Discussion
Mattlan said:
I've had the double as well, 1.5 hours next Saturday and a full day offering in Derbyshire ( with picnic box from Mazda) I've decided to leave the full day experience so someone else gets a go.
I've only got the 1.5 hours next Saturday 
But still *really* looking forward to finally finding out what this thing is like...
I've had an NC 2.0 sport and currently have an NA 1.8 S Special and I have to say the ND is better than both. I loved it today, have the 1.5 a thorough workout.
Ne right road it's fantastic, lovely little close range box, free-revving and really nicely judges suspension with very effective brakes.
Driven hard it really rewards momentum, much like my NA and I swear it's quicker than my old 2 litre NC.
I really want one now, 1.5 is the sweetspot IMO.
Phil
I really want one
Ne right road it's fantastic, lovely little close range box, free-revving and really nicely judges suspension with very effective brakes.
Driven hard it really rewards momentum, much like my NA and I swear it's quicker than my old 2 litre NC.
I really want one now, 1.5 is the sweetspot IMO.
Phil
I really want one
Mannginger said:
I've had an NC 2.0 sport and currently have an NA 1.8 S Special and I have to say the ND is better than both. I loved it today, have the 1.5 a thorough workout.
Ne right road it's fantastic, lovely little close range box, free-revving and really nicely judges suspension with very effective brakes.
Driven hard it really rewards momentum, much like my NA and I swear it's quicker than my old 2 litre NC.
I really want one now, 1.5 is the sweetspot IMO.
Phil
I really want one
did you try the 2.0?Ne right road it's fantastic, lovely little close range box, free-revving and really nicely judges suspension with very effective brakes.
Driven hard it really rewards momentum, much like my NA and I swear it's quicker than my old 2 litre NC.
I really want one now, 1.5 is the sweetspot IMO.
Phil
I really want one
Good point, no I didn't. From conversations it has similar traits but doesn't rev as freely but would be better if you plan on decent motorway miles.
The 1.5 was definetly gutless on broader roads, really needing a drop to 4th and even 3rd for overtakes but the thing is that it really rewards those drop downs.
The 1.5 was definetly gutless on broader roads, really needing a drop to 4th and even 3rd for overtakes but the thing is that it really rewards those drop downs.
I tried the 2.0 Sport Nav at the Daylesford Farm test drive event. They had about 20 cars there, most of which were 2.0
I didn't get to try the 1.5, but like my NC 2.0 (3.5) I think it needs 30 more bhp to make it really compelling. It must be said that these were new cars, so the engines were tight. One of the Mazda guys said that he had driven a pre production 2.0 with a few thousand miles on it and that he felt it was much faster...
On broken tarmac the suspension ran out of answers pretty quickly, but it was brilliant on smooth roads. I think suspension upgrades will be just as popular as on the NC. The ride was certainly better than my NC.
The new steering has come in for some criticism in the press, but I thought it was extremely good. Weight and feel were very well judged.
The gear change was better than my NC, and probably the best I've tried on any car. It has a very short throw.
Unfortunately the exhaust is quiet, so again I see lots of aftermarket options being available.
I think Mazda have moved the game on. I'm not sure if Alfa/ Abarth are still producing a clone, but if they are, a more powerful engine, a fruity exhaust and slightly better dampers, would provide something sensational.
I didn't get to try the 1.5, but like my NC 2.0 (3.5) I think it needs 30 more bhp to make it really compelling. It must be said that these were new cars, so the engines were tight. One of the Mazda guys said that he had driven a pre production 2.0 with a few thousand miles on it and that he felt it was much faster...
On broken tarmac the suspension ran out of answers pretty quickly, but it was brilliant on smooth roads. I think suspension upgrades will be just as popular as on the NC. The ride was certainly better than my NC.
The new steering has come in for some criticism in the press, but I thought it was extremely good. Weight and feel were very well judged.
The gear change was better than my NC, and probably the best I've tried on any car. It has a very short throw.
Unfortunately the exhaust is quiet, so again I see lots of aftermarket options being available.
