MX5 ND2 RF to Up Gti
Discussion
Probably won't happen until the new year but I'm getting ready to move on from my MX5 RF. It's a great car and one that I think everyone should own at some point. But I use the car daily all year round and there are compromises to be made with a 2 seat sports car. Our main family car is getting on a bit but we don't want to replace it yet so I'd quite like a car which can do small family duties if necessary.
Looking mainly at small 5dr city cars. My journeys are local and mileage not high so I just don't need a big car and would rather save on running costs. I've looked at the Picanto GT line S and the i10 N line, both with a 1.0 turbo. They're okay but not really inspiring me. This morning I sat in a 5dr Up Gti at Available Car and really liked it. I've always loved the simplicity of them and it's plenty practical enough for what I need. Looks like fun too.
Has anyone owned or driven both an MX5 ND 2.0 and an Up Gti? Obviously the Up is slower but then the power delivery might actually make a difference in town driving and at lower speeds. Interested in owner experience at this stage really. Cheers.
Looking mainly at small 5dr city cars. My journeys are local and mileage not high so I just don't need a big car and would rather save on running costs. I've looked at the Picanto GT line S and the i10 N line, both with a 1.0 turbo. They're okay but not really inspiring me. This morning I sat in a 5dr Up Gti at Available Car and really liked it. I've always loved the simplicity of them and it's plenty practical enough for what I need. Looks like fun too.
Has anyone owned or driven both an MX5 ND 2.0 and an Up Gti? Obviously the Up is slower but then the power delivery might actually make a difference in town driving and at lower speeds. Interested in owner experience at this stage really. Cheers.
ChrisH72 said:
Has anyone owned or driven both an MX5 ND 2.0 and an Up Gti? Obviously the Up is slower but then the power delivery might actually make a difference in town driving and at lower speeds.
The Up is zippy at lower speeds.It feels faster than it is, but I guess that keeps one's licence safer.
They're beautifully simple, the driver aids can be switched off with two buttons on the centre dash (Stopstart & lane assist)
50+mpg easily achievable.
Simple to work on, easy enough for most indie garages to fix.
It's a VW Gti so will always have a following.
I've recently purchased the newest, lowest mileage one, best spec,I could find, it is three years old and paid only £100 less than it was new.
Missus has one also.
I'm sure it'll depreciate quite slowly.
When we were looking for ours we came across some that crunched going into reverse, so a weak point I reckon.
Other than that, fun little cars.
I don't have experience of the Up GTI, although I do own an ND2 RF 2.0, and that would feel like a massive downgrade to me, even if I do understand your reasons for wanting to swap. I'd say if you are just using it as a daily driver for round town, then you may not regret it, but you probably would the first time you go out for a hoon on a Sunday morning.
Nonetheless I will follow the thread with interest
Nonetheless I will follow the thread with interest
TameRacingDriver said:
I don't have experience of the Up GTI, although I do own an ND2 RF 2.0, and that would feel like a massive downgrade to me, even if I do understand your reasons for wanting to swap. I'd say if you are just using it as a daily driver for round town, then you may not regret it, but you probably would the first time you go out for a hoon on a Sunday morning.
Nonetheless I will follow the thread with interest
I've driven both.Nonetheless I will follow the thread with interest
Depends on your level of hoon lol
If your hoon is 100% Nigel Mansell then of course the MX5 wins all day long (keeping them revs up)
If like me you've fallen back on loony hooning, and just do a brisk one occasionally out of town, the Up is still a lot of fun on the country lanes, and doesn't feel slow.
Up can be remapped to 145bhp, plenty of people on the forums say it transforms them.
Thanks for that review Trevor, good to know.
TRD, when did you get your MX5?
Yes it is a downgrade. My RF is worth around 18k on WBAC and I'd probably sell it through the likes of Motorway. It's very low miles and full dealer history so would go easily I think. In terms of the Up I'd be looking at paying between 10-15k so would have cash back from the Mazda.
Thing is I never go for that Sunday drive sadly. I do like a spirited drive now and then but most of the roads round where I live aren't suited to it. It never feels like I'm getting the best from the MX5. In many ways my old Fiesta ST3 was the better car for me and I still miss it. But even that was a bit compromised with a hard ride and only 3 doors which meant we never chose to go out in it as a family (3 of us). It was plenty quick enough, faster than the MX5 really but the speed never bothered me much. I've ruled out newer hot hatches as I just don't need what they offer. They're also quite complex like the i20N with all the tech and drive modes which just aren't for me.
I'm sure there's much I will miss about the MX5. But my wife just won't drive it which is a pain. It means if I need to use our main car she is left without. And even my 10 year old son isn't all that fussed with it. He prefers trains!
TRD, when did you get your MX5?
Yes it is a downgrade. My RF is worth around 18k on WBAC and I'd probably sell it through the likes of Motorway. It's very low miles and full dealer history so would go easily I think. In terms of the Up I'd be looking at paying between 10-15k so would have cash back from the Mazda.
Thing is I never go for that Sunday drive sadly. I do like a spirited drive now and then but most of the roads round where I live aren't suited to it. It never feels like I'm getting the best from the MX5. In many ways my old Fiesta ST3 was the better car for me and I still miss it. But even that was a bit compromised with a hard ride and only 3 doors which meant we never chose to go out in it as a family (3 of us). It was plenty quick enough, faster than the MX5 really but the speed never bothered me much. I've ruled out newer hot hatches as I just don't need what they offer. They're also quite complex like the i20N with all the tech and drive modes which just aren't for me.
I'm sure there's much I will miss about the MX5. But my wife just won't drive it which is a pain. It means if I need to use our main car she is left without. And even my 10 year old son isn't all that fussed with it. He prefers trains!
ChrisH72 said:
Trevor, are you on the original tyre size or have you gone for 205/40/17?
The one I looked at today was on 205 PS5s which surprised me as I knew the original size was 195. A bit of research suggests many do make that change for a better ride and more/cheaper tyre choice.
Mines on the original 195'sThe one I looked at today was on 205 PS5s which surprised me as I knew the original size was 195. A bit of research suggests many do make that change for a better ride and more/cheaper tyre choice.
My partners 5dr is on Michelin 205's
People say it makes a big difference but I haven't really noticed.
The 205's give much better rim protection from potholes people say.
The wheels can bend, so check them carefully.
Beats audio is nice, but then you can't have a spare wheel.
They are spec sensitive for pricing, a full spec car sells very quickly. (beats, black roof, rear camera, climate panel)
For 15k you should get a real good one.
Spec does appear to vary.
I'm most likely to look for condition to be honest. I like all the colour options and don't care too much about items of equipment. Happy to fiddle with the heater, turn lights and wipers on myself and I'm sure at 3.6m long parking will be easy enough. One other the things I've always liked about the dash is having the phone holder rather than a screen. Keeps it simple and upgrading your phone ensures the latest tech!
I'm most likely to look for condition to be honest. I like all the colour options and don't care too much about items of equipment. Happy to fiddle with the heater, turn lights and wipers on myself and I'm sure at 3.6m long parking will be easy enough. One other the things I've always liked about the dash is having the phone holder rather than a screen. Keeps it simple and upgrading your phone ensures the latest tech!
Absolutely loved my GTi - best car I've owned. Did 70k miles over 7 years, started every time, every day and cost me nothing in maintenance and running costs. New disks and pads for £100 and a couple of tires was about it
can wholehartedly recommend them.Only sold mine last month to move to an EV, but it's for sale with the dealer who bought it off me - can confirm it's a good one! Massive history file, all with main dealers and the same specialist, always run on SUL, new tires and brakes this year.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/21052464
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