OURCARS
Jaguar F-type
Mileage | 15,860 Our F-type needs new boots, and putting the boot into its small boot artly, though not exclusively, as a result of its excursions at the Sideways Challenge (Autocar, 9 April), the long-term Jaguar F-type’s Pirelli P Zero tyres were starting to look worn. That’s hardly surprising, given that this car now has nearly 16,000 miles on the clock. We wanted to try something different from the Pirellis, and Dunlop duly obliged with a set of SP Sport Maxx GTs to review. They’re on the F-type’s original equipment list, so they fit the bill. With the F’s optional 20in ‘Turbine’ alloys, the tyres are 255/35 R20s front and 295/30 R20s rear. They’d cost around £190 and £230 each, front and rear respectively. So that’s £840. Gulp. We gave the tyres to our local fitter and asked him to do the necessary (for £100), but if you source tyres cheaply
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Jaguar F-type V6 S
They’re black, they’re round, they cost £840; boot couldn’t swallow two cabin bags
Mazda MX-5 Mileage 18,005 As the Mazda’s odometer ticked past the 18,000-mile mark this week, it occurred to me that it was proving to be remarkably cheap to run. Since it joined the Autocar fleet
online and try the same, be aware that not all fitters will do the work on tyres they haven’t supplied themselves. Some say they’re concerned about liability if the tyres are in some way defective and something goes wrong; they want the trail of accountability. So are the new tyres better? Worse? Er. Well, is a new tyre better than a worn one? Hell yes, but this is one area where tyre testing is difficult. We’re taking a set of worn tyres and replacing them with brand-spankers, and it’s hard to recall how good the old ones were. So the Dunlops (unsurprisingly) feel better than the Pirellis. The F-type now steers with confidence and precision again, smoothly and with no kickback. There’s also a lot more traction than there had been in the past couple of months. That could be due to road conditions, or the Dunlop’s compound. A reader emailed to say that he expected the Dunlops to be better, because, in his experience, Sport Maxxes rather like warm weather. But it’s just as likely to be down to general tyre condition. The ride also seems improved, which is less likely to be about tread depth alone. The ride seems a touch quieter, too. At least, I think so. Truth is, understanding black circles is a black art. But in short, I’m impressed with the F-type’s balance and dynamics again. I’m less impressed with its boot space, though. On a recent airport run, the F couldn’t squeeze two cabin bags in (the smaller one wouldn’t even go in the footwell under the passenger’s feet). Anyway, the fact that the mileage is coming up to 16,000 means a service is due. More news on that next time. matt.prior@autocar.co.uk
back in late August last year, the Mazda has covered 6655 miles. In that time it has effectively consumed nothing but fuel, windscreen washer fluid and a negligible drop of oil. Despite a few forays on track,
its brakes and tyres appear to have resisted wear well, no doubt aided by the comparatively low 1248kg kerb weight. It also still rides and steers as well as it did when it first arrived. All of this bolsters the enjoyment of owning a Mazda MX-5. Affordable sports cars shouldn’t chew through consumables at a rapid rate or prove too fragile, as that would defeat the object of them being affordable in the first place. Driven normally, it won’t cost much at all; driven hard, and as intended, it shouldn’t break the bank either. Perfect. It was with mild disappointment, then, that I learnt that the MX-5’s next service was going to cost £250 at a Mazda dealer, which seemed excessive for an oil and brake fluid change. The only consolation was that a similar service for a Toyota GT86 would cost £338. A ring around a few other Mazda garages suggested that I could save £10 by driving to a dealer outside of London, but the additional fuel costs would make that a somewhat futile exercise.
Price £67,500 Price as tested £77,265 Economy 26.8mpg Faults Engine failure (replaced under warranty) Expenses New tyres £840 Last seen 19.3.14
Out of curiosity, I rang a Mazda specialist to see what they’d charge. Reassuringly, they quickly identified what was necessary and told me that the service would set me back a much more reasonable £165. Furthermore, they would update the car’s digital service record with Mazda and the official warranty would be preserved, as per the EU law introduced in 2002. So you’d save £85 by using the specialist and not lose out elsewhere. Besides reinforcing the fact that it’s always worth getting several quotes, the final bill for servicing would prove no more than that of any mainstream hatchback. That firmly reinstates the Mazda’s affordability in my mind and helps to maintain one of its key selling points. lewis.kingston@autocar.co.uk
Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé 2.0i Price new (2011) £22,635 Price now £15,000 Economy 26.5mpg Faults Check engine light Expenses None Last seen 12.3.14
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