Test drive Mazda MX-5 (MIATA) since 2008 convertible

MAZDA MX-5 test mileage of 100,000 km. Trips with pleasure

Having passed 100,000 kilometers, the Mazda MX-5 showed that it is suitable not only for sunny days.
Main characteristics
Power: 160 hp (118 kW)
Power transmission: rear-wheel drive, 6-speed mechanics
0-100 km/h: 8.2 seconds
Maximum speed: 215 km/h
Price: 30 880 euros
 
Should the car be able to do everything? To transport a large family and at the same time briskly rushing in corners, equally approach both long travels and for sorties to nature on sunny days? Even if you want everything and at once, somewhere you still have to compromise. But Mazda MX-5 is surprisingly honest. After all, it never occurred to anyone to immerse a refrigerator in the Roadster. There is definitely the first place to go from driving in such a car.
Since the fall of 2006, when Mazda introduced a new compartment with a folding top on an electric drive, the Little Japanese also demonstrates certain practical talents. It was this model that we immediately purchased in October 2006 to run 100,000 kilometers in a length: the MX-5 2.0 version was equipped with a 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine and had an Expression luxurious equipment, which included Bilstein sports suspension, a six-speed gearbox, a 17-inch alloy. Wheels, air conditioning and xenon headlights. Such a car cost 29,100 euros. Together with the Bose stereo system for 820 euros and leather seats with heating for 960 euros, our test copy cost 30 880 euros.
A four -meter rubber band with the rear -wheel drive was cordially accepted in the editorial office. Cool car! Just what is needed for a winding track, the editor Marcus Bach rejoiced one of the first pilots. A powerful motor with relatively high speeds in combination with accurate control and at first a very dense box with short gears turned Mazda into a desired car for business trips to a highlander or an ejeifle. When accelerating at the exit of fast turns, the driver clearly feels how the stern is slightly introduced until the system for regulating the drive of the drive wheels of the TSC does not configure the engine power. This behavior seems too impudent to some pilots. This is a rude intervention, the interns of Andreas of OF spoke. And they heard him: during the transformations of the model this year, Mazda installed new TSC system settings for MX-5.
The great advantages of a small relatives include a plastic roof. It opens and closes within 20 seconds and turns a narrow cage for two into a concert hall, limited only by the sky. Those who like to ride a convertible will like this car: tall people (taller than 1.90 m) are provided with a characteristic wind, and a sonorous roar of the motor at high speeds, the noise of the exhaust pipe, as well as an indifferent stereo system will turn every trip In a grand event. In winter, the stove and heating the seats are saving, on which, if necessary, it would be possible to fry the steaks. Many testers, however, did not have enough air temperature sensor on the outside on the cold days that Mazda had only since April 2009 after the improvement of the model.
Although the roof works on an electric drive, it is constantly necessary to unlock it and lock it manually. The roof costs an additional 1,700 euros, and the latch often jams and return it to its original position only by hitting it with a palm. At speed when moving along a suburban highway, Mazda behaves quite rigidly, but despite the sports suspension, it is much more comfortable to go in it than this can be expected. For the Rodster, a very decent suspension behavior, the editor Michael Godda noted.
There was no such delight on long trips. Naturally, with a trunk of 150 liters, you need to economically pack bags on the road and reflect on whether it is better to leave a spare jacket in the closet when traveling to the fair. But the quality of sound insulation at high speed is much more annoyed. Even with a closed roof at a speed of 180 km/h, the noise of the wind from the side of the side glasses becomes very loud, the editor of the sports column Diter Serova said. There is a deafening rumble, with the same success you can go with an open window, the editor -in -chief Stefan Mitya is indignant. In addition, the engine, which begins to buzz unpleasantly after 4,000 revolutions, and also far from perfect straightforward movement by inertia and the steering wheel, jerking on the transverse grooves, make the passage along the autobahn on full gas very tense. As soon as the speedometer arrow showed 150 km/h, you need to hold the steering wheel with both hands.
The difficulties of staying on a long work trip to the family include seats. At first you feel great, but after a couple of hours it is increasingly annoying the low position of the seats and the absence of a lumbar stop. For long distances, it is not suitable, the art director Andreas Schulz decided and complained about lower back pain. In addition, like many other drivers, at the first gas station he had to look through the instructions to find a lever that is unlocking the gas tank hatch, he is hidden under the coating on the back wall.
Speaking of refueling: during testing on average, the MX-5 spent 9.5 liters of 95th gasoline per 100 km, which indicates real gluttony. This is the reckoning that Mazda gives great pleasure, and the throttle is often open almost completely. Nevertheless, even the normative consumption of 8.2 liters does not seem economical, and the allowance of 1.3 liters with everyday use seems normal. But on the flow of oil, the Japanese, on the contrary, demonstrated incredible frugality. For 100,000 kilometers, not counting the mandatory oil change every 20,000 kilometers, only 4.25 liters of oil had to be added, the bulk of which was added only to the last third of the run. And you can control the oil level without problems. The probe is conveniently located and easily inserted. This rarely happens, noted the technical editor Holger Ippen in an orange on -board journal.
For all the time of the MX-5 test run, she showed herself from the best side and in terms of repair and reliability. True, after a stone strike and a collision with a kanyuk (a predatory bird of the middle boach), the windshield had to be changed. In both cases, CASCO insurance (partial compensation for losses, up to 150 euros, the policyholder and employees of the Carglass workshop came to the rescue. Having made a mistake on a slippery road and slipping to the curb, we replaced the left rear wheel with the tire.
Also unscheduled was the failure of the air conditioner after 25,000 kilometers. Due to damage in the compressor, thin metal chips fell into the circulating refrigerant. In the workshop, I had to not only change the spoiled details, but also carefully clean the hoses. The reason for the breakdown was probably an error in the use of materials. The same defect, Mazda believes, caused a defect in the bearing of the rear right wheel hub, which, after 80 922 kilometers, unexpectedly thundered and jumped out. This breakdown also fell under the guarantee (three years, 100,000 kilometers).
Otherwise, the little Mazda obediently fulfilled her duty. Today, after two and a half years and 103,000 kilometers, the gearbox is a little junk, the ignition key became shabby, and the remote control characters were erased for a long time, but seats, rugs and other details still look perfect. Roadster is still in good condition and has a reputation as a highly revered work car. After all, let him not be capable of everything, at least in one quality is invincible: he gives pleasure.
 
