Mazda MX-5 Buyer's Guide (Mk1, Mk2 & Mk2.5)

#MX5BuyersGuide #CarObsession #MX5BuyingGuide
Hello guys, and welcome back to Car Obsession. This week I hit quite a large milestone; I'm now cough 30 years old. Something else that has recently(ish) hit 30 is the Mazda MX-5, a car I have a lot of love for. In fact, I've owned three since 2016.
So with that in mind, I thought I'd prepare a buyer's guide to give you some advice and some of my own experience. However, it's worth noting that this video only focuses on the Mk1, Mk2 and Mk2.5
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Music Credit:
Music by Ryan Little - Time Capsule - thmatc.co/?l=118C4300

[@allanhughes7859]

New to your channel hence loads of stupid comments but a great insight to the little road buster !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO EDUCATE !!!!!!!!!!!

[@allanhughes7859]

Fantastic up load thankyou so so much !!!

[@CarObsession]

No probs Allan, thanks for watching.

[@Midlife_mike]

Loved this video mate! I bought my first MX5 S-VT because of your videos. Thanks

[@CarObsession]

Hi Michael, that's great to hear, thank you so much for watching.

[@zain4927]

I know it's been a year but how's the car?

[@faizaanahmed1540]

Had an NA miata a few years back as a project car, was so fun on the track

[@CarObsession]

Yeah, they are a big bundle of fun!

[@rahmann936]

Good MX5 buying guide. I've never owned one, but I knew a woman who had a MK2 MX5. She told me a story about she was driving it in winter in slippery conditions then without warning the back end swapped ends with the front. It totally shook me up. She said. It would have done I said.

[@CarObsession]

Hi rahmann, as always, thanks for watching. Yes, the MX-5 can be a tad snappy sometimes as it's got a relatively short wheelbase. I actually drove my Mk2 in snow once, and that wasn't too bad, I just had to respect the conditions, of course.

[@racecrasher99]

The MK2.5 MX5 with 110hp was my first ever car and still the only car I owned (it's so much fun!) and when I drove it for the first time on fresh snow... it felt so dangerous and it scared me. Luckily I had great car control and racing experience and could keep it under control. Still an important thing to tell everyone in advance. I didn't have anyone to tell me... I got used to it quickly though.

[@allanhughes7859]

no difference to any rear wheel drive if you dont want to slip all over the place get a 4x4 for god sake what a silly comment !!!!!!!!!!

[@danielthomas2621]

Happy birthday dude ,30 was a good time for me some 26 years ago lol Cheers

[@CarObsession]

Thanks Daniel!

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

Happy Birthday mate, great video, I am looking to buy one myself in a few years as a weekender. A friend said a Honda S2000 is better but they are a lot more expensive.

[@CarObsession]

Thanks mate! Yeah, the S2000s hold their value really well, but from what I've heard, they can be a unforgiving to drive when on the limit. I've never driven one, but I'd love to one day 👌🏽

[@Jack_Rn]

I owned a NA 1.8 Eunos Roadster (N Reg) for a few years, loved it, never failed a MOT. I bought it from Dandycars in London (now closed) and wished I still owned it! - Next time I may get a MK 2 or 2.5 (never driven those so would be interesting to see what they're like) - Normally the 5's drop in value going into winter, but this year I reckon quite a few people never had the chance to really enjoy them, so may hang onto them another year.

[@CarObsession]

Hi Jack, thanks for watching, and thanks for the comment.

[@steven.ghodgson765]

nicely done , good video ( waiting for my 2000 MX5 1.8 IKON , once the rust has been sorted?)

[@CarObsession]

Thanks Steven, I hope you enjoy your Icon!

[@JOsborn88]

Had my eunos roadster for 9 years now. Very addictive cars with alot of potential. I love mine, would love a second one aswell.

[@CarObsession]

Which Roadster do you have?

