2016 Mazda MX-5 1.5L v 2.0L track comparison review

Drive.com.au

Подписаться 323 тыс.

Просмотров 81 тыс.

50% 1

That Mazda offers a choice of 1.5- and 2.0-litre versions of its fourth-generation MX-5 Roadster begs a simple and obvious question: which is the better buy? The answers, though, are numerous and more complex, each starting with the words ‘it depends’.
It depends if you plan using it as a daily driver or as that ‘third car’ for sunny weekend touring. It depends on whether you live in the urban crush of Sydney, the west coastal Tasmanian outreach of Strahan, or elsewhere. It depends on finance and taste, on the subjective and objective, and on various factors with which to draw suitable decision-making.
Instead, we’ve decided to hone in a particular challenge that should appeal to many buyers: which of the two MX-5s is the best buy as the preferred weekend warrior track car off the showroom floor?
-------------------------------------------------------------
CarAdvice.com.au is focused on getting people into the right car for them. We understand the different needs buyers face when making the decision to purchase a car, and our comprehensive reviews aim to help you make the right decision.
Our videos and articles are created by expert and unbiased journalists who are passionate about their work.
We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions and encourage discussion. Don’t hesitate to ask us a question about a car and we will try to guide you to the right car for you.
Subscribe to CarAdvice for the latest reviews, road tests, comparisons, news and opinions in the automotive world.
SUBSCRIBE HERE
ru-vid.com...
CONNECT WITH US
- / caradvice
- / car_advice
- plus.google.co...
www.caradvice.c... - Read the article here.

Опубликовано:

28 сен 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 68

@PBPod 8 лет назад

The MX-5 or as we like to call it in the States, the Miata, has never been about raw performance numbers. It has been about the purity of two-seat, lightweight, open-top, sports car motoring on and off the track. Given that, the 1.5 is the purest evolution of that concept. The 1.5 is not available in America and we have no tax disincentives for larger displacements. I believe the 1.5 is a wonderful car and would not argue with anyone who purchased one, particularly given the MSRP and tax difference. My wife and I positively love our 2.0 and I am sure we would have loved a 1.5 almost as much. Money wasn't an issue because we bought the MX-5 over a much more expensive and faster Corvette. My only argument with the decision in the video is for people where performance is important to them. It is close to the top of the list of desired variables for some. If, like me, you occasionally succumb to stoplight drag races, take your car to the legal midnight drags, and do a road course track day every now and again, then a second here and a second there is a different story. The difference is not insignificant if you are a competitive person. And if you make the modifications to the 1.5 to make it as fast as a stock 2.0, you have negated the cost advantages of buying the smaller displacement vehicle. That said, if it just about the joy of pure sports car driving, and not just being in front, the 1.5 is a better choice.

@mardamek 7 лет назад

I don't get the making mods part. Unless we're talking about a complete engine rebuild with lighter pistons and different internals, I don't see how you can make the 1.5 just as or more powerful as/than the 2.0 liter. Of course, the alternative to this is to install a turbo or a supercharger, but then you've added significant cost and ruined the front/rear balance of the car. And all of this is true without mentioning that if you're willing to spend money and make mods, you can do that with the 2.0 liter too. So, I can understand the 1.5 preference if it's in the name of overall lightness and handling, but I'm failing to see how you could consider it on par with the 2.0 (or potentially better - through mods) in terms of power.

@ΔημήτριοςΡάπτης-ρ9χ 7 лет назад

mardamek bbr mx5 about 160hp non turbo, check it

@Niex_Knox 2 года назад

@@mardamek a hot cam, good exhaust from the headers to the tip, open up the intake.....etc

@MikeKiloNovember 8 лет назад

I have tested both. I would definitely go for the 1.5, which surprised me because before the tests I was more interested in the 2.0, not only for the engine but also the options you get on it. I liked the 7.800rpm red line better on the 1.5, the suspension is much better sorted for on road use, and the extra options are definitely not worth it, especially the BOSE sound system, which disappointed me the most. I seriously consider buying the entry level 1.5 base model and spend my money in better rims and tyres, a better exhaust, and why not a custom wrap since color options are "meh".

@MikeKiloNovember 6 лет назад

UPDATE : I actually bought a fully spec'd 1.5 RF version... No regrets. Needs lowering, wider tracks and a clutch-type LSD though.

@cheungman83 7 месяцев назад

@@MikeKiloNovembercould you tell me what the comparison like between soft top & RF weight difference if it affects the ride since you drove both?

