Mazda MX-5 track battle: 1.5 vs 2.0, which is best?
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- We all know the new Mazda MX-5 is a great little car - but which model should you choose? Steve Sutcliffe puts the 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre models head-to-head in our latest track battle.
That extra revving capacity of the fizzy little 1.5 is so hilarious, cheap, fun to drive, you can push the engine every single straight you find while smiling.
That's a great review. Straight, to the point. Thank you. ...test drove the 2L with the Bilstein shocks for an extended test drive of 250km through the Black Forest last summer and found the car still very civilized and not tiring at all.
1.5L sounds like a really wild go-kart with three pedals + manual trans that you can fully press the accelerator.
the way the 1.5 revs just sounds spectacular. I'd take the 1.5 with an LSD and just do a few mods for any more power.
+TheLeafySpring Mmmmmm LSD.........
The 1.5 isn't available with the LSD in the UK
+Samuel Brooks I doubt you couldn't retro fit one, so no worries
+TheLeafySpring the 1.5 comes with an LSD here in Australia, probably no reason why you couldn't either get mazda to fit one or buy one and fit it yourself.
+Charles Tricker There is probably more than enough aftermarket support for it.
Steve your enthusiasm and wisdom makes you such a pleasure to watch and learn from. Thanks!
Very interesting comparison, wish you would have more of these. Comparisons that are not so obvious like say, m4 vs c63.
My 1.5 Sport Nav was rolling roaded and found to be putting out 143 from factory - now 158 at 7550 rpm -( limiter at 7700) thanks to BBR Brackley. - I love it for its soft suspension - you can really lean on it on the terrible UK roads and it only weighs 975 kg. Perfect for me.
Did the map make a noticeable difference? I know it’s probably long gone 😂
Price difference between the 2 versions is only 2000 euros in southern europe. With that money you get LSD, bigger wheels, stiffer suspension, engine start-stop and +30 hp (plus some different styling). However, the 2.0 has a noticeable higher consumption and is more expensive to maintain (taxes and wheels) and if you're not planning to visit the tracks or the jail for exceeding speed limits, what's the point? Plus the 1.5 revs higher, is lighter (some other reviews say that affects its braking performance) and its softer suspension setup is better for country roads... it's hard to decide which one is best, such a personal choice!
My daughter has the 1.5. Gosh it is a lovely car. I am just a bit too big and fat to get in and out gracefully but she loves it. Also in Western Australia we have fairly big open roads but the little 1.5 never feels out of its depth in fact being able to open it up most of the time is such a hoot
I have a 2.0 RF in WA, just wish we had a few more roads that suit the MX5's abilities
I think the 1.5 would be more fun on UK roads. Both cars are slow so you wont be winning drag races in them, but reving the nuts off that 1.5 sounds like alot of fun and because the power is low it gives you a reason to open it up on a regular basis :)
I open up my 2L with full bolt ons daily.
"slow" 7,3 sec 0-100 isn't so slow how do you think... Now there is also 2.0 184 hp that makes 0-100 in 6,4 s
Never driven the 2.0l but I'm delighted with my 1.5. It's not a fast vehicle but it feels plenty fast on Scotlands b roads with the roof and windows down. There's always the possibility of a tractor cutting out on these roads so anything over 70 is daft
@@andrewstevenson6540did you modify it?
how is the mx5 slow? 134hp for a 1 ton car is a lot of power.
1.5 for me. I like slow cars :P
+YazeedSaber Me too. Cruising at 35-40mph on the m40 for days bro
+YazeedSaber Agreed, would love to be able to get one here in North America, would make it so I could actually afford a new Mx5, and I have no problem with the low power, my 1.6l 1991 Miata is enough for me to have as much fun as possible without getting pulled over for speeding every day
+YazeedSaber Noone in the U.S. ever needs a faster car tbh.
I'd have the 1.5 and rev its bollocks off everywhere.
Always more fun driving a slow car fast than a faster car slower , oh wait I’ve had a 2 l for over six years .
