2003 mazda MX-5 reviews

Mazda MX-5 1.8i Sport 2003

Bought the car new in 2003 after all the hype and owners’ reports. What a disappointment! Vans out drag me from the lights. OK, I agree, it is a fun car round bends but, 1800cc producing only 155 at the flywheel is just not good enough for serious fun. I drove the new 2.0 Sport and it is marginally quicker but way below what should be available to match today’s sportsters. As for the supposed boost from VVT when hitting 5,000rpm, I wish!! If I was managing 50mpg I could accept the lowly performance but just over 30mpg general driving is not acceptable. My 6-speed box is terrible. Bulking between 2nd to 3rd up and snatching on same gears when changing down. Supplying main dealer garage say it is par for the model. Funny, didn’t mention that when I was buying! Sound system useless over 60mph with hood down and not much better with it up. Had two new clutches and it still ’judders’ when reversing slowly. I am a retired Class 1 traffic police officer and I admit that it can be great fun round bends but this is just not good enough in today’s sportster market when mated to such poor power output. I am coming up to change my Mk. 2.5 and a Mk. 3 will definitely not be on the menu!