Is this right or is my car underpowered?

[2004rickyh]

Just raced 08 Mazda mx-5 from 55mph to 95mph, dropped into 3rd gear and I couldn't pull away, evenly matched! Surely my car should be faster

 

[Chrisgti6]

Sounds about right to me, the 197 is far from fast in a straight line.

If it was the 2.0 then they are about 160bhp in a lighter car than yours so power to weight will be very similar.

 

[2004rickyh]

Sounds about right to me, the 197 is far from fast in a straight line.

If it was the 2.0 then they are about 160bhp in a lighter car than yours so power to weight will be very similar.

ok fair do's. Well I hope it was a 2.0 :lol:.

 

[matt9566]

Yeah as Chris said the 197 is not massively fast in a straight line, I don't even entertain people who want to 'race' on a straight road. Happily have fun with people on some twisty B roads though.

 

[Kent197]

I've been had by things like a bog standard Passat on the motorway.

as said above don't bother straight lines races

 

[Chris]

Of course this was on a track. Being a public forum and all. Just pointing that out..

 

[HeavyHanded]

I have always been pleasantly suprised by the cars i have taken on the straights (track..obviously). From bmw 120's to a heavily modified golf gti and mercedes C class (non AMG, of course). Maybe have yours put on a dyno, usually only about 40 quid for a few runs with printout.

 

[AshfordNimbus]

My old 1.6 mk1 Eunos would happy sit behind a friends ph1 172 up to 70mph. Both cars were dyno'd at a ClioSport day that day and made 115bhp and 160bhp. It's purely down to weight and aerodynamics.