Picked this up yesterday, how best to describe it, just like an MX-5 only faster
Out of the box the grip and handling is excellent, I don’t feel any need to lower or currently to have a specific alignment applied, will give it some miles and revisit that.
Apart from the fact I have moved from a 1.5 to 2.0 there are a few noticeable differences spotted so far:
i-stop, stop/start as with many cars today. - i-eloop, regenerative energy system, fills a capacitor to power electrical systems from recovered energy rather than requiring engine load to do so. - redesigned cup holders, my wife doesn’t find it intrusive into the passenger tunnel, they may not end up in the back of the garage this time. - redesigned sun shades, I believe some people managed to break the ND1 ones. - hood design modification, the addition of a rain deflector strip above each door.
Day 8 - Just back from a 2 day road trip, Mallaig and back via a selection of Scotland’s great roads. Great opportunities to assess the squirt and go overtaking capability and to push the handling, ride, road holding and steering.Â
The engine is loosening up nicely and the power delivery is strong and linear, pick up and go is unlike any other unfettled 5 I have driven.
Handling and road holding is really quite impressive out of the box (as it should be), precise, neutral, goes just where you point it and grip from the bridgestones supports this.
Ride on the bilsteins is comfortable enough, reminiscent of the NC sport and certainly not overly harsh as suggested in some reports.
Steering is nicely weighted and returns to centre, early ND’s didn’t tend to do this. The tilt and rake adjustment for the first time in an 5 is a nice to enable that perfect position.
The car car now has 670 ish miles and is sitting on a lifetime average of 47.4 mpg, amazingly this is pretty much the same as my 1.5 was at after 22,000 miles.
Iain glad someone agrees the standard suspension doesn’t need any modifications from the previous model and intend to keep my GT Sport Nav pretty standard. The main reason I part exchanged the Recaro was I found the Recaro seats a bit uncomfortable on longer journeys due to back problems, and also after a test drive was impressed with the new 184 engine. We spent over 10 hours in the car coming back from York as stuck on the M1 for 3 hours so can confirm the seats are very comfortable. Although Mazda say they have provided a new exhaust for a sportier sound, it seemed very quiet so have fitted a new Cobalt exhaust and sounds about perfect now. Getting the rear boot spoiler fitted tomorrow after a fight with Mazda as I maintained when I ordered the car it was advertised with a rear boot spoiler as standard. When I took delivery there was no rear boot spoiler so took this up with Mazda. After a bit of a fight and providing proof of the adverts Mazda agreed to fit one ??.
Interesting about the Recaro seats as we have been thinking of changing our 2007 ZSport for an ND and had my heart set on a Soul red Recaro edition. The Zsport seats are so comfy even with the 40mm drop and wife who has joint problems even finds it comfortable which amazed me as she never saw or sat in the car until i bought it and got it home ?? So will have to have a rethink as we sold our nearly new RX-8 a few years back as she found it too uncomfortable.Â
Richk I certainly would not put anyone off buying a Recaro as it is a great car. The Recaro seats feel great and hold you tightly but are not for everyone depending on your size and height and having any back problems. I don’t know why they caused us back problems as we have had MX5s for 20 years and the GT Sport Nav is my 12th MX5. I think as the Recaro seats hold you fairly tightly this may be why they caused us back aches after a few hours. Certainly would suggest trying a Recaro as know there are a few about now being part exchange for 30AE.
Nice car and great colour! I have 2018 ND in EB and much richer than the earlier colour blue! The new engine is obviously better but I don’t want to try it! Probably run mine til the NE!
Happy motoring:-)
Beautiful car, but I would have to say that as it looks exactly the same as mine, even down to the reflectors .
Bit puzzled about the hood rain gutter comment as my ND1 was exactly the same as my new ND2.
Agree with your comment regarding the handling, it does seem to be better than the ND1 out of the box, however I have bought the Mazda Eibach spec springs from MX5 Parts and these are being fitted at Roddisons tomorrow.
Regarding the exhaust, mine is getting louder with miles as did my ND1, and it is becoming more enjoyable. What is the exhaust you have fitted it looks pretty meaty?
I have to say that the new engine is a delight to rev!
