GTI and RX8 owner, looking at an ND 2L GT

[Conza]

Hi, I'm Conza, I've had an interesting 6 months of car ownership, and I'm now seriously considering getting into a new ND 2 litre GT variant, manual, I'd go Red with Tan, otherwise can't see many other options for the GT trim? Not exactly related, but not sure what tyres, interested in what people are running and why. Did anyone here shop these vs. the Abarth 124 or perhaps anything else? Personally have also thought of a used Z4/TT but I think nothing else will really beat the 1000kg dream.

I wanted to hear feedback and opinions, my current daily is a Golf V GTI DSG, wonderful car, had it for 3.5 years and it's been great, but there's no sunroof. in July I bought an RX-8, I had considered one when I bought my GTI, but prices weren't as attractive then, they're now in the 10-15 k range so I did it, intending to replace the GTI, but I had two cars, intending for that to be temporary. I Parked the GTI and used the 8 as a daily for a month / 3 weeks, and I came back to the GTI and just said 'nope, this is better'. All subjective I know, but it was all of the little details in the car, it wasn't being manual vs DSG, that was the least of my concerns, even in 30 min bumper traffic with hills, but economy/range, and creature comforts basically (from the windscreen wipers to the cup holders to the computer, ect). And to me, the GTI was 90% as good a sports car, similar weight and very close on fun, some instances possibly more fun. I listen to music 99% of the time, and make handsfree phone calls often.

But, I've always wanted to have a convertible, and an MX-5 is the obvious choice (or 124 I guess these days), doing the power to weight with the 2 litre, and seeing real world tests, it should basically be about as quick as both my current cars, but all that sky!

In the predicament that I need to sell both my current cars before I move on, but logistics aside, my feeling is the RX8 is quite similar an NB, maybe a bit like an NC (that might be superior in some ways, they used the NB during development of the 8 ), but I'm hoping for a car that, ignoring seats and boot space, can provide the modern car features of the GTI and then some, which are really important, whilst having the driving thrills and dynamics of the 8, a Mazda FR with a LSD, but be 300kgs lighter, much higher torque to weight ratio, closer shorter ratios.

Haven't dríven one, would be up to driving someones here, in exchange for a drive of either of my cars if you were curious how either drove, but I can just go to a dealer and try a few demos anyway (not the same as on driving roads though).

[OMY005]

Haven't dríven one, would be up to driving someones here, in exchange for a drive of either of my cars if you were curious how either drove, but I can just go to a dealer and try a few demos anyway (not the same as on driving roads though).

See if a dealer will let you have one overnight? You can drive it wherever you want then to help make a decision. When I was looking at buying mine they gave me that option even though I didn't take them up on it.

Andrew.

[Conza]

Andrew, I think that's an excellent idea having it overnight, I might try Wednesday as we're about to come to a 4 day weekend, that would surely be too long for them to loan it.

Oh another thing I'll add, this is going to sound probably weird, I like the silver on the 16 inch wheels better, but I think I couldn't put those on the 2 litre car because that extra 20mm of traction (10mm x 2 either side) would show up. In other countries the 17 inches come in a brighter silver, I don't strongly dislike the darker 17s, personally I'm lucky they aren't black.

I'm pretty sure it does, but to confirm, the 1.5 comes with a LSD in (GT form)?

EDIT: A bit like Columbo, I keep saying "just one more thing" Has anyone updated 'just' the anti-roll bars? I'm not that obsessive with roll in cars, so I would probably leave it, at least for a while, unless the car felt like a 50s US cruiser or something. I'm guessing the Abarth 124 parts would swap right in too?

EDIT 2: Yes again more questions, well firstly a partial answer to my own, it appears the reversing camera isn't always standard in the GT? Can we swap the DRL for fog lights? And wondering if the cloth seats in the standard trim can come with the Bose speakers (if not thats a deal breaker for me personally).

[smy0003]

Giving up 0.5" of wheel width isn't the end of the world if you really like the silver. Mazda may even be able to help you out sourcing 17x7 silver wheels, they must exist somewhere. I agree that the silver is more appealing than the black.

I'm sure Mazda could put the cloth seats in the GT model if you asked them too so you can have cloth and Bose, but you said in your original post that you wanted Tan on Red? Can't have tan cloth seats.

As for the sway-bars, driving the car will answer any questions you have in regards to handling.

All manual transmissions have the LSD regardless of trim spec.

[Mr Morlock]

Convertibles are not everyones idea of optimum choice in a car: essentially they are for special occasions not daily grind. For someone listening to music 99% of the time a convertible with the top down is not a good choice. What seats one has or the colour is not going to make much difference- the car has a character- its small, light, pretty noisy and lousy for space and essentially sports cars. Take the test drive one with the top down and the radio on in heavy traffic.

[Conza]

This is all subjective, if you disagree that's fine by me and I welcome alternative opinions, but this is what I think.

Well Mr. Morlock, I did take the test drive it was the base with no Bose sound system, the base still had 1 or 2 speakers in the headrest to my pleasant surprise, and I think it basically worked, enough that if no GT existed, it wouldn't be a show stopper to me, the music lover. Yeah, top down playing music is a bit exposed, but that's really everyone else's problem I guess (assuming I'm not super loud).

Drove it for 2.5-3 hours, around roads I know. Sublime. Best car I've ever dríven for spirited driving, going up against both of these two I've owned, a 2015 Cayman S, 2016 Vantage, 2003 Boxster S, nothing compares to this car. 1000kgs is magical, you drive a car that's 50kgs even a 100gs lighter, you might notice a difference, but when its 200kgs+ or in my case 300-350kgs, the difference in phenomenal, it completely overpowers everything else about the car, it defines this car. I may think the same again to this if I drove... An Ariel Atom for example, but there has to be a point where you stop weight reduction, and I think this is it (for me, for now).

