RE: Mazda MX-5 RF: UK Review

[PhantomPH]

Ean218 said:

PhantomPH said:

Trying to encourage my folks to change their Roadster to the RF, but my Mother seems to think there is less visibility with the buttresses than in the Roadster which would cause problems in looking over left shoulder at angled junctions or when parking - did you guys find that? (They've not test driven yet, which would be the proof of the pudding of course!)

The rear window is very much smaller than the roadster when the roof is up, more a rectangular slot than a window, and you have pretty much the same view with the roof off. The buttresses don't get in the way at junctions, they are stepped in enough for it not to be a problem.

From a parking point of view, it is really only a small car, it comes with reversing sensors and a rear view camera is an option.

I'll pass the feedback on, thanks.

[vikingaero]

I'd buy one over the Convertible. Convertibles are nice one day a year or if your mate owns one. I'd can't understand why people want the hood down in 30 degree traffic to be roasted like an oven ready chicken.

[TaylotS2K]

Saw my first one in the flesh the other day. Still looks too out of proportion to me. Roof line is way too high.

Still a Noddy car in my eyes.

[lord trumpton]

[elvismiggell]

My thought process while reading this;

vikingaero said:

I'd buy one over the Convertible.

Huh, fair enough, I might have bought an RF over the soft top if it'd been available at launch.

vikingaero said:

Convertibles are nice one day a year or if your mate owns one.

Ah here we go, "convertibles are only worth having in nice weather, may as well put it away for winter" etc

vikingaero said:

I'd can't understand why people want the hood down in 30 degree traffic to be roasted like an oven ready chicken.

...

Eh?

Do you not live in the UK? 30 degree traffic is pretty damn rare!

[ash reynolds]

Looks OK, having not sat in one though could somebody please tell me if that black panel just behind the drivers shoulder causes a massive blind spot?
It looks like it should have been clear instead.

[Slb89]

this is better looking,

but nothing can escape the fact that is woefully woefully slow.....

honda s2000, 240 bhp 2L still setting the bar today, nothing has moved on when it comes to convertibles.

yawn.

[kambites]

Slb89 said:

honda s2000, 240 bhp 2L still setting the bar today, nothing has moved on when it comes to convertibles.

I think you'll find there's a long list of companies which will sell you convertibles with over 240bhp; well over in many cases.

Lets not forget the S2000 had a base price of, what, £25k in 1999? That's over £35k in today's money so around twice the price of the entry level ND MX5.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 28th March 20:42

[Gandahar]

It's not as if the soft top is slow or hard to put up or down and your get to see more of your surroundings.

And saves 45kg. 45 kg pretty high up. In a car not blessed like a V8 F type power wise. It all matters.

[RBH58]

I like enough to have bought one. It's a great little car and it drives just like the soft top basically.



MX5s are an acquired taste. It took me a few weeks to be comfortable with the soft suspension setup (and mine's on 20% stiffer Eibach springs) after coming from a (much sharper) BRZ. But once you get used to managing the weight transfer it's kinda fun. Only criticism, I just wish the steering was as good as the BRZ's. The MX5's steering is pretty inert and artificial feeling. And you will struggle with the MX5 if you are much over 6' (182cm). It's tight in there.

[TheDrBrian]

kambites said:

Slb89 said:

honda s2000, 240 bhp 2L still setting the bar today, nothing has moved on when it comes to convertibles.

I think you'll find there's a long list of companies which will sell you convertibles with over 240bhp; well over in many cases.

Lets not forget the S2000 had a base price of, what, £25k in 1999? That's over £35k in today's money so around twice the price of the entry level ND MX5.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 28th March 20:42

And Euro3 which means you can't sell it anymore, hence Honda's latest turbo Type-R

[JMF894]

DM525i said:

It is cars like this the only just about give me any faith in the future of motoring. Seriously well done Mazda. Love it, and the proper convertible. I'm starting the process of weening myself off Pistonheads and the motoring press in general. I am utterly depressed, I know all the gearbox tech is inevitable but it holds absolutely no interest for me (I have a physical reaction to it). Well done mazda for keeping the rear drive, manual alive.

Yes. This exactly.

It's why I recently cancelled my subscription to a well known weekly 'Auto' mobile magazine. All the tech, electrics, autonomy etc just get me down and hold zero appeal. So few affordable, realistic cars around now that interest me. Back to classics I think.

The Mx5 has never done anything for me, but, now................................

Jimbo

[RBH58]

JMF894 said:

Yes. This exactly.

It's why I recently cancelled my subscription to a well known weekly 'Auto' mobile magazine. All the tech, electrics, autonomy etc just get me down and hold zero appeal. So few affordable, realistic cars around now that interest me. Back to classics I think.

The Mx5 has never done anything for me, but, now................................

Jimbo

Following is the best MX5 RF review I've read, THIS is why I bought one...

http://www.speedhunters.com/2017/02/when-slow-is-f...

Edited by RBH58 on Wednesday 29th March 10:31

[TameRacingDriver]

I saw one of these the other day. For me, it looks so much better in photos than in real life, where I feel it just looks a bit awkward. The Roadster is much better looking for me, and obviously, that comes with the advantage of being able to have the roof down (I am aware this is a targa but it's not quite the same for me), and a little bit less weight too. I agree with the review, if I wanted a coupe type car I'd be heading towards the 86/BRZ instead.

Edited by TameRacingDriver on Wednesday 29th March 11:09

[DM525i]

Anyone who thinks a convertible is only for one day a year is either a complete jessy or has never tried one. I have an MR2 roadster, I would expect it is not the most up to date in the aerodynamic or wind deflection department but it is a joy to drive during the winter months. The heater only needs to be half way when the engine is up to temp and there is only a tiny bit of ruffling to my head. I some times wish there was a bit more wind. My son has fallen asleep with the roof down (reflection on my driving perhaps) as he would in a hard roofed car. Convertibles are a joy in winter, get the roof down in winter and drive. You can get a very hot head in the summer.

Edited by DM525i on Wednesday 29th March 10:54

[RBH58]

I've never been a convertible fan. My wife bought an MX5 NC in 2008 and I started to concede that maybe they could be okay on a nice balmy summer evening or early morning backroads blast. Then she bought an Abarth 124 and with a better insulated cockpit and seat heaters I figured out that pretty much anytime it's not raining a drop top could be fun. So I bought my first ever drop top in 40 years of car ownership in the RF. It could be my last, I don't know, but for now I'm enjoying it.

[TameRacingDriver]

RBH58 said:

I've never been a convertible fan. My wife bought an MX5 NC in 2008 and I started to concede that maybe they could be okay on a nice balmy summer evening or early morning backroads blast. Then she bought an Abarth 124 and with a better insulated cockpit and seat heaters I figured out that pretty much anytime it's not raining a drop top could be fun. So I bought my first ever drop top in 40 years of car ownership in the RF. It could be my last, I don't know, but for now I'm enjoying it.

I'd quite happily drive my MR2 with the roof down in the snow. I find convertibles can be just as much fun in winter as any other time of the year.

[RBH58]

TameRacingDriver said:

I'd quite happily drive my MR2 with the roof down in the snow. I find convertibles can be just as much fun in winter as any other time of the year.

You can't use them in the middle of the day in mid summer in Australia. Unless you are liberally lathered in sunscreen you will burn to a crisp in about 20-30 mins.