MX5 for longish commute?
Discussion
HI all, I'm a reject from Jap chat. Now that the monsterously fun GTST has been gone a few months, I have developed a bit of a 'thing' for owning an MX5, pref a 1.8i Mk1 or 2. Have just started scouting for one. The only turd in this pool is that I have just got a new job which entails a good 100+ miles per day.(Approx 1/2 A+B roads, 1/4 town & 1/4 Mway-M4).
I'm sure a good example MX5 would be up to it and add much fun to the tedium of commuting, but am I? Am now in my early 40's and not much of a die hard these days. So MX5, a tiring drive over this sort of distance, day in day out?
What do the 5 drivers think?
TBH I'm very loathe to buy a 'white goods' commuter box, I want something to enjoy the driving experience again.
Thanks in advance for any input.
I'm sure a good example MX5 would be up to it and add much fun to the tedium of commuting, but am I? Am now in my early 40's and not much of a die hard these days. So MX5, a tiring drive over this sort of distance, day in day out?
What do the 5 drivers think?
TBH I'm very loathe to buy a 'white goods' commuter box, I want something to enjoy the driving experience again.
Thanks in advance for any input.
tuttle said:
Hi Slinky
Long time no see.
How's life on the drag strip treating you?
Hiya fella, indeed, it's been a while!Long time no see.
How's life on the drag strip treating you?
Things aren't too bad at all, relatively good year in competition, we finished 6th in the National Championship, and runner up in the Shakespeare County Raceway championship so can't complain.. Car is running really well, the team are very happy with it..
We're probably out testing this weekend if you're interested in popping up and having a look, Shakespeare County Raceway on Sunday.. If you're interested, drop me a line with your mobile and I'll fire you a text to confirm we'll be there..
Hope all's well..
slinky
What's your budget?
As a general guide to suitability, each new version (mk1, mk1.5, mk2, mk2.5, mk3) has become more comfortable and easier to live with while losing a little of the "edge" of previous versions.
Mk1 --- 1989 - 1993 (1.6 114bhp only)
Mk1.5 - 1993 - 1998 (1.8 130bhp - let's ignore the 90bhp 1.6)
Mk2 --- 1998 - 2001 (1.6 120bhp or 1.8 138bhp)
Mk2.5 - 2001 - 2005 (1.6 120bhp or 1.8 146bhp)
Mk3 --- 2005+
People don't usually distinguish between Mk1 & Mk1.5 because there was no facelift but there were a number of improvements.
The one that I think would fit the bill best is a Mk2.5 1.8, preferably a Sport so you get the longer 6th gear. You can get good examples for £5k now.
A Mk2 1.8 would do the job too and would be cheaper.
A Mk1 would be quite capable of very hight mileages. They would be more tiring on longer journeys as they are more "direct" so you don't get to relax as much.
As a general guide to suitability, each new version (mk1, mk1.5, mk2, mk2.5, mk3) has become more comfortable and easier to live with while losing a little of the "edge" of previous versions.
Mk1 --- 1989 - 1993 (1.6 114bhp only)
Mk1.5 - 1993 - 1998 (1.8 130bhp - let's ignore the 90bhp 1.6)
Mk2 --- 1998 - 2001 (1.6 120bhp or 1.8 138bhp)
Mk2.5 - 2001 - 2005 (1.6 120bhp or 1.8 146bhp)
Mk3 --- 2005+
People don't usually distinguish between Mk1 & Mk1.5 because there was no facelift but there were a number of improvements.
The one that I think would fit the bill best is a Mk2.5 1.8, preferably a Sport so you get the longer 6th gear. You can get good examples for £5k now.
A Mk2 1.8 would do the job too and would be cheaper.
A Mk1 would be quite capable of very hight mileages. They would be more tiring on longer journeys as they are more "direct" so you don't get to relax as much.
Tuttle,
At 40, I have a Mk1 1.8 and do 60 miles a day, about 120 a few times a week and have never had a problem with it at all - all A/Motorway roads.
No issues with comfort at all.
The only minor irritance is that the exhaust is so loud I can't hear the stereo - which is normally fine (and fun) - so listening out for traffic reports is a no-no.
K
At 40, I have a Mk1 1.8 and do 60 miles a day, about 120 a few times a week and have never had a problem with it at all - all A/Motorway roads.
No issues with comfort at all.
The only minor irritance is that the exhaust is so loud I can't hear the stereo - which is normally fine (and fun) - so listening out for traffic reports is a no-no.
K
ok, more of a young wippersnapper here.. but i used mine for around an 80-90 mile round trip commute for around 18months, aroads cross the pennines and town work, now it does 100miles a day in the daily grind on the M60.
its comfortable place to be, tho i prefer to drive in my sparco race boots or trainers - its more comfortable for me.
its not *overly noisy* can still listen to the radio and talk with my wife - thats with a stainless steel exhust fitted, which is louder than stock.
with mine not having power steering it is initally more tiring to drive, and the gears & clutch are a little stiff - but i came from an over servoed Citroen C4 - so a lot a differance, but got used to it within a couple of days.
its comfortable place to be, tho i prefer to drive in my sparco race boots or trainers - its more comfortable for me.
its not *overly noisy* can still listen to the radio and talk with my wife - thats with a stainless steel exhust fitted, which is louder than stock.
with mine not having power steering it is initally more tiring to drive, and the gears & clutch are a little stiff - but i came from an over servoed Citroen C4 - so a lot a differance, but got used to it within a couple of days.
Ear Plugs! They don't block all the noise, you can still hear car horns and stuff, you can even hear the stero if you turn it up a bit. Ear plugs can transform a car, make it much faster too. There's no compromise on safety either.
Or try an mp3 player. Or even just the ear pieces of an mp3 player if you don't want to use ear plugs.
Seriously, its the answer to your dilemma.
Or try an mp3 player. Or even just the ear pieces of an mp3 player if you don't want to use ear plugs.
Seriously, its the answer to your dilemma.
Many thanks for all your replies. SO! this is looking promising. Am especially glad to hear that some 5 drivers are doing longish commutes daily and still feel positive about the experience. Doubly reassuring to hear that the cars themselves don't appear to mind high mileage too much (with appropriate TLC of course).
tuttle said:
Many thanks for all your replies. SO! this is looking promising. Am especially glad to hear that some 5 drivers are doing longish commutes daily and still feel positive about the experience. Doubly reassuring to hear that the cars themselves don't appear to mind high mileage too much (with appropriate TLC of course).
With the right TLC the guys in the states are getting 300,000 miles....http://www.flyinmiata.com/projects/current_project...
Then the clutch pedal snaps....
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