RE: Mazda MX-5
Discussion
Do you not have a soul?
Drove a mk2 once.
Really liked the handling and "point n squirt" driving sensation as it made an average driver like me feel like a pro at the wheel. The mk1 & mk2 were balanced fun sports cars, the mk3 seems to lack power for its added bulk & comforts. I honestly thought Mazda would've stuck slightly more civilized Speed 3 (or MPS in UK) engine into an MX-5 to give it the best of everything.
Really liked the handling and "point n squirt" driving sensation as it made an average driver like me feel like a pro at the wheel. The mk1 & mk2 were balanced fun sports cars, the mk3 seems to lack power for its added bulk & comforts. I honestly thought Mazda would've stuck slightly more civilized Speed 3 (or MPS in UK) engine into an MX-5 to give it the best of everything.
I don't believe I've ever seen a MX5 being driven in 'spirited' style, except on track, and those exhausts on youtube sounded like a mouse farting....sorry.
These hairdresser specials need grabbing by the scruff of the neck and being given a damned good thrashing !
Thank god I've even got to worry about annoying the neighbours just backing off the drive. THAT'S a sports car.
These hairdresser specials need grabbing by the scruff of the neck and being given a damned good thrashing !
Thank god I've even got to worry about annoying the neighbours just backing off the drive. THAT'S a sports car.
minipower said:
JimSuperSix said:
ali_kat said:
Dooshbag said:
hcanning said:
OllieBirmingham said:
I love my Mk1 
Me too AAnd I want to apply to join the convertible police
even if the wheel bearings need replacing and the engine needs a good tune. 
Los Angeles said:
I admit to being a born-again MX5 man.
The car is wonderful, the new not quite as go-kart in its handling as the first, but superiour in all other respects. The moveable tin top is a revelation - Merc SLK take note - making the soft top almost redundant.
I'd buy another but ...
Once you have driven a sports car with a more powerful engine you sit in an MX5 wishing Mazda would put their fine 2.5 under the bonnet, even as an option, and that the sports car you drive now had a gear change as slick as the MX5, and a chassis to match!
Excellent points made; especially in your last paragraph. Good to see you posting on this car, LA.The car is wonderful, the new not quite as go-kart in its handling as the first, but superiour in all other respects. The moveable tin top is a revelation - Merc SLK take note - making the soft top almost redundant.
I'd buy another but ...
Once you have driven a sports car with a more powerful engine you sit in an MX5 wishing Mazda would put their fine 2.5 under the bonnet, even as an option, and that the sports car you drive now had a gear change as slick as the MX5, and a chassis to match!
Miguel
grahamw48 said:
I don't believe I've ever seen a MX5 being driven in 'spirited' style, except on track, and those exhausts on youtube sounded like a mouse farting....sorry.
These hairdresser specials need grabbing by the scruff of the neck and being given a damned good thrashing !
Thank god I've even got to worry about annoying the neighbours just backing off the drive. THAT'S a sports car.
I drive mine in a spirited manner and i've had owners of TVRs, Elises etc. comment om how nice my exhaust sounds, so you're in a minority there.These hairdresser specials need grabbing by the scruff of the neck and being given a damned good thrashing !
Thank god I've even got to worry about annoying the neighbours just backing off the drive. THAT'S a sports car.
I'm happy with my choice of sportscar which has had so many tests done of it and still comes out somewhere near the top. When was the last time a TVR won a best handling car test?
It seems to me that Mazda got the recipe right when it made the MX-5. They've sold that many and have revitalised the sportscar market. They've even made Mazda SO much money, that the company is still in business.
Now THAT'S a sportscar.
Combover said:
grahamw48 said:
I don't believe I've ever seen a MX5 being driven in 'spirited' style, except on track, and those exhausts on youtube sounded like a mouse farting....sorry.
These hairdresser specials need grabbing by the scruff of the neck and being given a damned good thrashing !
Thank god I've even got to worry about annoying the neighbours just backing off the drive. THAT'S a sports car.
I drive mine in a spirited manner and i've had owners of TVRs, Elises etc. comment om how nice my exhaust sounds, so you're in a minority there.These hairdresser specials need grabbing by the scruff of the neck and being given a damned good thrashing !
Thank god I've even got to worry about annoying the neighbours just backing off the drive. THAT'S a sports car.
I'm happy with my choice of sportscar which has had so many tests done of it and still comes out somewhere near the top. When was the last time a TVR won a best handling car test?
It seems to me that Mazda got the recipe right when it made the MX-5. They've sold that many and have revitalised the sportscar market. They've even made Mazda SO much money, that the company is still in business.
Now THAT'S a sportscar.
When did a MX5 get more than a passing glance, unless there was a fit female driving it.
Face it: Toasters meet their design brief too, are as charismatic as a MX5, and also common as muck.
have had a 2.0 new new shape mx5 for almost three years
bought it for the missus, but drive it more than she does as its suuch a laugh.
handling was sorted by lowering the suspension to a sensible height. With the T/C fully off it is an absolute riot- sideways, doughnuts, cornering at silly speeds etc etc
it's comfy, fun to drive, has a great gearbox (mine is the 5 speed with about 2" of throw), enough power (more would be nice but nevermind), and a chassis that really loves being chucked about
couldn't care less what people think of it, or if people like it's looks- i didn't buy it to pease other, but to please me, which it does very very well.
its preferred to the Grif that i had before it!
bought it for the missus, but drive it more than she does as its suuch a laugh.
handling was sorted by lowering the suspension to a sensible height. With the T/C fully off it is an absolute riot- sideways, doughnuts, cornering at silly speeds etc etc
it's comfy, fun to drive, has a great gearbox (mine is the 5 speed with about 2" of throw), enough power (more would be nice but nevermind), and a chassis that really loves being chucked about
couldn't care less what people think of it, or if people like it's looks- i didn't buy it to pease other, but to please me, which it does very very well.
its preferred to the Grif that i had before it!
