Thorburn Posted August 11, 2005 Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 Ok so had the MX-5 roughly 2 months now and done a couple thousand miles so about time I did a quick write up on it! Exterior So..... I bought a gold car Well actually I've got to say even when I went to pick it up, based purely on the pictures, I wasn't that sure on the colour but as soon as I saw it I loved it. The MX-5 is hardly a rare car, but the colour gives it that slight exclusivity, I've seen perhaps 4 others in Racing Bronze since I bought it and when you pass another one they always seem to give you a wave which is nice. As for the actual shape, I can't fault it. When the Mk2 came out (1998) I thought the original pop-up light version was the better looking car, now I feel the opposite way, the older model looking a little old fashioned and on the newer Mk2.5 (2001 - 2005) the front bumper looking slightly awkward against the lines of the rest of the car. To me the way the bonnet bulges in the centre looks like an XK8 in miniture and the subtle flaring of the wheel arches and the kahm-esq tail all give an overall impression of a purposeful machine, taut but not overly aggressive. The hood is very easy to use, two clips and push it back to lower it, very easy to do at the traffic lights or even driving along at 20 or 30mph, just remember not to have anything on the shelf behind the seats or it won't go down all the way and you'll have to pull over, lift it up, move them and put it down again (not that thats ever happened to me ) Putting it up is just as easy, pull it forward and latch over the two clips. It is possible to do this from the drivers seat, but I haven't worked out the technique quite right yet (that and I'm weak) so I can only manage it about half the time, if anyone is watching or its starting to rain I'll just get out to save embarisment/getting soaked. Interior Now this is of course where the Audi owners all start rolling there eyes and fondling there nice leather padding (ooh-err!). Its very basic inside, hardly any equipment and all very much cheap looking black molded plastics. Coming from an Audi A4 or BMW 3-series it would all seem decidedly low-rent, thankfully I'm coming up from a 11 year old Ford Fiesta so to me at least its actually a very nice place to be. The dash and centre console are pretty well laid out with everything in easy reach (its not like they had to find space for lots of buttons now is it!) If I was to change anything then it would be to get the white dial kit and some chrome rings for the airvent surrounds, both of which I think were options or came on the Mk2.5. The other slight disappointment is that for some reason in the Mk2 they ditched the lovely bucket style seats with built in headrests from the Mk1 in exchange for ones with adjustable headrests, only to reintroduce them on the Mk2.5 I'm always an awkward one for driving positions, despite not being particularly tall I always sit as far back as possible and quite low in the car, any closer and I start banging my legs on the steering column. The seat in the MX-5 goes back just far enough for me to get comfy, I can do a 2 hour or more drive without any aches or pains, but if you are over 6ft you are probably going to struggle. Obviously the boot isn't huge even compared to my Fiesta's, and any A6 Avant or Volvo estate drivers on here could probably fit the entire car in there cavernous boot and still have room for the labradour, but thats hardly what the car is about, and besides, too much weight in the boot plays havoc with the handling . Its big enough to fit my computer in it and worst case scenario I can always chuck stuff in the passenger footwell, with the roof up you can also fit a surprising amount on the shelf behind the seats too. One niggle I have is that the Sony CD changer a previous owner had fitted is strapped to the floor of the boot which takes up valuable space, but its hard to see where else you could put it and it is very easy to remove if you need to, the benefits of a CD changer probably outweigh the lose of space. Its not the quietest of cars, theres very little insulation but road noise isn't too bad, certainly no worse than my Fiesta that I had before it. Roof up wind noise is noticeable but not excessive while roof down you get quite a bit of buffeting but thats half the fun The heater is good enough that even at 11pm last night I felt like I was more likely to melt than freeze (I may have turned it up too high!), whatever the case I can't imagine I'll have any problems driving with the roof down on a cold, dry winters day Drivetrain The model I ended up buying is the middle of the road 1.8i. This means you get the 140bhp, 1839cc, 16v engine, but no torsen limited slip differential as found on the i S and Sport, and only the 5-speed gearbox rather than the Sports 6-speed. The engine feels free reving and eager with a 7000rpm redline, the electronic limiter cutting in at 7200rpm or so. Its not the torqueist engine you'll ever drive, at very low speeds where the Fiesta would move the car along at idle without trouble the MX-5 needs the slightest hint of throttle to keep it turning over smoothly, but out on the open road it gives a more exciting power delivery, with the feeling where its coming 'on cam' as you work round the rev range and giving its all right up until the redline, where as the Fiesta felt almost diesel like despite an equal 7200rpm rev limit, feeling like it was running out of push closer to 5500rpm. Of course with 140bhp its never going to be the fastest car out there but it can still reach 60mph in roughly 8 seconds and go on to over 120mph. What I can say though is it feels the 'right' amount for the car, enough to enjoy yourself without having to worry (too much) about your license and its impending visit to the DVLA. As for the exhaust note, its doesn't irritate on long cruises being quiet enough at the low to midrange to ignore while at the top end it sounds alright, maybe a little stressed as you reach the redline but not bad. You'd never make recordings of it but then what inline-4 would you? The gearbox is absolutely stunning, the stubby little gearlever moving like a rifle bolt between the gates with absolute precision and a very short shift. A week or two after getting the Mazda I had to drive the Fiesta a couple miles to the place where it was fixed up before being sold and by comparison it felt like I was stiring a HUGE pot of treacle. The ratios themselves seem well spaced although sometimes if you are pressing on you wish they were perhaps a little shorter, but this would hurt the fuel consumption (which is quite reasonable incidently, sensible but quick driving can still return 30mpg) and is probably addressed by the 6-speed Sport model. Only complaints are it can feel a little notchy going from first to second, particularly when cold, and if you go second to fifth you sometimes get a nasty graunching noise rather than a gear, but I think that is more down to the large difference in engine and gearbox speed and me trying to rush the change than a fault of the gearbox itself. Compared to the Fiesta the clutch took a little getting used to, but then again the Fiesta had a very strange clutch with a very quick engagement and no real feel for the biting point. The MX-5's felt more like my previous cars and definately got easier as I got used to both it and the lower driving position. That said I still sometimes make less than smooth getaways occasionally, but in general its not an issue. The brakes have good feel but there is a slight dead area at the top of the pedal travel before they start to bite. Since I've not really done a great deal of hard braking I can't really comment on there overall stopping power or resistance to fade, all I can say is so far, even when driving quickly, they've got the job done. Handling Ah the handling Sublime, thats the only word I can use to describe it! Since getting the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D2's fitted the other day to replace the flatspotted Avons I've taken it for a few quick runs where it felt simply heavenly and even at low speeds if you have any petrol running through your veins it can't fail to put a smile on your face! I did toy with the idea of fitting slightly wider wheels and lower profile tyres (195/50/15 or similar instead of 185/60/14) but decided to instead just go for some good tyres in the standard size and I'm glad I did, the grip feels a perfect match for the chassis and the power of the engine, in 1st or 2nd gears you can use the throttle to tweak the backend in the corners. Overall it feels safe and predictable, push too far and it'll ease into understeer, lift off suddenly and it will bite back and try to turn around on you but even when it does its not so sudden that you can't do anything about it. From the moment I first got it I've been very wary of the rear-wheel drive and gradually worked towards its limits as I gained in confidence and experience and this seems to be the right way to go about it, take liberties and I have no doubt it'll spit you into a hedge but overall its a relatively friendly and very fun introduction to rear wheel drive. Image I was worried I was gonna look like a hairdresser before I got it but now I've driven it I don't care Guess you guys can tell me though Overall I had big worries before I got this car! Was I going to like it? Was I suddenly going to miss the four seats and the boot space? Was I simply going to look stupid driving it? (more so than I do say just walking down the street, I know I always look stupid but we'll go for a comparative here ) Did I really want to spend basically all my money on it? So do I regret it? Hell no! Ok so going out with friends the extra seats would be useful at times, but on the plus side at least it means if I don't want to drive and want to have a drink instead I can pull the "well I've only got a two seater so we'll need someone else to drive" scam instead There is enough space for my laptop and a week or twos worth of clothes in the boot and you'd be surprised how much stuff you can fit into it with the roof up. It was an impulsive, irrational, and risky way to my savings but I'm very pleased I did! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted August 11, 2005 Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 Damn thorough review mate! Glad you like the car. In my opinion, you`ve got the best looking one of the lot; never did much like the old shape and the new shape isn't looking too good either from the pictures... [ QUOTE ] Only complaints are it can feel a little notchy going from first to second, particularly when cold [/ QUOTE ] Most cars are like that, particularly anything even vaguely sporty. There was some car magazine found on a couple of the Evos they tested they had to double de-clutch between 1st and 2nd gears when the car was cold. So long as it doesn't spoil the fun too much is the main thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritey Posted August 11, 2005 Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 Nice review buddy, suprised you managed to find some GSD2's, although a good tyre and better than the 3's in the wet I thought they had stopped production. Anyways looks smart and goes so well so all is good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted August 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Nice review buddy, suprised you managed to find some GSD2's, although a good tyre and better than the 3's in the wet I thought they had stopped production. Anyways looks smart and goes so well so all is good [/ QUOTE ] They don't do the GS-D3 pattern in 185/60/14 size, only GS-D2's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted August 11, 2005 Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 Great review!! My wife ownes a 1992 Imported MX-5, now sadly up for sale due to her new company car coming in september It is an awesome car and one that i fell in love with as soon as i drove it! I dont care what i look like driving it (im 6ft4" and look a little daft!) because it so much fun as you have said!! Hers is only the 1.6 too! On the gearbox note, it is a common MX-5 'issue'. Its not a problem, just a design feature!! Add some Redline MXT Fully Synth oil and it will be 100% perfect. You need to get some bling on it too! visit MX5 Parts as they are about the best!! Also, visit here for some info to problems / issues that may arise. And join the MX5 owners club for cheap insurance via AON and also lots of hints / tips / magazine and meets! Enjoy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomk Posted August 11, 2005 Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 very good ! mk5 is still one of those cars i think i will end up owning at some point ! hows it on petrol alsways geting around 30 mpg ? whats a tank cost you to fill ? how far does that get you ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted August 11, 2005 Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 [ QUOTE ] very good ! mk5 is still one of those cars i think i will end up owning at some point ! hows it on petrol alsways geting around 30 mpg ? whats a tank cost you to fill ? how far does that get you ? [/ QUOTE ] my wifes has just gone up for sale at £3,695 if you fancy a summer toy!!?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted August 11, 2005 Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 top review mate - hairdressers unite !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 13, 2005 Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 Excellent review JT. Excellent car too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted August 13, 2005 Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 Nice car.... nice noise! Good Review... well done fella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 Superb review JT, and glad you're so pleased with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 Good review - glad you like it. Interior bling was available on the t plate sport and anniversary editions, so if you wanted to change would be easy enough to find I am sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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