Will I like an MX5 ?
Discussion
Currently have a Saab 9-3 Aero with 250 ish bhp, its quick ish but not very exciting, I barely use it and it is quite expensive to have sat there, I fancy something more fun but dont want to spend a great deal or chase power numbers. I tend to cycle or work from home, we have a people carrier for family duties, and an old Fiat 500.
A chap off Scoobynet gave me a few passenger laps in his 1.6 track MX5, pretty much standard and I really enjoyed every minute, though I didnt drive it I then saw the point of what I had always condered a bit of a wet little thing, I went in a 350 bhp Mistsubish Evo the same day and I was itching to get back in the Mazda.
Are there any club meets local to South Manchester where I could go an have a nosey ?
I am worried I will end up giving the Saab away and regretting it, I need to sell the Saab to buy an MX5 really, my missus being like she is.
I think I want a Mk1, the MK2 doesnt do it for me the same, am not afraid of spannering but dont want a dustbin/project/rustbucket, think really after 250 bhp, the 1.8 might be more suitable.
Anyone want a Saab
A chap off Scoobynet gave me a few passenger laps in his 1.6 track MX5, pretty much standard and I really enjoyed every minute, though I didnt drive it I then saw the point of what I had always condered a bit of a wet little thing, I went in a 350 bhp Mistsubish Evo the same day and I was itching to get back in the Mazda.
Are there any club meets local to South Manchester where I could go an have a nosey ?
I am worried I will end up giving the Saab away and regretting it, I need to sell the Saab to buy an MX5 really, my missus being like she is.
I think I want a Mk1, the MK2 doesnt do it for me the same, am not afraid of spannering but dont want a dustbin/project/rustbucket, think really after 250 bhp, the 1.8 might be more suitable.
Anyone want a Saab
The car I had before going down the MX5 route was an E90 BMW 330d MSport with 231bhp. I find the MX5 more entertaining. I went for a totally standard 1.8 Mk2 which I also used for trackdays as well as an everyday car.
If you want to have a look at a few there's a monthly meet at the Trafford Centre
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8...
Spend some time on Nutz and do some research on there, for example many prefer the 1.6 to the 1.8 in Mk1 form due to the gearing. Buy one from Nutz if you can, although you might have to be patient. Whilst you might prefer a Mk1, the Mk2 is more refined and easier to bridge the gap from a cruiser like the Saab.
My Mk2 has now gone and I'm in a Mk1 running circa 260bhp, I'm more than happy to take you for a spin (I'm in Gatley), however, it's unlikely to be representative of the type of car you're likely to buy based on what you've said above. Get yourself on Nutz and down to the monthly meet, it's all very friendly on there.
If you want to have a look at a few there's a monthly meet at the Trafford Centre
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8...
Spend some time on Nutz and do some research on there, for example many prefer the 1.6 to the 1.8 in Mk1 form due to the gearing. Buy one from Nutz if you can, although you might have to be patient. Whilst you might prefer a Mk1, the Mk2 is more refined and easier to bridge the gap from a cruiser like the Saab.
My Mk2 has now gone and I'm in a Mk1 running circa 260bhp, I'm more than happy to take you for a spin (I'm in Gatley), however, it's unlikely to be representative of the type of car you're likely to buy based on what you've said above. Get yourself on Nutz and down to the monthly meet, it's all very friendly on there.
JQ said:
The car I had before going down the MX5 route was an E90 BMW 330d MSport with 231bhp. I find the MX5 more entertaining. I went for a totally standard 1.8 Mk2 which I also used for trackdays as well as an everyday car.
If you want to have a look at a few there's a monthly meet at the Trafford Centre
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8...
Spend some time on Nutz and do some research on there, for example many prefer the 1.6 to the 1.8 in Mk1 form due to the gearing. Buy one from Nutz if you can, although you might have to be patient. Whilst you might prefer a Mk1, the Mk2 is more refined and easier to bridge the gap from a cruiser like the Saab.
My Mk2 has now gone and I'm in a Mk1 running circa 260bhp, I'm more than happy to take you for a spin (I'm in Gatley), however, it's unlikely to be representative of the type of car you're likely to buy based on what you've said above. Get yourself on Nutz and down to the monthly meet, it's all very friendly on there.
Yes, cheers, been having a look on there, 260 bhp in a Mk1 must be barmy, my brother lives in Gatley on Belmont Road, are you anywhere near there ?If you want to have a look at a few there's a monthly meet at the Trafford Centre
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8...
Spend some time on Nutz and do some research on there, for example many prefer the 1.6 to the 1.8 in Mk1 form due to the gearing. Buy one from Nutz if you can, although you might have to be patient. Whilst you might prefer a Mk1, the Mk2 is more refined and easier to bridge the gap from a cruiser like the Saab.
My Mk2 has now gone and I'm in a Mk1 running circa 260bhp, I'm more than happy to take you for a spin (I'm in Gatley), however, it's unlikely to be representative of the type of car you're likely to buy based on what you've said above. Get yourself on Nutz and down to the monthly meet, it's all very friendly on there.
