TRD's "Batmobile" Mazda MX5 ND2 2.0 RF
Discussion
Another chapter of my car journey begins. At the age of 46, this will be car number #25. Like many on this forum, I obviously have issues 
Car number 24 was my much loved F56 Mini JCW ( Readers cars thread). It's honestly a fantastic little hot hatch, although it took some money to get it as good as it should have been out of the factory, having fitted 17" OZ wheels and JCW Pro coilovers, and had it aligned. The car then drove how it should. Sweet handling and a firm, but good ride quality despite that it was lower than stock. It looks the danglies as well.
However, I sold my NC1 MX5 Launch Edition with the BBR Super 200 kit installed, as well as Eibachs and a fast road setup ( Readers car thread). I missed it, but at the time, it needed more work than I was willing to put into it. It needed an engine rebuild and rust treatment, and in hindsight, I should have probably spent the money, but I had it a couple of years and fancied a change (so I thought). Truth be told, I've always missed it deep down.
In the middle of last year, I was faced with a dilemma. I loved the Mini, but I also felt it had some shortcomings, despite the modifications. With that 2.0 Turbo lump up front, it's fairly nose heavy which means it tends somewhat towards understeer, particularly at lower speeds. Lots of low down torque also easily overwhelms the front wheels in anything other than bone dry conditions, so an LSD was on the shopping list, but that is a very expensive modification, and felt that the VFM from this particular mod probably wasn't quite there, as it would definitely improve the car, but not fundamentally change it. It was also not a convertible, or RWD, so I felt deep down I was always going to go back to such a car.
It was therefore inevitable I was going to change the car eventually so I started "window shopping". I had thought about lots of cars, even other hot hatches (ones with LSDs like the i30N, CTR, FiST Mk8 PP etc), but also Caymans, GT86s and, obviously, MX5s. I've had 3 MX5s so you would think I'd probably want a change, but I really like them truth be told. I've had 2 Boxsters but I have always felt them to be a bit "serious" and slightly dull, as well as giving me anxiety about what would go wrong next. The GT86 I fancied but I wish they did a drop top version, or it might have been a contender. In the end, I wanted a car I can take the roof off, it's just such a great experience.
At first I was looking at the late NC3.75 PRHT models in white, and I still really like those, but a really good one is still a bit north of £10k. I also looked at the ND1 1.5 Icon, again, in white. Although a big drop down in power, they seem like they'd still be fun, but again a good one is actually still holding a firm price. In the end, budget creep kicked in, a 2019 is the one to have, and with that sweet 2.0 184 PS engine, as well as a better gearbox and some other enhancements, I felt like I should have it.
I was originally looking at soft tops, but the reason I liked the PRHT NC is for the metal roof - this is a car that will live outside 24/7 and is a daily driver. On the one hand, RFs are more "targa" than convertible, but on the other, I really like the way it looks. It's got more than a whiff of "mini Z4 coupe" about it (another one of my old cars). I spotted this black one on ebay, and although it was fairly strong money at £19k, it does only have 23K miles on it, a set of Michelin PS5s all round with good tread, great condition, top spec being the GT Sport Nav+ so I thought I should check it out
Today, I went for a test drive, even though they were under the impression I was there to buy! It was an interesting experience comparing the JCW with this, but none of it will be a surprise really to anyone who knows anything about cars on here.
I was quite surprised how premium the MX5 felt to sit in, quite an upmarket feel to it. Build quality felt every bit as good as the Mini if not better. Obviously, you sit much lower in it, and more "laid back", but surprisingly, felt like you had more room for your arms when you had a passenger. I love the centre mounted rev counter. Definitely has a more special feel. I was expecting it to feel much smaller than it actually did.
