Truly next best thing to a motorcycle!

**Edbear** · 4th February 2012, 21:53

No, not sex, that is in a class of its own.

Not being allowed to ride a bike and not liking three wheelers, I have been having to "make do" with our MX5. Being a Mk1 but a '94 1800 manual, it is said to be the most desirable of the breed and we lucked on it about three years ago getting it for a good price.

Only creature comforts are power steering and power brakes, I tossed out the air-con pump as the clutch had gone on it and it was several kilos of dead weight. Aftemarket bits are Momo steering wheel and pedals, 15" alloys and wider uni-directional tyres. Has the small front and rear spoilers which look nice as do the chrome sill plates but otherwise it is standard.

I'd call it tidy but by no means immaculate. It has had little use as it is a fair-weather toy and the weather hasn't matched up with many of my days where I was up to driving it, so it has only done 7,000km since we bought it...

But each time I get down into it and take it for a spin I fond myself grinning and suddenly all is well with life! I took it to Panmure today to pick up my daughter and along with the interest from other car drivers and passengers, especially pretty young girls, sigh..., I was impressed with its power and handling all over again! It has so much torque you can drop it into 5th at 60km/h and drive it like an auto or you can wick it up and explore the redline and blow the doors of most anything else. Okay, it's not a rocketship like a Ferrari but for a modest 130hp it doesn't have much weight to move and ton-up speeds are easy.

Give it a twisty road and it really sticks, I've never found out whether the limited slip diff works or not it has so much grip and go I think one would have to be brutally provocative to activate it. Mind you I don't drive it much when it's wet.

I always say these are more fun than s barrel full of monkeys and only the Honda S2000 could tempt me otherwise but they are in a much higher price bracket. For affordable, laugh yourself silly fun where you can genuinely mix it with a motorbike and not be disgraced you can't beat them!

**mashman** · 4th February 2012, 22:24

But it's a hairdressers car

... I always fancied a beach buggy with a gsxr engine in it. Could be fun.

**kiwifruit** · 4th February 2012, 22:45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p-Ev...eature=related

**Berries** · 4th February 2012, 23:50

Aha. But isn't this a motorbike forum?

**Big Dave** · 4th February 2012, 23:55

Time to change your medication Ed.

**Gremlin** · 5th February 2012, 00:55

You should get one of these

**FJRider** · 5th February 2012, 02:34

Originally Posted by mashman

I always fancied a beach buggy with a gsxr engine in it. Could be fun.

I had one with a 81 GSX1100 engine. NO REVERSE. Did without it ...

**Warr** · 5th February 2012, 08:53

Originally Posted by Edbear

Truly next best thing to a motorcycle!

My lady has 1990 MX5 with 195's on it.
I have taken it around the coro ... It was wild ! and I can tell you about the limits of adhesion ??
It slides like wow !.. I had wondered if it had a Limited Slip Dif .. you have just confirmed.

Yes not motorcycling but MMMmmm crazy as .. like driving a go-cart !

**BMWST?** · 5th February 2012, 09:00

Originally Posted by Edbear

I've never found out whether the limited slip diff works or not it has so much grip and go I think one would have to be brutally provocative to activate it.

i would say its workin then....

**hayd3n** · 5th February 2012, 09:35

missus has a 1997 r2 limited edition model ( 500 made)
1800
ohlins suspension
jasmoe exhaust
momo steering wheel
lsd

great we car
the leather seats are a bit slippery

**Edbear** · 5th February 2012, 10:16

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Time to change your medication Ed.

Find me some that will let me ride again...

Originally Posted by Warr

My lady has 1990 MX5 with 195's on it.
I have taken it around the coro ... It was wild ! and I can tell you about the limits of adhesion ??
It slides like wow !.. I had wondered if it had a Limited Slip Dif .. you have just confirmed.

Yes not motorcycling but MMMmmm crazy as .. like driving a go-cart !

Not all MX5's had them but you could find out by provoking wheelspin on a wet corner, as long as you were careful to give yourself room.

**BMWST?** · 5th February 2012, 10:18

Originally Posted by Edbear

Find me some that will let me ride again...

Not all MX5's had them but you could find out by provoking wheelspin on a wet corner, as long as you were careful to give yourself room.

hard(er) than normal starts on a wet road....just be prepared cos if BOTH wheels are spinning there aint much sideways resistance either

**SPman** · 5th February 2012, 13:25

The modern day equivalent of my favourite car - the Lotus Elan! Small,light, nimble with superb road feel. Smitten since I took one for a drive in 1963! If I could find an Elan for non-megabucks, I'd have one - failing that, an MX5 is an entirely acceptable substitute - and a bit more civilised as well.