Discussion
We were there yesterday too. Great day and the folks from Mazda were very helpful in getting us into a 2.0 Sport Nav which is what we've preordered.
I'll preface this by saying this will be our first non-boring-hatchback and some of what I say may be super obvious, but hopefully something here is useful.
I'd previously driven a 2.0 Sport on the track at Goodwood, but had my concerns about the suspension given what's been written here and elsewhere. We found it to be mainly ok. On some especially poor roads it was a bit busy, but most of the time it was fine. I'm not sure which road it was, perhaps the A40 or A44 coming back from Bourton on the Water we found that on some road surfaces at about 65mph the suspension seemed to almost oscillate - a constant up and down motion which felt like we were almost being gently thrown out of our seats. Not sure if it was a particular road surface, our car or something else.
On first getting into the car, we also found that my Samsung Galaxy S4 didn't seem to pair well, but after a while it seemed to be fine. We're not sure but we think it was an issue with my phone not getting or displaying the message asking for permissions.
The hood went down easily enough, although for me it was a bit of an effort to click it fully down - I'm 5'7 and pretty weedy - so I'm inclined to blame that one on me.
My wife was impressed by the boot size (and the hamper) and liked that in certain light the red stitching has a pink hue to it. She commented that some of the finish felt a bit naff - and didn't like the warning stickers on the sun visors!
Overall we were fine with the ride, nothing too rioutous or crashy. The 2.0 felt good, strong in gear accelaration although it did sometimes sound a little agricultural at low revs which was particularly noticeable in towns when the car was trying to persuade me to stay in 6th. Fuel economy was good - we did reset as we pulled away and averaged about 44mpg - at one point after mainly sensible dual carriageway driving we were seeing 46mpg recorded.
Our car had about 1600 miles on it.
Not sure what else to add, but they're the main things I remember, happy to answer questions folks may have.
I'll preface this by saying this will be our first non-boring-hatchback and some of what I say may be super obvious, but hopefully something here is useful.
I'd previously driven a 2.0 Sport on the track at Goodwood, but had my concerns about the suspension given what's been written here and elsewhere. We found it to be mainly ok. On some especially poor roads it was a bit busy, but most of the time it was fine. I'm not sure which road it was, perhaps the A40 or A44 coming back from Bourton on the Water we found that on some road surfaces at about 65mph the suspension seemed to almost oscillate - a constant up and down motion which felt like we were almost being gently thrown out of our seats. Not sure if it was a particular road surface, our car or something else.
On first getting into the car, we also found that my Samsung Galaxy S4 didn't seem to pair well, but after a while it seemed to be fine. We're not sure but we think it was an issue with my phone not getting or displaying the message asking for permissions.
The hood went down easily enough, although for me it was a bit of an effort to click it fully down - I'm 5'7 and pretty weedy - so I'm inclined to blame that one on me.
My wife was impressed by the boot size (and the hamper) and liked that in certain light the red stitching has a pink hue to it. She commented that some of the finish felt a bit naff - and didn't like the warning stickers on the sun visors!
Overall we were fine with the ride, nothing too rioutous or crashy. The 2.0 felt good, strong in gear accelaration although it did sometimes sound a little agricultural at low revs which was particularly noticeable in towns when the car was trying to persuade me to stay in 6th. Fuel economy was good - we did reset as we pulled away and averaged about 44mpg - at one point after mainly sensible dual carriageway driving we were seeing 46mpg recorded.
Our car had about 1600 miles on it.
Not sure what else to add, but they're the main things I remember, happy to answer questions folks may have.
Bit of an update to this. I got to spend Saturday on the Windmill Hill Mazda event and did about 130 miles-ish in a 1.5 sport. There were a few things I'd like to add from what I'd originally said about the new MX5.
On the original mazda event I just had the roof down all the time so I have now had chance to see what it's like with the roof up. The good - the roof mechanism is VERY easy to use. The bad - with the roof closed it is a bit claustrophobic in there and I wouldn't be able to wear a helmet in the car with the roof up as I only have about an inch from the top of my head to the roof.
A few other negatives threw themselves up too. There is literally no storage space inside the cabin. I put my phone in the tray near the AC and that was it. The cup holders fill the cupboard behind you between the seats and if you use the cup holders they block the opening of the cupboard. The cupboard between the seats is basically filled if you put the key in it. I don't like driving with my wallet in my back pocket but there was literally nowhere to put it - I had to just hand it to my girlfriend to hold. I could see the lack of any storage being a bit of a pita on a daily basis.
Next the steering. It has a horrible dead spot around the centre where basically you can turn the wheel a few degrees either way and nothing happens. But then once you get past that it seems to 'catch-up' the steering it had missed and the extra lock you've added. There were a couple of times at the start of the day I could easily have clipped a curb or a roundabout as I was caught out by this and had added too much lock to overcome this deadness.
My other big gripe would be that the peddles are offset to the right. The dead peddle is where the clutch should be in relation to the seat. On a short drive it's not a major issue but as the day wore on I did find it getting a bit uncomfortable.
