2009 Mazda MX5 2.0 Copper Red
Discussion
So the newest chapter in my car history. Corsa B 1.2 SXi -> mk2 Twingo GT -> mk3 MR2 -> this MX5
Technically I still have the MR2... but it's been a bit of a saga. Hopefully I'll wrap that particular chapter up soon. Link to MR2 thread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
On to the MX5.
She's a 2.0 Sport Tech hardtop in Copper Red. 57,000 miles and so far I'm very happy. Hoping for a less eventful time than I had with the MR2!
Here she is on the day I test drove it... in the snow a week ago! Ideal conditions...
Day of collection
Arriving back home
First little adventure
Technically I still have the MR2... but it's been a bit of a saga. Hopefully I'll wrap that particular chapter up soon. Link to MR2 thread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
On to the MX5.
She's a 2.0 Sport Tech hardtop in Copper Red. 57,000 miles and so far I'm very happy. Hoping for a less eventful time than I had with the MR2!
Here she is on the day I test drove it... in the snow a week ago! Ideal conditions...
Day of collection
Arriving back home
First little adventure
I'm ~130 miles in.
So far this is what I feel.
MX5 pros
Interior is a lot more plush and looks lovely.
Seats are better
Ride quality is improved
Generally more refined
Boot space is better, although I'd argue overall capacity isn't that much different
Folding hard top much easier and more practical than the fixed one.
MR2 pros
Felt a lot more sharp in its steering response
Engine noise better
More economic
They are about equal in speed I feel but I haven't really pushed the MX5 much yet.
Surprised by the wind noise in the MX5 but it has been very windy this weekend... perhaps too early to judge.
Also surprised by how quickly the fuel gauge goes down. First 30 miles were full of stop start traffic though.
Will be interesting to see how my opinion changes as I get used to it.
So far I think I'll summarise as the MR2 is the better drive but the MX5 is probably going to be easier to live with.
So far this is what I feel.
MX5 pros
Interior is a lot more plush and looks lovely.
Seats are better
Ride quality is improved
Generally more refined
Boot space is better, although I'd argue overall capacity isn't that much different
Folding hard top much easier and more practical than the fixed one.
MR2 pros
Felt a lot more sharp in its steering response
Engine noise better
More economic
They are about equal in speed I feel but I haven't really pushed the MX5 much yet.
Surprised by the wind noise in the MX5 but it has been very windy this weekend... perhaps too early to judge.
Also surprised by how quickly the fuel gauge goes down. First 30 miles were full of stop start traffic though.
Will be interesting to see how my opinion changes as I get used to it.
So far I think I'll summarise as the MR2 is the better drive but the MX5 is probably going to be easier to live with.
Nice looking car and it's an awesome colour, great choice!
I've had mine since last summer and it's great fun, there's loads you can do to them, a set of Meister coilovers and full geometry setup really tightens the handling up without making it crashy or too stiff.
I took mine round Snetterton a couple of weeks ago and they really are great fun little cars!
Good luck with it!
EN9I3160 by Opentrack Track Days, on Flickr
I've had mine since last summer and it's great fun, there's loads you can do to them, a set of Meister coilovers and full geometry setup really tightens the handling up without making it crashy or too stiff.
I took mine round Snetterton a couple of weeks ago and they really are great fun little cars!
Good luck with it!
EN9I3160 by Opentrack Track Days, on Flickr
Went looking for the sunset tonight.
Getting used to the car now.
Chasing Sunsets by blayney1989, on Flickr
Getting used to the car now.
Chasing Sunsets by blayney1989, on FlickrSo I've been living with the car for a few weeks now. It puts a smile on my face that's for sure. Weirdly one of my favourite things is using the cruise control on the way to work...
I've changed my mind on one of the points from the last update. I think the MX5 sounds better than the MR2, it's just that in the MR2 it was right behind your head, which was great.
I've come to the conclusion that for 95% of the time, the way I use the car, the MX5 is better. I do miss the MR2 during that 5% of perfect empty road... it's just so rare.
I've totted up a list of things I'd like to do to the car eventually... but it came out at nearly the value of the car... so that's a bit silly.
This year I need to sort out tyres and alignment, I'd also like to get the carbonmiata ducktail.
Next year I would love to take it to one of the known MX5 tuners, probably BBR. Anyone got experience with BBR/Skuzzle/Blink/Roddisons?
