Ready to be convinced

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 1:00 pm

Well looks like rosters on both ends (mine more than his) aren't going to co-operate for a few weeks at least so if anyone else out there is willing to help out before then please let Travelator know......

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 2:21 pm

Odds post today- pretty much my views. You can buy all sorts of great cars- coupes, sedans, with withering performance and more whistles and bells than Puffing Billy but the little MX5 is always going to be a sports car with compromises. Now Odd I think is a Sprite man so I really do get where he is coming from.

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 3:24 pm

well here is the latest It was on here for $18k but just a couple of nibbles but no bites :lol:

then I scored a bird sale for $2500 and so dropped the car price to $16k...still no bites.

now if you followed my build thread on the upgrades I never actually paid for the turbo upgrades with my actual hard earn'd money.....I used feather power :lol:

so that's one reason I wasn't too concerned about the price drop.

yesterday I took the car for a run after a 5 week break and it ran extremely well and quick. I thought to myself - I am not that desperate or really that short of money. I gave them the chance to pick up a really nice high powered mx5 which one day they will regret for near nothing too it doesn't cost that much to go 225 at the wheels but to go 300 you really need lots of feathers :lol:

so I pulled the ad

now I had it advertised elsewhere and have a buyer waiting on S18k plus another I have to get back too. now its my turn to play games and they can wait for me I am not going to sell it

so what's more I have decide I will keep the white chariot and the z3 and by april next year I will add a nd to the collection :lol:

I just have to decide where to put it :roll:

I might not drive it but next year will be the year and I promise not to re-paint it well I will try.

but I gotta say this. you buyers out there are a bit bloody slow. if i'd saw this car for sale. i'd hit the buyer with a quick deposit -say $500 to lock in on the deal. then i would have had a look at the car. if it was no good let him keep the deposit - ive done that a few times. a miserable $500 would have held the car. just a few hours work. but really for16k :lol:

and you could pull the parts off and put the originals back on then sell off all the parts.......... :roll:

make some profit

what happened here...were you all asleep! ive had in excess of 100 cars....a bargain just looking you in the eye with all build records. a new guy thinking. anyway like I said i am not selling now but if your wonder if there a problem with the car.no! just a high idle issue but apart from that nothing. it just did the 9000 quick klm -used no oil

i sometimes make impulsive quick decisions. look at how i bought this mx5. i paid $55k for a z4 with 26,000 klm on it. it was just out of new car warranty. i had it 6 weeks or 2 months and the lifters started to rattle. one day i came out and it started rattling so i rattled it off on carsales for $45k and sold it almost immediately.

then i found out later all the bmw had this lifter rattle from 2006 onwards with the new motor and although it was annoying it wasn't damaging :roll:

so i got a bit of money back and he got a cheap z4 :lol:

then i bought this one owner sight unseen mx5 se from qld and had it freighted to nsw

now you might say - you lost $11k quick on that bmw ....not really. one day on ebay i saw pool tables i went down to Sydney and bought one for $400 and advertised it in the local paper and in less than a week i had orders for 15 at $800 each. in 8 months i sold 150 tables and bought that z4 for nothing :wink:

so its being in the right place at the right time. i think this was a golden missed opportunity for a potential buyer of a hi end performance car with the original parts included

anyway it look like my threads will continue and when the nd hits the scene -guess what i am going 1.5 litre...i don't need the power

Travelator · Postby **Travelator** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 8:33 pm

kalt wrote: Jump on the offer from a forum member for a drive. You'll get a snippet of what a roadster life has to offer, given your history of coupes/sedans. Will it be a garage queen, weekender or daily?

Certainly did - we're swapping availabilities and playing diary tag at the moment. The plan would be a weekender, although if it's as fantastic as you all are suggesting it could also easily become the daily whenever there is no great need for passenger or cargo space (or in the event of inclement weather).

