Slow MX-5?

[Cambio]

My girlfriend recently acquired a 2002 MX-5 1.8, 20,000 miles, full Mazda service history etc. She's always wanted one. We both like the car in many ways - great handling, slick gearchange, well put together and well thought out. But it just seems a bit slow, and the engine seems a bit unenthusiastic. I'm just wondering if something is wrong or if they're all like this. Before the Mazda she was driving my old Saab 900 Turbo, and before that a MR2 Mk1. Both felt a lot quicker than the Mazda, although on paper there shouldn't be much difference. The car is almost due for a service, but I can't see that would make much difference in a modern car..... what do you think?

[abomb1969]

We have just purchased a similar car for my OH. You have to give it revs to get it going well I find.

[speedychrissie]

it is difficult to really assess without getting a direct comparison with a similar car. with my car i have found it is very rev happy. power doesnt come in until after 4k revs and in a straight line its true that it wont be any faster than a modern hot-hatch, but thats not what the car is about. it is really all about the handling.

the only real way to see is to compare it to another car. probably best to get yourself to a local mx5 meet and chat to people there.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Hi,

I've got a '94 1.8 MX-5 and a '91 Saab 900 Turbo. I don't know how the comparison with your cars would work (a later MX-5, and maybe a later 900 turbo?) but there are a couple of things to bear in mind.

When I first got the MX-5 it seemed very slow in comparison with the Saab when they should be roughly evenly matched (to 60 anyway). However, the power delivery is obviously very different - the Mazda needs its neck wringing to get at the power, using all of the revs, while the Saab has a great wodge of turbo torque which "feels" quicker. Of course the Saab redlines at 5k ish rpm with the Mazda at over 7k, so it takes longer to get through the gears. Also, the Saab is quicker than the figures suggest - it's slow off the mark (heavy & FWD) but once moving is much quicker than the Mazda IMHO.

My Mazda seems to have loosened up a bit and is a great laugh to thrash the nuts off, but it's not all that fast!

[Chris71]

My '5 seems pretty healthy, buit wouldn't stay with my mates MR2. Not really straightline cars.

[paulmurr]

They don't have much torque in the same way that the Saab would have oodles of low down turbocharged torque. The '5 needs to be redlined to make it go