Cheap Summer Cars! Mazda MX5 Vs Porsche Boxster 3.2S 

Bought my 1.6 NA in 1991, and still going strong. The thing to remember is that it is more fun to drive a less powerful car hard than it is to drive a powerful car cautiously!

This was a great review. In the US at the moment, one can buy a Boxster for LESS than a nice early Miata. I have owned two Mk. 1 Miatas, one for about 14 years. Last summer I found a nice low-mileage 1999 Boxster (with full maintenance history, IMS included). My experience mirrors yours. The Miata was a happy puppy that made even a short trip to the store a fun experience. They give their owners everything they want and ask for very little in return. The Boxster is a car I wouldn’t mind taking on a cross country trip. It has two large trunks, it’s smoother, more powerful, the engine note is like ripping silk, and it feels more substantial. That said, it just doesn’t make me giggle the way the Miata did. It feels like a Porsche. I have also owned an air cooled 911 (a 3.2 Carrera with the same HP output as my 2.5 Boxster) and driven many others and I believe the mid-engined Boxster is simply more fun to drive than 911s, including their contemporary 996. The Boxster is more “Miata-like” than a 996 but not as light and happy as a Miata, if that makes sense. Both remain fantastic bargains for now, but with Boxsters costing the same amount or even less than a Miata in similar condition, it’s a really difficult choice.

U can't beat MX5 value, I bought mine in 2001 and with little money spent on repairs, mostly in upgrading suspension, brakes, and wheels/tires, the car is bullet proof.

I currently own both a 1999 1.6 MX5 and also a 1999 Boxster 2.5. Jack is correct, the Boxster is just so good, so capable, sounds amazing and it's hard to imagine anything better however I live in Spain so prices for a well sorted 986 Boxster (seemingly engine independent) are around Euro 15k so defintely not a bargain here compared to the UK. When I first purchased the Boxster I drove it all the time and neglected the MX5, but having recently jumped back in and spent more time in the little Mazda I couldn't easily pick one over the other. It doesn't sound as good as the Boxster and it's not as fast but you can find yourself having the same, if not more fun at around 20km less everwhere you go. The gear change and pedal feel are better than the already good Boxster and the steering in the MX5 is honestly on a different planet in relation to feel and quickness. I love them both but the MX5 is the one I would keep if I had to sell one.

So good to see you in a Boxster!!! I've got a 2.7 986 2004 and absolutely love it!!!

I briefly ran two mk1 Eunos's side by side, a 1.6 and a 1.8. There isn't a lot between them to be honest but I prefer the 1.6 which is the one I kept out of the two. Coming up on 7 years ownership now, it's 30 years old and a bit rattly but is in good cosmetic order and I love it. It's just a great, reliable weekend car that costs buttons to run.

I've had both. Mazda weekends. Boxster everyday. Both fab. Choose to suit yourself.

Jack, I've got a 1999 MX5 NB, it's the nicest handling all round, little sporty car I've ever owned/driven. I've owned Sprites, E type, S types, TR Triumphs, all valuable assets &investments, but for pure driving fun, Mazda MX 5 every time, perfection at a bargain price. Keeping it until I can't drive anymore.

The boxster could really benefit from a gearbox with shorter gears. It would make the car feel much more alive. Have driven both boxster and mx5 quite a lot and agree with your take. For me a boxster with shorter gearing or a mx5 with a rocketeer v6 would be the best.

Jack, would love to see comparisons between these modern cars and some of the oldies like the MG, Triumph, Austin and others from back in the day. The Miyata has always reminded me of the MGB from the early '70's. It would be fun to see how they stack up.

I've had an NB MX5 1.6 since 2010. 7 Years ago I wanted to buy a 986 2.7 Boxster. I got the Boxster. It is wonderful. But I couldn't sell the MX5. Which kind of says it all. It is lovely. Everything is more immediate, the throttle response, the steering. Yes the Boxster is more capable, faster, better brakes, more grip, more practical and even more comfortable. But the Mazda feels more playful, and is better driving with the top down. In the future, I might trade the Boxster in for a 911 coupe. The MX5 will stay.