Also, just to clarify - as per my original post, I'm open to being (read "wanting to be") convinced of how I simply must have a miata in my garage. Pretty stuck on the idea of an NB8b/c from my reading on here, but open to whether that be a properly modified se or factory normally aspirated version gone turbo. I do like impeccable manners in my road cars if that helps either way.

luzinit · Postby **luzinit** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 1:11 am

As the owner of a mint stock SE with less than 45000kms, I had every intention of keeping it "stock" but the factory SE tune leaves much to be desired for.
Initially the small turbo kick after 5000RPMs was pretty fun and gave you a few smiles, but after the novelty factor wears off, you realise that it can be a lot better!
Sometimes I even feel that my wife's old stock NB8A had a more responsive engine in the lower RPMs. So... if you can, buy one that's already had a few mods to save you some dosh.
Otherwise you can do what a lot of SE owners do, which is buy a stocker and continue to mod it, whilst enjoying the ride.
I'm currently contemplating my mod list, which will more than likely be done at Dann's. I'd probably be happy with anywhere between 150 to 175rwkw without having to change the factory turbo and manifold.

Code4 · Postby **Code4** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 6:17 am

I'll re-inforce the suggestion, drive every model MX-5 you can. I rode in an NA, drove NB8b and an NC before laying out cash.

You may find them too primitive or love them like we do.

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 11:45 am

They're difficult to get in and out of, interior is confining almost claustrophobic, they're noisy, rear and side vision is restricted with roof up, forward vision is restricted if tall .. the list against them goes on ... but they're the most involving, exciting, fun and charismatic drive I've experienced in my life and that trumps all for me.

I've owned NA6, NB8A and now an NB8C SE. Each has their individual character and I'd own any of them again.

These days I enjoy some creature comforts and the modern styling of the SE suits my needs. The SE is a factory turbo and while not perfect, is still a fun drive and has an easy path to a few extra HP that for me, is plenty for the street. I've owned enough cars that had too much unuseable power for speed limited roads and it's just frustrating. I enjoy having to get the best from these cars, it's part of their personality.

Convince you that you need one? I can easily say that hardly any of my friends would ever own one of these! They don't get the simple enjoyment and emotions of driving through a forest with the top down, the sense of freedom and closeness with your surroundings on every drive.

I've seen a number of people jump into these only to sell them very soon after because they couldn't live with it.

As others have mentioned and you are already sensibly chasing, drive or passenger in as many as you can and as broad variety as possible. You won't need to ask if one is right for you, you will know.

Good luck with your search .....

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 11:57 am

I would not reinforce any of it. Odd nailed it as I already said. Convertibles and small sports cars i.e. the MX-5 albeit being a modern version of Sprites, Bs ,TR's ,Healeys etc are compromised vehicles. Pretty noisy, mot much room and impeccable manners -no. Inclement weather is irrelevant the top goes up and they have heaters and moderately effective air conds but "sophisticated is not a term I would employ. I also reckon that soft top down drivers are the minority. For those that find the novelty wearing off because the car does not perform like a XR6 turbo then you are in the wrong car - it was never about 0-100 performance and Mazda still see it the same way. Just buy a Mustang or something like that- pose value and performance and crowds gawking.
PS Kevgoat just got in before me-( liked the post) and I think we are pretty much on the same page. I have other cars so driving an MX-5 daily is not something I would do. Maybe I will buy a Mustang... probably not

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 12:34 pm

Cool, sounds like you're keen on a turbo, can't blame you really :mrgreen:

I'd push you towards turboing an NB rather than buying an SE, if you can afford the upfront costs. Otherwise, if you enjoy making mods experiencing the change, modding some more, and aren't bothered too much by the end cost, then take a look at the SEs.

Want some convincing? I think KevGoat summed it up nicely. There are certainly many draw backs to a small convertible, but for me that makes them all the better. They are just a super fun and engaging drive. You feel and hear what the car is doing, and are quite connected to the experience. They're uncompromised, which is rare these days. The cars a made for drivers, not for families, or sensitive passengers. I could almost fall asleep driving my girlfriend's Outlander, or my brothers A3 (my old car). I love being able to drop the top at a set of lights when it suits me. Blasting through the twisties in the free air, or cruising along the beach side, so much better in a drop-top. I can't see myself ever selling this car.

captaincabinets · Postby **captaincabinets** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 5:42 pm

Think you're on the right track with the seat time. Through my search I drove stock NA-NC, turbo hardtop NA, plus S2000 and MR2.

