Power steering or not?

[Forgiven]

I have had a bit of a search, both here and elsewhere, but can't find the answer. (Please feel free to just give me a link if you know of one.)

Please don't take offence, but I am looking for an MX5 because I don't want to spend the money necessary for a good clubbie. I want an experience close as possible to a clubman, so I am thinking that a model without power steering would be better than one with. Is this right? If so, which models?

Thanks

[hks_kansei]

A lot of it is personal preference.

I've dríven power steering NAs, non power NA, de-powered NA and NB, and own a power steer NB.


When it comes to feel, I find that alignment makes a lot more difference than he type.

Personally I dislike manual steer mx5s, I find they have less steering feel, to me it's like driving with a brick strapped to each wrist.

[StanTheMan]

im totally the opposite to hks_kansey.
however i totally agree its a personal thing. i like feedback but find d with powesteeri g.....its dead. i feel devoid of any connection to the road.
Not all steering is the same either. NB8A is very different to NB8B, NA8 are different again.

my personal favourite is a depoweeed PS rack. it has a faster ratio.

you need to drive each & decide for yourself

[greenMachine]

Use?

Fat tyres and lots of city driving, I'd go for PS.

Skinny(er) tyres, weekend fun only, then dropping PS is viable. If the car has PS and you do a PS-delete, you will have a faster rack ratio which is nice, but heavier than the slower ratio manual racks.

I'd first choose your MX5, then decide whether to do a PS-delete if it has PS.



BTW, I hope you appreciate that a clubbie is a unique experience, and I doubt that any off-the-shelf MX5 is going to get within a bull's roar of that experience. However the MX5 has its own experience which is different but still highly satisfactory for us.

[93_Clubman]

want an experience close as possible to a clubman, so I am thinking that a model without power steering would be better than one with. Is this right? If so, which models?

Have both, but you'll do more kms in your MX5, so not a bad compromise, if a compromise at all. But like everything it comes down to personal preference.
Ref close as possible to a clubbie - clubbies are typically half the weight of an MX5 & tyres generally run at around 18 PSI. So steering is typically not overly heavy, & would equate to a non-PS MX5 NA6 running 30 PSI. Non-PS NA8 steering feels a bit heavier than I recall my old non-PS NA6 steering felt, but with 32 PSI (cold) it's fine for me around town & great on the open road.

[jordan.k]

To add more input, I put a factory manual steering rack into my na6 and I really enjoy the feedback it gives. Sometimes I forget its even manual steering because it really doesn't require much effort (im no popeye or anything)

I run 15x8" wheels with an aggressive offset and 26-28psi tyre pressure.

All preference really

[StanTheMan]

Did the NA6 come with PS?

maybe the later ones?

[hks_kansei]

I guess the OP needs to clarify "clubman"

Does he/she mean clubman as in the NA8 special model Mx5?

Or the Lotus 7 style kit car?

[hks_kansei]

Did the NA6 come with PS?

maybe the later ones?

Early ones (Aussie) didn't.
Japanese ones did.

Not sure what year the change was, but my ex-housemates 93 Aussie NA had manual, so the NA6 may have never had power steer in Aust.

[StanTheMan]

I guess the OP needs to clarify "clubman"

Does he/she mean clubman as in the NA8 special model Mx5?

Or the Lotus 7 style kit car?

I think he/she wants a Lotus 7 style car experience. But wants to get the Mx5 cause he doesn't want to spend the cash. That's how i read it.

My personal suggestion is.....Mx5 Clubman if he she decides against power steering.....or an NA6 both are pretty similar to drive with the 1.6 & 1.8 difference. I cant see how an NB or later would be closer. Its the rawness of an NA that perhaps makes irt closest to the Lotus 7 Style Clubbie

[93_Clubman]

Did the NA6 come with PS?

They did, but not sure what year it started to become available in ADM. Recall Bwob explaining PS was a last minute decision, so a late implementation in the design process with the associated rush.

I guess the OP needs to clarify "clubman"

Think following indicates OP's intent, as an MX5 Clubman is still an MX5, even though many avoid them due to the Bilsteins & the premium these days is minimal for the usual ones for sale:

looking for an MX5 because I don't want to spend the money necessary for a good clubbie.

[SuperMazdaKart]

I think NA6 got power steering in the final year of 93? The one with the BBS wheels I think. Eunos Roadster in Japan could have it from the beginning I believe & more often with the viscous LSD too.

[manga_blue]

I've probably dríven about a hundred MX5s, mostly on the track as part of teaching noobs track technique. I've got to say that after all that I have absolutely no preference towards PS or non-PS. Other factors about how the car is set up have much more impact on the driving experience.

[Forgiven]

Thanks everybody - very helpful.

[shirtz]

good to know manga I plan on deleting my ac and PS shortly and wondered how it would feel on the track.

also FYI I have an early ADM PS car. I though PS was the plan all along for them?