Fun car....MX5 or Cooper s?

Bobsyeruncle

Bobsyeruncle

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Hi folks,
I've been thinking about a summer runaround, particularly a mazda MX5.
My budget is around £5k so I should get something reasonable for that budget, however, there may be another option with a higher budget....
My wife has a car, but has always fancied a mini.
If we go that route we would only need 1 additional car and could up the budget to around £10-11k.
If we got a Cooper S convertible it may satisfy my need for a bit of roof down fun, and more performance than I get from my company car (Skoda Octavia estate).

Has anyone had both cars?
If so, what are your thoughts?
I'm sure both would be fun to drive...

I've driven my brother in law's MX5 a few years ago and I enjoyed it, but I've never driven a mini...
Obviously I will try one before finally deciding, but it would be great to hear some experiences etc if possible.

Thanks
 
I've owned an MX5 mk1, and I've travelled in but not owned a Mini. Get the MX5. Bang for buck it's hands down the most fun car on the planet, proving you don't need big power to have fun.
 

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I've never driven a new Mini but I've had a few MX5's and I think they're different beasts as the Mini is front wheel drive and the MX5 is rear.

If possible I'd go for a MK1 MX5 but the MK2's onwards are arguably more practical with fixed headlights and glass rear screens. My first MX5 was a MK1 and when I got my current MK2 I desperately wanted a MK1 but I was pushed for time and couldn't find a nice one. I don't like the latest one at all and also don't like that one they did with pronounced wheel arches. Much better to go for a MK1 or 2, IMO.

Be aware though that although the MX5 is relatively low power and user friendly it's still a real wheel drive car with different handling characteristics to what is essentially a modified front wheel drive hatchback. I remember reading that when the MX5 was first revealed to motoring press a youngster who'd never driven a rear wheel drive car crashed one. I've never crashed any of my MX5's but the warning that these cars handle differently should still be heard.

Another not to be overlooked is the MGTF. If going that way I'd go for a later one with conventional suspension rather than hydrogas. I drove them both and much preferred the non hydrogas ones.
 
woof woof said:
I've never driven a new Mini but I've had a few MX5's and I think they're different beasts as the Mini is front wheel drive and the MX5 is rear.

If possible I'd go for a MK1 MX5 but the MK2's onwards are arguably more practical with fixed headlights and glass rear screens. My first MX5 was a MK1 and when I got my current MK2 I desperately wanted a MK1 but I was pushed for time and couldn't find a nice one. I don't like the latest one at all and also don't like that one they did with pronounced wheel arches. Much better to go for a MK1 or 2, IMO.

Be aware though that although the MX5 is relatively low power and user friendly it's still a real wheel drive car with different handling characteristics to what is essentially a modified front wheel drive hatchback. I remember reading that when the MX5 was first revealed to motoring press a youngster who'd never driven a rear wheel drive car crashed one. I've never crashed any of my MX5's but the warning that these cars handle differently should still be heard.

Another not to be overlooked is the MGTF. If going that way I'd go for a later one with conventional suspension rather than hydrogas. I drove them both and much preferred the non hydrogas ones.
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I quite like the Mk3 with the pronounced arches tbh.
The issue with the mk1 and 2 is getting one that's not rotting away underneath.
My bother in law had a mk2.5 and he ended up selling it for a pittance because of the rust/rot underneath.
I'm not really in any rush (although I can be impatient) so can wait until the right car comes along....maybe one that's already had the rust issues dealt with....
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
I quite like the Mk3 with the pronounced arches tbh.
The issue with the mk1 and 2 is getting one that's not rotting away underneath.
My bother in law had a mk2.5 and he ended up selling it for a pittance because of the rust/rot underneath.
I'm not really in any rush (although I can be impatient) so can wait until the right car comes along....maybe one that's already had the rust issues dealt with....
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Mk2s are rustier than Mk1s, though all Mazdas rust badly unfortunately. A well looked after one is essential.
 
Me? I like MK1's but I might fit a new roof with glass screen. As far as I remember there's a conversion kit.
 
For 5k you'd be looking at just getting an NC2 which has a few essential upgrades in the engine. The main rust issues for the NC are at the rear of the cill where it meets the wheel arch, there's a guy near London who does a complete strip and protection that is well worth it if you're near. The NC Europe group on Facebook is friendly and has quite a few pop up for sale.

I've had my NC1 2.0 sport for nearly 3 years as a second car, full custom exhaust and remap makes it sound and go a little better, still toying with the idea of coilovers to drop the wheel arch gap but thats on the back burner for now.

My brother is a big fan of the Mini but I just can't see me in one, I think the looks and size of the NC is spot on and the local clubs can be fun.
 
