RE: Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GT86
Discussion
Moving on from power steering and automatics, I always find it odd in these threads when people say they don't "get" cars like the GT86 and the MX5. I think this Chris Harris video is a brilliant demonstration of what they're about for 2 reasons:
1. His description of why he likes the GT86; and
2. The footage of the GT86, which shows it can hustle through the twisty stuff pretty effing well and that it is quite dynamic and fun while doing so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUhLXvxlQR4
Frankly, if you don't get the GT86 after watching the video, you have comprehension problems. You don't have to like the GT86, but it should be easy to understand why it was made and why some people like them.
Now, CH might disagree but the fundamental reasons he likes the GT86 can be applied to the MX5. It is a very deliberately, carefully designed car to make the driver feel great (e.g. driving position, controls) and to have fun at reasonable speeds.
An interesting example of this care of design is to look at CH's driving position when in the GT86 compared to the 370Z. The 370Z's position looks comically high compared to the Toyota. He uses a word near the 9 minute mark that sums it up (for Porsches as well, but not the 370Z) - instinctive.
1. His description of why he likes the GT86; and
2. The footage of the GT86, which shows it can hustle through the twisty stuff pretty effing well and that it is quite dynamic and fun while doing so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUhLXvxlQR4
Frankly, if you don't get the GT86 after watching the video, you have comprehension problems. You don't have to like the GT86, but it should be easy to understand why it was made and why some people like them.
Now, CH might disagree but the fundamental reasons he likes the GT86 can be applied to the MX5. It is a very deliberately, carefully designed car to make the driver feel great (e.g. driving position, controls) and to have fun at reasonable speeds.
An interesting example of this care of design is to look at CH's driving position when in the GT86 compared to the 370Z. The 370Z's position looks comically high compared to the Toyota. He uses a word near the 9 minute mark that sums it up (for Porsches as well, but not the 370Z) - instinctive.
Only a matter of time before someone posted that video but there are quite a lot of important differences between the 370 GT and the base model as featured in that video , most of Chris Harris's comments don't ring true to me as a owner of a 370z GT but then I often don't share his opinion although I do find a lot of his videos entertaining
Went and drove a 2.0 litre MX-5 yesterday. This one in fact:
First up. I liked it!
Very fun car.
Few things I observed though.
1. Feels and looks like it was designed for LHD as its primary setup
-There's a huge bulge in the foot well (assume Cats/gearbox space), the bulge is in both passenger and driver sides, but about twice the size on the drivers side, I found my leg touched it when sitting in it.
-Handbrake lever is on the wrong side of the consul for RHD, or at least it's in the way, found my arm constantly sitting/rubbing it.
-Little things like the tray on in front of the gear stick (for a phone) is on the left hand side, the wrong side for a RHD car.
Bulge on passenger side:
I didn't get a good pic of the drivers side, but it is about twice the size.
Here you can see the hand brake and it is in the way between you and the gearstick, even once released. Also not the stowage hole in front and to the left of the gear stick.
2. Things I liked.
-gear change
-general handling and ride quality, both were superb IMO
-peppy 2.0 litre engine. It maybe didn't like to rev to the red line as smooth as other engines (felt like it nosed over about 1000rpm short), but I loved the low and mid end grunt from it.
-Noise.
-Speed. I know it's not the quickest thing in the world, but anyone who doesn't thing the 2.0 litre is quick is being absurd.
-Body coloured trim on the doors
-Interior quality and general design
-external looks
-grin factor
-pedals
-and did I say gear change
-Steering wheel
3. Things I didn't like so much
-cabin felt cramped and almost claustrophobic. Now remember I'm comparing this to my smart Roadster. The smart feels spacious and airy in the cabin by comparison.
-The LHD nuances mentioned above
-poor, very poor reward visibility when reversing
-No glove box
-very little usable stowage space in the cabin.
4. Things I felt more neutral about, but things I noted non the less.
-Seat back was very squishy. Found it comfortable for the test drive however.
-Boot looks very small, odd shape and small opening. Way less usable space than the smart Roadster or something like an MGF.
-Steering felt very light, lighter than that of my Rpadster and to me didn't seem to have any more feel. Felt direct and good, but the way people bash the steering on the Roadster I thought it would be miles different and it simply wasn't.
-Lots of body roll, but lots of grip too. I didn't mind either, it still somehow felt taught and responsive. I liked it and thought it suited are roads brilliantly
-Hard to see the front end from the drivers seat, although nothing new compared to many other cars.
-Car felt bigger to drive than maybe it actually is. The Roadster feels tiny, flighty and nimble by comparison. The MX-5 felt quite beasty and bigger on the outside (but smaller on the inside, due to the cramped nature of the cabin)
This colour combo looks the best IMO and would be what I'd order.
First up. I liked it!
Very fun car.
Few things I observed though.
1. Feels and looks like it was designed for LHD as its primary setup
-There's a huge bulge in the foot well (assume Cats/gearbox space), the bulge is in both passenger and driver sides, but about twice the size on the drivers side, I found my leg touched it when sitting in it.
-Handbrake lever is on the wrong side of the consul for RHD, or at least it's in the way, found my arm constantly sitting/rubbing it.
-Little things like the tray on in front of the gear stick (for a phone) is on the left hand side, the wrong side for a RHD car.
Bulge on passenger side:
I didn't get a good pic of the drivers side, but it is about twice the size.
Here you can see the hand brake and it is in the way between you and the gearstick, even once released. Also not the stowage hole in front and to the left of the gear stick.