I think Mazda have moved the game on. I'm not sure if Alfa/ Abarth are still producing a clone, but if they are, a more powerful engine, a fruity exhaust and slightly better dampers, would provide something sensational.
Cabsi said:
On broken tarmac the suspension ran out of answers pretty quickly, but it was brilliant on smooth roads. I think suspension upgrades will be just as popular as on the NC. The ride was certainly better than my NC.
The new steering has come in for some criticism in the press, but I thought it was extremely good. Weight and feel were very well judged.
Interesting I didn't have any issues with the 1.5 suspension. Loads more compliant than my old 2.0 sport on Eibachs. The 2.0 now comes with Bilsteins which may be the issue (my old NA has just been taken off Bilsteins as they really aren't compliant enough for UK B roads).The new steering has come in for some criticism in the press, but I thought it was extremely good. Weight and feel were very well judged.
I agree with the steering although the initial weight seems far too light I soon got the feel of it and it builds up resistance well in the corners, after only a very short time I'd got used to it and it didn't surface again as a thought
I got the chance to drive the 1.5 MX5 at the Cotswolds event so thought I'd share a few thoughts in comparison to the GT86 I've had since new for the past almost 2
5 years:-
Looks
I really like the looks - it looked better in real life from any angle than the pictures I'd seen. Not much else to say on this as it's a very subjective thing.
Interior
I liked it a lot. The quality felt far better than I expected. The controls are all logically placed and come to hand easily. But there were some things I wasn't so keen on. The steering wheel is nice but not as good as the 86's. Same for the seats which I didn't feel were bolstered enough. The seats also don't have a height adjustment. They are on a sliding 'ramp' so the closer to the wheel you have the seat the higher it goes. I'd have liked to have the seat lower as I felt there was too much wind buffeting above the windscreen frame. The speedo is also small and marked in 20mph increments so not useful for 30mph. A digital display as in the 86 would be much better.
Engine
I drove the 1.5 as I wanted to see if it was 'enough'. I think it's a very good engine. It was very smooth and revs willingly. I found that I kept it mostly in 3rd and 4th with the revs between 4 and 5.5k for 'normal' driving. This returned 33.9 mpg over the 37 mile test route including lots of trips to the red line. The 1.5 is lacking in grunt though but I kind of enjoyed being able to use full throttle literally all the time without fear that prison was just around the corner! It's definitely a momentum car though and no dragster.
Handling
This is where it really shined for me. The ride is very supple on the 1.5 - I was genuinely amazed by how comfortable it was and how well it soaked up bumps and road imperfections. Driving on 'real roads' I can see that the 1.5 without the stiffer Bilstein's and the larger wheels would be the one to have. There is a lot of body roll but at no detriment to the handling. The 86 rolls far less (especially with the mods I have) but I drove some of the same roads after I'd driven the 1.5 and felt it was easier to drive faster in the 1.5 than the 86 due to the sheer compliancy of the suspension. On the test route there was an uphill duel carriageway section which had a sharp bend 30mph sign. As I came to the end of the straight bit I was doing, ahem, 60mph (officer) but as I'd driven about 25 miles in the 1.5 already I thought I'm pretty sure I don't need to slow for this and can carry the same speed. And I could. We left all the 'normal' cars for dead as they needed to slow down for this tightening bend. This really summed the 1.5 up for me and solidified my view that it's definitely a momentum car. On a normal B road, once it's up to speed, not much would shake it off!
Gearshift
In a word - brilliant. A cliché but a true example of a rifle bolt like shift. The gear knob is a perfect size and also perfectly placed.
Brakes
Tough one to comment on really as you don't need to use them much! The brakes seemed good and more than adequate for the weight the car carries (975kg).
Overall
I went because it was free and thought it'd be fun with absolutely no intention that I'd be interested in buying one. I've left seriously considering putting the 86 up for sale.
And a few pictures:-
5 years:-
Looks
I really like the looks - it looked better in real life from any angle than the pictures I'd seen. Not much else to say on this as it's a very subjective thing.