Will look up the meet as well.
The performance feels miles better than the figures suggest.
I've had my MK1 eunos 1.6 s-special for about 4 months now and still love it, its just such fun to drive, at sensible speeds too.
I wanted the retro look with the pop up lights and love the basic interior, being lower its bumpy and a right pain over humps etc but all is forgiven on the move.
I've got a 944 and its nowhere near as much fun, faster and more capable but not as much fun.
the 1.8 feels torquier but the 1.6 is revvy. I didn't particularly care which one i got i was more interested in getting a solid one at the right price.
my 2p
Clive
I've had my MK1 eunos 1.6 s-special for about 4 months now and still love it, its just such fun to drive, at sensible speeds too.
I wanted the retro look with the pop up lights and love the basic interior, being lower its bumpy and a right pain over humps etc but all is forgiven on the move.
I've got a 944 and its nowhere near as much fun, faster and more capable but not as much fun.
the 1.8 feels torquier but the 1.6 is revvy. I didn't particularly care which one i got i was more interested in getting a solid one at the right price.
my 2p
Clive
The performance feels miles better than the figures suggest.
I've had my MK1 eunos 1.6 s-special for about 4 months now and still love it, its just such fun to drive, at sensible speeds too.
I wanted the retro look with the pop up lights and love the basic interior, being lower its bumpy and a right pain over humps etc but all is forgiven on the move.
I've got a 944 and its nowhere near as much fun, faster and more capable but not as much fun.
the 1.8 feels torquier but the 1.6 is revvy. I didn't particularly care which one i got i was more interested in getting a solid one at the right price.
my 2p
Clive
I've had my MK1 eunos 1.6 s-special for about 4 months now and still love it, its just such fun to drive, at sensible speeds too.
I wanted the retro look with the pop up lights and love the basic interior, being lower its bumpy and a right pain over humps etc but all is forgiven on the move.
I've got a 944 and its nowhere near as much fun, faster and more capable but not as much fun.
the 1.8 feels torquier but the 1.6 is revvy. I didn't particularly care which one i got i was more interested in getting a solid one at the right price.
my 2p
Clive
I have an E39 M5 and bought my wife a 2.0 sport MX5. It is easily as good fun to drive as the M5 if not more so but for completely different reasons. It's an absolute hoot on your average B road,supple handling and it comes alive in your hands. No real power to speak of though.
I was sceptical until 4 years back when I bought a Mk2.5 for my daughter and had to drive it home on a 60 mile journey. I was amazed at what simple pleasure it brought.
Dave
I was sceptical until 4 years back when I bought a Mk2.5 for my daughter and had to drive it home on a 60 mile journey. I was amazed at what simple pleasure it brought.
Dave
DVandrews said:
I have an E39 M5 and bought my wife a 2.0 sport MX5. It is easily as good fun to drive as the M5 if not more so but for completely different reasons. It's an absolute hoot on your average B road,supple handling and it comes alive in your hands. No real power to speak of though.
I was sceptical until 4 years back when I bought a Mk2.5 for my daughter and had to drive it home on a 60 mile journey. I was amazed at what simple pleasure it brought.
Dave
Snap. I was sceptical until 4 years back when I bought a Mk2.5 for my daughter and had to drive it home on a 60 mile journey. I was amazed at what simple pleasure it brought.
Dave
I had an E39 M5 and bought the MK1 for the misses.
There were times out hooning round north wales I though I might have more fun in the mazda.
Ended up selling the M5 and nicking the wifes Mazda.
Mine's a 1.6, Doesn't seem to be any slower than other MX5's on track.
I used to have a 1.8 RS-Limited and sometimes I wish I still had it, great fun.
If ever I went for another one, it'd have to be the 1.6 for me. From what I've read, although it is a touch slower (but we are talking fractions), it is also lighter, and is apparently a sweeter engine. One criticism I had of the 1.8 was that it felt a bit "lazy", and didn't seem that keen on being revved.... as in, it felt a bit breathless at the top end. The 1.6, although lacking the midrange of the 1.8, apparently is very revvy and pulls cleanly all the way to the red line.
There was nothing wrong with my 1.8 either, it was confirmed to be in great health, so it was just a characteristic of the engine.
One of the regulars over at MX5Nutz actually once said that he felt the 1.6 was more fun than even his supercharged 1.8.
Personally, I find the MX5 one of the best fun to price ratio cars ever. I know its cliched but they really do deserve their rep. A lot write them off for being slow, and although they aren't mega quick, I'd never call it slow, and if driven right it will keep up with a lot of supposedly better cars. Certainly down any given backroad, it would have given my old MR2 Turbo a run for its money until you hit a straight. The last time I did a PH hoon in one, other PHers actually asked me what mods I had, expecting it to be supercharged, and they were very surprised to hear it was pretty standard.
Go for it, they're a lot of fun.