My favourite was probably the stock NA, lots of fun and has that raw feeling. Ended up with an NB as it's a little safer and it comes in auto which I needed so my fiance can also drive it. Not saying women can't drive manual btw, just due to health reasons she can't

A bunch of repairs and mods later, nearly ready for spring & summer

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 9:57 pm

Just read the initial post again
I've never owned a WRX....but my boys bought me one of those Drive for 5 laps then a hot lap in a WRX for Christmas....it was on a dirt track at Willowbank....Great fun
But...in comparison to my NA8.... the WRX felt like a truck.....very heavy steering....totally different driving to my MX5...perhaps it was because it was on dirt?
Fun...but I'm not racing back...and I'd never buy one (WRX that is)...;)

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 10:11 pm

Just to add to NitroDann's earlier comment:

Don't buy an SE because it has a turbo. Buy one because/if you like the extra spec it has over an non-SE. Then take it (or any NB) to Dann to get rid of the dreadful factory turbo setup. Then cop the extra costs of brakes, suspension etc. Dann also has a plan for putting in a clutch that will behave like standard yet still handle 300bhp, if that's how much power you want. Get Dann, and only Dann, to do as much of the work as possible, so you don't, for instance, get the tuner whinging about the injectors etc etc.

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Mon Sep 19, 2016 10:33 am

Travelator, if you are free this Saturday (24th) you should try and attend the Annual MX5 Club of NSW 'President's Picnic'.

http://nsw.mx5.com.au/events/president-s-picnic-2016

This would be a great opportunity to see probably every possible combination and configuration of MX5 out there.
You would also be able to chat to a very large group of very knowledgeable people about all the ins and outs of ownership. :wink:

Make some contacts and possibly even get a ride (if you're lucky a drive) of some of the options available too! :mrgreen:

Travelator · Postby **Travelator** » Mon Sep 19, 2016 11:07 am

President's Picnic looks great - thanks for the heads up. Just have to run that one past the other half, but I reckon that should be doable for us this weekend!

KevGoat wrote:They're difficult to get in and out of, interior is confining almost claustrophobic, they're noisy, rear and side vision is restricted with roof up, forward vision is restricted if tall .. the list against them goes on ... but they're the most involving, exciting, fun and charismatic drive I've experienced in my life and that trumps all for me.

Love this KevGoat - totally understand about a car capturing your heart and it making you smile every time you think of driving it regardless of the compromises. My current ride is without doubt the most competent, practical, reliable and fast car I've owned...but ask me which have been my favourite cars and I'll point to the 2 seater mr2 and my first CG8 wrx with it's broken radio, pathetic headlights, rattly body and leaky engine (its kilometres were getting up there)

Some cars just have that "x-factor" and I'm seeking that again.

Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experience and thoughts. Some good common themes/advice in there that I will heed.

jpgibson · Postby **jpgibson** » Sat Sep 24, 2016 4:53 pm

I recently bought an SE. It had the Mania Stage One kit done ( Bigger FMIC, CAI, exhuast). Love the car and too 'had to have the turbo one', but in retrospect I may have missed the 'point' of the MX5. I reckon Id have been pretty much OK with a 'normal' one BUT I like the Bilsteins,the bendy 17" wheels and the leather seats. Ive had numerous turbo cars ( wrx, saab900, liberty b4, rs subaru, audi s3, galant vr4 etc) too, but this type of car isnt about going fast like the others. Anyhoo, it feels fast even when youre under the speed limit!Im sure a well done turbo conversion is better than the half arsed job Mazda did, but I reckon a SE will be easier to sell than a turbo'd 'normal' one- due to the 'extras' on the SE.
I work at Wermead and drive occassionally , so might be able to assist. No MX5 for me at present- L5S1 disc prolapse.
The only car ( out of 25) that ALWAYS makes me happy.