RE: Mazda MX-5 2.0 (2019): Driven

[Mr_Sukebe]

0-60 in 6.5 seconds. So in the same ballpark as the Golf GTi, Focus ST, Fiesta ST, and under £23k for a car that uses a bespoke platform and interior. Just from a stats perspective, damn good start.

Interestingly, that's almost irrelevant, as the MX5 has never been about the stats (though now they're comparable to a similarly priced "warm" shopping trolley.

Have to say, that it will be way up my hit list of cars to shortlist in a few years.

[coppice]

I have an ND 160bhp and this upgrade ticks most boxes . More power is good , as although the MX5 is actually a lot faster than I imagined it would be(coming from a 400bhp/ton Seven ) but some more shove would be nice , and some aural fizz instead of the current anodyne 16 valve , 4 pot blare . Telescopic steering column? Hmm ...ok then , but what it really ,really needs isn't more adjustment but even a little bit of feel and feedback . It has neither and that's a real missed opportunity. The bus sized, slippy rimmed wheel is bloody awful too.

Otherwise I am very pleased with mine. The comment about it being cramped is asinine , though . I am 5-11 and 'well built' and 300mile days have been comfy and pleasant . It is small, and brilliantly packaged but unless you are much bigger than me or are a borderline claustrophobic it is not cramped at all . You want cramped ? OK try an MG Midget or Seven, hood up - now that IS cramped ....

[cidered77]

My dad wants a new one after coming into a few quid - but the (pretty rubbish) configurator only shows at 160ps version.

Any ideas when it'll come out? or if on sale already? I could visit a dealer or call of course - but... well, it's 2018 dammit, i should get this info digitally!

[cptsideways]

dinkel said:

Is there a hard core version without aircon and iPad?

An SE gets you a simple little radio display 1/4 of the size of the Ipad. Still has AC though. I bet the new go faster one won't come in SE flavour though

Soft top 1.5 SE with a leather upgrade is where I'd put my money. Save the rest for a diff upgrade.

[Onehp]

Mike335i said:

And yet I won't be buying one. I'm not sure if it is the lack of power, the image or any of the usual reasons for not wanting an mx5. Maybe I do still just want a V8...

Get a 160ps one with miles on it and then shop here: https://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/ND.php

[Mike335i]

ambuletz said:

Chapppers said:

See, why can't Toyota take a leaf out of Mazda's books and do something like this instead of struggling by with a measly 200bhp. What a joke.

Not sure I understand your point when the mx-5 is 183hp.

I assumed sarcasm, due to criticism of the GT86 yet fawning over this with less power.

[pb8g09]

coppice said:

I am 5-11 and 'well built' and 300mile days have been comfy and pleasant . It is small, and brilliantly packaged but unless you are much bigger than me or are a borderline claustrophobic it is not cramped at all . You want cramped ? OK try an MG Midget or Seven, hood up - now that IS cramped ....

+1
Can't understand why everyone on here moans about cars getting too big now (which I agree) and yet when a small car is offered as a product, people on here moan it's too small and say it needs a bigger engine?!

[Jon_S_Rally]

While I'm pleased this car exists, I don't think I would ever buy one. The looks put me off. The high bonnet line which suddenly drops away at the nose makes it looks really odd from side-on. A sad necessity due to pedestrian protection I suspect, but it's ruined the looks of the car for me. That and a two-seater sports car is still useless to most people. It would always have to be a second car for me and, if it's a second car, it can be more hardcore, so the MX-5 would just never register on my list.

Like I say though, I'm glad Mazda are still knocking them out and that they're still producing vaguely interesting NA four pots.

[Black S2K]

coppice said:

I have an ND 160bhp and this upgrade ticks most boxes . More power is good , as although the MX5 is actually a lot faster than I imagined it would be(coming from a 400bhp/ton Seven ) but some more shove would be nice , and some aural fizz instead of the current anodyne 16 valve , 4 pot blare . Telescopic steering column? Hmm ...ok then , but what it really ,really needs isn't more adjustment but even a little bit of feel and feedback . It has neither and that's a real missed opportunity. The bus sized, slippy rimmed wheel is bloody awful too.