The engine is a nice revvy engine, obviously it doesn't feel as fast as the Mini, and it isn't, but definitely pleasing to work harder for your performance, which was exactly what I was after. The ride quality is fantastic actually and the cornering, so much as I could tell given it was 6C outside, with sleet and hailstones, as well as the salesman in the passenger seat, was excellent - fair play for him to let me drive on some B roads I knew well and drive it as it was intended to be driven. I definitely want to improve the aural qualities though, so a sound tube mod for that sweet induction noise and a nice exhaust should do the trick. That gearshift is also superb as usual and the gearknob felt great in the hand.
Getting back in the Mini was quite a strange experience actually, you feel quite perched up, and the controls (steering and pedals mainly) felt quite artificial afterwards - I guess I've always been aware of this but it's quite a strange experience at first. On the way home I had a bit of a surprise when, on an uphill stretch of dual carriageway off a roundabout, I was following a 75 plate Golf - not a GTI or an R, actually no badges on it, just a small set of twin pipes, booted it away, and I had to work the Mini hard to keep up - was quite surprised to see a very plain looking Golf making me work for it Maybe the Mini feels quicker than it really is? The MX5 definitely didn't feel as fast generally but in a way I wouldn't be surprised if it was fairly close up to 80 or so.
Anyway, it was a fantastic car so I'm going for it, I'm collecting "The Batmobile" on Saturday
First plans are to make it sound good. I want to live with the stock suspension for a while to see how I find it - the ride was great, and the handling seemed excellent so I might be happy with it for a while, but ultimately I'll probably go for some Meisters. After a little while, an option will be the BBR Super 200 or Super 220 kit, probably when I start to have itchy feet, but hopefully I'd like to keep this car for a while! As always, time will tell
Car number 24 was my much loved F56 Mini JCW ( Readers cars thread). It's honestly a fantastic little hot hatch, although it took some money to get it as good as it should have been out of the factory, having fitted 17" OZ wheels and JCW Pro coilovers, and had it aligned. The car then drove how it should. Sweet handling and a firm, but good ride quality despite that it was lower than stock. It looks the danglies as well.
However, I sold my NC1 MX5 Launch Edition with the BBR Super 200 kit installed, as well as Eibachs and a fast road setup ( Readers car thread). I missed it, but at the time, it needed more work than I was willing to put into it. It needed an engine rebuild and rust treatment, and in hindsight, I should have probably spent the money, but I had it a couple of years and fancied a change (so I thought). Truth be told, I've always missed it deep down.
In the middle of last year, I was faced with a dilemma. I loved the Mini, but I also felt it had some shortcomings, despite the modifications. With that 2.0 Turbo lump up front, it's fairly nose heavy which means it tends somewhat towards understeer, particularly at lower speeds. Lots of low down torque also easily overwhelms the front wheels in anything other than bone dry conditions, so an LSD was on the shopping list, but that is a very expensive modification, and felt that the VFM from this particular mod probably wasn't quite there, as it would definitely improve the car, but not fundamentally change it. It was also not a convertible, or RWD, so I felt deep down I was always going to go back to such a car.
It was therefore inevitable I was going to change the car eventually so I started "window shopping". I had thought about lots of cars, even other hot hatches (ones with LSDs like the i30N, CTR, FiST Mk8 PP etc), but also Caymans, GT86s and, obviously, MX5s. I've had 3 MX5s so you would think I'd probably want a change, but I really like them truth be told. I've had 2 Boxsters but I have always felt them to be a bit "serious" and slightly dull, as well as giving me anxiety about what would go wrong next. The GT86 I fancied but I wish they did a drop top version, or it might have been a contender. In the end, I wanted a car I can take the roof off, it's just such a great experience.
At first I was looking at the late NC3.75 PRHT models in white, and I still really like those, but a really good one is still a bit north of £10k. I also looked at the ND1 1.5 Icon, again, in white. Although a big drop down in power, they seem like they'd still be fun, but again a good one is actually still holding a firm price. In the end, budget creep kicked in, a 2019 is the one to have, and with that sweet 2.0 184 PS engine, as well as a better gearbox and some other enhancements, I felt like I should have it.
