2003 Mazda MX5 from North America

Summary:

Love the car

Faults:

Only problem is that when car is run for only a few seconds to move from one part of the driveway to another it does not want to re-start, requires either too much cranking or the need to walk away from it for a couple of hours.

General Comments:

Needs a few more horses under the hood.

Handles much better than my old Corvette ragtop, not quite as good as my 3 Series that I put a suspension kit under.

Pure fun.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th April, 2005

2003 Mazda MX5 1.8i Sport 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Nice car, shame about the clutches

Faults:

In the space of 665 miles (one month ownership) the car has had THREE new clutches.

General Comments:

There is a world-wide clutch-judder problem on some Mk 2 face-lifted versions of the MX-5 which manifests itself in the reverse gear and then after a while affects the forward gears.

My dealership have been good and have replaced the clutch twice, but it is still as bad as ever.

After only 665 miles I am going to reject the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th November, 2003

19th Mar 2005, 15:08

I own a 2002 Mazda Miata, since new. The shift is smooth and clean and solid. I have owned many clutch type cars and trucks. The only time I ever changed a clutch is on clutch on my 23 year old Ford Ranger 4x4, owned since new. This beast of burden also carries an 1000 pound camper through the West Coast Rockies for recreation camping hunting and fishing and out back rides. I have never changed a clutch on any other car I have owned. I keep em for a long time. I have driven for over 45 years and one thing I have learned. Clutch wear is caused by the legs of the operator.

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2003 Mazda MX5 from North America

Summary:

It's a planter - put the top down and fill it with soil

Faults:

After purchasing this fine convertible, I was able to drive a full 25 miles before it broke down and had to be towed. It is as-yet unresolved.

General Comments:

While I understand that not everything works correctly, it is how a company reacts that really separates the wheat from the chaff and in this case, it was clear Mazda neither did a good job in publicizing its roadside assistance program in its documentation, nor in training its representatives at the dealership to know about it. When I called them for help, they gave me a number that turned out to be a phone sex line. When calling back, they gave me a number for roadside assistance in a different country.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th April, 2003

21st Jul 2010, 17:32

The writer above needs to be more specific about his/her mechanical issues. From everything I've read, the MX5 is one of the most reliable cars on the road. I want to know what the issue is here. Also, did this person buy the car used? That should be specified.