I also had the back end out twice - once unexpectedly and once provoked - I felt it slides easier than the 86 I currently drive does which surprised me (that may be because I've got used to the semi-track tyres on mine though). I can see it could catch a few people out though especially in bad weather as these two slides were on bone dry roads in 20 degree heat.
I did still really enjoy it though and can still see me owning one at some point even if it's not quite all as rosey as I'd initially thought!
On the original mazda event I just had the roof down all the time so I have now had chance to see what it's like with the roof up. The good - the roof mechanism is VERY easy to use. The bad - with the roof closed it is a bit claustrophobic in there and I wouldn't be able to wear a helmet in the car with the roof up as I only have about an inch from the top of my head to the roof.
A few other negatives threw themselves up too. There is literally no storage space inside the cabin. I put my phone in the tray near the AC and that was it. The cup holders fill the cupboard behind you between the seats and if you use the cup holders they block the opening of the cupboard. The cupboard between the seats is basically filled if you put the key in it. I don't like driving with my wallet in my back pocket but there was literally nowhere to put it - I had to just hand it to my girlfriend to hold. I could see the lack of any storage being a bit of a pita on a daily basis.
Next the steering. It has a horrible dead spot around the centre where basically you can turn the wheel a few degrees either way and nothing happens. But then once you get past that it seems to 'catch-up' the steering it had missed and the extra lock you've added. There were a couple of times at the start of the day I could easily have clipped a curb or a roundabout as I was caught out by this and had added too much lock to overcome this deadness.
My other big gripe would be that the peddles are offset to the right. The dead peddle is where the clutch should be in relation to the seat. On a short drive it's not a major issue but as the day wore on I did find it getting a bit uncomfortable.
I also had the back end out twice - once unexpectedly and once provoked - I felt it slides easier than the 86 I currently drive does which surprised me (that may be because I've got used to the semi-track tyres on mine though). I can see it could catch a few people out though especially in bad weather as these two slides were on bone dry roads in 20 degree heat.
I did still really enjoy it though and can still see me owning one at some point even if it's not quite all as rosey as I'd initially thought!
Edited by DeaconFrost on Monday 21st September 20:47
I've been thinking about the 2.0 Sport suspension debate a little more, and I'm wondering if the slow damper reactions are amplified by lower ambient temperature?
When we drove the Sport at the original Cotswold event it was early in the morning and I remember having the heated seats and heater on. I only say this because my NC2 Sport Tech suspension was temperature sensitive and on really cold days the Billie dampers felt very brittle. On a hot day it felt much more 'fluid'.
Just a thought..
When we drove the Sport at the original Cotswold event it was early in the morning and I remember having the heated seats and heater on. I only say this because my NC2 Sport Tech suspension was temperature sensitive and on really cold days the Billie dampers felt very brittle. On a hot day it felt much more 'fluid'.
Just a thought..
DeaconFrost said:
A few other negatives threw themselves up too. There is literally no storage space inside the cabin. I put my phone in the tray near the AC and that was it. The cup holders fill the cupboard behind you between the seats and if you use the cup holders they block the opening of the cupboard. The cupboard between the seats is basically filled if you put the key in it. I don't like driving with my wallet in my back pocket but there was literally nowhere to put it - I had to just hand it to my girlfriend to hold. I could see the lack of any storage being a bit of a pita on a daily basis.
there is an additional cubicle behind each seat too. perhaps the cupholders can go there, along with the instruction manuals etc?Cabsi said:
I've been thinking about the 2.0 Sport suspension debate a little more, and I'm wondering if the slow damper reactions are amplified by lower ambient temperature?
When we drove the Sport at the original Cotswold event it was early in the morning and I remember having the heated seats and heater on. I only say this because my NC2 Sport Tech suspension was temperature sensitive and on really cold days the Billie dampers felt very brittle. On a hot day it felt much more 'fluid'.
Just a thought..
tyre wall stiffness also affected by ambient temperature?When we drove the Sport at the original Cotswold event it was early in the morning and I remember having the heated seats and heater on. I only say this because my NC2 Sport Tech suspension was temperature sensitive and on really cold days the Billie dampers felt very brittle. On a hot day it felt much more 'fluid'.
Just a thought..
elvismiggell said:
I'm wondering whether you could have Mazda change the springs?
(Seriously, I know NOTHING about this, but couldn't you in theory put softer springs in a 2.0 Sport and get a better ride at the cost of a smidge of the performance?)
I thought it was only the shock absorbers (Bilsteins).(Seriously, I know NOTHING about this, but couldn't you in theory put softer springs in a 2.0 Sport and get a better ride at the cost of a smidge of the performance?)
There must be folks who want the Bilsteins but not Sport spec, and folks who want Sport spec but not Bilsteins ...
SFO said:
elvismiggell said:
I'm wondering whether you could have Mazda change the springs?
(Seriously, I know NOTHING about this, but couldn't you in theory put softer springs in a 2.0 Sport and get a better ride at the cost of a smidge of the performance?)
I thought it was only the shock absorbers (Bilsteins).(Seriously, I know NOTHING about this, but couldn't you in theory put softer springs in a 2.0 Sport and get a better ride at the cost of a smidge of the performance?)