I was originally looking at soft tops, but the reason I liked the PRHT NC is for the metal roof - this is a car that will live outside 24/7 and is a daily driver. On the one hand, RFs are more "targa" than convertible, but on the other, I really like the way it looks. It's got more than a whiff of "mini Z4 coupe" about it (another one of my old cars). I spotted this black one on ebay, and although it was fairly strong money at £19k, it does only have 23K miles on it, a set of Michelin PS5s all round with good tread, great condition, top spec being the GT Sport Nav+ so I thought I should check it out
Today, I went for a test drive, even though they were under the impression I was there to buy! It was an interesting experience comparing the JCW with this, but none of it will be a surprise really to anyone who knows anything about cars on here.
I was quite surprised how premium the MX5 felt to sit in, quite an upmarket feel to it. Build quality felt every bit as good as the Mini if not better. Obviously, you sit much lower in it, and more "laid back", but surprisingly, felt like you had more room for your arms when you had a passenger. I love the centre mounted rev counter. Definitely has a more special feel. I was expecting it to feel much smaller than it actually did.
The engine is a nice revvy engine, obviously it doesn't feel as fast as the Mini, and it isn't, but definitely pleasing to work harder for your performance, which was exactly what I was after. The ride quality is fantastic actually and the cornering, so much as I could tell given it was 6C outside, with sleet and hailstones, as well as the salesman in the passenger seat, was excellent - fair play for him to let me drive on some B roads I knew well and drive it as it was intended to be driven. I definitely want to improve the aural qualities though, so a sound tube mod for that sweet induction noise and a nice exhaust should do the trick. That gearshift is also superb as usual and the gearknob felt great in the hand.
Getting back in the Mini was quite a strange experience actually, you feel quite perched up, and the controls (steering and pedals mainly) felt quite artificial afterwards - I guess I've always been aware of this but it's quite a strange experience at first. On the way home I had a bit of a surprise when, on an uphill stretch of dual carriageway off a roundabout, I was following a 75 plate Golf - not a GTI or an R, actually no badges on it, just a small set of twin pipes, booted it away, and I had to work the Mini hard to keep up - was quite surprised to see a very plain looking Golf making me work for it
Maybe the Mini feels quicker than it really is? The MX5 definitely didn't feel as fast generally but in a way I wouldn't be surprised if it was fairly close up to 80 or so.Anyway, it was a fantastic car so I'm going for it, I'm collecting "The Batmobile" on Saturday
First plans are to make it sound good. I want to live with the stock suspension for a while to see how I find it - the ride was great, and the handling seemed excellent so I might be happy with it for a while, but ultimately I'll probably go for some Meisters. After a little while, an option will be the BBR Super 200 or Super 220 kit, probably when I start to have itchy feet, but hopefully I'd like to keep this car for a while! As always, time will tell
Excellent. Lovely looking car - I hope this one treats you well!
Coincidentally I have had an ND for the week as a courtesy car while my Cayman is in having its coolant tank replaced. It has been interesting to drive them back to back. The Mazda does indeed feel well put together and the gearchange is sublime. The bongs, chimes and tugs at the wheel on a '25 car though I could well do without!
It has a decent turn of speed and is very tractable even in higher gears at low speeds. Overall a lovely place to be. My only criticisms (apart from the bongs) are that the engine needs to sound a bit nicer and that the wind noise could do to be toned down a few db - I thought the metal roof version might be a good option so would be interesting to hear a comparison.
For me, I think the Cayman trumps it with the engine (and I prefer the mid-engine feel) and the extra storage space. There is no way we could go away for a weekend - and take the dog - in an MX5 sadly.
Coincidentally I have had an ND for the week as a courtesy car while my Cayman is in having its coolant tank replaced. It has been interesting to drive them back to back. The Mazda does indeed feel well put together and the gearchange is sublime. The bongs, chimes and tugs at the wheel on a '25 car though I could well do without!
It has a decent turn of speed and is very tractable even in higher gears at low speeds. Overall a lovely place to be. My only criticisms (apart from the bongs) are that the engine needs to sound a bit nicer and that the wind noise could do to be toned down a few db - I thought the metal roof version might be a good option so would be interesting to hear a comparison.
