Wheels 2005 COTY - Mazda Mx5

Dave_au · 24-01-2006, 08:16 AM

Just announced on the Today Show. Congrads to Mazda

Dave_au · 24-01-2006, 08:30 AM

No print details yet, was just a grab on TV.

**Polyal** · 24-01-2006, 08:41 AM

yeah thats a good call.

The focus is good but not that good, if it was the XR5 then it might be a different story.

And the other two do nothing for me.

Dave_au · 24-01-2006, 08:44 AM

Its all been well and truely FoMoCo dominated lately though hasn't it:

2002: Ford Falcon
2003: Mazda Rx8
2004: Ford Territory
2005: Mazda Mx5

**Polyal** · 24-01-2006, 08:49 AM

2006: Ford Territory Turbo!!!

One can hope.......

gozza · 24-01-2006, 09:59 AM

i wouldn't mind one of them new turbo mx5's
the intercoolers are about the size of a tissue box tho lol

**Polyal** · 24-01-2006, 11:22 AM

tubro mx5?

ive been on holidays for the last month...do you have any more info on that? I thought they were all n/a's.

They usually dont turbo until sales slow down

HOON69 · 24-01-2006, 11:58 AM

they aint a bad road and track car so congrats
to mazda

MickyB · 24-01-2006, 12:24 PM

I think gozza means the old Mx-5 SE, or the SP, because there is certainly no turbo model available from the factory just yet.

Rev28K · 24-01-2006, 02:29 PM

Yup the Turbo was the just superseded model.

Turbo version 1 (SP) was the Aus-developed version (meant to be the best).

Turbo version 2 (SP) was the Jap-production model (a bit weaker).

I think that BBR in England did a factory conversion of the first model (pop-up headlights) that was available through Mazda dealers.

Rev28K · 24-01-2006, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev28K

I think that BBR in England did a factory conversion...

That should've read I think that BBR in England did a conversion...

gozza · 24-01-2006, 02:52 PM

i have no idea
i always thought turboing a mx5 would be mad after gt3
then i saw one running with no driver in a maccas car park...check for an intercooler...nearly didn't see it cos its so small lol but thats the first i knew they had factory turbos...it looked reasonably new

Biggoggs · 24-01-2006, 07:56 PM

Apparently it's a fun car to drive, a bit too `eccentric old man' for me.
I think it's interesting the MX-5 was named Wheels CoTY 2005, and the S2000 was named best car in the Top Gear viewer survey, for the past two years. Are sports convertables coming back?

Iphido · 24-01-2006, 08:00 PM

Moot point for me, I still can't fit into 'em.. Even as a passenger.

Steffo · 24-01-2006, 08:18 PM

I like the new MX-5. I would buy one if I had the money... just not sure how my 190cm, 105kg frame would go about fitting in one. I know I can't drive a Honda S2000 because in that car, I can't move my left leg at all, the dash is in the way, so makes it a bit difficult to use the clutch....

Brute6 · 24-01-2006, 09:11 PM

Not a bad little car. I wouldn't buy one, but for what it is, Congrats to Mazda.

Windsor220 · 24-01-2006, 09:30 PM

Good handler but not a good car to live with everyday IMO. I have trouble getting in and out of them and im not big.

Bossxr8 · 24-01-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

2006: Ford Territory Turbo!!!

One can hope.......

Won't even be eligible to enter as its only a variant of a current model.

bathurst77 · 24-01-2006, 10:45 PM

Next year it will prob be commodore, when was last time Wheels DIDNT give coty to an "All New" Commodore?

chief · 25-01-2006, 12:48 AM

The NRMA has come out and said that these are not the best cars, because they are not as structuall sound as a sedan, safety wise (reminds of that death machine xr), and the MX5 can be easily stolen. The reason they are not strutually sound and can be easily stolen is that the car is minus a permanent steel roof. So comparing apples and oranges.

Teki04 · 26-01-2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bathurst77

Next year it will prob be commodore, when was last time Wheels DIDNT give coty to an "All New" Commodore?

Sorry, but didn't it also give the award to the All-New Falcon as well? If it was so biased the Ford Motor Company wouldn't have received the last 4 awards... Falcon, RX8, Territory and now the MX5. I'm sorry, where is the bias heading towards?

Teki04 · 26-01-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief

The NRMA has come out and said that these are not the best cars, because they are not as structuall sound as a sedan, safety wise (reminds of that death machine xr), and the MX5 can be easily stolen. The reason they are not strutually sound and can be easily stolen is that the car is minus a permanent steel roof. So comparing apples and oranges.

Well that is quite odd now isn't it. Considering the MX5 features front driver and passenger airbags, as well as large thorax and head protecting side airbags, as well as roll over bars and increased pedestrian safety. Now tell me why an MX5 is not safe? Sure, it might not have a roof on roll-over, but im sure that has been factored into the design of the front windscreen and roll over bars. Also, I'd say it would be pretty hard to roll over a sports car, unless of course you are driving beyond yours and the car's limits.

chief · 26-01-2006, 08:37 PM

I am sure that the engineers would of taken this (no roof) into consideration. Their would of been extensive crash testing, testing hitting pedestrians, rollovers ect. As you said it would be pretty hard to roll one of these over. Yet it got a safety rating from the NRMA of 2 out of 5, I am just repeating what the NRMA says here. I personally think they are a great little car.