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Life with an MX-5

  • 22-03-2013 2:27pm
    #1
    DriveSkill
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 757 ✭✭✭


    Ok, so its only been 24 hours (less actually!) but thought I would share some experience of the MX-5..

    The car is a 2008 Black Softtop with 57K km on it.

    * Firstly, its fun! It makes you want to just go out and drive somewhere...also as it doesnt have any of the usual 'aids' like cruise control, auto wipers etc it actually feels like you are driving.

    * Bearing in mind what it is there is plenty of room in the cabin and also the boot is pretty generous - like the way that the roof doesnt actually take any boot space.

    * Seems to be waterproof! Was not the best weather to be driving in yesterday no matter what the car but trip from Dublin to Cork was pretty good and arrived safe and dry :-)

    * Pretty comfortable (again bearing in mind what it is) - I'm about 5'11" got out after the 3 hour trip with my back still intact.

    Now for some questions :

    * There is some vibration when driving between 90km/hr-120km/hr. Would like to know if anyone else who has driven an MX-5 has any similar experience. Personally I think its down to the tyres as while they are new (put on by the garage) they are cheap crap in my view - Enduro Runway 916. They have a very strong V-Pattern which I think doesnt suit the car so that is probably one thing to go change. Any recommendations for good tyre brand/models to go for ?

    * Seatbelts very slow to retract - this seems to be a common problem and in fact there seems to be a fix http://www.miata.net/garage/tsb/08-001-11.pdf just wondering has anyone done this ? The link is from the US but same applies to the European versions.

    I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes on...will probably add some chrome detail to bits an pieces (around side indicators, door handles maybe etc)


Comments

  • #2
    ARGINITE
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,719 ✭✭✭ARGINITE


    DriveSkill wrote: »
    * There is some vibration when driving between 90km/hr-120km/hr. Would like to know if anyone else who has driven an MX-5 has any similar experience. Personally I think its down to the tyres as while they are new (put on by the garage) they are cheap crap in my view - Enduro Runway 916. They have a very strong V-Pattern which I think doesnt suit the car so that is probably one thing to go change. Any recommendations for good tyre brand/models to go for ?

    Get the wheels balanced?


  • #3
    DriveSkill
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 757 ✭✭✭DriveSkill


    ARGINITE wrote: »
    Get the wheels balanced?

    I did think it might be the balancing alright so certainly something to check but the tires where put on new and apparently balanced - there are weights on the wheels but of course no guarantee that they were balanced correctly.


  • #4
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,822 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    ...'5's certainly respond to good tyres, and Toyo Proxes are commonly recommended: I've just bought 4, on new rims, from Camskills, and am looking forward to a vast improvement over the Hoo-Ha's currently fitted !

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #5
    stakey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 721 ✭✭✭stakey


    Congrats on the purchase! Mentioned to you on the other thread but do get the drop links checked. The NC MX5 eats through them, not a costly replacement and by all means if you have the patience (I don't) apparently not the hardest thing to do yourself.

    When they go the ride quality will be greatly reduced and you'll feel like you're driving a car with a lot more mileage on it.


  • #6
    Neilw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,795 ✭✭✭Neilw


    galwaytt wrote: »
    ...'5's certainly respond to good tyres, and Toyo Proxes are commonly recommended: I've just bought 4, on new rims, from Camskills, and am looking forward to a vast improvement over the Hoo-Ha's currently fitted !

    Very true, I bought a mk2 mx5 and it had fulda's on it. The handling was transformed when I fitted Michelin Pilots's. Mx5's also seem very sensetive to tyre pressures.


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  • #7
    EazyD
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,207 ✭✭✭EazyD


    Have a 2005 mk2.5 for 3 weeks now, 24,000 miles, all tires were part worn(and rather crap), noticeably at motorway speeds/in rain, changed all 4 to uniroyal Rainsports/balanced, and it's considerably better


  • #8
    Kace
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 848 ✭✭✭Kace


    Surely it's the tracking you need checked and not balancing ? This is likely to be the issue in my experience.


  • #9
    DriveSkill
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 757 ✭✭✭DriveSkill


    Apologies for the delayed response - been too busy driving :)

    The vibration seems to be improving maybe as the tyres are wearing just a little (or maybe I'm imagining it!). Will still bring them to be balanced and perhaps changed out once I build up some funds again!

    I do have a couple of other questions however :

    First negative experience of the car is the front passenger dipped headlight bulb is gone and in typical cars these days it seems not an easy task to swap out :mad:. Looks like have to go up through the wheel arch, was dark last night when I got home so havent tackled it yet and may actually just bring it to the garage but if anyone has advice I'd welcome it.

    Second question is maybe a bit silly but looking to give the softtop a clean and looking at the cleaners there are cloth, mohair or vinyl - I think its a mohair roof but could be cloth....anyway to confirm for sure ? Dont think its vinyl but I could be wrong :)


    BTW here is a little pic of the car itself :

    car.jpg


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