For me, I think the Cayman trumps it with the engine (and I prefer the mid-engine feel) and the extra storage space. There is no way we could go away for a weekend - and take the dog - in an MX5 sadly.
As much as I liked throwing Mrs Tidy's Minis around (when she wasn't in them) any Mini is only ever going to feel like a warm/hot hatch.
Sitting low down just in front of the rear wheels in an RWD car will always feel more like a sports car, so as a serial Z4 Coupe owner I can understand the appeal of this MX5. For the same reason I'd want an RF too, but IIRC the roof panel is fibreglass as the Mazda engineers vetoed metal for weight reasons!
It'll be interesting to see how you get on with it.
Sitting low down just in front of the rear wheels in an RWD car will always feel more like a sports car, so as a serial Z4 Coupe owner I can understand the appeal of this MX5. For the same reason I'd want an RF too, but IIRC the roof panel is fibreglass as the Mazda engineers vetoed metal for weight reasons!
It'll be interesting to see how you get on with it.
TameRacingDriver said:
First plans are to make it sound good. I want to live with the stock suspension for a while to see how I find it - the ride was great, and the handling seemed excellent so I might be happy with it for a while, but ultimately I'll probably go for some Meisters. After a little while, an option will be the BBR Super 200 or Super 220 kit, probably when I start to have itchy feet, but hopefully I'd like to keep this car for a while! As always, time will tell
As Mr Tidy says, I'm interested to see how you get on with this TRD, particularly the upgrades in time.We bought a '22 plate ND2 2.0 184 just over a year ago (soft top) which is now out of its Mazda AUC warranty and I too am open minded about upgrades in the future.
I've come from a few good drivers' cars - FL5 Type R, F90 M5, 997.2 GTS - but the Mazda always pleasantly surprises me as it's simply great fun to drive despite not being that powerful or outright fast. They are great cars to hustle down a twisty road and they make you want to drive "properly" - carry momentum where visibility is good, use the gears and revs to make progress etc. - you can't simply rely on slug of turbo torque to make up for lazy driving.
Anyway - enjoy, I'll sure you'll have plenty of fun and please keep us posted with your journey!
That looks superb TRD; a completely different animal to the Mini (do you miss it at all)?
Even with my 5 stone weight loss with my health niggles; my height and width means I cannot fit in these things at all
- my parent-in-laws have got the last version of this car (not as aggressive as this); as they had an MX5 they bought brand new in 2006 that with only 33k miles on, needed to go as it was so rusty underneath and it was garaged all its life
It's a superb car in like a candy cherry red colour; but for me, the interior is rather snug!
Even with my 5 stone weight loss with my health niggles; my height and width means I cannot fit in these things at all
- my parent-in-laws have got the last version of this car (not as aggressive as this); as they had an MX5 they bought brand new in 2006 that with only 33k miles on, needed to go as it was so rusty underneath and it was garaged all its lifeIt's a superb car in like a candy cherry red colour; but for me, the interior is rather snug!
Mr Tidy said:
As much as I liked throwing Mrs Tidy's Minis around (when she wasn't in them) any Mini is only ever going to feel like a warm/hot hatch.
Sitting low down just in front of the rear wheels in an RWD car will always feel more like a sports car, so as a serial Z4 Coupe owner I can understand the appeal of this MX5. For the same reason I'd want an RF too, but IIRC the roof panel is fibreglass as the Mazda engineers vetoed metal for weight reasons!
It'll be interesting to see how you get on with it.
Sitting low down just in front of the rear wheels in an RWD car will always feel more like a sports car, so as a serial Z4 Coupe owner I can understand the appeal of this MX5. For the same reason I'd want an RF too, but IIRC the roof panel is fibreglass as the Mazda engineers vetoed metal for weight reasons!