Model changes
07/1990 The appearance of the first generation of Mazda MX-5 in Germany: 1.6 liters, 115 hp
09/2005 The appearance of the third generation MX-5 in the form of a special model 3RD Generation Limited 2.0 Mzr.
01/2006 The official start of sales of 126-horsepower MX-5 1.8 MZR and 160-horsepower 2.0 mzr.
10/2006 The official start of sales of the Mazda MX-5 Rodster with a folding roof on an electric drive.
04/2009 restyling, including a new radiator grille and improved aerodynamics.
Cost / maintenance in euros
Cost when buying / estimated value
The cost of a new car: 30 880
Estimated cost after a run 100,000 km: 12 850
The cost of a new car today: 32 040
Fixed expenses for the year
Tax: 135
OSAGO TK 12: 308
Full CASCO TK 18: 646
Partial CASCO TK 23: 181
Costs during the test
Fuel: 9 401.79 liters of 95th gasoline
Price 1 liter: 1.367
Total cost: 12 850.26
Oil consumption: 4.25 liters 10W40
Total cost: 73.49
Maintenance, oil replacement, fast -significant parts: 1 909.75
Repair: 704.11
Loss of cost: 18 030
Km expenses excluding cost loss: 0.18
KM expenses taking into account the loss of value: 0.36
What Mazda says
... about the failure of the air conditioner:
The reason is the defective bearing in the compressor of the air conditioner. This damage is extremely not typical and did not happen to our other cars. Repair was carried out under warranty.
... On the premature entry into force of the system for regulating the drive wheels TSC:
This system serves to stabilize the car until the DSC (ESP) system is activated. However, the DSC and TSC systems can be completely disconnected by the driver. As part of the changes in the model in the spring of 2009, the TSC system received new settings and now allows more sliding and sports driving style, while the car safety has not suffered.
... about the noise of the wind at high speed:
To reduce the noise level, you need to dismantle the internal upholstery of the door and adjust the side glasses in height and inclination and thus create optimal contact with seals.
Conclusion
After almost two and a half years, the Mazda MX-5 Roadster will soon leave the Auto Zeitung editorial office. It’s a pity, because the agile convertible was very pleased with us. You could rely on Mazda: not counting the breakdown of the air conditioner and a rattling bearing, there were no problems for 100,000 kilometers. Such small flaws such as the absence of a temperature sensor outside and an early activated wheel drive control system, Mazda managed to eliminate during this time. If you fall in love with this class, then you should still remember that it does not fit for frequent long trips. But it was as if created for the city, trips to the mountains on the weekend and even for vacation in Italy together.
 
 
 

Source: Auto Zeitung