I heard the 2 litre version was an after-thought for the US market - and the extra power has a tendency to blow the transmission which was optimised for the 1.5L. Not to mention the suspension and handling was optimised for the 1.5L - so IMHO 1.5L sounds like the better option.
When it was first introduced I understand second gear was a problem, by 2017 it was fixed. The guys doing serious forced in duction tell me the stock trans will handle 250 hp, above that you need to use a conversion kit and us the trans from the NC.
I'm sure I read somewhere that the ND was actually designed around the 1.5 engine from its conception due to its light weight and closeness to the original MK1 1.6 It's the 1.5 I would go for personally.
Lower weight and higher revs kinda makes the 1.5 more attractive to me. The LSD in the 2.0 might be nice, but it seems people can drive the 1.5 nicely around the track without an LSD as well.
Drove one, because I owned a 2000 Miata, but settled on the Fiat 124 Spider. The Spider was somewhat softer, and and a bit quieter, and the styling more Italian. Plus, the turbo is awesome! Not knocking the MX5, but it's great to have a choice these days.
i would take the 1.5. i think it just complements more the lightness of the car
'3.5 sec quicker that is what your 4+ grand gets you' says it all really, for what you need for fun on gnarly British country roads the 1.5 seems to have the edge. If you want a track car go for something earlier, cheaper and do the whole BBS thing with the savings.
How many cars can you actually go WOT most the time now. 300hp + is great and all, but it's just an exercise of restraint and avoiding oversteer.
With only 30HP difference, surely one could buy the 1.5 send it to the myriad of chipping companies, and for a few sheckles get the extra power needed! Bish bash bosh, job done, and a handful of wedge saved!
1.5 + mods all day. I was able to feel the difference in inertia/weight after 1 curve.
Would be cool to do something similar to this when the aftermarket gives fruit for the new mx5, namely comparing the 2.0 model against a 1.5 that would be tuned for the price diference which is 6000$ as you said.
I love the Miata but one thing is like scratching on a chalkboard. I wish Mazda would delete the cheap looking and feeling infotainment screen. In its place, simply use an adjustable mount or in-dash cubby with usb-c connector for smart phones. Keep the interior clean.
I think the engine blocks are very similar but with smaller lighter pistons and a shorter stroke it makes sense the 1.5 is more keen to rev. It's also extremely frugal if you cruise slowly on busy roads and save the petrol for the quieter twisty bits😊
The 1.5L with an LSD would be a setup I'd love personally. I couldn't justify spending an extra £4k on the whole package for, let's be honest, an extra 30bhp. If I wanted a little bit of extra power, what's wrong with a remap?
+Samie Sahim FYI a remap on an N/A car would yield you way less than 30bhp, but I see your point.
+Samie Sahim plus mazda says the 1.5 isn't in US spec because Americans want more power and not have to go through the gears as quick to get to speed or say, overtake. so personally I would like going through the gears quicker and more frequently, so my buy would be the 1.5
+Samie Sahim the biggest difference isnt in power, but in torque...the 1.5 NEEDs to be revved, the 2.0 just launches off already at 2000rpm...ive driven both, and yes the 1.5 is enough, but the 2.0 is uncomparably quicker...i would still buy the 1.5 tho, i love how it just revs to the sky!
The 1.5 isn't available with the LSD in the UK
+Samie Sahim Heavily compressed engines like the 1.5 here have hardly any reserves for chip tuning. It's not a turbo car.
The only way to know for sure is to drive them back to back yourself (obviously).
Having said that I think the 1.5 would be my choice with the revvy engine and the lower price tag.
Did you buy it?
I don't think you understand how kilograms work. 1033 kg (2.0 L manual) vs 1009 kg (1.5 L manual) is NOT 100 kg. It is 24 kg. This is 4 times less than what you suggest in this video and 2% extra weight is completely insignificant considering the 20% increase in power and the added LSD .
Another problem with this video - you don't have any solid arguments to defend your statement that the 1.5 L is better to drive.
