Back in my own wheels. But which?

[thebrochureman]

Nice.

[Ferrer]

Thank you guys.

First impressions:

-Surprisinlgy soft and comfortable
-Excellent heater
-Great gearbox
-All headlamps blind you because you are at their height

That's all I can think of now.

[f6fhellcat13]

Congrats!
2,978 bhp? I think someone might be exaggerating a little on their vanity plate.

What made you pick the folding-hardtop model?

[Matra et Alpine]

I thought it was the Hire Purchase price

[Ferrer]

Altough I do like the soft-top model, it is true that the hardtop is more practical.

And, oh, nearly forgot.

This white hardtop model was there at the dealer waiting just to get registered and go.

The end.

[thebrochureman]

How much power has it got and what MPG can you get out of it.

[Ferrer]

A classic is back. Fiset test, here it comes.

Is it practical?

Yes very, interior is spacious for a two seater, and boot isn't affected by having the roof up or down. Hardtop also means added all roundness

No, actually no, it isn't practical at all.

Is it economical?

Well, for a two seater sportscar with a dual exhaust protruding out the back is not bad. Once the enigne's been properly run in I exepct about 9l/100km (31mpg UK / 26mpg US).

So far it's bee averaging about 10l/100km (28mpg UK / 24mpg US) according to the trip computer.

Is it fun to drive?

I have to admit, at first I was a bit disappointed with it. The car was soft and comfortable and the steering a tad light for my tatses.

And then yesterday I showed some corners and decided to go for it. And it turned out to be possibly the sublimest car I've ever driven. It basically changes direction like a fly and since there's no weight at all cornering is superb. Weight distribution helps along with a very crisp turn in, and rear wheel drive means accelerating mid-corner doesn't take away any sort of steering.

Then there's the gearbox. Well, let me put it this way, you change gear just for the pleasure of doing so. The throws are short and it's almost impossible to fail a gear change. Even the engine, which is not the most charismatic lump of metal ever made, admiteddly, sound moderately nice in a metallic-rasp sort of way.

And of course, the top can come off, which turns everything up to 11.

Will it break down all the time?

Hope not. It's Japanese after all. There's also not much to go wrong in it. Except for the roof which already managed to have a glitch, but which was solved by turning it off then re-starting it. And I think it was my fault for having the doors open.

Is it easy to park?

Actually it is. It's a rather tiny car and visibility is good all round. It's also ver maneouvrable and has a very tight turning circle.

What if I go to a Shopping Centre and get chased by baddies in a Corvette?

Well, it's rear wheel drive like the 'Vette so that's no good, but on the other hand it's small and nimble, so you won't crash into a pile of teddy bears.

Probably.

Is it green?

Nope. It's black and white. This car doesn't do color.

Can I afford it?

Well the car with pretty much everything and the discount from Mazda themselves was 24.000 €. It isn't cheap, but it looks like it may costs twice as much as it actually does, so that's good.

It is also the cheapest new front engined rear wheel drive car currently on sale, and also the cheapest new proper sportscar.

So, there's that.

What If I'm asked to take part in a beach assault with the Royal Marines?

Only if you can act as a submarine.

Or something.

[Kitdy]

Excellent.

Give us some proper pictures when you have time!

[thebrochureman]

Did you buy it or lease it.

[RacingManiac]

Excellent buy....so this is the folding hard top?

[csl177]

The folding hardtop is rather nice, a sportingly purposeful look when up. Congratulations.

[Ferrer]

As requested, some crudely made pictures of the car.

By the way, it is the 1.8i RC model (126bhp, folding hardtop).

[Cyco]

Supercharge it!

May not help fuel economy or rear tyre life

[thebrochureman]

Look very nice, is it fun to drive.

[ruim20]

Read the thread from the start, and what a turn it took, for the very best, i have to say.

Absolutly brilliant, this is the kid of stuff that should happen to anyone with a passion for cars and driving, turning from having to choose a boring comuter diesel hatch into byuing one of the best drives in the world.

Congratz and many happy Kms.