Mazdaspeed MX-5: Sorely dissapointed

badAzLava3 · May 25, 2004

I think the MS Miata is a nice balanced package.

Looking at the big picture, it is easonably priced, (compared to the non-turbo car) pretty much dummy proof (for the most part) and completely different (rear wheel drive) than anything near it in price.

Nobody will pay $30k for a Miata, turbo or otherwise. The dealers that try to gouge like this should be reported to Mazda NA. They are providing a disservice to the public and to Mazda by doing this. They will hopefully put themselves out of business.

There is a lot more variability in drivers than in cars that come off the same assembly line. So knowing how to drive, working with boost, instead of against it, shifting quickly all mean a lot and are part of the "oneness between the horse and rider".

Being smooth is important in a boosted car, being ham fisted and jamming and slamming is just SLOW. Big torquey cars can cover up MOST of your basic driving sins, a real car also makes you a better driver.

Bottom line?

It's nice that Mazda gave the enthusiasts something different, is this car a good choice for the other 90% of the non-enthusisast, "cars are appliances" drivers...probably not.

StratoMX5 · May 25, 2004

I saw an SRT Neon at the Autocross event this past weekend in Austin TX and it did pretty well. He told me that he had to do TONS of suspension work to stop the body roll on it. I personally would have purchased something that I wouldn't have to put extra work into as soon as I got it. Just my opinion *wink*

Orthonormal · May 25, 2004

shaolin said:
I don't mean to pick on you, but I've always viewed drifting as the slow way around a track.

You don't have to be at a drift event, aiming the nose of the car at the center of the turn, to be "drifting". People also apply the term to a nice controlled powerslide through a sweeper, which is a hell of a lot of fun, and can be quite fast especially in low-grip situations (street tires on asphalt, cold/wet/dirty).

Done poorly, it's slow and sloppy. But with someone who knows how to "dance" with the car, slipping the rear tires and then hooking up at just the right moment, it can be a beautiful thing to see. Not to mention lethally quick.

(See also: Ben Martinez, Guy Ankeny, Don McKenna, et. al.)

APEXistud · May 27, 2004

Just curious, but have you had the opportunity to test drive the MSM yet? I was lucky enough to drive it on a small closed course at Mazda Rev It Up here in the Bay Area. I have to admit the the car in stock form of course, behaves like a mild mannered V6. The boost didn't spike or surge like a lot of people would expect a turbo'd vehicle to, but the power distribution was very linear. In mid corner, it still remained fairly balanced, but once you press the pedal a little more it would begin to step out. This "Powerslide" was very predictable in my opinion. But everyone has their own opinion. I feel that the MSM with a different wheel/tire combo would make and excellent Auto-Xing vehicle.

shaolin said:
Turbo is not my particular choice for auto-x, granted I drive an MSP. To be honest with you, I'd much rather be in a regular miata if I was driving in an auto-x course. Turbo powerbands are too irregular, especially when boost kicks in, and can throw the car's balance off mid corner. It's not a bad car, but I beg to differ that Mazda didn't have auto-x in mind when they developed the MSM. I've also heard that unflashed S2000's have the same problem mid corner with VTEC kicking in almost like a turbo would. The sudden surge of power just isn't good for a car's balance in a corner.

StratoMX5 · May 28, 2004

I've had the pleasure of driving an MSM and I have to admit it was fun. I drove it around some neighborhood streets, zipping around corners with my sister Mazdaspeedgirl in the passenger seat telling me where to go next. I like the feel of the turbo no doubt but since I was new to Miata's I figured it was best to go with just a stock one at first. I've never tried power sliding, hmmm maybe my next venture. In all honesty if I could have afforded it I probably would have bought it. I liked the drive and would love to see one out there autoX'in. Speakin of AutoX'in I LOVE IT! (crazy)

Titanium · May 28, 2004

Doesn't the MSM have an IHI turbo?

rx7gslse · May 28, 2004

StratoMX5 · May 28, 2004

You would be correct Titanium...

1.8-liter DOHC IHI Turbo Charged inline-4

Titanium · May 28, 2004

So what is the size? IRC the 2nd gen Rx-7 might have had an IHI turbo. I know that the Mx-6 GT 88-92 had an IHI turbo. Swaps?

