WISE BUYER
1989-1997 Last chance to buy one of the best sports cars ever made, says James Walshe
WITH MODERN CLASSICS
Why do I want one?
We might be on the fourth generation MX-5 these days but our hearts will always belong to the original. Sure, those that followed were more refined, roomier and faster but who can resist those dinky proportions or the magic of pop-up headlamps? The MX-5 was an unrivalled driver’s car with outstanding reliability and great practicality for the price – not least an effective manual soft-top that could be flipped up or down with one hand, without leaving the driver’s seat.
MX-5 ownership can be something of a minefield to the uninitiated, however. Here, we take a journey through the life of the world’s best-selling roadster and help you choose the very best.
Which one should I buy?
Enthusiasts debate whether the original 1.6 feels livelier than the 1.8 – so while it’s the chassis that makes the MX-5, you should sample both to help narrow down the search. Remember to check whether yours is a UK car. UK & Europe chassis numbers start ‘JMZ’. The original 1598cc 16-valve twin-cam from 1989 made 114bhp; 0-60mph took 9.1sec on the way to an 114mph top speed. ABS was added in 1991. The 1.6 was dropped when the 1.8 came in 1993 but returned in 1995 with just 90bhp. The 0-60mph sprint now took 10.6sec and top speed dropped to 109mph. Replaced by the NB with fixed headlights (and more power) in 1997.
Late 1993 saw Mazda respond to calls for more power with the 130bhp 1.8. Despite extra weight from chassis stiffening, 0-60mph came in 8.6sec and top speed was 123mph. The 1.8iS from 1994 came with power steering, ABS, electric mirrors and driver’s airbag. In 1995 power was boosted to 132bhp. The 1.8 is a very robust, tunable unit.
Mazda UK produced numerous special editions that added kudos and collectability by way of special exterior colours, trim combinations and upgraded equipment. They were usually produced in batches of a few hundred; rarest of all was 1991’s ‘Le Mans’ with BBR Turbo and 787b livery. Just 24 were built.
Although less sought-after, the Japanese-market Eunos can offer well-cared-for, low-mileage RHD cars (admittedly with km speedos and often no history) that are better-equipped than UK models. They were originally limited to 180km/h (112mph) but this can be deactivated by removing a screw from the back of the instrument cluster! Again there are many special editions.
US cars (called Miata and all LHD) had steel wheels and wind-up windows as standard, with options added as packs. North American Miata chassis begin ‘JM1’; Japanese Eunos start with ‘NA’. Both must have a rear foglight fitted, and the square rear numberplate aperture distinguishes them from UK cars – beware of imposters. Only Eunos/Miata came with an autobox.
What should I look for?
Mechanically, the MX-5 is brilliantly designed. The engines are immensely durable
