RE: Mazda MX-5 RF: Driven

[Dale487]

I like it - the soft top would make no sense living in Manchester with no garage or drive.

I like the looks, to me I see it as a mini Ferrari 550 Superamerica. But I think a proper fastback coupe would be even better.

[KTF]

Hmm, this or a GT-86/BRZ...

[GranCab]

Its just for Magnum wannabees ... ?

Edited by GranCab on Wednesday 18th January 13:06

[Fish]

The Crack Fox said:

Every generation gets taller, fatter, frumpier and less fun, doesn't it? So predictable, so dull...

Be brave, Mazda!

The new current generation is smaller than the MK1 and nearly as light. I think they have been very brave.. great little car.

[Black S2K]

RobDickinson said:

herebebeasties said:

* Generally rated by most motoring journalists as a better effort than the car it replaces

I think all the 'issues' with the NC are down to a poorly chosen suspension forced on them late for Europe/UK and thats what go reviewed. Outside EU and later on its pretty sorted.

I thought it was compulsory to take the NC straight to somewhere like Wheels in Motion for one of the aftermarket suspension kits and an alignment?

[CooperD]

I think it looks really great. Well done Mazda!!

[Remagel2507]

Not been out long but already the JDM tuners have got hold of it, I really like this one from Blitz as the standard just looks a little to plain for my liking. A turbo sounds nice too...

[SpudLink]

karlser said:

Why oh why not a fixed roof ?

It could have lots more luggage space that way, and transform the car from a toy into a proper mini-GT .
I really like the looks of the new design, but that's a wasted opportunity in my eyes .

I've been banging that drum for 15 years. They should have had the GT86 market niche wrapped up years ago.

[GrandAndrew]

What a brilliant looking little car!

I'd be really interested to see what one can be had for at two years old. It's a real winner for me!

[Hitch]

It looks pretty bad from in that rear 3/4 shot - like a new Renault Wind or Smart Coupe.

It would be much better if they made a pure coupe as they'd have more freedom in dealing with bringing the height down over the short rear body.

[Hitch]

Remagel2507 said:

I really like this one from Blitz as the standard just looks a little to plain for my liking. A turbo sounds nice too...

Quick, its melting! Seriously, that car looks like someone raided the Max Power scrapyard for bodykit parts.

[MorganP104]

To my eyes, there's a bit of Z3 M Coupe "breadvan" and Ferrari Testarossa about the new MX-5 RF.





Which I don't think is a bad thing at all.

[Itsallicanafford]

Brethren, may I introduce you to the Opel GT

[TheDrBrian]

Hitch said:

Quick, its melting! Seriously, that car looks like someone raided the Max Power scrapyard for bodykit parts.

Gopping. Engine has the obligatory warm air intake

[underphil]

TheDrBrian said:

Hitch said:

Quick, its melting! Seriously, that car looks like someone raided the Max Power scrapyard for bodykit parts.

Gopping. Engine has the obligatory warm air intake

What's your idea of a cold air intake?? - one that teleports air directly from Antarctica?

[darth_pies]

Remagel2507 said:

Not been out long but already the JDM tuners have got hold of it, I really like this one from Blitz as the standard just looks a little to plain for my liking. A turbo sounds nice too...

MY EYES!

That's horrid IMHO but really like the look of the standard RF.
I think a good point which has come up in previous threads is that the RF looks better in the metal because the low side-profile shots you get in the press photos are not the angle you see it from in the real world...its actually a very low and small car in reality which minimises the roof height thing.

[Craikeybaby]

I like that Mazda have done something different with it. Personally, I'd have the proper softtop, as I did with the mk3.5.

With regards to the previous model being 80% hardtop, they seemed to only make the 2.0l version available as a hardtop towards the end of production, which annoyed me, as a 2.0l softtop SE would have been my ideal spec.

[LuS1fer]

darth_pies said:

Remagel2507 said:

Not been out long but already the JDM tuners have got hold of it, I really like this one from Blitz as the standard just looks a little to plain for my liking. A turbo sounds nice too...

MY EYES!

That's horrid IMHO but really like the look of the standard RF.
I think a good point which has come up in previous threads is that the RF looks better in the metal because the low side-profile shots you get in the press photos are not the angle you see it from in the real world...its actually a very low and small car in reality which minimises the roof height thing.

You're right. Standard form is right, those modified pieces of crap should be consigned to the tasteless 80s.

[edwheels]

Black S2K said:

I thought it was compulsory to take the NC straight to somewhere like Wheels in Motion for one of the aftermarket suspension kits and an alignment?

I did this with my mk3 with the Mazda official lower springs. Whilst it made a big difference to the handling (positive) and the looks (also positive) it was just too low for our terrible roads and speed bump infested London. I lost count the number of times it scraped the tarmac - once or twice just on a very fast but bumpy B road.

[edwheels]

LuS1fer said:

You're right. Standard form is right, those modified pieces of crap should be consigned to the tasteless 80s.

Have to agree - Looks horrid - makes a statement, granted, but that was never what the mx5 was about .