KyRaceFan · Jun 9, 2004

2nd gens had Hitachi HT-18s.

In another MSM thread, they said i was an td03-13g.
SMALL!

I raelly wanna go drive one now...

Mazdaspeedgirl · Jun 10, 2004

Go drive one then! The closest dealership to me that I can find one at is 400 mile away.

our local Mazda dealership is not a Mazdaspeed authorized dealer, so they say.

Shane-O · Jun 10, 2004

Mazdaturbo's what can you say...there smaller then my fist. My Protege has the T-2small, I mean T-25.

TonyC · Jun 10, 2004

Mazdaspeedgirl said:
Go drive one then! The closest dealership to me that I can find one at is 400 mile away. our local Mazda dealership is not a Mazdaspeed authorized dealer, so they say.

time to move... to say.. LA. u know.. where all the cool ppl are

APEXistud · Jun 10, 2004

For moderate power with quick linear spoolup, a T25 or small IHI like the one on the MSM is all you need. Sure it's not all that large, but it supplies enough thrust to make the car a lot more fun. I personally would want a T28 or something of that nature and the power to be around 200rwhp. No disrepect to those who purchased the MSM, but at $26k w/leather it should a bit more power.

BiGx5MurF · Jun 17, 2004

Midehv said:
Well right now theres that $5000 markert adjustment in my area (Las Vegas) which will put the MS MX-5 over $30,000 after tax and title. I dont know if the same is true for other areas. For that price id much rather be sitting in an SRT-4. However, the SRT-4 is not rear wheel drive.

My mom just bought one for 28k after taxes. As for markups here in ny, I've only seen 2-3k. Sales guy said no markup for us, because we bought my p5 there last november.

abqspeed · Jun 18, 2004

MSM in Albuquerque

BiGx5MurF said:
My mom just bought one for 28k after taxes. As for markups here in ny, I've only seen 2-3k. Sales guy said no markup for us, because we bought my p5 there last november.

Here in Abq I paid ~500 under invoice. They certainly will not deal as much as they do on the non-MSMs and they are selling pretty quick. There are limited numbers out there and they seem to be selling within a few days of arriving....

BTW; I love mine, but it DOES need more - I am waiting for all the aftermarket to catch up. I think about 230HP at the flywheel should be about perfect for an everyday driver...

rx7gslse · Jun 18, 2004

I paid under sticker *barely* for the 1st one here in Dallas area...

one local dealer is already advertising $1500 off and APR discounts MSM's and has been for a month or so now... http://www.townnorthmazda.com/tnm/Cars.nsf/NewVehicles/C5850E728EBDFA6B86256E6D005472FD?OpenDocument

Nero · Jun 20, 2004

S2000

Has anybody thought about the S2000 as an alternative? It's like a Miata on juice. It's light, rear-wheel, 6-speed manual, quick and has awesome handling.

JDuncan · Jun 21, 2004

Nero said:
Has anybody thought about the S2000 as an alternative? It's like a Miata on juice. It's light, rear-wheel, 6-speed manual, quick and has awesome handling.

honda.com said:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=270 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left background=/images/2004/s2000/com100_verttile30.gif></TD><TD class=standardcopy vAlign=center align=left background=/images/2004/s2000/com100_verttile30.gif colSpan=3></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left background=/images/2004/s2000/com100_lft_curve_bkg.gif rowSpan=2></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>

</TD><TD class=com100xx vAlign=top align=left rowSpan=2>

S2000

</TD><TD vAlign=bottom align=left rowSpan=2>Starting At $32,800</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Not anywhere near the price, while admittedly a well balanced car...

EDIT.. Hyperlink at price carried in cut and paste from honda site. Does not work and I can't figure out how to get rid of it... Sorry

BiGx5MurF · Jun 23, 2004

JDuncan said:
Not anywhere near the price, while admittedly a well balanced car...

EDIT.. Hyperlink at price carried in cut and paste from honda site. Does not work and I can't figure out how to get rid of it... Sorry

Actually here in ny, at paragon honda, an s2k can be had for 28k before taxes.

Mazdaspeed MX-5: Sorely dissapointed

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