RE: MX-5 30th Anniversary vs. Porsche Boxster (981)

RE: MX-5 30th Anniversary vs. Porsche Boxster (981)

Author
Discussion

Nyloc20

552 posts

62 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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After having to sell my Elise a few months ago as I could no longer get in or out, I narrowed my choice for a replacement down to a Boxster or MX5. I had an MX5 as a lease car a few years ago and it was fine. However I went for a 987 manual having done a lot of miles last year in a friend's similar car. I liked the flat 6, loads of storage for long trips, easy hood and spacious cabin.
Due to a change in circumstances ( cutting down on business travel and selling my daily driver) I changed the 987 for a 981 PDK three months ago. It's a good car, much prefer the PDK, just done a long Euro trip with some car club mates and it was just about faultless.
However it seems a big heavy car for a two seater, it was a bit of a challenge on some narrow French roads and I did think a nimble MX5 would be more enjoyable in those circumstances.

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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lee_erm said:
Is the Porsche engine likely to grenade or are these ones ok?
Mazda definitely more reliable. Keep the extended warranty if you go for a Porsche 981 or it can get v expensive... I speak from direct experience.

I think it was the earlier ones had the classic bore score / IMS issues though.

Leggy

1,018 posts

221 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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300kgs heavier that’s a fair chunk on the Porker.

CABC

5,528 posts

100 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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Honeywell said:
Does anyone ever lower the ratios on a Porsche?
I know somebody who did on a new gt4, along with the suspension. Money not a problem should we say. But if the engine were dropped for another reason I'd have thought this would be a great mod. P fans continually deny the ratios are a problem but I can't agree, especially when there's a howling flat 6 to enjoy.

ambuletz

10,689 posts

180 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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quite suprised that the boxster isn't that much more money over the mx5. lack of manual gearbox in the boxster has me picking the MX-5

FlatchatPhil

2 posts

52 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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For me, it's got to be the 981, yes the MX-5 is light and nibble but never a match against Porsche. After driving a number of MX-5s, agreed super fun car but I am always left wanting more than than the strained 4 cylinder, it's always going to be lacking, no matter how you dress it up. That said, Mazda have done well with the MX-5 to hit the niche for those with limited budget that want a great handling car. But if you're talking sports cars, the engine and exhaust notes truly make the car, so why settle for anything less?

WonkeyDonkey

2,333 posts

102 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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ambuletz said:
quite suprised that the boxster isn't that much more money over the mx5. lack of manual gearbox in the boxster has me picking the MX-5
It is though if you compare new vs new.

WonkeyDonkey

2,333 posts

102 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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FlatchatPhil said:
For me, it's got to be the 981, yes the MX-5 is light and nibble but never a match against Porsche. After driving a number of MX-5s, agreed super fun car but I am always left wanting more than than the strained 4 cylinder, it's always going to be lacking, no matter how you dress it up. That said, Mazda have done well with the MX-5 to hit the niche for those with limited budget that want a great handling car. But if you're talking sports cars, the engine and exhaust notes truly make the car, so why settle for anything less?
Get a fruity exhaust then. Weight for me makes most difference in a sports car.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

264 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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FlatchatPhil said:
For me, it's got to be the 981, yes the MX-5 is light and nibble but never a match against Porsche. After driving a number of MX-5s, agreed super fun car but I am always left wanting more than than the strained 4 cylinder, it's always going to be lacking, no matter how you dress it up. That said, Mazda have done well with the MX-5 to hit the niche for those with limited budget that want a great handling car. But if you're talking sports cars, the engine and exhaust notes truly make the car, so why settle for anything less?
Because the steering is complete st in the 981 to be a drivers car. I don’t think budget has anything to do with it either, a car drives well or it don't. The 981 is lacking.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

264 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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CABC said:
I know somebody who did on a new gt4, along with the suspension. Money not a problem should we say. But if the engine were dropped for another reason I'd have thought this would be a great mod. P fans continually deny the ratios are a problem but I can't agree, especially when there's a howling flat 6 to enjoy.
How because the 1st and d bear are fixed , so it’s very hard and expensive to do. The sharkwerks car only lowers 3rd upwards, that’s no good when it does 85mph in 2nd !

