Mazda MX-5 (1990 - 2005) 1.8i S 2d (98) (1998/S) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Many people call these "hairdressers' cars". However when you've driven one you'll know that they are a blast. I don't really know what it says about me, I just enjoy the car for what it is, not as a fashion accessory.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

My mum and dad love it, my grandad went out and bought one after I did (I must have influenced him :) ), and it has grown on my girlfriend and she now enjoys it too.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Absolutely, though I think I would go for a MK1 89-98 model as I just love the pop-up lights.

What are you likely to buy next?

Hard to say really, no plans yet. Though maybe something like a Civic Type-R or Toyota MR2 MK2.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£1,200

When did you buy the car?

March 2013

Did you get a good deal and why?

This was a great deal. The reason being is that I bought the car with a hard top which cost £200-£300 used, so a valuable extra. Also the independent specialist I took it to praised the overall condition, other than some sill rust (which I will go into later).

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I wanted a reliable two seater on a budget, so really it was a no-brainer.

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

Fantastic. For the money you will be hard pressed to find a car that handles so well. It's not particularly fast by modern standards, but this doesn't ruin the fun in any way. Of course it can be made fast with many supercharger and turbo options that are available.

What's it like to park?

Easy. It's a small car after all. Rear visibility is great with the hard top as the window is larger than that of the soft top, but even then the visibility is fine. With the hood down it is stupidly easy to park as you have 360 degree vision.

Have you had any problems with the car?

As of yet, no. I don't really expect much to. This was the basis of my purchase, these cars are very reliable and usually not particularly expensive to repair. The left side sill however will need a repair before the next MOT.

What's most practical about your car?

I didn't buy the car for practicality, but the boot is actually a decent size, especially compared to the comparable MK3 MR2. Also with the hard top in place there is more room on the space behind the seats, so you can put a couple of bits and pieces here too.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Hard top. The car looks awesome with a hard top, and the fear of having the hood slashed is taken away. Not really any other incredible gadgets on the car, apart from the heater, which is like a furnace.