What did you drive before the 5?

[Lokiel]

1976 TA23 Toyota Celica LX (1800) bought second hand in 1990. Just a lovely little car but it had not been looked after and I was not prepared to spend $20K to restore it. If I had had the sense to buy one new I would still have it. A quality product.

:

IMO, the new Camaro looks to have been inspired by that model Celica:

- every time I see the new Camaro I think this.

[jaycrab]

Most recent before a 5 was an Alfa 156, which was fantastic when working. Can't wait to get a used Alfa Giulia QV in 5-10 years time.
Others worth noting include;
1985 Alfa 75 sedan (rust in peace)
Mitsi Cordia turbo (boosted till engine blew)
Nissan Skyline R33 with basic mods
Renault Clio 172
A few bikes

[Daffy]

Along lokiel's line of thoughts with the camaro and celica, how similar does the new F type jag and ND look!

[Lokiel]

Imagine the F type Jag owner being told "I love your MX-5".

From a distance, that last photo could be mistaken for an MX5 if you didn't know the shape of the headlights (unfortunately I do because it's the one thing I really hate in the ND).

Cars I've owned in order:

* 1978 Holden UC Sunbird (Dark Green, Opel motor served me through my university years so it was probably well that it was gutless and cheap to fuel)
* 1982 Mitsubishi JA Starion (Silver, best seats I've ever sat in, great GT car, good "poke" for its time - owned for 23 years, loved it, only sold due to rust issues)
* 1986 Mazda FC RX-7 Turbo (Black, owned while working in Minnesota, completely the wrong car for Minnesota winters, cured me of ever buying a rotary or black car ever again)
* 2004 Mazda MX5 SE "Gina" (Titanium Grey, now with very little SE remaining, still a work in progress, LOVE IT!)
* 2007 Mazda 3 MaxxSport (Champagne, great DD, very practical, underpowered, wallowy handling before Eibach Pro springs installed, written off in Brisbane's 2014 November hail storm )
* 2005 Mazda SP23 (BRIGHT yellow, bought as DD to replace the MaxxSport since I surprisingly loved the Mazda 3, decent "poke", great DD, very practical, inherited the Eibach Pro springs from the MaxxSport, needed to replace engine mounts and CV driveshafts and now drives beautifully)

Cars I've had long-term on company leases while working in Stockholm:
* Volvo 240 Station wagon (Red, HATED it, nothing special other than its carrying capacity)
* Saab 900 (Dark Blue, HATED the styling, inside and out, but came to appreciate the layout of the instrument cluster, everything was virtually in front of the driver, no need to look down into the centre console to adjust the heating or any controls, FWD is great in the snow). This car made me very critical of every subsequent car with regard to interior layout and is why I hate centre console mounted gauges, they're NOT practical (just easier to fit).

[rascal]

... if you didn't know the shape of the headlights (unfortunately I do because it's the one thing I really hate in the ND).

Agreed. imho, the single biggest design flaw in the whole car...

[Daffy]

... if you didn't know the shape of the headlights (unfortunately I do because it's the one thing I really hate in the ND).

Agreed. imho, the single biggest design flaw in the whole car...

I have to agree- Richard Hammond said it best, "It unfortunately gives it an angry puppy look"

[Rocky]

One of my neighbours owns a metallic red F Type Coupe and I can assure you it looks nothing like an ND when he drives past.

[Alex 2550]

Many of us would love to have owned this car.
Can you give a summary of the pros and cons of owning it and how it compares to your MX5?
I like to hear from actual owners of both cars because opinions are usually unbiased after actually living with the cars for long periods (vs a short drive).

i sent you a PM mate so i don't clog up here but in short both are very different.
daily driver, that can overtake quick enough, be practical and a little fun a standard...ish which mine wasn't WRX or EVO (hope no Suby guys see me say that lol)
for a drivers car that is fun at any speed and gives better feedback but loses practicality and lacks in power go the MX-5. MY MX is nothing special but i would say i have had more smiles in it than any car and at the end of the day that is probably what it is all about.
yes i could turbo the MX and make it quick but i think it would take its soul and away from the fun of using every bit of RPM that the MX has and being able to enjoy it within the speed limits any day of the week, my WRX was fun but really needed to be on a track and 80% of the time (when on the road) i didn't use 100% of its power. drive it like a flog especially mid corner it would try to kill you, did make a good sleeper for a WRX though. just to clear up as well my WRX had ported heads, cams, decked and sleeved block, fully forged bottom end lightened crank ect it wasn't just a big turbo this all means big dollars especially with WRX GST.
its more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
if anyone else has questions about my cars PM me always happy to talk.

[speed]

yes i could turbo the MX and make it quick but i think it would take its soul and away from the fun of using every bit of RPM that the MX has and being able to enjoy it within the speed limits any day of the week .

I'll keep this brief but I totally understand your reasoning.
When supercharged, my mx could still be reved hard and was enjoyable but obviously only in the lower gears.
The best part was that it removed that total lack of torque feel.

Turbo.. well I'll let you know soon enough. I'm still expecting it to be lots of fun and possibly replace the want to own my S3 RX7.


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[speed]

Back on topic...

I've owned 3 RX7's over the years (2 S2 and the S3 in my garage)
Loved them and drove a NA MX about 20 years ago and wanted one ever since.

I've also had 2 SP BG Astina's and found them to be fun yet still practical little cars.

15 years ago I found a well treated NA6 for a good friend.
He previously owned a Sigma and wasn't into cars at all.

I've serviced that car many times over the years and had the opportunity to drive it a bit.

He moved from Sydney to the sunshine coast and still has it.
It totally changed his appreciation for cars and driving in general.


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[Daffy]

In the few years before I got my drivers licence in 86, 2 cars that my oldest brother had that really turned heads were an 82 Ford XD- it had a mildly worked 351, was a deep metalic burgundy with a white leather interior, and 12 slotter rims- a really classy look for the time. But the one that Really had me drooling back then was his A60 toyota supra- as a young fella I loved getting in the passenger seat at every opportunity and remember just how much of a head turner it was.

[Daffy]

1931029_33383489009_8353_n.jpg

Okibi- shes a classy classic, a run down of the vital stats please!! (Ps- does she still her own own room in your garage?)

[Okibi]

To buy the SE the deal negotiated with my wife was that I sold my Spitfire and 98 NB.

[Daffy]

To buy the SE the deal negotiated with my wife was that I sold my Spitfire and 98 NB.

Im hearing ya!! I want to take the problem child a little further, but financial approval form the "minister of finance and marital relations" must pass the bill into legislation! happy wife happy life

[Blade_Hunter]

1978 Mini Clubman (with all the GT bits on it and serious engine work)
2001 Daewoo Lanos Sport (Yeah sorry, I was confused)
2003 Toyota Corolla Sportivo (Awesome little car, amazing bang for buck)
2010 Subaru Liberty GT
2016 MX5 ND2GT

In my car history, each replacement (with exception of the MX5) has more power than the car before it, each car also became more and more detached from the road as a driver.

I bought the 5 to get back to how I "felt" when I was 21 years old driving that Mini and I am in no way disappointed, The 5 is a car I really enjoy driving, the miles are filled with smiles .

The Subie for many many years was one of my dream cars and I loved it but I have no desire to own one again.

I did want a 5 back in 2006 but the missus talked me out of it with "How will we manage with only 2 seats" (We have no kids or anything) and at the time I kind of saw her point, even though there was only 2 of us we were a 1 car family. Now she has her own car it opened up the way for me to get Emma (Emma X 5) and I am in love .