There must be folks who want the Bilsteins but not Sport spec, and folks who want Sport spec but not Bilsteins ...
The effect I felt is difficult to describe, but the wheels felt like they were 'skipping' slightly across the surface. That's almost certainly the shock absorbers.
Mazda, don't provide the level of customisation that, say, BMW do, but being able to spec the suspension Sport/ non Sport would be really good. It will be interesting to see which direction Fiat go with their version as they offer lots of different customisation options on the 500.
SFO said:
Cabsi said:
I've been thinking about the 2.0 Sport suspension debate a little more, and I'm wondering if the slow damper reactions are amplified by lower ambient temperature?
When we drove the Sport at the original Cotswold event it was early in the morning and I remember having the heated seats and heater on. I only say this because my NC2 Sport Tech suspension was temperature sensitive and on really cold days the Billie dampers felt very brittle. On a hot day it felt much more 'fluid'.
Just a thought..
tyre wall stiffness also affected by ambient temperature?When we drove the Sport at the original Cotswold event it was early in the morning and I remember having the heated seats and heater on. I only say this because my NC2 Sport Tech suspension was temperature sensitive and on really cold days the Billie dampers felt very brittle. On a hot day it felt much more 'fluid'.
Just a thought..
SFO said:
Cabsi said:
I've been thinking about the 2.0 Sport suspension debate a little more, and I'm wondering if the slow damper reactions are amplified by lower ambient temperature?
When we drove the Sport at the original Cotswold event it was early in the morning and I remember having the heated seats and heater on. I only say this because my NC2 Sport Tech suspension was temperature sensitive and on really cold days the Billie dampers felt very brittle. On a hot day it felt much more 'fluid'.
Just a thought..
tyre wall stiffness also affected by ambient temperature?When we drove the Sport at the original Cotswold event it was early in the morning and I remember having the heated seats and heater on. I only say this because my NC2 Sport Tech suspension was temperature sensitive and on really cold days the Billie dampers felt very brittle. On a hot day it felt much more 'fluid'.
Just a thought..
ZedLeppelin said:
I drove the Mk4 2.0 sport for a few hours yesterday and the biggest criticism I have of it, is the overdamped suspension. The Bilsteins made the car skip over bumps instead of absorb and ride over them. It is far too harsh and unless you don't mind being juddered about, i'd ask the questions about changing your mind. Sorry but that's my honest opinion. The overly harsh suspension damping/Shock absorption, made the entire ride jittery to the point of me turning the car around and giving it back before the end of my planned test route. That is something I have never done before when test driving a car. This car would be great on a track or in places which have nice, flat roads (California) to wang about on but in England, the average backwaters B road is going to cause both occupants no end of teeth chattering bumpiness.
I'm hoping this confirms your suspicions and helps you and isn't intended to rain on your parade.
I am glad it is not just me, I have driven the 2.0 Sport on Mazda driving days twice now, on both occasions it made me feel ill, gave me back ache and was just plain uncomfortable, gave the wife motion sickness too, also driven back to back with the 1.5 Sport which was a beauty, rode the bumps well and felt just as comfortable as my sorted NC3, I'm hoping this confirms your suspicions and helps you and isn't intended to rain on your parade.
The 1.5 is also addictive fun, great free revving engine and "snickety-snick" gearbox that is a joy to play with, but would I trade the 2.0 NC3 for a 1.5 that has less space, it has a better radio but who listens to that in a soft-top anyway?
Still need to try a 2.0 SE-L, the engine is a real punchy unit, way better than mine and if married to a softer more compliant (capable) suspension it could tempt me, I have read lots of feedback now saying the 2.0 Sport is too harsh, hope Mazda are reading it too, then maybe the ND2 will come and cure the faults.
Sorry I am being negative about the car, I am sure some will overlook the harsh ride but for me it is just wrong.
Edited by tailslides on Tuesday 22 September 18:50
tailslides said:
SFO said:
the gearbox is the same for 1.5 and 2L
It just seems to work better with the smaller engine, we all found it easier to drive than the 2.0L.We purposely tried to drive the 2.0L smoothly, but gave up
I haven't tried the 1.5, but wouldn't be surprised if the 1.5 had a smaller flywheel, which could make the change even sweeter.
I couldn't differentiate between the gear shifts in each, only as I mentioned that you need to shift a bit more often in the 2.0.
An amusing coincidence - going through my photos of the Daylesford launch event, I found that I had parked the 2.0 I drove next to the 1.5 that I then drove a month later at the Windmill Archive event.
An amusing coincidence - going through my photos of the Daylesford launch event, I found that I had parked the 2.0 I drove next to the 1.5 that I then drove a month later at the Windmill Archive event.
Cabsi said:
It will be interesting to see which direction Fiat go with their version as they offer lots of different customisation options on the 500.
Hope to be proven wrong, but for the 500 it's really only cosmetic stuff. The Abarth gets more engine power and stiffer set up, but it doesn't feel like they really tried that hard handling wise. So not sure if they will cater to the PHer as much as Mazda do. Hope this is unfounded pessimism, as an even lighter 124 with a ~ 120 PS Twinair sounds like fun (to me ).Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff