Wheels magazine Car of the Year MX-5

[notout86]

The scribes of Wheels Magazine (Australia) and other magazines all seem to like the handling feel of the Mazda MX-5 saying, in various ways, the rear rolls somewhat and it turns in sharply.

Since changing the tyre pressures of our GTS86 some time back from the recommended 35/35 to 38-front 34-rear I feel I have achieved similar. I can more readily distinguish between what the rear and front are doing and it feels more chuckable. There's a roundabout I go through which required me to move my hands on the wheel but now a quick twist left and right and away I go. It doesn't feel harder at the front either, just sharper.

I still prefer the '86 for the hard roof, rear seats and adjustable steering wheel, but reckon I have the best of both worlds now.

Give it a go and tell me I'm wrong.

[strat61caster]

I run 27 psi because grip > drift

[pasternak]

Originally Posted by notout86

The scribes of Wheels Magazine (Australia) and other magazines all seem to like the handling feel of the Mazda MX-5 saying, in various ways, the rear rolls somewhat and it turns in sharply.

Since changing the tyre pressures of out GTS86 some time back to 38 front 34 rear I feel I have achieved similar. I can more readily distinguish between what the rear and front are doing and it feels more chuckable. There's a roundabout I go through which required me to move my hands on the wheel but now a quick twist left and right and away I go. It doesn't feel harder at the front either, just sharper.

I still prefer the '86 for the hard roof, rear seats and adjustable steering wheel, but reckon I have the best of both worlds now.

Give it a go and tell me I'm wrong.

I'm 6'5".
Will I still be looking *over* the windshield when driving ?

[carma143]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I run 27 psi because grip > drift

At 27 psi I would begin to worry that on cold nights the tires may slip off the wheel when turning at high speeds.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by carma143

At 27 psi I would begin to worry that on cold nights the tires may slip off the wheel when turning at high speeds.

Serious explanation to my dumb statement, if you're traveling at high speeds your tires should be up to temperature and will actually be low 30's psi.

I've run as low as 25 (cold) when autocrossing without issue, but there's a lot of variables there to make that a safe blanket statement.

[Wise]

If I remember correctly the 86 got 2012 Wheels car of the year.

[notout86]

Will someone PLEASE try 38 front 34 rear and tell me what they think.

I have posted about this before but no-one has tried it. Let me know if I am talking B.S. .. I can take it.

[notout86]

Originally Posted by pasternak

I'm 6'5".
Will I still be looking *over* the windshield when driving ?

You mean because the car is tilted up at the front and down at the back?
I hadn't thought of that but have noticed less scraping at the front and "the dreaded" in the passenger seat added a cushion.

[RichardsFRS]

Rear seats? They are of no use unless you are short and can move your seat up. I can't and my rear seats are completely of no use to me, there no gap there for no legs. But like you I do prefer the hard roof. To me convertibles are for cruising the blvd on a warm night