Need advice on new MX5 (steering stiffness)

Newbee · Post by **Newbee** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:56 am

Morning all, this is my first time trying a forum so I'm still learing how it all works.
I've been test driving the new MX5's for the last few weeks and have fallen in love with them. At the moment I'm trying to decide between the true red and the stormy blue coupe. I never thought I'd be able to get such a lovely car so I'm really excited but have a quivering bottom lip as I'll still have to wait months for it to get here.

When I drove the coupe auto (auto was all they had) The steering was very stiff and I felt like I was fighting it the whole time. Yesterday I drove the limited edition manual (I'm definatly ordering a manual) and the drive was much better. The steering was still acurate but not stiff, so you're fighting it.

Can anyone tell me what the difference is? Also will the steering loosen up a bit with some driving? (both the test cars had less that 1000 kms on the clock).

Is there anything else I should know about the 07 MX5's? I'm told they have 4 star safety rating which is good.
What's everyone's thoughts on which colour I should get RED or BLUE?

Cheers

Bazza · Post by **Bazza** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:30 pm

Unfortunately there probably won't be too many replies from owners of such a late model.........for example - mine is 17 years old.

Speaking from the view-point of one who has owned many varied cars over the years I am surprised to hear you have stiff steering in such a new car and can only wonder what your current/previous ride is ? I can't imagine that useage would improve things, they should be perfect now. As you will be aware, the main feature of the MX5's over the years has been the great handling. Are you happy with the type of tyres fitted, there are some pretty knowledgeable types on the forum in this respect.

Take this aspect up with salesman - however don't necessarily accept his opinions if you're not happy.

Blue or Red - follow the herd or be a rebel.

Gordon Tucker · Post by **Gordon Tucker** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:55 pm

I can't understand why the steering should be so stiff, unless the tyres were underinflated by a large amount, or the power steering wasn't working. I have owned 6 MX5s and currently own a 2001 with larger wheels and tyres and a 2005 (current model) with the factory 17 inch tyres and Michelin tyres. I have lower springs and a different wheel alignment set up. The steering on both is a little heavier than standard, but still light enough for my wife to use either on a daily basis. I do know where there is a Jap import Galaxy Grey (Gunmetal) Coupe for sale. Only a couple of thousand Kms and a lot cheaper than the new price, if you are interested.

Post by **jif** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:02 pm

having the castor (alignment) way high could cause stiff steering? This is presuming the tyres brand/pressure were the same betweent the 2 , and there was nothing duff with the steering rack.

Newbee · Post by **Newbee** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:17 pm

What is the castor alignment (sorry, I'm more familar with bikes than cars). I hadn't thought of tire pressures either, very good point - higher inflations would make it more twitchy/stiff eh?

It just seemed strange to me that seemingly the only difference was the roof and the transmission, yet the handling was so different. I might ask to try a different demonstrater to see if it was just that particular car that was stiff.

Thanks for the offer of the grey one, I've decided on a new one (I really like the hard top), and I'm not keen on the grey.

Cheers

poison · Post by **poison** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:23 pm

So lets get this clear, you're telling us, you've had 6 MX5's and currently own 2 x post 2000 MX5's and you're looking at the new 2007 model and...... asking others what colour you should buy? WTF...???

You're clearly more concerned about what other people think about you than anything else, my answer to that is "Not Much, get a life" and I'm sure there's bound to be an "Ohh look everybody, look at me" forum somewhere you can join.

Newbee · Post by **Newbee** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:07 pm

I've never had an MX5, (not sure where you got that idea)but really like them. The ones I was talking about are the two I test drove.

I think you mistake my enthusiasm (after saving my ass off and finally being able to get a lovely new car and trying to be interested and knowledgable) for me being some sort of egotistical self-centered pretender! I am just trying to talk to some like minded passionate people, maybe it's not me that needs to 'get a life'.

Psycho_Dad · Post by **Psycho_Dad** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:53 pm

poison, read twice, write once

perhaps hes asking about color because of its eventual resale value?

welcome to the club newbie, this is less than my 10th post, so im new too, color never bothers me, since how often am i outside looking at my car? driving is all that concerns me, but I'm not 25 just yet so i cant really look at anything else

i think you'll find their arn't many people with the new 5's here, but based on their predicesors(sp) im sure they are a capable car

if it were me id google a few now vs previous model reviews, just to see what benefiets of the new ones are... and some spec pages for kerb weights etc

im curious what the new 2ltrs are like

cheers
Psycho_Dad

Psycho_Dad · Post by **Psycho_Dad** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:55 pm

oh yeah and id also work out how many gears you want(if it comes in 5 and 5MT

cheers
Psycho_Dad

Bazza · Post by **Bazza** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:53 pm

When I first replied to this post, I felt then, as I do now, that this was a genuine "cry for help." There is no way that I will ever be forking out the price of a new MX5. To hear that the thing doesn't handle well in the steering is a complete surprise. There is either something terribly wrong, or our new poster has been driving around in vintage Bentleys, (I did ask what his previous ride was.)

