youd probably have more fun in an mx5 when pushing it purley due to it being RWD, itll probably feel more rewarding when driving on the limit. But theyre just not for me, im happy with the fez, its just such a good all rounder IMO. to the point ive even sold my RS cause i dont use it anymore.

 

Career change?

 

I've driven both on track at Bedford, back to back. My mate has a stock power NC on coilovers and RX8 ARBs and diff etc... My ST was stage 2 CP and coilovers.

They are very different cars and in all honesty, not comparable. The NC was horribly lacking in torque. Where I could power out of a corner in 3rd in the ST, the MX5 had to dropped to 2nd and even then it was lacking. The ST was also far more prone to kicking out the rear.

The MX5 however was a much more "racecar" feel. You sit a lot lower and you instantly notice the diff and RWD pushing you around the corner. It is a lot more sure footed coming onto power and inspires more confidence (to the point where my mate bought less grippy tyres to make it more lively!!!).

A *huge* negative for me personally, I couldn't carry a 2nd set of wheels in the MX5 to track, whereas I can in the ST.

Feel free to ask me anything else you may want to know

 

I've driven both on track at Bedford, back to back. My mate has a stock power NC on coilovers and RX8 ARBs and diff etc... My ST was stage 2 CP and coilovers.

They are very different cars and in all honesty, not comparable. The NC was horribly lacking in torque. Where I could power out of a corner in 3rd in the ST, the MX5 had to dropped to 2nd and even then it was lacking. The ST was also far more prone to kicking out the rear.

The MX5 however was a much more "racecar" feel. You sit a lot lower and you instantly notice the diff and RWD pushing you around the corner. It is a lot more sure footed coming onto power and inspires more confidence (to the point where my mate bought less grippy tyres to make it more lively!!!).

A *huge* negative for me personally, I couldn't carry a 2nd set of wheels in the MX5 to track, whereas I can in the ST.

Feel free to ask me anything else you may want to know

I think im missing that 'racecar'feel but the lack of power is really putting me off and i dont know if i will live to regret moving car, but its an itch i feel i need to scratch, also would be nice in summer to have the roof down i guess also.

Ive heard mpg in the mx5 NC 2.0 sport is pretty poor? Ive heard 30mpg at best?

 

I think im missing that 'racecar'feel but the lack of power is really putting me off and i dont know if i will live to regret moving car, but its an itch i feel i need to scratch, also would be nice in summer to have the roof down i guess also.

Ive heard mpg in the mx5 NC 2.0 sport is pretty poor? Ive heard 30mpg at best?

I've removed the rear seats from my ST and it makes a massive difference to how immersive it feels. You hear a lot more kicked up off the track/road and you hear the fuel pump/gearbox a bit more.

I really thought the MX5 would be more lively being rwd, but i was completely wrong.

I'll drive them again back to back at the ring when my ST has a diff.

I don't know about the mpg personally, it's not something I worry about.

 

Sounds like you want a Mk6 ST, stripped and tuned to around 200bhp.

Will resolve your exhaust sound issue too.

 

I've removed the rear seats from my ST and it makes a massive difference to how immersive it feels. You hear a lot more kicked up off the track/road and you hear the fuel pump/gearbox a bit more.

I really thought the MX5 would be more lively being rwd, but i was completely wrong.

I'll drive them again back to back at the ring when my ST has a diff.

I don't know about the mpg personally, it's not something I worry about.

Did you remove all the carpet aswell? I put my rear seats down the other day but didnt notice any difference at all lol. What does the fuel pump sound like? Did it feel any quicker? Did it feel more raw??

 

Did you remove all the carpet aswell? I put my rear seats down the other day but didnt notice any difference at all lol. What does the fuel pump sound like? Did it feel any quicker? Did it feel more raw??

No, left carpet in. Otherwise it's too loud and droney on long drives. I'm not a huge fan of loud cars, just feels like attention seeking to me. I still run stock exhaust, but i'd be tempted to go Mountune or something. I wouldn't ever go full stripped out as I still use it from time to time for longer drives.

The main difference is you hear a lot more pickup from stones and crap on the road. It doesn't feel all that quicker, just more a "racecar" experience. This is especially true when running sticky semi slicks on track.

It's not extreme, just feels slightly less like a normal road car is all.

I've been in a fully stripped Suzuki Swift and it was loud ha. My mate has a Team Schirmer M3 fully stripped and caged and that is skull crushing loud, have to wear ear defenders.

 

No, left carpet in. Otherwise it's too loud and droney on long drives. I'm not a huge fan of loud cars, just feels like attention seeking to me. I still run stock exhaust, but i'd be tempted to go Mountune or something. I wouldn't ever go full stripped out as I still use it from time to time for longer drives.

The main difference is you hear a lot more pickup from stones and crap on the road. It doesn't feel all that quicker, just more a "racecar" experience. This is especially true when running sticky semi slicks on track.

It's not extreme, just feels slightly less like a normal road car is all.

I've been in a fully stripped Suzuki Swift and it was loud ha. My mate has a Team Schirmer M3 fully stripped and caged and that is skull crushing loud, have to wear ear defenders.

I have the mountune exhaust and i was complaining it was too quiet the other day, suppose this might be worth a try as i never use the rear seats either.

 

youd probably have more fun in an mx5 when pushing it purley due to it being RWD, itll probably feel more rewarding when driving on the limit. But theyre just not for me, im happy with the fez, its just such a good all rounder IMO. to the point ive even sold my RS cause i dont use it anymore.

You prefer the Fiesta ST to the Focus RS?

 

You prefer the Fiesta ST to the Focus RS?