I drive a MKV Golf GTi (same platform as the Octavia) and we have had a hard top '02 plate Cooper S and then a soft top '05 plate S.
The '05 plate convertible we bought 3 years old and still have the car now, we like it that much.
The Cooper S is about 160BHP and the Golf just shy of 200BHP but heavier - IIRC their 0-60 are very similar.
The Golf is more refined and smoother - feels fast and it's fun to drive but the Cooper S feels much more connected and involving.
The Mini has a much harder ride and feels more eager - don't know if that's the supercharger in the Mini vs turbo in the golf.
I've done Norfolk to Somerset in both and would prefer to do that in the Golf any day.
Before we bought the convertible, we test drove the next incarnation of the Cooper S when BMW switched to a turbo and made it larger and heavier.
It felt nothing like as fun, it was definitely quicker but it felt dull and lifeless in comparison.
The later ones have none of the Go Kart appeal of the first versions which are really reminiscent of the Austin Mini to drive despite being much bigger, heavier etc.

Our Cooper S convertible is still low mileage 70K and comparatively few problems - I've had to replace the exhaust and macpherson strut mounts due to age. The hood is now quite stained and green in places.

Downsides -
The boot is a slot, even compared to the hard top.
The back seat is cramped for an adult though I've been in it at 6'2". It's claustrophobic if the hood is up and noisy if it's down (though it's 2 more seats than an MX5 :) )

Upsides -
It handles like a Go Kart
Even though it's not super powerful the supercharged 1.6 feels lively and eager. You never feel it's slow
The supercharger makes a lovely noise esp. with the top down.
Looks cute (when it's clean)

We've always needed 3 seats in any car so an MX5 was never a consideration.
If you don't need the back seat then the MX5 is probably no less practical - I know lots of owners who've loved them.
 
We've had a cooper SD convertible for several years. There's quite a bit of power and it handles like a gokart, but the ride can be harsh and it needs concentration to drive well. It's a much more serious car than the MX-5 (our son had a couple of mk1s).
 
Ha!

That does look nice and it's a 2001, the same as mine.

One thing I forgot to say is forget about engine size and just buy the car you want. That's my view anyway.

Have fun! Actually I think that's just about guaranteed :D

A little tip.
Get a little tub of silicone jell or Vaseline or something and smear some on the rubber seals on the soft top every so often and that'll probably keep you dry. When I first got mine water just poured in but lubricating the seals fixed it with no replacement parts needed and the car's now 20 years old with the original roof and seals :D
 
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Too late for the discussion, but that's a nice looking car you bought.
I had an MX5 (don't know what model, I bought it new in 2007) with 2l engine, I really liked it and am seriously considering getting one as a fun car now again. I had a MG TF prior to that for a few years, which I really liked too, despite only having the 1.6 engine. MG quality was poor, but it was a really fun car and I'd have one again in a shot - I think somehow it had that classic MG soul, which you don't get the equivalent of in an MX5 - and I say that as an MX5 fan. I'd have either, in fact I might well do so and get rid of the Fiesta runabout...
 
woof woof said:
Ha!

That does look nice and it's a 2001, the same as mine.

One thing I forgot to say is forget about engine size and just buy the car you want. That's my view anyway.

Have fun! Actually I think that's just about guaranteed :D

A little tip.
Get a little tub of silicone jell or Vaseline or something and smear some on the rubber seals on the soft top every so often and that'll probably keep you dry. When I first got mine water just poured in but lubricating the seals fixed it with no replacement parts needed and the car's now 20 years old with the original roof and seals :D
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Thanks Alan,
Appreciate the tip....(y)
 
Other than the colour, nice! Mrs Nod had a Mk 2.5 of the same age and loved it, only changing it when she saw an affordable XK8 (with her nickname as the 3 letters of the reg. number). Should have known better when the MX5 broke down on the way to see the Jag!!! Turned out to be a £15 sensor and 5 minutes work to fit it. After 3-4 years of the XK8, the running costs (20 MPG on a VERY good day and high maintenance costs) saw her getting a Mk 3 with the folding hard top. I far prefer the looks of the older car without the (afterthought IMO) widened arches but the one she has now is better. My big estate car goes further on a gallon of fuel though...

Enjoy.
 
Perfect colour choice - that's something I'd pick. I'm looking at Mercedes SLK's though at the moment - as they have a hard top - I want the best of both at the flick of a switch :)
 
FWIW, Mrs Nod's foldable hardtop is watertight but a friend's SLK needs a new floor because it leaks. The older MX-5 soft tops are a lot quicker to put up/down than the hardtop but are noisier and colder.
 
cymruchris said:
Perfect colour choice - that's something I'd pick. I'm looking at Mercedes SLK's though at the moment - as they have a hard top - I want the best of both at the flick of a switch :)
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I had an SLK 230 MK1 and it was the most disappointing car I've ever had. The hard top kept jamming and it took the dealership an age to diagnose and fix, the paint fell off in flakes (I kid you not) and the auto box was just a jerky horribleness. I did like some aspects, it was a nice size and I liked the interior and the thought of the folding hard top. I always look at them when I see them but the ownership and driving experiences for me were just awful.
 
woof woof said:
A little tip.
Get a little tub of silicone jell or Vaseline or something and smear some on the rubber seals on the soft top every so often and that'll probably keep you dry. When I first got mine water just poured in but lubricating the seals fixed it with no replacement parts needed and the car's now 20 years old with the original roof and seals :D
Click to expand...
Hi, nice purchase, I have a softtop Honda and our community use a product call Shin Etsu grease for the seals, available from Honda it is designed for the rubber seals, I do mine twice a year, highly recommended. Enjoy the car, get the roof down, a warm jacket and a woolly hat means you don’t need sunny days.
 
