MX5 based driving experience suggestions please!

[TheRoadWarrior]

The OH has been talking about MX5s a lot recently, I think she'd really like to buy one but is a little concerned about the practicalities both in terms of transporting stuff and the crappy winter weather we seem to be having these days.

Anyway it's her birthday coming up and I thought I'd get her some sort of MX5 driving experience- that way if she likes it enough it'll give her the confidence to buy one, either way I figure it'd be fun!!

Now she's not really in to track driving so I'm thinking primarily road based- is there anywhere that would hire out an MX5 for a weekend?

Any other suggestions??

[v64motion]

I know they ran one down at Thruxton in Hampshire, which you could (for a fee) have a few laps in it.

It is a good day out with plenty of choice of exotica to go around the circuit, just take plenty of money, it is addictive.

[PaulB81]

Could you find somewhere to just hire one for the weekend? Although dont surprise her with it on the drive she might think you have bought it

[cptsideways]

Get on the Mazda website, summer test drives section, click away & answer the questions correctly & you'll get either a free weekend in one plus grub or a trackday for free.

[acf8181]

TheRoadWarrior said:

I think she'd really like to buy one but is a little concerned about the practicalities both in terms of transporting stuff and the crappy winter weather we seem to be having these days.

Two weekend bags and that's about it

Winter tyres on a second hand set of wheels is a very good ideaas no good in snow on summer tyres.

(My OH has just bought her second mx5)

[Gizmo!]

Some things...

Eight-day camping trip, just me...


Last summer it did a four day camping trip, me and the gf...

And on the Monday morning last December when London came to a standstill... I dug it out from under 4" of snow and drove to the station.

[J4CKO]

After trying an MGF and being too tall at just over 6ft, whats the score for heigh in an MX5, I get the impression you sit on an MGF and a bit more in an MX5 ?

[JQ]

Gizmo! said:

Is that a grass spoiler? Does it increase downforce on the rear wheels?

With regard to the OP, my MX5 is incredibly practical and has a surprisingly large boot. If you're really desperate it's amazing how much stuff you can get on the parcel shelf.

My 5 was also great in the snow when many colleagues struggled in their FWD Audi's and don't mention the company BMW's. When it got really really bad I just stuck 3 bags of coal in the boot for perfect traction.

Why not speak to Nick at Mazda on Track. They're incredibly helpful and may be able to suggest something that might might be suitable.

[TheRoadWarrior]

PaulB81 said:

Could you find somewhere to just hire one for the weekend? Although dont surprise her with it on the drive she might think you have bought it

I've been looking at that and so far have only found people hiring out MK1's- whilst I love the Mk1 I think if I was going to hire one i'd want the latest Mk3 car.

I have actually considered just buying a Mk1 for around a grand. We could take a trip up to Wales in it for the weekend, sell it aferwards. Hell.. if she liked it I guess we could just run it for a while- at least until the end of the summer.

[TheRoadWarrior]

Gizmo! said:

Some things...

Eight-day camping trip, just me...


Last summer it did a four day camping trip, me and the gf...

And on the Monday morning last December when London came to a standstill... I dug it out from under 4" of snow and drove to the station.

Reminds me of my old MR2 Turbo- at first glance a small 2-seater with a titchy boot, but once you actually start packing for a camping trip theres LOADS of space!!

[Gizmo!]

JQ said:

Is that a grass spoiler? Does it increase downforce on the rear wheels?

Tinsel, actually.