[@JOsborn88]

@@CarObsession I have a mk1 92' NA in marina blue 1.6. Might have to get it out the garage this week now 😏.

[@CarObsession]

@@JOsborn88 Lovely!

[@johngustafson2605]

Nice vid. Here in New Mexico USA we have NAs and NBs which have NO rust. I have 2 NB1s.

[@CarObsession]

Completely different story in the UK 😅. Thanks for watching 👍🏽.

[@TheBishop12]

Fellow 32 year Earth dweller reporting in 👋

[@allanhughes7859]

Good to see you checked your one eight out well before you bought it L.O.L. Expanding foam WHAT ????????????????????

[@CarObsession]

Apparently there's a place in Japan known for doing it. I believe it's to help with water getting in the sills. This is somewhat counter intuitive, though, as if - who am I kidding, when - the car needs welding repairs it'll be more tricky to fix because it's flammable...

[@mandarinmiata8209]

Happy Birthday Aaron. I think your experience of the 1.8 being a better 'Cruiser' may be due to the one's you drove having different final drive ratio's. The engine displacement would have no bearing on cruise.

[@CarObsession]

Yeah I see what you mean, but I would have thought the extra hp/torque would be a factor? Ok, I know the difference isn't night and day, but a difference is there.

[@CosmicSeeker69]

the 'diff'erence is - the 1.8 has a higher diff ratio - BECAUSE it has more power/torque. Therefore it's a better cruiser..

[@S-Ltd1000]

I'm playing russian roulette with my belt at the moment. I was going to get it done this year but covid19 put a stop to that. To be honest the belt looked fine when I did the cas and rocker gasket a while back. I'm tempted to do the job myself as it doesn't look overly difficult.

[@CarObsession]

From what I've heard from some owners, it's not a difficult providing you do things in the right order. Having said that, I would be a bit nervous to do it myself. Thanks for watching.

[@aaronroberts3329]

If your mechanically minded at all go for it, one of the easier belts you can do, also this will save you a bit of headache www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402341974443

[@jaycochrane1220]

Just seen a nice Berkley edition on autotrader. Only done 27k miles! £3995

[@CarObsession]

Blimey! That is certainly reasonable!

[@77raef42]

Im planning on getting an mx5 for my first car, I’m really excited, do u know how expensive it is to respray or wrap one

[@CarObsession]

Hi there, thanks for watching. Well, I looked in to this at one time and I was getting quotes from £1,500 through to £10,000!!!

[@jprince3]

Getting into the miatas stuck between na vs NB hear the steering response and stiffer chassis makes the NB a better car despite the weight increase but the na looks better imo. Any input from the community?

[@CarObsession]

Where did you hear that from? I've owned both and I wouldn't say the NB has any better steering response or feels stiffer 🤔. Thanks for watching 👍🏽. Edit: After a bit of digging on forums I can see there are some that say the suspension was tweaked for the NB but I can't find anything about steering response. To be honest pal, they're very similar cars so even if you drove them back-to-back for like-for,-like models I don't think you'd detect a massive difference. I've owned both and I wouldn't say there is a particularly large gulf between them.

[@timprice5]

I've got a Mk2.5 Euphonic. It has much more chassis bracing than my friends Mk1 Merlot, and it feels like a differentl car to drive. The interior is much more modern feeling too. Every time he gets to drive my Euphonic he always compliments it. It also has a 146bhp engine whereas the Mk1 has 130. It doesnt sound a big difference but its a bit more grunty at the bottom end. Mine is now supercharged and although it doesn't make massive power it feels significantly quicker than stock. Perfect car for under £5k

[@allanhughes7859]

just bought a 2.5 mk 2 in time warp and now having seen this vid dont know what to do It was for my daughter Is it just too good to let her have ??? No rust 40K miles been kept in a heated garage etc etc etc This has made me really think ??????????? any comments would help !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@CarObsession]

Well I don't really the situation or the circumstances, can't really comment. What I will say is that these cars are to be enjoyed, not hidden away.

