Lovely.  but most people take them out and drive them on a road in what ever country and they handle like a car at anything between the speed limit and 50% to even 100% beyond it.

They stick to their own side of the road and go around corners without the ar5e out,. or any impressions of being a driving god.

The Mazda is there in non Turbo, Manual and read wheel drive for the Real Enthusiast.

 

2 seater, top down, and out for a jaunt.

\winning formula is selling cars and if someone wants choices then there are those.

 

GT86/BRZ are loverly great super, road testers wet dream.

Various flavours, manual and 6 speed auto, not Twin Clutch.

\sales disaster.  \demonstrators sitting unsold.  Just a car that was a bargain that people still never bought in any numbers and Toyota and Subaru have had to drop prices on.

They were like all UK cars unless on the track limited to the max NSL unless breaking it, or on the track. and the first thing many that bought 

them did was put decent tyres on to enjoy them safely on the road in wet weather and the likes.

Its how the real world of glamour driving works, its not all 5th Gear / Top Gear / Chris Harris videos.

Edited 25 November, 201510 yr by goneoffSKion1

I think what Lee is getting at is the MX5 is a very light delicate thing and the infinitely subtle control of a NA engine is preferable to a ever so slightly laggy and thrusty turbo. It  almost certainly suits the cars character more than a turbo (unless Fiat use a supercharger ). If I had the choice I'd probably go for the NA engine. it may well sound better too without it's tubinator. The joy of cars like the MX5 is you don't have to be Harris or break speed limits to have fun and a NA engine is perfect for this. I like turbo go, but Lee made a better case for not having one.

I think what Lee is getting at is the MX5 is a very light delicate thing and the infinitely subtle control of a NA engine is preferable to a ever so slightly laggy and thrusty turbo. It  almost certainly suits the cars character more than a turbo (unless Fiat use a supercharger ). If I had the choice I'd probably go for the NA engine. it may well sound better too without it's tubinator. The joy of cars like the MX5 is you don't have to be Harris or break speed limits to have fun and a NA engine is perfect for this. I like turbo go, but Lee made a better case for not having one.

Absolutely... It's all about balance and handling and finesse. Turbo mx5s can be blisteringly quick but if I were boosting mine I'd only ever go supercharged for response and linearity.

Worth some trying the 1.4 TB Multiair 170ps then, because the engine behaves much like a 180-185ps VW Twincharger (Supercharged & Turbo Charger) Only difference being the one in the Alfa Romeo is built to a better standard and is not made of chocolate.

We had 2 MX5's.

A 1.8 Eunos series 1, and a 1.8 series 2 /3.

The engines both felt flat, even reving to the redline,with Tinny exhaust sound.

I think a Group road test of all 3 engines would be interesting.

If I was still flexible enough to get into a "sports car", I'd prefer a Lotus Elise series 1 to either.

I was going to say Fiat, purely on looks. But then I looked at the Mazda more and I think I kind of like the Mazda more.

 

If I was in the market for that sort of motor, I doubt either would be disappointing.

Auto Express has done a pre-production mini- review of the Abarth. They seem to like it a much as the MX5

 

AutoExpress pre Production test

 

For my money it appears the Abarth might be easier to live with and the MX5 just a teeny bit more visceral. Bit like the Toyota and Subaru GT86 jobbie..

 

I need more moneys

 

 

EDIT: as pointed out below this is a first look at the standard Spider not the Abarth

Edited 16 February, 201610 yr by Lady Elanore

You or me needs an eye test, 

maybe me.  

That is the 'FIAT',  or is their already an ABARTH version before the FIAT is on sale.

Yep, that's the standard Fiat version. The Abarth with more POWERRRRR! will follow in a year or so.

Ooops got carried away with the thoughts of the Abarth. Still, I like the look of the standard Fiat, even with squiggly panels.

I hope the Spider is a success and there is a UK Auto, then a Abarth version.

Sadly having tried a MX5 for size just in the show room there is no hope of me getting in and driving then exiting without looking a right pillock.

(even more than usual.)

I must now really settle on 2 seater convertibles not being for me, even a Porsche 2+2.

 

I would really love a Triumph TR5 Modernised though.

I've read a few times we are getting the Abarth. Tried the new MX5 for size in a showroom, but just can't get comfy in it :( I like to recline my seat a fair bit and if I do that, the seat base has to go forward and then I can't get my legs in properly