Daily driving an MX5

[speed freak]

Good to know its not only me who feels like this then. Like I mentioned I enjoy using my mx5 as a daily driver and I dont feel unsafe when driving it, its just in the back of my mind Im always thinking about how small it is and then looking at all the large vehicles around me. Even a bloody new corolla seems big next to an mx5.

Iv had numerous occasions now where Iv had to hit the brakes hard and beep the horn whilst trying not be get squashed by the car or truck trying to drive over the top of me. Its not super loud but I do have a bigger muffler on the back, I try to hang back where I can, not follow too closely to the cars in front and leave enough gap, Im getting used to not sitting directly beside someone now too, so drive more forward or sit back a little.

Although like others have mentioned about riding motorbikes, Iv never riden one and to be honest I never would but, when I am thinking about how small my car is then when I pull up to a set of lights or whatever and see a motorbike I think well atleast I have some sort of protection around me.

Its not only me I worry about if some w--ker did run into me but my car, it seems it only takes a slight nudge to do alot of damage to them (touch wood nothing ever happens)

My drive to work and home isnt that long, only about 15 km each way and about 20 minutes but 85% of the vehicles are trucks, utes or 4x4's and tradies who are in too much of a rush to get to the pub.

Iv dríven plenty of small cars, small cars is what I like but the mx5 is my first REALLY small car, but its fun, driving one definitely lets you know your alive, good thing about them being small though is if you are in a sticky situation or you think you might be just cut through the traffic and get the hell out of there. The fun factor really does make up for the small car vs big car thing though, it does make the boring work commute fun.

Iv really enjoyed my NB that much Id like to get an NA to go with it as my toy car. They might be small and vulnerable but they are bloody brilliant and ALOT of fun to drive.

[Mr nanotech]

I used to love driving my na6 every single day but after a while it does become inconvenient. The car can be too small when you need to have more than a single passenger, move a large object that can't fit in the dismal bootspace or interior etc.
I dealt with it for years but in the end I got over having to make compromises. In the end I bought a 4 door ED3 Civic and haven't looked back. In a lot of ways I actually enjoy driving it more than the mx5 because I can actually relax in it. It's comfortable and soft to drive, has power steering, but conversely being manual and having some road noise, I don't feel like I'm driving a loungeroom. It still feels like I am behind the wheel of something fun.

I love having two cars because they are very VERY different experiences. The Honda is a dream to drive home after a long nightshift, it's fantastic on highways and sometimes I just want to drive a boring normal car. I'm never tempted to modify stuff on it and it's still bone stock. The other bonus is that it gets over 600km's to a single 40L tank, so no complaints there.
The mx5 on the other hand is a completely different kettle of fish. Because I don't have to drive it now, I only drive it when I want to. It's an amazing feeling to know I have it there when I want it. Something I learned a long time ago is that a fun car stops being a fun car when you have to drive it every single day. By owning something boring, It's given me more appreciation for the mx5.
It actually feels like a sports car when I climb out of of the Honda and back into the Mazda.

I don't think you can beat having a daily. The only compromise I've made is having to pay a second rego.

[speed freak]

Thats the other thing Iv thought of, is when I can get a different car for a daily driver and keep the mx5 for the weekends and track days. Im a big Subaru fan always wanted a wrx so I thought of getting one of those or a gt forester for a daily, bigger, roomier, more comfortable etc. Thing is though I dont need a 'big' car as I very rarely cart around anything big and I dont take anyone anywhere, generally 99% of the time its only me in my car on the off chance I have one passenger so the mx5 is good for that. We'll see Iv had my mx5 for about 10 months and I still really enjoy driving it daily and on the weekends but maybe down the track it will become the fun weekender only. I dont mind being in a small car but I just dont get the knuckle heads in big cars and 4x4's that they think they own the road because there in such a big vehicle.

[hks_kansei]

I agree with Josh.

When I was driving ym MX5 every day it just got boring and started to feel like a noisy Corolla.

Whereas when I drove the Kingswood around for a while I absolutely loved the comfort and character.
There's just something about that vast brown interior, the crackly AM radio sitting on RN, the vents blowing unfiltered outside air onto me, and being able to stretch my leg out fully over the console (column shift)

Not driving an MX5 is, oddly enough, the best way to fully appreciate one.

[speed freak]

True but for me at the moment to truly appreciate my mx5 and get full enjoyment out of it I take it through the hills regularly and drive it how its meant to be dríven, then it feels like a totally different car.

[Timmeh]

I recently purchased a Hilux for my daily commute. Thus allowing more "aggressive mods" to the mex. The hilux also suits my occupation more, as a hairdresser.
No, Im an electrician so driving with your tool box in the passenger seat was stupidly awkward and making the difficult choice between my tools and the girlfriend.

I find people give you more room in the hilux, I dont drive as agressively as I used to and more relaxed. Dailying the mx5 required use of all your senses where in the lux its more of a coaster. The change the felt like going from a go kart to a 747, and the turning circle is probably on par with the latter.
Having working aircon is a plus, and a HUGE dont F#%$ with me bar at the front is a plus.

the only downside is its so utterly boring.