If you consider yourself an auto journalist, check your facts. All you are doing is spreading misinformation.
The cars have a different suspension and he sais it handles different because of weight lol Btw it's fucking stupid to suggest comparing the engines all over the video and in the end...'Oh, and it has the other suspension!'.
+AlDim000 You're right. For the UK market, spec-for-spec comparison reveals only 25kg difference in between the 1.5 and 2.0 liter cars. Not 100kg. And the price is only 900pounds more. I'd get the 2.0.
+AlDim000 " you don't have any solid arguments to defend your statement that the 1.5 L is better to drive" - You do realize how fucking stupid that statement is...?
derbigpr500 Please, do enlighten me how it is "fucking stupid". He said it was superior without any serious arguments to back that up. Obviously, that's shoddy journalism.
+AlDim000 The miata is a car about emotion, not numbers so much. The driver is telling you what he feels, so you're welcome to interpret however you like.
I gave up listening when you completely misquoted the price. It is NOT an extra £4000 for the bigger engine! What you've done is compare the base model with the sport model, whereas the 2.0 litre engine is available in the SE-L model. Like-for-like, the engine upgrade is only around £800 extra.
Phantomwhite yeah you’re right !!
Cool to see. In the US we don't get a 1.5 option. If I were in the market for one, I may prefer the cheaper 1.5.
If I were in the market for an MX-5 ragtop, I'd definitely go for the 1.5. Thing is I'm not really a convertible guy, but I love the MX-5! Its the best handling car for the price and looks great too, much nicer than previous generations, if not quite as pretty as the original Lotus Elan aping version.
The newly introduced convertible hardtop is the one I want, it looks absolutely stunning in my opinion! Roof up or down. But its heavier and has a higher centre of gravity because of that convertible hardtop and the need for those electric motors and so forth.
So because its heavier you're going to need the less lovely 2.0 litre motor and because of the higher centre of gravity the handling's not going to be as good either. But I just love the way it looks together with the vastly increased practicality...I just hope...hands on the handling and performance aren't too compromised by all this, and it still remains fun to drive.
Lol it's not that heavier that you suddenly need a 2 litre. 1.5 is just fine for it. The difference is not dramatic.
You are over thinking the weight and the centre of gravity you will never notice the difference. Honestly buy the car you want this car won’t disappoint you.
nice video i apreciate the work of the driver and all the people behind this test! thank you!
i'd love to have the 1.5 with an LSD..
Say NO to drugs.
Please do an updated comparison with the ND2 2.0L with the extra horsepower.
1.5 looks right
One thing for sure 1.5 or 2.0 this little car is so much fun. I think my 2.0 has more useful torque in the midrange which is convenient if you are just bumbling along and want to pass without thinking about down shifting. Both of these cars a just so much fun.
with the 2.0 he had de A/C on :P
When i bought my Sep 2021 MX5 new, the only option open to me, was the 1.5L engine.
There was a brand new, delivery mileage, Ltd Edition Sports Venture car, sitting in the showroom, looking for a new owner.
The Mica Blue Metallic paintwork, would not have been my first choice, the Machine Grey paintwork, was my favorite.
Also, pure white Nappa Leather, was a lovely contrast against the dark blue paintwork, but the trouble my ex boss had, when the indigo dye, from his jeans, bleached the white leather in his Jaguar XJ Portfolio, ( he tried everything available to remove the indigo dye,, but it was dried fast) that almost put me off.
That's now history, water under the bridge, as i simply love every aspect of my car.
Its such a rewarding car to own and drive, that i don't really mind, not having Machine Grey paintwork, and the white leather, well i make doubly sure, i never wear jeans anywhere near my pride and joy.
3.5 seconds is a lot. I would opt for 2.0 litre, even though I would never drive it that hard, it is good to have a bit in reserve when driving long distances and overtaking.
I'd have the 2L with the Bilstein suspension and uprated brakes.
And the lsd
Please make a video for the updated models :D
The 1.5 has 50 NM less torque and the 2.0 has the better power to weight ratio. That's all I need to know.
Another future classic.
Interesting: Mazda designed it to take the 1.5. 975kg without the driver. The 2.0 25kg heavier and it's in the nose. 1.5 almost perfect 50:50. Also wears 195/16 vs 205/17 in the 2.0. For me and use as a roads car I'd take the 1.5 for UK roads and fill it with V power higher octane to help with smoother running. Sounds smoother too and revs to 7250 - like a good Jap engine should.
The 1.5L will actually rev to 7600rpm out of the box, and some have seen 148bhp out of a stock 1.5L on premium fuel. Indeed in the bowels of ECUTek's list of stock Mazda ECU files, Mazda appear to have a JDM factory tune for the 1.5L, listed as being 150bhp, presumably a result of/related to Japan's better fuel quality. Of note, BBR and others will also map the 1.5L it to approx 160bhp and 180Nm.
correction the weight difference is 44KG
Were they on the same rubber? I like this video as a concept though. Do more like this, it comes close to actually serving as consumer advice too!!
I was surprised by how fast the 1.5 was for this tiny motor. The only thing that bothered me was the electrical steering which was far worse than my NBs hydraulic one.
This comparison was somewhat invalid though since the 2.0 clearly had wider tyres which makes a huge difference on this car!
It's not a 1 to 1 comparison...it's to see if the premium on the 2.0 is worth it. It's not like you're comparing the MX-5 to the GT86 or something.
Steve you are a joy to watch!
I think the 1.5 would have gone literally the same time with a limited slip diff instead of the open one, like the 2.0 HAD. and with a more focused setup, like the 2.0 HAD. A proper suspension setup on cars below 300 bhp can make a HUGE difference, and a LSD turns things from night to day.
I would like to add that all 1.5L models get smaller and narrower wheels, they only get 16 inch rims with narrower tyres, compared to the 17 inch wheels with wider lower profile tyres, which give it significantly more grip, also as the reviewer said the 2.0l he was driving had sportier dampers so... if you were to put the wheels from the 2 litre on the 1.5l and tune up the suspension the track lap times would be a lot closer to each other... and frankly would pushing an extra 25 or so hp out of the 1.5l be all that difficult? i don't think it would... BESIDES who cares, they are both really nice looking and fun cars so no matter which model you buy you will be happy, the mx5 is not built for out ride speed, but its reliable enough to be driven every single day so you can keep a 500+hp fd rx7 in the garage for the track days.
Can you just put the 17" alloys in the 1.5 with no problems?
Yes but it would probably feel more harsh and add steering inertia from the heavier wheels
You can actually run 15inch on the 1.5 which are super light 👍
You drove the 1.5 with A/C off and the 2.0 with A/C on
+W0fka good point, a/c makes real 3-4 hp difference
+Jonas Mink Nope, modern ECUs have a throttle upper limit for the AC compressor. Above a certain % throttle, usually near full throttle (maybe around 80%) they cut the AC compressor off. Also there is an RPM cutoff, to prevent damage to the compressor from "over-spinning" it. So when you are thrashing it, it makes no difference at all, but when you are part-throttle of course you lose ~5% power you suggest.
+shadowkeeper0 you must be fun at parties
Oh Gally, what a crime! That must've made at least 1 second's worth of difference!
/s
Thanks mazda for making a REAL mx5!
Most companies went soft and lost the passion but Mazda went all out on the ND, made it with love 🤝
1.5 equals less insurance cost. less gas cost. less upfront cost equals win
1.5 also has the greater fuel range = less trips to the service station, yay!
With 1500€ , you can get a new and better exhaust, mid pipe, head, and gain 10cv, 141cv for less 1000kg
@@MrBenHaynes 2.0L is better around the corners
@@maxmorris4562 "better around the corners" is a function of suspension, tyres and weight. Stock for stock, the 1.5L bests the 2.0L in cornering for speed and agility.
