HFS's Cars

[homeforsummer]

I had the Toyo site open at the same time and it all kind of a matched up. How do they feel? Also since it's probably raining there because it always seems to rain in the UK, how do they feel in the wet?

I'll let you know when it rains! Quite sunny today actually. I'll have to let them bed in a bit before I can give a definitive verdict on how they feel but immediate impressions are that the ride has improved a little and it's also a little quieter inside now. I reckon the alignment will be playing a big part in that too though.

Your service shops are a lot nicer and cleaner then the ones here in the US. I'm jealous.

I'd heard good things about that particular shop so that's why I used them. Their service seemed very professional so I'm certainly tempted to use them again.

 

[homeforsummer]

Where is Danger Mouse today?...

 

[Joey D]

I thought I remember you saying you were going to Scotland, but that can't be Scotland because the sun is shinning .

Great photos though 👍!

 

[Famine]

That'd be Edinburgh.

 

[homeforsummer]

It is indeed. Went up Arthur's Seat. It was indeed sunny, and wasn't even too cold, at least inside the car. Thanks to Mazda for fitting a very effective heater...

 

[homeforsummer]

Still enjoying every minute. Mental note after tonight though - avoid cobbled roads. It feels like the car is going to shake apart I've a little more desire to preserve this one than I had with the Fiesta...

The Toyos seem nice in the wet, very progressive and more than enough grip. Looking forward to whatever winter can throw at it.

 

[Joey D]

That photo of you driving is awesome! I'm a bit curious though, without a back seat how did you take it? Camera timer?

 

[homeforsummer]

It required the following ingredients - camera, tripod, passenger seat, rear bulkhead, remote shutter release. The recipe: stand the tripod as a monopod behind the seat, push the seat back to wedge it against the bulkhead, peer awkwardly over the top to set the focus manually as the autofocus is broken, set the camera to 2-second delay with the remote, go and drive somewhere, press the remote, hide it out of view and *click*. Took about a dozen similar images though on the awful roads around here only a few came out vaguely clear.

 

[Joey D]

It required the following ingredients - camera, tripod, passenger seat, rear bulkhead, remote shutter release. The recipe: stand the tripod as a monopod behind the seat, push the seat back to wedge it against the bulkhead, peer awkwardly over the top to set the focus manually as the autofocus is broken, set the camera to 2-second delay with the remote, go and drive somewhere, press the remote, hide it out of view and *click*. Took about a dozen similar images though on the awful roads around here only a few came out vaguely clear.

Pretty cool, I think I need to do some experimentation now. I can pretty much cram my front seats right up against the rear, so I should be able to do it.

 

[Famine]

Reminds me of:

I think I got a 2nd place in that month's SoftTop HardTop for that.

 

[Boffin]

That interior shot is great - like an importer mag, except less blue neons and guages:tup:.

¢å|£ñŒ2 èÑ+2Ÿ *cough, cough* hmm what?

 

[mustangGT90210]

Nice pics of Edinburgh or wherever that is :nice:

Why are the windows up though? I've never understood it, please enlighten me

 

[niky]

Having the windows up helps ease the buffetting you get from having the top down.

 

[Famine]

Indeed - it changes where the separation layer is, meaning you can either drive faster for the same amount of cold, or drive slower and still not get rain in the car.

 

[Azuremen]

Indeed - it changes where the separation layer is, meaning you can either drive faster for the same amount of cold, or drive slower and still not get rain in the car.

This. I did it in my MR-S all the time, but when I parked I'd put the windows back down for pictures, and to reduce the likely hood of them being broken by someone leaning against it or such.

 

[homeforsummer]

As above, plus, the window motors are knackered...

 

[mustangGT90210]

Function over form, gotcha

 

[niky]

As above, plus, the window motors are knackered...

Who needs rolling windows when you've got a soft-top?

 

[homeforsummer]

I live in a flat with secure gates, I need to wait for the windows to go down every time I want to get out of the compound! Nobody is allowed to press the passenger window button as that motor is especially buggered. Once I can afford it, they're getting replaced. Either that, or I'll be on the hunt for doorcards with manual window winders...

