Muffleman Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Anyone here driven an MX5 in anger ? I tire of hearing how 'fun' they are when the most potent MX5 has less than 140bhp and hits 60 in a sniff under 8seconds - a decent spec'd Mondeo will do that ! I totally understand the fun and handling aspect, I do have an MR2 in the garage, but people make out that they're just brilliant I have to admit that I haven't driven one, but surely after 5 minutes of 'fun', don't you find it's missing something ? Power maybe ? Here to be proved wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letmeshowyou Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 take a look over on the mx5 owners club - there's a few turbo conversions about now that are shockingly quick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Even so I agree with Muffle, wasn't it voted best sportscar several times in different surveys? What tot!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Probably just to do with the way the car makes you feel when you drive it I guess? I’ve never driven one but maybe there are light and feel quicker than they really are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Completely agree with you, I too have never understood the waffle about them. Surely anything that can only be driven that slow naturally handles well... in fact those OAP electric scooters handle well for that matter. The only colour they should have been available in is PINK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSZ Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I did a trackday at Donington two weeks ago with the Paul Sheard motorsport MX5. It was stripped out and had uprated pads but the standard 1.6 116HP. Best fun i have had in a long time and yes, the handling is superb. I am a crap driver and was getting overtaken by everything. However when the experienced guys were out in it they were keeping up with and overtaking everything out there (F355, Corvette C5, Caymans S, westfields, caterhams, elsise etc etc) except an Ultima. Don't knock it til you've tried it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Don't knock it until you've tried it - you don't need power to enjoy driving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jt2000 Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 There's more to life than Supra's. A car can be enjoyable without loads of power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s crane Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 my wife has owned two mx5s first the make 1 ,now the make two she loves the car, when I use the car people call me noddy and take the p..se and say its abit small for u ,never mind she likes it:rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 ONLY if it's one of those Yank "Miata" (?) jobbies Some sort of V8 shoe-horned under the bonnet ?!?!?!?!? ie... http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Users/markf/miata/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHARDA Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I've always liked em and agree that they can be good fun without the necessary high speeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHARDA Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 ..... But then again........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muffleman Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 Yes I know there's more to life than Supras, hence I have an MR2 and in fact one of my cars I enjoyed the most was my UK Integra Type-R, 'only' 187bhp but such a great car. Exquisite handling, for a FWD, and a stunning soundtrack. I just can't see that an MX5 is as good as people make out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 A mate used to have an Eunos, it actually sounded quite nice, sort of like an MG/Fiat Exhaust cross ?? Mazda were supposed to have TRIED to copy an MG weren't they ?? It sort of worked, an MG with an engine that stayed in ONE PIECE. BUT, he took me out in it and it was JUST that...a slightly faster MG ! Still rattly, still draughty, still small. But WITH Japanese quirks and wiring !! He got fed up with all the spares being expensive/long-wait and flogged it off cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 But then again........ SEE.... THAT'S why i try to economise on words !! Other wise i just go on and on and on and on and on................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 As stock I reckon normal drivers mondeo man etc would love em as weekend cars. They are also affordable for just that for the man with the mondeo. I used to have more fun in my mini's in the old days than I ever have had in any other car since. Its the absolute chuckability of some cars makes them good. The confidence I built in my ability with my mini didn't take long and was absolute by the time I moved on. The confidence in my ability with the supra took over 4 years and were no where near absolute. Theres just no-where on the road to learn a supra safely however there is for these other sports type cars, therein lies the appeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHARDA Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Well said DB its about being able to have more fun at lower speeds and more of the time IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLicense Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Yeah, but I would have to decide if I wanted a MX5 or an MR2 if I were going down that route. A MK1 MR2 is, IMHO, a much better handling car. (I guess it's the weight distribution and the fact it's RWD) Even over a brand new MX5, I would still go out, find a MR2 for 1/10th of the cost, and then replace every rusty panel on it. Even better if I could find one of the supercharged ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveM Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I have a Twin Turbo Supra and a Mk 1 MR2. The supra is an immense car with the performance that it offers but when I am in the mood the MR2 is far more fun drive. I think it has a lot to do with being able to use 8/10's of the MR2's performance and handling at normal road speeds where as to use the 8/10's of the Supra's performance and handling you really need a track. I assume the same applies to the MX5 as the MR2 only the MX5 will not rust as quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I agree with what DB said. I was thinking how little fun I was having in the Supra yesterday, the roads were so greasy that no more than 60% of the power could be safely used, there’s always that worry of the back end stepping out or something not going to plan. For me the Supra is really only fun when the roads are totally dry which isn’t often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSZ Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I think it has a lot to do with being able to use 8/10's of the MR2's performance and handling at normal road speeds where as to use the 8/10's of the Supra's performance and handling you really need a track I think that's the main frustration of TT ownership. 95% of the time you are reining the car in and might as well be driving a metro. In a typical week I am lucky if can give it WOT more than once a day. If driving an MR2 / MX5 / elise you could be driving close to the limits of your skills and the car's capabilities for so much longer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Matching driver ability to vehicle ability = grin ability. Certain cars make life easier for drivers than others do. Its all subjective and as no 2 drivers are the same then no 2 attitudes will be the same either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muffleman Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 Which is probably why I won't be selling my MR2 once my new Supra arrives - the missus will be so pleased:slap: I've recently been playing with my MR2 at weekends, and it really is good to drive - without breaking the speed limit necessarily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris aka fonz Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 This is exactly why i am buying a k series Metro GTI , i love my supra but it scares the sh#t out of me sometimes , i too had an MR2 and loved it as i could confidently throw it into bends and get it sliding out , but the supra is a hard car to tame IMO , so i shall be using the Metro for track days and using it to its full potential and if i bin it ill buy another . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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