If ever I went for another one, it'd have to be the 1.6 for me. From what I've read, although it is a touch slower (but we are talking fractions), it is also lighter, and is apparently a sweeter engine. One criticism I had of the 1.8 was that it felt a bit "lazy", and didn't seem that keen on being revved.... as in, it felt a bit breathless at the top end. The 1.6, although lacking the midrange of the 1.8, apparently is very revvy and pulls cleanly all the way to the red line.
There was nothing wrong with my 1.8 either, it was confirmed to be in great health, so it was just a characteristic of the engine.
One of the regulars over at MX5Nutz actually once said that he felt the 1.6 was more fun than even his supercharged 1.8.
Personally, I find the MX5 one of the best fun to price ratio cars ever. I know its cliched but they really do deserve their rep. A lot write them off for being slow, and although they aren't mega quick, I'd never call it slow, and if driven right it will keep up with a lot of supposedly better cars. Certainly down any given backroad, it would have given my old MR2 Turbo a run for its money until you hit a straight. The last time I did a PH hoon in one, other PHers actually asked me what mods I had, expecting it to be supercharged, and they were very surprised to hear it was pretty standard.
Go for it, they're a lot of fun.
I had 4 Elise's, a 350Z roadster and an R26 Megane prior to getting my Mk1 RS Ltd. I bought it because £ for £ I don't believe you can get a more fun 2-seat roadster, anywhere. It's great fun almost everywhere, and it's something that the wife uses too, so it's not as polarising as the Caterham or Exige that I'd have liked to buy. Took it on it's first trackday at a cold, wet Ecuyers in France and probably did more laps than anyone else there, largely sideways. My made with a 300+ bhp supercharged Honda Type R-engined Exige said he had more fun in mine than in his that day.
Get one, you'll love it.
Get one, you'll love it.
I have a Mk 1 RS too - I wonder how many of the 500 found their way to the UK?
Agree with much of the above; on paper it doesn't seem that impressive but fortunately we drive on tarmac not paper! Having done a few trackdays (with a pretty much bog standard Mk 1) and left hot (so-called) hatchbacks in the dust do often, I would say very few cars will get you round a corner quicker than a reasonably-well sorted MX5. So who needs loads of power?
(We'll still turbocharge the track car though; just a little more power would be nice!)
Agree with much of the above; on paper it doesn't seem that impressive but fortunately we drive on tarmac not paper! Having done a few trackdays (with a pretty much bog standard Mk 1) and left hot (so-called) hatchbacks in the dust do often, I would say very few cars will get you round a corner quicker than a reasonably-well sorted MX5. So who needs loads of power?
(We'll still turbocharge the track car though; just a little more power would be nice!)
Ok, registered on MX5 Nutz,need to sell the Saab, not giving it away as its been really well looked after and has a full MOT, £600 rempap and £200 springs, so its kind of sorted, looking for three grand or so which should get me a good mk1.
To be honest I don't want a massively fast car, the Saab has 250 bhp and I gave it some stick the other night and was doing silly speed very quickly without really feeling it and went past a parked van with its back doors open, was scard that I had happened on a mobile speed camera, nearly 2 weeks so think I am ok.
I want that earthy feeling you get from a gruff engine, being able to batter it without going silly speeds, the feeling of not having any electronics.
To be honest I don't want a massively fast car, the Saab has 250 bhp and I gave it some stick the other night and was doing silly speed very quickly without really feeling it and went past a parked van with its back doors open, was scard that I had happened on a mobile speed camera, nearly 2 weeks so think I am ok.
I want that earthy feeling you get from a gruff engine, being able to batter it without going silly speeds, the feeling of not having any electronics.
TameRacingDriver said:
Trust me, an MX5 is still fast enough to get a ban! 
However, at least you'll have more fun doing it.
TBH, I've generally found that cars have to feel "raw" to be fun. The MX5 will give you this.
Oh, yeah, appreciate that, just thinking that it may be more fun at lower speeds, the Saab piles on speed very quickly and is very stable but fairly undramatic in the process.However, at least you'll have more fun doing it.
TBH, I've generally found that cars have to feel "raw" to be fun. The MX5 will give you this.
Oh you have a point there about not needing huge speed for fun, a mate of mine had a pre war Riley racer and we went round a few lanes in Hungerford in it, WOW no faster than 60 and big grins all round.
I reckon our MX5 is a great little car, and yes I have had a lot of faster cars but that is not important.
I reckon our MX5 is a great little car, and yes I have had a lot of faster cars but that is not important.
Interesting that the common thread here seems to be that many have had faster, more powerful cars, but the MX-5 offers more *fun* by the seat of the pants. I can tell you that I've had fast cars (e39 540iM, W210 E55, etc) but that I have found the MX-5 loads more entertaining to drive because it requires some skill to extract the most and best out of it rather than a simple point and squirt. Anyone can go fast in a car with 350hp, but driving an MX-5 well is more rewarding and takes some skill, no matter how forgiving the car.
The short answer is that if you like to drive, you will enjoy it.
-Reed
'93 MX-5 Miata
www.totallythatstupid.com
The short answer is that if you like to drive, you will enjoy it.
-Reed
'93 MX-5 Miata
www.totallythatstupid.com
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