MX5 Image change.
Discussion
I just owned a new Recaro edition MX-5. But I sold it after a few months. Why? The car was great, it was superbly engineered, had everything you want in a modern car. The roof is a work of art, utterly brilliant. It was the 2L version, and it had just enough power. I was really happy with it for about a month when I was just driving it around at 6/10ths.
However when I started to lean on it, I quickly realised it needed to be lower with better shocks, and for me the biggest issue, it just didn't have enough grunt to make it exciting.. I want a road car to be exciting and not just through a corner, it doesn't have to be ballistic but I realised I needed a visit to BBR to get close to what I wanted. Probably about 240 bhp/tonne is the minimum to get me going.
So after considering all the upgrades, I sold it and bought an Elise. Now, these aren't directly comparable due to the price, but when it would have cost me another 6k ish to get the MX-5 to where I really wanted it, I didn't see the value vs the extra bits the Elise would bring to the party such as the steering and the feedback, and well, the badge.
At the price point you'd be nuts not to try an MX-5. The engine in particular is superb. The only thing I'd really do to it, is get some better shocks and get the geo done so it doesn't understeer on initial turn in (which drove me a bit nuts). You can push it past these issues but it gets a bit ragged and doesn't feel great IMO.
However when I started to lean on it, I quickly realised it needed to be lower with better shocks, and for me the biggest issue, it just didn't have enough grunt to make it exciting.. I want a road car to be exciting and not just through a corner, it doesn't have to be ballistic but I realised I needed a visit to BBR to get close to what I wanted. Probably about 240 bhp/tonne is the minimum to get me going.
So after considering all the upgrades, I sold it and bought an Elise. Now, these aren't directly comparable due to the price, but when it would have cost me another 6k ish to get the MX-5 to where I really wanted it, I didn't see the value vs the extra bits the Elise would bring to the party such as the steering and the feedback, and well, the badge.
At the price point you'd be nuts not to try an MX-5. The engine in particular is superb. The only thing I'd really do to it, is get some better shocks and get the geo done so it doesn't understeer on initial turn in (which drove me a bit nuts). You can push it past these issues but it gets a bit ragged and doesn't feel great IMO.
I've just bought a mk3.
Seriously fun to drive. It's not quick in q straight line, slower than previous cars I've owned. But more fun.
Note the UK mk3 had its suspension screwed with before launch causing all the criticism. Mines a Japanese import into nz and has the correct set-up.
An Elise certainly is more pure and sports car ish but they are really rare and expensive here.
I could easily have bought a 400hp scoob or a v8 something. I chose not to because the mx5 is for me more fun
Seriously fun to drive. It's not quick in q straight line, slower than previous cars I've owned. But more fun.
Note the UK mk3 had its suspension screwed with before launch causing all the criticism. Mines a Japanese import into nz and has the correct set-up.
An Elise certainly is more pure and sports car ish but they are really rare and expensive here.
I could easily have bought a 400hp scoob or a v8 something. I chose not to because the mx5 is for me more fun
Unless you are going to track it, I don't get the "it needs more power" thing. You might go a bit faster but won't really have that much more fun on normal back roads.
I have a Mk3 MX5 and also a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Porsche Boxster Spyder (yes, lucky boy) so do have a bit of experience of more power and think the MX5 is great for what it is. I also haven't been called a hairdresser or a girlie any more often in the Mazda than I have in either of the other two. Infact, if anything it is the Ferrari that gets most of that sort of comment.
I have a Mk3 MX5 and also a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Porsche Boxster Spyder (yes, lucky boy) so do have a bit of experience of more power and think the MX5 is great for what it is. I also haven't been called a hairdresser or a girlie any more often in the Mazda than I have in either of the other two. Infact, if anything it is the Ferrari that gets most of that sort of comment.
InitialDave said:
"Car people" have always regarded the MX5 favourably.
The general public have always made "hairdresser" comments about small, cutesy convertibles.
Hairdresser is a euphemism for homosexual, people who say that are calling you gay, I personally dont take that as an insult, it is actually just really sayingThe general public have always made "hairdresser" comments about small, cutesy convertibles.
