RE: 2024 Mazda MX-5 RF Exclusive Line | PH Review
Discussion
Wardy5 said:
What did you replace it with?
A 22 year old Honda Accord which of course sounds a bit silly on paper but it's quicker, more practical, more comfortable, handles better, sounds nicer and is subjectively much more interesting/cooler. The Mazda beats the Honda on MPG and electric things working properly.Out with the old:
In with the far older:
I bought a new ND2 in 2019 and kept it for 4 years and gave it absolute bloody murder for 36k including a couple of 3,000 mile drives around Europe and a lot of B road hooning in mid Wales.
Aside from some concerns about the robustness of the paint (so many stonechips...) and the gearbox starting to whine a bit when I sold it I couldn't have asked for more for £23k brand new for a top spec car. It was the perfect companion for exploring all the tiny mountain roads during the COVID lockdowns when all the rambler gnomes were cowering with fear at home too
Lowering springs help make the car a much more enjoyable thing to drive hard, but it really needs thicker ARBs too as they can still be a little confidence sapping in long fast sweeping bends. The engine feels borderline exotic against the turbocharged farters you get these days too.
Highly recommended. and these recent updates all seem really positive. They appear to have tarted up the trim on the centre console too.
Aside from some concerns about the robustness of the paint (so many stonechips...) and the gearbox starting to whine a bit when I sold it I couldn't have asked for more for £23k brand new for a top spec car. It was the perfect companion for exploring all the tiny mountain roads during the COVID lockdowns when all the rambler gnomes were cowering with fear at home too
Lowering springs help make the car a much more enjoyable thing to drive hard, but it really needs thicker ARBs too as they can still be a little confidence sapping in long fast sweeping bends. The engine feels borderline exotic against the turbocharged farters you get these days too.
Highly recommended. and these recent updates all seem really positive. They appear to have tarted up the trim on the centre console too.
horsemeatscandal said:
A 22 year old Honda Accord which of course sounds a bit silly on paper but it's quicker, more practical, more comfortable, handles better, sounds nicer and is subjectively much more interesting/cooler. The Mazda beats the Honda on MPG and electric things working properly.
Out with the old:
In with the far older:
A nice addition to the MX5 maybe but a very odd replacement. They make a good 2nd or 3rd car so if you're just running one I can see why the practicality and total lack of refinement could get very old, sometimes I'd force myself to make my weekly 260 round trip to London in it but most of the time I didn't really enjoy that very much. Out with the old:
In with the far older:
I replaced mine with a 5 litre XKR, which feels remarkably like an MX5 that became a roid rager, but I miss my ND all the time.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Wednesday 27th March 12:23
GeniusOfLove said:
A nice addition to the MX5 maybe but a very odd replacement. They make a good 2nd or 3rd car so if you're just running one I can see why the practicality and total lack of refinement could get very old, sometimes I'd force myself to make my weekly 260 round trip to London in it but most of the time I didn't really enjoy that very much.
I replaced mine with a 5 litre XKR, which feels remarkably like an MX5 that became a roid rager, but I miss my ND all the time.
Different strokes, I suppose. The individual aspects of the MX5 were good, but together as a package it all just felt a bit 'meh'. I'm hardly the first to say it but the steering in these is absolutely criminal. During my ownership I never felt like the lack of practicality was an issue, but maybe it was subconsciously. I replaced mine with a 5 litre XKR, which feels remarkably like an MX5 that became a roid rager, but I miss my ND all the time.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Wednesday 27th March 12:23
Appreciate you editing your comment
Mr Miata said:
£35,000 for a 9 year old design. No thanks.
Compared to modern hot hatches, 184bhp is under powered.
I'll join in too...Compared to modern hot hatches, 184bhp is under powered.
Edited by Mr Miata on Wednesday 27th March 02:08
£35k for a 9 year old design MX-5 or...
£45k for a 7 year old design Merc A35 that gets fairly average scores on several reviews.
I'd personally prefer the lighter, manual, higher revving, naturally aspirated convertible/targa than the lure of 300hp and 4WD (been there, done that).
horsemeatscandal said:
Different strokes, I suppose. The individual aspects of the MX5 were good, but together as a package it all just felt a bit 'meh'. I'm hardly the first to say it but the steering in these is absolutely criminal. During my ownership I never felt like the lack of practicality was an issue, but maybe it was subconsciously.
