Is the 86 right for me?

[AVodka14]

Maybe you should ask yourself, "is the MX-5 wrong for you?".

[Pandanoid]

This question is very hard for us to answer for you. Ultimately you are the one behind the wheel feeling the rawness of this car. I do a lot of highway driving and this car (bone-stock) is notorious for being slow when attempting to over-take but that doesn't outweigh the benefits I gain overall. At the end of the day, if you get out of your car with a smile on your face staring back at it. Then that's a sign.

[myusernameisrob]

A sports car is meant to be driven and if you're not really into driving, then you're better off leasing a Camry.

If you've really driven a twin like it was supposed to, I'm pretty sure you've pulled the trigger by now.

Only other car I'd consider right now is an older S2000 or an NSX.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

So don't let buying it just for looks scare you off.

Unless it's an orange one. RUN!

[abraxis]

Originally Posted by Spacemane969

Thanks for all the responses. I'm not sure why the test drive just didn't click for me. I think I was just out of my comfort zone(or I could just be making excuses)...This is very much my first rodeo when it comes to buying from a dealer.

The first drive didn't click for me either. It was almost too close to a Mini Cooper in lack of viceral quality and I find those things boring. I'm also more used to sharper and lighter cars. That said, the basic design, physics and practicality of the car convinced me to evaluate it more and I took more test drives from other dealerships after that. That's when I really started to get it. I became very comfortable with the car and what it was able to do for its feature set and price. I eventually fell for it, it won me over. Make sure you know how to disable TC properly if you drive it again.

I'd say you don't really have to push it for fun unless you are stop light racing. Just chuck it around more. The performance envelope was designed to be low and slow for this car stock. Prius tires, gearing, torque dip, low power. I think it's great for low speed hooning antics if you like getting the rear end out or doing donuts. Unlike the Miata, at rather high speed the car is very stable and clamped down as long as the road is largely flat. Quick elevation changes at speed can still be a bit hairy at least on the older suspension.

I also think the complaints about lack of passing power are horseshit unless you are passing something at triple digits. People need to learn to drive and downshift or go buy a V8.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Unless it's an orange one. RUN!

Straight to the dealer!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Pandanoid

This question is very hard for us to answer for you. Ultimately you are the one behind the wheel feeling the rawness of this car. I do a lot of highway driving and this car (bone-stock) is notorious for being slow when attempting to over-take but that doesn't outweigh the benefits I gain overall. At the end of the day, if you get out of your car with a smile on your face staring back at it. Then that's a sign.

I drive 4000 miles a month with 95% of that on the highway. Never felt "slow on passing" once. Downshift and a 7400 red line take care of passing every time.

[Timmy_Jones]

How about a 2003-2004 Z06? Hear me out.....

Around the same price, a little heavier, handles great, but you get a little more than double the power of a twin. I think my car looks a little better than a Z06, but those cars are absolute monsters.

In no time you will have a huge smile on your face and multiple speeding tickets...then come to your senses and buy a twin.

[Pandanoid]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I drive 4000 miles a month with 95% of that on the highway. Never felt "slow on passing" once. Downshift and a 7400 red line take care of passing every time.

Sadly, I haven't gotten use to the idea of down shifting and going to red line to pass others yet. Never really took my vehicles to red line... I should probably try next time.

[Vracer111]

Originally Posted by Timmy_Jones

How about a 2003-2004 Z06? Hear me out.....

Around the same price, a little heavier, handles great, but you get a little more than double the power of a twin. I think my car looks a little better than a Z06, but those cars are absolute monsters.

In no time you will have a huge smile on your face and multiple speeding tickets...then come to your senses and buy a twin.

You forgot the added bonus of the interior quality, insurance rate, and maintenance cost... the transmission tube and transmission being in the rear really makes things fun - I have 2 coworkers who daily drive C5 Z06's and talk to often... one has his supercharged.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I drive 4000 miles a month with 95% of that on the highway. Never felt "slow on passing" once. Downshift and a 7400 red line take care of passing every time.

Originally Posted by Pandanoid

Sadly, I haven't gotten use to the idea of down shifting and going to red line to pass others yet. Never really too my vehicles to red line... I should probably try next time.

Well, you don't really have to bounce off the redline to pass, but it definitely is better if you are in the upper range of the RPMs. I admit I do drive the 86 higher in the RPM range more frequently than just about any other car I've owned, so it has taken some getting "convincing myself" that it's OK.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Well, you don't really have to bounce off the redline to pass, but it definitely is better if you are in the upper range of the RPMs. I admit I do drive the 86 higher in the RPM range more frequently than just about any other car I've owned, so it has taken some getting "convincing myself" that it's OK.

I may have phrased it wrong! I did not mean I take up that far all the time, in fact it is rare. what I meant was from a cruising rate of 3000 rpm you have anther 4400 to play with if you need it.
These cars are completely designed to get your power in the upper revs so taking it close all the time is not really and issue anyway.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by abraxis

I also think the complaints about lack of passing power are horseshit unless you are passing something at triple digits. People need to learn to drive and downshift or go buy a V8.

^^^ word!

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I drive 4000 miles a month with 95% of that on the highway. Never felt "slow on passing" once. Downshift and a 7400 red line take care of passing every time.

Well, the orange ones are a little slower. See, blue is the color of lightning so...