[davekmoore]

Really?

[speed freak]

Really?

Really what?

A second car for a daily would be nice but I really dont have the space to have another car. Plus Iv already basically got 2 cars I bought another about 2 years ago but I got it for mum to drive during the week etc.

Its just every single car is getting bigger and when your in a tiny mx5 its just nerve racking some days. Especially the way people drive these days but thats a whole different topic.

[Rasputin]

Mr Nanotech, you hit the nail on the head.

When I boosted my MX5, it was exciting for a month then it just became so-so. Just my daily, just a car...

I bought a second car to replace it as a daily, and my god - when I hop back into my little gold go-kart now and then, it feels like i'm properly behind the wheel of a go-kart. I never drive it without grinning at least once. It feels like a luxury car compared to my Swift GTi... So tight, no rattles. I remembered why I bought the damned thing in the first place!

Good call brother!


Dan.

[Rocky]

Out for the weekly run in the MX this arvo amongst the usual collection of 4WD morons who clearly need to impress me with how their Turbo-diesels can exceed the speed limit around town.
I can't figure what it is they are trying to prove. Its full throttle away from all the lights, hit 75ks and then brake hard for the next red light. I just ease away saving petrol and still arrive beside them before the lights change. These aren't all young blokes - a mix of ages involved. I just grit the teeth and wait to get out of town and have a bit of twisty road to myself.

[speed freak]

Out for the weekly run in the MX this arvo amongst the usual collection of 4WD morons who clearly need to impress me with how their Turbo-diesels can exceed the speed limit around town.
I can't figure what it is they are trying to prove. Its full throttle away from all the lights, hit 75ks and then brake hard for the next red light. I just ease away saving petrol and still arrive beside them before the lights change. These aren't all young blokes - a mix of ages involved. I just grit the teeth and wait to get out of town and have a bit of twisty road to myself.

I feel your anger, I dont get why they do it, everyone just needs to slow the f@ck down. I get more frustrated because my job involves alot of driving so Im constantly on the roads with morons.

Getting another car for a daily is not the answer. That comes down to personal choice/preference. I get that some people dont like to daily drive an mx5 or they might require a bigger car.

I bought my mx5 to drive not for it to sit in the shed 90% of the time and only take it out when I feel like it. I really enjoy driving my mx5 daily, it makes the boring work commute fun. Yes it does just become a 'car' during the week but then take it for a fang up in the hills on the weekends. For me thats not the answer, getting another car for DD, partially because I dont have the space for another car, and like I said I bought my mx5 to drive, plus just because I want to own and drive my mx5 daily Im just sick of dickheads picking on you for driving a small car. Plus the thread was about the feeling and thought in the back of your head about getting run over. But that is all part of the experience I guess, the mx5 may be small, it may be vulnerable, they may get picked on by faggots in bigger cars but they are bloody great fun cars and I really enjoy driving it.

[Red Dragon]

It's not just small cars, even when driving my SV6 I still get the same crap from 4 wheel drives.
Whether it's Soccer Mums Yobbo's or whoever they like to show that they can go fast in a straight line but when it comes to a corner or roundabout that is where you loose them

[Pamex]

I daily drove the MX5 for years until I took her off the road to restore her (soon, soon, she will fire). I don't sit in people's blind spots, and will generally overtake particularly trucks so I'm not beside them, or am happy to cruise behind if they're also cruising happily.

I leave a fair gap between the vehicle in front, but there are sections here where you have to bunch up when merging, as people just cut you off otherwise, no matter that the traffic is flowing well. That lead to a recent demise unfortunately. Wasn't able to leave any stopping distance, as the cars behind were trying to overtake, which would have left me with nowhere to go and then a cyclist flew out in front of the woman I was following behind and she had to absolutely jump on the brakes.

I find even in the Kingswood people will still not notice you and try and change lanes into you. That lead to air horns being installed. The factory horn is weak as (I can hardly hear it) which means cars manufactured recently (well, later than 1979) with their very effective sound deadening have no hope of hearing it. Once I've rebuilt the motor in the Kingswood, it will be a daily driver again. It's not one you want to have a crash in though, it's less safe than and MX5 in regards to accidents.

[speed freak]

Yea I get that alot where I live too, where you do need to bunch up for merging or so you dont get cut off. I find if I leave a decent gap between me and the car in front people just dive in then slam their brakes on.

I find its not just 4x4's either, I get this in all sorts of cars. Its just our mx5's are small and even a corolla look big next to a mx5 so I just worry in the back of my mind that something will happen one day. Fingers crossed and touch wood nothing ever does but the way people drive these days is disgusting and terrifying.

I cant bring myself to sell the mx for a bigger (not huge big) car for daily commuting, I dont have space for 2 cars and love driving the mx way too much, just got to be weary of whats around me. If in doubt go flat out haha.

[mazmad]

My mx5 is not a roadie, but my other car is also low and hard to see. Used to be quiet too.

The key is to drive like a motorcyclist (a real one. Not one of the new breed of suicidal scooterers). Never sit in anyone's blind spot, accelerate or slow down to avoid it. Always drive with your lights on.

And yeah a loud exhaust helps too.