Appreciate you editing your comment
I was a bit rude, apologies Appreciate you editing your comment
I went and found the article about your Type-R that prompted you to buy it, it's a much cooler car than I thought.I still maintain it's an odd replacement for an MX5. Agree with you about the steering though, only part of the car that I thought let it down.
Really enjoyed my time with an ND2 2.0 RF, it benefitted from Eibach springs but otherwise stock (unless you count adding carplay).
As said, if you want a new car, these are a dying breed - enjoy them while you can.
I replaced mine with an EV..... and a turbocharged Mk1. Like the NC500 poster earlier, I often see exotica and think "right now, on this road, I wouldn't swap".
As said, if you want a new car, these are a dying breed - enjoy them while you can.
I replaced mine with an EV..... and a turbocharged Mk1. Like the NC500 poster earlier, I often see exotica and think "right now, on this road, I wouldn't swap".
A lot of folks comment on how much they dislike the electric steering on the ND - inert, dead around the centre, no feedback, etc.
Having owned mine for 5+ years now I don't have an issue with it, it seems light (but not overly) and accurate. I fitted slightly narrower tyres on 16" rims to mine which may have affected it (for the better?).
Anyways... it's more likely due to the fact that this is the only sports car I've ever owned or driven any distance, and it's a lack of experience of what a proper sports car steering could be like. Also, I'm not a driving God and don't really know any better.
Don't let it put you off, if you're planning trying one.
Having owned mine for 5+ years now I don't have an issue with it, it seems light (but not overly) and accurate. I fitted slightly narrower tyres on 16" rims to mine which may have affected it (for the better?).
Anyways... it's more likely due to the fact that this is the only sports car I've ever owned or driven any distance, and it's a lack of experience of what a proper sports car steering could be like. Also, I'm not a driving God and don't really know any better.
Don't let it put you off, if you're planning trying one.
GeniusOfLove said:
I was a bit rude, apologies I went and found the article about your Type-R that prompted you to buy it, it's a much cooler car than I thought.
I still maintain it's an odd replacement for an MX5. Agree with you about the steering though, only part of the car that I thought let it down.
I accept that it's an odd replacement, haha. I don't really have any specific requirements for a car and fancied some interesting JDM metal before the prices go too crazy. I went and found the article about your Type-R that prompted you to buy it, it's a much cooler car than I thought.I still maintain it's an odd replacement for an MX5. Agree with you about the steering though, only part of the car that I thought let it down.
Anyway, back to the MX5. I do remember the adaptive matrix headlights (or whatever) being bloody brilliant, but it's the only car I've ever driven with them so maybe that's just what they're like.
highway said:
PH regularly run articles about how great BBR conversions are. My car had their conversion. I was unimpressed.
My ND2 got their super 200 upgrade along with exhaust and centre section . Very happy with it, did not change the character just made it a bit more oomphy !
Edited by edo111s on Wednesday 27th March 14:19
V8V Quadcamboy said:
For steering feel, 30 or 50mm drop and add much castor as you like makes all the difference.
Did both of these things. Eibachs and "fast road" alignment. Still s
te. Also, the alignment on mine seemed to be knocked out of kilter at the mere suggestion of a road imperfection. The PH comments section never disappoints with all the bench racers and spec sheet warriors complaining about 0-60 times or turbos or the leathers and plastics on the dashboard or whatever else.
It's pretty simple though- this is one of the last, and one of the purest sports cars that will ever be made. Who cares about how fast it is as long as it is fun and *relatively* affordable. Pure classic roadster on a bespoke platform, with a wonderful NA engine, manual gearbox, and around 1050 kgs soaking wet. 20 years from now we'll be getting teary-eyed about these.
You either understand what it's about by this point, or you never really will.
It's pretty simple though- this is one of the last, and one of the purest sports cars that will ever be made. Who cares about how fast it is as long as it is fun and *relatively* affordable. Pure classic roadster on a bespoke platform, with a wonderful NA engine, manual gearbox, and around 1050 kgs soaking wet. 20 years from now we'll be getting teary-eyed about these.
