2003 Mazda MX5 1.8i Sport from UK and Ireland - Comments

Alloy Wheels replaced under warranty at 27000 miles, flaking of on all 4 wheels in and around the centre.

Been in the garage 4 times in past month trying to resolve a fault that the dealership just puts down to normal and acceptable for a 40,000 mile car. When in reverse and in the low gears going slowly ie traffic jams it sounds as if the exhaust is blowing. Each time the garage looks at it they either can't replicate the fault or when it does replicate itself they say that is normal. Not normal to me, my previous MX5, 100K plus never made this noise hence why it has made me take it too the dealership for fixing.

Window fit - both driver and passenger windows don't seem to to seal properly, had the seals replaced, but still very noisy at high speeds.

Tyres - Tyre on front gave up 9,000 miles in, garage said faulty tyre and replaced it. Others were fine. At 36000 miles needed to replace all tyres due to wear, cost an arm and a leg to put new shoes on at all 4 points of the car.

Very nice car when it works as expected.

Not too expensive in terms of servicing and running, the odd exception obviously such as the new tyres.

Will be changing car before the 54K service is due as this is the cam belt change and is the expensive service. Normally would change cars at 60-70K, but the expensive 54K service will bring that time forwards.

Had three, no problems with any of them.

On my third one too - cheapest smiles per miles on the planet - go get a transportation utility vehicle and stay in the right lane.

You mean the LEFT lane - the OP is a Brit. :)

Just bought my 2003 MX-5 Miata. Had it all of two weeks and love it. I'll add another comment within the next year. BTW, it has 22K miles and the wheels look just fine.

OMG... what you mean the 4 tyres didn't last for the life of the car??

Might I suggest that if you find 4 tyres expensive then maybe you can't afford to run a sports car?