Discussion
And I don't "get" it.
On paper, I should love it. It is after all the 8th best PH car in the world apparently. It's a 1.6 16v Eunos Roadster V-Special. It looks shiny, as it's recently had a respray. It has a nice Nardi wooden steering wheel, and the engine, according to a dyno run the other week is exceptionally healthy, lashing out 119.6bhp.
The handling IS good, the steering is sharp, and the turn in and general handling is entertaining, the LSD makes it easy to get sideways when you want to have a bit of a laugh. It's great on fuel, and cheap to insure. There's also plenty of things you can do to them, suspension, wheels, all kinds. I've tinkered on with everything I've owned so far, from teaching myself to weld and replacing sills on an old Daimler, to re-trimming my previous Range Rover.
This however, is the first car I've had I'm just not bothered about. I have no interest in doing anything with it, it's just become a means to an end which I wasn't expecting. I bought it as I thought it would still keep me entertained while I save some cash and move house. It just doesn't feel even the slightest bit special at all.
Is it just me?
On paper, I should love it. It is after all the 8th best PH car in the world apparently. It's a 1.6 16v Eunos Roadster V-Special. It looks shiny, as it's recently had a respray. It has a nice Nardi wooden steering wheel, and the engine, according to a dyno run the other week is exceptionally healthy, lashing out 119.6bhp.
The handling IS good, the steering is sharp, and the turn in and general handling is entertaining, the LSD makes it easy to get sideways when you want to have a bit of a laugh. It's great on fuel, and cheap to insure. There's also plenty of things you can do to them, suspension, wheels, all kinds. I've tinkered on with everything I've owned so far, from teaching myself to weld and replacing sills on an old Daimler, to re-trimming my previous Range Rover.
This however, is the first car I've had I'm just not bothered about. I have no interest in doing anything with it, it's just become a means to an end which I wasn't expecting. I bought it as I thought it would still keep me entertained while I save some cash and move house. It just doesn't feel even the slightest bit special at all.
Is it just me?
haha, I didn't mean it to come across as a for sale ad, or a "MX5's are crap" ad, more sort of, anyone else felt the same, is there some set of mods or something that make it come more alive, or something.
T'isn't for sale, it ticks my cheap commuting boxes nicely at the moment. And even if it is the end of october, the roofs off lol.
T'isn't for sale, it ticks my cheap commuting boxes nicely at the moment. And even if it is the end of october, the roofs off lol.
I think you are suffering from "But it just works". It's not failed or worn out something forcing you to figure out how to fix it. As such it's ticking the driving box, but not the working on the car box.
Personally that's why I like it. I don't have to work on it. It just keeps going. But if you live to tinker, it's not going to be fulfilling that requirement.
Personally that's why I like it. I don't have to work on it. It just keeps going. But if you live to tinker, it's not going to be fulfilling that requirement.
I know what you mean, I felt the same about my rs limited. Yet it got under my skin eventually enough for me to fancy another and I nearly did but the one I wanted got away (maybe it was the same car, where did you get it?) And the opportunity passed me by as I couldn't find another I liked as much in budget.
Cars are funny things though, on paper an mx5 ticks all the right boxes yet leaves many cold. I on the other hand got a primera GT (totally different car I know but I had an open mind at the time in so much as I wasnt dead set on a particular model) expecting not to think much of it and I love it.... go figure that out!
Cars are funny things though, on paper an mx5 ticks all the right boxes yet leaves many cold. I on the other hand got a primera GT (totally different car I know but I had an open mind at the time in so much as I wasnt dead set on a particular model) expecting not to think much of it and I love it.... go figure that out!
Boobonman said:
I find that as standard they sound very uninspiring. My first one had a Jackson racing air intake and some sort of stainless exhaust, definitely not as fun whizzing around in the standard one had afterwards. Get it to make some more noise?
I've had two. My mk1 was instant, unadulterated love, which lasted for 3 years. My Mk2, I guess If it had been my first MX-5, I might have struggled to click with. However I know there's the same car there somewhere as my Mk1.
Biggest difference - Mk1 had Very expensive 4 branch manifold, no catalyst, s/s through out, big pipe at the back - it was LOUD but awesome, raspy, pops, bangs, occasional flame.
Mk2 is bog stock standard with a kwik-fit bodged backbox with teeny tiny crush bent tubing and a little trumper sticking out the back.
As soon as I have the money (lots job recently) I'll be sorting the noise right out, and I'm positive this is going to make the car start to 'come alive' again. Makes a massive difference to the driving experience in my opinion.
I had the same dilema as you.. sat on my drive at the same time was a £900 110bhp Eunos MK1 and a £14k 260bhp Porsche Boxster S, both in black and both fettled and geo'd so they were perfect. But my dilema was reversed, both cars 5* rating in EVO magazine but the Porsche did nothing for me. It wasn't a patch on the Eunos to drive, in comparison the Porsche felt like sat behind me was an estate car with 3 kids and a dog in! Once you get past the fact it won't fire you down the road at 2g you can enjoy the lightweightness of it all. Of course, a turbo or supercharger fixes that too....
Munter said:
I think you are suffering from "But it just works". It's not failed or worn out something forcing you to figure out how to fix it. As such it's ticking the driving box, but not the working on the car box.
Personally that's why I like it. I don't have to work on it. It just keeps going. But if you live to tinker, it's not going to be fulfilling that requirement.
I had the exact same problem on mine, it was boringly reliable for the first 6 months of ownership, and I really wanted to tinker with it.. then I've had one thing after another go wrong, and right now I am GAGGING for it to be back on the road and be able to drive it.. it's been weeks..Personally that's why I like it. I don't have to work on it. It just keeps going. But if you live to tinker, it's not going to be fulfilling that requirement.
...Try going for a few weeks without driving it, and see if you miss it
That gives me a little faith then, I guess it could be the weather as well, admittedly it's more fun lashing about in the sun with the roof down, and I've picked the wrong time of year for that.
I'll go and unplug some stuff under the bonnet tonight after a few beers, then when it won't start tomorrow and I work out what goes where maybe we'll be getting along like a house on fire
I'll go and unplug some stuff under the bonnet tonight after a few beers, then when it won't start tomorrow and I work out what goes where maybe we'll be getting along like a house on fire
D4MJT said:
That gives me a little faith then, I guess it could be the weather as well, admittedly it's more fun lashing about in the sun with the roof down, and I've picked the wrong time of year for that.
Don't be soft man. If the storm ain't got a name then the roof should be down. At all times. Always. Even when its sub zero! snotrag said:
Biggest difference - Mk1 had Very expensive 4 branch manifold, no catalyst, s/s through out, big pipe at the back - it was LOUD but awesome, raspy, pops, bangs, occasional flame.
My MK1 is exactly like this, nothing beats it for fun on a sunny day. I just don't think a standard MK2 or MK1 would feel the same now I'm used to having those raspy pops, bangs and occasional flames.As others have said, it depends on part on what your expectation is...I've never had a "fun" car before and so I love driving mine. I drive a volvo day to day, so getting in the mazda, roof down and with no driving aids, just feels much more alive and I love the back to basics feel.
I've heard people talk about making sure you get the geo done on them, as that can make a big difference to how the drive/feel?!
I've heard people talk about making sure you get the geo done on them, as that can make a big difference to how the drive/feel?!
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