Otherwise I am very pleased with mine. The comment about it being cramped is asinine , though . I am 5-11 and 'well built' and 300mile days have been comfy and pleasant . It is small, and brilliantly packaged but unless you are much bigger than me or are a borderline claustrophobic it is not cramped at all . You want cramped ? OK try an MG Midget or Seven, hood up - now that IS cramped ....

Have you tried a lower chassis and a 'strut' brace?

It worked wonders for the S2000's steering feel, so there's every chance it might help here, too.

Cannot help you with the steering wheel, though.

[M3_Simon_Fr]

What a great car !

Have an NC MX-5 for 6 months now, just can't stop driving it.

Have a E92 M3 as well --> barely gets out of the garage since the Mazda arrived

[rb_89]

Looks bloody lovely, impressive engineering to get more power from the NA motor.

If I was rich i'd love to have one of these as a second car... Have a soft spot for Mazda cars.

[David87]

A gorgeous little car. I really, really want one, but would never get to use it, sadly. For me, something like the Fiesta ST would not quite be as fun (I don't think) but, because I can put my kids in the back, would stand a reasonable chance of turning a wheel once in a while!

[Debaser]

Sounds great, want to have a go in one asap!

[LG9k]

Does it come with Android Auto as well as carplay?

[tankplanker]

LG9k said:

Does it come with Android Auto as well as carplay?

I'd like to know this as well, the leaked version of the car's software that has been available for a while has Android Auto support, it would be nice to know if the latest version has it as well.

£28k! Anybody paying the RRP for these is mad. We paid £20k for our 2l Sport ND with the Soul Red two years ago as a pre registered car.

I love ours but it is in need of a trip to BBR for some fettling. While it isn't massive we managed to squeeze in a tent and camping gear into the boot to go to Le Mans this year without resorting to putting stuff by the passenger's feet.

[Pumpsmynads]

I don’t like the haunches over the front wheels. But then eye of the beholder and all that.

[Tickle]

These look a great buy, cheap, decent power/weight and bloody light for a car with comfort and a bit of tech.

[dxg]

tankplanker said:

LG9k said:

Does it come with Android Auto as well as carplay?

I'd like to know this as well, the leaked version of the car's software that has been available for a while has Android Auto support, it would be nice to know if the latest version has it as well.

£28k! Anybody paying the RRP for these is mad. We paid £20k for our 2l Sport ND with the Soul Red two years ago as a pre registered car.

I love ours but it is in need of a trip to BBR for some fettling. While it isn't massive we managed to squeeze in a tent and camping gear into the boot to go to Le Mans this year without resorting to putting stuff by the passenger's feet.

It does now have this feature.

There's an upgrade kit for the existing cars just available (last week). Cost is about £200 and it comprises software and new usb sockets (note the photo with a picture of a phone pointing to one of the sockets)...

[HorneyMX5]

Pumpsmynads said:

I don’t like the haunches over the front wheels. But then eye of the beholder and all that.

Try driving one. Those haunches are a great aid to placing the car in corners.

Love this update and as an owner of a 190bhp normally aspirated MK3 Mx5 I can confirm this sort of power to weight ratio is a real sweet spot in the 5. It’s why the BBR 200 kits are so popular.

[Simon Owen]

Jon_S_Rally said:

It would always have to be a second car for me and, if it's a second car, it can be more hardcore, so the MX-5 would just never register on my list.

Like I say though, I'm glad Mazda are still knocking them out and that they're still producing vaguely interesting NA four pots.

We were on this page a couple of years ago, the problem is if you want the packaging of the ND i.e. bigger and more practical than say a 7 or an Elise BUT smaller and lighter than a Boxter then what is there that is more hardcore ? The closest is the new Alpine but no soft top and £50k ish price tag, also it's not a manual and it's not naturally aspirated if that's important to you, which it was to us. We also wanted RWD so that limits things a bit obviously.

I had this debate before but I'd love Lotus to make an MX5, same size, weight and practicality but with Lotus dynamics and performance.

BBR provide a very good half way house with their 214bhp NA Super 200 conversion but I wouldn't call it truly hardcore !!