@craigmiller6828 8 лет назад

I have had a 2.0 American ND-GT-LE for about five months. The 2.0 has a torque curve as flat as Kansas and makes the car fun to drive in about every situation. I have had it to the track twice and put on probably 40 laps and drive it on the street daily. The interesting thing to me is when these reviewers say .9 seconds a lap is inconsequential. In then laps the 2.0 is almost 10 seconds ahead of the 1.5. Does that sound like nothing? In 0-60 runs it would have been more instructive to see the cars side by side. The 1.5 would have been watching the 2.0's tail lights, I estimate the 2.0 is ahead by a car and a half to two-car lenghts.

@craigmiller6828 8 лет назад

+Craig Miller That was supposed to read 10 laps.

@vincentknodler2723 8 лет назад

+Craig Miller Yes, you are right. I put the 0-100 km/h times in a converter and it says 7.68s equal 106.7m distance traveled. 7.24 s equal 100.6m. That is a 6.1m advantage for the 2 Liter. Pretty much exactly 1.5 car lengths.

@roleta301116 8 лет назад

+Craig Miller 2.0 engine has more power but if you look at track times compared to the 1.5 engine, you have also the bilstein shocks and LSD. But one can not deny 1.5 engine is more revy than the 2.0. I personal think I will choose the 1.5 with bilstein shocks, LSD, Alcantara pack, Bastuck exhaust and aero spoiler Kit instead of buying the 2.0 engine. In my country (for tax reasons) there´s a diference of 10.000€ (around $11.000 USD) between the 2 models.

@peterlewis3540 Год назад

Its got to be the 1.5L, simply because the car weighs nearly 90Kg less than the similar model, but with the more powerful 2L. Weight is everything, in such a delightful sports car. The 2L may be quite a bit faster, have better damping, with those quality Bilstein shocks and LSD diff, but does that all really matter. Here in the Uk, the LSD is not available on the cheaper 1.5L models, but the car is such an involving drive, at any speed, that you don't really miss it. Your carrying a lot of unnecessary weight, and the 2L costs quite a bit more. The 1.5L is the sweeter engine.

@dingdong1456 4 года назад

Well, now with the updated engine, the difference is much bigger. The 2.0 has now over 50 HP more than the 1.5.

@Drivecomau 4 года назад

They are all still great fun to drive.

@ikarugaxx3749 4 года назад

@@Drivecomau Would you make an updated video, to compare the 2 versions presently sold?

@peterlewis3540 Год назад

Your not buying an MX5 for outright pace, or massive horsepower, your buying it for its driving thrills at sensible speeds. Whatever engine you eventually go for, its a brilliant car.

@matiashojas41 3 года назад

Add the 2019 to this comparison! Great video

@starryvoyage 8 лет назад

higher revs = more exciting = more fun end of story

@mardamek 7 лет назад

AND less reliability due to engine working harder all the time ... I support the overall lightness in a vehicle, but when it comes to engines, it's difficult to choose a smaller sized and less powerful one over a larger one (unless it throws off the front/rear weight distribution, which then becomes a completely different story).

@ΔημήτριοςΡάπτης-ρ9χ 7 лет назад

mardamek yes that's why vtec is so unreliable lol

@Nickoboss29 2 года назад

@@mardamek the ND was built around the 1.5, the 2.0 was later introduced for America and for people who wanted more power...

@mardamek 2 года назад

@@Nickoboss29 Thats good to know. Thanks! I guess that's true about a lot of cars that get developed for other markets but are then sold in the US as well. With all of what you said being true, I still stand by my original point. That is, if the more powerful engine does not add too much extra weight and does not significantly disturb the weight distribution/balance, then really there is no good excuse to choose the car with the smaller engine. Perhaps price is the only thing that could be the deciding factor for me; but all things being equal (or otherwise very comparable), more power wins in my book.

@Kinna39 8 лет назад

The 2.0 also gets the MZD touchscreen with sat nav...and the bigger wheels... So there's that at least

@mortenberg2897 8 лет назад

So does the 1,5 - so... there isn't that ;-)

@Kinna39 8 лет назад

+Morten Berg only in the more expensive GT version. The base model (which this one is priced at) gets only the standard radio.

@mortenberg2897 8 лет назад

All models have the touchscreen. If you need the gps, this can be added in thexsystem later.

@jameschen2942 8 лет назад

Nah,GT version for both 1.5 and 2 come with the same interior and outside look

@jameschen2942 8 лет назад

Nah,GT version for both 1.5 and 2 come with the same interior and outside look

@Captain_Coleslaw 7 лет назад

Hmmm, you use the same track as Mighty car mods :)

@connorbrooks1102 3 года назад

I'm sure the 1.5 has an open diff?

@Shadowstormau 3 года назад

in australia we get LSD standard on all manual models

@mariapires7170 4 месяца назад

@@Shadowstormau In Europe the MX5 ND3/ 2024 version, is not equipped with LMS Diff as standart form, but we can add it, in Mazda dealership or in aftermarket garages, I think.