Can't even get the 1.5 in the U.S. :/
Way too many low cost alternatives in the us
+Supcharged But you guys have the Club Edition, which is IMO the best available option! It's light AND powerful.
+b0nz1official id gladly take the challenger v6 over this just for the looks, despite less fun higher fuel consumption and inferior handling
That's because you are unintelligent. Those two cars do not compare in the slightest.
+Supcharged a challenger with a v6 is pointless, you might as well get a camry at that point.
More revs, less weight, more happy. 1.5 for me.
The results are the exact same as the 1.6L vs the 1.8L. Stock-to-stock the 1.5L feels like it 'breathes' better at higher rpms. The 2.0L feels like it starts to choke out higher RPMs. The 2.0L is easier to live with and i've managed to get slightly better economy with it than my friends with the 1.5L.
Doubtful
Mazda designed the MK4/ND, around the 1.5Lt engine. The 2Lt. engine appeared late in the development stage - and with a little reluctance - purely for the North America market after being vigorously nudged by Mazda, USA, inc. with their fears of (masculine) automotive snobbery. Big power, big tyres and locking diff's are all unnecessary for it's natural home, the twisty back-roads, just hone up your technique
Who needs technique when you got HORSEPOWER 🇺🇸🦅
That is very much true EXCEPT in the mountains going uphill where overtaking could become an exercise of frustration or suicide...personally I wish they had gone 2.5...I keep thinking seriously about bolting on the Edlebroock supercharger on my 2018 2.0 club....See am guessing you dudes in merry old England don't have mountains to play in? Poor sods
@@dougiequick1 Britain, not England and you're right, Scotland is famous for being very flat.
15x8" with 225 tyres on the 1.5 👍
Soaks the bumps with superb grip
I think the 1.5 was made for canyon carving i.e. full revs and realistically, as a cheaper alternative.
No, it wasn't. The 2.0 is the alternative for the US, the whole car was designed around the smaller engine from the start and it was hard for them to fit in the bigger engine later.
+Sirion yep, the built the car around the 1.5, and then added the 2.0 because people in America are obsessed with displacement for some godawful reason, and think it will be "faster". Really with the 1.5 was available here, there was rumors it would be an option for both in Canada but they turned out to be untrue...
America is obsessed with displacement because most are fat and lazy. That's a statistical fact and not even me trying to be a dick (I also live here). They think even having to shift is too much effort while driving so an engine that is bigger allows them to just mash the gas medal without requiring as much thought or extra leg movement. America is all about adding more calories into their bodies and doing their very best at conserving all of them. Even something as simple as having to shift more due to having less torque is a big nooooo, noooo. That maybe 1 or 2 calories extra that I will have to burn. Can't be doing that, now can we??
@@miskatonic6210 And then the 2.0L proceeded to break a handful of gearboxes (more so than the 1.5L, of which there are next to no such reported gearbox issues). As such, for the ND2 they've fitted it with a dual mass flywheel (robbing some of the revy nature found in the ND1) in order to temper the gearbox problems. 1.5L is the sweet spot.
Why didn't you mention the tire types at all? I am sure those Bilstein's are more performance focused, but I am sure the base 1.5 comes with some really bland tires, where as the Sport would almost unarguably come with a higher performing tire. I could see nice tires alone finding 3 seconds with you behind the wheel and great summer/semi-slicks on it.
Tighter canyon roads & shorter tracks and even urban driving, the 1.5 is more entertaining. On loafing higher-speed highway commutes would be tiring and on long-sweeping tracks it would feel out of breath. So choose - for your driving environments.
So in essence that extra 30 hp doesn't produce that much performance without the stiffer suspension.
4£ price difference in the UK? And almost 100 kg? Sounds like the main difference is not so much the engine but more the equipment. In Sweden you can buy the 1,5 and the 2,0 in the same configuration. And then the price difference is only 15.000 SEK, which is about 1.200£.And...well... I know the MX5 is not about speed and all that. But its still a sportscar. So I can not really figure out, why you would have it with the small engine just only to save 1.200£ and a bit of gasoline. If nothing else the bigger engine has a lot more torque, which allow for more relaxed driving, when you are just cruising along.
