Hello cab enthusiasts! A new story has arrived, thanks to Cyril. Here is his IG profile : La Miata Grise, he presents us his MX-5 NB FL.
“The MX-5, is the most reasonable unreasonable purchase,” is what the salesman told me when he handed me the keys. This sentence sums up the model and my reasons for buying it.
I was looking for a fun car to replace my DS 3 or to complement it. After a bit of thought and research, the second generation MX-5 was the perfect car: less than 10 000€ to buy in general, ultra-popular model so easy to maintain and repair if needed, old enough to have a manual top and no ESP but recent enough to be reliable and comfortable. Also, all the videos I saw on YouTube agreed that it was a very fun model to drive, as it was rear wheel drive and had a 50/50 weight distribution and the only problem was the tendency to rust.
Looking around on the net, I quickly found the website of ICS Auto, based in Haute-Savoie, a specialist in MX-5s and with a very good reputation on the forums. Among the models for sale, a 2003 MX-5 NB FL, special edition, 1st hand, 41,000 km, complete history, 100% original and without any corrosion… I sent an email on Sunday to ask for information and after a few exchanges of emails, I went on Friday to pick up the car.
It is a special Silver Blues series that came in two configurations: grey with a navy blue top and interior or navy blue with a grey top and interior, either in 1.6L (the one I have) or in 1.8L. It also has specific original 16″ wheels, a two-tone black and navy blue leather steering wheel and gear lever, white speedo bottoms with aluminium type rings etc. Looking around I found out that this special series only existed in Germany in 2003 and Mazda Germany told me that there were about 2500 of them. It also had “sister” series: in Belgium the Twin and in England the Nevada which have the same characteristics.
Since the purchase in July 2021, I have driven about 2,500 km. The main journey was a round trip from Lyon to the Côte d’Azur. I drove down the N7 and up the Napoleon road. On the spot, I did the famous Gorges du Verdon.
The car being completely original, I intend to keep it in this condition (and to pass it on as a collection in a few years). It has been to MX5 Héritage (which shares the ICS Auto premises) in autumn 2021 for a treatment of the chassis and the side rails, to avoid any risk of corrosion.
I hope to be able to continue to enjoy this little car for a long time to come on the roads of France, because it is indeed a real joy to drive!”
