MX5 as therapy

ozimax · Postby **ozimax** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 5:08 pm

Up until a few weeks ago, I needed a new hobby. I've tried golf, and fishing. Nope. I am a photographer of sorts but it's now not really a hobby but rather a chore. Motorcycling is my #1 choice as a hobby but the missus of 31 years doesn't like them, so I have to keep the peace. Exit motorcycles. Enter the Mazda MX-5.

I am a newbie in the Miata/MX5 world. I did a lot of research for 3-4 months and drove some for-sale vehicles, settling on a 1989, well kept, fairly low km red NA. I can't keep driving the thing. We are incredibly blessed to be literally 3 minutes drive from some of Australia's most beautiful country roads. My son and I have set out a nice twisty circuit via Bruxner Park, Bucca Rd, Redbank Rd then home to Coffs Hbr via Coramba Rd. It is a hoot. Waiving at the dairy cows on the deserted roads, wind blowing past my hair...er..um..ears. (Hair is a distant memory).

Here are my initial impressions. The Mazda 1.6 needs to be revved. The harder you work it, the better it feels. The 18" low profiles grip like a rail. The non-powered steering is great. Work the gearbox, touch the brakes, pick a corner apex, hit the throttle and away we go. My son drove the circuit last Saturday and he, Holden man and Mazda skeptic, was very impressed. "Dad, it's just like a go-kart." "Yes son, and keep your mitts off it!"

It's a barrel of fun to drive, and fun is good therapy indeed.

Ozi.

speed · Postby **speed** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:00 pm

Welcome Ozi.
Glad you are enjoying your new purchase.
Rolling on 18s.. Cue lokiel and quietly walk away...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:34 pm

Welcome...

I too came to the MX family looking for a hobby. But their addictive nature sure takes hold.

The NA6 loves (begs) to be revved. It's the one facet that I miss since moving from mine to an NB8A.

18's!! Yup prepare yourself ....

fastfreddygassit · Postby **fastfreddygassit** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:34 pm

Great post Ozi! Welcome to the obsession!!
You think driving is therapy, wait until you start the mods!
That is therapy.
And just an observation, if you are riding on stock suspension, you may find dropping down rim diameters for a taller sidewall tyre may improve ride quality. i.e.. from the 215/35-18 tyres down to 15" rims and 205/50 tyres.
It won't look as good though....... :mrgreen:

Cue lokiel and warm up the pop corn......

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:37 pm

18's on an NA would be an interesting experiance I'd imagine. All power to you though!

I sure know driving does my head a world of good sometimes.

SuperMazdaKart · Postby **SuperMazdaKart** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:47 pm

Put one of those wheels on a bathroom scale for the heck of it.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:56 pm

It's a drivers car and that's it's reason for being. Modding is not mandatory.

ozimax · Postby **ozimax** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 7:18 am

fastfreddygassit wrote:Great post Ozi! Welcome to the obsession!!
You think driving is therapy, wait until you start the mods!
That is therapy.
And just an observation, if you are riding on stock suspension, you may find dropping down rim diameters for a taller sidewall tyre may improve ride quality. i.e.. from the 215/35-18 tyres down to 15" rims and 205/50 tyres.

Yes, I do believe you're correct. I have been looking for some stock wheels/tyres at a reasonable price. Havn't found any yet that I like the look of. Having said that, the ride atm is smoother than I imagined.

fastfreddygassit wrote:Cue lokiel and warm up the pop corn......

Is lokiel some sort of underworld MX5 code? Do I need a secret handshake or similar? IS this part of the Mazda Illuminati?

ozimax · Postby **ozimax** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 7:22 am

speed wrote:Rolling on 18s.. Cue lokiel and quietly walk away...

Another cryptic clue to the identity of lokiel. Any relation to Locomo, the assassin from Get Smart?

ozimax · Postby **ozimax** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 7:58 am

I am pleased to report that after utilizing the wonder of the search button, I have located Lokiel. Man of mystery.

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:56 am

Well played.

fastfreddygassit · Postby **fastfreddygassit** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 10:26 am

^^^
Here he is, the 15" wheel evangelist, Lokiel (image may not be a true representation of said person). It's fire and brimstone sermons if you even mention 17" wheels in a post.
My gods, when he finds out about your 18's :shock:

(I love the big wheel and low profile tyre look, btw, but they are not as smooth as 15's)

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:32 am

Congrats! +1 re 15" wheels (15" NB8A wheels are popular), particularly as good tyres for 14" (NA6 OEM) are increasingly scarce.

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:41 am

Welcome Ozimax.
The MX5 mostly satisfies both my motorcycle and sports car cravings.
(divorce has been mentioned in relation to MCs)
My only remaining MX5 mate and I spent most of the day Sunday driving our cars over every twisty road we could find and still came up wanting more.
My ageing body screams "enough" before my mind wants to quit.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:21 pm

18" rims on an NA....

... seriously though, please borrow a set of 15" rims for a test drive to experience the difference for yourself, you may think the car handles/drives great now but it's massively better with appropriately-sized rims/tyres, especially if your road surfaces are anything other than perfectly smooth.