I’ve owned 4 different Mazda MX-5’s since 1990, and they were all amazing cars to drive and own. It’s basically a Lotus Elan that’s extremely well made and reliable. The only thing these cars require is the scheduled maintenance, and even then you can abuse them and they still run. I never got left stranded or had a repair that was difficult or expensive. If you can afford to own a Toyota Corolla, you can afford to own an MX-5. Now I own a 2019 MX-5 which is a big improvement on an already pretty perfect small sports car.

My wife had a 2006 MX5 2.0 sport for 10 years. It was an amazing car. But, she's had a 2005 Boxster for 3 years. It's a different level. The MX5 front end always seemed a bit floaty & imprecise to me. The mid engine of the Boxster just removes that completely.

My 1st Porsche was a 3.2 Boxster S. Lovely little car with an absolutely sublime chassis. Quick enough for everyday without being too conspicuous. These are great value now. Tbh the 2.7 engine is probably the smoothest of the range. Not too expensive to run tbf either. If your thinking about one just do it you won't be disappointed providing you've had it checked over properly..👍👍

Great video, I had a 987, 2.7 Boxster for a year, I thought that it was excellent sports car.

Thanks Jack, great comparison! Hope the summer last for more soft top reviews 🙏🙏

In my 3.2 S I made a few mods that really helped. Added a short shifter kit, a sprint booster the adjust the throttle response, adjustable shocks, custom exhaust. (And more), It's a bomb now. The MX5 is lighter and easier to drive, (and fun) but lacks power, I am forever red lining it. Considered super charging it!

The mk2.5 (facelift) 1.8 sport with the vvti engine, 6 speed gearbox, & factory LSD is the absolute gem of that shape. If you’re going to track a 986 get a baffled sump insert, they can and do oil starve.

Having owned an Eunos Roadster 1.6 and a Porsche Boxster 2.5 the earliest of both examples, they're both excellent cars.

I love my 2000 Boxster and enjoy every daily drive. Again everyone has their different taste. Good summation of two classics.

Nice video, Jack. I owned a Boxster 2.7 for 5 years. It was a joy to drive and I could floor it and not get into too much trouble. I think you missed a very practical consideration. The Boxster is a great car for summer road trips. It has room for two carry-on size roller bags, a couple small duffle bags and one or two backpacks. Skip one roller bag and there was room to bring home a case of wine in the frunk! That is why I never even considered the Miata, Z3 or TT. The Boxster was bulletproof for over 35K miles of back-road drives and summer road trips. The only reason I don't own a Boxster today is the need for back seats in the 997.2 for the grandkids. As always, looking forward to your next video.

You need to try an S2000. You do get a cars character nailed in your reviews. Keep it up.

I was fascinated by your conclusion that the Boxster was just too competent to be fun. Thirty years ago I came to the exact same conclusion with a Porsche 356 - an absolutely brilliant, competent, car but just too good to be fun.

Boxster S is good value. I think the 987 generation added a lot of polish though and it the real sweet spot for used buys. My preference is the Cayman S, which has a bit more power, structural rigidity, it's a really excellent sports car and still feels fast today. Has to be a 987.2 model though (2009>) to avoid the problems the engines suffered which were mostly corrected by then. Obviously you're talking at least £15k at that point.

Great video Jack. I toyed with this dilemma for months and eventually went for the MX5 because 'fun' can had with very little effort. I liked the Boxster a lot but it was too good and too capable to be entertaining on occasional drives. Thanks for validating my choice. ;)

