MX5 2019 - traction control advice

MX5 2019 - traction control advice

Author
Discussion

MissFlashGordon

Original Poster:

23 posts

167 months

Friday 24th May 2019
quotequote all
Hi,
I’m thinking of getting a new Mx5 RF 2 litre GT sport. I did own a Mx5 mk 2 years ago, loved it, but lost control is bad conditions and wrapped myself under a HGV!!!!!
For fear of sounding boring 🙈😂 I gather the traction control and safety are much better now on them?
Don’t judge me 😂😂
Thanks

mrciarano

343 posts

68 months

Saturday 25th May 2019
quotequote all
Hate to be that guy, but the best traction control you can get is an advanced course and maybe some lessons on a skid pan - for any rear wheel drive car. Done it myself and genuinely is the best way to drive confidently with or without traction control.

Test drove a Mk4 (Mk1 owner) and you can still step it out if you're really trying especially when it's damp - but that's traction control for you, it's an aid and not something to rely on. Not driven a Mk2 to compare it with to be fair though. Considering I daily a Mk1 without traction control at all though, it's not something I'm too fussed about.

They're good cars - just make sure you put good tyres on them and drive them carefully!

vanwithwindows

10 posts

129 months

Saturday 25th May 2019
quotequote all
I have a mk4 now and had a mk1 for 5 years before that. Of course the "safety" is better in the newer one. The traction control does work pretty well. To be honest, the only time I felt unsafe in the old one was purely down to crappy tyres....

MissFlashGordon

Original Poster:

23 posts

167 months

Tuesday 28th May 2019
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Anyone drove these when it’s been snowing?

wilksy61

439 posts

123 months

Wednesday 29th May 2019
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Picked my ND Sport Recaro up from Wakefield last year during the "Beast from the East" and drove it all the way back to Suffolk, was entertaining to say the least but only got stuck when 3 miles from home - not even the trains were running as I only got as far as Doncaster on the way up to collect.

Basically it was fine but you needed to drive for the conditions.

MissFlashGordon

Original Poster:

23 posts

167 months

Wednesday 29th May 2019
quotequote all
Last question I promise :-)

Are they ok to drive in the rain/wet?

Just trying to check if they can be an all seasons car...

I’m gathering in winter you just need decent tyres and to drive carefully.

Thanks All

MissFlashGordon

Original Poster:

23 posts

167 months

Wednesday 29th May 2019
quotequote all
Last question I promise :-)

Are they ok to drive in the rain/wet?

Just trying to check if they can be an all seasons car...

I’m gathering in winter you just need decent tyres and to drive carefully.

Thanks All

Mort7

1,487 posts

115 months

Wednesday 29th May 2019
quotequote all
Yes and yes. Great fun, but remember that as you're quite low compared to the average car you will be more subject to spray when it's wet.

MissFlashGordon

Original Poster:

23 posts

167 months

Wednesday 29th May 2019
quotequote all
Mort7 said:
Yes and yes. Great fun, but remember that as you're quite low compared to the average car you will be more subject to spray when it's wet.

Thanks very much Mort7.... decisions decisions now for me on what colour to get :-) fancy either the red or the steel grey! Getting the 2019 2.0 litre RF GT version ... can’t wait!!!

dxg

8,781 posts

267 months

Wednesday 29th May 2019
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Get the RF in Eternal Blue. It's the best colour. Ask me how I know... wink

MissFlashGordon

Original Poster:

23 posts

167 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
dxg said:
Get the RF in Eternal Blue. It's the best colour. Ask me how I know... wink
Let me guess.... because you have one? If you do... how you finding it? I’m going on Saturday to order one! Can’t wait!

dxg

8,781 posts

267 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
I absolutely love it! The roof comes down more than the soft top mk1 I had before.

I've got one of the very last pre facelift ones (got a very good deal when they were shift stock) so it's the deeper blue rather than the full reflex blue. It has the same deep flake in it that the machine gray does...

It could do with a bit more power, but the facelift solves that.

I'm now a few thousand miles into it and I'm finding the gearbox is get even better and the exhaust note is deepening as it soots up.

Now the roads are fully dry I'm pushing on when I can and it just has this sense of rotating around the driver's seat when turning. Can't get enough of powering off roundabouts...

Plans for the summer are to get some undercoat on it as I plan to keep this for a long time!!

Put it this way, it's almost June and the Lupo hasn't come out the garage yet! Poor thing.


dxg

8,781 posts

267 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
Oh and the biggest difference to the mk 1 I used to have is the absence of scuttle shake. It's so much more solid a car than the old ones were. You feel safe in it. The higher belt line helps too. I've even seen photos of the piss-poor welding on the roll hoops and it doesn't bother me...

dxg

8,781 posts

267 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
Also get the Bose stereo if you can. I have the standard one and it's dire! I'm in the process of upgrading the speakers to see if that makes any difference

Nick67

221 posts

250 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
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They are fantastic cars and a real bargain

Suggest you get the scuff plates and decent mats, I found genuine ones on ebay, also get a stumpy aerial




More power would be nice, but weighing just over a ton it's a hoot, might look for an exhaust upgrade

Mort7

1,487 posts

115 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
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Mine's a Soul Red Launch Edition, with black roof, mirrors, spoiler and wheels. It gets an awful lot of positive comments. That said, I've always like the grey.........

designforlife

3,739 posts

170 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
Just drive to the conditions and make sure you fit decent tyres and replace them when they need replacing.

I drove a mk2 mx5 in all conditions and all seasons for 5 years, and apart from the occasional back end step out (some intentional, some not) it couldn't have been better.

What tyres were you running when you crashed your mk2? Were they in decent shape?

Driving in snow with RWD is generally easier and more controllable than FWD if things start to go (literally) sideways.

If you do go ahead with a new one, invest in some car control sessions in a suitable environment.



Edited by designforlife on Thursday 30th May 10:42

MissFlashGordon

Original Poster:

23 posts

167 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
dxg said:
Also get the Bose stereo if you can. I have the standard one and it's dire! I'm in the process of upgrading the speakers to see if that makes any difference
Sounds like you are totally in love ;-)

I’m defo getting the nose stereo! Can’t believe you get speakers in the headrest! Someone in work mentioned today that the new 2019 BMW Z4 is much better? Any thoughts? I very much doubt in handles better!

Nick67

221 posts

250 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
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A it not an MX5
and
B it's £10k+ more

MissFlashGordon

Original Poster:

23 posts

167 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
designforlife said:
Just drive to the conditions and make sure you fit decent tyres and replace them when they need replacing.

I drove a mk2 mx5 in all conditions and all seasons for 5 years, and apart from the occasional back end step out (some intentional, some not) it couldn't have been better.

What tyres were you running when you crashed your mk2? Were they in decent shape?

Driving in snow with RWD is generally easier and more controllable than FWD if things start to go (literally) sideways.

If you do go ahead with a new one, invest in some car control sessions in a suitable environment.



Edited by designforlife on Thursday 30th May 10:42
I’ve done a track day in Thruxton in one.. loved it! When I had the crash I was young, driving ridiculously fast in wet weather and my tyres were just on being legal!! Not good at all! I’ve learnt my lesson, I was an idiot.