Roadster Driving Feel

[narita]

As someone who rarely drives any other automobile aside the old trusty mazda, i have come to take for granted the feeling the mx5 gives to me.

every time i head out, whether it be a quick dash to the shops to get some snacks or a long weekend trip, i never arrive without a smile on my face while at the same time feeling like i have just done something illegal.

In this day and age of safety and economy along with car companies who once pushed the limits who are now under pressure to pump out volume cars with questionable amounts of character, it is the norm to use a vehicle for a simple anger filled A-B trip, and that trip alone.

A while back not too long ago, i was without my trusty mazda.

What was i to do.

Surely i would be fine.

It's just a car.

so i proceeded to take a friends quite recent suzuki swift for a spin.

i had seen the advertisments on t.v.

Rally bred handling and sporty performance.

Though i didn't experience any of this which was promised, i instead felt quite comfortable and sat quite high,
providing a great view of the road ahead.

The clutch and gearbox was butter smooth, the throttle smooth and sure,
The steering, effortless.

But it didnt give me a single smile, not even a smirk, it was pleasant but had less soul than a redhead.

Then it hit me, this is what the majority of society is accustomed to, this is what people happily shell out 15,000 of their australian dollars for the opportunity to own.

It's at the moment i realised how i had been so foolish as to take my little mx5 for granted.

I am now back driving monique, enjoying the sound of the exhaust while downshifting,
Steering through corners with excitement and coming onto the brakes later than sooner.

the old saying is done to death but still proves true today;

"You don't know what you have untill it's gone"

[NitroDann]

[taminga16]

PLUS 2. Of all of the things that I learned from pre-purchase research into our little cars the thing that holds most prominence was that "MX-5 owners should get used to smiling more often". Which reminds me, it has been almost seven years now.
Greg.
P.S. See my Sig.

[mattyredlocks]

Soulless redhead jokes aside (we're the best), could not agree more.

I spent a weekend a while back driving my fathers current model Accord Euro - you know, the one with all the leather and shiny stuff - and yeah, it wasn't the same. Spent a good two days in the car as a passenger and driver along something like nearly a thousand kilometers.

It was quiet. Cruise control was great. The steering was light, but not that responsive. Bumps weren't anywhere near as noticeable on the highway or country roads. The aircon was always just right.

I remember thinking it was a much nicer and smoother drive than if we had have been in the MX.

But when I took my MX out to the shops upon returning - you know, a ten minute drive - I instantly took it back. They're noisy. They smell. The soft top makes noise at high speeds, but far out they're way more fun.

[speed freak]

Yep MX5's are the BEST

Other cars can be fun in their own way but for a pure fun filled driving experience the mx5 is absolutely fantastic. They are small, noisy and arent too practical but I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Odd]

I only have one regret....having only just bought my first Mx5

The years I've wasted driving without a smile on my face!

Zoom zoom!

[chrisearl88]

Pretty much every other car I drive feels like a 4WD and/or boat. The only other car I enjoy driving is a mates BMW 130i, another great drivers car! I honestly don't think I can bring myself to sell my MX5, I'm going to keep this one till till the motor pops!

[smy0003]

Getting back in the Commy feels like jumping in a Landcruiser.

The only other manual car I drive is my girlfriends AH Astra Wagon. Great car, being German it gives more feedback than your average Camry/white-good. But you still miss all of the weird things the 5 does.
The not-so-smooth fueling and very connected gear change are something I miss.
Also the pedal placement and perfectly sized wheel.

I'll stop before I rant.

[Vat]

Had the work truck (Isuzu ute thing - DMax?) for three weeks, so the Jaffa sat in the garage not getting a lot of love, and made itself very clear that it did not appreciate not being dríven for three to four days at a stretch with a bit of lurchy raucous carry on until there was a little bit of warmth in him.

Really missed that little car - nice to have him back, especially on this cooler mornings.

[doc]

Sounds to me like none of you guys own a PRHT NC.
All of the good stuff, and more of the good stuff!

[taminga16]

And room for an extra cardigan.

[taminga16]

More evidence here. viewtopic.php?f=56&t=60762

[mattyredlocks]

More evidence here. viewtopic.php?f=56&t=60762

"It's the best! Miatas are the best! BEST! BEEEEEST!"

[timk]

I'm really enjoying having separate daily and toy cars. The everyday car is still pretty fun, both cars have their +/- points!

[dmad_dood]

I took a swift sport for a test drive the other day, just out of curiosity. 5min in i gave it back.

Great if your upgrading from a vitara but not from my na8.

Jono.