The Super 220 upgrades are the cherry on top of what is already a solid car. The extra revs, a bit more torque, and the exhaust's feel and sound genuinely enhance the driving experience, sad that Mazda don't see a market for something like this. Driving roof down on a spring Sunday morning, there might be quicker cars on a B road, but few are as fun. Also 6 pot brakes on something weighing near to 1000 kilos wet is overkill, the first time I used them in anger was a shock, thank god for the seatbelt! I've added a bunch of smaller touches, like a titanium gear knob, real leather gaiters, and a 2-grand Alcantara steering wheel, along with a Mazda Speed body kit. These give it that OEM+ feel but with an edge.
The lack of weight doesn't just improve handling but also reduces running costs in terms of MPG, tyre wear, brakes, etc. On a drive where an M2 was getting 15mpg, the hard-driven Mazda saw 26mpg. On the same drive, the Mazda kept pace with the M2, even on uphill sections where you'd expect the bigger engine to pull ahead.
I'm only selling it due to not using it enough and having an irrational hatred towards garage queen cars, they are meant to be driven and if I was lucky enough to afford a dino, Id drive it for sure. So 4900 in 40 months just felt a bit embarrassing. My son, who is non-ambulatory, sitting in the car when we go for a spin, which is fine for a quick blast and enjoying a coffee with a view. But for going anywhere else, we need the bigger cars. Had I kept it, my wishlist included lowered seats, a short shifter, under-car aero, and ITBs. I promised myself at the start of 2023 to do track days and drives, but I never even bought a helmet. However, I did enjoy a fantastic drive in August, covering almost 25% of the car's miles in one weekend.
Financially, the car cost just under £30k, and a similar spec today would cost over £35k which possibly helped depreciation. I've probably spent another £9k to £10k on modifications. I know that money could have bought a number of cars, but I've sold it for £25k to an enthusiast upgrading from another MX-5. I'm sure it's going to a good home and will be driven a lot more than I managed.
I'm not sure what to do next. Not so long ago, my driveway included a Z4, MX5, and GR Yaris. It was an unusual combination that oddly overlapped. I decided I'd prefer to have one really awesome car, and you might argue the M550i is that car. I've thought about upgrading—let's face it, most of us do constantly. My shortlist includes an AMG GT, Panamera, Mulsanne or F-Type, but I keep coming back to an M5. There's a CS up for £140k, which is too much for me, and I'm not sure a standard M5 is a big enough leap. I should keep the 500 and have the luxury of a car sitting in the garage for weekend use, then maybe something older would be better. I'd love an RX-7 or NSX, but seeing today's prices compared to not so long ago makes me question my life choices, maybe a Clio cup or 106 rallye. The writing appears to be on the wall for the car market, maybe sitting it out for a few months is a wise move. Even though I'm in my 40s, sim racing has caught my attention. After giving it a try recently, I was genuinely impressed by how immersive it felt, genuinely as if I was in control of a car. Given the state of today's roads, sim racing might just be the right path to take.
I haven't really talked much about the handling and driving, but I'd urge you all to take one out for an extended test drive. They're that good, and I'd be lying if I said it was my last Mazda.
Here is a cold start, because why not.
