Mazda MX5

[Veloce_Rosso]

It's alleged the MX5 was influenced by the original Elan. I don't doubt the claim for one moment, but many cars have been shaped or influenced by previous cars/models, so what's your stand on this?

I don't know enough about the Mazda nor do I care. IMHO the Elan will have It's own distinct traits as does the Mazda (I guess)

[jep]

At a time when affordable convertible two seat sports cars were almost non-existent, let alone RWD, the MX-5 was a revelation.  

The only real surprise was, what took so long? 

I've never owned one but I'd certainly like to. I'll stick to Lotus but I'd never criticise the majority who just want simple, reliable cheap fun. I assume it is better to drive than the MGF, which was a looker but shockingly dull to pilot.

Justin 

[DanR]

There's an excellent book "Mazda MX5 Miata" by Liz Turner. It relates the gestation of the MX5. Basically it was a "skunk works" team in the US design studio, who were inspired by an American journalist Bob Hall, to build  a sports car. The team were led by an engineer Toshihiko Hirai and did a lot of work in their own time and without the knowledge of their masters in Japan. Hirai had a Lotus Elan and used that as their inspiration and target for driving prowess.

The emphasis was on balance, driving enjoyment and enthusiasm over power. Thus the upper and lower control arm front and rear, the "power frame" (often mistaken as being an Elan style chassis) which connects the engine/gearbox and diff and lots of other niceties. They found with the power frame, the drivetrain was a locked unit reducing wind-up and release which makes for sweet gear shifts and a positive throttle to drive wheel reaction. The team also adopted Colin Chapman's principles of light weight and chassis rigidity.  The soft top is probably the most perfect example of being simple, quick to raise and lower and work properly keeping the rain out.

Here in oz, we got two versions of turbos, a local factory effort, the SP, and the limited edition Japanese Mazdaspeed model. With turbo upgrades both can punch way above their weight on the track and can be a weapon on back roads.

[Peapod]

This is an interesting watch.

 

 

[Arregueti]

3 hours ago, DanR said:

The soft top is probably the most perfect example of being simple, quick to raise and lower and work properly keeping the rain out.

And can be raised from inside the car with just one arm (in the older NBs at least). At a time where the Mercedes SL had a plastic rear window which fades badly under the sun the Mx-5 already came equipped with glass.

I have owned mine since new for over 22 years now.  It is a pleasure to drive and extremely reliable (only unable to move under its own steam once due to a leaking clutch master cylinder). Last year when my Evora lost its clutch I joined the French Lotus Club in Champagne with my Mx-5 and some Elise owners were surprised that I could keep up with them.

My neighbor prefers it over his Cayman GT4 for road use.

It is a very nice simple little car. Forget the branding and try one.

[mcdonaa]

I’m lucky enough to have one as my daily - a 2020 RF (the electric retracting hardtop version). As has been said here, it’s a car designed with the same ethos as Lotus - simple and light with great RWD dynamics. It really doesn't quite drive like a lotus (too much body roll and overly light assisted steering) but that really doesn't matter as it's just so fun to drive. It compliments the Evora perfectly 😄

 

[Peapod]

The other halfs pride and joy.

 

[USAndretti42]

I'm told that, when Mazda engineers approached Bosworth about help on the engine, they referred to it as the, "Lotus Elan project."

[Veloce_Rosso]

Thanks gentlemen, very informative. I knew one of Mazdas engineers owned a Elan but that's as far as my knowledge extended until now.

[Bling]

I owned 2 NA (Mk 1 with pop up lights) in the past.

One was a lovely limited edition 1.8 R Limited in a dark metallic blue and the other was a modded 1.6 track mule. Both amazing and cheap to run. I could get a set of 4 Toyo Proxes for the track car for just over £100 !

 

[williamtherebel]

Saw this in a restaurant car park last week! 

[Bibs]

I had an RS Ltd Edition, great introduction to track driving and super cheap to run. 

[Veloce_Rosso]

1 hour ago, williamtherebel said:

Saw this in a restaurant car park last week! 

Good spot. Love the bonnet badge.

[Veloce_Rosso]

Love the dark blue Mazda.

So, Mazda MX5 are a easier to live with than a Elan, minus the thrills and spills, is that correct?

One of my neighbours has a yellow early MX5, with the pop-up headlights. I'll take a photo when comes home

Always loved blue cars regardless of make. I've owned a few blue cars: 1991 Audi 80 Sport, one of the last Escort XR3 before they changed to fuel injection, current Alfa SW, Triumph Dolomite 1850 and a Sprint (all various shades of blue).

