I have since more than 20 years the MX-5 in succession

I have since more than 20 years the MX-5 in succession. When I bought it, it was a well-kept copy of five years. It is now a budding classic.
For a few years I trade in this car toyed with the idea of an S2000. However, returning from a fantastic test drive this car, I had to admit that the MX-5 in its simplicity certainly brings so much as an income class S2000.

In the 20 years that I have driven the Mazda, I received confirmation of the quality of this brand. In addition to the standard battery, one outlet, a pair of new tires I actually had no replacement. Prventief I replaced at 100,000 km and the timing belt at the age of 15 years. I did not want to run the risk that harm would occur to the motor. This engine still idling nicer than the regular in this household incoming new Ford cars. A presentation.

The handling is (even now) written in many publications. I can report: It's true. You get automatically a smile from ear to ear as you may send in this car.

Conclusion:
If you hit a good copy to is MX-5 driving a very affordable hobby. Its low weight, you pay almost no road tax and over a classic insurance also costs this little part. However, you can go for thousands of guilders have fun with sports car characteristics of this car.
Also a good choice with competition (103 690 km)

This afternoon as the battery charged. My MX-5 is in the winter, disconnect the battery. After 3 months of downtime took the time to again drive a lap. Skimpy sun, melting snow, little wind, blue sky and the cap down. Perfect. The MX-5 had long stopped because she has a BMW Z4 2.5si Roadster executive from 2006 competition since June (see my other reviews). These parked closer to home and alone is therefore a first choice. The BMW traveled to the winter of the Mazda. She started yet. Already after the first few meters again that pure feeling of throwing and throw cars that you do not find in the luxury Beamer. I remain surprised that such a simple roadster turns at least an equally broad smile on the face then such a big BMW. So I can recommend everyone not to save for a Z4 so long (er) to wait roadster fun, but the roadster pleasure (preliminary) into a MX-5 NA or N (or evt.een Fiat Barchetta, too fun). It is good to report that a BMW Z3 me (ever been in focus as a possible replacement for my MX-5) never managed to conjure such a broad grin on my face. I would leave so.
late summer 2010 (104.180 km)

A short update: as you can see, I drive not too many kilometers a year with my MX-5. In that sense, he has to lead the competition with the Z4 and Z4 that I can get some more easily from the garage. To date, I have argued that the MX-5 is trouble. Last Sunday, during a ride with a street enjoyed this repeated. Then the car bucks. It seemed like he was walking on acceleration to 3 pips. The ride home afgehobbeld and a minute from the MX-5 club wanted the technical site. I fell into the top 10 in terms of weaknesses of the MX-5, broken spark plug wires. According go the site that only 40,000 km along. In hindsight I had these cables, about five years ago, already exchanged. Fast new cables ordered from IL Motorsport in Germany, THE power center for an MX-5. Yesterday came in and just mounted. The car runs again like a charm. Sunday before the trouble started, a nice ride the ride. Therefore a good time to praise the tires under the MX-5. These are Bridgestone Turanza ER300 copies. They give a lot of grip and make of the car, especially when cornering, a fantastic device. Pretty average between comfort, grip and directness. Recommended. Two weeks ago, new Pirelli P7 instances show put under my Z4. I have not ridden much with that, but I am so far that I doubt whether these tires deliver the same fun of me as the Bridgestones. I therefore provisionally can particularly recommend these tires to the reader.
Update (104,900 km)

Since I have a Z4 I drive VERY little in my MX-5. only a few hundred kilometers per year. The APK I am not attentive, which fined me 126 euros - yielding. This afternoon taken from the stable to ride around. The battery breaker (switch) the battery remains well charged. A must if you, like me, but once used the animal every 3 months. After a round of Italy with the Z4 brand you really think you now with the MX-5 is in an old car. What a difference. I must say that I had to get used for the first time to the simplicity and I figured a trip to Italy this MX-5 would have been much, much more tiring than in the Z4.
The car started immediately when I turned the key and ran as usual. Still a very good quality the NA version of the MX-5. Continue to report much news. In September a jubilee (20th anniversary) of the MX-5 club. If you have a nice MX-5 is considering possibly buy a place to sign.
Update (107.000 km)