I had a M1 MX-5. Bought it new in 1998. Later on it became turbocharged. Loved it!
Didn't feel the love for the M2 version.
Been pondering one of the M3 models - especially now that Cosworth have released this for it:-
http://www.cosworthusa.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?id...
Could be fun huh?
Didn't feel the love for the M2 version.
Been pondering one of the M3 models - especially now that Cosworth have released this for it:-
http://www.cosworthusa.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?id...
Could be fun huh?
The mk3 i'm not keen on the look, its vastly better once the ride heights dropped to a sensible level away from the pedestrian friendly 4x4 stance but still its too big and the lights look all wrong.
The mk2 & 2.5 I think look the best of the MX5's and the mk2.5 Sport brakes are great, they are just a bit more refined than the mk1, but essentially the same car. I'd think of mk1, 2 & 2.5 as just mildly facelifted then the mk3 if a full change and is no longer the same car.
The mk1 is great, it feels like a classic to drive, you can work on it like a classic, It handles well, its very reliable, its great I really enjoy mine. When you eventually tire of it not being quick enough just turbo or supercharge it, they can then make lots of more expensive stuff look silly. Mines now stripped out and although is 100% road legal is really a track car, runs 13psi boost through a big turbo producting about 260bhp with 230lbs of torque, it weighs in at about 980kg, runs 195 section tyres; whats not to love?
All for less than a new Ford Sport Ka to boot.
The mk2 & 2.5 I think look the best of the MX5's and the mk2.5 Sport brakes are great, they are just a bit more refined than the mk1, but essentially the same car. I'd think of mk1, 2 & 2.5 as just mildly facelifted then the mk3 if a full change and is no longer the same car.
The mk1 is great, it feels like a classic to drive, you can work on it like a classic, It handles well, its very reliable, its great I really enjoy mine. When you eventually tire of it not being quick enough just turbo or supercharge it, they can then make lots of more expensive stuff look silly. Mines now stripped out and although is 100% road legal is really a track car, runs 13psi boost through a big turbo producting about 260bhp with 230lbs of torque, it weighs in at about 980kg, runs 195 section tyres; whats not to love?
All for less than a new Ford Sport Ka to boot.
Fantastic car. Had mine for just over 2 years. I bought the Mk 2.5 sport. For me it's the perfect compromise. Handles and grips beautifully, enough power to entertain at legal speeds, ultra reliable, 6th gear great for motorway cruising and a reasonable size boot for practicality.
Unfortunately I need to sell soon, and it's going to be a sad sad day when it goes.
Unfortunately I need to sell soon, and it's going to be a sad sad day when it goes.
I have a mk.1 import. Best driver's car I've ever had - not it's not fast but just feels so 'right' that I don't car. Love every minute and it's been sold very reluctantly (off abroad next year.) My response to those oh so clever 'hairdresser/gay boy jibes is to ask if they've ever driven one. Interestingly, they never have.
Brilliant cars, I'd recommend them without a seconds hesitation. Having said that, reading all the gimmicks fitted to the one in the article, hasn't it lost the plot a bit? Also, since when is the fabric hood hard to put up?
Brilliant cars, I'd recommend them without a seconds hesitation. Having said that, reading all the gimmicks fitted to the one in the article, hasn't it lost the plot a bit? Also, since when is the fabric hood hard to put up?
Negative Creep said:
I have a mk.1 import. Best driver's car I've ever had - not it's not fast but just feels so 'right' that I don't car. Love every minute and it's been sold very reluctantly (off abroad next year.) My response to those oh so clever 'hairdresser/gay boy jibes is to ask if they've ever driven one. Interestingly, they never have.
Brilliant cars, I'd recommend them without a seconds hesitation. Having said that, reading all the gimmicks fitted to the one in the article, hasn't it lost the plot a bit? Also, since when is the fabric hood hard to put up?
Don't really like MX-5's normally but incidentially saw a black hard-top one last night and that was very very nice! My wifes hairdresser has a yellow MX-5 so..... I suppose it really depends on the colour. Brilliant cars, I'd recommend them without a seconds hesitation. Having said that, reading all the gimmicks fitted to the one in the article, hasn't it lost the plot a bit? Also, since when is the fabric hood hard to put up?
Edited by Hullfan on Monday 29th September 15:03
Is this the format we can now expect from PH for the tests? I hope so. Different perspectives from the whole team all wrapped up in one article - brilliant reading and a great format. Well done guys you are starting to resemble the sinergie that Clarkson, Hammond and May have.
Beefmeister said:
Nice idea, getting different viewpoints to the car - i like it!
Oh yes NiceCupOfTea said:
grahamw48 said:
When did a MX5 get more than a passing glance, unless there was a fit female driving it.
Don't know about anybody else but I didn't buy an MX-5 to be looked at! I bought it because it is a very competent sportscar with excellent handling for very little money. That's why I bought mine too.
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