Thoughts on new MX5 / RF
Discussion
I purchased a MK 3.5 2.0 Venture Sport in 2014 as year-round, top-down, daily drive which was a bit more practical than my Caterham 7. It was a great car, which I really enjoyed owning, and I found myself using the Seven less and less.
In March this year I purchased a 2.0 RF Launch Edition. It is, in my opinion, a better car, but there are a few drawbacks - much less storage space, for example - but I feel that it is a better drive than my previous MX5. My Seven is now used even less than before.
The good points are that the engine has more torque, and seems much more willing than the previous 2.0. The handling is better, probably due to it being shorter than the previous model, but mainly because I have fitted Mazda's suspension lowering kit, which has eliminated the body roll which the RF suffered from due to having softer springs than the soft top (I know, it makes no sense to me either, but it was confirmed to me in an email from Mazda). It now sits 30mm lower, and is very much more 'planted' than before.
The RF is much quieter with the top up than my previous hard top MX5, but much noisier with the top down, due to turbulence from the buttresses at 60 + mph. The Recaro seats on the Launch Edition are superb.
The best advice I can give is to have a test drive in the RF and the soft top, and go for whichever you prefer.
The extra HP in the 2019 model is to be welcomed. It could do with a bit more IMO, but driving it is a hoot, even with 160 BHP. I hear a BBR turbo conversion calling me once the warranty runs out.
In March this year I purchased a 2.0 RF Launch Edition. It is, in my opinion, a better car, but there are a few drawbacks - much less storage space, for example - but I feel that it is a better drive than my previous MX5. My Seven is now used even less than before.
The good points are that the engine has more torque, and seems much more willing than the previous 2.0. The handling is better, probably due to it being shorter than the previous model, but mainly because I have fitted Mazda's suspension lowering kit, which has eliminated the body roll which the RF suffered from due to having softer springs than the soft top (I know, it makes no sense to me either, but it was confirmed to me in an email from Mazda). It now sits 30mm lower, and is very much more 'planted' than before.
The RF is much quieter with the top up than my previous hard top MX5, but much noisier with the top down, due to turbulence from the buttresses at 60 + mph. The Recaro seats on the Launch Edition are superb.
The best advice I can give is to have a test drive in the RF and the soft top, and go for whichever you prefer.
The extra HP in the 2019 model is to be welcomed. It could do with a bit more IMO, but driving it is a hoot, even with 160 BHP. I hear a BBR turbo conversion calling me once the warranty runs out.
Luke. said:
Have you considered Google?
Well done Luke for a valuable contribution to this thread.I'm watching this thread with interest as I might consider one in the future.
And I'm interested in opinions of people on here who have owned one for a while rather than a journalist who has only driven for a few hours, or may even have a biased view as they've been loaned one by the manufacturer.
Other half has a 2.0 Sport Nav RF, in machine grey, a couple of extras chrome kick plates and grey side indicators fitted by the dealers before delivery, bought it from new, just had its 1st service also had the Mazda lowering springs fitted, what difference they made to the handling, highly recommended. Also fitted a stumpy aerial and listens to the radio on DAB. Not sure why Mazda fit an aerial from the 1970's.
She chose the RF due to it being parked in a council car park during the daytime. She uses it everyday to and from work, summer and winter, bought a set of winter wheels and tyres online jso she can use it all year round.We took it on a long run to the Vende region of France this summer, managed to pack for 2 and get it all in the boot ok.
Its been completely trouble free only minor problem has been the graphite coloured paint on 1 wheel flaking off (small area the size of a £2 coin) currently waiting for a warranty replacement
After 6 years of trouble free motoring I replaced my 08 MK3 MX5 this time last year with an as-new ex-demo ND Sports Nav with 2k miles on the clock.
In many ways it was an impulsive purchase. I hadn't really paid much attention to the newer car then saw one on the road and instantly just loved the new shape. My old car was copper red and the new soul red looked really smart. Suddenly I thought my MK3 car looked a bit old and out of date, nothing whatever to do with any performance issues between the cars. Within a week the deed was done and so far it's a case of still being delighted with it. I've got cars in the garage with multiples of the Mazda's power but still have as much fun on the back roads in the MX5 as in anything else.
Personally, I've never liked the look of the RF. Unusually for a convertible I think it looks much better with the roof up rather than down but appreciate that's an individual judgement.
In many ways it was an impulsive purchase. I hadn't really paid much attention to the newer car then saw one on the road and instantly just loved the new shape. My old car was copper red and the new soul red looked really smart. Suddenly I thought my MK3 car looked a bit old and out of date, nothing whatever to do with any performance issues between the cars. Within a week the deed was done and so far it's a case of still being delighted with it. I've got cars in the garage with multiples of the Mazda's power but still have as much fun on the back roads in the MX5 as in anything else.
Personally, I've never liked the look of the RF. Unusually for a convertible I think it looks much better with the roof up rather than down but appreciate that's an individual judgement.
