Finally done the right thing.

[TomHunnisett]

After a few years in the wilderness I've finally done what I should have done when I wandered into a Fiat dealer in October 2007 and bought a brand new depreciation-spec Panda 100HP....I've bought an MX5. Pics to follow!

The car is an 'almost' original 1996 Eunos Roadster 1.8 V-Spec in BRG (by almost I mean stainless steel gear lever and UK spec bumpers). Only driven 200 miles or so since I picked it up on Tuesday evening but my god.

I always wanted an MX5 but never really knew what it was all about until this week. It really is sodding awesome! So far nothing horrendous has gone wrong (or anything even slightly annoying!) and I'll check out the list of 'common faults' over the next few weekends to make sure it won't die on me from a preventable problem!

Looking forward to getting used to the car over the next few months, especially on some of the emptier roundabouts nearby...

[Mark-2]

Welcome aboard!

Having too recently come from driving a Fiat to the world of MX5s I'm also loving it! No sodding electric power steering is probably one of the biggest improvements over my Punto

[Jonny671]

I came from a Citroen and the steering is far far better isn't it.

I thought something was wrong with it at first as the tiniest movement it made the car move, no that was just because its got good, direct steering

[TomHunnisett]

Oh yes, electric power steering might be the way to improve emissions etc etc etc but my god they have a long way to go! So far not massively impressed with PAS on the MX5 as there is not much feel but it's razor sharp and does respond better than the panda.

From reading other posts it appears I'm helping to bring every UK MX5 into the hands of PHers! Good good.

As an aside, I guess a load of other car DIYers feel the same, I'm quite looking forward to being able to 'do stuff' to a car once again. Was getting tired of just being able to clean the Panda! Just hope mine is as good as it appears so far...'do stuff' doesn't extend to welding...

[MX-5 Lazza]

TomHunnisett said:

So far not massively impressed with PAS on the MX5 as there is not much feel but it's razor sharp and does respond better than the panda.

In that case, get the alignment done! The car was designed to have PAS and should be very well weighted.
Also, what tyres & pressures do you have?

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Friday 18th June 11:00

[Odie]

MX-5 Lazza said:

TomHunnisett said:

So far not massively impressed with PAS on the MX5 as there is not much feel but it's razor sharp and does respond better than the panda.

In that case, get the alignment done! The car was designed to have PAS and should be very well weighted.
Also, what tyres & pressures do you have?

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Friday 18th June 11:00

Yep get it laser aligned and get 26 in all round.. Or perhaps make sure the tyres are ok

[GravelBen]

Odie said:

Yep get it laser aligned and get 26 in all round.. Or perhaps make sure the tyres are ok

Depending what the tyres are 26 may be too low, some tyres I've had on mine felt horrible at anything below 30psi.

Welcome to the family anyway!

Edited by GravelBen on Friday 18th June 12:34

[MX-5 Lazza]

True but as 26psi is the recommended pressure it's better to start with that and then adjust if you feel the need.

[MixxyMatosis]

Welcome to the gang my friend. I also came from a depreciation spec fiat (punto) and I'm certainly still enjoying the gains three months on! No more of that typical Italian gross understeer malarkey

[TomHunnisett]

Ha ha, well that sounds like it may well be the issue then! Three firestones (two ok, one on the way out) and one budget spec (on the rear, what was the previous owner thinking?!). It's the first of a few little jobs on my immediate to-do list. Any advice as to decent tyres? I'm considering Toyo CF1s, any clues?

I'll check out the pressures tomorrow and see if it makes a difference although with such awful tyres it may just serve to highlight the existing problem. I'll make sure the alignment is sorted when I get the tyres done.

Also finally got some pics - prior to cleaning so it's as it was on collection...

[TomHunnisett]

Oh, and thanks for the warm welcome!

[GravelBen]

Nice looking '5

Cheaper/less performance oriented tyres are the ones more likely to need higher pressures to make up for the squidgy sidewalls. The car should be pretty good at telling you which way they need to go though.

[MX-5 Lazza]

CF1 are ok but nothing special. Go for Toyo T1R and you won't be disappointed

[Gizmo!]

Welcome

Another "Japanese Racing Green" one too... those are the fastest

[JFReturns]

OOoooooo looks nice and clean! Welcome, and congrats! (Though I have read very good things about that Panda 100hp...)

[TomHunnisett]

Finally got round to changing tyres to Toyo T1Rs....and what a difference. Feedback from the steering improved no end, turn in is much sharper and it responds so much quicker. Excellent.

Shame that T1Rs are more expensive on 14" wheels than 15"...

Cheers for the advice!

[MX-5 Lazza]

Now get the alignment done so you can really feel the benefit of those tyres

[Jonny671]

And get some numberplate sticky pads from Halfords and get rid of the plinth

[skinny]

tyre availability and price is really the only reason i changed to 15" wheels (although now i'm gonna take advantage by fitting sport brakes)

i had the CF1's before on my 14's and they were reasonable but i think more suited to a normal passenger type car. the T1R's are better suited.

[Jonny671]

Anyone know how TR-1's compare to Parada2's?