I never thought I'd be a "miata guy." But, I got curious when I was looking for a fun driver's car. I test drove a few cars, but ended up buying a 1999 Miata (a bit rough but capable) for $2000. Shortly after I bought a 2004 for $1000 that turned into my daily driver for the last couple years. So cheap- and I've got a couple parts cars for next to nothing. Easy to work on- It's like a 1960s car in its simplicity to my eyes. So fun, chuckable. I live in a rural area and I love nothing more than to drive out to the country side and drift around the gravel roads and pretty back roads. I unfortunately hit two fairly large deer one night awhile back while my top was down. I watched first as one flew over my head, then another, lol. Structurally it was fine, so I have had a blast carving a new one-piece front end out of foam to make a fiberglass buck. The takeaway- fun, light, and I'm not worried about scratches. :) Edit: Note about the mk1 and mk2 from an American perspective- for some reason, we don't dislike the mk2 over here. We like a wider, bulbous look I think, lol. We see the mk1 as more petite, less masculine. I believe we got the 1.8l in the mk2 across the board- 15-20 hp increase. I could be wrong. I just know both my mk2 have the 1.8 and the mk1 parts car I snagged (rolled but full of useable parts) has the 1.6. The mk1 is more popular among young guys into the jdm scene, but most older fellows like the later models- perhaps a slight bit more space? I still removed the driver seat in mine and put in some cushions, lol.

I used to see a turquoise Mk1 MX-5 at the car park at work. Quite fancied it from a distance, but up close the rust was horrifying. That's what put me off buying one. I didn't mind that it's a relatively slow car, which is something Mazda finally remedied with the facelifted 2-litre ND, although I gather the ND rolls too much in the corners. So I bought a 986 Boxster S instead as it seemed to me to be the bargain of the century. If you change the oil regularly and replace the IMS bearing with ceramic one when it's time to change the clutch, you never have to worry about it again. For the S2000 killer that it is, a manual 3.2 is vastly undervalued in the current market. It is also a suprisingly practical car. But it is not a bargain, as the maintenance costs are not for the faint-hearted and a poorly maintained one will feel like a pile of garbage, which many will struggle to justify spending money on, given the current value of these cars. Over the years I have spent multiples of what the market says the car is worth and on a sunny day on a deserted twisty road at >5k rpm it almost makes sense... Nevermind the MX-5, I'm more interested in how it stacks up against the 308, and I don't mean a Peugeot.

Great video. Awesome little cars. I'd take the Porsche just for the interior looks slightly better in my eye. Keep up the good work.

You can guess which route I went down... 😃 I've never driven an MX5 and I'm sure they're great, but the Boxster is an even bigger bargain to me. If you're on a private road, dropping down a few gears and going from 50 onto near triple figures can be fun too. I've not driven a 2.7 but have been told you have to rev that more and it would perhaps feel more revvy. The 3.2 is quite torquey so you can be a bit lazy with the gear changes. I love mine. Not just the car, but the people that I've met by having it. Many drivers of never 911s have told me that they used to have one and still think fondly of them and generally all comment on how much fun it was. 👍

MX5 NC2 owner here, my mates 'mistakes' with buying the, very capable, Boxster is what drove me into the seat of the Mazda. My mates' repair bills at Porsche could have bought my MX5 X 5 😆🤣For vehicles like the above we are choosing with our hearts and its those hearts that can get broken when your IMS bearing comes a knocking or your bore-score drains your oil weekly.

I bought a 2000 Boxster S because it was cheaper than the Miata. I feel it’s a better car.

I test drove both and fell in love with the drive of the Miata. What a fun, joyful experience. I felt like a kid again. Unfortunately, it had to remain a dream because my finances called for only one car and my situation called for a family sedan.

You lucky Brits... In France, the cheapest NB MX5 on sale is a rust bucket with a lot of issues, at double the price of this one... A nice example would probably be more in the price range of that boxster. If only you were driving on the same side of the road... My son drives a NB since 6 years and I daily drive an ND MX5 since nearly the same time (he convinced me to buy that little convertible rather than another more pratical hot hatch). The NB is easy and cheap to maintain and upgrade. A lot of fun for the money: you can have much fun at lower speeds than with the Porsche and keep your driving licence. I use my ND for multi-weeks road-trips also. Limited luggage but amazing on mountain or sunny costal roads !!!

