Test drive Mazda MX-5 (MIATA) since 2008 convertible
silver bullet
Summer in the middle lane of Russia, as a rule, looks like a hottor novel, but short -lived, with unchanged tears of goodbye. The current abnormal season does not count. On the other hand, it is unlikely that any of the Russians soaring under the ruthless sun would refuse to grab on the road with an open top. For such cases, the Japanese came up with the Mazda MX-5 Roadster, who celebrates the 20th anniversary this year. Naturally, the guys from Mazda could not ignore such an event: this year they will try to once again get into the Guinness Book of Records (MX-5 has already been entered there as the best-selling 2-seater sports car), organizing the largest presence of cars of a separate model on separately taken area. What kind of cars are it, obviously.
True, this event of exclusively current owners of the MX-5 and the sympathizers will affect, the rest will either have to observe from the outside, or quickly acquire the cheapest relatives in the world. Moreover, only a couple of weeks ago in Russia sales of its updated version began.
However, the cheapness is very relative. If in the States for the basic version of Miata (the local name of the model) they ask for $ 23,000, then we have it a quarter more expensive. Moreover, if the ocean is about a car with a 2-liter engine, then in Russia the price tag for a similar modification starts from a mark of 1.23 million rubles. On the other hand, remembering the cost of such cars of other manufacturers, this is really inexpensive.
Surprisingly, with all the variety of convertibles in the Russian market, few people know what MX-5 is. Let's say right away, this car is very specific, but at the same time it, like no other, allows you to feel the very notorious drive, behind which a good half of the buyers of active cars is chasing. Almost ideal hanging on the axes, a classic rear -wheel drive with a self -locking differential (Sport version), extremely low weight and more than decent energy supply. As a result, with a top engine, the Rogster accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, the indicator is not record, but given that there are only 160 horses under the hood, very good.
By the way, the driver sensations from this Mazda are extremely different from other cars, and regardless of the type of KP: both the handle and the 6-speed automatic for the model are more than adequately combined with the character of the machine. Unless the mechanic for obvious reasons gives the driver a little more freedom. So, the speed in the MX-5 is felt much stronger, and this is almost always adrenaline. In principle, sensations can be compared with the ride on a motorcycle (of course, there the personal space is much stronger there, but the car option, when the interior is less than width, adds pretty emotions). And note, the degree of emission of adrenaline is practically independent of the roof position: the car does not allow the driver to relax even under the cap, constantly provoking aggressive behavior. What exactly affects this: whether the sound of the release system is deliberately simple, almost racing, an excellent suspension or short steering wheel (2.7 turnover), it is quite difficult to determine.
The second bright moment of setting up the chassis. Presenting the updated version of the Rodster, the Japanese brought a whole list of certain refinements, one way or another affected engine, pendants and the steering mechanism. Perhaps they really improved the behavior of the machine, but hardly radically. Yes, and there would be something to improve. The car is light and obedient on any coating. The main thing is to understand what you want from him, and accurately evaluate your capabilities and skills. The stabilization system here, of course, is present, but it literally interferes in the process on the flag and quite hard: firstly, completely depriving the power engine, and secondly, in a rough form, returning the driver from heaven to earth.
But you can slightly drift on MX-5, and without turning off the electronics. But this medal, as usual, has the opposite side: inaccurately gazaning at the exit from the sand covered with sand, be sure that the rear axle will go outside as nice, and confident and swiftly. In this case, the trajectory is adjusted by elementary gas discharge and a slight nod of the steering wheel in the corresponding direction. The whole process will take a fraction of a second, but the funny thing is that DSC works only at the very end, that is, having lost the task initially, the driver has every chance to continue to rake the consequences in the opposite cuvette. But this, we repeat, is relevant only for completely inexperienced and reckless drivers, who do not even have an elementary idea of \u200b\u200bthe steering technique or behavior of the machine in a skid, the rest of the described maneuvers will give a lot of pleasant moments.
Another thing is that a hot romance with MX-5 for some motorists may not take place for, so to speak, quite objective reasons. Comfort. In this parameter, Rostster, alas, is far from the ideal. The MX-5 is fundamentally not different from similar cars, so in most cases the chain mail will be just right. But if the total length of the torso and limbs allows you to feel relatively confident on the basketball playground, this car is not for you such a rider elementarily not enough space. The steering column is adjusted here only in height and in the extremely limited range, so that even the steering wheel, which was lifted to the stop, practically lies on the knees. The situation could save the opportunity to move back a little or at least tilt the back of the chair, but, alas, there is a partition behind the seats that separates the salon from the box for storing the roof. By the way, it is hard, therefore, having lowered the metal top, you do not risk losing in the luggage volume. However, it will not fit into it more than a couple of sports bags.
Partially, the problem of driver's prematureness can be dealt with by installing the RECARO seats that appeared in the optional arsenal of the model after restyling, but this will bring relief only to those who, coupled with the most powerful engine, will decide to choose a mechanical box or top -end performance of Comfort. The rest will receive regular chairs. By the way, they are even more convenient, but the pillows and backs are thicker here, and therefore, even more comfortable, there is even less chances. The last argument in favor of the meaninglessness of the possession of the MX-5 for the author of these lines was an attempt to close the roof. Of course, it closed, but the ceiling was a couple of centimeters below the normal position of the crown. To endure a two-day test drive in this position is one thing, it’s completely different to move in a closed car for six to seven months, without even a theoretical opportunity to straighten your neck. Alas, an affair with this car with your correspondent will remain resort, but an attempt, without a doubt, was worth it.
By the way ...
Now the market is presented on the market, the updated version of the third generation MX-5, but the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating LWS (Lightweight Sports Car) was born in 1979. During an interview with the then head of the Mazda development department, Kenichi Yamamoto, American journalist Bob Hall, offered to create a light sports car, building a couple of appropriate sketches with a chalk on the board. By that time, Mazda successfully produced sports cars with rotary engines, so the idea seemed to be a successful, but the finished pre -production sample was presented only in the summer of 1987. The car went to the series only in 1989, after the premiere at the car dealership in Chicago.
SPECIFICATIONS
Mazda MX-5
Dimensions (mm) 4020x1720x1255
Wheel base (mm) 2330
Road clearance (mm) 136
Mass (kg) 1150
Trunk volume (L) 150
Engine operating (cm3) 1798
Max. Power (L.S.) 126
Max. Twist the moment (NM) 167
Max. Speed \u200b\u200b(km/h) 198
Acceleration 0100 km/h (c) 9.9
Cf. fuel consumption (l/100 km) 7
Price (rub.) From 1 061 126
material: Vladimir Zhidkov
A source: MKOMBILA magazine [August/2010]
