[Pickle47]

Hello all.
I'm still a wannabe owner waiting for a time (probably next year) when I will be able to have a 124 as my only car.
I currently have a '90 Eunos (Miata) V Special Auto for fun, and a VW Polo GTI for practicality plus fun, and I'm looking to replace both with a 124 when I no longer need the practicality of the Polo. I'll probably opt for the Auto version of the Lusso as an old injury to my left knee causes me problems at times, and I've been told that the Auto will become available in the UK some time in the first quarter of '17.
I'm not completely decided between MX5 or 124, but prefer the 124's styling and more forgiving suspension. Meanwhile, I thank all the owners out there for posting details of your experiences with your cars, and look forward to learning more about them.

 

[ItsyBitsy]

Welcome to the forum. Before the AWD variant comes out, have you tried test driving a 124 yet?

 

[jonesthestress]

Probably safer bet with auto if you have knee probs, clutch is quite heavy as I found last week after an hour in stop/start traffic!

 

[JFernald]

Welcome. I also have an old knee injury and opted for the Lusso automatic. It is more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

 

[Pickle47]

Welcome to the forum. Before the AWD variant comes out, have you tried test driving a 124 yet?

. Thanks for the reply. I haven't yet, no. I'll probably arrange one over the next couple of weeks, but I'm wary of getting myself too excited and committing when I shouldn't

Probably safer bet with auto if you have knee probs, clutch is quite heavy as I found last week after an hour in stop/start traffic!

Thanks for the reply. It's frustrating as my left leg is fine for maybe 60 % of the time, but when it's bad, driving with a clutch is painful (especially in traffic of course). It's a shame that the 124 Auto doesn't come with paddles, but I've used a stick auto shift before, and it's a good second best.

 

[Stewie]

Paddle shifters would have been nice for the automatic and would have given you a bit more fun indeed

But nonetheless welcome to the forums, definitely go test drive one and see what it's like and share with us !

 

[Chipshot]

It's frustrating as my left leg is fine for maybe 60 % of the time, but when it's bad, driving with a clutch is painful (especially in traffic of course). It's a shame that the 124 Auto doesn't come with paddles, but I've used a stick auto shift before, and it's a good second best.

I hope ingress and egress aren't too challenging or painful.

 

[Newod]

Welcome from South Wales. I lived in Warwick for 20+ years - left in 2004. I drove the Mazda ND 2 monyths ago and it was not for me - it was still basically the same experience as I had in the late 1990's when I last drove one. I am that much older now and need a sports car that has also 'matured' to match me - no more max revs in all gears etc. I bought my 124 anniversary without a test drive and it has exceeded my expectations and it is so well matched to the roads here in Pembrokehsire and also Warwickshire ( A & B roads).

Go for a test drive and see how the Mazda could have matured in a very affordable 'drivers' car.

Danny

 

[Pickle47]

I hope ingress and egress aren't too challenging or painful.

Fortunately, I can manage those without any wincing in the case of my Eunos as long as I adopt the 'bum lowered onto seat with body at right angles to steering wheel' technique, then swing round within the car. Luckily, I'm just 5'8"!

Welcome from South Wales. I lived in Warwick for 20+ years - left in 2004. I drove the Mazda ND 2 monyths ago and it was not for me - it was still basically the same experience as I had in the late 1990's when I last drove one. I am that much older now and need a sports car that has also 'matured' to match me - no more max revs in all gears etc. I bought my 124 anniversary without a test drive and it has exceeded my expectations and it is so well matched to the roads here in Pembrokehsire and also Warwickshire ( A & B roads).

Go for a test drive and see how the Mazda could have matured in a very affordable 'drivers' car.

Danny

Cheers Danny. I will have a test drive in a manual, but it's the auto that I'd buy when the time comes. I had a test drive in the (UK) top spec ND last year and was impressed, but the Bilstein suspension was too jittery for my taste. The only a/t ND which will be available in the near future will be the RF, but that's pricey;(however, it won't have Bilsteins.) I think then that my choice will be between the a/t RF and 124, and I'm favouring the 124 at the moment because, like you, age has diluted my taste for revving to the max (but it's good to do it sometimes!). I live at the western edge of Warwick, so am lucky to have great access to all the quality driving roads to the west and south - but not as spectacular as Pembrokeshire I'm sure.