My American friend bought a MK1 left hand drive in 1989 when he was stationed in the U.K. and living in my village. I remember going out with him in it to Hungerford back then. It got a ton of looks as nobody knew what it was. He still has it now over in the States. He only uses it in the summer.

Thanks for the video, Jack - I enjoyed it very much. I used to have a 3.2S and it was such a competent car. Good at everything and brilliant value for money. My problem was that it was soulless and I ended up selling after 6 months and buying an Alfa Spider 939 series 2.2JTS.The Alfa is inferior in every objective way but it has glamour, charisma and you just feel so special when driving it.

I've had the opportunity to drive all generation of Miata's on the tack from 100% stock to full race prepared and I've driven multiple Boxster's on the track from 100% stock to full race prepared. The Boxster is capable of slightly faster lap times but is much more twitchier (wants to snap oversteer) when driven at the limit. And there is the IMS bearing issue of that generation Porsche. Verses the Miata is slightly slower but more rewarding, significantly lower cost to run, very reliable, and in my experience easier to set-up. Hard to go wrong with either one.

Harry phoned... he wants his corners back! 😁

I have a 987 Boxster and it’s brilliant. I would love a Ferrari but they are well out of my reach. The Boxster makes a great enthusiast sports car with a great badge on them front. Saying that, you won’t be disappointed with an Mx5, fantastic car too

Gotta say the 01 Boxster versus the few Miatas I've had a chance to drive it'd be a hard choice between the two if I were in the market. I'd venture to say to upgrade the Miata to get it up to Boxster status with tires, suspension, superficial engine mods, etc, would cost the same as getting a Porsche and doing the maintenance like IMS bearing, oil separator and such. In the end, I'd probably lean toward the Mazda simply for overall reliability.

Good video and well presented. I'm probably biased in favour of the Mazda as I've owned a couple and co-owned a third. However when I owed my first 5 (a 2007 MK3/NC soft top) I did fancy moving on to a Boxster after a few years. I test drove a few but was somewhat underwhelmed and getting back into the Mazda was always like coming home, everything just feels better for me. The Boxster in comparison feels like a GT car rather than a sports car. Simple though the components on the Mazda may be they just work extremely well, brakes and steering in particularly just feel very direct and the car felt much more nimble and light. Although the Porsche is arguably better finished I was always a bit disappointed with it, having been told so may times what wonderful engineers the Germans are I just expected better. OK, so the 5's interior may be a bit cheap and cheerful but it has all I want in it and doesn't give any worries if it gets a bit wet because I have the roof down whenever possible. Worth bearing in mind that, of the 2 cars you tested, the Mazda is really only a major facelift of the MK1 developed in the 1980's but has a heated, glass rear screen whereas the Boxster at that age has an unheated, plastic item which is probably opaque by now or has been replaced. I enjoyed the 5 so much I've recently bought another, still an NC but the other end of the lifspan, a 2013 car. I don't do many miles these days so fuel consumption and other day to day running costs are not a factor so from that point of view I could have gone for the Porsche but I know I'd constantly be living in fear of anything going wrong on it and there are at least a couple of "usual suspects" which it seems are not only likely to happen but will either empty your bank account or be an uneconnomical repair. The great thing about the Mazda is they are unlikely to go wrong in a big/expensive way and they're no more complex than any car out there so easy to look after youself if you're that way inclined. Personally I don't like anybody else working on my cars (or bikes), partly due to cost but mainly due to trust issues which is becoming worse as more garages appear to have a policy of upselling these days. Main dealers are no more immune than any other garage, possibly worst of the lot. Don't get me wrong I still like the Porsche but I'd have to have money which I'd be happy to throw away to own one which I just don't feel like just now. Oh, I supposes it's only fair to mention that the one biggie you have to watch out for on the Mazda in common with most Japanese cars it rust, such a shame they don't do better rust proofing on their cars.

I have had a 98 2.5 boxster , and then had a 03 boxster 3.2s , the steering on the 98 was so much nicer and lighter and faster then on the s, I preferred how the 98 drove to be honest.. great cars ! Both my boxsters were great on fuel too ..

