gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - must be summer - the toys are back :)

[gm]

1 hour ago, dome said:

Please tell me that purple abomination isn't the same car I hurtled around Knockhill in with you?

the mighty mazda as seen in happier times  

such a good circuit, i really need to get my finger out and make a return visit 

[gm]

the last time I took the mazda out, I noticed the power steering was a bit lumpy - anyone spot the problem ? 

yep, there is a bolt totally missing from the belt tensioner  

a rummage round the spares box and we're back in business  

although I've just spotted another missing bolt just above it - wonder where that went ?

anyway, sun is out, time for a hoon 

what a great colour, mariner blue 

[loserone]

30 minutes ago, gm said:

what a great colour, mariner blue 

 

If I ever had another one, it would be mb

[jim89]

On 20/04/2026 at 20:23, gm said:

maybe I'll paint this one to match the car ? 

You could paint the windscreen top & pillars to match the roof... ?

[gm]

remember that silver hardtop ?

and how couldn’t decide what colour to paint it ? 

problem solved 

swapped it for a slightly darker shade of grey with a young lass who was delighted to find a silver one to match her car  

[gm]

took the mazda out for a drive yesterday - hardly any traffic on the roads, what a blast !

I think that darker grey hardtop looks pretty smart - just needs a few point chips touching in and we'll call it job done  

[gm]

another Mazdadudes drive out is planned for this Sunday - setting off around 10am from Mazdadudes hq in darlington and blasting round some of the finest roads in the area

should be a lot of fun - last year had around 60 cars turn out

[GeorgeB]

4 hours ago, gm said:

took the mazda out for a drive yesterday - hardly any traffic on the roads, what a blast !

I think that darker grey hardtop looks pretty smart - just needs a few point chips touching in and we'll call it job done  

With all that blue sky above the hard top should be in the garden.

[gm]

i would normally agree, except it was about 2oC and blowing a gale up on the hills ! still nice to get out in the sun for a couple of hours 

[paulplom]

The hard top matches the wheels.

[gm]

11 minutes ago, paulplom said:

The hard top matches the wheels.

especially now they're caked in brake dust  

[gm]

despite being only 6000 miles old, the clutch slave on Exo had started to weep fluid  

sure enough, it was knackered 

new one installed and bled

i stuck a new master on while i was at it, the old one was fine but a bit manky

and while the bonnet was up off, i chucked on a spare cone filter that i found on the shelf

the old one is getting a wash and will go on the mazda when my ebay adapter arrives 

[gm]

the voltage on the mx5 was randomly dropping whilst out for a hoon the other day  

remember that loose power steering tensioner the other week ? 

hmm, am i really that forgetful ? 

tension applied, volts restored, and it seems to drive better now too  

[GeorgeB]

3 hours ago, gm said:

despite being only 6000 miles old, the clutch slave on Exo had started to weep fluid  

 

I'm not surprised if you store the thing that way up.

[gm]

i gave the mazda a quick check over before tomorrows mass hooning  - fluids were all good, tyres were at 32psi for some unknown reason - no wonder it’s been a bit bouncy - adjusted to the correct 26psi and it drives so much better  

gave it a quick wash and hoover, scrubs up very nicely

nipped out for supplies and to brim the tank 

better get home quick before those black clouds unleash the inevitable !

hoping for nothing but sun and good times tomorrow 

[gm]

some pics from the mazdadudes drive out the other week

the route guidance app proved very useful as we got separated from our group within the first few miles at some road works / traffic lights 

but some high quality hooning did occur 

on some very well chosen roads

around 50 mx5s took part - and took over at tebay where we stopped for lunch 

then all 50 cars piled onto the motorway heading to hartside 

@Mi30n’s car was still up at andy’s garage but his brother brought along his very similar ginger biscuit and joined in the hooning (despite some very scary noises from his right rear caliper which had chosen that day to seize  )

bonus exo content :

this one has boooost ! and sounded awesome  

[gm]

bit of track day prep for tomorrow’s session down at teeside 

max power cone filter

fresh brake fluid bled through 75% of the brakes  

tits !

i’ll pick up a caliper on the way and swap it in the pit lane  

everything else is ready, just one last change to make

i love my wooden steering wheel 

but this is definitely more suitable for tomorrow 

i’ve had a play with the settings on the shocks and got it pretty well set up, took it for a test drive and it’s going very nicely