The MX5 has not ridden many kilometers in recent years. In the winter he was so whosoever inside and in the summer he has competition from a Z4 and 911. I'll give it to you but to do. The good news, however. He can compete. What that car stays nice and pure to drive. Amortization of my beautiful NA was zero and I expect it to be a (modest) investment in the foreseeable future. I hear many fellow MX5 notify drivers that, a couple of times switched to a N or NC, are actually still in love with the NA and that they consider one to buy back. I never caught for NB or NC temptations understand that. Yesterday was a technical day of the club to replace (preventive) brake hoses with steel ones. Lovely weather to be on the road with the car. I voted for this review checked the invoices and subject to MOT and brake hoses RVW I find NOTHING in recent years. Even after three months standstill (with disconnected battery) is turn the key and start. Indeed, it is no wonder that even after 25 years AFTER the press and (former) owners still emblazoned. If you are already a while in doubt, I suggest you now to buy a GOOD one. It will not be long before everyone else realized that they want one, and then the prices go up. And what must have. Take one with the original 1.6 engine with 115 hp, code U9. After about three? year, namely 1.6 came to market, reduced 90 hp. I would leave. Optionally, you can take the same time introduced 1.8. Which is in character corresponds to the 1.6 t / m 92.
update and perils key locked achterba (107 668 km)

It goes well with the MX-5.
Recently, a new battery. After 10 years, not a luxury. The batteries store had not survived the winter well. Furthermore, another new belt after 11 years. This time to do with MX5 freaks in Boijl. Recommended. In the run up these troubles experienced with a key in the trunk. Below the report follows these tips and tricks for those who come in the future.

Key perils with instructive moments
last week had my MX-5 are led by the MOT. Technically no problem, since the vehicle is always in good condition after 25 years. I just wanted to recharge the battery after several months of stagnation. After all, you must not think that you have an appointment with the inspection station and the car will not start. No sooner said than done. To be sure yet just disconnected the battery so that any charge would not be delayed. The charger connected, tailgate shut and wait but.

 
Where's actually my car keys? Oh dear, in the trunk. Fortunately, I'm an accurate one. Spare keys I have stored in a box with indication. After 20 years it is finally useful. The spare key was indeed found quickly. Handvatje not black but gray. A beautiful new key never used. However, what I tried, the trunk did not open. Doors did fine, the switch also. Not that I had that last thing, because the battery was disconnected. So there I was. The spare key was found a sort of garage / hotel key. You can fix the car / parking but can not reach the stuff in the trunk. Not a good spare key, no button between the seats to open the trunk (NA, model year 1991), no possibility itself to mobile search assistance through the disconnected battery in the trunk. What now? 

The ANWB! Smart men who might experience daily. Appointment for the same evening. The ANWB man saw no possibility. Perhaps forcing the trunk with beautiful pneumatics was the only creativity that was presented? Who knows the beautiful state of my MX-5, knows that this really is not an option. Again, what now? 

Internet! Find some buddies have done in the past. Soon I found the feedback from an enthusiastic companion. He had acted in accordance with a tip that he had received from an even earlier companion. He had a gap of 20 to 30 mm drilled behind the license plate. About 2 hours relative to the center of the plate. The companion reported that it had given him 20 seconds of work to drill a hole with a hole borer and apparently have a lever or something accessible that he could unlock things. I am, before I dared to drill the hole, went looking for an NA. Look what can be achieved by drilling a hole. That was not, however. In addition to the plastic part lies behind a fully dense steel body portion. Subsequently, also through the coating. Not really a nice plan. I did this so but just parked. 

In parallel, I had been in touch with my Mazda dealer, Jansen Arnhem. Fred, the contact person of the workshop, reported to me that there is another key might be ordered if I had the key code. This is the code that is often a metal plate that comes with the set of keys to a new car. I do not have the car since new possession, I never had this. His colleague Paul reported that this number in the door is the right door. So if I do that inside would dismount from, the number of the lock could read. Subsequently, could be made a good key with certainty. A hopeful plan!
In our conversation at the counter came yet another alternative to the Mazda dealer. It seems possible today to recreate a key of an image. As a basis we could use the garage / hotel key, if we would know what the difference is between this key and the real key. Mazda Jansen called the supplier of the "photo-key. After some research it was found that the secret was in the tip of the key. The most attractive plan was born. No tinkering, but smart. A photo of the garage / hotel key made with my mobile !, these emailed and then wait.
In parallel, I also got an alternative by that I do not want to share with you through an MX-5 specialist. If nothing would happen, I would still could sacrifice one of the rear (smash, ) and thus reach the trunk. I decided that after the photo and the dismantling of the right door lock as a plan to save C.
As the next morning I could pick up the key. It was made the same day and overnight delivery to the dealer.
Everyone was curious. I myself had my expectations were not so high. It would be a very easy solution to the ground by my stupidity, a key in a locked trunk.
Who my surprise that the key fit over smoothly. Since the trunk clicked open and there was my original key. What a relief.
If anyone from the club is going to happen he / she now knows what to do in the future, or have a plan B or C instead of physically forcing the trunk with the necessary damage.