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

In the space of 665 miles (one month ownership) the car has had THREE new clutches.

There is a world-wide clutch-judder problem on some Mk 2 face-lifted versions of the MX-5 which manifests itself in the reverse gear and then after a while affects the forward gears.

My dealership have been good and have replaced the clutch twice, but it is still as bad as ever.

After only 665 miles I am going to reject the car.

I own a 2002 Mazda Miata, since new. The shift is smooth and clean and solid. I have owned many clutch type cars and trucks. The only time I ever changed a clutch is on clutch on my 23 year old Ford Ranger 4x4, owned since new. This beast of burden also carries an 1000 pound camper through the West Coast Rockies for recreation camping hunting and fishing and out back rides. I have never changed a clutch on any other car I have owned. I keep em for a long time. I have driven for over 45 years and one thing I have learned. Clutch wear is caused by the legs of the operator.

No there is a clutch judder problem, I have driven 3 mx5's mk2.5 and they all have it some worse than others and it is due to cheap ford clutches being used instead of mazda, another cost cutting scheme by ford.

Agree re: judder - mine has done it from new, especially in reverse. Hope it is not a precursor to a failure. I have lived with it because even though have had from new I don't trust any garage to remedy any fault; usually they make things worse. So, "if it ain't broke don't fix it", as they say. Fingers crossed, lol. The problem is usually only from cold in morning, reversing off drive. I have just had car serviced at 35,000 miles and new clutch fluid seems to have helped. I think this is 1st time clutch fluid has been done in a long time - maybe an optional remedy?

I love the car dearly, but considering a change - the paint is very soft, I feel. Chips/scratches all too easily. Fuel consumption is rather too heavy in my view and I do not drive aggressively.

Couple of other flaws to note as per clutch design flaw -

I needed a new boot after 3yrs (!) - was rusting. I was puzzled and enquired about this and persisted. Transpires a large batch of 2001 boots were wrongly welded, allowing water to penetrate boot skin and lie therein in boot lip above number plate. Mazda wouldn't comment why they didn't issue a recall if this was a known fault... similarly, I have had new rear discs at 35,000 miles! Very expensive and I have NEVER known any car consume rear discs at such a low mileage. I have written to Mazda UK to comment. I expect some offer of recompense because this is unacceptable - again, using cheap Ford parts-bin components?

Also be aware that the little MX5 tends to be hungry on tyres, for a car of its minimal weight/modest power - especially front tyres.

Don't get me wrong, it's a lovely car, but I think in latter years Mazda got complacent and took eye off the ball re: quality, etc - I mean, after making millions of them how can they suddenly start mis-welding the boot seams and then KNOW the fact, but not issue a recall? Very naughty...

Next year I shall be looking at Z4; the styling is a tad odd, but for the money it will be worth the quality.

Unless that is, VW buys the rights to the MGF and starts making them to VW standards? Now that WOULD be interesting!!

Enjoy the summer!

Looking at the VW reviews and comments on here, I suspect the VW version of the F would be worse than the MG one! The main difference would be the doubling of service and repair costs!

I swear by the MX-5. I'm on my third (one of each mk) and all have been faultless. I am aware that clutch judder is a known issue however, but it doesn't affect all cars (mine's on 66k and still fine)