Love my Boxster 2.5 lightweight and plenty of fizz from the short stroke flat six. Loves to rev and sings sweetly whilst it does so.

I’ve got a very late 1.8 mx5 is NA and a very late 986 3.2S. The Boxster is a lot more to run. An awful lot more. It’s an awful lot more car though. It makes you feel special, flatters your driving, is as happy at 30 as 130 and would be my car of choice for any journey. It was three times the cost of a Mazda when new, about four times as much to run as you really want a specialist at that flat 6. But it’s 5 times the car.

Bought a new 1990 Miata when living in Tucson, Arizona. Fond memories of snaking up and down Roller Coaster Rd at speed. Perfect balance, so fun to drive hard.

The galvanized 986 will still be around while the NB rusts to scrap like the NAs already have.

I have a MX5 NBFL with a bit more power than the 1.6, it's such a fun car to drive! I love it and other drivers do too, but I've always wanted to try a boxster...

I researched both and have driven both. Without a doubt the Porsche is worth every penny. Plus the way that the Miata cheats the passenger footwell to support the transmission is a deal breaker. Plus with the Boxster you get a trunk and a frunk. In the end I purchased the Boxster S. Super stable and more fun per “S”miles.

I own a 93 miata and did a chat with a boxster owner that was selling the Porsche. I asked only one question. ‘Do you need to drive it fast to have fun’ - he replied that it s fun over the speed limit. I don t need a boxster. Thanks. My miata is always fun

It’s funny that 3 years ago I had those two in my garage. Now the Boxster S is gone due to an IMS failure. I agree 100% with your comments about both cars.

Had 3 of each. Still have one of each. MX5 (mine NA) is more fun and 986 is more useable and faster. 986 is so competent and with 2 boots its perfect touring car, AND the 986 is ULEZ, the NA & NB are not. 986 rides, steers, and handles better on 17' wheels, the one you tried was on 18". The MX5 has the 2nd best steering of any car (unassisted NA) and the best gear change. Those 2 alone are enough to make it a proper drivers car. The 986 is so competent and IMHO a touring car of almost no peer, better than my 981 spyder and 12C. For fun take MX5 for touring take 986 but most importantly, rejoice that they both cost peanuts and we can still enjoy them.

About time you ran a sorted MGF/TF VVC around those roads a bit more level playing for the Mazda than a Boxter especially as you run K Series in the Elise. A great review of both iconic cars Jack please give us some more.

I'm surprised you didn't mention anything about fitting into the MX5. I've sat in Mk1 and Mk2 versions, and my eye-line was even with the top of the windscreen. No way for me to fit. The early Boxster S was easier for me to fit in.

I've got an 03 MG TF which is dead reliable (a decent head gasket easily fitted fixes the known issue, unlike the Boxster's IMS and bore score which can cost a fortune). Its not worth much but a hoot to drive on country roads with the hood down, so hard to justify changing. I do fancy the MX5 which I appreciate is a better drive than the MG, will try and source a reasonably priced one, the issue they have is rust so need a good one!

I used a 1989 Eunos imported from Japan as my work car. I loved it, even though I was once duelled with a Mercedes Sprinter 270 diesel (hopefully empty) on a dual carriageway. I obviously passed him on the roundabouts but he could catch me on the straights!

I really enjoyed my MX5 but ultimately traded it in on a 2003 boxster s. Both cars are fun to drive 😊

Boxsters are great cars, definetly a good investment, although, I like to do my own spannering, and its not fun on a Boxster. I wanted more cylinders than an mx5 but wasn't brave enough to buy a Tvr. Yeah, I ended up with a 2.8 z3 wide body. It always works, parts are cheap, and its great fun at legal speeds. Like an old mans mx5. As for performance, I have big motorbikes....

