Mazda MX5 or Mini Cooper S???
Discussion
Whaddya reckon? Having had someone point out that they're both in my price range both have similar power although the Mini has more tuning potential the MX5 is RWD which will be infinitely more fun. Both are similar insurance groups although I image the Mazda will be cheaper to run.
so a 05ish Mini Cooper S
or a 06ish Maxda MX5 2.0 sport
so a 05ish Mini Cooper S
or a 06ish Maxda MX5 2.0 sport
MX-5 Lazza said:
MX5 but not a Mk3. Stick to a Mk1, Mk2 or Mk2.5 and slap on a supercharger and you have a very quick car (a lot quicker than the MINI) with perfect handling and cheap running costs 
Providing you can insure it Mr. Architect for that price I'd definitely be looking at buying this particular MX5. It would blow any Cooper S into the weeds, actually scrap that, almost any car into the weeds!http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4...
nonuts said:
I drove one of the 2.0 MX5s when they came out and it was actually a great car, lovely place to be too so I wouldn't rule out the later ones even if the earlier ones probably are better 'drivers' cars whatever that might mean 
I wasn't ruling out the 2.0 because the earlier cars are better, I was ruling them out because there isn't a proven FI option for them yet 
A Mk1 with M45 SC will make 180bhp easily enough and being around 1 ton makes it a plenty fast enough car - better power/weight than a MINI Cooper S Works
Insurance at that level isn't too bad either - generally about +25%.
I'm not too interested in heavy modifying, a simple remap, or in the MCS case a uprated pulley and remap would be the limit to my interest in mods.
MX5 would have to be the mk3 purely as its a safer car. I'll be popping out at the weekend to test drive an MX5 to see if the engine is beefy enough to keep me happy compared to the MCS.
MX5 would have to be the mk3 purely as its a safer car. I'll be popping out at the weekend to test drive an MX5 to see if the engine is beefy enough to keep me happy compared to the MCS.
TheArchitect said:
MX5 would have to be the mk3 purely as its a safer car.
It is? How so? 
I had a mate with a Cooper S and while it was a great little car which felt very quick and had good handling a amazing grip it just didn't have the amount of "fun" that I'm used to. I'd have one as a daily drive along side my MX5 but I wouldn't have one instead of the '5.
Does anyone really take any notice of NCAP ratings? Cars are made to pass the NCAP tests to give them higher ratings - that doesn't make them safer cars. If the crash happens at a slightly different angle or against another car with bumpers at a different height to yours as opposed to a test with a big flat concrete block (how often do you see one of them coming down the road?) then the tests will mean absolutely nothing.
Take a look around a scrap-yard at the written off cars and see just how few actually have had the air-bags triggered. Unless the crash is exactly where the sensors are located then they will do nothing - manufacturers place the sensors and other crash protection in the correct places for the tests to be passed, not to allow you to live or even to walk away.
Do you really think a new Clio is a safer place to be than a 5 year old Omega for example?
Looking at the real world, I don't know anything about MINIs but MX5s have a very good accident record when it comes to lethal accidents with very few deaths even in the event of a roll-over (which is surprising considering the lack of roll-protection).
Take a look around a scrap-yard at the written off cars and see just how few actually have had the air-bags triggered. Unless the crash is exactly where the sensors are located then they will do nothing - manufacturers place the sensors and other crash protection in the correct places for the tests to be passed, not to allow you to live or even to walk away.
Do you really think a new Clio is a safer place to be than a 5 year old Omega for example?
Looking at the real world, I don't know anything about MINIs but MX5s have a very good accident record when it comes to lethal accidents with very few deaths even in the event of a roll-over (which is surprising considering the lack of roll-protection).
MX-5 Lazza said:
Does anyone really take any notice of NCAP ratings? Cars are made to pass the NCAP tests to give them higher ratings - that doesn't make them safer cars. If the crash happens at a slightly different angle or against another car with bumpers at a different height to yours as opposed to a test with a big flat concrete block (how often do you see one of them coming down the road?) then the tests will mean absolutely nothing.
Take a look around a scrap-yard at the written off cars and see just how few actually have had the air-bags triggered. Unless the crash is exactly where the sensors are located then they will do nothing - manufacturers place the sensors and other crash protection in the correct places for the tests to be passed, not to allow you to live or even to walk away.
Do you really think a new Clio is a safer place to be than a 5 year old Omega for example?
Looking at the real world, I don't know anything about MINIs but MX5s have a very good accident record when it comes to lethal accidents with very few deaths even in the event of a roll-over (which is surprising considering the lack of roll-protection).
True but the cell is much stronger and it was that that was starting to fail in my collision. just makes me feel happier knowing its got a bit more around it to protect me.Take a look around a scrap-yard at the written off cars and see just how few actually have had the air-bags triggered. Unless the crash is exactly where the sensors are located then they will do nothing - manufacturers place the sensors and other crash protection in the correct places for the tests to be passed, not to allow you to live or even to walk away.
Do you really think a new Clio is a safer place to be than a 5 year old Omega for example?
Looking at the real world, I don't know anything about MINIs but MX5s have a very good accident record when it comes to lethal accidents with very few deaths even in the event of a roll-over (which is surprising considering the lack of roll-protection).
Test drove 2 MX5's today and an MCS John Cooper Works and the mini seemed dull in comparison! was certainly quicker but jittery (runflats) and FWD felt like a let down with TCS going off on the wet roads.
So ive settled on a MX5 2.0sport in black or blue. I cant believe it but the mini did feel dull and non special in comparison! the noise of the softop will take a little getting used to but hopefully will slow me down on the motorway cruise anyway.
Just need to get the Puma through its MOT and move some money around to go shopping!!!
So ive settled on a MX5 2.0sport in black or blue. I cant believe it but the mini did feel dull and non special in comparison! the noise of the softop will take a little getting used to but hopefully will slow me down on the motorway cruise anyway.
Just need to get the Puma through its MOT and move some money around to go shopping!!!
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