Author Topic: Dent buys a semi convertible thing 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF GT (Read 22007 times)

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #140 on:** June 21, 2021, 03:36:34 pm »

Nice pictures as ever!

I think of these cars as a type of motorcycle. One that is luxurious, safe, and comfortable, but still gives you that fun 'more than a transport capsule' experience

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #141 on:** June 21, 2021, 04:04:51 pm »

It was sort of a motorcycle replacement for me. At least for now. It does seem to return good fuel mileage if you keep the speeds reasonable. I was surprised how good the ride is on it. Quite soft and comfy all things considered. Of course I am used buying cars with quite worn shocks.

Firm · « **Reply #142 on:** June 21, 2021, 05:01:08 pm »

You surely have some beautiful scenery to enjoy with a car like this, great photos, and glad to see you're really enjoying Miata life.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #143 on:** June 24, 2021, 11:31:09 pm »

First mod and a pretty lame one at that. I bought and installed a stubby antenna from Craven Speed so the car looks a little less R/C like. According to others the radio reception actually improves slightly as well.

Scaerio · « **Reply #144 on:** June 25, 2021, 02:04:14 am »

Great pics, AD - those of the river and waterfall are amazing.

And good call on the antenna.

blur911 · « **Reply #145 on:** June 25, 2021, 12:07:14 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on June 21, 2021, 04:04:51 pm

It was sort of a motorcycle replacement for me. At least for now. It does seem to return good fuel mileage if you keep the speeds reasonable. I was surprised how good the ride is on it. Quite soft and comfy all things considered. Of course I am used buying cars with quite worn shocks.

A motorcycling friend was in a bad crash years ago and couldn't ride after, he tried Can-am Spyder, some other scooter thing, finally got a Miata and loves it.
He and his wife go on tours much like you do and takes it to the track several times a year.

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #146 on:** June 25, 2021, 01:25:25 pm »

I think that was Johngenx's plan and then his wife didn't want to ride in it either. These ideas don't always work out!

blur911 · « **Reply #147 on:** June 25, 2021, 01:30:03 pm »

Quote from: PJungnitsch on June 25, 2021, 01:25:25 pm

I think that was Johngenx's plan and then his wife didn't want to ride in it either. These ideas don't always work out!

Yup.
I once started a motorcycle trip to the east coast with my then girlfriend on the back. We stopped for lunch and gas about 2 hours in and then turned around, not what she was expecting or appreciating.

A friend and his wife were planning a cross-Canada trip in their NC Miata soon, I'll have to see how that's going.

jamie1 · « **Reply #148 on:** June 26, 2021, 11:09:40 pm »

Quote from: PJungnitsch on June 25, 2021, 01:25:25 pm

I think that was Johngenx's plan and then his wife didn't want to ride in it either. These ideas don't always work out!

He had/has a NA. Not the best for longer highway drives. NC or ND for those.

Seafoam · « **Reply #149 on:** June 27, 2021, 07:55:06 am »

Quote from: jamie1 on June 26, 2021, 11:09:40 pm

Quote from: PJungnitsch on June 25, 2021, 01:25:25 pm
I think that was Johngenx's plan and then his wife didn't want to ride in it either. These ideas don't always work out!
He had/has a NA. Not the best for longer highway drives. NC or ND for those.

Still doable though. The NC and ND have the advantage of no spare tire. Although the NA and NB will accept a set of golf clubs much easier.

The better plan is to not bring a wife along that likes to collect things.

UnknownJinX · « **Reply #150 on:** June 27, 2021, 03:06:11 pm »

I said it before and I will say it again, if I live in a country where pickup trucks don't run rampant, I'd pick this car up.

Drove a friend's NA and another's ND2 recently. The ND2 actually pulled pretty good. Not so much in the NA, but I appreciate how it feels faster than it actually is, and how analogue everything is.

NA can get pretty noisy on the highway because of how short the gears are and it's a 30-year-old car at this point. I managed a half-hour highway drive alright, but doing a road trip might get a bit much.

blur911 · « **Reply #151 on:** June 27, 2021, 03:25:42 pm »

Quote from: Seafoam on June 27, 2021, 07:55:06 am

Quote from: jamie1 on June 26, 2021, 11:09:40 pm
Quote from: PJungnitsch on June 25, 2021, 01:25:25 pm
I think that was Johngenx's plan and then his wife didn't want to ride in it either. These ideas don't always work out!
He had/has a NA. Not the best for longer highway drives. NC or ND for those.