[mcdonaa]

I suggest you try one to see how you get on. Some people (like me) absolutely love them, and don't care about the 'hairdresser' type jokes that go along with them. Some people just don't seem to get along with them, especially taller (6ft+). The most recent (ND) is pretty cramped inside. I only just fit....and I'm a smidge under 6ft.

The most impressive point on the 2015-current ND MX-5 is that it's only about 50kg heavier than the 1989 NA...with all the modern tech, airbags, crash regs etc. That's quite some feat, and Mazda were absolutely obsessed about weight saving in the ND.

[DanR]

2 hours ago, mcdonaa said:

...and Mazda were absolutely obsessed about weight saving in the ND.

Here's a good video of how obsessive they can be.

 

[Doug Ashley]

Interesting thread, I currently own an NC2, and have had a few mk1 & mk3 over the years. I was lucky enough to be able to keep it alongside the Evora when that arrived.

Looking back I think it was inevitable I'd get a Lotus eventually - similar philosophy & somehow making every journey an 'event'.

Heres one of my earlier attempts at filming cars, after the BBR upgrades..

 

[Veloce_Rosso]

2 hours ago, Doug Ashley said:

Interesting thread, I currently own an NC2, and have had a few mk1 & mk3 over the years. I was lucky enough to be able to keep it alongside the Evora when that arrived.

Looking back I think it was inevitable I'd get a Lotus eventually - similar philosophy & somehow making every journey an 'event'.

Heres one of my earlier attempts at filming cars, after the BBR upgrades..

 

Good video. Mazda certainly looks a good car for cruising around windy lanes.

You can buy upgraded exhausts for my 3.2 Alfa, usually Wizard Cat-back system. Makes a great noise but can grate if the car is used on a regular basis, so I've kept mine as a stock exhaust.

Never realised there was so much love for the MX5, especially on a Lotus forum.

Might be tempted to try one.

Thank you.

[Doug Ashley]

Thanks for watching 👍

I'd be very temped to release some of that Alfa soundtrack, but agree it's a balancing act with refinement. I added an extra silencer to the Evora's /2bular system for that reason.

To borrow a comment from a recent JayEmm video, I think Lotus folk are an open minded bunch and I'm not surprised to see lots of appreciation for the MX5 

[Veloce_Rosso]

I did see the JayEmm video. Not a fan of his reviews, but yes, I remember him commenting on the open-mindedness of Lotus owners.

Love the Lotus name and heritage... IMO Chapman was a genius.

My two fav brands of all time is Alfa & Lotus.

Edited April 5 by Veloce_Rosso

[DanR]

5 hours ago, Doug Ashley said:

...I think Lotus folk are an open minded bunch and I'm not surprised to see lots of appreciation for the MX5 

Love my Lotus but was so impressed by the MX5 on car runs I had to get one. (Upgraded turbo Mazdaspeed, SE in oz.) 

[Veloce_Rosso]

Hope you guys don't mind a couple of questions, re servicing and upkeep?

Do they have cam belts or chains? If it's the former, how often do they need changing? And does the water pump need changing?

Is it recommended to use a certain engine oil, if so what one?

The oil I use is either Petronas Syntium or Petronas Selenia 10w 60.

Best wishes.

Edited April 6 by Veloce_Rosso

[DanR]

There are four generations of MX5's now. For oil, the handbook or google is the best guide. Here in Sydney the typical lowest temperature is around 5 deg in winter so 10w/40. I use Penrite full synthetic, which has a higher zinc content but maybe illegal in other countries.

As for the timing belt, they have a life of around 150,000 kilometres. The motor also is of the non-interference type. So if it breaks there won't be a fight between the pistons and valves for the same space.

Water pumps failure can happen and is a relatively quick fix.

[Veloce_Rosso]

43 minutes ago, DanR said:

There are four generations of MX5's now. For oil, the handbook or google is the best guide. Here in Sydney the typical lowest temperature is around 5 deg in winter so 10w/40. I use Penrite full synthetic, which has a higher zinc content but maybe illegal in other countries.

As for the timing belt, they have a life of around 150,000 kilometres. The motor also is of the non-interference type. So if it breaks there won't be a fight between the pistons and valves for the same space.

Water pumps failure can happen and is a relatively quick fix.

Ah, right. It's a non interference engine, which is quite rare in modern engines. I can only think of cars with rotary engines that non interference.

Thank you.

[mcdonaa]

I believe the NA and NB are cambelt, NC and ND chain.