Fabia vRS vs. mk3 MX5 2,0 Sport
Discussion
Evening all. Getting bored with my Fabia and fed up of wheelspinning every time I want to pull out into traffic etc...
Question is, will the MX5 feel that much quicker than my current car on the road? My car is very gutsy around town but on the open road seems to run out of puff, hence why I'm hankering after petrol and RWD.
A nice red one has popped up at a local dealer with 40k and may go and take a further look on Saturday so just wondering what the overall thoughts are really.
Ta!
Question is, will the MX5 feel that much quicker than my current car on the road? My car is very gutsy around town but on the open road seems to run out of puff, hence why I'm hankering after petrol and RWD.
A nice red one has popped up at a local dealer with 40k and may go and take a further look on Saturday so just wondering what the overall thoughts are really.
Ta!
Baryonyx said:
It will 'feel' quicker, whether or not it will be much quicker is doubtful, at least in a straight line. The MX5 will leave the VRS behind n the twisties though, whether or not that actually makes a massive difference in your daily drive remains to be seen. 'Running out of puff' is what MX5's tend to do best on the open road, they are not fast by any means but they are quick enough and love to be driven hard. When you've settled into the car you'll find you know better what the back end is doing and what the grip levels are and you can press on accordingly.
I'd definitely choose an MX5 over a Skoda. I used to have a 1.6 mk2 model and it was great, if a little 'wild' to drive with a very slippery back end and very little in the way of comfort and refinement. I was never much a fan of the mk2 models though (the 'new' 2.0L shape). It felt no quicker than the older 1.6 and 1.8 models but the interior felt very tacky, and was trying far too hard to look classy. They moved too far away from the core philosophy of the MX5 with the mk3, putting too much effort into styling instead of driving mechanics. The bigger wheels on the mk3 also steal some of that pin-sharp precision of the old MX5 handling, and even the body styling is a bungle, resulting in a fat and bloated looking iteration of what should be a sleek sports car.
So, my advice, look for an older MX5 in good condition and enjoy geting a better car for far less money.
Interesting point and, if I'm honest, one that doesn't surprise me really. I know I only drive a Skoda but I reckon I would miss the interior build quality and the way it cruises nicely on a long motorway run, oh and the boot space! Maybe I should just get mine remapped?I'd definitely choose an MX5 over a Skoda. I used to have a 1.6 mk2 model and it was great, if a little 'wild' to drive with a very slippery back end and very little in the way of comfort and refinement. I was never much a fan of the mk2 models though (the 'new' 2.0L shape). It felt no quicker than the older 1.6 and 1.8 models but the interior felt very tacky, and was trying far too hard to look classy. They moved too far away from the core philosophy of the MX5 with the mk3, putting too much effort into styling instead of driving mechanics. The bigger wheels on the mk3 also steal some of that pin-sharp precision of the old MX5 handling, and even the body styling is a bungle, resulting in a fat and bloated looking iteration of what should be a sleek sports car.
So, my advice, look for an older MX5 in good condition and enjoy geting a better car for far less money.
Oh and I'm not really out looking for a toy as I get my kicks blasting about with my Dad in his Porsche so an older one is out of the question I'm afraid.
GravelBen said:
OP - it sounds like most posters (like me) are talking from experience of the Mk1/2 rather than the Mk3 which has a reputation for being a fair bit more refined, so don't base too much on those comments. Probably the best way to decide is finding one to take for a drive yourself.
Yeah that's what I'm after tbh. Afterall, it will be an everyday car! Chances are I'll just stick with what I've got but I may go and give it a go. Thanks guys!ambuletz said:
TC has already said he's not really concerned with straightline speed, so why are people bothering about that?
As you said, you don't like how the fabia is nose heavy, the MX-5 for the money is one of the most balanced cars out there.
the hardtop adds 37kg to the weight to the car, marginally higher centre of mass. Most reviews say just go with the soft top as its simpler. (lazy american reviews always say go for the hardtop).
You sound pretty bored of your fabia and want something new. Go take it for a test drive. What's the worst that could happen? If you like it, and you aren't going to miss your fabia, then go for it.
And don't forget to post pics in the readers rides section.
I've had the mk3 MX5 in my head the past 2weeks. I'd love one in red too, the other colours just seem boring.
As you said, you don't like how the fabia is nose heavy, the MX-5 for the money is one of the most balanced cars out there.
the hardtop adds 37kg to the weight to the car, marginally higher centre of mass. Most reviews say just go with the soft top as its simpler. (lazy american reviews always say go for the hardtop).
You sound pretty bored of your fabia and want something new. Go take it for a test drive. What's the worst that could happen? If you like it, and you aren't going to miss your fabia, then go for it.
And don't forget to post pics in the readers rides section.
I've had the mk3 MX5 in my head the past 2weeks. I'd love one in red too, the other colours just seem boring.
Edited by ambuletz on Wednesday 28th September 14:14
Thanks for the down to earth advice and interesting to read some of the other comments too. Tyson1980 said:
OP you need better tyres.
I've often thought this. I've got Kumho Ecsta Sports all round and, say if it's wet and I give it a bootfull in second it just spins up, sometimes in the dry too if it catches an uneven surface.It was a laugh at first but now it's just getting irritating!
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