The two cars he test drove were either woefully prepared, or Mazda have put out a complete lemon, and his expectations haven't been realised. I wonder what he would think of a 1989 NZ specced model without power steering ?

Post by **jif** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:39 pm

newbee - high castor angles mean more camber gain on turn in, more self-centering effect ... and a heavier feel. Here's some random page that explains it http://www.ozebiz.com.au/racetech/theory/align.html

poison - I think you're getting Mr newbee mixed up with one of the other posters here

any bikers are OK with me!

poison · Post by **poison** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:47 pm

Psycho_Dad wrote:poison, read twice, write once

Doh...

jif wrote:poison - I think you're getting Mr newbee mixed up with one of the other posters here any bikers are OK with me!

Doh Doh Doh Doh Doh Doh Doh Doh DohDoh Doh Doh

Damn it, I thought yay! Action fun time, that's the problem with doing this via email, I really thought I was onto something there.

Anyway sorry "newbee" and good on you for the enthusiasm, just don't get a BRG one. (British Racing Green) try and find one in the sun and look at it from a distance, one colour will stick out instantly. Close up is not how most people will see it. IMHO anyway. and sorry to "I've had 6 MX5's and 2 at the moment" guy.... actually only half sorry to "6 MX5's and 2 at the moment" guy, too much information....

Newbee · Post by **Newbee** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:18 am

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm a gal not a guy so I guess colour maters more to me than it would for guys? I'm driving a honda POS at the moment (my first car) I'm over 30 but have always riden bikes, so to compete with a bike I want a car that handles well.

I didn't mean to confuse you all - both MX5's handled really well! its just there was a difference in the heavyness (stiffness) of the steering and I liked one over the other as it drove more easily and I was just wondering if you knew what the reason was (as the salesman had no idea). Thanks to you all I now have some intellegent questions to ask to salesman.

Cheers - I'm thinking of joining the MX5 club (auckland) next year, do any of you belong?

Jif - I've had a look at the site you sent, Ta.

suburban_ennui · Post by **suburban_ennui** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 11:20 am

Sorry to jump in with being vaguely off topic but, seriously, WTF is wrong with British Racing Green as a colour? In my opinion it's classic, and a helluva lot nicer than, for example, red.

Newbee · Post by **Newbee** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 11:38 am

Isn't it funny how everyone has their favorites. Guess the world would be preddy boring if we all liked the same thing

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 12:28 pm

suburban_ennui wrote:" and a helluva lot nicer than, for example, red."

woa there..whats wrong with red huh...thems fightin words!

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:00 pm

The best colour is yellow.
I own two green ones.

suburban_ennui · Post by **suburban_ennui** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:00 pm

I have no beef with red as a colour for MX5s, it's more just that, with the older models at least, there are so many more red ones than any other colour.

Post by **zorruno** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 6:02 pm

on 4/12/2007 11:38 a.m. Newbee wrote:

Isn't it funny how everyone has their favorites. Guess the world would
be preddy boring if we all liked the same thing Razz

Hi Newbee and welcome to the forum. I guess you have been well and
truly indoctrinated into the forum community, and have survived so far!
I trust you see already that there are all sorts of opinions and types
on the forum so there will be all sorts of interesting responses.

Re the NZ Club, yes there are a bunch of members here, and I was
involved with the committee since 99 (recently retired!). I still help
out where I can and certainly recommend joining.

Re the differences in driving the two vehicles - yes, I'm sure it would
be totally down to alignment &/or tyre pressures as others have said. I
wouldn't have thought they'd be that different with regard to any other
setup. I'm guessing they have the same wheel size, factory tyres etc.

I really do like the new model. If I had some spare cash I'd swap mine
in a second. OK.... maybe I would keep mine and have two... I've never
been that keen on the look of the NB really.

And WOW... the sun must be coming out again... there have been 52 posts
in the first 4 days of this month... and only 77 for the whole of last
month.

So what have we all learned during those recent threads?
1. We shouldn't make assumptions when reading usernames! (me included)
2. Poison is a troublemaker

(You're all lucky.. I have to work with him)
3. The most controversial MX5 topic is colour choice AND....
4. Black is obviously the best colour.

cheers
zorruno (forum admin)

PS: forum stats here for those of you who like that sort of thing...
http://www.mx5forum.co.nz/statistics.php?previewone=20

Gordon Tucker · Post by **Gordon Tucker** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:12 pm

Wilksbrooke Motors, the Mazda dealer in Te Awamutu have a Stormy Blue Coupe for sale. It has been their demo car and has done less than 20 kilometres, so is vertially new. It is registered etc and they would sell it for aroung 49K - quite a saving on the new price. If you're interested, give Neil Goodrick a call on 07 8713079. I recently dealt with them to purchase a company Mazda 6 and they were very good to deal with

Newbee · Post by **Newbee** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:56 am

Thanks, it's nice to know. I have to wait untill after christmas to get it, but the stormy blue and the true red are my favorites. They have both colours in Albany in Auck but they're both auto so I still have to order one, as I'm guessing the your dealers one is also auto as well (I think it's all they bring in for stock).