Triumph TR6 vs. new Mazda MX5

[Dieter H. Marschall]

Hello everybody,

Just in case you are interested: The biggest German car magazine "Auto Bild" just published a comparison between a 1975 TR6 and the new MX5 in its latest issue no. 47. In summary the TR6 is the car with more character, sound and fun. I drove the MX5 myself for a couple of miles and came to the same result.

For one Euro you can download this article here and pay via Paypal: http://www.autobild.de/heftarchiv/he...l_7173869.html

By the way: The grumpy old man in the TR6 is me and it is my car. We took these photos on 2nd November when the maximum temperature here was 3°! We drove with the roof down from 10.00 to 14.30 and my ears were about to fall off....

Have fun when reading this - sorry it is in German. But you always look at the pictures.

Best wishes,
Dieter.

[jleyton]

Well done Dieter

When I was still at work I used to get Auto Bild every week as it was influential across Europe - Auto Plus in France and Auto Express in the UK were 'sister' magazines, all from Axel Springer.

Brilliant work flying the Triumph flag although, sadly, I'm not entirely sure Triumph would fare so well if they did a similar comparison between the Stag and a new Merc SL

Cheers

Julian

Ps I hope your ears have recovered !

[Robmsharp]

I love the MX5 - I always think its the modern reincarnation of the original Lotus Elan, but for character I'm not surprised your TR6 won - it looks a great car.

[Pete]

The TR6 has a timeless shape and coupled with a drop dead gorgeous sounding straight 6 and classic British interior, there is much to praise. The MX5, reliable, but not distinguished looking. I think the Mazda engine is fitted to the MG LE50, tuned to the hilt though http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mg-motor/le50

[mike@thenook]

I think Julian the Stag if compared to any Merc' would certainly win on character - form my own point of view of course!

[Guest]

I quite like the look of that MX5, seems to look a bit Ferrari inspired and a lot more macho than its previous versions.

TR6 for me all the way though.

[Ziptie_Engineer]

I needed a cheap second car for commuting (the Stag is my third car!) and very recently purchased a 2003 mk2.5 MX5 for a mere £1000..... A bargain considering it's only got 63k on the clock and the hardtop is worth £400 by itself!

I really, really, really wanted to hate it. It looks a bit girlie, its 1.8 lacks grunt compared to my other car and, seemingly, it had none of the fun-factor my Stag provides..... However, it's totally brilliant. The handling is unparallel to any car I've driven, the soft-top takes less than 10 seconds to put up and take down, it's super-nippy (not necessarily fast), it stupidly cheap to service and work on (I changed every service part myself including the cambelt for less than £100 and I'm not mechanical expert) and ultra-reliable (allegedly). It's basically like driving a faster Spitfire that doesn't feel like it's about to fall apart and you know that it's going to start in the morning! And the best bit.... the MX5 still rusts through its sills and wheel arches - a key trait of any small sports car!

Allegedly the newer Mk4 MX5 has lost a lot of its character and, arguably, the TR6 is a different class of car. Perhaps a comparsion with an MGB roadster or Spitfire might have been a fairer comparison?

[LAMBRETTLAD]

Have you seen the new Fiat 124 ,based on the MX5 ? , Looks ace

[jleyton]

I think Julian the Stag if compared to any Merc' would certainly win on character - form my own point of view of course!

Totally agree

[TR5convalescent]

I needed a cheap second car for commuting (the Stag is my third car!) and very recently purchased a 2003 mk2.5 MX5 for a mere £1000..... A bargain considering it's only got 63k on the clock and the hardtop is worth £400 by itself!

I really, really, really wanted to hate it. It looks a bit girlie, its 1.8 lacks grunt compared to my other car and, seemingly, it had none of the fun-factor my Stag provides..... However, it's totally brilliant. The handling is unparallel to any car I've driven, the soft-top takes less than 10 seconds to put up and take down, it's super-nippy (not necessarily fast), it stupidly cheap to service and work on (I changed every service part myself including the cambelt for less than £100 and I'm not mechanical expert) and ultra-reliable (allegedly). It's basically like driving a faster Spitfire that doesn't feel like it's about to fall apart and you know that it's going to start in the morning! And the best bit.... the MX5 still rusts through its sills and wheel arches - a key trait of any small sports car!

Allegedly the newer Mk4 MX5 has lost a lot of its character and, arguably, the TR6 is a different class of car. Perhaps a comparsion with an MGB roadster or Spitfire might have been a fairer comparison?

I had an old Mark one grey import for my wife. I agree with everything you say. It was simply brilliant!

[TR5convalescent]

I think Julian the Stag if compared to any Merc' would certainly win on character - form my own point of view of course!

My daily driver until a couple of years ago was an old W124 300E saloon. It was cruising about in this old Merc that led me to wanting something more comfortable than ,y TR5 and thence to my Stag. The drive is very similar but with added character. I did look at Merc R129s but they just weren't the same as the Stag in terms of looks and kerb appeal.

[Lokisdad]

I also have a grey import MX-5. It's a 1.8 auto, so not terribly quick, but I can't help but have a huge grin on my face every time I drive it. It's so small and low, 50 mph feels like 500, and you don't have to slow down for corners! They do rust though. If you spot a bubble of rust on the rear of the sill it will be rotten inside - a total of 4 layers of metal just disintegrating. Ask me how I know! A lot cheaper than a TR6 as well.

Harvey

[Jeff]

Funny how we are all different.

I always liked the MX 5 but after I got one I didn't like driving it so sold it very quick.

Jeff.

[Ziptie_Engineer]

They do rust though. If you spot a bubble of rust on the rear of the sill it will be rotten inside - a total of 4 layers of metal just disintegrating. Ask me how I know! A lot cheaper than a TR6 as well.

Harvey

A true homage to the smal British Sports cars of old...... Draining the hood into the sills...... What problems could that ever cause! Amazing to think in this day and age you need to replace the sills on a 11 year old car! I hope you've invested in a good rifle bore brush to clean your hood drains? It was amazing how much gunk came out of mine!

[Lokisdad]

A true homage to the smal British Sports cars of old...... Draining the hood into the sills...... What problems could that ever cause! Amazing to think in this day and age you need to replace the sills on a 11 year old car! I hope you've invested in a good rifle bore brush to clean your hood drains? It was amazing how much gunk came out of mine!

Hopefully the drain tubes should go through the sills or alongside - can't remember which.. I use a piece of thin plastic rod to keep mine clear. When you open the sills up what isn't rotted away is unpainted and untreated steel.
Harvey