Mx5 Nd or Alpine a110 for road and trackdays?
Discussion
Hi all,
I currently have a track prepped mx5 nd 2.0 with 184 hp that I use on track, and so far I've really enjoyed it, its a great momentum car that is also good fun to drive on track. Besides a gearbox replacement under warranty, it's been quite reliable too. I dont love convertibles so I never use it top down, or very rarely, I wish they had made a true coupe version - otherwise, great car.
I might be moving this summer to somewhere with tracks that have long straights (Estoril, Portimao) and am wondering if the mx5 will be a bit out of its element there, given that these are tracks more suited to a bit more power, so I was considering a switch to a base Alpine A110 that I would modify over time (engine mapping, chassis)
Given that the Alpine is almost double the price of the mx5, would it be worth the spending? I've driven a gts on backroads only and loved everything about it, but yet to try one on track.
I love lightweight cars and was also considering a v6 exige but it might be a bit out of budget for the moment. Also looked at s2 exiges which I love everything about, but I need something that I can also use on a roadtrip across europe. I have considered a 987.2 cayman but I dont want something that has high running costs, in terms of maintenance and consumables, as well as potentially old enough where lots of things will need replacing. Only exception to that criteria would be a Lotus because I'm a sucker for their cars!
Thanks in advance
I currently have a track prepped mx5 nd 2.0 with 184 hp that I use on track, and so far I've really enjoyed it, its a great momentum car that is also good fun to drive on track. Besides a gearbox replacement under warranty, it's been quite reliable too. I dont love convertibles so I never use it top down, or very rarely, I wish they had made a true coupe version - otherwise, great car.
I might be moving this summer to somewhere with tracks that have long straights (Estoril, Portimao) and am wondering if the mx5 will be a bit out of its element there, given that these are tracks more suited to a bit more power, so I was considering a switch to a base Alpine A110 that I would modify over time (engine mapping, chassis)
Given that the Alpine is almost double the price of the mx5, would it be worth the spending? I've driven a gts on backroads only and loved everything about it, but yet to try one on track.
I love lightweight cars and was also considering a v6 exige but it might be a bit out of budget for the moment. Also looked at s2 exiges which I love everything about, but I need something that I can also use on a roadtrip across europe. I have considered a 987.2 cayman but I dont want something that has high running costs, in terms of maintenance and consumables, as well as potentially old enough where lots of things will need replacing. Only exception to that criteria would be a Lotus because I'm a sucker for their cars!
Thanks in advance
mine is a 2023 and it just started from one moment to the next sounding like a straight cut gearbox, as well as having some difficulties entering 2nd and 3rd sometimes. Took it to a Mazda dealer for a look and they said it wasnt normal, so Mazda replaced the gearbox with a new unit, no repair. Have a done a few trackdays with it and am always very careful with not rushing gear changes as I've heard of these gearbox issues before, but still had the issue.
Seems that a few people have had issues with them
Seems that a few people have had issues with them
A friend use his A110 for this exact purpose, some light track use (some oomph while still fairly agile) and road trips too (modern and good level of comfort). Haven't asked him on running cost, but I suspect it won't be too strenuous on the wallet.
When I did track days, I only had 180bhp in my S2 and found power tracks such as Silverstone frustrating as you invariably get held back through the twisty by drivers with ego (good majority were Porsche drivers..), but then boots it on exit with their 400bhp+ so it becomes a drag race which I was never to win with 180bhp!
I have done numerous Euro trips (tracks days to Spa, Ring, weekend breaks to Le Touquet, champagne tour in Reim etc.) in my Lotus in my younger days. If you intend to buy a Lotus, just make sure the Aircon works as it gets a tad hot with the weather high temp and being situated 6-8 inches from the engine (just ask any S1 drivers
)!
When I did track days, I only had 180bhp in my S2 and found power tracks such as Silverstone frustrating as you invariably get held back through the twisty by drivers with ego (good majority were Porsche drivers..), but then boots it on exit with their 400bhp+ so it becomes a drag race which I was never to win with 180bhp!
I have done numerous Euro trips (tracks days to Spa, Ring, weekend breaks to Le Touquet, champagne tour in Reim etc.) in my Lotus in my younger days. If you intend to buy a Lotus, just make sure the Aircon works as it gets a tad hot with the weather high temp and being situated 6-8 inches from the engine (just ask any S1 drivers
)!Edited by chip* on Monday 18th May 08:56
Been using my friends A110 GTS for the last week for pretty much anything - b-road drives, highway driving, using it to go to the shops. Such a good car, it's really something special, for me the definition of more than the sum of its parts.
I really wasnt expecting it to be this good tbh, but it really convinced me that its a good choice to replace my ND, so I've put it up for sale and have a feeling the mx5 will sell quickly. It's a great car that I'd love to keep but the A110 is just on a different league, like a Lotus but better built and more suited for more roles!
Love the way it drives down a road, I think if you add a more aggressive alignment and play with the chassis setup you can have a truly fun and fast car on any road.
Anyone has any experience in modding these to get them to 300 hp and tweaking the chassis?
I really wasnt expecting it to be this good tbh, but it really convinced me that its a good choice to replace my ND, so I've put it up for sale and have a feeling the mx5 will sell quickly. It's a great car that I'd love to keep but the A110 is just on a different league, like a Lotus but better built and more suited for more roles!
Love the way it drives down a road, I think if you add a more aggressive alignment and play with the chassis setup you can have a truly fun and fast car on any road.
Anyone has any experience in modding these to get them to 300 hp and tweaking the chassis?
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