"I am using a really outdated stereotype that probably never actually existed as a really lame attempt to piss on your bonfire as your obvious freedom in choice of a fun car and perhaps an element of envy about the financial aspect as I am clueless about car prices"
I got the odd Hairdresser comments about my 944 and 350Z convertibles, I just grabbed the f
kers by the throat, pinned them down to the floor, gave them a shampoo, a Layered Bob, a decent multi tonal colour and then finished them off with a really good hard bumming.
J4CKO said:
I got the odd Hairdresser comments about my 944 and 350Z convertibles, I just grabbed the fkers by the throat, pinned them down to the floor, gave them a shampoo, a Layered Bob, a decent multi tonal colour and then finished them off with a really good hard bumming.
Dammit man. If you're good at something, never do it for free.kers by the throat, pinned them down to the floor, gave them a shampoo, a Layered Bob, a decent multi tonal colour and then finished them off with a really good hard bumming.(I have a Cappuccino. No one's every questioned my sexuality, just how I fit in the thing).
InitialDave said:
J4CKO said:
I got the odd Hairdresser comments about my 944 and 350Z convertibles, I just grabbed the fkers by the throat, pinned them down to the floor, gave them a shampoo, a Layered Bob, a decent multi tonal colour and then finished them off with a really good hard bumming.
Dammit man. If you're good at something, never do it for free.kers by the throat, pinned them down to the floor, gave them a shampoo, a Layered Bob, a decent multi tonal colour and then finished them off with a really good hard bumming.(I have a Cappuccino. No one's every questioned my sexuality, just how I fit in the thing).
I think any compact sports car that's convertible/soft-top is always going to be pigeon-holed into that stereotype - whether deserved or not. I know people with MGF/TFs who have a similar issue with the 'hairdressing/salon' image despite the car's capabilities.
My view is that if you like what you drive - stuff the pub-wisdom and enjoy it. I was having a lot of fun keeping up with an early MX-5 on a twisty section the other week - this guy was chucking it into corners and having the time of his life. The lack of power or image didn't seem to come into the equation - it was sunny day on a clear B-road and I'll admit I envied him in being able to put the roof down.
Then we caught up with a tractor, combine and trailer convoy leaving a cloud of straw and dust behind them - then I didn't envy him so much....
My view is that if you like what you drive - stuff the pub-wisdom and enjoy it. I was having a lot of fun keeping up with an early MX-5 on a twisty section the other week - this guy was chucking it into corners and having the time of his life. The lack of power or image didn't seem to come into the equation - it was sunny day on a clear B-road and I'll admit I envied him in being able to put the roof down.
Then we caught up with a tractor, combine and trailer convoy leaving a cloud of straw and dust behind them - then I didn't envy him so much....
LandRoverManiac said:
I think any compact sports car that's convertible/soft-top is always going to be pigeon-holed into that stereotype - whether deserved or not. I know people with MGF/TFs who have a similar issue with the 'hairdressing/salon' image despite the car's capabilities.
My view is that if you like what you drive - stuff the pub-wisdom and enjoy it. I was having a lot of fun keeping up with an early MX-5 on a twisty section the other week - this guy was chucking it into corners and having the time of his life. The lack of power or image didn't seem to come into the equation - it was sunny day on a clear B-road and I'll admit I envied him in being able to put the roof down.
Then we caught up with a tractor, combine and trailer convoy leaving a cloud of straw and dust behind them - then I didn't envy him so much....
I followed a combine harvester up Aston Hill (near Stokenchurch and a favourite 'storming the ramparts' hill). Not only was it slow but my German hairdresser's Z3 2.2 roadster (top down obviously) was full of dust too.My view is that if you like what you drive - stuff the pub-wisdom and enjoy it. I was having a lot of fun keeping up with an early MX-5 on a twisty section the other week - this guy was chucking it into corners and having the time of his life. The lack of power or image didn't seem to come into the equation - it was sunny day on a clear B-road and I'll admit I envied him in being able to put the roof down.
