Nicebiscuit

Oh dearie me. The hairdressers thing is sooo old. It's not a 500 either (thank god - my Abarth was pants - that chassis is happiest with the stock 68bhp) The MX5 is a proper sports car. For road use. It was never supposed to be a track car. The 86 is trying to cover both bases thus the inevitable compromise. I don't find the 86 too stiff, though I'd prefer a little more compliance for rapid road use... Oddly I think Riceburners car on 18' ultra leggeras rode better. Perhaps lighter wheels is all it needs. Will try out this theory this winter - probably on 16' pro race 2s...

Interesting. What set up have you got on yours?

I'll just pass the speeding tickets on...

Mine fit in just fine (stop complaining or I'll amputate your legs!) My wife's ultimatum was that 'it has to be able to carry all four of us'. Fair play. Hence Elise, Mx5, Caterham and S2000 went out of the window and I ended up with this. Can't say I mind...

Mx5 is also prettier (in latest incarnation anyway...). Although they've nicked some 86 styling cues I reckon... Personally I'm waiting for the Italian spin off. Was going to be an Alfa Spider, but I think it's going to be some kind of modernised Fiat 124 Spider now. Sounds promising...

Bet you could set up an 86 the same way though... Would be an unusual choice, but something I've considered on other cars... Softer can be better on road.

Quick update. Had the car back for TWO DAYS before heading off to Europe for the annual summer road trip (writing this from poolside on the Spanish coast [emoji41]) but two days was enough to reset the Rev warning light to its proper position, and do a couple of laps of what I believe is referred to as the 'Lauren Triangle'. I think I've finally 'unlearned' several years of driving torquey turboed cars and now that I'm used to revs and a throttle that actually is connected to something I totally get the car. It's terrific fun, really involving at sensible road speeds, and exactly what I hoped. My only gripe is why only the Japanese seem to make cars like this any more? Bob is now sleeping in South Norwood. Couldn't face leaving it at home, so dropped it off in London, put my Dad on the insurance and left the keys with him with the instructions to red line it weekly until I get back... [emoji48]

I love it. The only MX5 I didn't like was the mk2 which was a bit blobby looking. This car is the definition of 'just enough' and if I didn't have kids I might have bought one. I'm just glad Mazda is still making it, and hasn't ruined it.

That's what I've learned to look out for - 'a bit uncomposed on British roads' usually is a euphemism for 'will try to kill you if you hit a bump mid corner'. My Abarth was like that. It was a good 20mph slower through corners than it should be simply because you had to allow for it being knocked off course. It had shed loads of grip then zero, then grip again. The GT86, I am happy to say, is not like that... I have wondered though whether the ideal setup on British potholes would be closer to rally spec, than the track biased setup most oem manufacturers and modders go for...

Too expensive. Last Type R was a bargain. This one is more expensive than a BMW 135i. Which is a very good car, and RWD to boot...

I'm in the Picos de Europa in Northern Spain this week. Some terrific driving roads - however I'm in the van [emoji1]

Is that supposed to only happen when you're 60? Oh dear...

I thought they were considering a smaller entry level roadster. Isn't that more likely to be MX5 related. Although personally I fancy the Fiat variant that's in development. Japanese engineering with Italian styling is probably the best way round to do it. (For anyone who disagrees there may be a few Alfa Romeo Arnas left...)

Well if it's mx5 based I doubt they'll squeeze rear seats in. Which is a significant reason I bought this and NOT a new Mx5. I like the new mx5 it's pretty - but smaller surely...

I think so - the impressive bit is the kink at the top of the wheelarch you can just see in the top pic. That looked impossible Glad they saved the original panel - far better than having the whole quarter removed and replaced - would always have had doubts that it could be 'as per factory'.

My aged Saab could crack 6 and a half. It had 275bhp, but then again weighed a ton... [emoji1]

I didn't even make it to the end of the running in period. Dozy sod in a Primera turned across a junction straight into my car. Has admitted liability which is something. I'm very cross.

I was soooo tempted [emoji1]

I would take it off, but surely it would invalidate my warranty? [emoji6]

I thought the quoted 0-60 times seemed a bit pessimistic. My Ford Puma fifteen years ago on 125bhp and not that much lighter could crack 8 seconds... With 200bhp at that weight just under 7 seconds seems about right...

Sorted!

Ok I tried out this mod for a few weeks, didn't like it, so got RRG to put it back as it was before, which they appear to have done rather well.... It's the same wing - amazed they got it out.

Would I have bought one for £35k? It's a lot of money...

I shall wash my mouth out.... With 98 Ron unleaded... [emoji1]

Except for the diesel you get at French supermarkets. Very cheap, but always need to give the Citroen a dose of VPower diesel to clear its throat when I get back over the channel... God knows what they make it with. Treacle I think...