+fundiver198 "only to save 1200£" that's true, the thing is that over here in Portugal the difference is over 8000€ (5300£) which is a lot to only gain 30 hp more. The 1.5 will probably be the only one on sale here.
+fundiver198 You're right. For the UK market, spec-for-spec comparison reveals only 25kg difference in between the 1.5 and 2.0 liter cars. Not 100kg. And the price is only 900pounds more. I'd get the 2.0
READ the statistics sheet and you'd buy the 2 litre.
DRIVE the cars and you'll buy the 1.5 litre.
I'm going to live in portugal soon and want to buy one and the difference if you pick it without any options is 15k euros between 1.5 and 2.0...
MX-5 is an aftermarket lovers dream. With a 2.0, you have more opportunity to improve than the 1.5. I've owned 7 miatas, of all 3 previous generations, and my experience is the 2 litre MZR NC model, in spite of the youtube criticism, destroys the others cars on the autocross circuit. ND looks like a beautiful car, but there's no way I'd consider buying a smaller engine for it, and limiting its growth potential, unless I had a strategy for shoe-horning the larger Mazdaspeed 3 motors into it.
Should've turned the aircon and traction control off for the second car, would've been quicker.
Rick Sanchez what? Air con?
Love my 99 1.8 wish it had the 6 speed gearbox tho but that's why we build
So the 2.0 is only 25kg more, not 100 as stated here (100 kg is the difference between the mk3 and mk4) and if you're looking at the SE-L spec rather than the miserable base spec, the price difference is only £800.
to the autors, maybe just basic information, how long is your track? or at least what track is it and what version of circle?
I would like a MX5 with the Mazda Wankel engine (lighter and more potent)!
+Alexandre Fernandes Wait for the new RX-Vision. It will likely have a turbo and will kill the Miata. :)
+Alexandre Fernandes You nailed it.
+Alexandre Fernandes They should make an MPS-R model line: performance models of their regular cars with rotary engines. I look forward to seeing a 250+ bhp rotary in an MX-5 or a Mazda 2.
+Alexandre Fernandes There is a new rx7 and they say that they have improved the wankel engine, I dont know how.. But I am really excited to see what they have done!
+MultiTerpen maybe they made it somewhat reliable?
its 15k€ diference between de 1.5 and the 2.0 mx5 in portugal
I wonder what better tyres would do on the 1.5...
1.5 + LSD and you're probably done. Just go punt the thing hard and have fun. If you want more power and to track it there's the FT86, or old S2000's.
TBH, if I had bought my ND as a second car, I probably would've gone for the 1.5. But since it's my daily driver, I'm glad that I bought the 2.0. Not because of sheer speed but because of refinement, additional equipment (gotta have those Recaros) and because of the added low-down grunt of the bigger engine.
the air conditioning was off in the 1.5 but on in the 2.0.
Left blinker is on at 5:39
I would like to see the difference in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times between the two.
man you are a true legand in cars rewiewing
Please compare Softtop Miata 1.5 AT vs 1.5 MT
was the 2.0 model the sports line?
then it sounds just more "potent" because od the sound resonator
someone other guy was driving also for ''the lap times'' - is visible the mashup
you should do a comparison with the bbr modified versions
We're told that the car is perfectly balanced - does that apply to both engine options - and if so, how do they achieve that?
+Mr. Mazda the 1.5 is 50:50 weight dist front to back, the 2.0L is not
Gotcha. Thanks!
The z4 does it as well, they achieve it by (among other things) repositioning the engine bay further to the back of the car. There is some debate as to whether a 50:50 is optimal however, especially for front wheel drives.
Obviously for the MX-5, it works perfectly!
0:31 That sound... :O. So the 1.5 its more fun than the 2.0 Interesting...
Sounds like a f1 car
Tire squeal from the corner?