2. Things I liked.
-gear change
-general handling and ride quality, both were superb IMO
-peppy 2.0 litre engine. It maybe didn't like to rev to the red line as smooth as other engines (felt like it nosed over about 1000rpm short), but I loved the low and mid end grunt from it.
-Noise.
-Speed. I know it's not the quickest thing in the world, but anyone who doesn't thing the 2.0 litre is quick is being absurd.
-Body coloured trim on the doors
-Interior quality and general design
-external looks
-grin factor
-pedals
-and did I say gear change
-Steering wheel
3. Things I didn't like so much
-cabin felt cramped and almost claustrophobic. Now remember I'm comparing this to my smart Roadster. The smart feels spacious and airy in the cabin by comparison.
-The LHD nuances mentioned above
-poor, very poor reward visibility when reversing
-No glove box
-very little usable stowage space in the cabin.
4. Things I felt more neutral about, but things I noted non the less.
-Seat back was very squishy. Found it comfortable for the test drive however.
-Boot looks very small, odd shape and small opening. Way less usable space than the smart Roadster or something like an MGF.
-Steering felt very light, lighter than that of my Rpadster and to me didn't seem to have any more feel. Felt direct and good, but the way people bash the steering on the Roadster I thought it would be miles different and it simply wasn't.
-Lots of body roll, but lots of grip too. I didn't mind either, it still somehow felt taught and responsive. I liked it and thought it suited are roads brilliantly
-Hard to see the front end from the drivers seat, although nothing new compared to many other cars.
-Car felt bigger to drive than maybe it actually is. The Roadster feels tiny, flighty and nimble by comparison. The MX-5 felt quite beasty and bigger on the outside (but smaller on the inside, due to the cramped nature of the cabin)
This colour combo looks the best IMO and would be what I'd order.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Sunday 30th August 12:53
Drove the 1.5 today. Engine is great - responsive, revvy and noisy, all big pluses. And I love the look of the car. Roof is a doddle to raise and lower, no need for an electric version this time for sure. Really fun to drive. Feels bigger than I thought it would though.
But I agree with earlier poster - the visibility...wow, it's bad. As in that strange bulge and the fact that the handbrake is never quite out of the way. And also the idrive style knobs, very easy to knock or touch them when working the gears. Which messes up the screen. And why isn't that screen retractable, just inviting a theft attempt if you leave the car parked up with the roof down.
Sure it will sell by the bucketload though, especially with the chunky discounts available on them if you look around.
But I agree with earlier poster - the visibility...wow, it's bad. As in that strange bulge and the fact that the handbrake is never quite out of the way. And also the idrive style knobs, very easy to knock or touch them when working the gears. Which messes up the screen. And why isn't that screen retractable, just inviting a theft attempt if you leave the car parked up with the roof down.
Sure it will sell by the bucketload though, especially with the chunky discounts available on them if you look around.
Edited by kathyp on Sunday 30th August 15:41
em177 said:
Would be interested to hear so real world small deposit pcp quotes people have received. Residual seems very low on the Mazda calculator....
I enquired about £2500 down over 42 months for 12,000 miles a year. Worked out to be £403/month with £8k just under balloon payment. £5000 down was £337/month. Lowering mileage down to 10k a year slightly lowered monthly rate but makes the balloon payment bigger.
This was on a 2.0 Sport Nav with the red paint and tan interior. Just over £24k.
300bhp/ton said:
What sort of discounts? And how would you go about getting them? Ta.
A quick glance around the dealer intro sites ie carwow, DTD et all gives some decent savings.From what the dealer told me, apparently be looking at factory orders for most specs at the moment. He also told me initially 'no chance of discounts at all madam, very high demand' but as soon as I told him about the savings I'd seen online and then batted away his standard dealer reply of 'not genuine cars from those places' with proof of the contrary he said they would probably be able to do something should I put an order in there and then. I never really intended to buy one, just fancied a drive, but only a fool pays retail price on a Mazda, new model or not!
They will ALL tell you no discounts, but the truth is very different
kathyp said:
A quick glance around the dealer intro sites ie carwow, DTD et all gives some decent savings.
From what the dealer told me, apparently be looking at factory orders for most specs at the moment. He also told me initially 'no chance of discounts at all madam, very high demand' but as soon as I told him about the savings I'd seen online and then batted away his standard dealer reply of 'not genuine cars from those places' with proof of the contrary he said they would probably be able to do something should I put an order in there and then. I never really intended to buy one, just fancied a drive, but only a fool pays retail price on a Mazda, new model or not!
They will ALL tell you no discounts, but the truth is very different
Time waster! From what the dealer told me, apparently be looking at factory orders for most specs at the moment. He also told me initially 'no chance of discounts at all madam, very high demand' but as soon as I told him about the savings I'd seen online and then batted away his standard dealer reply of 'not genuine cars from those places' with proof of the contrary he said they would probably be able to do something should I put an order in there and then. I never really intended to buy one, just fancied a drive, but only a fool pays retail price on a Mazda, new model or not!
They will ALL tell you no discounts, but the truth is very different
cptsideways said:
The passenger side "phone holder" is actually the socket for the mobile cup holder, though an iphone5 slots in perfectly
The one in the show room had the cup holder fitted here. It was very easy to catch with your knee when getting in the passenger seat. I was meaning the slot on top of the console in front of the gear stick. You can see it here. It's below the dials.
Next to it are USB ports.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 31st August 10:28
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