Daily driving an MX5

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 7:35 pm

Absolutely agree about thinking like a motorcyclist (or even a cyclist). Also think this should include watching your mirrors for people with bullbars getting too close behind you as I reckon a lot of these bullbars would act lke climbing frames to help the attached 4x4 go over the top of an MX5's boot in a rear-ender, collecting any occupants on the way. Probs do the same in a head-on collision for that matter.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 7:43 pm

I disagree thinking like a cyclist. Not only the Lycra image but also them going through red lights, riding 2/3 abreast etc. Not putting all cyclist into the same basket, there are some motor cyclists that are worse than some cyclists however walking to work in the mornings I have lost count of the number of times cyclists have gone through red lights and failed to give way to pedestrians.

speed freak · Postby **speed freak** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 7:50 pm

Magpie wrote:I disagree thinking like a cyclist. Not only the Lycra image but also them going through red lights, riding 2/3 abreast etc. Not putting all cyclist into the same basket, there are some motor cyclists that are worse than some cyclists however walking to work in the mornings I have lost count of the number of times cyclists have gone through red lights and failed to give way to pedestrians.

I almost cleaned up a cyclist today at work.

At work I drive a toyota landcruiser 4x4 ute and I tow a big car trailer with a tractor on the back. I was cruising along this morning going about 50 in a 60 zone. I saw the 2 cyclist up ahead, well off the road, one was ahead of the other. The one in front, just when I was about to pass the retart, I gave plenty of room, surprisingly they were in the pull over/break down lane, I still moved over like I do, when I was about to go past they swerve out onto the road, I swear it was close, they are just lucky I was paying attention. Landcruisers dont react too quick to fast steering and dont stop too quick when towing a couple of tonne...

It feels really weird going from a big vehicle at work then getting into my little mx5 haha

zero00 · Postby **zero00** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 9:29 pm

I've had my NB 4 years now, the NA 3 years and the 86 for 13 months

It's nice to have a choice, coffee this morning with the MX5 guys was a choice, made easy by a small 'chocolate wheel' I have made with 3 sectors - I can change the names to suit, so after looking at the sky this morning I made all 3 sectors 'NA' and gave her a spin!! Hahahahahaha guess what won? the NA of course!

I never get sick of driving either of them, the sheer power of the NA is a total blast [ssshhhhh Magpit I only hit 7000 leaving this morning!] and I'm usually sorry when the journey is over

Rhys, the 86 is making a wonderful garage bench to store stuff, it's almost hidden now and covered in cobwebs!! Not quite!

Coffee tomorrow morning? The NA of course and then maybe a trip up the coast in the 86 if its fine - and then home to watch the GP

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 11:02 pm

I used to be a cyclist. As in, a 100km ride was nothing for me. I rode to and from work each day too. So when I see cyclists just swerve out into traffic, it's exasperating. Equally, when I see them riding with headphones in, I really do wonder. Hearing was my best asset on a bike. I could hear surrounding/ impending objects. I guess it's why I'm also all for wearing protection on motorcycles. I've come off at low speeds (40-50km/hr) and know the gravel rash I'd get down one whole side. I can't imagine what I'd suffer at higher speeds. Thankfully 84km/hr was the fastest I went on a bicycle. :mrgreen:

wun911 · Postby **wun911** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 12:28 am

I used to drive the mx5 daily either to work or uni.

Due to the shape of my eyes I lack any peripheral vision its a common genetic disorder among asian people. I generally stared at the tail lights in front of me for the whole trip to work or uni.

More recently I have been riding bikes to work both the madass and the cannondale.
I find melbourne's pt is expensive and in peak hour traffic there is no fun driving the mx5 thus I rather use a bike.

I must say I have had many close calls people opening doors, shifting lannes without indicating sitting in peoples blind spots for too long etc etc. Riding a bike has really opened up my eyes it seems to have altered my genetic makeup and made me a more observant asian.

