 987 Boxster S in the family. The Z is easy-going, cheap to run and look after. The Boxster wouldn't hesitate to chew your leg off if you upset it and costs more to run - and it's open wallet surgery if it goes wrong.
Having said that though, the Z will never be a Boxster (my opinion folks) - you'll never get mid-engines handling, friendly Porsche dealerships (albeit who smile as they remove a few k from your bank account), nor will a BMW ever be a Porsche with the same pedigree and following.
Horses for courses - I love the Z and don't see any reason to change it. My other half, on the other hand, loves his boxster and wouldn't swap it for a Z.

We both agree that the Z is 90% of the Boxster for 60% of the money! And a straight 6 is totally better than a flat six ;-)
 
test drove the new mx-5 2.0 recently. Performance just isn't there for me. I had a 2.2 Z4 which I much preferred to the mx-5. Went for a z4 coupe in the end :evil:
 
SL mercs .. think Z4 has roof issues ..wait till you see the issues with those . My mother has the SL55 ... an absolute bag of spanners . I think at no point since it left the showroom has everything worked at the same time . It leaks , it has warning lights it has paint issues ,it wont lock , it wont unlock, roof stuck down , roof stuck up ...roof stuck halfway ..its al happened ..in and out of merc like a yoyo and the boot fills up with water when it rains . I think she is going to return to nissan as she loved her 350Z ...and I think I sense a return with a 370Z coming up .
 
For grins per pound hard to beat a RX8, mid engine near enough, prefect balance amazing in the twisties and you can pick one up that's had the engine rebuild for peanuts and they look gorgeous
 
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