My NC2 Mazda MX5 Sport Tech

[Hixle]

Evening!

The QS went yesterday, after 3 years i fancied a change.

I've liked the idea of a soft top for a while, and was pretty much sold on a 3.0si Z4. Ended up test driving the Mazda on a whim as it was local and put a deposit down!

It's a facelift MK3 Sport Tech, which makes it a 2.0 with an LSD. It's pretty well equipped too, heated leather seats, voice activated Bluetooth, cruise control, Bose stereo - pretty much things you'd expect from a car nowadays but after the TT pretty much had 2 buckets and a steering wheel, I'm enjoying the little things. Oh, and cupholders!

I genuinely apologise for the iPhone pics, my brother has my SLR in the UAE currently.

Picked it up yesterday. Considering it's 80hp down from the TT, I'm having a right giggle with it! It's only 160hp, which is nothing nowadays, but since it weighs less than my Trophy did (iirc) it's plenty for now. It's really nice to be back in a N/A car too, plus the gearbox is absolutely spot on.

Cheers,
Luke.

 

[Cub.]

I like this.

But you will need to work on some slight lowering and some slightly wider "stance". Much like @JoeyD has achieved with his.

Get to work Moyles!

PS. We need a catch up, and you and Sam can meet Babybear.

 

[RMDavis]

Nice purchase Luke!

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it, and how things progress!

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

 

[welshname]

Looking good Luke. It's rather homo though even for you

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[deutsche_blonde]

Great choice! Our 130i struggles to shake off our NC.

 

[Steve]

Good choice, I have had these for the last six years.
My latest one is for sale & makes Joeys look homo

 

[JoeyD]

Haha, saw yours for sale on nutz Steve, it really is well sorted car... Hopefully Rodders can work some magic on mine in the near future.

Looks awesome Luke, makes me wish I went for a soft top as I still think they're better looking than the power hard top. Just make sure you keep it topped up with oil! They don't like to be run even slightly low.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Looks great!!
Please lower it though, it currently makes even a Trophy looked slammed

 

[Hixle]

Cheers gents, really enjoying it tbh.

@Steve are you g40steve over there? Looks immense if so. Remember your other NC thread on here.

@JoeyD cheers geez, yeah I really like the soft top. I've heard its best to keep them at max oil at all times

@Sir_Dave it is rather 4x4. Iirc (I'm sure Joey or Steve will clarify) they came higher as standard than in other countries, so I'll probably just look at sticking some Eibach 30mm springs on there and have a full geo setting done.

@Cub. 100% need to get something sorted, I'll drop you a text! Been way too long mate.

 

[_Tom]

Love that. :up:

 

[Budgie]

Had sex with any men yet?

 

[Hixle]

I had a TT before remember Mike @Budgie

 

[Budgie]

I had a TT before remember Mike @Budgie

No, i was just going to say, if not, PM me. x

 

[Steve]

Cheers gents, really enjoying it tbh.

@Steve are you g40steve over there? Looks immense if so. Remember your other NC thread on here.

Yes either Steve or g40steve on every forum.
Save up & get a suspension kit as the springs are only cosmetic.

 

[Somnambulist]

Love it! Interesting, as I've currently got a QS and I'm thinking of making the same move. Although my QS is currently at 280bhp, and I'm concerned I'm going to miss the boost and power. Have been considering the BBR300 upgrade, but not sure if boosting an MX-5 will ruin it. Did you ever test drive the Z4 in the end?

 

[roncee]

Cracking cars - inderrated due to image problems. Beautiful balance but let down by lack of power. Had a phantom electric supercharger kit in mine which was absolutely kick ass. Kept mine 3 1/2 years and nothing broke despite track days/drift days and daily duties

 

[Hixle]

@Somnambulist

Interesting mate.

I've owned the car for a week and can't really say I've missed the TT (which was standard - owned it for over 3 years).

Although it's down in power, at the moment I don't really care as its really not what the car is about. The car feels so light and agile after the TT, it's a totally different driving experience. It loves to rev too!

My old man has a Z4 3.0si which I've driven a fair few times (drove it today actually as was at my parents; he took the keys for the MX5). It's a superb car, but back to back against the MX5 it does feel quite heavy and far more of a cruiser. However, the engine is an absolute peach. Does lack the LSD though! As a side note, he loved the MX.

All I can say is drive both and see which you prefer dude. I finished work last night, dark and about 14 degrees. Roof down, heated seats on along the A339, which is an infamous twisty biker route around here. Best drive I've had in ages; not had as much fun in a car since my Trophy.

@roncee

Awesome mate, I bet that was a weapon! How did the MK3 handle boost, heard a few horror stories? Obviously well, going from what you said regarding reliability.

Even though it is down on power compared to the rivals I was looking at, I'm just loving having a naturally aspirated revvy car again. Roundabouts are also a giggle.

Cheers for the comments guys, will get some proper pics when I get my camera back.

 

[Matt W]

Very nice. Keep getting drawn towards the mk3 at the moment, the gearbox is spot on.

 

[Hixle]

100 miles blasting around Hampshire's back roads today. Had a riot.

The Mrs doesn't like oversteer. I do.

 

[Steve]

Just remember don't take your foot off the gas or you can get into a tank slapper.
Mine runs rings round the trophy I had.

 

[Cub.]

@Somnambulist

Interesting mate.

I've owned the car for a week and can't really say I've missed the TT (which was standard - owned it for over 3 years).

Although it's down in power, at the moment I don't really care as its really not what the car is about. The car feels so light and agile after the TT, it's a totally different driving experience. It loves to rev too!

My old man has a Z4 3.0si which I've driven a fair few times (drove it today actually as was at my parents; he took the keys for the MX5). It's a superb car, but back to back against the MX5 it does feel quite heavy and far more of a cruiser. However, the engine is an absolute peach. Does lack the LSD though! As a side note, he loved the MX.

All I can say is drive both and see which you prefer dude. I finished work last night, dark and about 14 degrees. Roof down, heated seats on along the A339, which is an infamous twisty biker route around here. Best drive I've had in ages; not had as much fun in a car since my Trophy.

@roncee

Awesome mate, I bet that was a weapon! How did the MK3 handle boost, heard a few horror stories? Obviously well, going from what you said regarding reliability.

Even though it is down on power compared to the rivals I was looking at, I'm just loving having a naturally aspirated revvy car again. Roundabouts are also a giggle.

Cheers for the comments guys, will get some proper pics when I get my camera back.

Don't worry. The heart of the trophy lives on

 

[Somnambulist]

Awesome, thanks for the feedback @Luke

I might have to give you a shout next time I'm passing Basingstoke for a passenger ride if you're free and don't mind! It's not that I'm bored of the QS, I love it and haven't even had it a year yet. But it's fairly low mileage, and I think I'll get best money for it if I sell before it hits 50K which it'll do in around 2-3 months. But I do get bored quickly and just crave to own different cars all the time. MX-5 is looking like a strong choice :smile: