124 Fastback. Any truth in one coming ?

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:48 am

"Not everyone buys a MX5 cos they want a convertible... " I reckon its a fair bet that picking a convertible relates to a preference. Coupes- there are plenty; 86/BRZ are probably the best value and well engineered and even a Mustang with the turbo 4 is capable of low 14's for a 1/4 mile. Agree on looks the Nissans are like the 124 pictured.

rascal · Postby **rascal** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 12:50 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:"Not everyone buys a MX5 cos they want a convertible... " I reckon its a fair bet that picking a convertible relates to a preference.

You'd lose that bet if it was with me. I hate convertibles. Couldn't wait to ditch the soft top completely and fit a hardtop.
I do however (as StillIC pointed out) appreciate the handling, weight, & aftermarket support advantages that an MX5 provides which (for me) significantly overrides the downsides of it being a convertible.

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:05 pm

Many people who drive and love MX-5s absolutely do not want a convertible. I'm not one of them, but there are plenty out there. Just because you don't understand it, MM, doesn't make it wrong.

MattR · Postby **MattR** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:21 pm

StillIC wrote:
captaincabinets wrote:
Code4 wrote:240Z leapt to mind.

Ooh 240z without the rust! Was my dream car as a teenager but they cost a fortune now, due to aforementioned rust I guess.

The original 1969 built 240Zs were fully galvanised. This process was deleted some time in the build cycle. Such a shame, but perhaps to keep costs down to sell more of them.

Nope never galvanised, they had rust from the factory. There are some very good rustrtraps with the design. And my 240, an early 1970 car certainly had its fair share of tin worm.

I know of car 0019 being restored at the moment, the amount of rust was scary and kudos to the owner in resurrecting the car. It's now a bit like Grand dad's axe with what is left of teh original car and whhat has been grafted on

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 3:33 pm

dont you love the logic ' I hate convertibles. Couldn't wait to ditch the soft top completely and fit a hardtop". Exactly when is a convertible not a convertible - when it has a hardtop? Why are roadsters low sellers - well just maybe because they are made for enthusiasts that like the wind in the hair or that sense of being outside instead of in a capsule shielded from the real world. The only reason for having an MX-5 is because it's the best of the roadsters in terms of fun and affordability otherwise buy a probably more capable but less fun coupe or tin top. Its a bit wimpy driving an MX-5 with the top up at least when your mates are watching. Mazda worked out years ago i.e. 3 decades ago that an MX-5 was not intended to pull ploughs or have roof racks.

rascal · Postby **rascal** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:23 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:The only reason for having an MX-5 is because it's the best of the roadsters in terms of fun and affordability otherwise buy a probably more capable but less fun coupe or tin top.

Delusional much?? That might be one reason but it is far from the 'only' reason..

A very big reason to own a MX5 is for the handling and track ability the car offers from standard condition and above.
There's a reason it is the most raced car on the planet and it has nothing to do with it being a convertible. (That's actually a negative that many 'fix' by fitting factory or aftermarket hardtops)

and to reiterate

ManiacLachy wrote:Just because you don't understand it, MM, doesn't make it wrong.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:38 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:Its a bit wimpy driving an MX-5 with the top up at least when your mates are watching.

Do you drive through maccas car park with your top down so your mates can see you to prove you ain't wimpy?

I totally thought you are an 60-70yo because of your highly displayed out of touch views and inability to accept other views that are not yours. But it turns out you are an 18-25yo looking for non-wimpy street cred.

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 5:49 pm

Yeh....no top! how dumb....
Pretty hard to get in and out of.....15cm ground clearance would be better,
Only got 2 seats....add 2 more doors and a back seat
Manual gearbox....how backward....Auto Please
Only drives rear wheels!....4 wheel drive would be better

Stuff it....I'll just buy a CX5

StillIC · Postby **StillIC** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:33 pm

MattR wrote:...snip...

Nope never galvanised, they had rust from the factory. There are some very good rustrtraps with the design. And my 240, an early 1970 car certainly had its fair share of tin worm.

I know of car 0019 being restored at the moment, the amount of rust was scary and kudos to the owner in resurrecting the car. It's now a bit like Grand dad's axe with what is left of teh original car and whhat has been grafted on

I bought a Datsun Stanza from a guy who had a 69 Z, who told me that early Zs were galvanised. He even showed me the gal where some paint was missing on the firewall. Sounds like a bare metal rebuild if he was telling an untruth!

MattR · Postby **MattR** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:44 pm

Nope they weren't galvanised, and there is some conjecture as to whether we got any 69 builds out here.

I have owned Zeds and been around Zed workshops for more than 20 years, so hopefully a bit of knowledge has rubbed off.

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:09 pm

Ah, the "old coupe Vs convertible" chestnut.
I too hate convertibles and would have bought the MX5 in a Coupe format had that been an option.
When I went driving with our local MX5 group (when there was one) I was the only one with the HT on (and the hat and sunscreen off). Some of the guys would rag me about it, but hey, I'm all growed up and I can make my own decisions (nothing to prove to anyone).
I DO think the MX5 looks better with a HT than the coupe roofline as per the shortlived NB8A Coupe.

greasemeup · Postby **greasemeup** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 7:49 am

Best of both worlds- Targa T-Top?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

StillIC · Postby **StillIC** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 8:50 am

MattR wrote:Nope they weren't galvanised, and there is some conjecture as to whether we got any 69 builds out here.

I have owned Zeds and been around Zed workshops for more than 20 years, so hopefully a bit of knowledge has rubbed off.

We received at least one. I looked at the compliance plate and it was definitely 69. Sorry to the rest of you non Zers for the thread hijack.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 1:38 pm

PRR- I never go thru Maccas driver thru and my MX-5 has the top up about 5% of the time but afterall it's for fun not mundane duties. Nothing ( subjectively of course) better in motoring than open top on a good day or night with no radio or other distractions just the sound track of the exhaust and the outside world.

The-roadsters - are already an endangered species- the world moved on from the 60's when they were common- MG ,TC ,TD ,TF, MGA ,MGB ,Healey 4 and 6, Sprite ,Stag, Triumph ,TR3 4 5, Sumbeam Alpine and Tiger etc - the golden years of a vanishing breed . The car magazines struggle to find an equivalent to an MX-5 even today for comparo in price and equipment etc. The best roadster under $50K - the MX-5 wins. In desperation the testers throw in 86/ BRZ but they are not the same are they? However Mazda were very smart with the NC because it really did offer a Coupe with the touch of a button - really brilliant conversion and everyone can be happy.

"The comment; "There's a reason it is the most raced car on the planet and it has nothing to do with it being a convertible" . That surprised me- what is the source of that? Incidentally this thread was about road cars not race cars.

Red Dragon · Postby **Red Dragon** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 3:44 pm

Just my 2cents worth.
If my NA was not a convertible I would not have bought an MX5.
It was with the purpose of driving with the roof down in the sunshine and enjoying the fresh air that i bought it, and i would say 99% of MX5 owners in Victoria are the same,the roof only goes up when it is raining cats and dogs.