Still doable though. The NC and ND have the advantage of no spare tire. Although the NA and NB will accept a set of golf clubs much easier.

The better plan is to not bring a wife along that likes to collect things.

My friend sold his (wife's actually) NB to get a NC so they could do trips in more comfort. (BTW, his previous toy was a Z06)

Seafoam · « **Reply #152 on:** June 27, 2021, 08:05:04 pm »

Quote from: blur911 on June 27, 2021, 03:25:42 pm

Quote from: Seafoam on June 27, 2021, 07:55:06 am
Quote from: jamie1 on June 26, 2021, 11:09:40 pm
Quote from: PJungnitsch on June 25, 2021, 01:25:25 pm
I think that was Johngenx's plan and then his wife didn't want to ride in it either. These ideas don't always work out!
He had/has a NA. Not the best for longer highway drives. NC or ND for those.

Still doable though. The NC and ND have the advantage of no spare tire. Although the NA and NB will accept a set of golf clubs much easier.

The better plan is to not bring a wife along that likes to collect things.

My friend sold his (wife's actually) NB to get a NC so they could do trips in more comfort. (BTW, his previous toy was a Z06)

I had an NC for 7 years ,it is definately more comfortable for the longer trips and has more options. I found you sat down lower in it keeping a lot of the wind and road noise down making it seem quieter and more refined. The older cars you sit up higher because of the lower beltline. You are more open to the elements.

Blueprint · « **Reply #153 on:** June 28, 2021, 07:59:46 pm »

The RF is pretty noisy on the highway, roof up and windows closed: 6th gear is 2700 rpm at 100 km/h, 3000 at 119. Plus road noise, wind, diff, ...

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #154 on:** July 05, 2021, 11:01:50 am »

Second and maybe last mod?

The sound tube takes intake noise and pumps it into the cabin. Also looks a bit ugly. It looks and (I think) sounds better without it but that could my imagination. It can be done with all OEM Mazda bits.

Took it for a drive to a car show in High River. It was warm at 39C. I've since crossed 19k kms.

UnknownJinX · « **Reply #155 on:** July 05, 2021, 02:58:10 pm »

Kinda funny to see this since so many V8 Camaro guys do the opposite. They rip out the factory sound tube and plug the holes up.

I don't mind mine and heh, at least it is a million times better than pumping sounds through the speakers.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #156 on:** July 05, 2021, 03:33:54 pm »

To be clear - I ripped out the sound tube as well.

rrocket · « **Reply #157 on:** July 05, 2021, 05:52:17 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on July 05, 2021, 11:01:50 am

Second and maybe last mod?

BLASPHEMY!!

UnknownJinX · « **Reply #158 on:** July 06, 2021, 01:36:59 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on July 05, 2021, 03:33:54 pm

To be clear - I ripped out the sound tube as well.

My reading comprehension fails me yet again.

In that case, yeah I have seen many Camaro SS guys do the same. Never bothered me enough, though.

One thing I think Mazda doesn't exactly do well with their Skyactiv engines is how they sound. I didn't remember how my friend's ND2 sounded like, but man my other friend's Mazda6 2.5T sounded bad. It's like a diesel on cold starts and doesn't sound great when hot, either. I actually really like how Honda K engines sound stock.

Great_Big_Abyss · « **Reply #159 on:** July 06, 2021, 02:17:48 pm »

Quote from: UnknownJinX on July 06, 2021, 01:36:59 pm

Quote from: Arthur Dent on July 05, 2021, 03:33:54 pm
To be clear - I ripped out the sound tube as well.
My reading comprehension fails me yet again.

In that case, yeah I have seen many Camaro SS guys do the same. Never bothered me enough, though.

One thing I think Mazda doesn't exactly do well with their Skyactiv engines is how they sound. I didn't remember how my friend's ND2 sounded like, but man my other friend's Mazda6 2.5T sounded bad. It's like a diesel on cold starts and doesn't sound great when hot, either. I actually really like how Honda K engines sound stock.

R.E. Mazda Skyactive Sounds.... that's because of the Direct Injection

R.E. Honda K Engine - that's a major part of the draw of a K-Series engine.