I bought a 2.0 Sport Nav [2016] with 300 miles on the clock from an older chap who wanted the refinements of a Porsche instead. I owned it for a year and I think it is a fantastic car - the interior quality is a step up from the previous models, the integrated nav and radar warning were very welcome too.
The powertrain is excellent, slick gearchange and a rev-happy engine that felt brisk rather than outright fast. As above, it has just had a power hike for 2019 so it will be interesting to get new owner's impressions.
The only things I feel let the car down are the handling - I owned a MK2 2004 1.8 and I could throw it around with abandon, the MK4 does not feel as planted to me but this is not a major gripe and could probably be fixed with a visit to BBR or similar. Also, get it rustproofed - Mazda still don't seem to do a good job of this so if you buy a second hand one give it a good check over.
I've gone from the ND to a 35i Z4, it doesn't handle quite as well as the MK4 but it has the power I was missing. I might test drive the new one and see if the extra 20BHP makes all the difference!
The powertrain is excellent, slick gearchange and a rev-happy engine that felt brisk rather than outright fast. As above, it has just had a power hike for 2019 so it will be interesting to get new owner's impressions.
The only things I feel let the car down are the handling - I owned a MK2 2004 1.8 and I could throw it around with abandon, the MK4 does not feel as planted to me but this is not a major gripe and could probably be fixed with a visit to BBR or similar. Also, get it rustproofed - Mazda still don't seem to do a good job of this so if you buy a second hand one give it a good check over.
I've gone from the ND to a 35i Z4, it doesn't handle quite as well as the MK4 but it has the power I was missing. I might test drive the new one and see if the extra 20BHP makes all the difference!
I have had a ND for 2 1/2 years as a second summer/weekend car and it's been good fun enjoyed every minute of it but will be looking to upgrade because we all need more POWER!! My car was going to be a keeper and it would have been if Mazda hadn't come along with the changes, damn them! In isolation though the car is very good as it is, a right mix of balance and performance.
Luke. said:
Have you considered Google?
What a poor response. Why does PH suddenly seem to attract more trolls that it did before? OP, please ignore and hopefully this is more helpful.I have had a number of cars over the years, MX-5s included. My favourite has been the MX-5 ND. It is great fun, modern and excellent value for what it offers. I was impressed by the build quality as well and the convertible roof (I had the soft top) is for me, the best roof I’ve had on car. It’s “manual” but it’s down in about 3 seconds. It is a car that you can drive at 8/10ths quite a lot, which is great fun. Great steering feel and lovely notchy gearbox.
I prefer the looks of the soft top over the RF, which I think is a little clumsy to my eye.
The pick of the classified ads for me has to be this rather tasty looking MX5 ND BBR 190. It looks like it has had the complete kit which means it will have a little more power which I should think will make it quite nippy! It seems to be priced at the same level as a car without the modifications and I think I would have a BBR over a standard MX5 all the time, absolutely no downsides and a improvement in every way. And it stays normally aspirated...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
CKQC said:
What a poor response. Why does PH suddenly seem to attract more trolls that it did before? OP, please ignore and hopefully this is more helpful.
I have had a number of cars over the years, MX-5s included. My favourite has been the MX-5 ND. It is great fun, modern and excellent value for what it offers. I was impressed by the build quality as well and the convertible roof (I had the soft top) is for me, the best roof I’ve had on car. It’s “manual” but it’s down in about 3 seconds. It is a car that you can drive at 8/10ths quite a lot, which is great fun. Great steering feel and lovely notchy gearbox.
I prefer the looks of the soft top over the RF, which I think is a little clumsy to my eye.
The pick of the classified ads for me has to be this rather tasty looking MX5 ND BBR 190. It looks like it has had the complete kit which means it will have a little more power which I should think will make it quite nippy! It seems to be priced at the same level as a car without the modifications and I think I would have a BBR over a standard MX5 all the time, absolutely no downsides and a improvement in every way. And it stays normally aspirated...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
May as well wait for the new 2.0 spec engine to be released which will have as much power and rev more freely without aftermarket mods and increased insuranceI have had a number of cars over the years, MX-5s included. My favourite has been the MX-5 ND. It is great fun, modern and excellent value for what it offers. I was impressed by the build quality as well and the convertible roof (I had the soft top) is for me, the best roof I’ve had on car. It’s “manual” but it’s down in about 3 seconds. It is a car that you can drive at 8/10ths quite a lot, which is great fun. Great steering feel and lovely notchy gearbox.
I prefer the looks of the soft top over the RF, which I think is a little clumsy to my eye.
The pick of the classified ads for me has to be this rather tasty looking MX5 ND BBR 190. It looks like it has had the complete kit which means it will have a little more power which I should think will make it quite nippy! It seems to be priced at the same level as a car without the modifications and I think I would have a BBR over a standard MX5 all the time, absolutely no downsides and a improvement in every way. And it stays normally aspirated...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
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