Will I be happy with the MX 5?

markwid · Postby **markwid** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:33 pm

Really depends on what you are after.

I already have another car for getting from A to B quickly. The MX-5 is a second car for just enjoying driving. It gives great driving sensation even at low speeds and especially on bends.

speed freak · Postby **speed freak** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:56 pm

You will love the mx5! You will take the longer route to any of your destinations because they are so damn good and fun to drive. They are light, have perfect 50:50 weight distribution, quick and communicative steering, and brilliant handling cars. Mx5's are perfect even in stock form and can really have some fun with them but that doesn't mean you cant improve on things to suit you. A lot of people on here seem to think any modification will ruin the mx5's and all the R&D Mazda engineers had done. Its like any car I guess you can go too far with some mods but do it right and you will improve it not make it worse.

Power wise I have a nb8b so 1.8 with vvt and while its no supercar its not slow. Having the 6 speed helps though. My mx5 is my only car and my daily driver and it does it brilliantly. As long as you don't need to take too much luggage or any other items with you. On the highway there is a fair amount of wind noise especially with the windows down but seriously its not that bad. Also like others have said they give you a nice sense of speed, if your doing 60 km/h it feels like your going 80 or 100 km/h and if your flying through the twisties or country roads at 100 km/h it feels like 140 lol etc.

I fell in love with the mx5 as soon as I had dríven one. I was lucky as a forum member invited me up to his place so I could have a good drive of both his NA and NB, then I knew I had to buy a mx5 :lol:

If you haven't dríven one go and do it then you will see just how good they are

timk · Postby **timk** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 3:09 pm

Don't do it!

It becomes an obsession, you will want to drive the thing all the time and waste hours of your weekend!

Honestly MX-5 ownership is like a drug, you should reconsider before it's too late!

tescoking · Postby **tescoking** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 4:34 pm

Mx5 is fun if you can forgot the power from R33, first you might feel slow but everything is under control. Mx5 is fun because you are controlling the car not the itself control you

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:32 pm

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Tue Dec 31, 2013 1:07 am

evil_weevil on here replaced his R33 with an NA8 Clubman & hasn't looked back:
search.php?keywords=r33*&terms=all&author=evil_weevil&sc=1&sf=all&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

booki89 · Postby **booki89** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 1:10 am

Bit of a update people;

I drove a 1990 Mazda MX 5 NA6....
The verdict is in. I love it.

Sure its slow, but its just so much fun!

The gearbox felt a bit notchy, is that how they are? Handling seemed ok, but didn't really throw it into any corners - this one was a little beat i suspect. Had a bit of body roll.

But just ringing its neck out and looking down at the speedo and thinking...wow im just doing 60km/h and having this much fun?? Really??!!

I am trying to find a decently priced NA1.8 but its hard. I feel the market is way overpriced right now (maybe cause its summer?) or are these little suckers gaining value?

Anyway - I have a few questions, really regarding the racing/track days.

Do i need to do alot to a standard MX 5 to be competetive in a trackday/race?
I have never raced before, nor know anythiung about the car racing scene. Is there a FAQ somewhere that i can read?
I found this website - http://mx5vic.org.au/ I presume thats the only VIC MX 5 club?

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 1:58 am

Where are you located and what kind of racing do you have in mind? Sprint stuff or actual door-to-door? Club level or more competitive?

booki89 · Postby **booki89** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:03 am

I am in Melbourne, Northern Suburbs.

Been doing some reading (youtubing MX5 car club) looks like motorkana is pretty popular - but looks a little intimidating, I would have absolutely 0 clue how to drive those courses properly let alone at full pace.

Was thinking maybe more track times/laps? Not really sure of the proper terminology.
I assume club level is just against members in the club? Not sure on what level....what ever the one the noobs go into!

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:30 am

Cool.

Khanas are great fun. Yes some of the tests look quite technical but there's normally a pattern to it that's pretty easy to pick up once you're actually out on the course. Watching makes it look way harder than it is.

Sprint style 'races' are where you're sent out on track with a decent amount of distance between you and any other cars and you try to put in the best individual lap you can. Very much the entry level motorsport as there's far less to think about than with door-to-door stuff.

Club level is also a good starting point. Plenty of people will be willing to help you and from memory the primer ont he Vic club site does a pretty darn good job of explaining what you need to do for your first time. Basically read what you can, don't stress, turn up with a level head and no real expectations, and have a ball.

Re mods - I wish I had of started with a standard car, learned to drive, then improved things as I went. There is a stock class in the Vic club but really, classes won't be of concern for you for some time as I doubt you'll be competitive out of the gate.

booki89 · Postby **booki89** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:03 am

Would I be better off getting the 1.6 or 1.8 for sprints/karna's?

Is there much of a difference these classes per driver skill?
Thinking to start off with a pure standard car and drive in those classes as apposed to other classes with modification's.

If things go well and I am loving it, a turbo would be on the list. But its no where near in the immediate future, best to take it slow, build up skill and go from there

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:20 am

Na8s are a much rarer bird then a na6 as much fewer were Australian delivered and very few grey imported before the laws changed.

Prices I think are actually down on NA8s but high quality examples are probably appreciating.

Keep in mind that they are a good age now so "low km" good condition cars are naturally harder to get. Obviously they exist but many are not for sale

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 10:47 am

I think the NA8 is generically a better car, but lots of classes for racing have a 1600cc limit if that could play into it in the future. Again, all depends on what you want to do.

booki89 · Postby **booki89** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:24 am

Well in a nutshell my goals are,
Learn to drive
Race
Modify - next class (suspension)
Race
Repeat

What classes are 1600cc?
As I am very new to Motorsport

TTT · Postby **TTT** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:28 am

Look in this forum for user Guran.
He races in the "stock na6" group.

That's what can be done in stock 1.6 form at best I would say.

If you can be bothered waiting for a 1.8 then do so, but the fact is you could get a 1.6 now and get in to it.

Also, I'd be looking at suspension, allignment, brakes and tyres as the first mods rather than turbo. :lol:

You are in Vic, so suggest you look at buying user "lightyear" car