Australia’s auto market is hotter than a vinyl singlet right now, but not all models have seen the same insane price increases as others.
One car that has rocketed in price is the Mazda MX-5. Widely regarded as one of the best sports cars of all time, and by far the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history, the affordable Japanese roadster’s 50-50 weight distribution, exceptional handling, and remarkable reliability made it a legend in its day.
Well, it used to be affordable. There are many MX-5s out there, but thanks to their status as a real driver’s car, as well as the general COVID craze of the current automotive market, prices for MX-5s have risen dramatically in the past twelve months. Previously, you could get a second generation NB MX-5 for just $ 5,000. For now, however, you can be lucky to get one for double that. Fine examples can triple or even quadruple that … And that’s before we even start considering NAs or NCs.
So what to do if a car enthusiast can’t find a beautiful MX-5 at an affordable price? Very simple: buy a Porsche.
The Porsche Boxster, especially the first generation 986, remains one of the cheapest luxury cars on the market thanks to its status as the “ugly duckling” in the Porsche range. In fact, the prices for the 986 are so low and the prices for the MX-5 are so high that you can now buy a 986 for a price similar to a beautiful MX-5 … great alternative.
The currently cheapest 986 Boxster at Carsales and a NA MX-5 for the same price.
Take this Boxster above – a 1999 silver manual transmission 986 with 159,000 km on the clock that sells in Sydney – which is currently the cheapest Boxster at Carsales in the country at $ 16,500. For comparison here a NA MX-5 with manual gearbox from 1992 in red with 226,000 km on the clock for exactly the same price in Terrigal. Both come from the often maligned first generation of their two vehicle lines and are both sold in New South Wales.
Aside from the fact that the 986 is newer and has less mileage, it is also much more powerful. The six-cylinder boxer engine of the 986 Boxster developed 150 kW when new – that’s more than even a brand new ND MX-5 and much more powerful than an NA, NB or NC. In contrast to many prestige brands, Porsche consistently ranks as one of the most reliable brands on the market, was only beaten by Lexus and CarAdvice shockingly tells before Mazda – so reliability is not a problem either.
Plus, it’s a goddamn Porsche, even if it’s one of the brand’s less-sought-after models. It’s hard to beat that badge.
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The comparison of the MX-5 to the Boxster is quite fitting, as both cars have often been criticized as being too “feminine” or as “hairdressing cars”, particularly the 986 Boxster. Its smaller size and reduced power compared to the legendary 911 – as well as its “fried egg” headlights and convertible status – made it a pretty divisive car when it launched, and it never really shed its negative reputation …
Which is stupid because it’s a really great little car. If you can overlook its supposedly ugly aesthetic and negative reputation, it has the spirited performance and refinement you would expect from any Porsche, at a price that is on par with something much cheaper. In that sense, it’s an absolute bargain.
A new 718 Boxster and a new ND MX-5. Unsurprisingly, new MX-5s are much cheaper than new Boxsters: a base 718 starts at $ 115,900 while a base ND starts at $ 36,090.
Of course, there’s a reason people don’t snap 986’s left right and center. It’s still a luxury car, so maintenance, insurance, running costs, etc. are much higher than an MX-5. The 986 also lacks the same type of aftermarket support as the MX-5, as well as the cultural cache.
It’s also worth noting that we’re comparing the cheapest 986 on the market to a mid-range NA. It’s easy to find newer, less-broken-in MX-5s from different generations for much cheaper than $ 16,500 … though there are many in worse shape that charge a lot more than most 986s.
Call it a thought experiment. If you can currently spend $ 20,000 on a roadster, what would you rather spend it on?