1994 Mazda MX5 review from North America
"Great value: Fun and Reliable"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Clutch slave cylinder failed at 75k.
Soft top billows at highway speed. Trim to be re-glued.
Soft top sometimes leaks in rain. Water goes into the trunk. Rain rail needs replacing.
Climate control venting hotter at the feet than the panel/defroster - fixable, but I never got around to it.
Air conditioning caused water to drip into passenger foot-well - cleared drain with pipe-cleaner and dripping gone. Also, refrigerant could be recharged after 12 years. 8)
General comments?
Other than the clutch, this car has been very reliable as a daily driver. Never failed to start - even in the middle of winter.
Truly an adult go-cart. OEM shifter throws pretty short. Springs could be stiffer/replaced, but body roll is minimal in turns. Slight under-steer in turns, but rear end is toss-able with appropriate throttle. RWD! Steering ratio requires more attention on the highway, but provides great response in the city. Characteristics customizable with quality alignment.
Larger brakes introduced in 1994 - works great. Anti-lock effective.
Fuel economy could be better: I got 24-26mpg mixed city-hwy conservatively driven. 30mpg hwy. May be improved if timing advanced.
The spare tire takes up significant space in the trunk, but I was able to fit a small golf bag with clubs.
Ultimately a great second vehicle. Keep the shiny side up!
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|
| Fun, reliable, cheap, noisy |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1994 |
| Year of manufacture | 1994 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8L Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 42000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 86500 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Escort |
| Date of Entry | 7th February, 2007 |