Interior
I liked it a lot. The quality felt far better than I expected. The controls are all logically placed and come to hand easily. But there were some things I wasn't so keen on. The steering wheel is nice but not as good as the 86's. Same for the seats which I didn't feel were bolstered enough. The seats also don't have a height adjustment. They are on a sliding 'ramp' so the closer to the wheel you have the seat the higher it goes. I'd have liked to have the seat lower as I felt there was too much wind buffeting above the windscreen frame. The speedo is also small and marked in 20mph increments so not useful for 30mph. A digital display as in the 86 would be much better.
Engine
I drove the 1.5 as I wanted to see if it was 'enough'. I think it's a very good engine. It was very smooth and revs willingly. I found that I kept it mostly in 3rd and 4th with the revs between 4 and 5.5k for 'normal' driving. This returned 33.9 mpg over the 37 mile test route including lots of trips to the red line. The 1.5 is lacking in grunt though but I kind of enjoyed being able to use full throttle literally all the time without fear that prison was just around the corner! It's definitely a momentum car though and no dragster.
Handling
This is where it really shined for me. The ride is very supple on the 1.5 - I was genuinely amazed by how comfortable it was and how well it soaked up bumps and road imperfections. Driving on 'real roads' I can see that the 1.5 without the stiffer Bilstein's and the larger wheels would be the one to have. There is a lot of body roll but at no detriment to the handling. The 86 rolls far less (especially with the mods I have) but I drove some of the same roads after I'd driven the 1.5 and felt it was easier to drive faster in the 1.5 than the 86 due to the sheer compliancy of the suspension. On the test route there was an uphill duel carriageway section which had a sharp bend 30mph sign. As I came to the end of the straight bit I was doing, ahem, 60mph (officer) but as I'd driven about 25 miles in the 1.5 already I thought I'm pretty sure I don't need to slow for this and can carry the same speed. And I could. We left all the 'normal' cars for dead as they needed to slow down for this tightening bend. This really summed the 1.5 up for me and solidified my view that it's definitely a momentum car. On a normal B road, once it's up to speed, not much would shake it off!
Gearshift
In a word - brilliant. A cliché but a true example of a rifle bolt like shift. The gear knob is a perfect size and also perfectly placed.
Brakes
Tough one to comment on really as you don't need to use them much! The brakes seemed good and more than adequate for the weight the car carries (975kg).
Overall
I went because it was free and thought it'd be fun with absolutely no intention that I'd be interested in buying one. I've left seriously considering putting the 86 up for sale.
And a few pictures:-
![]("http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Deacon666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150815_085704_Hagrid_Clean.jpg.html")
![]("http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Deacon666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150815_085716_Harry_Clean.jpg.html")
![]("http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Deacon666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150815_091236_Harry_Clean.jpg.html")
![]("http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Deacon666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150815_085739_Hagrid.jpg.html")
![]("http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Deacon666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150815_085652_Hagrid_Clean.jpg.html")
Mannginger said:
...my old NA has just been taken off Bilsteins as they really aren't compliant enough for UK B roads...
That only really applies to Mk1s though. Mk1 Billies are bad with springs that are too soft for the stiffness of the shocks (or the shocks are too stiff for the softness of the springs :S). Mk2/3 Billies are way way better.I've not tried the Mk4 yet so whether this is a problem re-introducing itself we will see soon.
VladD said:
I've just caught up with reading the Evo review. Only 4 stars for the ND, the lowest score of any MX5 I think. Do we think Mazda will react to the criticism and beef up the suspension to lessen the body roll? It seems a bit harsh to deduct one whole star just for body roll.
From the drive I had I hope not. The suppleness of the suspension made the car for me.JulesV said:
Mrs JulesV finalised her order today following a test drive. Car should be with us in Mid September.
I assume that's for a 1.5?The 2.0's are delayed until the end of October and we're still waiting for hear dates from Mazda - they've told us they're delayed, and gave an approx ETA of end of October.
The 1.5's are apparently ok.
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff