Mazda MX5 2.0 sport -another one!

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Afternoon all,

Following on from the very good advice received in this >thread< my brother has swapped his little Swifty Sport for a MX5 2.0 Sport.

The specs are:
Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1999cc
Max power: 158bhp @ 6700rpm
Max torque: 139lb ft @ 5000rpm
Weight: 1122kg
Bhp/Ton: 145bhp/ton
Top speed: 131mph
0-62mph: 7.8sec
MPG: 34.5mpg
Including: 17k miles, 6 speed box, LSD, heated seats, true red paint.


To say the least he is over the moon with it especially with the glorious weather we are currently receiving.
The paintwork looks great with the bright red contrasting with the black roof rather nicely.
To drive he has found that it immediately 'felt right' & as a friendly introduction to rear-wheel drive it is bang on power vs weight.

Near future plans:
Geometry tweak
Training day
Scotland Road Trip


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As for my go in it, well - IT WAS MORE FUN THAN MY EXIGE :cool:
I only had about 20 mins in it along the A34 Handforth Bypass oooop in Manchester, which is a smooth dual-carriageway littered with roundabouts.
Once I had the DSC disabled I had turn-in + mid-corner + exit oversteer, which kept me busy behind the wheel but was an absolute riot! :)
The noise it made was a bit disapointing & the throttle & brake pedal are too far spaced plus there is a touch too much body-roll.
But the enjoyment of driving something so immediately mobile more than makes up for this & having the roof off is an absolute driving pleasure.
Overall I was left very impressed & can totally see why these little cars are so highly regarded. I cant wait for my next go! :)
 
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Gay FKA

(geddit?)

Lovely cars. Mx-5's/s2000 are my realistic goals for 5-6 years in order to go down the whole family car/2 seater route in the future.
 
Lovely car :)

Trying to get the lady to get one but apparently they aren't convenient when you have a hyperactive, disobedient rhodesian ridgeback in the front with you.

What does she know about cars anyway :mad:
 
Oh yeah he gave me a quick short-back & sides afterwards, sadly he didn't have time for a shampoo. :)

:cool:!

Nice upgrade :)
Glad you approve chap, I was well impressed with them at the Rolling Road & when Housey gave the rev3 the thumbs up the deal had to be done.
 
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Lovely car :)

Trying to get the lady to get one but apparently they aren't convenient when you have a hyperactive, disobedient rhodesian ridgeback in the front with you.

What does she know about cars anyway :mad:

Get her a supercharged one, that'll make the dog sit still :p
 
Ah the A34, I work minutes away and its my favourite road for hooning about at legal speeds

As for the car choice, I prefer the looks of the Swift but the MX-5's are supposed to be a lot of fun, thats some spec too. It needs eibachs in its life
 
My favourite 'Super-Prix' circuit in Manchester was near Trafford Park - g00g linky
Start off at the traffic lights, cling through the first 'corner', scrabble through the roundabout, head over the bridge & downhill into the bottom roundabout then power back up with a quick left followed by the final roundabout - Loadsa fun!
 
Yeah I know where you mean, my mate used to go down that one all the time in his Leon, I remember it being a bit iffy when wet for some reason

Not seen your Elise about, i'll let on if I do, I drive a green Civic coupe, want rid of it if you know anyone looking for a run about
 
nice i drove my friends 'new' mk1 mx5 1.6 the other day it was alright...felt very underpowered however, oh and the steering was cockeyed but ah well (not aligned properly)
 
Nice :)

Glad you approve Coco.

I find the pedals just right for heal toe, but you can change the throttle pedal by putting a space in under it, thread on mx-5.com

The handling is very good, but even better after a geo and lowering, body roll is reduced and a smidge more oversteer makes it a right hoot to drive.
 
Awesome tell slak we'll have to compare scissors when he's back! Whats this training day you speak of? I've not cut an ear yet!
 
Good little car that, shall extend the new one fully this weekend as it's pretty much run in and over 1000 miles now, so 7200rpm time and some exploration of oversteer is called for I feel.
 
Awesome tell slak we'll have to compare scissors when he's back! Whats this training day you speak of? I've not cut an ear yet!
Haha! We are both going to take our cars onto a Car Limits training day, it's ran by Andrew Walsh & has a really good reputation, should be good for me to brush up on my skills! Check out the webby perhaps you could join us?

On a related note regarding the purchase - originally he was considering a 350Z or S2000, both very good cars, but without the skillset of controlling a +180bpt/rwd car it would just end up being straight line machine.
By getting something thats 140bpt/rwd he can develope these required skills over the next 12 months then move onto a 350Z/S2000/Elise/Z4/Boxster & take far far more from the experience. Thats the plan!

Nice :)

Glad you approve Coco.

I find the pedals just right for heal toe, but you can change the throttle pedal by putting a space in under it, thread on mx-5.com
Most certainly! Perhaps I have ickle feet! I'll have a look at the pedal mod you've mentioned. To be honest it would not be the first car where I have struggled with H+T, but for me it is a MASSIVE part of enjoying a car.

Good little car that, shall extend the new one fully this weekend as it's pretty much run in and over 1000 miles now, so 7200rpm time and some exploration of oversteer is called for I feel.

Jolly good show, an update on your findings would be welcomed.

No doubt the rev.3 is a fun car out of the box - but I think from what I've sampled (the rotation from entry to mid-corner seeming to pop it into oversteer) it definately needs the geo tweak.
 
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