Test drove a new MX-5 -- impressions
no need to defend.....it isnt a renesis.....wasnt meant to be...never gonna be that smooth and sexy feeling.......but mine has some add ons and unlike the renesis the car actually wakes up with mods....i currently have the Goodwin racing exhaust, mazdaspeed intake and racing beat straight pipe....locally a few 8's used to talk smack but dont any more.....they cant keep up in either straight or twisty now....
as for interior its not an 8 but has allot of the same touches.....plastic is the same but there is less of it, my steering wheel on my 08 is the same as an 09 rx8.....seats are less plush but lighter and stiffer....shifter and trans are the same but with a better feel because they are strained less than on the 8
stock the suspension is meant for the masses but with a few minor tweaks it is an absolute handling beast....so far i have eibach prokits with bilstien shocks, rx8 front sway bar and rx8 tanabe rear sway, laille/beatrush rear stb, hks kansai service fstb and -2 degrees camber rear and -1 on the front.....on the track i was spanking cars that had 3 times my power.....is it an 8...no....is it as refined....no but can it whip one now......absolutely.....question is what do you want in a car
as for interior its not an 8 but has allot of the same touches.....plastic is the same but there is less of it, my steering wheel on my 08 is the same as an 09 rx8.....seats are less plush but lighter and stiffer....shifter and trans are the same but with a better feel because they are strained less than on the 8
stock the suspension is meant for the masses but with a few minor tweaks it is an absolute handling beast....so far i have eibach prokits with bilstien shocks, rx8 front sway bar and rx8 tanabe rear sway, laille/beatrush rear stb, hks kansai service fstb and -2 degrees camber rear and -1 on the front.....on the track i was spanking cars that had 3 times my power.....is it an 8...no....is it as refined....no but can it whip one now......absolutely.....question is what do you want in a car
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,266
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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
So in addition to the possibility of buying an 8 again, I've been looking into other options as well. Today I stopped by the local Mazda dealer to check out the MX-5, since I've been interested in the new retractable hardtop models.
Interior:
While trying to drone out the salesperson's ramblings about various details I already know about, I started out by spending a few minutes settling myself into the driver's seat. Overall more spacious and more storage space compared to NB or s2k, but interior panels feel plasticky and hollow compared to RX-8. The 8's interior just feels more solid and higher quality. Also, if you are used to an 8 it will feel tiny at first, but the longer you spend in one, the feeling of needing rear seats starts to fade away...
Driving Impressions:
So finally the dealer came back from making a copy of my license and we were ready to go. The first thing that hit me was how similar it feels to the 8. Really, the easiest way to describe the car is "RX-8 lite". This surprised me, since I was expecting it to be a bit more noisy and rough like the S2000 I drove a few days earlier.
The main thing that disappointed me was the engine. Whereas the RX-8 and S2000 powerplants are exciting and unique, the MX-5's is just adequate at best. Sure, it's decently torquey off the line and I had no problems merging or passing on the expressway, but the feel and sound of the thing are just dull and boring compared to the rest of the car. It never lets you forget that it's just a slightly tweaked econobox motor. IMO they should offer the 4-port Renesis as a option. Around 200hp or so would work great with the current chassis, brakes and suspension, and with 500lbs less to push around the fuel economy wouldn't be that bad either. It would transform the MX-5 from merely being a good car, to being an absolutely amazing one.
Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to experience it top down, since the dealer said it was too cold for the soft top, and I would have to wait a long time for them to clear off the snow and ice from the hardtop models before they could be lowered. So I thanked them for their time, and ran off to get other errands completed before the next big snowstorm hit.
Interior:
While trying to drone out the salesperson's ramblings about various details I already know about, I started out by spending a few minutes settling myself into the driver's seat. Overall more spacious and more storage space compared to NB or s2k, but interior panels feel plasticky and hollow compared to RX-8. The 8's interior just feels more solid and higher quality. Also, if you are used to an 8 it will feel tiny at first, but the longer you spend in one, the feeling of needing rear seats starts to fade away...
Driving Impressions:
So finally the dealer came back from making a copy of my license and we were ready to go. The first thing that hit me was how similar it feels to the 8. Really, the easiest way to describe the car is "RX-8 lite". This surprised me, since I was expecting it to be a bit more noisy and rough like the S2000 I drove a few days earlier.