You either understand what it's about by this point, or you never really will.
Bartimaeus said:
The PH comments section never disappoints with all the bench racers and spec sheet warriors complaining about 0-60 times or turbos or the leathers and plastics on the dashboard or whatever else.
It's pretty simple though- this is one of the last, and one of the purest sports cars that will ever be made. Who cares about how fast it is as long as it is fun and *relatively* affordable. Pure classic roadster on a bespoke platform, with a wonderful NA engine, manual gearbox, and around 1050 kgs soaking wet. 20 years from now we'll be getting teary-eyed about these.
You either understand what it's about by this point, or you never really will.
It's pretty simple though- this is one of the last, and one of the purest sports cars that will ever be made. Who cares about how fast it is as long as it is fun and *relatively* affordable. Pure classic roadster on a bespoke platform, with a wonderful NA engine, manual gearbox, and around 1050 kgs soaking wet. 20 years from now we'll be getting teary-eyed about these.
You either understand what it's about by this point, or you never really will.
Bartimaeus said:
The PH comments section never disappoints with all the bench racers and spec sheet warriors complaining about 0-60 times or turbos or the leathers and plastics on the dashboard or whatever else.
It's pretty simple though- this is one of the last, and one of the purest sports cars that will ever be made. Who cares about how fast it is as long as it is fun and *relatively* affordable. Pure classic roadster on a bespoke platform, with a wonderful NA engine, manual gearbox, and around 1050 kgs soaking wet. 20 years from now we'll be getting teary-eyed about these.
You either understand what it's about by this point, or you never really will.
Precisely this. They in all likelyhood have never been in an ND, let alone driven one.It's pretty simple though- this is one of the last, and one of the purest sports cars that will ever be made. Who cares about how fast it is as long as it is fun and *relatively* affordable. Pure classic roadster on a bespoke platform, with a wonderful NA engine, manual gearbox, and around 1050 kgs soaking wet. 20 years from now we'll be getting teary-eyed about these.
You either understand what it's about by this point, or you never really will.
I've had mine now as a 'daily' for a few months - and its got to be one of the funnest, easiest to live with cars I've had. Heated seats, climate, carplay/android auto etc. I use it to commute, go to the shops, and have some early Sunday morning fun too. It does it all. Yes - as many on this thread have said, its not the fastest thing on the planet. Are all those same people saying the Elise is rubbish too because it only originally had 118bhp?
The ND is about 1000kg, which is unheard of these days - and you can really feel it. I have the 1.5 RF - and drove the 2.0L (184bhp) too to decide - and I chose the 1.5 - as its absolutely hilarious hammering it. It loves to rev, and the bonus is you don't have to be doing insane speeds to enjoy it, unlike the 400bhp hot hatches etc.
The RF roof is excellent too, and doesnt add much weight at all over the ragtop (about 50Kg)....but certainly improves the hood up feel and comfort.
Its mad that its only ever so slightly heavier than the original '89 NA....and lighter than both the NB and NC.
The only negative is that at just under 6 foot, I *only* just fit. Try before you buy....
Have they strengthened the gearbox?
My mate sold his mk8 Fiesta ST and bought a two year old ND, he drove to the Nurburgring and pootled round that, about a month later went to Snetterton, got to 3pm and the gearbox was making a hell of a racket. Turned out it had stripped some teeth off third gear.
Took it to an MX5 specialist and he said not to track these, get an NC if you want to track an MX5. You can strengthen the gearbox but it's not cheap. The car was promptly sold and an 8.5 ST bought.
My mate loved the car though for daily driving.
My mate sold his mk8 Fiesta ST and bought a two year old ND, he drove to the Nurburgring and pootled round that, about a month later went to Snetterton, got to 3pm and the gearbox was making a hell of a racket. Turned out it had stripped some teeth off third gear.
Took it to an MX5 specialist and he said not to track these, get an NC if you want to track an MX5. You can strengthen the gearbox but it's not cheap. The car was promptly sold and an 8.5 ST bought.
My mate loved the car though for daily driving.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff