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My Previous Car

My previous car was a 1992 Mazda MX-5 SE - a limited edition version of the standard Mk1 MX-5. I owned it from 2001-2006 and was sad to see it go, but I part exchanged it for my current car!

Extras over the standard Mk1 MX-5:

  • Limited to 200 units
  • Brilliant black paintwork
  • Tan interior with leather
  • 10 spoke 7Jx15 polished alloy wheels
  • Low profile 215/45/ZR15 tyres
  • Polished metal scuff plates
  • Electric aerial
  • ABS
  • Wooden stearing wheel, gear knob, handbrake grip

I tried to resist changing the car too much from original, particularly in look. Here are the extras over and above the original:

  • Immobiliser/alarm
  • Alpine CD player and speakers
  • Racing Beat 4-1 exhaust manifold (see photos)
  • Flyin' Miata hi-flow catalytic converter
  • Flyin' Miata single exit exhaust (see photos)
  • Jackson Racing cold air intake (CAI) (see photos)
  • Timing set to 14 degrees BTDC
  • The tyres are currently Goodyear Eagle Ventura 205/50R15 which the previous owner had fitted. I'm not totally sure why he switched to 205/50R15 instead of the original 215/45R15 - the circumference is very similar on both so it is possible to switch between the two. Possibly getting a decent selection of tyres in the 215/45R15 size proved tricky, as it appears the choice is quite restricted in that size.

The replacement exhaust system gives the car a little bit more grunt and a more purposeful sound, with the CAI helping breathing and also adding to the sound the car makes. The parts are entirely stainless steel so ought to last longer than the original mild steel parts. I have been vaguely tempted by forced induction, but I'm happy with just having the little extra the replacement exhaust system (and intake system) give without the added hassle that could come with forced induction. The exhaust system and JR CAI were imported and fitted by Phil Dixon at Performance5 who did an excellent job.

Originally Phil had trouble getting hold of the CAI as Moss ran out, so he initially just fitted the exhaust system. I was surprised at the improved feel of the car from just the exhaust system without even replacing the stock paper air filter element. The car pulled harder, and now pulled right to the top of its rev range instead of starting to tail off as it did before. I loved the improved exhaust note, and even the sound of the exhaust gasses rushing through the exhaust manifold at lower revs. Now with the CAI fitted, the sound has changed yet again, so I'm going to have to get used to the new sound and try compare it with how I remember it before. I'm not sure if the timing change and CAI have changed the exhaust note, but you sure do get more noise come from up front now with the CAI!

And now for some pictures. I took these with a Canon Ixus 500 digital camera after cleaning and polishing the car with various Meguiar's cleaning products (finishing with their Gold Class wax). The picture of the front left of the car looks slightly odd near the front of the bonnet as the finish of the polish is reflecting a clump of grey fuzzy clouds going overhead at the time very well!

You can see a brochure picture of this limited edition version of the mx-5 here. The site with that picture on hosts a page about that limited edition version, along with information about a very similar version done the following year (which had different wheels).

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