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Post by V6 on Aug 8, 2016 17:05:40 GMT
I had a very long drive in my 5 today. The sun was shining. The top and windows were down, obviously. Cruising along at 80 on the motorway, with my forehead burning, my hair trying to abandon ship, my ears getting a battering, haha. Every time a cloud passed I could feel the dampness in the air. Then it all changed as the sun re-appeared again and made me feel alive. Even sitting in the occasional bit of traffic was a lovely chilled experience. Awesome! Although a tiny bit tiring, but worth it.
Then the drive back home in my Alfa Mito Quadrifoglio. Quiet, smooth, insulated, air-con, decent stereo, relaxing, yet... DULL AS canoe! It drives like a wobbly Log Canoe jelly. Appallingly bad. Laughable. I cannot wait to sell it now.
My 5 makes normal (even previously good) cars feel so lame. I cannot wait to see what it is like after the improvements!
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titch
Chats A Bit
Posts: 149 
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Post by titch on Aug 8, 2016 18:35:14 GMT
I've always felt that way, I used to use my MX5 daily, and had access to a mk1 Leon if I needed economy/load space, and always noted just how bad the Leon felt, and pretty much any car I jumped into. However, once I stopped using my MX5 daily, and used the Leon daily, the Leon became the norm (super slow steering rack aside), and so to jump into the MX5 was just mind blowing.
The same effect is had with the S2000 though, I imagine jumping between an MX5 and an S2000, the difference would be negligible. Good cars rule.
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Post by myothercarsa2cv on Aug 8, 2016 19:34:54 GMT
When I had a 7, I used to hate the damn thing. Until I drove it. Then all the ills of the world just disappear. Really glad it's the same with the 5. It's just fun. Not sterile like everything else.
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Post by atlex on Aug 8, 2016 20:08:11 GMT
driving it is a bit like riding a little mountain goat.  I had an s13 before and a z3 m coupe. omg, mx5 so much better than these. |
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Post by V6 on Aug 8, 2016 20:37:50 GMT
Haha, you have given me an idea for a new wing badge: Classic yellow shield with a prancing goat! |
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Post by Horney on Aug 8, 2016 21:00:16 GMT
It's so true. A well set up 5 might not be fast but it's such a tactile driving experience. I only use my Yeti for long work trips. The 5 is many things but a comfortable cruiser to do 500 miles in a day it is not. For that the Yeti (and any other softly sprung modern) is ideal.
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Post by V6 on Aug 8, 2016 21:50:05 GMT
I've owned various fun and impractical little cars before. But after a string of normal modern cars my 5 feels like a reawakening. Being perfectly insulated from the world is just plain boring. Having the wind rushing by with the weather in your face and the sky above is just so immersive and engaging. It feels like really living life, rather than just viewing it pass by through a screen. I can't wait to drive at night in the rain, or mid winter with the top down. I want to go on tour and make some memories with me and my girl.
As Eddie Felson said; "Hey, I'm back!"
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Post by jackyboy on Aug 8, 2016 23:34:39 GMT
before i owned 5s i had a couple of previous including my honda civic 5 door hatchback 99 1.4..omg that was tragic in everyway...i have also driven my dads 525i the ones after e46 and whatever was after that, that was tragic too, steering was literally lifeless.. even the mark 2 mx5 i had before the mk1 i have now had something missing.. Now i dont think i could drive another car daily ever. My mark 1 i am more than happy n long long journeys!! Canoeing love it.
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Post by Dweenimus on Aug 9, 2016 6:18:28 GMT
A few months ago, while visiting my parents. I had my keys hanging in the front door because I was working on dads car.
The wind slammed the door closed and crushed and bent the only key that required me getting home. The car key.
My brother was on holiday so I grabbed his keys and went home to get my spare.
And omg, an automatic corsa. It was so boring! And slow, and blergh!
Was so glad to get back in my car!
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Post by BikeTuna on Aug 9, 2016 8:25:12 GMT
A few weeks ago I was at Mercedes world smashing a brand new AMG E63 round a racetrack. Admittedly the track was very small and not suited to a big old blunderbus like that, but while the back straight gave the 600+bhp change to stretch its legs at every other corner I felt like I'd have been quicker in my 5.
I know there will come a time where the practicality of it is going to force the car out of my life (unless a 2nd car becomes an affordable option), but until then I'm going to enjoy every second of it!
I only wish the MX6 was RWD, then I'd never need to change again!
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Post by V6 on Aug 9, 2016 8:50:37 GMT
Also aside from the fun factor I've never felt so chilled out in a car before. Even when driving slowly behind others, or being stuck in traffic is way more relaxing than being trapped in a sealed box. I was cruising on the motorway and happily letting others sail past in their rush. So I guess the car brings out the best in me. Of course that may change a little when I get more used to it and start diving quicker again |
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Post by bombercounty5 on Aug 9, 2016 9:00:59 GMT
We forget how good our little cars really are. I went to meet a lad yesterday in grimsby who is looking to buy an MX5, currently has a 210bhp toyota glanza. Took him out for a spin and let him have a decent half hours drive of my car. He couldn't believe that I could go around tight village corners at 30mph without having to brake?! I was thinking, wtf?! 'yeah my glanza would be understeering into that hedge' best thing is his glanza was on a good tyre/wheel/suspension combo! He was only a youngish lad (20 i think) and to be fair to him, wasn't bothered about the speed at all, more than impressed with what the mx5 can do in the twisties and like we all know, they feel faster than what they are anyway. I love getting out of my 406 estate 'flying fridge' jumping into the mx5 and going for a rip, feel like lewis hamilton. lols |
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Post by V6 on Aug 9, 2016 12:06:54 GMT
I actually went from a Merc CLS (due to briefly driving on the motorway a lot more) back down in size to my Alfa Mito. After the bloated barge my Mito felt small, sharp and fun. It now feels huge and awful. It is just a bland blob.
I can't see my changing my five. But if I ever did, it would have to be to something even lighter again. I am hooked on back to basics.
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Post by wannabe on Aug 9, 2016 18:49:01 GMT
Being perfectly insulated from the world is just plain boring. Having the wind rushing by with the weather in your face and the sky above is just so immersive and engaging. It feels like really living life, rather than just viewing it pass by through a screen. This. |
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Post by FFS Corders on Aug 9, 2016 20:56:06 GMT
bought a mk4 fiesta as a daily...it rolls around all over the place but feels pretty similar in experience to the mx5 - just needs to have stiffer and lower suspension and it won't be too different at all
now have a DS4 company car....and i'm in a cocoon that's silent, with no real feeling of connection to actually driving
plus omg turbo lag
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I had an s13 before and a z3 m coupe. omg, mx5 so much better than these.
le sigh