Mazda MX-5 mk3

[SpicyBlimp]

Anyone got one or driven one?

Got a test drive later this week and seriously considering getting one

Just wanted to know what owners / drivers thought about the car and the driving experience

[G]

A nice blend of the rawness of the original MX5 with some modern smoothness.
Doesn't quite 'excite' me as much as the old one, but nicer to use daily, to get from A to B etc.

I don't own one, but have used Bendy's one a reasonable bit... I'm sure she'll be along at some point.

Personally, I don't think I'd spend my money on one (as can be seen by the way I don't have one ), but I obviously have different 'requirements' to others.

[Ork12]

I've got a turb'd mk1 and before that had a mk2 so can't comment much on the mk3, but if it's even half as fun as either of the earlier ones then go for it! I think theres something about getting difference geom setting straight from factory if it's the early mk3 though?

Best bet is go to www.mx5nutz.com or the mx5oc website and read through everything on the forums

Cheers

Alex

[Bendy]

Got one.

Had a (fairly knackered) mk1 before, now had the mk3 for nearly 3 years.

It might not have quite the same 'charm' as the mk1 (pop up headlights FTW!) but in my opinion its a much nicer car to use day to day. Some of which, I accept, may be because my mk1 was old and a bit shagged.

The mk3, for example, doesn't weave on the motorway if you want the headlights on.

Only problem I've had with mine is that the OE brakes didn't really last. I replaced them with aftermarket pads and disks and they're spot on now. It's also too quiet as standard, but I put a Racing Beat exhaust on for rudeness.

The traction control is nice to have - switch it off if you want fun, leave it on when it's wet and cold and you just want to get where you're going. A bit bigger and chunkier than the old car, you also feel less like you're going to die in the event of an accident.

Not a fast car but that's not what MX5s are about - they're all about the corners and the twiddly bits.

Here's a gratuitous picture of mine on the sort of roads it's best at. Probably my Best Driving Day Ever

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3523115/bcf/IMG_2944.JPG

Any specific questions, feel free to ask.

[angryjonny]

A friend of mine has one - the 2.0 with some sports suspension or other on it. I've driven it quite a lot and even did a car-swap with him for a month or two. He loves it but is now planning to change it because it's not all that practical. Being lowered, it doesn't cope well with speed bumps, multi storey car parks or even pulling on to my drive.

The traction control (or "success-light" as we call it) is easy to activate but doesn't get in the way too much. By comparison, it's much harder to get my 325 to engage the traction control but it has crippling consequences power-wise when it does - the MX5 just stops you crashing so easily.

Looks a bit meaner than the mk1/2 - a more acceptable car for a bloke to drive, I think.

[locked]

I had one for a week as a demonstrator. It was the 2 litre version fully kitted out with the metal folding roof.

Its true what everybody says about this car, its great in the twistys. The 2 litre engine is a little underpowered for me but its a great drivers car.
____________________
on the look out for my next bike....
CBT Passed - 13/09/09 Theroy Passed - 19/12/09 Mod 1 Passed 04/05/10 Mod 2 Passed 14/05/10 - Free to ride ANYTHING!
Motorcycles are perfectly safe as long as you remember they're dangerous.

[SpicyBlimp]

Thanks for the input guys

That's alot of what I wanted to hear