Thursday 6th September 2012

Chris Harris video: the MX-5

Chris doesn't like MX-5s but has been man enough to confront his demons and go for a drive in one...

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A couple of years ago I blogged my feelings towards the Mazda MX-5. I have never before used 'blog' as a verb, and it doesn't sound right - does it? The piece was triggered by a press release announcing the 900,000th car to roll off the production line. I had never really warmed to the MX-5, and found it frustrating that the little Mazda had become so uninteresting to drive in its current form.

The only way we could get Harris in a Mazda

In this respect, I thought the general opinion that the MX-5 epitomised a kind of driving purity - something considered as sports car excellence - was misplaced and that, at the very least, new definitions of 'sports car' and 'roadster' were needed. I suggested that the MX-5 was the latter, not the former.

This did not go down well with many people. First of all, the PH massive tore me to shreds. Then Jalopnik got in on the act. Then the rest of the car-based internet put me on death row and, for many of them, I'm still incarcerated there.

This video is not an attempt at an apology - no sir. It's a chance to see if that opinion has changed or, more pertinently, it's an opportunity to drive an MX-5, or Miata, or Eunos, in perfect weather, over perfect roads providing it with the best possible opportunity to shine.

Through gritted teeth Chris gets to work...

The car belongs to Neil who shoots the vids, so he had to balance encouraging me in the interests of exciting images and protecting his little pride and joy. A tough exercise. His affection for the car is disconcerting to me because it isn't fawning - you can tell he actually wants to dislike the little thing, but each time he drives it, or stands by it he grins. This is authentic car-love, the only type I could possibly allow to undermine my negative feelings towards these Mazda things.

Anyhow, I discovered some stuff during the day - perhaps even make some adjustments to those original sentiments.

At the very least, I did try and understand what it is the world, and the editor of this mighty edifice, and his fleet of brothers love about the MX-5.

Enjoy the vid.

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[ringweekends]

I don't care who he is.

They're not for me.

[hunt_the_fox]

Good vid as always. I really enjoyed my brief time behind the wheel of an mx5, I thought it was a hoot. But then I am not as good a driver as Chris. They say 911s reward you the more you put in, but I think you have to be a very good driver to get that input. For the rest of us I suspect an mx5 may deliver a more rewarding experience on our roads.

[martyspain]

Had a mint mk1 V-Spec import a while ago. Did not like it at all, despite its reputation as a cheap fun car. Seemed very much like the done thing was to spend another couple of grand on chassis bracing, suspension mods etc, to get the car up to scratch, and I felt like I'd rather just spend the extra money on a better car to start with.

That said, I appreciate I'm in the minority.

[vrsmxtb]

I think actually Chris is bang on the money with this review. The criticisms are fair, and the concessions he made to his original rather sweeping blog seem genuine and well thought out.

I think many MX5 drivers, myself included, come to it from the world of bog-standard hatchbacks etc so it does seem a breath a fresh air - comparatively nice and sharp controls, a bit of movement from the RWD in the wet/on st tyres, hence the wild praise, especially considering the buying/running costs, aftermarket parts range and friendly fan community.

Keener drivers, and those with experience and driving skill in "sports" cars (regardless of power output), will have a different perspective which Chris articulates well here.

Personally, I took my standard car on track this year for the first time and was underwhelmed. It was wallowy, underpowered and was much grippier than I expected leading to very little oversteer challenges. Still great fun for the overall experience, but nowhere near a driving revelation. For regular track fun, it really needs coilovers, extra bracing and forced induction of some kind.

However, stick it on a nice country road at brisk but legal speeds on a crisp, clear day and it really comes alive. I took mine round the Highlands this summer and it was marvellous.

I don't think there should be much stick against Chris on this video, even as a fan and owner, I think he's summed up the car exceptionally well. They didn't call it the roadster for no reason... and if you want more from it, the mods are there waiting. Win win, surely.

