Haha...fair call Jarl! I'd love a 4.7 for the NC.

Cheers,
Danny

 

Yes I have spare(s) for the MX-5 project. Just happy to help where I can.

No I haven't driven a series 2....but I just installed a 6-speed in my NA MX-5 with a 4.3 diff ratio and it is an absolute hoot . In 6th @ 100kph the engine is doing 3,400rpm. It has transformed the car. The aussie 6-speed MX-5's have a 3.6 diff ratio which makes them a bit of a slug.

Cheers,
Danny

 

HA HA Dave,

I had a bad day yesterday in the City traffic ,yuk, a taller diff does make you change more often which the series II has....just in-case you have not heard the news, Mazda kept the Auto diff ratio's the same, but changed the manuals from a 4.444 to a 4.777.

With this one if you are driving at 3000RPM or more you are speeding..
Adelaide's limits for the past 18 mths or so have been reduced by 10 KMH, so the default is now 50 KMH (30MPH), 40 in some close city suburbs, so if you drive any manual Sports Car at 50 KMH it can be very frustrating because they want to GO!

Take a Series II for a spin, them comment, I would find your experience interesting.

Obeying the speed limits in the city/subs at 3000 RPM you are doing 60 in 4th gear, change to 5th you are doing 74 at 3000. About 86 in 6th.
If you are crawling or even stopped and not in a hurry you can skip 1st gear...sometimes..

What are the speeds and RPM in yours Dave, or anyone else that can chime in, I would like to compare...

Ash

 

Yeah Danny,

I did not realise the MX-5's diffs were so low, just checked the Mazda website they say 3.727 manual or 4.100 Auto.

I know it is a compromise with Rotaries and their diffs, I think the 4.777 on the series II is a little too high.
For memory the RX-2 had a 4.7 with it's 4 speed box, I know it was high like the new 8.

Did you get a 4.3 from an Auto RX-8 for your NC MX-5, as the Series I RX-8 is 4.444 Manual 4.300 Auto.

BTW, did you get the window fixed on your other Mazda, have they caught the *** hole yet?, you said the police had a mobile?

 

Hi Ash, I have the 4.444 in the MX-5 at the moment and I also have a 4.3 diff from the auto model.


I have the car all cleaned up and ready for the new glass which I should have today . I haven't heard anything from the police on either front....and don't really expect to.

Cheers,
Danny

 

Would be satisfying to know though!

 

I quite agree the lack of low down torque makes the car less than ideal in stop start city traffic. They can be difficult to drive smoothly at low speeds and combined with less than fantastic fuel economy I don't understand why people buy them as daily drivers for the work commute.

I've had a quick test drive of the series II but wasn't really focusing on stop start stuff, so I'll do that next time and see if I can compare the two for you.

I'm sorry, I haven't really made a note of speeds and RPMs in each gear but I bet someone has in here somewhere. If I'm in a 60 zone though I just leave it in 3rd, so I've got the responsiveness required to make driving more fun. I don't change up to 4th until I'm in a 70 zone and don't change up to 5th unless I'm in a 90 zone. I only use 6th on the freeway for 110 and up.

Oh, yanks, I'm talking km/h!

 

Ahem.

 

Only in NT, of course...

 

 

wow ****** NICE!!!! welcome to the addiction!

 

Thanks...I think...had it since November 08, done 8500 KMs

 

Nice Chinese driving boots.

 

Number plate blends in real nice with the black grille!

If you ever get honk by a ti-grey 8 on the road, that would be me

K

 

Nice looking 8!

 

I will look out for you...

YES, Being in Adelaide you know what I mean, I got the "Slim Line" plate for the front, removed ALL the plastic factory mounting plates and bent the License Plate in the Curve of the grille...Great fit and look....

BTW: Mazda Australia are finally going to produce a regular e-newsletter by email.
They are featuring Yours Truly with some of my Mazda History, and will use the pic above.
So, if you supplied an email address when you bought your RX-8 you should see their email soon...it is still in draft phase, I have seen the front page and it look good.
At the moment you can't register for the email newsletter, they may put a link there on their website home page, I told them it would be a good Idea.

If you apply for a brochure with an email address you might be-able to get on their data bank.

 

I've never liked 'white' cars, but yours is absolutely beautiful!

 

The car, that is..

 

Yeah, thanks mate.

I have to agree, I was not keen on white, but when you see it in the flesh the Crystal White Pearl mica just sparkles at you, particularly with the sun on it.
You get this Pearl like finish/look with shadows here and there from the body curves and creases.

I think it is the best colour for the Series II RX-8, the front grille black plastic "Mustache' seems to disappear, but god the car just looks so damn SEXY in White, it really suits this RX-8.

The number of drivers and people in the streets that just stare at my car is unbelievable!

I really am over the moon with this car, the more miles I do the better it gets, I have never driven a car that is just SO COMPLETE in every way.

Not too fast, not too slow, not too small, not too big, not too quiet, not too loud, it is JUST Right.

My ONLY disappointment is Mazda's Crappy Brittle Paintwork, it chips so easily, and there is not enough paint under and around the trunk and hood area, I can almost see the grey undercoat...Mazda only puts on just enough paint and that is it...this really pisses my off, for a $55,000 AUD motor car in Australia I expect better paint quality here.

 

Got it OK...

BTW, I know you won't believe me but I have only washed my car twice since I bought it last November...we are now just going into our winter.

White really stays (well looks) clean.

She is also garaged (lockable) all the time which helps.

Without doubt the best car Mazda has ever produced, and I have driven ALL of them since 1969...including the legendary FD RX-7, they are great but too hard to live with.

Michael, a member here sold his 8 for an FD RX-7, he loves the extra power, but agrees with me on which car is easier to drive and live with, by 110% were his words.

I lie...there is one, sorry two Mazda's I have not driven since 1969, the REPU and the Cosmo 20B..OH and the Roadpacer.

 

That is cool! would you please let us know when you have received the e-newsletter? I'm pretty sure Mazda has got both my email and postal address, as I have received their invitation to their Mazda Performance Day at Mallala Motorsport Park in Dec 2007 through the post and email confirmations That was when after I had a hot lap with Dick Johnson, I was 200% sold on the RX8!!

K

 

Wow ash... you really have a really nice Series II. At first I didn't like them, but when I saw the red interior and the Crystal white, it just made my day. Seriously, you considering of trading anytimes soon?

 

NOPE, your in Montreal, QC, I am in Australia....why would I trade when it is only 6 months old?

 

Ash

You could almost get away for a local Goldcoaster with those sunnies and thongs , ....great to see your enjoying your car so much

 

Michael,

Hows it going!, have you started world war X over at the dark side yet, ................................Only Joking!

The PIC, well it was done in one of those hurries, Mazda Australia wanted it quick, got a mate to take it, drove around the corner to a shopping centre, great ambience!, my camera batteries were flat, mate was in a hurry to get going, drove back home to grab some batteries......I checked everything except the thongs!.

Lets see who is the first Yank to chip in about the "Thongs"!