Great thanks for sharing
I upgraded from a 130hp 1.8 NA to a 172hp 6-speed 2.0 NC with billsteins and LSD (it's a chipped pre-refresh NC), which seems a similar comparison.
The 2.0 NC is definitely faster overall, but the extra power only really works on the motorway (or on the track I suppose). However in true MX5 territory (the fun twisty B-roads), the lighter weight of the NA is hard to beat. Lighter weight is just better than more power when it comes to fun-factor.
It's a touch choice, but the 1.5 ND seems tempting if only they made one with the sportier suspension (but then again there's always the aftermarket).
both are wonderful!
Which is better? The 181HP 2.0!
Wonder what the later with more power 2.0 would do it at?
£4k difference between base model 1.5 and top-spec 2.0 yep, but what about the SE-L 1.5 and 2.0, where the 2.0 would ride better than the Sport Nav?
New shirt Steve?
No, he washed it with his jeans....
lol you 2 are funny made me laugh
Just bbr160 the 1.5 much better
+Auto Express Steve's thick posh British accent sounds like his speaking from the back of his throat and is not easy for us Americans to understand. Maybe he can pronounce his words more from his tongue.
The cheapest Miata is the best Miata. If you're looking for more power in the Miata, you can always swap that 1.5L out for a 6.0L V8...Plenty of LS engine swapped Miatas out there so it shouldn't be hard to find reference building guides.
This guy can whip
the 2019 and onwards 2l revs higher too
You are driving the 2.0 with A/C on but the 1.5 with A/C off => 2 hp of difference less
In the UK you'd rev out the 1.5 more often and this would make it the more satisfying car to own.
Nothing worse than having power you can't use, not to mention you are wasting £ on little used horses.
You had the airco on in the 2.0. On purpose...? Prolly not I guess.
did he have the a/c on during the lap in the 2.0? just saw the green like on the air controlscontrols.
I cant wait until the Abarth 124 vs Mazda MX 5 2.0 will come
+Jimmie Nilsson true,but in quality terms, better stay with mazda even though the plataform is the same(or am I confusing cars about?)
NorthWind I think the best think to stay with mazda is if anything goes wrong. Mazdas Servis network is way bigger.
But I think MX5 biggers weakness is its engine. Its to soft and you can really tell its coming from a standard car. Ofc there are already tuning kits out there thats change all that.
But the Abarth version of the 1.4l makes all the differences :) Its the engine Mazda is to civilize to build.
yes, furthermore the price for an Abarth spider 29k pffff... no way.
Yeah that price really makes its hard to choose it over the MX 5. But a Good head to head will show how much more or less you get with the Abarth. In the end I think you will stay happier longer with the Abarth 124 but that price will looking on other cars to.
The Price on the MX5 kinda makes it stand out over all other convertibles
The 2 litre engine in the MX-5 makes VERY little more power than the 2 litre in a Mazda 3.
The 1.5 litre engine in the MX-5 is very much optimised over the 1.5 litre in a Mazda 2.
The car was designed for the 1.5L, the 2L motor is an afterthought to appease the American market.
test drove a 1.5 2016 icon and where it is a good car , i personally dont think it is a patch on my 2.0 kuro 2013
He's kinda biased. It's obvious he really wants to like the 1.5l more
I would take the 2.0l then upg the head and intake til around 220hp NA. wonder if the internals could take 8500rpm limit?
220 HP on a 2.0 skyactive engine i really doubt about that on a NA setup i rather stick with my Honda :-)
+David Théroux well they say a new Honda S2000 lures in the shadows :-)
For the UK market, the actual price difference between the 1.5 SE-L and 2.0 SE-L is only £850 with 25kg weight penalty. For your additional £850 you get a 22% increase in power, 33% increase in torque, front strut tower brace, LSD, 17" wheels (as opposed to 16") and 280mm brakes front & rear (as opposed to 258mm & 255mm). When all of this is taken into account there is not really a case for the 1.5...