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Post by wannabe on May 4, 2019 14:32:11 GMT
The atmosphere on the MX5 scene is changing as well, the friendly helpful scene of 5 or 6 years ago is long gone and where I used to be proud of how nice the scene was, now other groups are nicer places to be. Sad, but it seems that this little forum is one of the last places that I feel comfortable on That is sad to hear. Why is it so? Have all the cheap cars been bought/tracked/crashed/stripped for parts/done up for profit in the current classics bubble, meaning people getting their hands dirty and just having a laugh in some bargain fun cars are being replaced with chequebook mechanics buying more with a view for making a profit or holding an 'investment', and/or only using them in summer when it's 25 degrees and sunny? Or is it just that everyone is moving onto 'family' cars as they get older, and 'young people today' are no longer actually that interested in driving, seemingly, with those that are interested being more focused on monthly payments for a tech-laden badge-on-wheels instead of a 30-year-old classic they actually have to drive properly? |
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Post by Vindi (Russell) on May 4, 2019 15:12:05 GMT
Most of the people causing problems that I'm seeing are 18 - 30 age, just being overly aggressive, wanting something for nothing, criticising everything (especially the price of things) while actually knowing very little. At the same time, the OC is publicly trying to embrace the younger generation, and modified cars in general ... but the average OC member really doesn't want anyone doing anything too drastic to their cars.
It's not as big a problem in real life as it appears, forums and social media amplify the problem as it's a higher percentage of young people that use it. I'm just bored of it though, I haven't brought out any new designs for a few years because I know they'll just be copied and there will be poor quality versions on Ebay within weeks.
Most of the people I know from the Nutz scene a few years back have moved on to other cars ... whether new shape Minis, Porsche, Lotus, Classic Yanks or the bike or off road scene ... other places seem to have a scene that's less "high maintenance"
Russell
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Post by Zed. on May 4, 2019 16:13:22 GMT
Don't give up on what you enjoy because of the 'scene', you can ignore them easily  as an example.... I like older vw's - Specifically the mk2 golf & B3 Passat era NOT the earlier aircooled rubbish! I own a modified mk2 Golf, a pair of modified B3 Passat's also a modified t4 (sorta work-van & as I surf it's multi-purpose NOT a camper  ) BUT ignore the 'scene-monkeys' and never bother with the shows as they are just the same stuff in rows with overpriced dealers cashing-in  I cannot comment on the mx5 scene as I've not participated physically so have no knowlege  Rich. |
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Post by wannabe on May 4, 2019 20:13:22 GMT
Most of the people causing problems that I'm seeing are 18 - 30 age, just being overly aggressive, wanting something for nothing, criticising everything (especially the price of things) while actually knowing very little. At the same time, the OC is publicly trying to embrace the younger generation, and modified cars in general ... but the average OC member really doesn't want anyone doing anything too drastic to their cars. It's not as big a problem in real life as it appears, forums and social media amplify the problem as it's a higher percentage of young people that use it. I'm just bored of it though, I haven't brought out any new designs for a few years because I know they'll just be copied and there will be poor quality versions on Ebay within weeks. Most of the people I know from the Nutz scene a few years back have moved on to other cars ... whether new shape Minis, Porsche, Lotus, Classic Yanks or the bike or off road scene ... other places seem to have a scene that's less "high maintenance" Russell Part of me wonders if we are just part of the older generation bemoaning the youth of the day, which seems to be a constant cycle but I do think the 'I want everything now and I want it free' habits caused by instant-access internet, on-demand streaming, Tindr, 1-day Amazon deliveries, etc. etc. has a lot to answer for. Perhaps more 'real life' meets are the way forward for the scene, to get past the keyboard warriors and get the 'yoof' to interact like normal people  but I admit I am not very good at social interaction myself... lol |
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Post by Vindi (Russell) on May 4, 2019 21:00:57 GMT
You're both right, the negative stuff is easily ignored and we all need to concentrate on real life, but it also just feels like time for a change. It's a bunch of factors that have added up to me thinking it's time to try something else for a bit.
So far, I've kept hold of my green caged car, and a handful of pieces I can't part with. The fact that I'm keeping parts tells you all you need to know about me and MX5s ... we're not done yet! I just need to scale it back a bit / a lot ... it's been a huge piece of my life for quite a few years and it's become too important compared to things that really matter.
Anyway, tomorrow I'm selling my 6ULs and going to Shelsley Walsh to look at some hillclimb cars ... including a local lad racing his Elise. Should be fun!!
Russell
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Post by V6 on May 4, 2019 21:47:32 GMT
Probably best to give the online scene a miss. The real life people I've met via being real five enthusiasts are great.
As an example I gave up PH years ago. Full of arguing gimps, negativity, mpg and lease deal obsessed types. Those who think a car modifying is a chip and different wheels. Went from TVRs to diesel Tailgate McNoIndicate forum.
Choose real life š
Ps
Last night I was day dreaming about buying your caged shell to store for a future project. Its just I'm a tad strapped right now. Then there is the space issue. But... Would be cool.
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Post by Vindi (Russell) on May 29, 2019 12:02:24 GMT
The Elise is here now ... MOT in a few days, so fingers crossed.
