8 replies to this topic

[Ferguson]

I sold my MX-5 (first generation) a few months ago and have been shopping around for a new toy (2nd car, not required for daily drives). Today I tried out a very clean and very "new" 2003 Opel Speedster (less than 4'000 miles). Apart from the unavoidable scuffs and some rather cheap materials, I was pretty impressed with the interior. The "you will fit the position we chose" philosophy takes some getting used to, but I found the driving position pretty good after some fiddling, although there seems to be a nasty hard spot at the bottom of the seat (I'm a skinny guy). My impression of the Speedster (2.2) was first one of being rather underwhelmed, until I realized that the car is one of those "sneaky fast" cars which is actually moving much more quickly than you realize. Nevertheless, I'm still convinced you would have to really work it to match the published acceleration numbers, but there is no doubt it is quick. I quite liked the direct, rather nervous steering, and the overall feeling of various mechanical parts getting on with their job, with no filtration, appeals the the engineer in me (Mech. Eng.). I'm definitely leaning towards the Speedster after the test drive, but several years in the MX-5 bred a certain familiarity and the ability to really extract the most from that car. The MX-5 was a fabulous handler which, despite the power deficit, could cover ground at a serious rate with some commitment, especially with some well-chosen suspension and tire tweaks. I'm curious to hear a little about the experiences of those who have traded up from an MX-5. Some things which went through my head during the test drive: The Speedster is a lot louder (I feel) than a MX-5 at even moderate motorway speeds. Or have I just forgotten how loud my MX was after a few months out of it? The Speedster has a huge visibility problem to the rear corners, even worse than the MX with the top up. Do you get used to this, or is driving in heavy traffic always a bit of an adventure? Parking? The numbers say that the boot is much larger (200L vs. 150L), but I rememer getting a lot of groceries into my MX, even with the spare tire in there, and the Speedster's boot looked really small. Is it only deceptively small looking? Are they counting all the silly little corners and spaces? Were you able to haul the same amount of weekend clothes as in the MX-5? Coming from a MX with non-abs and gummy, 195 tires all around, the Speedster brakes felt less than stellar. Will a switch from the original Bridgestones improve this? The MX was a good-natured plaything in the wet. Did you find the VX/Speedster less forgiving? Any other thoughts on the change before I make my decision? Thanks Stephen

Edited by Ferguson, 09 July 2005 - 03:30 PM.

[Jim_Cross]

1. Acceleration/Speed - the VX feels far, far faster than any standard MX-5 I've been in. Lots of tuning options if you want to improve this 2. Yes it's definitely louder on the motorway 3. No visibility problem if you set the mirrors correctly. I used to hate reversing into spaces, but no problem in the VX. You just have to get used to the fact that everything looks different because of the seating position 4. The boot is deceptively small. You can shove a lot of stuff in there - bear in mind it goes right to the edges of the car, and back towards the rear as well. The opening is much smaller than the boot itself 5. Brakes depend a lot on the pads. For fast road use, stick some Mintex M1144s on and you'll find it brakes very, very well (though if like mine its abs is a little premature you might need an ABS cut-off switch to get the most out of the brakes). Alternatively, Pagid RS14s will turn it into one of the hardest braking cars you'll ever experience 6. The VX is less forgiving, especially in the wet. But it's also more of a challenge. Its limits are greater than the MX-5, and the rewards much greater as well. It's a car that takes a lot of time and or skill to master. The MX-5 is a great car for sideways action, the VX is not. The VX is better on track, and rewards with true sports car handling and feedback on the road, whereas the MX-5, unless seriously modified, is still a roadster.

[LazyDonkey]

I went from an early 1.6 Mk2 MX5 to an NA and TooFast went from a highly tuned Mk1 to a turbo. For tme the cars are night and day. I ran them both together for a couple of weeks when I was selling the MX5 and I can safely say they are like chalk and cheese. The mazda is much much much quieter on the motorway, an a lot slower. Jumping from one to the other the 5 feels a lot more responsive, but thats purely down to the power steering allowing the car to be higher geared. But for the first few corners the mx did seem to dive into slow, tight corners more. It doesn't tho ! Practicality wise, i find there are things that will fit in the VX that wont' fit in the mx5 boot, cos it is a lot shallower. I sometimes miss the shelf behind the seats and the glovebox but other than that its much the same practicality wise. I find the visability better in the VX once the mirrors are set up properly, although the A pillars are quite thick. I loved my Mx5 - it was s great handling wee car, but the VX is IMHO in a different league in terms of performance, handling and overall experience. ....and I've never heard anyone saying it was moving much more quickly than you realize ......its always been the other way round !?!? Oh and in the wet it needs more repsect than the 5 cos when it goes it goes fast - its far from evil tho. ...in sure TooFast will be aloing with his thoughts sooon ! Good luck with your search !

[Foxy]

Will a switch from the original Bridgestones improve this?

Skinny 175 fronts mean there is no other choice...in any case, anything else is false economy IMO (unless you change the wheels).

Jim's advice on the brakes is spot-on Pagids can be very noisy, but they are superb. Do you plan on doing much track work?

Take care in the wet.

Where is the Speedster from?

[Ferguson]

Thanks for the feedback. I live in Switzerland, hence Opel instead of Vauxhall. Looks like I will be buying it....

[too-fast]

I went from an early 1.6 Mk2 MX5 to an NA and TooFast went from a highly tuned Mk1 to a turbo.

For tme the cars are night and day.

I ran them both together for a couple of weeks when I was selling the MX5 and I can safely say they are like chalk and cheese. The mazda is much much much quieter on the motorway, an a lot slower.

Jumping from one to the other the 5 feels a lot more responsive, but thats purely down to the power steering allowing the car to be higher geared. But for the first few corners the mx did seem to dive into slow, tight corners more. It doesn't tho !

Practicality wise, i find there are things that will fit in the VX that wont' fit in the mx5 boot, cos it is a lot shallower. I sometimes miss the shelf behind the seats and the glovebox but other than that its much the same practicality wise.

I find the visability better in the VX once the mirrors are set up properly, although the A pillars are quite thick.

I loved my Mx5 - it was s great handling wee car, but the VX is IMHO in a different league in terms of performance, handling and overall experience.

....and I've never heard anyone saying it was moving much more quickly than you realize ......its always been the other way round !?!?

Oh and in the wet it needs more repsect than the 5 cos when it goes it goes fast - its far from evil tho.

...in sure TooFast will be aloing with his thoughts sooon !

Good luck with your search !

Lucky me i get to drive my old MX5 which had an FM2 turbo (fitted myself) circa 260 BHP which was awesome and quick...but

The VX is so much better through the steering and the power is more than equal to the 260bhp beast i sold.

Sure they are harder to get in and out of but its well worth the effort and you will get used to it

Im going for a stage 2 tune at the end of the month and that will be the end of the comparison between the 2

VX rulz

Andy

[Foxy]

I live in Switzerland

You should speak to 'SpeedyK', he's also in switz...

[jules_s]

I live in Switzerland

You should speak to 'SpeedyK', he's also in switz...

absolutely

[Ferguson]

I live in Switzerland

You should speak to 'SpeedyK', he's also in switz...

I have already had some excellent advice from SpeedyK. I just wanted the MX-5 perspective. It's nice to hear that the experience has been more satisfying than an MX-5 with a FM2 turbo. The best we can (legally) do here in Switzerland is a SC with about 200hp. My friends back in Canada have built some nasty turbo MX beasts (300+ hp), but I'm looking forward to the VX/Speedster now.

Edited by Ferguson, 10 July 2005 - 06:33 AM.