MX5 or Fiat Spider

**buriramboy** · 06-12-2017, 10:28 AM

Going to treat myself to a 2 seater convertible, not going to spend stupid money, looking in the £20-25k price bracket and narrowed it down to the MX5 and Fiat Spider cause basically that's about all you can get for that money. Obviously I haven't been for a test drive in either yet will leave that for the New Year, anyone got any opinions from experience good or shit on the 2 cars?

**Ratchaburi** · 06-12-2017, 10:31 AM

mx5 for sure

**bobo746** · 06-12-2017, 10:35 AM

Mid life crisis,penis envy ?

**AntRobertson** · 06-12-2017, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by buriramboy

MX5 or Fiat Spider

Aren't they essentially the same thing?

I thought the Spider was based on the MX5 platform/chassis. Basically just a re-badged Mazda.

**buriramboy** · 06-12-2017, 10:36 AM

^^^Without a test drive that would be my preference but reading articles supposed to be quite noisy with roof up at motorway speeds and maybe an issue with seats for tall people. I'm 6 foot but I guess that isn't tall these days so maybe no issue and mx5 about £3k cheaper.

**buriramboy** · 06-12-2017, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by bobo746

Mid life crisis,penis envy ?

Basically yes, always wanted one and realistically last chance.

**Luigi** · 06-12-2017, 10:49 AM

Mx5 has been the best entry-level roadster for about the last 3 decades.

Neither look particularly good in their current form, the old MX5 was nicer. Now it's copying the z4 from 2004 and doesn't do a decent job of it.

Anyway, Mx5.

**buriramboy** · 06-12-2017, 10:52 AM

I quite like the look of both the new models, and the price makes them even more attractive the MX5 1.5 nav is about £20500 and the spider 1.4 whatever its called about 23500.

**Davis Knowlton** · 06-12-2017, 10:55 AM

I had a Fiat Spider years ago; bought it used and totally rebuilt it. I liked it for a runaround car; never took it on any long trips.

**taxexile** · 06-12-2017, 11:03 AM

What luigi said, save some money and buy a low mileage version of the previous mx5 version from a mazda dealer.

The fiat will depreciate like a stone in water, forget it.

Mazdas are excellent cars, reliable, great drivers, low depreciation too.

I recently bought a cx3 in the uk, eventually choosing it over the fiat 500X and toyota auris.

Reliability and dealership experience clinched it, i liked the auris but the salesman killed it for me with his big mouth.

Japanese designed and engineered cars are superior to european cars in every way apart from the snob value.

**buriramboy** · 06-12-2017, 11:10 AM

What year am i going back to for the previous version of the mx5 then?

**taxexile** · 06-12-2017, 12:42 PM

The third gen. cars produced until late 2015.

They also have a folding retractable hatdtop.

**Dillinger** · 06-12-2017, 12:52 PM

Fiat have a terrible reputation for breaking down.

Mazda easy.

Why are you looking into them now. Theres a blizzard and 6 feet of snow scheduled for Wednesday

**buriramboy** · 06-12-2017, 01:17 PM

Looking now but won't be buying till March/April time.

**AntRobertson** · 06-12-2017, 01:21 PM

Aren't they essentially the same thing?

To answer my own question having checked... Yes they are.

The Fiat's just a more expensive version of the Mazda.

**Luigi** · 06-12-2017, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

The Fiat's just a more expensive version of the Mazda.

I'm sure they've been able to reduce the reliability somewhere along the line.

**AntRobertson** · 06-12-2017, 01:38 PM

Every second bolt on the engine mounts was left loose.

Factory default setting.

**David48atTD** · 06-12-2017, 02:03 PM

Both are on sale in Australia and here how the professionals reviewed them ...

Mazda: The MX-5 RF takes top honours here for several reasons, but mostly because it is simply a more cohesive car.
It may be less powerful and it rides on softer suspension but it feels more fun to drive than its Italian cousin.

The Retractable Fastback roof gives it a suitably different feel from Roadster to make it seem like its own car, more coupe-like,
but still able to offer open-air motoring when the mood suits.

Abarth: Fiat and Abarth did a great job making the 124 Spider feel like a slightly different car, rather than just a rebadged MX-5.

The engine and firmer suspension make it sound and drive unlike the Mazda.

It's a close fight this one, and both cars are stylish and fun-to-drive convertibles that are reasonably affordable.
But different doesn't always mean better.

Winner: Mazda

Recommended reviews in full are Here and Here

**Troy** · 06-12-2017, 02:25 PM

Forget both; you only live once so go for an F-type Jaguar.

**Dragonfly** · 06-12-2017, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by buriramboy

Going to treat myself to a 2 seater convertible, not going to spend stupid money, looking in the £20-25k price bracket and narrowed it down to the MX5 and Fiat Spider cause basically that's about all you can get for that money. Obviously I haven't been for a test drive in either yet will leave that for the New Year, anyone got any opinions from experience good or shit on the 2 cars?

Chav alert

**taxexile** · 06-12-2017, 03:24 PM

chav alert indeed.

soft tops in the uk and other chilly climes mark the driver if over 20 years old as an attention seeking poser.

whilst the mazda may be a decent car, for a middle aged man it is a ridiculous car and is no more than a chest wig chariot.

it is not a classic, it is not expensive, and it cannot be driven comfortably with its roof down.

the only ones who will give it a second look are chavs looking for something to vandalise and shirtlifters hoping to be picked up. women wont give it or the driver a second look

far better to get one of the older versions which are fast assuming classic status, and then at least one can hide ones mid life insecurities behind the facade of the afficionado.

if one lived on the french riviera or in spain, it might be an acceptable mode of transport for a middle aged man, providing it was not kept too clean and it sported a few dents and scratches, you knoiw .. the patinated look.

but for wolverhampton, the anonymity of an astra or focus would be far preferable.

as for the fiat, well, you might as well put on lipgloss, a miniskirt and carry a handbag.

**bsnub** · 06-12-2017, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by taxexile

for a middle aged man it is a ridiculous car to be seen in and can only be seen as a chest wig chariot.

Indeed more like a secretaries car rather than for an adult man.

**VocalNeal** · 06-12-2017, 03:45 PM

Very subjective thread.

If one buys cars with one's heart then get the Fiat. You'll need the Abarth version.

if you want an open-top delight tuned for spirited B-road blasts then the 124 Spider is worth taking for a test drive.

Either you like Italian cars (even though the Fiat is made in Japan) or you don't. If you don't go mainstream and buy a Japanese car.

looking in the £20-25k price bracket

Get a Caterham. Cheaper, quicker. Not secretary or hairdresser's car. All you need is a flat cap?

MX5 or Fiat Spider-546b17bd94bb0_-_caterham-620-1-lg-jpg

**taxexile** · 06-12-2017, 03:58 PM

If i had to get an open car on pain of death, it could only be the current lotus elan or the suzuki engined caterham.

Both are considerably more enthusiast than poser, but like all small 2 seaters have limited practicality. The mazda will be more reliable, but has unfortunate image problems for the middle aged man.

**crackerjack101** · 06-12-2017, 04:17 PM

If you weren't going for a brand new car I'd heartily recommend the Mercedes SLK 2000 or the 3000.
We bought one for 8 grand, drove it round the UK for months and then flogged it for 8 grand.
Amazing handling, an impressive turn of speed, extremely comfortable and a very efficient folding hard top.
There's just, I repeat just, enough space for luggage for most needs as long as your not planning on carrying camping gear or the like.

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