Edited by vrsmxtb on Wednesday 5th September 20:42

Edited by vrsmxtb on Wednesday 5th September 20:45

[Tankslider]

In my considered opinion he should have manned the fk up and driven it faster

[vescaegg]

vrsmxtb said:

I think many MX5 drivers, myself included, come to it from the world of bog-standard hatchbacks etc so it does seem a breath a fresh air - comparatively nice and sharp controls, a bit of movement from the RWD in the wet/on st tyres

Edited by vrsmxtb on Wednesday 5th September 20:42

I think the review is pretty spot on, as is the statement above.

[em177]

Hmm... from someone who has had 4. I beg to differ. This is the first comment I am going to give a slightly negative comment on.

I think you've got to compare the Mx5 to it's peers. What else can you get for sub a grand (SOTW money) thats reliable, good on fuel, a realistic daily, and a roadster thats good fun to drive? Fiat barchetta? MGF? not much else.

[vrsmxtb]

em177 said:

Hmm... from someone who has had 4. I beg to differ. This is the first comment I am going to give a slightly negative comment on.

I think you've got to compare the Mx5 to it's peers. What else can you get for sub a grand (SOTW money) thats reliable, good on fuel, a realistic daily, and a roadster thats good fun to drive? Fiat barchetta? MGF? not much else.

I think the mindset Chris is arguing against, is that the MX-5 is a great sportscar regardless of its natural competition. He admits that for £2k, not much else with a convertible roof competes with it for a fun drive.

[Gruffy]

vrsmxtb said:

I think many MX5 drivers, myself included, come to it from the world of bog-standard hatchbacks etc so it does seem a breath a fresh air - comparatively nice and sharp controls, a bit of movement from the RWD in the wet/on st tyres, hence the wild praise, especially considering the buying/running costs, aftermarket parts range and friendly fan community.

My thoughts exactly. I loved my time with a Mk I (aside from the 'cuteness' of it) but I doubt I'd be quite as excited today, having graduated up the ranks a bit. I'd instantly recommend it as a great introduction to RWD drive though.

[0a]

As well as comparing the MX5 to its peers you have to consider what most people are comparing it to. A quick thought on those I know with an Mx5 - Audi A6 2.7tdi, Focus diesel, Accord, 3 series diesel. For the money, as a second car it's a good buy and a reasonable contrast in this context.

I would imagine it feels st stepping out of the 599 daily driver though.

[scholesy]

I think Harris has it spot on when he says they are good cars for the money, they are about the most sensible thing with a cloth roof that money can buy, which in itself is a contradiction. They're just a fun car for not much cash, that won't cost thousands a year to maintain and run. I think I will always have one in the garage, you can't get a better cheap convertible for those rare nice days.

[suffolk009]

I hated the cars when they were new. Silly hairdressers car....all that. I had a couple of friends who had them and I wasn't kind about them. I was in Caterhams, and Subaru Imprezas, and TVRs.

I could not understand why they bought MX5s instead of an Elise. That still wouldn't make sense to me.

What has changed is the price. The 2grand car in the vid is a good one. You'll get a nice serviceable one for half that. At the money they make all the sense in the world.

I bought one 4 years ago, specifically to commute to London for a year. Plan was to sell it at the end of that year. I still have it. 50,000 miles later it just keeps making me smile.

Jay Leno had one - I think it was his brothers, or something. He said somewhere he likes to drive it when he has to park. By which he means he's not getting in one of his exotics, driving around in a great be circel and then going back to the warehouse.

Now mine needs a new roof, and some paint, and some shocks. I'll do that next spring. Then it'll be good for another four years.

[missdiane]

I think he's right, it's a good roadster, it's perceived to be a sports car by its looks I'd presume? He did kind of compare it to the Elise which did seem a little unfair
So did he settle the age old argument ; mk1vs mk2

[Angry Paul]

As an ex-owner of a Mk2 I can only agree with the vast majority of the comments made in the video. The MX5 isn't the best handling car in the world, it does roll a lot, it does wobble around. Even with 140bhp it's not what you'd call quick. If you put anything like half decent tyres on the back it hardly moves in the dry at sane road speeds unless you severely provoke it. Definitely a roadster rather than a sports car...
But what a roadster. Considering the low purchase price, absurdly cheap running costs, fantastic reliability and sheer quality of construction nothing else, absolutely nothing else, comes remotely close to the experience of owning/driving/enjoying/loving an MX5.
You just have to spend some time in one and you get it, you can't help it.