[@huseyinnachi5524]

can i put pop-up headlights on a mk2 or mk2.5 thats the question :D

[@CarObsession]

I'm sure you could if you're any good at fabrication and electrics, but would it be worth the hassle and cost? Probably not, just get a Mk1 😂

[@racecrasher99]

Can you tell me which remplacement battery I should buy? My MK2.5 2001 NB has been standing for a long time and hasn't been used because of many things that went on... the battery is so weak and I have to use a charger almost everytime to jump start the car. Even after driving long distances, sometimes it works and sometimes the juice isn't enough. Which battery is suitable for this car? Would be great if you could help me out :)

[@CarObsession]

Hi Zinker99, thanks for watching. I've not needed to replace a battery myself just yet, but Bosch is well respected.

[@georgealty]

A bit late, but do yourself a favour and buy the one Panasonic gel. See my 20 year review.

[@murray6188]

going to see a 1999 mx5 1.8i s with 45k miles on thursday

[@CarObsession]

Nice, I hope it's good condition. Thanks for watching.

[@jrwfilms5228]

looking at getting a mk2/2.5 in the coming months! say i was to buy one with the super fuji LSD, would i able to take that out, and get a torsen fitted in?

[@CarObsession]

Hi there, thanks for watching. I'm not sure of hand, I'd need to look in to it. I'm pretty sure you can, but I don't wanna give wrong info.

[@CarObsession]

www.clubroadster.net/threads/replacing-tochigi-fuji-lsd-w-early-nb-lsd.92345/ That should help.

[@jrwfilms5228]

@@CarObsession no worries, I’ve seen one near me, contacted them about which LSD it has, they said they don’t really know, I assume it will be the vehicles handbook/details somewhere? Or engraved on the chassis. I don’t mind putting the money into getting a Torsen, if it’s physically possible

[@jrwfilms5228]

@@CarObsession awesome, thank you!

[@allanhughes7859]

how do you know which diff you have ?????

[@CarObsession]

Hi Allan, normally by the model and engine size. Thanks for watching 👍🏽.

[@leinnarranniel1376]

Hi, I am planning to get a NB but it is 125k mileage, do you think it will gonna last long? Coz it will be my first manual car

[@CarObsession]

The engine/gearbox are pretty bulletproof and as long as the car has been looked after it should be mechanically sound. Your biggest concern will be rust. I bought an NB which had done 130k and it worked fine, but it turned out it was riddled with rust so I had to scrap it 😪. Of course I can't GUARANTEE the 125k will be fine, but as long as it's not filled with rust and it drives ok, I wouldn't be put off. Thanks for watching 👍🏽.

[@leinnarranniel1376]

@@CarObsession I really like it as my first manual car and as my toy 😅 I will look for the rusts before I buy it. Thanks for the advice sir

[@leinnarranniel1376]

@@CarObsession Here in California there is no snow, so I think I don’t worry much in rusts

[@CarObsession]

@@leinnarranniel1376 Ah, you should be fine then

[@abualzuaree]

Biggest question for me is... are they the same size interior wise? I'm 6'5 and wana see which one I'll fit better in 🤣😂

[@CarObsession]

Hi there, thanks for watching. Yes they are the same interior size and you should be able to fit as motoring presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Tim Shaw fit and they're both 6'5" if not mistaken.

[@abualzuaree]

@@CarObsession ahhhh yes great news lol which car handles better if you dont mind me asking?

[@CarObsession]

They both similar to be honest, but the Mk2 weighs more, so the Mk1 will be a bit more nimble.

[@LucianoAlfano8]

What do you mean that you ran out of oil 😂

[@CarObsession]

Forgot to check the oil during an interval on a track day, very costly mistake...

[@LucianoAlfano8]

@@CarObsession Very humble of you to share that

[@CarObsession]

@@LucianoAlfano8 We all make mistakes, although that was a stupid one. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, though...