Mazda MX-5 - The Drive

Isn't that just as pretty as a picture? Yes, that's an MX-5. Or Mazda Miata if you're American. Anyway, the point is, even with the smallest engine, this car is a great drive. It is a hoot. Front engined, rear wheel drive. Let it slide out baby!

The car pictured is of course a newer edition, what with it lacking the raising headlights and the new alloys. Regardless, even the oldest MX-5's are worth doing up. This is a car that, even with the oldest of models, retains a value above £1,000. This however might change next year. Which is exactly the reason I would buy one.

I could afford a really old MX-5 now on the £1k mark. However, I'd rather wait just a little bit longer. Then I'll get something, hopefully with not INSANE miles, but we'll soon see. I intend to fit new alloy wheels (white ones), salvaged seats, new bits and pieces and of course a fully serviced and uprated engine. I'm hoping to use this as a full mod project but I need the car first. I'm going to take a look soon so I'll give an update with more news when I have something to say on it.

For reference, the MX-5 is a great roadster of classic proportions with a reasonably sized boot for a very small car. Go drive one. You won't look back.

100,000 Miles

We have, bizzarely, been led to believe that when a car reaches this magic number that it is a) worthless and b) will go severely wrong. For the record, that's simply not the case anymore. Engines are fine tuned things and have an excellent lifespan. Equally, bodywork is extremely robust. As long as you look after your car, with some models you'll see 300,000 or more miles. Look out for tips soon on how to do this.

Lotus Elise or Nissan 350Z?

Well, I think both are great. Frankly, I can't decide between either. Neither purchase will be happening tomorrow you understand, but I'm saving my money up, starting in a few weeks time. It has to be then cos I'm spending a few grand moving out and sorting my new place out. So if you have thoughts either way, let me know.

Audi S5

The Audi S5 is a great car. Why is it so good? Apart from being the sports version of the new and cool A5, there are a few other reasons:

• It's fairly exclusive and will go up against cars like the BMW 3 series and the coupe Mercs in the same price band.
• It is a rather tasty coupe.
• You can have a 3.2L V6 engine giving out 265BHP.
• Interior quality is meant to be very tasty indeed.
• Price of around 40k.
  

BMW M3 GTR Warmup

Now to illustrate my last post, let's see how the pros do it. I'm not suggesting you do it like this, after all this is a race car. But it does serve as a wonderful illustration to the point.

Nissan 350Z vs Audi TT Quattro

Here's Tiff Needell using both cars. Frankly, I'd like either but I'd still prefer the 350Z. For one simple reason, and that is it looks far more exciting!

Driving My Not Hot Hatch As If It Was

Yes, my car is a hatchback. It's not a hot hatch though. It still has a good amount of power, but not the upwards-of-160bhp that they seem to be all going towards. Or the scary 6 second 0-60 dash for the Mazda 3 series for instance.

Anyway, there's a few ways in which I try to maximise the fun I have in my car:

• There's a corner I can take to deliberately get a bit of wheelspin. I have used the car in a few different ways so I'm pretty good at controlling it now.
• I know the power ratios so I can get maximum torque or power.

One thing I noticed about my Vauxhall Astra SXI 1.8 today was how well balanced it is. I came out of a corner and pressed on the loud pedal. rather than giving me grief for making the turn-in it was reasonably responsive and held the line. Quite good for such a big car. I was impressed.

I am still quite looking forward to getting my car onto the track and testing the absolute limits of it. I feel that only here can you know your motor completely. Well, it's either that or driving it through some muddy valleys. As it's not an SUV then I think the former is the most appropriate!