I've not driven one personally but I haven't heard too many great things said about the driving experience of modern Minis. The MX5 (or "Miata" as it was called in the States where I lived when I first saw one parked on Miami Beech) has always received good reviews and if I had to choose between the two I'd go for one of those.

That said, in the same boat, I'd look for an MGB GT. I'm going to grab one myself eventually ready for when our son heads to Uni or college.
 
woof woof said:
I had an SLK 230 MK1 and it was the most disappointing car I've ever had. The hard top kept jamming and it took the dealership an age to diagnose and fix, the paint fell off in flakes (I kid you not) and the auto box was just a jerky horribleness. I did like some aspects, it was a nice size and I liked the interior and the thought of the folding hard top. I always look at them when I see them but the ownership and driving experiences for me were just awful.
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Yes I know the mk1's had their challenges ! I'll hopefully be finding something a bit more recent - but not too recent. I've always loved the MX-5 though - I've had a few different convertibles and targa tops over the years - a mk1 MR-2 - a 300zx twin turbo - a Honda CRX Del Sol - so much more fun than a Ford Mondeo. If they'd done the Mazda with a hard top convertible like the old Honda Del Sol - I'd be in!
 
cymruchris said:
Yes I know the mk1's had their challenges ! I'll hopefully be finding something a bit more recent - but not too recent. I've always loved the MX-5 though - I've had a few different convertibles and targa tops over the years - a mk1 MR-2 - a 300zx twin turbo - a Honda CRX Del Sol - so much more fun than a Ford Mondeo. If they'd done the Mazda with a hard top convertible like the old Honda Del Sol - I'd be in!
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I wonder why I still want one :D
 
I do like the size and the roof and the interior though. Mine was blue.
 
THIRTYFIVEMILL said:
I've not driven one personally but I haven't heard too many great things said about the driving experience of modern Minis. The MX5 (or "Miata" as it was called in the States where I lived when I first saw one parked on Miami Beech) has always received good reviews and if I had to choose between the two I'd go for one of those.

That said, in the same boat, I'd look for an MGB GT. I'm going to grab one myself eventually ready for when our son heads to Uni or college.
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Unless you particularly want an MGB, an MX-5 is a far better car.
 
We had a MkIII Spitfire for a couple of years - nice then, but it would be less fun now without some serious mods.
 
ancient_mariner said:
We had a MkIII Spitfire for a couple of years - nice then, but it would be less fun now without some serious mods.
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We did when I was 3 years old. My father, who was still around then, wrapped it round a lamppost with me in the back on the luggage seat. My head still hurts. :LOL:
 
I've had 5 Mini's, one Cooper S, 2 R56 JCW's, and F56 JCW, and currently an Clubman JCW. I love them. The handling, the interior, and the community too - until Covid we had regular meetings and a group of 5 or 6 of us would go away for long weekends to North Wales, Cornwall or the Dales.

My son had an R53 Cooper S (Supercharged) but has had to get a family car now. My wife has a 2011 R56 One which has less than 30k on the clock.

This is my current steed:

redrims by Steve Jelly, on Flickr

Me & my lad when I had my last 3 door (F56) JCW

Alex B_day by Steve Jelly, on Flickr
 
Bob, if asked what colour MX5 I wanted your colour wouldn't have immediately sprung to mind but looking at the pictures I really like it. It may not look good on every car but I do think it suits the MX5. Well done. Good choice :D
 
Jelster said:
I've had 5 Mini's, one Cooper S, 2 R56 JCW's, and F56 JCW, and currently an Clubman JCW. I love them. The handling, the interior, and the community too - until Covid we had regular meetings and a group of 5 or 6 of us would go away for long weekends to North Wales, Cornwall or the Dales.

My son had an R53 Cooper S (Supercharged) but has had to get a family car now. My wife has a 2011 R56 One which has less than 30k on the clock.

This is my current steed:

redrims by Steve Jelly, on Flickr

Me & my lad when I had my last 3 door (F56) JCW

Alex B_day by Steve Jelly, on Flickr
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Cool cars.
My wife will end up with a mini in the future.....she doesn't know what a cooper s is so she'll just think it a standard mini :LOL:
 
woof woof said:
Bob, if asked what colour MX5 I wanted your colour wouldn't have immediately sprung to mind but looking at the pictures I really like it. It may not look good on every car but I do think it suits the MX5. Well done. Good choice :D
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Yeah, I've always liked them in yellow.
Can't wait to get her....
 
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