2002 Mazda MX5 Sport 1.8

Summary:

Great for summer, poor for winter

Faults:

Clutch replacement needed at 66000 miles.

Leaky seal on differential led to loss of gear box oil and consequent damage to gearbox, requiring new gearbox (actually got a reconditioned one) at 66000 miles.

Number plate holder fell off at 60000 miles.

Reverse gear always been a problem even after new gearbox, takes numerous attempts to get it into gear.

General Comments:

Everything about this car is classy and fun, but one major bugbear is that it won't move in even the slightest bit of snow and slush. Whilst every other car on the road seems to negotiate the slightly slushy and icy roads with no effort, the MX5 just refuses to budge. Mine has been abandoned on the side of the road for over 2 days unwilling to move. Tyres by the way are just under 6 months old and were good quality, so can't blame them.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st December, 2009

24th Dec 2009, 13:36

Without sounding too patronising, what style of driving are you using to try and move off? You want to move the tyres as slowly as possible with good clutch control and almost no revs. In fact pulling off in second is often the best way. You want to drive in as high a gear as possible with very few revs.

Having said that, some cars are just pants in the snow. Being so light and very likely on wide tyres (alloys), it will be worse than something weighty with narrow tyres. Maybe it is geared awkward for pulling off in the snow.

Hope this helps.

25th Dec 2009, 18:45

This car isn't a good snow traveler for 3 reasons:

1. It's very lightweight.

2. It has rear-wheel drive.

3. It's engine is in the front.

These 3 things together make a horrible winter combo. For the track, or dry pavement, these same 3 things make a beautifully driving vehicle. But it doesn't matter how good your tires are if you're so light you can't get any weight on them. And especially with the engine being in front, with the drive wheels at the rear. It just takes even more weight off those rear drive wheels. Great summer car, but very lost in the snow. I figured that these things would be quite obvious to see...

18th Sep 2012, 07:14

Having to replace a clutch at 66,000 miles is pretty damn good, especially considering the enthusiastic driving an MX-5 encourages. I wouldn't say that was a fault at all.

2002 Mazda MX5 Arizona 18 injection

Summary:

One of the unsung greats. A truly fantastic fun car

Faults:

Mazda changed the design of the clutch in 2002 I believe and it wears very quickly and creates 'high-spots'. Look for signs of juddering through the clutch pedal and ensure that you point this out to the dealer on servicing. Mazda will not identify faults that you have not pointed out which are repairable under warranty.

There is no low fuel light on this model, which may not seem like much, but you'd be surprised how helpful that little yellow light is.

General Comments:

This car is outstanding. The handling, balance, look and feel of it are worthy of the most luxurious purebred sports cars, for a fraction of the cost.

Seats are remarkably comfortable and the soft top can be released in literally 2 seconds. The level of noise through the top is no greater than a standard roof.

The Arizona model has aluminium effect windbreaker bars, interior trim and scuff plates. The interior is black leather with silver stitching, with matching sports steering wheel.

Boot space is remarkable when compared with similar cars in the class, and the standard alloys are excellent.

Buy one today.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th May, 2004