I’ve owned a few MX-5s. The mk2.5 Sport really did handle like a go kart, no cliché. And like modern cars it felt like you were going fast. What hasn’t been mentioned in this video is, a more modern mk3.5 or mk 4 are very well specc’d and comfortable. I once looked at a Porsche Boxter for sale and I was surprised at how basic the spec was for it’sprice, my MX-5 and 124 Spider came with a lot more that enabled me to use them as a daily driver (sat nav, heated seats, air con, cruise control, auto LED headlights, auto windscreen wipers, reverse parking camera)

I had both, an MX and a Boxster, although not at the same time. There’s a kind of respect and responsibility that creeps in when you own any Porsche. It’s as if you are the weakest link. This doesn’t happen in the Mazda and that makes it an easier proposition. I now have a 2006 911 and in many ways I miss the Boxster. The best thing about both these cars is the feeling that you are going faster than you are, which has to be better than the more isolated experience you get in most modern cars.

Had my S reg MX5 for almost six years sold it last December ,miss it like crazy was a fab little motor to drive ,toured the Highlands in it a year ago .

I’ve owned my MX5 mk1 for over 10 years as a weekend toy. It’s brilliant fun to drive, cheap to run and reliable. Easy to work on yourself too. A friend lent me his Boxster S and whilst it was much faster and more sophisticated I think I would choose the Mazda for the value it represents.

Boxter has rollover protection, MX5 doesn't. Apart from that, both come from quite different design goals. The Boxter handles extremely well and is easy to drive - and it was designed to be easy to drive - but is undoubtedly underpowered. The MX5 was designed to be an involving driver's car that you could throw around and have fun with.

I’ve done a few race driving coaching sessions (for experienced racers) and every time it’s done in MX5s. This is partly because you can really feel what the car is doing but also because they’re great to drive and mind-blowingly capable. I want something to get my son into car racing and the MX5 is top of my list by some margin.

Another top video Jack. I nearly fell off the sofa when I saw Ferg! My old mate from the Plymouth-Dakar Rally - howdy Fergus if you are reading this!🤠

The gears in the 986 Boxter S are very tall, (some say too tall and I tend to agree) you really need to rev it out till she's howling... Keep it in that higher rpm range and its a different animal though still planted and refined as you said. Definitely not the drive by the seat of your pants effect one gets from the MX5 which is awesome in its own right yet almost feels like a gokart in comparison. The boxter sticks to the road like shit to a blanket. Would love to see you take it to a track to see how capable it truly is for yourself as much as us viewers. Overall, a good vid, I just have a small criticism... Hearing you not match any downshifts in the Porsche was a bit difficult to watch 😬 but otherwise, good vid 👍

I have a 2002 986 S and it revs for DAYS but really starts to pull around 4k, which is part of what makes it so driveable at lower speeds in my opinion. Doesn't feel jumpy, or like I'm having to hold it back driving through a 30, but when you're joining a motorway you can really quickly get up-to-speed using the gears a bit longer. The demo in this video isn't really revving very hard which is probably why it feels like it never really wakes up. Take it to 6k and you'll feel it!

I have a NC 2010 Sport Tech with 44k. I’ve had it rust protected, recent new tyres, added a Pioneer double din unit, wheels refurbed and the BBR 200 upgrade with the full GT exhaust set up. Next job is adding Meister CRDs at the end of this month at Roddisons. So with all that I’ve spent over 15k…… sometimes I think it’s nuts and I should have bought a sorted Boxster S from Flat Six Classics for 12k and stuck 3k away for service and repairs. However it’s so reliable and a lot of fun to drive so I hope I did the right thing. A decent Boxster though if looked after and the mileage isn’t too high will probably hold its value better than a sorted NC. Also I like the easy going image of the MX more than the Boxster. Great review of both cars.

£1500 for a usable mx5! I'm surprised you can get something decent for that kind of money .... Car prices at the moment are insane!

I have just sold a 1.9 four pot Z3. I did the NC L500 in the car last year on my own. Best time outside of a bedroom I’ve ever had. I’d love a straight 6 Z4 if I had room. There’s a 2.2 for about £2k on Autotrader. Great video and money no consideration the Boxster but MX5’s of all ages are just superb.

