RE: Mazda MX-5 (NC): PH Buying Guide
Discussion
I remember reading an article some time ago by a respected journalist who said that the Mk3 was a major disappointment to drive compare to the Mk1 and Mk2. His suggestion was that the Mk3.5 did substantially address the shortcomings of the Mk3 - but he was definately of the view that the early Mk3 was rubbish!
s m said:
That would put paid to the validity of 99% of opinions on any car on here if they had to base it on a multi-car sample
Possibly, but it is the case.Back in the early days of the Mk1, as we know many special editions were sold. The trouble was that these 'special editions' were cobbled together by the UK importers, who brought in base models and tarted them with some cheap aftermarket tat. I had one of these, and the wheels were complete boat anchors, each weighing 7 kilos more than the correct standard alloy wheels (which Mazda had specially made and IIRC were the lightest wheels ever fitted to a production car at the time).
My car had those heavy wheels and geo that was incorrect and rode and handled dreadfully and I hated the car - but I knew something was wrong. I obtained a used set of original wheels and got the geo done (not easy in the UK, with so many wasters about) and the car was completely transformed.
My car was 7 years old when I bought it and had not been correct since day 1. So what value would you put on any owners experience if they only ever owned the one car?
Go to a track day of any enthusiast-owned car, from say old Mini to Ferrari or Lamborghini or whatever, and I reckon no 2 cars would be identical and won't drive identically, so I think owners should only relate what their individual car was like, and not pronounce that "the XYZ GT does this, that or the other" because the chances are that the next one won't.
heebeegeetee said:
s m said:
That would put paid to the validity of 99% of opinions on any car on here if they had to base it on a multi-car sample
Possibly, but it is the case.Back in the early days of the Mk1, as we know many special editions were sold. The trouble was that these 'special editions' were cobbled together by the UK importers, who brought in base models and tarted them with some cheap aftermarket tat. I had one of these, and the wheels were complete boat anchors, each weighing 7 kilos more than the correct standard alloy wheels (which Mazda had specially made and IIRC were the lightest wheels ever fitted to a production car at the time).
My car had those heavy wheels and geo that was incorrect and rode and handled dreadfully and I hated the car - but I knew something was wrong. I obtained a used set of original wheels and got the geo done (not easy in the UK, with so many wasters about) and the car was completely transformed.
My car was 7 years old when I bought it and had not been correct since day 1. So what value would you put on any owners experience if they only ever owned the one car?
Go to a track day of any enthusiast-owned car, from say old Mini to Ferrari or Lamborghini or whatever, and I reckon no 2 cars would be identical and won't drive identically, so I think owners should only relate what their individual car was like, and not pronounce that "the XYZ GT does this, that or the other" because the chances are that the next one won't.
It was more a general observation that people often make judgements based on that 10 year old car their mate owned with lowered, worn suspension and different tyres on each corner. Maybe a far-removed experience from a brand new car on matching Michelin Sports. Even brand new press cars tested by car mags have been found to have their geometry seriously out of kilter
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