I also thought the 2 litre engine has plenty of power, can't really see needing any more, even the 1.5 I think I could honestly live with, only 20 less horsepower, and I think 150NM would be just enough, again if no other option wouldn't break the deal, but there is, so 2 works for me. This seemed like a big engine in a small car, and the character is excellent, there's pull immediately from low revs, sure you can find yourself in 5th or 6th, so change down, mostly the torque was either there anyway or I enjoyed changing.

The transmission is a work of marvel, to me it's like if I dreamt of what the perfect manual transmission would be like, this would be that, and in combination with that clutch, light but bites well and gradually, can really see why Mazda kept it from the guys at Fiat/Abarth, although I'm sure the NCs transmission is excellent too, I'm sure this is a step up.

I nearly bought one, and I never do that, as everyone has read, bit of a rush to sell a car in three months, no less two. But have a good idea of options, spec, and I know this is an astonishing car, and one I would happily go bumper to bumper in 5 hours a week to work.

Criticisms? Ok would've liked a glove box maybe, and slightly larger door bins don't seem impossible or that they'd add 10s of kilos, but didn't really need the storage space (I brought stuff I keep in my Golf to prove/test it too) really, I just can't find anything wrong with it, even the anti-roll bars, I loved that myself wouldn't change them, had an amazingly comfortable ride for 17/45 tyres, perfect comparison to my Golf also on the same profile but technically the Golf has 8mm more rubber (225 vs 205), and it crashes over speed humps, pot holes, ect.

Oh, I was smart enough to drive it with the top up, was great, I think the engine was even louder with it up, have no problems with this on a rainy/ super cold day.

I've joined the fan club, it's just a matter of time.

[pcmx5]

Really interesting perspective given your previous experience.I must say that as a long term MXer I am finding myself enjoying my base 1.5 ND more and more on each drive and just love the handling and the ability to flow the car and maintain corner speed.

Good luck with whatever you do.

Peter.

[Conza]

Yeah the 1.5 must be just as excellent, obviously would be slightly nicer handling car given the weight, braking too, no doubt you have to give the 1.5 the slightly more pure sports car, also would have more range which is nice. I'll see if I can drive one at one point, but have a feeling the extra torque of the 2 litre might suit me more as a daily.

[pcmx5]

I have some other posts on this but I would take a 2ltr everytime if the price difference was only the $2500or so it is when new.I was looking for a cheaper solution for a weekend and fun car and at the time looking at demo's the 1.5 was $6000 cheaper!
So yes get a 2 ltr but I am amazed at how well the 1.5 goes and think that a base 1.5 is great buy and low klm ones for $28K make fun easily accessable.
Couldn't go wrong with either or a Fiat 124 IMHO.
Was also interested in your comments as I had seriously thought about a low klm 987 Boxster and would have bought one only the car I was interested in was involved in an accident after I had decided to take the plunge.It was nice but not as great a step up as i thought and after the ND I don't think I would be going that way again.
Really quite happy that this lead to me selling my modified 96LE and 2009 NC2 and getting the ND!
Peter.

[Conza]

I'm in two minds about even trying an Abarth 124. To me, it's uglier, heavier (probably just 50kgs), and gets worse economy, not sure if there are any major positives other than (if it's really really good), the auto for some people may be superior, and 50NM of torque is not nothing, but the delivery is apparently laggy (guess there really is no replacement for displacement, don't have that problem in my 2 litre Golf, 1.4 + turbo probably causes that).

Otherwise there really isn't anything "new"-ish to consider that I can think of. Guess if a super low kms NC came up I'd consider it, not a big fan of it's looks though, still ok, but really have fallen for the NDs looks, it grows on you a lot.

[93_Clubman]

if a super low kms NC came up I'd consider it, not a big fan of it's looks though

Interesting comment - Fiat's version of the ND actually reminds a few on here of the NC.

[Jdm Mx5]

if a super low kms NC came up I'd consider it, not a big fan of it's looks though

Interesting comment - Fiat's version of the ND actually reminds a few on here of the NC.

please don't insult my NC 93 Clubman

[Conza]

if a super low kms NC came up I'd consider it, not a big fan of it's looks though

Interesting comment - Fiat's version of the ND actually reminds a few on here of the NC.

please don't insult my NC 93 Clubman

Hmm interesting, not sure I'd feel insulted, but fair enough, they share a transmission and are close on weight don't forget. I just can't get behind the looks of the 124 I think, if they were both as good looking...

Anyone remember that Alfa Romeo Spider concept? Auto Express did a mock up, now that I would've considered. It was probably too close to the 4C and/or they wanted Fiat to have something as well, here's my favourite drawing of it.

[Apu]

I'm an Alfa guy at heart...and if they did build a light rear drive sports car, I'd be seriously tempted. I wish they did it instead of FIAT.

[Mr Morlock]

You would be taking a financial and practical risk in buying an Alfa or Fiat version. Servicing, spare parts and resale value would almost certainly be well below the Mazda name plate. I had Alfas when they were ahead of the pack but they have been somewhere near the back for decades just trading on a badge and a dealer network that apparently did not rate. The road tests and reviews of the MX-5 esp 2 litre actually rate it as the best of its type and said to be as much, or more fun than vehicles 3 times its price. I would not know - never had the chance for an extended test over months of Porsches etc and never will. The MX-5 ND has some shortcomings as a tourer i.e. small and lack of space but for a fun day tripper and those chasing a convertible its got to be the best for the money. Then again if you have the money buy whatever you like and hang the resale or service costs- wouldn't that be good.