MGTF vs Mazda MX5

[stuart]

Went with my Dad to see an Mazda MX5 yesterday- he's after an affordable toy to celebrate his retirement and to tinker with, after months of pushing the merits and virtues of the MG marque, he's duly gone and bought an MX5!!! An 03 plate in dark blue with matching hardtop, lots of extras including glass rear screen, decent induction system and roll hoops- being fair it's immaculate and low miles with full history so fair play to Dad!

Initial thoughts are it ain't as quick as my car, its a much softer ride though and the cabin is more cramped,but as my Dad pointed out, "at least the engine is where it should be son"

He's happy, and I look forward to putting it through its paces- still like my car better by comparison though

[talkingcars]

It'd be a bit strange to have a mid engine car with the engine at the front!

[robbie1003]

hope he enjoys his new toy, they are ok but in my view arnt as good in the driving feel as a mgf/tf. we had a mx5 and to be fair its grip was poor, felt dangerous when driving at nominal speed around the bends in the wet, yes change tyres and geo checks but they were made in standard form to have low grip to give you fun at low speed. still amazes me how much more grip and more punchy the f is compared to the mx5, miss it in a way as our 5 was a mint mk1 but enjoy the f much more.

[stuart]

I have to say that I enjoyed the drive home in my TF much more than the test drive of the MX5. I'll be a good comparison though as I get to drive it more. both cars are a year apart in manufacture, both ride on Bilstein shocks. I felt more connected with my TF in terms of more feel through the steering and the driving position is way better- it may be just familiarity or just that the MX5 was too soft to feel really connected with what the car was doing.

I'd rather push my car hard through a bend than the Mazda.

Interesting to drive an MX5 though, less sporty definitely

[robbie1003]

ours was fitted with the lsd rear axel so when it broke traction it didn't wheel spin it just pointed your arse where you didn't want it with with very little warning, imsure uprated suspension will make a difference but to me thats spending money on something it should allready have. there is a power loss through a longer powertrain setup but the advantage of the gear stick actually being directly connected to the box is a nice feel.

[diesel destroyer]

For a car with the engine in the front.. The boot is seriously small..

Lots of wind/ engine noise too on the motorway.. At speed..

But I do like em

[c13amb]

I used to own an RS MK1, it was lowered, enkei white alloys, stainless zorst,induction, lsd, water inj, jackson supercharger,198.6 bhp loads more!! It was brilliant fun, but I do have this "infinity" with the MG marque!!!

Another pic!!

Here it is!!

[austingarages]

Must one of those new Japanese sports cars!



I have driven a few MX5s, but allways prefered the drive of the F/TF

[c13amb]

Very good,I like that... but it was quicker than that but it wasnt as comfy

[Barred]

I used to own an RS MK1, it was lowered, enkei white alloys, stainless zorst,induction, lsd, water inj, jackson supercharger,198.6 bhp loads more!! It was brilliant fun, but I do have this "infinity" with the MG marque!!!

DSCF0005a.JPG

Some ones faired in your air intakes.... take it back.

[Phil Jay]

My wife used to have a Mk1 V-Spec MX5. It was auto so it was slower than the stick shift and I thought the ride quality on standard 14" alloys was pretty harsh. That said, it was mechanically bullet proof and totally reliable, but the MGF Stepspeed she has now is quicker, handles better, is more comfortable and much more economical - oh and I think it looks a million dollars, but then I'm biased . We'll have to see how it fairs on the reliability stakes though as it's a fairly new purchase. However, we should probably be grateful for the MX5 because without it, the MGF/TF may never have been developed. After all it did reignite the two seat roadster market. That said, I'll take the MG in a heartbeat!