@lassydogpie5390 3 года назад

Remap the 1.5 to 155 for $500 then you got a light higher revving quicker car

@TuxxDJ 3 года назад

Is it really quicker? Can't find any proof. A chiptuned 1.5 might be a better option for me

@humcheemian 8 лет назад

1.5 is what the mx-5 is all about... 2.0 catered towards people that can't afford a 370Z

@smilepermile888 6 лет назад

Bullshit. 370Zs are aimed at different target buyers as they drive totally different from MX5s. They weigh 400kg more

@pranavmukesh 6 лет назад

370z is a piece of shit

@ma6netho 7 лет назад

real sport cars weight less than 1000 kg (abow they just becom lorry/truck lol) so 1,5 wins. Base/dry 1,5L weight 975kg withouth LSD (25kg less weight over the front wheeels gives better turn in, aka less understear.

@MrMazda-ih8cw 8 лет назад

Always take the bigger engine unless you're scraping for dollars to purchase. Fun is what you looking for and the bigger engine produces that.

@yiorgospapadopoulos3795 8 лет назад

+Mr. Mazda Almost every journalist say that the 1.5 is more fun. So more power doesn't mean always more fun :P

@ashneel 6 лет назад

That straight line wasn't very..straight

@JamesLCoxe 5 лет назад

Redo the test now with the 2019 please.

@matiashojas41 3 года назад

Please!

@msp845 8 лет назад

So the 2.0 won all 3 tests but loses overall......

@mardamek 7 лет назад

That's right. Non-Americans have to find a way to justify their smaller displacement engines.

7 лет назад

Loses tests by almost nothing, and $2500 can pay for a lot of gas. Also, here there's a huge difference in insurance and taxes, plus the better mileage of the smaller engine. Yearly expenses are way better for the 1.5. That's why it wins.

@maccarioandrea 5 лет назад

@ plus they said it more fun and the beats per minute were higher!

@slreefer7353 5 лет назад

@@maccarioandrea that's why it wins for me! more fun! :)

@alexDreplay 4 года назад

That's because the 2.0L doesn't worth the overall extra cost and provides a slightly worse Miata experience. The 2.0L engine option exists just for Americans, but the chassis was specifically made for the body rolling and weight balance of the 1.5L.

@jmc2903 4 года назад

I love my 1.5. I put in some coilovers and it’s great. It’s not about speed it’s about driving pleasure.

@jmc2903 3 года назад

Just added an iDrive throttle controller to the car, it has made a dramatic difference to the car.

@diegovillicana1514 8 лет назад

He went first in the 1.5l of course it was going to show the highest bpm. It is like riding a roller coaster... the first one will feel a lot more than the second one even if the first one isn't as thrilling as the second one... Poorly engaged test on that matter, on the other two test pretty well made.

@danielthomas2621 6 лет назад

Driven both the 1.5 is the better of the two closer in spirit to the original..my 91 is better than both imo

@rustinpieces 3 месяца назад

The 1,5 does NOT come with a limited slip diff. I know 'cause I own one. Had it chiptuned BTW; 150 Nm is real bad. It's now 170, and 144 instead of 131 BHP. Noteable difference! In today's world however, there are vans that I know I better not compete with. Let alone any EV. 😅

@mortenberg2897 8 лет назад

I just ordered the 1,5 because it's the lightest and therefor the purest mx5

@miked5789 2 года назад

These kind if tests are only valid for non-enthusiasts.... Enthusiasts want to havw driving impressions, the feel of 1.5 vs 2.0. The numbers & conclusions are completely pointless/invalid without this input.

@TheChenny73 4 года назад

And then there was the ND2....Can you say better then both these cars

@BobbyDazzler888 7 лет назад

Funny, other channel had 4 seconds difference on a 50 second track

@vinceliu1397 6 лет назад

Yeah, whatever....LMAO

@FaeezHendricks 8 лет назад

Its weird there isnt much of a difference between the two though. Which would be better at the end of the day? I see some people say the 1.5l cause its more exciting to drive. More engaging, but what positives are there for the 2l one? Cause the 1.5l seems better fuel economywise, more engaging etc. Im trying to figure out why you one would go for a 2l model.

@monsiuersmartypants3391 8 лет назад

placebo. same reason people would rather have an archaic v8 in a truck instead of a well built v6.

@piotraria6809 7 лет назад

Highway cruise with lower noise and RPM

@johnweir7855 3 года назад

In the real world 2 litre every time

@izzatfauzimustafa6535 3 года назад

1.5L is good for pedal to the metal fun without too much tendency to do overspeeding (driving-a-slow-car-fast type of excitement) 2.0L on the other hand is more about the best of two worlds (agility of a small car & excitement of a larger capacity engine).