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Manual windows = lighter, simpler, don't break.

And seeing as it's an MX-5 not too much more hassle are they?

 

[homeforsummer]

My previous car had manual windows and I can't say I ever once considered them a chore over the six and a half years I owned it.

 

[niky]

Manual window winders... that's cool. Fixed plexiglass... that's sub-zero...

 

[Famine]

I live in a flat with secure gates, I need to wait for the windows to go down every time I want to get out of the compound! Nobody is allowed to press the passenger window button as that motor is especially buggered. Once I can afford it, they're getting replaced. Either that, or I'll be on the hunt for doorcards with manual window winders...

Oddly, I recall having an issue with "my" Mk2's leccy windows which I, by the power of man, fixed. I can have a look at it next time you come by if you like?

 

[homeforsummer]

You're welcome to it 👍 I'm assuming it's just the motors on their way out - the switches work fine and the driver's window is largely okay but a little slower than you'd expect an electric window should be. The passenger window on the other hand creeps down at the same pace and with the same ease that an arthritic octogenarian creeps down the stairs.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Manual windows = lighter, simpler, don't break.

And seeing as it's an MX-5 not too much more hassle are they?

They bolt right in place of the power regulators. No modification necessary. Well, except having to cut a hole in your door panel for the window crank.

 

[Smallhorses]

You're welcome to it 👍 I'm assuming it's just the motors on their way out - the switches work fine and the driver's window is largely okay but a little slower than you'd expect an electric window should be. The passenger window on the other hand creeps down at the same pace and with the same ease that an arthritic octogenarian creeps down the stairs.

Ours does similar things too, although the opposite way round. We can operate both windows together, although it does slow them both waay down. The driver's window is noticably slower than the passenger side though. Let us know what you find out though, I'm curious as to how easy it is to fix? A little grease & realignment, or an invasive motor or wiring swap?

 

[Rotary Junkie]

They bolt right in place of the power regulators. No modification necessary. Well, except having to cut a hole in your door panel for the window crank.

Noo I know that.

I mean actually having manual windows vs power.

Ours does similar things too, although the opposite way round. We can operate both windows together, although it does slow them both waay down. The driver's window is noticably slower than the passenger side though. Let us know what you find out though, I'm curious as to how easy it is to fix? A little grease & realignment, or an invasive motor or wiring swap?

That would make it the exact same issue then seeing as your car is LHD

 

[homeforsummer]

Ours does similar things too, although the opposite way round. We can operate both windows together, although it does slow them both waay down. The driver's window is noticably slower than the passenger side though. Let us know what you find out though, I'm curious as to how easy it is to fix? A little grease & realignment, or an invasive motor or wiring swap?

Well funnily enough I bought a car mag the other day that had an MX-5 buyers guide/maintenance guide thing in (actually, I've bought a couple recently. Features on the car are quite common given that its the model's 20th anniversary) and I'll quote their comment on the windows for you as it probably applies:

Electrics are reliable however electric windows can slow up as the cable becomes stiff through lack of lubrication. If left the motor will snap the cable. You can buy the cable alone but fitting is a right old game. Better to pick up a new motor and mechanism complete for £65 or £30 used.

Source: PPC mag November 09

So it looks like a cable problem. Which might be what Famine was referring to when he fixed the ones in "his" old MX-5.

The windows seem to draw a lot of current too, probably as the motors are having to work so hard. The revs dip - only slightly, but noticably - when I press the window switch. They don't even dip as much as that when I switch my headlights on. I'm pretty certain wiring isn't the problem anyway as the switches themselves work fine.

 

[Famine]

It could also be that the cable has worked loose from its retaining clip - and that's a right old sod to get to as well.

 

[Maffski]

Hey,


There is a load of different guides for fixing various issues with slow windows on this site :-
http://www.miata.net/garage/garageinterior.html

Mine are slowing down a little bit too, so I may look into giving them a service/lube before I get to the point where replacement parts are needed.

Good luck 👍