987.2 is far more of a drivers car than a 981. Then it’s a tough call at £25k for a nice 987.2 that’s the same price as the mx5.

CABC

5,528 posts

100 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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Porsche911R said:
How because the 1st and d bear are fixed , so it’s very hard and expensive to do. The sharkwerks car only lowers 3rd upwards, that’s no good when it does 85mph in 2nd !

987.2 is far more of a drivers car than a 981. Then it’s a tough call at £25k for a nice 987.2 that’s the same price as the mx5.
I don't know.
It is a track car, so maybe it was just 3rd above or maybe he spent large. He changed so much I wondered why he bought it rather than mid a std.

Anyway, you're saying you can't easily change ratios for road use? i.e. 1st 2nd. How about final drive?

Dan Trent

1,866 posts

167 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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I've driven a 981 Cayman modified by RPM Technik as one of its 'CSR' conversions with a crown gear mod/lightweight flywheel that takes the final drive from 3.89:1 to 4.125:1 and that did make it feel a good deal zingier, though there were various other engine mods too and it was based on an S. Suffice to say though, it can be done though it won't be a cheap job.

Cheers,

Dan

Sharon-coizu

89 posts

57 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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So I bought a 30th Anniversary MX5 this week for £24k with delivery miles, so don't be put off by the price! There were 3 available in the UK at that or slightly less last week.

First impression: it's significantly faster, better sprung and crisper to drive than the 2.0 SEL-NAV that I had previously. The wheels and Brembos are lovely and visually lower the car. The seats are fantastic and the reach adjustment on the steering means I am finally comfortable in an MX5. The colour I can live with but people do take the Mick!

I'm giving it a few months before making a decision on lowering. The sports suspension is such an improvement over the standard set up that I feel like it's a completely new car from the SEL-NAV. I also quite like the tip toe feel at road speeds. I don't think it needs any more power, so BBR probably won't be getting a call this time.

I have driven a 981, TTS and Z4 recently and for me, the MX5 is a lot more fun at road speeds. I'm sure others will differ but so many people write off the little Mazda without ever actually trying on.

mhurley

823 posts

132 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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I think the MX5 has more than ample performance for real world driving conditions

Prestonese

793 posts

104 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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Porsche911R said:
Because the steering is complete st in the 981 to be a drivers car. I don’t think budget has anything to do with it either, a car drives well or it don't. The 981 is lacking.
Wouldn't necessarily disagree with your comment on the 981 steering but the MX5 steering isn't blessed with much feel either.

Prestonese

793 posts

104 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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mhurley said:
I think the MX5 has more than ample performance for real world driving conditions
Would agree with that. It's all the power most people need really unless they live on a racetrack. They are super cheap to run too!

Plate spinner

17,649 posts

199 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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CABC said:
Honeywell said:
Does anyone ever lower the ratios on a Porsche?
I know somebody who did on a new gt4, along with the suspension. Money not a problem should we say. But if the engine were dropped for another reason I'd have thought this would be a great mod. P fans continually deny the ratios are a problem but I can't agree, especially when there's a howling flat 6 to enjoy.
I’ve got a 986 S and can confirm that the ratios are a pain in the arse, both on road and track.
Just 15-20% too long. It’s built for the autobahn and geared to about 300kph IIRC.

Sharon-coizu

89 posts

57 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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dunnoreally said:
Talking of common arguments here, is anyone actually dropping £29k outright for an ND? I know you can lease one for £199PM...
I Paid £24k for this model this week. There are a couple more out in the provinces for similar money. Suspect the Orange might be proving a tad divisive. Personally I love it!

Nyloc20

552 posts

62 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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Prestonese said:
Porsche911R said:
Because the steering is complete st in the 981 to be a drivers car. I don’t think budget has anything to do with it either, a car drives well or it don't. The 981 is lacking.
Wouldn't necessarily disagree with your comment on the 981 steering but the MX5 steering isn't blessed with much feel either.
Yes I agree about the steering, it seems uninvolving compared to the 987 ( and obviously light years away compared to my Elise)
)

Tcooc168

44 posts

55 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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Porsche, so I can brag to my friends smile
Just kidding, MX-5 please, just not in orange 🍊