It'll be interesting to see how you get on with it.
that was the issue, it's 'just' a hatchback at the end of the day. It was the same thing that prompted me to go from my R53 Cooper S to the Boxster realistically. Hot hatches are good fun, but ultimately FWD cars are a little one dimensional + the feeling of being pulled v's pushed.BlueJ said:
I've come from a few good drivers' cars - FL5 Type R, F90 M5, 997.2 GTS - but the Mazda always pleasantly surprises me as it's simply great fun to drive despite not being that powerful or outright fast. They are great cars to hustle down a twisty road and they make you want to drive "properly" - carry momentum where visibility is good, use the gears and revs to make progress etc. - you can't simply rely on slug of turbo torque to make up for lazy driving.
Indeed, that's what I was after. I did consider an FK8 funnily enough but really it's just another 2.0 Turbo FWD car, even quicker than my Mini was, and that wasn't interesting to me. To be honest, in a world of EVs that are seemingly quicker than most things on the road up to the NSL, I no longer really give a stuff about performance, only fun ray von said:
Nice looking car. I recognise that tower in the last picture, should've said you were over this way, you could've had a look at my 30AE while I put you right about the football 
danb79 said:
That looks superb TRD; a completely different animal to the Mini (do you miss it at all)?
Even with my 5 stone weight loss with my health niggles; my height and width means I cannot fit in these things at all - my parent-in-laws have got the last version of this car (not as aggressive as this); as they had an MX5 they bought brand new in 2006 that with only 33k miles on, needed to go as it was so rusty underneath and it was garaged all its life
It's a superb car in like a candy cherry red colour; but for me, the interior is rather snug!
Thanks mate. I don't miss it yet as I've still got it! Time will tell on that score, but it's been a great little car.Even with my 5 stone weight loss with my health niggles; my height and width means I cannot fit in these things at all
- my parent-in-laws have got the last version of this car (not as aggressive as this); as they had an MX5 they bought brand new in 2006 that with only 33k miles on, needed to go as it was so rusty underneath and it was garaged all its lifeIt's a superb car in like a candy cherry red colour; but for me, the interior is rather snug!
I fit in it OK as I'm only 5'9, and although I'm a chunky bugger I had plenty of room!
On another note, I forgot that insurance was a bit of a headache when you temporarily own two cars. What do people think is the best thing to do until I can sell the Mini? The companies don't seem keen on you having another insurance policy so I guess I'll probably end up doing temporary insurance for a month, as much as it is a rip off.
CABC said:
excellent choice.
after a few months get those Meisters fitted, I had CRD+, which were plenty compliant enough on the road and great on track when tightened up.
I never bought into that jinba ittai rolly-poly nonsense.
That will probably end up being the plan, as long as we can still actually buy petrol for our hobby at that point! after a few months get those Meisters fitted, I had CRD+, which were plenty compliant enough on the road and great on track when tightened up.
I never bought into that jinba ittai rolly-poly nonsense.
Subscribed, watching with much interest.
I'll be honest, until last year I smeared at MX5 owners. Just didn't see the appeal, super slow, sound very ordinary, cheap materials, all owners appear to be 60+
Then last Feb I picked up an NC2 as a project car to work on with my son, and it was to double up nicely as my winter weekend toy. I absolutely love it, such a blast to drive on Michelin Cross Climates. I m lucky enough to have a convertible V8 F-Type and B58 Supra, but honestly, pound for pound, the MX5 is far more fun. It might be the slowest thing I've owned since I was a teenager (25+ years ago), yet it s the one I actually take out just for the joy of driving. And the tinkering side and very low running costs is half the appeal
So much so I'll be looking for a RF next year, so keeping an eye out for your updates.
What's your plans for the suspension?
I'll be honest, until last year I smeared at MX5 owners. Just didn't see the appeal, super slow, sound very ordinary, cheap materials, all owners appear to be 60+
Then last Feb I picked up an NC2 as a project car to work on with my son, and it was to double up nicely as my winter weekend toy. I absolutely love it, such a blast to drive on Michelin Cross Climates. I m lucky enough to have a convertible V8 F-Type and B58 Supra, but honestly, pound for pound, the MX5 is far more fun. It might be the slowest thing I've owned since I was a teenager (25+ years ago), yet it s the one I actually take out just for the joy of driving. And the tinkering side and very low running costs is half the appeal
So much so I'll be looking for a RF next year, so keeping an eye out for your updates.
