Mazda MX-5 ND First Impressions
Automotive

Mazda MX-5 ND First Impressions

By bimbeano · Sep 14, 2015 · 29 replies
bimbeano
WPS member · Automotive forum
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Bimbeano shares his initial impressions of the new Mazda MX-5 ND, focusing on its lightweight design and driving dynamics. He evaluates both the 1.5L and 2.0L engine options, highlighting the car's comfortable ride and surprising performance on twisty roads. This review offers a practical perspective on the MX-5's appeal as a fun, affordable sports car.

Sunday i had the pleasure to try out the brandnew and much bespoke new MX-5 ND.

It is offered with 2 engines, a 1.5 with 130 hp and a 2 liter with 160 hp. Both naturally aspirated so a relatively low torque ... .
The BIG plus is the weight, 975 kilo for the 1.5 and 1015 kilo for the 2.0 ... and it feels obviously ...  !!!

Remember the days when our VW Golf or BMW E30 weighed around 900 to 1000 kilos which is very light, theoretically. Why theoretically you ask ? Well, those old cars were equipped with heavier wheels, suspension parts and brakes (that didn't really work like modern brakes). So unsprung weight is now a lot less, and did i mention 'center of gravity' ? Also, a 2015 1500 cc engine might not have the character of a 1985 1500 cc engine but it is quite a lot smoother and has around 45 hp more, not mentioning fuel consumption (comparing now with the Fiat X1/9). In a way they feel almost as heavy as a modern 1200-1300 kilo car ... .

I had the pleasure driving the 1500cc for a nice twisty 20 miles in the Flemish Ardennes and as i expected i was immediately hooked.
The moment you turn the wheel around the first corner you sense the weight, that is NOT there ! The ride is very comfortable and in no way it feels like you're in an evil sportswear that want to take you to illegal speeds. Driving it at a rather slow pace round the twisty roads, revving it to 4000 rpm (7000 is max) you get along well. Overtaking slow cars (there are a lot in Belgium) is a piece of cake, even for this extremely light engine.

I could live with this 1.5 as it is cheap in many ways, a new one can be had for less than 22K Euros, road tax is ridiculously low (they charge you based on the engines cubic cc's) and fuel consumption was plain ridiculous as i managed less than 7 liters per 100 km bearing in mind this engine was still very low on miles.
So what the bad point about this car ? If you have a big dog you can't take him with you (but you can't either in a Noble M600).

Most people will choose the 2 liter, even here in Europe. The 1.5 probably isn't available in the U.S. if i'm not wrong which is understandable in BIG V8 country. Where i live the 1.5 might be the best choice anyway.

Now i'll have to wait a couple of years and see how second hand values go ;-).
















Bim

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The Discussion
BD
BDLJ
Sep 15, 2015

...but 1) no room for gf and woofer 2) light little convertible....do you need two? 3) going to be a while before I drive again! :-)

BI
bimbeano
Sep 15, 2015

... but with the modern touch .. best of both worlds !

BI
bimbeano
Sep 15, 2015

1) gf can come along though ? Or are you talking about gf + mistress ? 2) Very strong point here ... 3) Actually the solution .... where you're going you currently don't have a car ... why not buy one ? ;-)

CG
CGJ0
Sep 15, 2015

Mazda gave me one of these on Sunday for the day (plus a nicely filled picnic basket and rug) and sent me off for the day to do as I please. I opted for the grey 2.0L which comes with limited slip diff... well I'll keep this concise, the car is fantastic and it is mindblowing that you can get so much car for £23k all-in here in the UK (that includes Sat Nav and keyless ignition!). I had a lot of fun driving it and although I wouldn't buy one as it's just not my type of car I completely understan

AR
Ares501 - Mr Green
Sep 15, 2015

do we..you and me (190+ cm) can drive with top down? Or our head would make hole in roof? :)

BI
bimbeano
Sep 15, 2015

Seat completely back and down and my 198 cm just fit in ! WITH the rooftop !!! :-) Bim

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