Anyway, photos from recent adventures.
MX5 Adventures by blayney1989, on Flickr
MX5 Adventures by blayney1989, on Flickr
MX5 Adventures by blayney1989, on Flickr
MX5 Adventures by blayney1989, on Flickr
MX5 Adventures by blayney1989, on Flickr
I've changed my mind on one of the points from the last update. I think the MX5 sounds better than the MR2, it's just that in the MR2 it was right behind your head, which was great.
I've come to the conclusion that for 95% of the time, the way I use the car, the MX5 is better. I do miss the MR2 during that 5% of perfect empty road... it's just so rare.
I've totted up a list of things I'd like to do to the car eventually... but it came out at nearly the value of the car... so that's a bit silly.
This year I need to sort out tyres and alignment, I'd also like to get the carbonmiata ducktail.
Next year I would love to take it to one of the known MX5 tuners, probably BBR. Anyone got experience with BBR/Skuzzle/Blink/Roddisons?
Anyway, photos from recent adventures.
MX5 Adventures by blayney1989, on FlickrMX5 Adventures by blayney1989, on FlickrMX5 Adventures by blayney1989, on FlickrMX5 Adventures by blayney1989, on FlickrMX5 Adventures by blayney1989, on FlickrLovely looking mx5 - same colour I had mine in. Miss mine (I sold it for a gt86) but could see me getting another in the future. Would have to turbo it though!
Lowered mine which transformed the ride and handling, couldn’t believe the difference it made. Turn in was so much sharper. Seem to recall that UK cars were raised because of pedestrian regulations, but Mazda offered lowering springs from the factory to take them back to Japanese spec.
Only one out of your list I had experience with is roddisons - whilst they have universal praise on the mx5 forums I was left thoroughly cold with my experience at the time and therefore could not recommend them. Depends where you are based as skuzzle is south and roddisons are Sheffield way...
Lowered mine which transformed the ride and handling, couldn’t believe the difference it made. Turn in was so much sharper. Seem to recall that UK cars were raised because of pedestrian regulations, but Mazda offered lowering springs from the factory to take them back to Japanese spec.
Only one out of your list I had experience with is roddisons - whilst they have universal praise on the mx5 forums I was left thoroughly cold with my experience at the time and therefore could not recommend them. Depends where you are based as skuzzle is south and roddisons are Sheffield way...
Shappers24 said:
Lovely looking mx5 - same colour I had mine in. Miss mine (I sold it for a gt86) but could see me getting another in the future. Would have to turbo it though!
Lowered mine which transformed the ride and handling, couldn’t believe the difference it made. Turn in was so much sharper. Seem to recall that UK cars were raised because of pedestrian regulations, but Mazda offered lowering springs from the factory to take them back to Japanese spec.
Only one out of your list I had experience with is roddisons - whilst they have universal praise on the mx5 forums I was left thoroughly cold with my experience at the time and therefore could not recommend them. Depends where you are based as skuzzle is south and roddisons are Sheffield way...
I'm in Swansea so all are a good day out for me...Lowered mine which transformed the ride and handling, couldn’t believe the difference it made. Turn in was so much sharper. Seem to recall that UK cars were raised because of pedestrian regulations, but Mazda offered lowering springs from the factory to take them back to Japanese spec.
Only one out of your list I had experience with is roddisons - whilst they have universal praise on the mx5 forums I was left thoroughly cold with my experience at the time and therefore could not recommend them. Depends where you are based as skuzzle is south and roddisons are Sheffield way...
Interesting what you say with Roddisons. Will keep that in mind when the time comes.
I want to lower it (meisterR get the glowing reviews... Eibach springs is where my wallet stretches)... but I like to get around and don't want to scrape everywhere!
Edit - Interested in your opinion on the 86 and going to it from an NC. As in a few years I think I'll do the same. Sat in an ND at Geneva and as lovely as they are... it had got rid of any semblance of practicality so far as I could see (is there even a glovebox or cup holder?)
Edited by Blayney on Tuesday 23 April 18:13
Blayney said:
I'm in Swansea so all are a good day out for me...
Interesting what you say with Roddisons. Will keep that in mind when the time comes.
I want to lower it (meisterR get the glowing reviews... Eibach springs is where my wallet stretches)... but I like to get around and don't want to scrape everywhere!