Then we caught up with a tractor, combine and trailer convoy leaving a cloud of straw and dust behind them - then I didn't envy him so much....
renmure said:
Unless you are going to track it, I don't get the "it needs more power" thing. You might go a bit faster but won't really have that much more fun on normal back roads.
I have a Mk3 MX5 and also a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Porsche Boxster Spyder (yes, lucky boy) so do have a bit of experience of more power and think the MX5 is great for what it is. I also haven't been called a hairdresser or a girlie any more often in the Mazda than I have in either of the other two. Infact, if anything it is the Ferrari that gets most of that sort of comment.
This in spades. I currently own a 220bhp supercharged mk1 and a 2.0 Sport mk3. The mk1 will happily deal with pretty much anything on he roads bar super hatches and big power sports cars. It's probably current Gen Boxster S in its performance. It's brilliant. I have a Mk3 MX5 and also a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Porsche Boxster Spyder (yes, lucky boy) so do have a bit of experience of more power and think the MX5 is great for what it is. I also haven't been called a hairdresser or a girlie any more often in the Mazda than I have in either of the other two. Infact, if anything it is the Ferrari that gets most of that sort of comment.
The mk3 by comparison is clearly much slower but in fact no less fun. It's still just as involving to drive and puts a grin on my face. The only difference is it doesn't stab you in the kidneys each time you bury the loud peddle into the floor. On the road the chances to exploit that these days are few and far between.
The Mx5 is at its best when linking up a series of bends and keeping the pace up. It's never been about the traffic light GP.
I understand why many people don't like them and that's fine. I can't stand big HP diesel saloons but I understand why other people do. I don't look down on them for their choices.
In 6 years of ownership I've only ever met 1 Mx5 owner that was actually a hairdresser. I know 50+ others and have met many more at shows who are mechanics, lawyers, builders, policemen, it nerds, c level business men and women etc etc.
renmure said:
Unless you are going to track it, I don't get the "it needs more power" thing. You might go a bit faster but won't really have that much more fun on normal back roads.
I have a Mk3 MX5 and also a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Porsche Boxster Spyder (yes, lucky boy) so do have a bit of experience of more power and think the MX5 is great for what it is. I also haven't been called a hairdresser or a girlie any more often in the Mazda than I have in either of the other two. Infact, if anything it is the Ferrari that gets most of that sort of comment.
One of the most fun providing cars I've had was a 1970 MG Midget. In the seventies, which was when I owned it, most other cars were sluggish with poor handling a brakes. The Midget, as with the Healey Sprite, offered superior handling and general chuckability that other cheap cars simply did not. Even a BMC Mini Cooper wasn't quite the fun of the top-down Midget. It's not about speed but perception of speed. My Westfield has a pathetic maximum speed of no more than c.110mph but it's how it gets there and what you can do with it on a track/twisty road.I have a Mk3 MX5 and also a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Porsche Boxster Spyder (yes, lucky boy) so do have a bit of experience of more power and think the MX5 is great for what it is. I also haven't been called a hairdresser or a girlie any more often in the Mazda than I have in either of the other two. Infact, if anything it is the Ferrari that gets most of that sort of comment.
I think because it's not a big, powerful, muscular car people viewed it as a bit girly. Let's face it they were quite pretty little cars and although based on the typical old British sports cars they were dainty and modern. So I can see why they get that 'hairdresser car' image a little bit like a convertible TT or equivalent today.
To the average non-petrolhead I'm sure they view the MX5 in a similar because it's not an SUV or hot hatch but to most petrolheads we appreciate that they're actually quite cool little cars and although I've never driven one, I can imagine they are a good laugh to drive.
I own a Twingo 133 and to the ignorant they'd say it's a girls car but has a similar formula to the MX5 and a big part of that is fun!
To the average non-petrolhead I'm sure they view the MX5 in a similar because it's not an SUV or hot hatch but to most petrolheads we appreciate that they're actually quite cool little cars and although I've never driven one, I can imagine they are a good laugh to drive.
I own a Twingo 133 and to the ignorant they'd say it's a girls car but has a similar formula to the MX5 and a big part of that is fun!
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