1999 Mazda MX5 1.6i 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Top notch full thrills no frills roadster

Faults:

Very little:

1) a cable came disconnected from the heater switch behind the dash board.

2) the roof leaked from time to time which soaked the carpet - or my knee if I was in the car at the time.

General Comments:

The most affordable proper roadster on the market.

I loved this car and would still have it if I did not have a baby.

The engine was a bit gutless though still enough oomph to make the tail happy on the driest of days - and I got it to 135 mph on the motorway.

Mine was in racing bronze, which is a bit of a hairdressers colour, though it stood out with the best TVR or Porsche!

Do not buy the most basic spec as I did - invest in electric windows, leather, a decent stereo, get the 1.8 (plenty oomph!) - also get a hard top; my car was broken into 5 times over 3 years!!!

Be prepared for people to be nasty to your MX-5. If you have more expensive marque like porsche or lotus - there's a grudging respect. With Mazda, people just think you're a flash tw@t. I had beer cans, stones and mucus flung in my direction over 3 years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th March, 2003

17th Jan 2006, 01:47

Mucus and rocks, wow poeple sure don't tolerate much car wise in the UK.

31st Jul 2006, 06:25

Don't let em put you off owning an MX5 mate, people who behave like that are jealous and would swap places with you in a second. MX5 is in the record books for the most numerous sports car produced I believe, can't be too bad a car can it? Well done mazda!

7th Jul 2008, 19:50

Sorry to hear you being treated that way. As a tourist I got nothing but warmth and helpful service all over England and the Isle of Man.

If it makes you feel any better, America is itself turning quite socialist with similar/predictable results.

That aside, the Miata (as Mazda calls it here) is every bit as much a gem as you say. If I had to choose only one car to own, I think I would have to get rid of the Maxima, the Mustang GT convertible, and the Jeep Wrangler. Thank God I don't have to make that choice.

At 6'2" I'm at, what I consider, the comfortable limit in the MX-5s cockpit. It is a bit anemic at 5000 feet elevation (about 1660 meters) even with the 1.8, but the aftermarket has more than enough to offer to fill the need for more power.

Some enterprising Yanks a few years back were putting 302 V-8s from the Mustang into the Miata. LOL, have to wonder how it's balance was effected, but with that exhaust note and available thrust, would any of us really care? Probably not.

Bottom line, you either have an MX-5 and love it, don't and wish you did, or are just ignorant of the facts and missing out.

27th Dec 2009, 14:05

I am just about to buy a second hand Mazda MX5 1.8i. I have always loved them, can't wait to get in it and drive.

1999 Mazda MX5 Miata LS 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Great looking car, fun to drive

Faults:

At 31,000 miles the rear end differential leaked oil. Initially I did not catch it - and by the time I did, I just let it go till it screamed 'replace me'. It was under warranty.

At 40,000 miles the AC began to leak. I never fixed it... turned the car in for a new Miata! I ate $2k on my old car and paid sticker on a new 2002 - but got the 0% interest. Great deal!

General Comments:

I live in Orlando, FL, so I drive this car year round with the top down - except when it rains.

I bought my classic red, tan top, 1999 Miata LS new in Oct 1999. I am 6'2", so the fit is a little tight, but I got used to it. But that is about as tall a driver that the car will accomodate.

No space for luggage. If you plan a trip for two, you both better pack light.

Aside from the space, this car is soooooo much fun. It handles so well and feels and sounds great. The power is OK... but, it leaves you wanting more. It is a true sports car, and a very reliable one at that.

I liked it so much, that I turned it in for a Miata LS 2002. Such a deal! OK... at 40,000 I needed tires, brakes, an AC leak fixed (warranty), and the interior was a little worn. Exterior was near perfect. But, I got a very good deal on a new 2002... sweet!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th September, 2002

1999 Mazda MX5 Sport Limited Edition 1.8i petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Nowt.

General Comments:

Frankly fantastic. Not the most powerful but certainly the most fun. The extras are well worth the increase in price for the special edition, the MX-5 has to be the best looking convertible with a hard top.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th October, 1999

1999 Mazda MX5 Sport Limited Edition 1.8i petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Limited Edition of 350. Includes full leather, air con, ABS, power steering, hard top, wood fascia and all the other luxuries.

Drives like a dream, the handling is sublime and although 10% more power wouldn't hurt, you can't argue for the price of 22k GBP.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 1999