Introducing myself and my 2002 MX5

[Adrian_R]

Hello everybody!

Since I'm new to this site it might be a good idea to introduce myself an my car.
My Name is - as you probably guessed - Adrian, I'm 19 years old and I'm a student at the moment.
My car is a 2002 Mazda MX5 (I added some pictures below) with an 1,6 litre engine that develops about 110 hp. Few modifications were made, such as new brake discs, new brake pads, and a lower suspension was added as well.

Despite the fact that the maximum torque is about 134 Nm, it can be quite a lot of fun to drive it on country roads... as long as you keep the revs up.

It's my first car but I'm looking forward to buy a Lotus Exige S after having graduated.

Hope you like it, bye bye and greetings!

[Shawn]

Hey, welcome to FG and nice Miata... we call those Miatas here. Good to see you missed out on the pop-up headlamps.

[Redliner]

Nice car! Don't apologize for you car's specs, it's not meant to be a drag racer, it's supposed to be a fun to drive car, and (as far as I know) a very good one.
Welcome, read the forum rules and you see we are a great community.

[No Boss]

Originally Posted by Shawn

Nice Miata... we call those Miatas here

I call them Miatas when girls or old men drive them. When its a chap like us, I call it an MX-5... makes my friends thoroughly confused.

[Final Daihatsu]

Nice car!
You have just reminded me of my neighbour, who owns an AUTOMATIC Miata.

[scathing]

1.6L? Ouch.

I've driven a few 1.8L NBs (we never got the 1.6L in Australia) and they felt slow enough. I can't imagine what they'd be like with 1.6L. Still, with that chassis and once you're on the move on the flat or downhill, the car would be magic to drive.

My girlfriend has an NC hardtop and I absolutely adore it.

[Adrian_R]

Hello everybody.

Firstly, I'd like to thank you for your kind welcome and your numerous replies!

@ Shawn:
I didn't really like the NA-model with these weird headlamps... the whole body reminded me of an ugly canoe. *hide and seek*

@ Redliner:
It's true, that it's a (as you call it) 'fun-to-drive-car' but sometimes you really miss the torque. Especially after having driven a Mercedes C-Class 280 with a supercharged engine under the bonnet (pics to come).

@ Final Daihatsu:
An automatic MX-5?
Now THAT is alienated... just like alcohol-free beer or something.

@ scathing:
I think the MX5 isn't supposed to be a incredibly fast car (and it's far from that) but as an enjoyable machine it serves quite well. To me, it is a road-going go-cart since you sit very, very close to the road - and I like that.


Good night everyone !

[Redliner]

Well....I drive a 1.6 liter hatchback, and it also has little power (106bhp) and torque (150Nm) but it is enjoyable to drive it. Since the Miata is rear-wheel drive and is a convertible, I would enjoy it as well.

[scathing]

Originally Posted by Adrian_R

I think the MX5 isn't supposed to be a incredibly fast car (and it's far from that) but as an enjoyable machine it serves quite well.

It doesn't need to be incredibly fast, but it needs to have enough grunt to do what its told.

I only got a short drive of the NB, but the girlfriend's NC definitely needs more grunt. You tip it into a corner, and when you full throttle the car at the apex it doesn't accelerate until its out of the corner and the wheel is straight.

That's not fun, its frustrating.


I could enter the corner faster and try getting it higher in the rev range, but on the street that's dangerous. Its a lot safer to slow in, sight your exit conditions, and then power out.

"Slow" is relative, of course, and powering out doesn't mean doing it in a world of tiresmoke. But the car should accelerate when you're on full throttle.

Part of the MX5's incredible fun is its responsive chassis and the fact that the car yaws as soon as you turn the wheel and pulls up as soon as you touch the brakes, the car should respond as soon as you get on the throttle too (which is why I'd just like a bigger NA engine rather than a turbo one).

[NooDle]

Hi!

AFAIK this is the kind of car that needs to be underpowered.
Even the TG guys say the 1.6 is better than the 1.8, because you need to rev the nuts off it.

Drove an older model with a 1.6 ages ago, and it never occurred to me that it was lacking in power. If you feel the need to go faster, just rev it higher