The main thing that disappointed me was the engine. Whereas the RX-8 and S2000 powerplants are exciting and unique, the MX-5's is just adequate at best. Sure, it's decently torquey off the line and I had no problems merging or passing on the expressway, but the feel and sound of the thing are just dull and boring compared to the rest of the car. It never lets you forget that it's just a slightly tweaked econobox motor. IMO they should offer the 4-port Renesis as a option. Around 200hp or so would work great with the current chassis, brakes and suspension, and with 500lbs less to push around the fuel economy wouldn't be that bad either. It would transform the MX-5 from merely being a good car, to being an absolutely amazing one.
Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to experience it top down, since the dealer said it was too cold for the soft top, and I would have to wait a long time for them to clear off the snow and ice from the hardtop models before they could be lowered. So I thanked them for their time, and ran off to get other errands completed before the next big snowstorm hit.
The interior materials are suppose to be improved. Plus, it has a new Recaro seat option, similar to the R3. The engine is also slightly improved with the red line increased to 7500 rpm. The front and rear styling has also been updated. Front looks more RX-8ish now.
http://www.roadster.mazda.co.jp
The new car is already on sale in Japan, but has not made it to the US yet.
Misfit Moderator TnC
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,309
Likes: 1
From: armpit of the USA
here is a link to the dyno sheet from Goodwin on thier Cosworth.....and there is more that can be squeezed
i hear jackson racing is also working on stuff.....300whp is far from impossible on this car....hell they got some N/A NC's that are at that number.....if only it had the rotary....that would be too sexy of a vehicle
i hear jackson racing is also working on stuff.....300whp is far from impossible on this car....hell they got some N/A NC's that are at that number.....if only it had the rotary....that would be too sexy of a vehicle
Being (new) single rocks!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,485
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
toque line looks very similar to pettit with the larger pulley
It's a Cavalier
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,926
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From: Austin, TX
I don't care to make more power if it's not under that "install and forget" philosophy. I want something I can take to a track day, run it hard and not be overly concerned with reliability.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,880
Likes: 340
From: Australia
Took a new NC PRHT for a spin last week, compared to the 8 it is CUTE!..
You have to drive the car with the top down to really appreciate it, top up it is too droney, still good though.
Steering is even more sharp than the 8, like the exhaust note with top down.
I could really live with one and am thinking of buying an MX-5 in a few years so I can have the 8 and MX-5!
Yes, the face-lift is out soon, there is a lot of talk that Mazda will have a 2.3 available soon to try and boost sales.
Yes, there is a R3 type version, not sure if it will be for export, my salesman says No, but what do they know?
You have to drive the car with the top down to really appreciate it, top up it is too droney, still good though.
Steering is even more sharp than the 8, like the exhaust note with top down.
I could really live with one and am thinking of buying an MX-5 in a few years so I can have the 8 and MX-5!
Yes, the face-lift is out soon, there is a lot of talk that Mazda will have a 2.3 available soon to try and boost sales.
Yes, there is a R3 type version, not sure if it will be for export, my salesman says No, but what do they know?
the r3 is for the rx8. and they are available in the usa and japan. and if they are available in japan, they should be available in austrailia. but if you already bought a 2009... i know the only 2009 i'd buy would be the r3.
i like the facelifted miata. the only thing about miata's is, you better be secure in your manhood. the teasing will never stop. lol. i'd so rock a miata though.
i like the facelifted miata. the only thing about miata's is, you better be secure in your manhood. the teasing will never stop. lol. i'd so rock a miata though.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,880
Likes: 340
From: Australia
the r3 is for the rx8. and they are available in the usa and japan. and if they are available in japan, they should be available in austrailia. but if you already bought a 2009... i know the only 2009 i'd buy would be the r3.
i like the facelifted miata. the only thing about miata's is, you better be secure in your manhood. the teasing will never stop. lol. i'd so rock a miata though.
i like the facelifted miata. the only thing about miata's is, you better be secure in your manhood. the teasing will never stop. lol. i'd so rock a miata though.
MX-5 are great, I don't give a stuff what anyone else thinks as THEY are the IGNORANT ones...
CAR WITH HP are BORING! ...most of them are..
Registered
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Canberra, Australia
One, anyone who bags an Mx5 simply hasn't driven one or can't drive it as it should be driven.
Two, it's so true!!! My WRX, RSX and Rx8 all had heaps more power than my mx5. They were all brilliant cars in their unique ways but I find the lesser powered Mx5 far more fun....go figure
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