1991 Mazda MX5 review from North America
"A fun bargain"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Top had to be replaced due to regular wear and tear. This was quite expensive.
Seats have faded from the sun and are beginning to show threads.
After storms, the right front panel collects water. We have not been able to locate the water's entry point.
Factory-installed radio had to be replaced.
Speakers also had to be replaced as it is difficult to hear the stereo while the top is down and the speakers became blown.
Factory paint job had to be replaced, although it could be from mishandling from the previous owner.
When the air conditioner is on, first and second gear are sluggish.
General comments?
The car is simply fun to drive!
Acceleration is good when the air conditioner is off.
Shifting is fun with the "cut" shift knob. It slams into gear rather than slides, which makes it feel like the sports car that it is.
The trunk is small, but holds a lot if carefully positioned.
Handles well -- responds quickly to the driver. Important to maneuver well, which it does. Helps me feel safer in it.
I love it! We have installed a roll bar (we did it ourselves -- quite a job but labor is so expensive) and besides its safety measures, it looks even sportier.
At over 160,000 miles, it shows no sign of slowing down. Maintenance has been a breeze -- no big problems except a spark plug!
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| Best value in a sports car ever! |
| 1990 - MX5 "A" Package 1.6 Liter Straight 4 Best piece of machinery ever |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1991 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 4 cylinder Manual |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 138000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 164000 miles |
| Previous car | Nissan 200SX |
| Date of Entry | 10th September, 2001 |