Back in MX5 Land...

[Vincenzo2010]

That is a very nice looking MX-5. This shape has certanly got rid of it's hairdresser image. But maybe that is because it looks so simular (imo) to the Honda S2000

[Evangelion]

Vincenzo2010 said:

... it looks so simular (imo) to the Honda S2000

I agree. This is why I keep waving to people driving S2000s and getting funny looks.

[Scho]

hornetrider said:

That looks sweet!

Very purposefull stance

Edited by Scho on Monday 10th May 07:52

[Jonny671]

Hammerhead said:

Thanks chap

The Eibach lowering kit, including VAT and Fitting is £323.22.. That should be the same for all dealers

[Hammerhead]

Thanks Jonny

[hornetrider]

Thanks chaps!

Really pleased with it I have to say! I'm surprised just how similar it is in feel and pointiness to my R-Ltd. This car definitely has the same DNA, with the added sheen of toys and a great cabin.

[Jonny671]

No worries, you could probably find something cheaper if you wanted too, but the Eibach kit & fitted by Mazda keeps your warranty

[Gizmo!]

Jonny671 said:

Hammerhead said:

Thanks chap

The Eibach lowering kit, including VAT and Fitting is £323.22.. That should be the same for all dealers

That's a bargain.

Looks great with it done too. Damn... do I have to think about buying one now...?

[hornetrider]

No brainer!

[HereBeMonsters]

hornetrider said:

Thanks chaps!

Really pleased with it I have to say! I'm surprised just how similar it is in feel and pointiness to my R-Ltd. This car definitely has the same DNA, with the added sheen of toys and a great cabin.

They just look so much bigger though. How difficult is it to park and thread through small gaps etc?

[hornetrider]

Ohhh, it's a nightmare, it's like a fking oil tanker mate.

Mk1 Dimensions:
Length 155.4 in (3,950 mm)
Width 65.9 in (1,670 mm)

Mk3.5 Dimensions:
Length : 158.3 in (4,020 mm)
Width : 67.7 in (1,720 mm)

[HereBeMonsters]

hornetrider said:

Ohhh, it's a nightmare, it's like a fking oil tanker mate.

Mk1 Dimensions:
Length 155.4 in (3,950 mm)
Width 65.9 in (1,670 mm)

Mk3.5 Dimensions:
Length : 158.3 in (4,020 mm)
Width : 67.7 in (1,720 mm)

Really? How have they made it look so big then? I was in two minds about getting a brand new one on personal lease (from Ling, btw) or getting an older Mk1 to fettle how I wanted to. Went for the Mk1 in the end for a number of reasons, but mainly as the missus refused to even try the Mk3 as it was "huge". She compared it to the Mustang hire car we had in the States last year!

[hornetrider]

Well the Mk1 is a very minimalist design isn't it. An all time classic. The 3.5 is more 'modern' as has been mentioned S2K-a-like to a certain extent. I'm sure the wheel arches go some way to the illusion that its a large car. Trust me when I say it feels very much the same as my old Mk1, with just a layer of refinement on top.

[Jonny671]

HereBeMonsters said:

hornetrider said:

Ohhh, it's a nightmare, it's like a fking oil tanker mate.

Mk1 Dimensions:
Length 155.4 in (3,950 mm)
Width 65.9 in (1,670 mm)

Mk3.5 Dimensions:
Length : 158.3 in (4,020 mm)
Width : 67.7 in (1,720 mm)

Really? How have they made it look so big then? I was in two minds about getting a brand new one on personal lease (from Ling, btw) or getting an older Mk1 to fettle how I wanted to. Went for the Mk1 in the end for a number of reasons, but mainly as the missus refused to even try the Mk3 as it was "huge". She compared it to the Mustang hire car we had in the States last year!

The arches and wheels are quite alot bigger, and its higher (If you haven't lowered it).. In real life, I'm sure the MK3.5 windscreen is more raked than the MK3

[Hammerhead]

HereBeMonsters said:

Really? How have they made it look so big then? I was in two minds about getting a brand new one on personal lease (from Ling, btw) or getting an older Mk1 to fettle how I wanted to. Went for the Mk1 in the end for a number of reasons, but mainly as the missus refused to even try the Mk3 as it was "huge". She compared it to the Mustang hire car we had in the States last year!

There really isn't much in it in 'real life'. Here's our MK3.5 alongside Batty's MK1




Comparing it to a 'stang is a bit silly really

[hornetrider]

Life with the 5 still all good! Sooo great to be back in a convertible in this glorious weather

Have been researching iPhone/iPod options as the audiolink kit (which lets you control the iPod functionality from the steering wheel controls) is not yet compatible with BOSE equipped 3.5s. Sooo.. I've bought myself a Griffin Tuneflex Aux - Linky.

Was a bit sceptical prior to purchase but wanted an iPod solution and took a punt at 30 notes. The fit is not exactly OEM but it sits quite discreetly low down inbetween the gearstick and the climate control dial. I've got to say - the sound quality is bloody superb! I thought the Aux connection might be a bit mickey mouse but it is clear as a bell and goes louder than even I can put up with with no distortion even on bassy dance tunes - result! I'm going to get the tomtom app for the iPhone I think and have a complete solution.

I've just ticked over 1000 miles now and will be booking it in to WIM next week as they are only half an hour up the road. As I've got used to the car and have explored the handling a bit I think the geometry might not be 100% after Mazda did the lowering. So, having given it time to settle it's time to get it done.

No more mods on the horizon after that - amazingly!! Not much I can think of to do really apart from enjoy the thing!

[HereBeMonsters]

hornetrider said:

I'm going to get the tomtom app for the iPhone I think and have a complete solution.

Try the N Driver one first. Only a fiver, and it works well enough for me. Apparently it works better with the iPhone GPS than the TomTom - as TomTom want you to buy their £130 GPS mount thing.

[hornetrider]

HereBeMonsters said:

hornetrider said:

I'm going to get the tomtom app for the iPhone I think and have a complete solution.

Try the N Driver one first. Only a fiver, and it works well enough for me. Apparently it works better with the iPhone GPS than the TomTom - as TomTom want you to buy their £130 GPS mount thing.

Just read some reviews and it seems you're right, thanks for the tip! I will try the UK one for a fiver and prob upgrade to western europe when I need to, cheers!

[hornetrider]

NDrive bought, installed, tested, works great, bonzer! Cheers fella Total Bluetooth/Phone/Tunes/Nav solution all in one

[pbirkett]

Hammerhead said:

There really isn't much in it in 'real life'. Here's our MK3.5 alongside Batty's MK1

Funny you say that, I always thought the mk3 was huge compared to the mk1 until one came out on a run with us and I saw the pictures afterwards... The mk3 really isn't that much bigger after all, it just looks it in isolation. Good bit heavier though.