mx5cartalk.com

Hey guys,

I haven't really done a build thread/diary but after picking my new ride I think its about time to start one.. So after owning my fair share of Hondas - Had an EG, DC2, EJ8, Del Sol, EK and then my Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart which was written off, I thought it was time for something different. I spent months and months looking for a new car after my car was written off and I had begun chewing my friend's and girlfriend's ears off about which car to get. My missus begged and begged me not to get the MX-5. She hates it with a passion I've never seen.. I think its probably #1 on her most hated/ugliest car ever list haha. Anyways.. my friends and gf got so sick of me asking and talking about cars I knew it was finally time to make a decision. One day it just clicked.. RWD and handled beautifully.. The MX-5. I was originally looking at S2K's but I didn't want to fork out the extra cash for an AP2 and an AP1 didn't suit my checklist as shown below

After reading numerous reviews and sitting in Chook's MX-5 I knew it was the car for me. I had a few requirements though:

- Had to be fairly new 04+ (and I personally hate the look of the NB)
- Clean
- Low km's with full service history
- Single owner

My requirements were simply for my own benefit as the car would be a daily. I guess after owning a slew of older cars I wanted something newer, simply for comfort and peace of mind. I didn't have a problem with every single car I had, probably only really my B20vtec Delsol.. (blew the head) which was more of the builder's fault than anything but I also hated rattles in the older cars with a passion! I spent months searching and finally found the MX-5 I was looking for. After taking it for a test drive I was simply amazed at the handling capability. The fact that Mazda built the car with the intent of Jinba Ittai is just superb. I really felt a part of the car and it was NOTHING like anything I'd ever dríven.

Personally I prefer black on the NC but this one was a bargain and I just couldn't resist. Picked her up on Friday afternoon with 50,000km's and 1 full year rego (20/10/2012) haha love bargaining

After driving around for a few days now, I noticed a rattling sound from the passenger side roof latch. And as previously mentioned, I REALLY REALLY hate rattles lols. So after finding a few things across various forums it seemed that spraying a light coat of silicone spray on the latches will stop the hardtop from rattling or creaking. Turns out the passenger side stopped but the driver side started and is louder. This really really really really irritates me (if anyone has any other suggestions they are more than welcome!). A few gripes I have about the car are:

- Roof creaks and rattles (even though its power retractable)
- Limited space
- No spare tyre/spacesaver
- My stock BOSE stereo isn't MP3 compatible.. WTF? hahaha
- I'm not sure if this is for other nc owners as well but it's impossible to check the driver side blind spot with the top up unless I stick my head out the window lol
- Road noise is unbelievably loud with the top up
- Fuel consumption is horrid when the aircon is on (yes I know its convertible)

To be honest I prefer driving with the top up during the day, gets bloody hot and the top down at night (summer night cruises with the top down are coming ). But it seems my hate for rattles when the roof is up is overpowering the heat haha! Guess my love for the roadster lifestyle is already springing to life! All in all even though there are dislikes, the positives well outweigh the negatives and given its a sports car, some discomforts are expected.

I'm not looking to heavily modify the car from the start like I did with some of my other cars, its a nice learning curve going from fwd to rwd and I admit.. I've turned off traction control a few times and had some fun but more than anything I'm interested in seeing what this car will teach me as a driver, especially after reading so many posts from respected members, even Justin Fox wrote that he learnt how to really drive in his mx-5!

I'm looking at getting some new tyres and taking her to track stock as a rock to see the potential, then hopefully some 17x9 +35 RPF1's and some coilovers and I'll be set for some time. If everything goes well I'll be able to take her to my first track day ever in November with some of my mates . In the meantime, I have my eyes on an aftermarket HU and a Voodoo shift knob

Here are some pics of my first arvo/night with her!



Stock height








The previous owner was nice enough to give me this:

17x9 +35 won't fit your stock guards even if they are rolled. If you pump them out, I think you will be the first in Australia !! Nice car btw. Galaxy grey is a nice colour

Keep the mods coming suspension before wheel in my opinion though!!

Thanks mate

So I'll still have trouble fitting them even with rolled guards? I'd rather not pump them simply for resale haha, i mean if that size won't fit I'll go for another size.

Anyone have reviews on yellowspeed coilovers?
I'm looking at taking her to the track next month but my tyres need replacing soon.. Not sure whether to buy new tyres for the stock wheels and then save for coils and wheels/tyres or just save from the get go

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If you want wheels.
Carbon_demon has rpf1s in gunmetal 17x7 +40 wrapped with advan ad08. Or you can use the stick wheels. A lot of people run stock.

Yellowspeed coilovers review can be found in the suspension category of this forum. But that will increase your rattle problem further :p

Good luck!!

I was looking for RPF1's with a more aggressive fitment than 17x7 , looking at the interior does anyone else believe the mx5mania is ridiculously overpriced for NC interior parts? $75 for 3 chrome rings for your ac? Ridiculous lol

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Try the mx5parts.co.UK website as another option, mx5mania have to charge those prices because of wages,overheads etc as.normal businesses do.

Are you coming to the jdm eomm sunday?

Mx5 mania is good for na and nb. Not the nc. But service is great. As hjt suggested above, most nc guys buy stuff from there.

If you are in the market for jdm goods.
Nengun.com
Tougedistribution.com
Japanparts.com

A lot of people on the forums have greater knowledge than me, just ask. Nearly all people are willing to help

Most aggressive you can run for the rims without rolling guards would be 17x8 +45. That is flush for the nc. My sisters is250 runs 17x9 +28. Thats looks like the same aggressiveness as +45 on our cars. just different cars.

17x9 +40 with 225 45 will fit with a normal guard roll

deanb90 wrote:17x9 +40 with 225 45 will fit with a normal guard roll

Did you put them on man?? Photos???

If 17x9 +40 fits with a standard guard roll wouldn't +35 be easily achievable by a light camber adjustment?

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It will rub on speed humps. Unless you have a ridiculous stretch on the tyres.
You can try it man. But better be safe than to waste big money.

I'm guessing dean is running at least -2 camber at the rears with 225 tyres?

I have not fitted them yet. But from my calculations, countless hours of research and a talk with Brian Goodwin they should fit with 225 45, at least -1 camber and a guard roll.

I might have to end up going +40 then, i want to be able to track the car without adjusting too much on track days as well, guess I want the middle between form and function haha.

Only been here for a few days and have learnt so much from members and reading up, awesome forum!

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crum wrote:I might have to end up going +40 then, i want to be able to track the car without adjusting too much on track days as well, guess I want the middle between form and function haha.

Only been here for a few days and have learnt so much from members and reading up, awesome forum!

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exactly what i am going for. My main decision was whether to run stretched tyres.

Ive tried on 17x9 +35 running 245 45 tyres. Rubbed like crazy.

-1.7degree camber.
Roughly 1.5 fingers tyre to guard.