MX5 is such a classic. I own a yellow Fiat Barchetta, and i really like it. Looks good, and it is fun to drive even with that frontwheel drive.

A MX5 NB With a Ford Mondeo ST220 or Jaguar X-Type V6 is awesome! Its worth the money doing the conversion.

I would take the Porsche any day of the week, I would own a MX5. One of the maintenance guys at work has a pretty new (but not brand new) MX5 and a ratty old junkyard special one that he crammed a 5Ltr ford V8, with like 300 something HP, into the engine bay ... its a stupid and juvenile death trap, that's great fun

no doubt the porshe is a far better car ,very pleasent to drive allthough it seems that was very badly talked about when it was released into the market, mine as manual gears it´s maybe one of the porshe´s that i like most to drive after the 911 turbo from early 80´s or the carrera 4 from mid 90´s

Great video dude. Im just off to shoot a video with every generation of boxster, should be fun, although only a walkaround for now.

Buyers of the fan-favorite Porsche 911 model are often between 46 and 65 years old, with the average age being 52. The Porsche Boxster, on the other hand, is often bought by persons who are 47 years of age or fall between 36 and 55 years of age. Dec 9, 2020.

What a coincidence, I've had the same cars for the last 10-12 years. Same colour auto Boxster S but the MX-5 is in red and bought for my daughter to drive. Love them both, both handle like on tracks, Porsche is solid and blinding fast, the MX-5 so light and responsive. Unfortunately, I'm moving continents to a RH drive country and have to sell both.

The MX5 gearshift is the standard by which all others should be judged.

"Even in the UK it is now summer". I like british humour. Greetings from Belgium!

Go on Jack, you could have made this a group test with the Frankenlise. Throw an S1 Elise into the mix, then what happens? 😀

I've had a NA6 and a built supercharged NB, while I'm currently shopping for a 996.2 or a Cayman, I will always love the Miata. Miata was the reliable answer to the classic British roadster, but it actually worked every day without question. It reminds me of the MG Midget but far better in every conceivable way.

We have owned a 1998 1.8 6 speed with LSD for nearly 10 years ,other cars have come and gone but the Mazda has stayed the course purely because it is such fun to drive and cheap to run .Mechanicals are very reliable just keeping on top of the rust is a ongoing issue for every MOT.

I’ve had both a 1.8 Mk1 MX5 and a 3.2 987S. 987 - fast, fun, fairly costly Mk1 - legally fast, more fun, mostly less costly (In the unlikely event that the OH sees this, they both cost nearly nothing to run, honestly) (Oh yes and the Porsche HiFi is ultra unmodern and, on the S, nearly impossible to upgrade without shagging the totally unrelated electronics)

I own both a 3.2 S and a 1800 special edition MX5. Drove the Porsche for a couple of hours home, had the Mazda in a parking spot in the garage for the Porsche...moved the MX5 to park the Boxster. After having been in the Porsche for hours....the Mazda felt like an empty beer can. It seemed that it was way too light, and tinny, in comparison. In a way, the Boxster, perhaps due to it's suspension, seems heavier than it needs to be. But the Mazda feels like it would float away, and not provide good safty in a crash.

Mazda MK2 1.8i s - is I think the best MX5 model...lsd, 5 gears not 6, elec windows, 3-spoke Nardi steering wheel, cloth seats not leather. If you put the 17" MG ZR/ZS spoked alloys on, any MK2/2.5 will suddenly look stunning (they go straight on with no problems, and in fact correct the slight factory speedo error you get with all cars).

Good review. I had the 1.8 mk2 with LSD. Loved it but definitely an 8/10ths car I felt on a faster b road as with standard suspension there's too much body movement in my opinion. Rust a huge problem on the NB and will write many an older car off. Hence why they're cheap. Boxster seems so much car for the money but the potential big bills scare me. Having done the mx5 id have another one but I fancy a Ford puma. Rust like crazy too but brilliant handling and cheap like the mazda. To think you could own both of these for less than the price of a mk4 xr3i shows how mad the current modern classic car prices are !!!

