It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
The biggest difference between the VX and both the K series engined elises and the later Toyota VVTLI engined ones I find btw is that the Vauxhall / Opel lump is a fairly slow revving, unexciting thing. They can make a lot of power in turbo-charged and indeed supercharged form, but I find the engine just not as 'zingy' or rev-happy as you would hope in a lightweight car like any of the the 111 series - and especially the 111R engined elises and exiges.
A Cat D could be just one that has been written off as too expensive to repair. From what I've heard a new front clam is virtually unobtainable nowadays, so 'official' repair costs could mount rapidly if there was any damage there - even though the car itself was structurally perfect. Would tend to agree on your treat with caution stance - you'd probably want to see what's under the clams before going too much further.
Pre lockdown..and then some
Elises have a special place in my heart because of that, but I think I'd struggle to buy one as they're a rattly pain... Great fun once you're in and on the twistys, mind.
I like the air suspension.
But no argument on driving them. I could get behind an Evora at some point - or maybe whatever is coming later this year.
The test drive was just fine, but figured I'd take a punt on it. The more I drive it though the more I find to like. The gearchange in particular is wonderful, great feel and a short throw.
Compared to my old Mk1 it feels more "serious" as a sports car, everything is much tighter feeling, the steering is sharper although with less feel due to the change from hydraulic to electric power steering. It's also much quicker, I'd imagine the BBR Super 200 feels very quick indeed.
You get much more sensation of speed than my RS despite the Ford being the much quicker car.
The Mk1 used to lean into the corners (both the soft suspension and the body twisting), this is much flatter and stiffer.
Overall very happy with it, and appreciate all the creature comforts that it has which the old one didn't (heated seats, a windbreak that actually works, Bose sound system, sat nav, and headlights that actually illuminate the road)
Next stop Kirkistown.. ?
3 or 4 laps of a track will tell you more about the health of a car than a couple of thousand on the road. Besides..it's a drivers' car - be rude not to..
from the mk3 onwards. (I had a MK2 2.5 as well)
And many agree that the best thing,
is the sensation of speed you get at real world/ license safe speeds
I'd love a 2019 in red (Mazda changed the formula of their red around then, it has more of a flake), they look stunning, but the chances of one coming up for sale in Northern Ireland are pretty low and new ones have got silly expensive (an equivalent spec new MX-5 is near £30k, I paid under £13k).
Lovely day today so after giving some of the seals a good clean and treatment with rubber protector I went out for a spin down some nice rural roads.
The feel you get through the seat of what the car is doing is fantastic, more than makes up for the loss of steering feel, particularly as although it feels rear driven and you can feel the diff pulling you through corners a bit, the handling is actually pretty neutral.
@Hattigol If you mean the point where people have enough disposable cash to go and do what they always wanted without giving a shit what other people will say? Then yeah, I guess...?
I really like the look and concept of the MX5. And the hardtop removes many of the downsides of the original.
But having sat in a mk1, I also know that I'd soon miss the comfort and space!