[Hoygo]

As i've driven a mk1 i can actually confirm everything Harris said,the car felt so average that i doubt people who think these are awesome haven't driven anything better let alone a real sportscar. Oh and it was sh!t slow.

For the money as Harris said these can be good but a Clio Cup or a 205 Gti feels more of a sportscar than this,much more fun to drive and for the same money.

Don't know if people are such rwd snobs taking anything fwd down over one of these and missing all the fun.

Or these really are a better more sensible alternative considering they might be more reliable than a (often french) old hot hatch on long term.

[SWoll]

ringweekends said:

I don't care who he isdidn't watch the video before posting because I wanted to be first.

They're not for me.

EFA

em177 said:

Hmm... from someone who has had 4. I beg to differ. This is the first comment I am going to give a slightly negative comment on.

I think you've got to compare the Mx5 to it's peers. What else can you get for sub a grand (SOTW money) thats reliable, good on fuel, a realistic daily, and a roadster thats good fun to drive? Fiat barchetta? MGF? not much else.

Isn't that what Chris said though?

[vrsmxtb]

By the way, where are Neal's opinions of the 599 then?!

Seriously, would be interesting to hear how much extra fun he had in it on the same roads! £99k worth?

[crostonian]

To me the MX5 has always been a classic substitute, ie why spend your time getting your fingers dirty with a Spridget when you can have an MX5 and buy parts from the Moss Catalogue. They are slow and the argument used to be that they don't rust, but now they are doing, so what's in their favour? I'd rather have a Z3 or an SLK at least they offer more grunt and are both RWD, if you want to stay classic then buy an old Alfa Spider. An MGF is arguably a better drive and a Barchetta looks better. Goodbye MX5.

[v8will]

I've owned 2 Mk1's, a 1990 Eunos 1.6 and a 1995 UK 1.8

The Eunos was arguable the sweeter car although it lacked the grunt of the 1.8. My UK model did without a few of the creature comforts of the import and also lacked the LSD and PAS which did it no favours. Neither had stock suspension and both had additional bracing so my only experience of a completely stock car was a late popup 1.6 (90BHP) which was a completely different prospect.

Anyway, I found them both to be fun and a great introduction to RWD and certainly to the joys of performance orientated modication, certainly more engaging than either the MGF or SLK I've owned since which brings me to another point...

Driving dynamics, image, lack of straight line poke aside, In my mind what the MK1 achieved was remarkable. It took the concept of a traditional open top 2 seater, made it reliable, watertight and warm and Mazda sold bucket loads of them. Certainly rust has killed a few but just look how many are still about! A real quality little car that spawned a dedicated tuning industry and for the most part is still turn key reliable after 20 odd years. It may not be the 'greatest' drive ever but for what it is, it's a little gem.

Responsible for the resurgence in this type of car? Maybe or maybe not but I can't help that think that the existence of the Boxster, Elise, Z3, SLK etc etc was a realisation of how profitable the formula was.

Still a talking point amongst us car geeks more than 20 years after it was launched, I think Mazda did something very very right. (pity it went a bit st from the Mk2 onwards)

[Monster44]

Bought a MK1 as a fun car several years ago and initially enjoyed driving it but soon found that it wasn't a car that I could grab by the scruff neck and drive quickly. I found the suspension travel too limited and that it had alarming chassis flex. Convinced my scruffy UK MK1 might just be a bit too tired and rough I swapped in for a slightly fresher Eunos with some factory chassis bracing and a torsion diff. The Eunos was a better drive but still a difficult car to engage with fully so I sold it and gave up.

I have since found that a Toyota MK3 MR2 offers a much more focused drive (although I've not yet owned one!)