I test drove a NB Miata many years ago. I am 6'7 and could barely drive it, with my right knee interfering with the shifter. When we returned to the dealership the sales dude said to me: "I hate saying this to a potential customer, but this is not the car for you." It was still a blast to drive, but he was right, this is not a car for super tall people. A few days later I test drove a Boxster (with the 204hp engine). The seating position was just odd, and the engine was really not impressive.

So the small engine MX5 vs the large engine Boxter... makes perfect sense. Bottom of the line economy vs Top of the line performance version.

I own a 2002 Boxster S, my Brother just bought an ND Miata. It’s a nice enough car, eager to please, but wants to be a Boxster when it grows up.

Good thing with the mx5 is you can buy one and not worry that massive bills are ahead. Until the day that they rust apart they simply work . If I bought a six grand Porsche it expect it to be a 15 grand spent one within the year

I owned one of the first 2.7 Boxsters in the 90's and it was a great car that I wish I still had today.

Another enjoyable Video. From here in New Zealand I feel I am getting to know that piece of UK, with what appears to be a very enjoyable piece of road, quite well. I would love to know where it is and might seek it out on my next visit to the UK. Unfortunately I doubt I will have my Boxster with me.

Now handling… The Boxster on the right tyres can be very entertaining but those right tyres need to be much narrower than most owners want to fit. To get the car to feel at its best you’re going to have to be going down a twisty road using second and third gears to the red line. They really come to life then but you won’t keep your driving licence for long if you drive like that on the road.

Great video as always! - A 2.5 Boxster has got a far more free revving engine than the 3.2 and can quite easily get 40mpg on a run (and just as easily get 20mpg when you floor it!). Might have been a closer competitor to the MX5, although purchase price is the same as a 3.2.

Own a 987 Boxster S n a 1.6na Track car with half the power it was definitely double the fun but the 987 is for driving a drivers car!!!

Amazed you fitted in the mx5. I’m 6ft 4 and my head stuck out over the windscreen. Always wished I fitted in maybe I should look again

I had both - 1999 Anniversary MX5 and 2003 Boxster S. Both were fun and reliable. Boxster is more expensive (to buy and run) but it is a real every day sports car, that you can do some track (racing) days with. Mazda simply has no power for the race track. Big plus for the Boxster is the extra luggage space (front and back). And for taller people (I am 190cm) getting into the MX5 is a challenge.

The best thing about the mx5 is its weight…. There’s just nothing like a light car. But……there are terrible to take on a drive over an hour long, at least the Na and Nb models. The Boxster’s handling and ride composure is light years ahead of the mx5 but that doesn’t necessarily make it more fun. I had an mx5 for about 10 year love just about every minute. Sold it for a boxster because I got too old for the brash ride

Nice video. Shame an MG TF wasn’t included. Be interested to see what you think of them.

I was incredibly surprised by the 1998 MX-5 NB 1.6... I thought 110 hp were boring... but the sound and the response are superb. The seating position is perfect, there is no car in which I have ever sat so well... I also like the styling a lot. My NB was almost as cheap, I'll have to have the soft top replaced in the future and the front sills are a bit crusty. My plan is to upgrade it with decent coilovers, a racing exhaust system (which might even bring a few horsepower back) and even lighter alloy wheels.... and then the car will be perfect.

Great episode..might have been interesting to throw in a BMW Z3 as a middle ground.

A Bpoxster is a wonderful car, but still a Porsche to own - EXPENSIVE!! One of the best points of the Mazda roadsters is that they, like the TR4s and MGBs of old, are great fun to drive and will not lead you into financial disaster. Parts and service are readily available everywhere you look. In this case, if you can afflord the Porsche you are probabl not interested in a cheap MX5. But, if you only have 1500 quid...you will get an awful lot of entertaining miles for your small expenditure.