Many do. Matt Farah, the post journalist that did the One Take series in the US said he always preferred his Fiesta.

 

Sounds like you want a Mk6 ST, stripped and tuned to around 200bhp.

Will resolve your exhaust sound issue too.

Mk6 ST has never been on my radar im afraid to say, poor performance standard, woeful handling standard, no torque, sound like a rattly fart can with an exhaust on, and even after spending fortunes it only just is as quick as a mk7 st. Not for me im afraid.

 

I took an ST out for a test drive not long after getting my NC a while back. The feel was very different, likely due to driving position, soft top giving a bit more of an exposed feeling and of course RWD that liked a little flick now and again.

The ST got me though. I couldnt get one at the time and changed to an r56 cooper s for a bit but always had my mind on the ST, eventually getting one 2 years ago

I do miss it sometimes as with just 2 seats and the roof down now and again it felt like it was just me and the road and lots of fun but admittedly, the ST gives me the same smile it did the first time i took one out!

Also, fuel economy was pretty poor. I was getting under 30mpg on longer dual carriageway runs than i do now but heavy right foot and all that...

 

Mk6 ST has never been on my radar im afraid to say, poor performance standard, woeful handling standard, no torque, sound like a rattly fart can with an exhaust on, and even after spending fortunes it only just is as quick as a mk7 st. Not for me im afraid.

Never driven one then!

 

Mk6 ST has never been on my radar im afraid to say, poor performance standard, woeful handling standard, no torque, sound like a rattly fart can with an exhaust on, and even after spending fortunes it only just is as quick as a mk7 st. Not for me im afraid.

As already said, clearly never driven one!

As standard, yes, not great...but a track prepped/modified one is a completely different story.

If you are saying it's not on your radar as only just as quick as a mk7 when modded...then why are you even considering an MX5?

 

Mk6 ST has never been on my radar im afraid to say, poor performance standard, woeful handling standard, no torque, sound like a rattly fart can with an exhaust on, and even after spending fortunes it only just is as quick as a mk7 st. Not for me im afraid.

I own both a MK6 as well as mk7. The may as well be chalk and cheese for comparing them, totally different cars and both make me smile when i drive them.

My MK6 is only lowered with an exhaust fitted, not mapped or anything special. Handling wise i found better than the first time i drove my standard MK7 round some nice windy roads national speed limit roads. Sound wise the exhaust on the MK6 with that 2ltr engine is wild and still makes me smile after 7 years+ of owning it with the pops out the back.

My MK7 has been lowered, mountune exhuast, mapped it 3 times (MP215, CP2, CP2-E) and it still doesnt sound the same. The coilovers made it handle like my mk6 but it still doesnt feel exactly the same because they are very different cars.

i could go on listing the differences. it is like comparing a MK7 to the MK8 different cars again. Try driving one, your radar may be updated afterwards.

if my mk6 ever die's (current 110000+ miles on the clock - and now the wife drives it ) i would for sure replace with another mk6

 

One thing that my mates NC does that i'm jealous of is big donuts in gravel car parks!

 

Mistake to dismiss a mk6 without driving one IMO.

How on earth can you consider a newer Fiesta and an NA car but then dis the mk6 ST which effectively sits in the middle is a mystery to me.

Just makes you look like a bit of a car snob.

I've had some fairly decent cars but still enjoy the mk6.

So much so I made a race car one.

 

Why is everyone assuming i havent driven a st150, i have as a matter of fact and i think they are quite soulless to be honest, my old swift sport was slower but far more lively and had character. A lot of motoring journals would agree it was a pretty poor showing from ford and it never really took off, im not saying its horrendous but its not for me.

Even though the mx5 has the same power at least it is low to the ground and probably feels quicker thats why i was considering it.

Im allowed an opinion.

 

It never really took off?

No, you're right...not like a car club/forum was created for it with a massive following.

When did you own/drive a Mk6 then. Can safely assume it was a standard one from your previous comments.

 

I've had some fairly decent cars

Understatement! :laugh:

 

It never really took off?

No, you're right...not like a car club/forum was created for it with a massive following.

When did you own/drive a Mk6 then. Can safely assume it was a standard one from your previous comments.

Im not getting into this, im allowed an opinion lets leave it at that.

 

True, everyone is entitled to an opinion. I prefer to listen to ones based on experience though, not speculation.

My friend had a Swift Sport for several years at the same time I had my Mk6 ST. It had a definite cam change due to the VVTI engine, which did give it a "fizz" but it was slow...higher up than a Fiesta... didn't sound as good either.

I think the main reason you are being questioned on this matter is that you are considering an MX5, which is in all essence, a RWD Mk6 ST with 2 seats.

 

True, everyone is entitled to an opinion. I prefer to listen to ones based on experience though, not speculation.

My friend had a Swift Sport for several years at the same time I had my Mk6 ST. It had a definite cam change due to the VVTI engine, which did give it a "fizz" but it was slow...higher up than a Fiesta... didn't sound as good either.

I think the main reason you are being questioned on this matter is that you are considering an MX5, which is in all essence, a RWD Mk6 ST with 2 seats.

A mx5 is completely different to a hot hatch, its a sports car, low to the ground, roof to take off, its nothing likr a rwd fiesta st come on! Yes it may not be any quicker but its purely been designed for driving rather than driving and practicality, you cant put them in the same league.

Yeh it was the cam change which made the engine sound pretty good and was quite loud standard too i loved it.

 

That was in terms of you saying a Mk6 wasn't on your radar due to being too slow and underpowered.

The MX5 (later models) use the same engine, i.e. 2.0 Duratec.