On the MX5 front, I'm hoping I can keep my green MX5. Rough plan is to get it back on the road in a track car format. It's up for sale, but I'm not sure I'll find a buyer without it being running, so I'll start putting it back together and see how far I get!
Russell
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Post by Vindi (Russell) on Jun 11, 2019 11:34:35 GMT
Been a funny old week ... the Elise passed it's MOT, so is now fully legal. Since then, it's mostly rained ... so I've just been messing about with getting the seats and harnesses set up properly as they are bolt in with no manual adjustment.
I had one chance to take it for a drive and see what it's really like ... and I can confirm that it's a Lotus ... so it didn't start!!
Nothing serious, just the battery being low as the alarm tends to drain it fairly quickly if it's not used.
Carried on stripping the Mk2 turbo, and the option of putting the engine into my green Mk1 is looking good if I can afford it
Russell
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Post by V6 on Jun 11, 2019 12:38:28 GMT
When an elise is your sensible car, you know you have issues |
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Post by scottydugg on Jun 11, 2019 15:35:37 GMT
Have I missed pictures of the Elise? I can't seem to see any.
Interested to hear your thought's on it after you get some seat time in it.
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Post by Vindi (Russell) on Jun 18, 2019 17:57:14 GMT
The Elise is amazing ... it's handling is just sublime, the steering is so precise it's almost telepathic, and it accelerates in a way I've not experienced since my 200bhp kit car. Comparing it to the MX5 is pretty pointless, it's basically better in every way you can measure it, apart from practicality. That's the thing though, how often can you really use it?
I can see why people get so excited about them, but it really belongs on track ... I'll have to give it some time before I work out if it earns a permanent place here as the reality is that I don't have the time to go to many track days ... only 1 this year so far.
So although I'll develop the Elise, I'll continue rebuilding my green car alongside it. Time will tell which one gets the most use!
I'll add some pics at some point ... it needs tidying first though!
Russell
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Post by Whistler on Jun 18, 2019 18:01:50 GMT
Good to know you're not leaving the scene.  |
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Post by V6 on Jun 18, 2019 18:54:54 GMT
Interesting views. Although I'd disagree. A well sorted mk1 can improve on many aspects of my new 111R.
Lotus... Steering is very light due to skinny tyres and no front mass, which is good. Small inputs reward with direct response.
The downsides are the lotus has a fat rear canoe with the balance of a four pound hammer. In the wet corners that's.... Interesting.
The MX5 balance slays it IMHO. More fun, more forgiving, you can get sideways for the hell of it in a five. Wet or dry.
For acceleration comparison it was exactly the same as my 147 GTA. We raced them. Nippy but not mad or anything. The noise level and sitting low makes you think its faster than it is.
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Post by thruxton on Jun 18, 2019 20:07:08 GMT
Best of everything with a stunning motor ....
Vauxhall VX220 turbo with a stage 3 map and slightly upgraded turbo.
That's about 275Bhp and 275Ft/Lbs of torque.
Best car I've ever had.
And usable with a boot!
And not the asthmatic lotus power lump.
These things are stupidly fast, not quick, but FAST.
And the handling is waaaay better than a Lotus Elise.
It's like owning a road legal Le-Mans car
Guadix race track in Spain is owned by a great chap called Clive.
I hired his track Lotus Elise for the day and drove it like I stole it.
I then went out in my VX 220 Turbo and just slayed the track times of the Lotus.
Regards.
Rich.
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Post by Vindi (Russell) on Jun 19, 2019 15:13:27 GMT
Interesting views. Although I'd disagree. A well sorted mk1 can improve on many aspects of my new 111R. Lotus... Steering is very light due to skinny tyres and no front mass, which is good. Small inputs reward with direct response. The downsides are the lotus has a fat rear canoe with the balance of a four pound hammer. In the wet corners that's.... Interesting. The MX5 balance slays it IMHO. More fun, more forgiving, you can get sideways for the hell of it in a five. Wet or dry. For acceleration comparison it was exactly the same as my 147 GTA. We raced them. Nippy but not mad or anything. The noise level and sitting low makes you think its faster than it is. That's what I don't understand about your previous comments, you know what the weather has been like the past few weeks? I have driven this 90% in the wet, and the MX5 is not as good, not even close. You can get it sideways easily, and it's controllable. It's harder to balance than a 5, but there's so much communication it makes the 5 feel numb. I can keep the 5 sliding for longer ... but that's only going to slow you down / get you arrested, and at the moment that's not what I'm after. Not sure what spec yours was, but mine is an S1 Rover engined car, so the lowest powered version they ever made. As standard it does 0-60 in under 6 seconds. Mine has been lightened, has more power, close ratio gearbox, LSD, Nitron suspension, Exige geo and stickier tyres. I'm not used to it, and I've only tried it in between the showers on damp roads but with warm tyres I got it to 5.5 seconds to 60. That's still sub 150bhp, do a bit of work (K20 swap anyone?) and you're sub 5 seconds The MX5 wins at any practical comparisons, but anything performance / handling related is just not a fair match. VX220is an interesting one, I had a go in one and I have to say it really impressed from the off but I don't like the squared off look as much as the rounded Elise so it got ruled out. Russell |
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) BUT ignore the 'scene-monkeys' and never bother with the shows as they are just the same stuff in rows with overpriced dealers cashing-in 
but I admit I am not very good at social interaction myself... lol
le sigh