Z3 or MX-5 for Italian road trip??

Z3 or MX-5 for Italian road trip??

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Discussion

hardcastlephil

Original Poster:

352 posts

168 months

Thursday 6th June 2013
quotequote all
Well,

As the title suggests... we're booked to head to Garda in a couple of weeks and were planning to take the MX5 (its a 2005 1.8 MK2.5) but since then my father has just bought a end of the line Z3. It's only a 2.2 but does have air con (mazda doesn't) and i guess it'd be a better cruiser?

Thoughts.....

billzeebub

3,884 posts

205 months

Thursday 6th June 2013
quotequote all
Air con or maybe just roof down. MX5 for me every time

iva cosworth

44,044 posts

169 months

Thursday 6th June 2013
quotequote all
Take the car you know about not the one owned for 5 minutes.

Have fun,just done the exact same thing in a Barchetta.

[i may have mentioned this before]scratchchin

carinaman

21,973 posts

178 months

Thursday 6th June 2013
quotequote all
The 2.2 makes a nice burble. Is it a driving trip or a cruising trip. I've been fortunate enough to visit Garda and Como, have fun. smile

OldSkoolRS

6,839 posts

185 months

Thursday 6th June 2013
quotequote all
I did try the aircon on my Z3 last summer (despite me thinking it's a bit pointless) and it was useful to help cool the face/body from the centre vents. Not sure if this helps at all since the MX5 probably handles better than the Z3 (though the Z3 does grip well enough and you can throw it around once you're used to it).

In either case it should be a memorable trip.

Brett748

951 posts

172 months

Thursday 6th June 2013
quotequote all
MX5. I took my MK1 to Le Mans and back in 2011 and it was great. All I missed in it was cruise control which is nice for long journeys.

Grenoble

52,033 posts

161 months

Thursday 6th June 2013
quotequote all
Either. They are both great. The air con might be nice south of, say the alps.

g3org3y

20,962 posts

197 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
iva cosworth said:
Take the car you know about not the one owned for 5 minutes.
Agree with this.

Aircon not important - roof down as much as possible.

Corpulent Tosser

5,468 posts

251 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
I like my MX5 and have the roof down as much as possible, and I love Garda.

I am envious of you having the possibility to drive down the west side of the lake, roof down in the Mazda, of course there are the roads to get there too. biggrin

Good luck and enjoy yourselves.

waterwonder

998 posts

182 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
Depends what exactly you are planning.

I did a tour round Ftance with the OH in a mx5 last year. Honestly we would've given anything for aircon. It was creeping up to 40degrees so you couldn't travel for long with roof down. It seems crazy but it was cooler with the roof up but obviously still like a sauna.

If your happy driving in the evening or early morning take the mx5. If you plan to be in the car during the afternoons, take the BMW.

Obviously though this weather dependent, if it's not looking that warm I'd go Mazda regardless.

tintopracer

139 posts

173 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
We did a trip to Lake Garda in the late 90's in my Z3. Taking some scenic roads through France on the way down, after 2 days of top down driving we were craving air con as we were getting broiled by the sun, even with good sun cream.

Also, how much luggage have you got? The Z3 has lots more room in the boot I recall than my colleagues MX5 (mk2) and the cubby behind the drivers seats could fit a few bottles of wine.

Oh dear, I've just read this back to myself and I sound a right old fart.

Go for the Z3 as the 6 pot will sound better in the alps, tunnels and mountain roads, hairpins etc.


mini1380cc

2,946 posts

177 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
Having owned both I'd say Z3. You will suffer less on long stints. Also the fact that the MX5 handles sightly better shouldn't be an issue. Will you be taking it to the limit in the corners whilst abroad with the other half?


Dusty964

6,971 posts

196 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
The z3.

Be sure to go to the Eden hotel in Sirmione and sit on the deck and watch the sun go down.
Stunning place.

TameRacingDriver

18,405 posts

278 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
I've had 2 MX5s and they aren't good cars for long distances at all. If your wench is anything like mine, you won't be able to explore the better handling of the MX5 either frown

Z3 for me.

Hasbeen

2,073 posts

227 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
I find air conditioning essential to clear the condensation from the windscreen in warm wet weather.

Grenoble

52,033 posts

161 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
Convertibles are fun here. Never gets that hot.

In southern Europe in summer, aircon is a must, esp in traffic, unless you want to melt, or are used to the heat.

hardcastlephil

Original Poster:

352 posts

168 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for all the input guys.

Although the response seems split I agree with all points, mainly that I know the MX5 and its a great handling car, however I do think the Z3 will be a better tourer and i'll appreciate the cruse and air con. Also the Estoril Z3 is (IMO) more of a looker than our silver MK5. In response to some questions i wont really be hooning either way as its a relaxed cruse with the OH rather than a gumball blast!

I'm visiting the old man on Sunday so will have a chap with him about it then I guess. Thanks for the positive comments too - i've been nagging my wife for a few years to do it and we're both really excited now - leave on the 19th!

P

twizellb

2,774 posts

218 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
We did Garda a few years back in my Tuscan, no aircon.
With the roof off after driving all day my forehead was like a baboons arse, i had to wear a hat for 2 days till it settled down.
Just coming back now from the South of France, 250 miles at a leisurely pace today with the roof down on the M3.
Wifey burnt again, overnight stop at Clermont Ferrand.

hardcastlephil

Original Poster:

352 posts

168 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
Umm, thats my worry, re: head burn. I do have a decent A6 Avant here (auto, V6 diesel, toys), but surely that's just not i the spirit of things!

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

165 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
What car do you know is reliable?
Take that one.