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Mazda MX-5 (1998 – 2005) Review

Mazda MX-5 (1998 – 2005) At A Glance

4/5

+Delightful handling, easy to use every day and reliable if not abused. Low running costs. Plenty around at keen prices.

-Rust can be a serious problem. Some versions suffer from clutch judder.

It was the MX-5 that controversially ditched the pop-up headlamps. But this decision, which was taken to improve pedestrian safety, has given the Mk2 (or NB) a rough ride in classic circles. But the revised styling wasn't the only thing bugging fans of the original two-seater.

With anti-lock brakes fitted and a few other bits and pieces, the car tipped the scales at 1065kg - nearly 100kg more than the Mk2 (or the equivalent of an extra adult passenger and a child). For a car that placed so much emphasis on Colin Chapman's 'Simplify, then add lightness' philosophy, the second incarnation of this Japanese roadster had strayed dangerously off piste.

But aside from what the motoring scribes would have you believe, the Mk2 MX5 was (and still is) an excellent car. It lacked none of the orignal's fun and the beefed up brakes made things a whole lot easier on the twisty stuff.

It was also a bit more comfortable to live with than the Mk1. For a start, the list of standard kit had grown and the ride and refinement was improved (a bit) and power was up and it seeked to see off competition from the like of the Toyota MR2 and even BMW Z3.

Nowadays, as prices for the original start to creep up, the Mk2 is classic bargain that is often overlooked.

 

Ask Honest John

When will my 2002 Mazda MX-5 become a classic?

"When will my MX-5 become a classic. I've had had it for almost 17 years from new. Is classic insurance cheaper?"
Unfortunately, there's no hard and fast rule about when a car becomes a classic - but the Mk2 MX-5 is well on the way there. While it might not have the classic looks of the Mk1 with its pop-up headlights, the Mk2 was still a fabulous car to drive. Many specialists already regard it as an historic vehicle and will offer a classic insurance policy. Is it cheaper? Sometimes. There are a few key differences between a classic insurance policy and a regular insurance policy. First of all, a classic policy assumes that as your pride and joy a car will be used sparingly - so you may find yourself limited on mileage and required to have use of another car. The second big difference is that a classic policy allows you to have an 'agreed value' for the car as opposed to market value.
Answered by Keith Moody

Which is better - a coupe or a soft top MX5?

"Is the Mazda MX5 Mk3 soft top as vulnerable to rust on the rear arches as the Mk2? I'm trying to choose between the coupe and the soft top Mk3 MX5. Are there issues with the power operated coupe hoods which I should be aware of? "
The Mk3 does seem to have been better rust-proofed than the Mk2, but these are now 14 years old so you'll need to check each example individually. It's not just the rear arches that rot either - bonnets can rot because of stone chips, you'll also want to check for poorly repaired accident damage, and keep an eye on panels where the rubber seals have failed. The power-operated hoods can suffer from blocked drains (check for condensation) and can also get out of alignment. There is the odd horror story, so you'll want to make sure the roofs been well looked after - bolts kept tightened, joints lubricated etc. Again, thoroughly test the model that you're working on, listening for any clonks, rattles and unexpected noises.
Answered by Keith Moody
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