Seeming I feel so vulnerable on the bike I generally look for and steer well clear of asian drivers and women. Out of habit I now apply this philophisy when driving a car.

speed freak · Postby **speed freak** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 9:40 am

zero00 wrote:I've had my NB 4 years now, the NA 3 years and the 86 for 13 months

It's nice to have a choice, coffee this morning with the MX5 guys was a choice, made easy by a small 'chocolate wheel' I have made with 3 sectors - I can change the names to suit, so after looking at the sky this morning I made all 3 sectors 'NA' and gave her a spin!! Hahahahahaha guess what won? the NA of course!

I never get sick of driving either of them, the sheer power of the NA is a total blast [ssshhhhh Magpit I only hit 7000 leaving this morning!] and I'm usually sorry when the journey is over

Rhys, the 86 is making a wonderful garage bench to store stuff, it's almost hidden now and covered in cobwebs!! Not quite!

Coffee tomorrow morning? The NA of course and then maybe a trip up the coast in the 86 if its fine - and then home to watch the GP

Yes your NA is very addictive to drive :lol:

I know which Id take if I had the choice. Oh and if you like just let me know when to pick the 86 up and Ill put a few km on it for you, you know blow the cobwebs out of it haha.

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 12:39 pm

Might sound strange but I love the slightly uneasy commute in the 5.
Always checking a mirror or covering the brakes and clutch.
There's something really enjoyable about daily driving with the top down as well, makes getting to work or uni a bit of a laugh.
I'm sure my attitude will change when something happens, but a few close calls haven't rattled me too much so far.
I like the loud horn and exhaust idea though...

Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

sunlightsilver · Postby **sunlightsilver** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 1:17 pm

Yeah, driving to the city every day in the peak hour traffic definitely requires full attention in the mx5. This morning was painful because I'm pretty sick and having mental coughing fits.. not that fun in bumper to bumper traffic!

Must look funny in the car behind watching me randomly kangaroo hop while I cough and my foot jolts on the accelerator

But yeah, usually I don't mind daily driving my mx5. The noise can be annoying sometimes, but I'm used to it.

Vat · Postby **Vat** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:46 pm

I reckon the chance getting a clean run at a favourite corner makes a commute worthwhile. Plus the Brisbane early mornings (around 6am or so) at the moment are glorious - too good to not have the roof down.

speed freak · Postby **speed freak** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:12 pm

smy0003 wrote:Might sound strange but I love the slightly uneasy commute in the 5.
Always checking a mirror or covering the brakes and clutch.
There's something really enjoyable about daily driving with the top down as well, makes getting to work or uni a bit of a laugh.
I'm sure my attitude will change when something happens, but a few close calls haven't rattled me too much so far.
I like the loud horn and exhaust idea though...

Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

Doesnt sound strange at all, I think all that just adds to the fun and enjoyment of owning and driving an mx5.
Fingers crossed nothing ever happens. Within about a week or two of me owning mine I almost got squashed by a big dumper truck and almost run over by a surfside bus... lets just say Im glad Im always an alert driver lol. It really lets you know your alive :lol:

sunlightsilver wrote:Yeah, driving to the city every day in the peak hour traffic definitely requires full attention in the mx5. This morning was painful because I'm pretty sick and having mental coughing fits.. not that fun in bumper to bumper traffic!

Must look funny in the car behind watching me randomly kangaroo hop while I cough and my foot jolts on the accelerator

But yeah, usually I don't mind daily driving my mx5. The noise can be annoying sometimes, but I'm used to it.

Yea there is some wind noise but thats easy to live with. Its so much fun driving a road legal go cart daily.

Vat wrote:I reckon the chance getting a clean run at a favourite corner makes a commute worthwhile. Plus the Brisbane early mornings (around 6am or so) at the moment are glorious - too good to not have the roof down.

Exactly. My commute which ever way I go involves a few roundabouts and some decent bends so that makes driving the mx5 worth it. Definitely puts you in a good/happy mood in the morning driving one to work.

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:31 pm

If you are a good driver in the first place, then driving a small vehicle (or MC) will make you a better one as self preservation encourages skill development.
Unfortunately there are a lot of small car drivers who were never any good in the first place and are purely at the mercy of the gods.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 6:40 pm

wun911 wrote:I used to drive the mx5 daily either to work or uni.

Due to the shape of my eyes I lack any peripheral vision its a common genetic disorder among asian people. I generally stared at the tail lights in front of me for the whole trip to work or uni.

No peripheral vision at all?