Edit - Interested in your opinion on the 86 and going to it from an NC. As in a few years I think I'll do the same. Sat in an ND at Geneva and as lovely as they are... it had got rid of any semblance of practicality so far as I could see (is there even a glovebox or cup holder?)
No glovebox in an ND, there are couple of flimsy cup holders though.Interesting what you say with Roddisons. Will keep that in mind when the time comes.
I want to lower it (meisterR get the glowing reviews... Eibach springs is where my wallet stretches)... but I like to get around and don't want to scrape everywhere!
Edit - Interested in your opinion on the 86 and going to it from an NC. As in a few years I think I'll do the same. Sat in an ND at Geneva and as lovely as they are... it had got rid of any semblance of practicality so far as I could see (is there even a glovebox or cup holder?)
Edited by Blayney on Tuesday 23 April 18:13
There are a couple of cubby holes one behind each seat and a lockable cubby hole between the seats but that's about it. They had to make a few sacrifices I think the get the size and weight down from previous generations. Rumour has it that there is no glovebox so that you can get a golf bag in the passenger side of the car, not a golfer so never tried it.
Blayney said:
Shappers24 said:
Lovely looking mx5 - same colour I had mine in. Miss mine (I sold it for a gt86) but could see me getting another in the future. Would have to turbo it though!
Lowered mine which transformed the ride and handling, couldn’t believe the difference it made. Turn in was so much sharper. Seem to recall that UK cars were raised because of pedestrian regulations, but Mazda offered lowering springs from the factory to take them back to Japanese spec.
Only one out of your list I had experience with is roddisons - whilst they have universal praise on the mx5 forums I was left thoroughly cold with my experience at the time and therefore could not recommend them. Depends where you are based as skuzzle is south and roddisons are Sheffield way...
I'm in Swansea so all are a good day out for me...Lowered mine which transformed the ride and handling, couldn’t believe the difference it made. Turn in was so much sharper. Seem to recall that UK cars were raised because of pedestrian regulations, but Mazda offered lowering springs from the factory to take them back to Japanese spec.
Only one out of your list I had experience with is roddisons - whilst they have universal praise on the mx5 forums I was left thoroughly cold with my experience at the time and therefore could not recommend them. Depends where you are based as skuzzle is south and roddisons are Sheffield way...
Interesting what you say with Roddisons. Will keep that in mind when the time comes.
I want to lower it (meisterR get the glowing reviews... Eibach springs is where my wallet stretches)... but I like to get around and don't want to scrape everywhere!
Edit - Interested in your opinion on the 86 and going to it from an NC. As in a few years I think I'll do the same. Sat in an ND at Geneva and as lovely as they are... it had got rid of any semblance of practicality so far as I could see (is there even a glovebox or cup holder?)
Edited by Blayney on Tuesday 23 April 18:13
http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/mazda-mx5-handlin... Using their own springs. As I say transformed the car, it really did.
As far as the difference between the 86 and NC goes - they are very similar in the way they drive. The gt86 felt more solid, but it was a newer car and obviously not a drop top. Gear change was better in the mx5, and it felt more ‘chuckable’. On the road they felt equally as quick, both have brilliant seating positions. If you can live without the boot space then the mx5 wins it for me with the ability to drop the roof... depends what you want from it really. I loved both my 86 and NC but have since been spoilt with power delivery from forced induction so couldn’t go back unless they were heavily modded!
New fog light covers
New fogs by blayney1989, on Flickr
New tyres (Avon ZV7)
New tyres by blayney1989, on Flickr
New fogs by blayney1989, on FlickrNew tyres (Avon ZV7)
New tyres by blayney1989, on FlickrJust finishing a week in North Wales. Car has performed admirably. Looks nice on our airBnB driveway too... wish my house was like this!
NC MX5 by blayney1989, on Flickr
NC MX5 by blayney1989, on FlickrWouldn't start last weekend. Replaced the battery this week. Also noticed the coolant level had dropped. Topped it up and it hasn't dropped while the car has been parked up. Going to monitor closely over the next few days.
My dad came to have a check over (hero). Recommended new plugs as well. Looks like they are original. So I've ordered a new set, plus air and oil filter. Will do oil and filter and fuel filter in the new year. Plugs and air filter next week.
My dad came to have a check over (hero). Recommended new plugs as well. Looks like they are original. So I've ordered a new set, plus air and oil filter. Will do oil and filter and fuel filter in the new year. Plugs and air filter next week.
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