What's your plans for the suspension?
Edited by scz4 on Thursday 26th March 21:08
scz4 said:
Subscribed, watching with much interest.
I'll be honest, until last year I smeared at MX5 owners. Just didn't see the appeal, super slow, sound very ordinary, cheap materials, all owners appear to be 60+
I picked up an NC2 as a project car to work on with my son, and it s doubled nicely as my winter weekend toy. I absolutely love it, such a blast to drive. I m lucky enough to have a convertible V8 F?Type and B58 Supra, but honestly, pound for pound, the MX?5 is far more fun. It might be the slowest thing I ve owned since I was a teenager (25+ years ago), yet it s the one I actually take out just for the joy of driving. And the tinkering side of it is half the appeal.
So much so I'll be looking for a RF next year, so keeping an eye out for your updates.
What's your plans for the suspension?
Yeah, I have to admit, I've found a lot of the small, light, 'slow' roadsters to be by far the most fun cars I had. My NA Eunos RS Ltd, my old BBR NC1 and MR2 Roadster were all absolutely epic. I'd have any of them over the Boxsters, Z4s and 350Zs I've had for sheer fun factor. I'll be honest, until last year I smeared at MX5 owners. Just didn't see the appeal, super slow, sound very ordinary, cheap materials, all owners appear to be 60+
I picked up an NC2 as a project car to work on with my son, and it s doubled nicely as my winter weekend toy. I absolutely love it, such a blast to drive. I m lucky enough to have a convertible V8 F?Type and B58 Supra, but honestly, pound for pound, the MX?5 is far more fun. It might be the slowest thing I ve owned since I was a teenager (25+ years ago), yet it s the one I actually take out just for the joy of driving. And the tinkering side of it is half the appeal.
So much so I'll be looking for a RF next year, so keeping an eye out for your updates.
What's your plans for the suspension?
I'll keep the suspension standard for the time being and just enjoy the car, but I suspect it wont be too long before I go for whichever Meister R coilovers are best for road use (as suggested by someone above) and a good alignment, I don't think it'll need any more frankly. I'm interested to see how I find the standard car though as my RS Ltd was on standard equipment and that thing covered ground in an impressive rate despite the lack of power.
TameRacingDriver said:
On another note, I forgot that insurance was a bit of a headache when you temporarily own two cars. What do people think is the best thing to do until I can sell the Mini? The companies don't seem keen on you having another insurance policy so I guess I'll probably end up doing temporary insurance for a month, as much as it is a rip off.
When I was swapping my Z4 for my Z4M my insurer at the time - either Chris Knott or Adrian Flux - would cover both cars for 4 weeks at a time but with a maximum time limit of 12 weeks in total. Luckily I sold just in time!Mr Tidy said:
TameRacingDriver said:
On another note, I forgot that insurance was a bit of a headache when you temporarily own two cars. What do people think is the best thing to do until I can sell the Mini? The companies don't seem keen on you having another insurance policy so I guess I'll probably end up doing temporary insurance for a month, as much as it is a rip off.
When I was swapping my Z4 for my Z4M my insurer at the time - either Chris Knott or Adrian Flux - would cover both cars for 4 weeks at a time but with a maximum time limit of 12 weeks in total. Luckily I sold just in time!
ks to me. They also told me they wouldn't cover my existing car on a temporary policy, stating that "nobody will cover a modified car on a temp policy". So I'll ring them again tomorrow to see if I can speak to someone more helpful, but if they repeat that BS then I'll be cancelling it and setting the MX5 up with a new policy. I wonder if in that case, I could simply keep the Greenlight going until I sell it on the Mini then cancel it when it's gone? Why do things have to be so bloody complicated 
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