RE: Mazda MX-5 RF: PH Trade-Off!

RE: Mazda MX-5 RF: PH Trade-Off!

Author
Discussion

wickenss

10 posts

161 months

Monday 7th January 2019
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V8RX7 said:
Or for a fraction of the price you could buy something that is FASTER and MORE FUN

A good Supercharged MK1 MX5 available £5-7k mine has an intercooled MP62 with approx 240bhp and being supercharged that means it's power is available in the revs you use everyday rather than just at the top like the S2000

It's also lighter and far more fun than the S2000 - unless you supercharge that but then you're budget is a lot higher

I will admit that the only driver aids are steering wheel, clutch, brake and accelerator so with 195 tyres you have to be wary but that's the fun part !

MR2 Turbo wouldn't be a bad idea either - preferably modified to circa 350bhp
Have you spotted this S2000? https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/honda-s2000-141118.htm... ready to drive away and still withing budget!

Lordbenny

8,575 posts

218 months

Monday 7th January 2019
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I’ve had a Vx220 and currently own an MX5 NC and a Westfield. My best mate has an RF that I have driven a few times so I feel I’m pretty clued up on this subject. As was said earlier....if you want a cheaper alternative to an RF MX5 get an NC MX5 (or Mk3).

The Vauxhall just isn’t practical enough and is now an old car, as is the S2000 in the piece (05 plate is now 13 years old). My Westfield obviously destroys all the aforementioned cars on performance but mine doesn’t even have a boot. My MX5 is a 2.0 non sport but it’s a minter and we love it.

The MX5 is the biggest selling sportcar ever for a reason....it ticks all the boxes so even if you can’t stretch to an RF (I’d rather have a proper convertible myself anyway) just find one that suits your budget.

That said......there’s always a Mini Cooper S Convertible. Not really a sports car but just as quick, if not quicker that the Mazda and great if you really need 4 seats.

Steino

8 posts

91 months

Monday 7th January 2019
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Pretty sure the S2000 has always been a 6 speed (note the specification section), but granted my knowledge of the newer models is more limited smile
Seriously love these Hondas!

V8RX7

26,762 posts

262 months

Monday 7th January 2019
quotequote all
wickenss said:
Have you spotted this S2000? https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/honda-s2000-141118.htm... ready to drive away and still withing budget!
No but I'm not really looking.

It is tempting but unfortunately it's the centrifugal type - all the drawbacks of a supercharger and all the drawbacks of a turbo - it's only benefit is ease of packaging.

Find me an MP62 S2000 sub £15k and I'll consider selling my MX5.

unlikelymechanic

117 posts

66 months

Monday 7th January 2019
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How about a Rocketeer Mx5?

Same mx5 useability but with a 3.0 v6 and 260bhp

You could easily get a decent NA Or NB for less than 13k



Edited by unlikelymechanic on Monday 7th January 14:32

WJNB

2,637 posts

160 months

Monday 7th January 2019
quotequote all
edoverheels said:
I had an NA MX5 and still have an S2000 as my daily.
Cannot understand WJNB comments about gear ratios on the S2000- the ratios are perfect for the car and engine. Having to stir the gearbox is the whole point.
!
If my memory serves me correctly & with 9000 rpm to play with (which WAS fun) 1st gear could get me to at least 60mph, 2nd was too high & too close to 3rd to be of value so from rest1st was always essential. In the wet starting from 1st had to be done with care. Then as already mentioned 6th was too low for cruising at the national limit & I desperately wanted to change up another gear.
Am not too proud to entertain the fact that that it was my driving not the gearbox that was at fault, but nothing whatsoever could excuse that dam low 6th.
Another post mentioned rattles from new & I well recall the drivers door & window rattling from the moment the car left the showroom, what a let down that was. Faffing about with lubricants eventually solved the problem - but it took 12 months.
I do miss its rarity though at a time as of now when the roads are awash with Boxsters & MX-5s'


Sway

26,070 posts

193 months

Monday 7th January 2019
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From personal experience, a GTM Libra offers greater day to day practicality and ease of living with, with greater performance and just as transparent handling (once setup well, which admittedly is a little trickier than most).

Loved mine. Really shouldn't have sold it to get back into a Mx5.

CABC

5,528 posts

100 months

Monday 7th January 2019
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Lordbenny said:
That said......there’s always a Mini Cooper S Convertible. Not really a sports car but just as quick, if not quicker that the Mazda and great if you really need 4 seats.
i love the Mini for what it is. great steer, good fun.
but it's pasta rather than pizza. both lovely, and full of carbs but quite different.

SpunkyM

250 posts

243 months

Monday 7th January 2019
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The E85 Z4 does seem to be the obvious choice, but I would opt for the 3.0Si over the M for the cost conscious driver. Rock solid N52 reliability (once the electric water pump has been replaced) and virtually identical performance up to 5,000rpm. A whole lot cheaper to service and much smoother as an everyday driver.

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Monday 7th January 2019
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SpunkyM said:
The E85 Z4 does seem to be the obvious choice, but I would opt for the 3.0Si over the M for the cost conscious driver. Rock solid N52 reliability (once the electric water pump has been replaced) and virtually identical performance up to 5,000rpm. A whole lot cheaper to service and much smoother as an everyday driver.
And one of the most woeful EPAS systems ever to be fitted to something claiming to be a sports car. IMO the Z4M is worth the extra for its steering alone.

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Monday 7th January 2019
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Each to their own. I'd certainly rather have an MX5 than any non-M Z4. smile

Fire99

9,844 posts

228 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
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Personally I find standard MX5's a bit limp and characterless in the engine department.
However, a mate has a Mk3 with a BBR supercharger and it really makes the MX5 come alive. For a 3rd of the price of the new one, I'd be tempted with one of those.

An S2000 out of the box would be a great choice, and I'm a bit of a Z4 fan. (in 3 litre and M form)

V8RX7

26,762 posts

262 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
quotequote all
unlikelymechanic said:
How about a Rocketeer Mx5?

Same mx5 useability but with a 3.0 v6 and 260bhp
Great conversion but I can't face paying £7k to convert a £2k car.

Nor can I see people paying £9k for them come resale

sideways sid

1,371 posts

214 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
quotequote all
MX-5 and S2000 are great cars, but surprised nobody has mentioned the Nissan 350Z.

RWD, NA, 280bhp+, 3.5 V6, manual convertible, with better interior than either, for similar money.

SpunkyM

250 posts

243 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
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I suspect most people think the 350Z just isn't in the same ballpark dynamically. Just feels a bit heavy and numb compared to the other cars mentioned.

Lordbenny

8,575 posts

218 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
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Reading the comments on this thread it really makes me realise that there is nothing apart from a Mini that can take on the MX5 and as had been said the Mini isn’t really most people’s idea of a sports car. A lot of mentions of cars that are pretty long in the tooth now (Z4, S2000, 350Z, etc) also kit cars and modified cars. Amazing how no manufacturer has ever come up with a real alternative to this amazing little car.

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
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Various manufacturers have tried over the years to compete with the MX5, but mostly they simply haven't been good enough in one way or another. I suppose you could argue that MG succeeded, at least within the UK market, but ultimately the state of the company doomed the MGF/TF to being poorly built and updated on a shoestring budget rather than replaced.