Mx5 drive experience?

[Horrocks]

Looking at making my first MX5 purchase in two weeks time, I just wanted to get my hopes up further by asking a bit more about the general 'feel' of the car what is it that makes everyone adore it so much?

To me in honesty im going a little out of my general comfort zone and don't think it is particularly attractive in looks, so I am sort of hoping the drive outweighs everything.

Tell me why I should be excited!

[snotrag]

Horrocks said:

I am sort of hoping the drive outweighs everything.

Tell me why I should be excited!

I think you've cracked it.

None of us here will claim that an MX5 is beautiful. 'Neat' and coherent is about what I'd call it.

I think you've alreadys picked it up - the difference to a normal car, is just that the car is ENTIRELY based aorund the act of driving.

When your driving it, it doesnt matter about all the other stuff.

[Horrocks]

How many have you owned Snot?

[snotrag]

Just the one! Been in a few, not had a go in a Mk3 though.

[Horrocks]

Looking at a MK1 so can't wait!

[MX-5 Lazza]

I disagree. What's not good looking about this:

[Horrocks]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

give it the beans.

Haha made me LOL

I agree, that particular Mazda does look quite special is that a MK1?

[Odie]

You shouldnt even be thinking about changing gear until after 4k revs especially when your using someone elses petrol ie on a test drive.

The other great thing is the at speed turn in, it just feels so solid, at a point where a normal car would wallow and understeer the mx5 just turns in.

Remember after you buy one - decent tyres + full laser alignment =

[GravelBen]

Horrocks said:

is that a MK1?

Thats a Mk2... this is a Mk1:

[Jonny671]

snotrag said:

Just the one! Been in a few, not had a go in a Mk3 though.

Do it.

Get a go in a MK3.5 somehow.. Bypass the MK3 as they're boring, they've made some changes to the MK3 to the MK3.5 and its brilliant, induction noise in the cabin, strong, powerful 2.0 engine, nice gear changes and the suspension is nice and stiff so you feel what the car is doing underneath you.

Lovely!

If you didn't know, drove one back from Edinburgh yesterday, 460 miles and 9 hours driving, didn't once feel like I needed a break, comfortable for the whole journey.

Haven't driven my MK2 since Monday now, am hoping to get back into it and be just as pleased with it.. Have just got an exhaust for it so that should make it sound more sports car like.

[Legend83]

Horrocks - I posted this just after acquiring my new Supercharged '5:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Kind of sums it up really!

At moments like that, I just don't have a care in the world.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

I disagree. What's not good looking about this:

you can see the Headlights

Do you mean the headlights that are more streamlined and lighter than those on a Mk1?

This was my previous MX5 - a 1998 Mk1 1.8 Berkeley:

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 11th August 11:49

[Horrocks]

Legend83 said:

Horrocks - I posted this just after acquiring my new Supercharged '5:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Kind of sums it up really!

At moments like that, I just don't have a care in the world.

Yeah, im really looking forward to it, problem is it turns out the gentleman who I was purchasing from has decided to ignore calls and messages which makes me think he has sold it on.

However it now means I have to look again which makes me excited again

Sounds like you have a blast mate!

[Digby]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Horrocks said:

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

give it the beans.

Haha made me LOL

I agree, that particular Mazda does look quite special is that a MK1?

Seriously - you do need to give it the beans. As above 4-5-6,000Rpm Gearchanges, enthusiastic driving once you and the owner are comfortable with it.

To drive it like a normal car would possibly even put you off.

100% Agree.They are fun driven around in a 'normal' manner, but they come alive on those back roads we all know and love.
As I mentioned before, the pistonhead run we did proved that.A guy in a 911 behind us said we were flying and we had great fun staying with the E46 M3 in front of us.Another MX5 was leading the pack ahead of us, too.All that in a car with a lowly 1.6 engine, two up and which cost me under a grand.

Even lift off oversteer produces no drama or panic.Just a dab of opp lock and away you go again.It is so confidence inspiring and well balanced, that I have never felt the need to hold the wheel with both hands yet!

The only downside I can see, is that you can approach roundabouts and corners with such passion (even at legal speeds), that other vehicles in front - whether they are doing the speed limit or not - start to become rather annoying and you need to remind yourself that they will probably roll over if they tried that certain curve at the perfectly legal 40 mph speed limit as you can.

Seems to be a nice late Eunos up for sale here..

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=FS...

Edited by Digby on Wednesday 11th August 20:40

[Don Phil]

Digby said:

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Horrocks said:

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

give it the beans.

Seems to be a nice late Eunos up for sale here..

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=FS...

I NEED those alloys, damn that car being in Kent.

[S Works]

I like my Mk1 RS Ltd because:
- it's lightweight
- it's very communicative thanks to a great chassis
- it's got a great little revvy engine
- you can hang the arse out on every roundabout with ease.

I mainly like the last reason

[Horrocks]

Digby said:

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Horrocks said:

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

give it the beans.

Haha made me LOL

I agree, that particular Mazda does look quite special is that a MK1?

Seriously - you do need to give it the beans. As above 4-5-6,000Rpm Gearchanges, enthusiastic driving once you and the owner are comfortable with it.

To drive it like a normal car would possibly even put you off.

100% Agree.They are fun driven around in a 'normal' manner, but they come alive on those back roads we all know and love.
As I mentioned before, the pistonhead run we did proved that.A guy in a 911 behind us said we were flying and we had great fun staying with the E46 M3 in front of us.Another MX5 was leading the pack ahead of us, too.All that in a car with a lowly 1.6 engine, two up and which cost me under a grand.

Even lift off oversteer produces no drama or panic.Just a dab of opp lock and away you go again.It is so confidence inspiring and well balanced, that I have never felt the need to hold the wheel with both hands yet!

The only downside I can see, is that you can approach roundabouts and corners with such passion (even at legal speeds), that other vehicles in front - whether they are doing the speed limit or not - start to become rather annoying and you need to remind yourself that they will probably roll over if they tried that certain curve at the perfectly legal 40 mph speed limit as you can.

Seems to be a nice late Eunos up for sale here..

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=FS...

Edited by Digby on Wednesday 11th August 20:40

Thanks for that, due to insurance issues at 19, any import gets laughed at unfortunately. But can't wait to pay £1.3k for insurance! Haha

[Horrocks]

Black Mazda

This is what im currently trying to look at..

[MX-5 Lazza]

Appears to have an air-bag steering wheel too...

[Horrocks]

Thats weird, he won't answer my calls either though doh!