RE: Mazda MX-5 1.5 (ND): PH Fleet

[aaron_2000]

I just love the ND MX5, it's such an old school car. I'd probably have one over a Fiesta ST.

[justa1972]

I’ve had my 2.0 SEL Nav for 18 mnths on a 2 year lease and I’m struggling to think of what to replace it with.

Probably another one - always thought it would be another 2.0 particularly after they upped the bhp maybe I should try the 1.5 ?

Oh regarding the alloys - I wouldn’t buy a car with silver alloys !! Black or grey is much better !

[Mr-B]

TWPC said:

Looking forward to the updates on this one very much. Love the looks, size, the effort Mazda have put into it to make it so light etc. etc. More info about the rust proofing situation would be helpful. Do they not use galvanised steel?

Appreciate your comments about the heating and ventilation controls. I presume that dials have been replaced by soft buttons integrated into infotainment screens because it is a cheaper solution for the manufacturers. Can anyone verify that or provide a better reason??

HVAC still has physical buttons, can't understand why manufacturers put these controls in screens apart from cost savings, bloody dangerous if you ask me.

[G.Fraser]

I really like those black wheels, so there

[Jag_NE]

This has to be the epitome of the “decent steer” for the demanding helmsman

[COLLY1]

Why can’t they make one with some real ‘wellie?’
My hatchback would give it a damned good thrashing!
How about a 2 litre turbo with 300+ bhp?

[Master Bean]

COLLY1 said:

Why can’t they make one with some real ‘wellie?’
My hatchback would give it a damned good thrashing!
How about a 2 litre turbo with 300+ bhp?

You're missing the point if an MX-5. Fun doesn't have to be fast.

[galaxie500]

£350 for Apple Car Play?!?!

[samoht]

COLLY1 said:

Why can’t they make one with some real ‘wellie?’
My hatchback would give it a damned good thrashing!
How about a 2 litre turbo with 300+ bhp?

They did
It was called the RX-7 and did 0-60 in 5 seconds
126 Brits bought them

...and that's why they stick to their million-selling recipe.

[COLLY1]

Believe me, my car is very much fun to drive; and I have a decent boot, and seats for five!

[FN2TypeR]

COLLY1 said:

Believe me, my car is very much fun to drive; and I have a decent boot, and seats for five!

No one cares

[coppice]

Well, we can talk about irrelevances like the dash board and the colour of the wheels all day but nobody mentions the elephant in the boot of every MX5 - the rubbish steering . Too light , zero feel , zero feedback and a wheel too big with too thin a rim. I've done 15k miles now in my 2ltr ND and it is such a capable and enjoyable car spoilt only by the one thing they could, and should , have got right from the start. And this in a car originally inspired by an Elan...

[Baldchap]

Problem is, if the steering wasn't assisted (which is the only way to get the Elan experience you're after), people would complain it was heavy. Can't have it both ways.

[Matt Bird]

sideways man said:

When these first came out, lots of people rated the 1.5 as a better option. Really looking forward to an unbiased verdict on this matter.

Thanks! We'll do what we can, that's for sure. Plenty to talk about already!


Matt

[Matt Bird]

G.Fraser said:

I really like those black wheels, so there

Would be boring if we all liked the same thing I guess


Matt

[cptsideways]

On the subject of the Ipad on the dash

The SE spec does not have it, instead a neat smaller unit that does radio/bt etc & save the pennies for a trip to BBR

[tomkn]

Wheel colours, screens these are details...
It would be great if you can manage to get a professional opinion from a rust protection company on the factory rustproofing.
Having a '90 miata, I would like to know more about how the steering feels and compare to other similar cars (e.g. gt86).

[Gad-Westy]

Baldchap said:

Problem is, if the steering wasn't assisted (which is the only way to get the Elan experience you're after), people would complain it was heavy. Can't have it both ways.

Not sure it needs to be unassisted. The NA steering didn't suffer at all when PAS was fitted. In fact it arguably improved. That was hydraulic but I cannot see any fundamental reason why an EPS set up cannot offer similar feedback, unless it is a physical geometry issue.

The steering and the crap colour options are really the only things that stop be buying an ND.

[Fire99]

bmv6197 said:

Water Fairy said:

dme123 said:

This fashion for black wheels just needs to die already. I get that they are lower maintenance and easier to fit than diamond cut, but they look bloody awful 99.9% of the time!

In your opinion.

And mine...

and mine... Not for every single car but on the MX5 it makes the wheels look like anonymous shirt buttons..

I do love these "in your opinion" comments. Who's flamin' opinion would it be? Everything on here is our opinion.

[coppice]

Baldchap said:

Problem is, if the steering wasn't assisted (which is the only way to get the Elan experience you're after), people would complain it was heavy. Can't have it both ways.

Not at all- there's plenty of cars with pas that have far more feel - even my wife's Yaris has better steering than my Mazda's . Of course I don't expect an exact replication of Elan steering - the lightweight MX 5 still weighs 50% more - but as the Lotus influence can be seen in many areas why in God's name did they make such a dismal attempt at replicating the Lotus USP ?