CT4-V Disappointed after lengthy Test drive

[G.Newt]

I’ve had mine for a few months and a little over 2k miles and I agree with what your are saying. I think the car is absolutely amazing. The steering and handling are Miata/911 like and the transmission is among the best I have experienced. That said, I don’t find it to be much fun because it so damn good and yet muted. It would be a weapon on track with even a mediocre driver. You really have to do something stupid to get it out of shape and when you do, it reigns you back in quickly. It reminds me of my 911’s, so neat and tidy all the time. I could care less about lap times for a street car, entertain me and make me laugh. I am amazed by it, so torn as to what I am going to do with it. I might keep it and then pick up a Miata so I can do “stupid” at mostly legal speeds. I miss the easy antics that would be had with my F80.

WOW, quite the endorsement from someone who has some awesome cars that I consider replacing my 4BW with (plus a daily). I originally thought I would get a 5bw, but never found one to drive, so I picked up a 4. I did recently do a quick drive in one (5BW), but at very slow speeds and it just felt like my car but way bigger. I really wanted to hear and feel that V8 more. I hope to get a longer drive in one at some point. As GT350 prices drop, I feel that could be a great option too as they will eventually go back up.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong (or right lol), but I find myself having fun with the car around town. Access road turnarounds, hairpin turns, even just mashing the throttle in 2nd or sometimes 3rd can get the rear end to get squirly and it's an absolute hoot. I can easily get the rear to slide around on turns just going to the grocery store. And yes the car does reign you back in quickly with PTM set to off. In dry/sport, it allows more shenanigans. The bandwidth of the car is insane. Can be a cruiser/daily, weekend toy, track rat, all in one.

 

[Roadhawk]

Maybe I'm doing something wrong (or right lol), but I find myself having fun with the car around town. Access road turnarounds, hairpin turns, even just mashing the throttle in 2nd or sometimes 3rd can get the rear end to get squirly and it's an absolute hoot. I can easily get the rear to slide around on turns just going to the grocery store. And yes the car does reign you back in quickly with PTM set to off. In dry/sport, it allows more shenanigans. The bandwidth of the car is insane. Can be a cruiser/daily, weekend toy, track rat, all in one.

I agree. My V mode setting is set to dry/sport with everything else mid level except for sound....and aside for wishing it being a bit louder and more raucous its just the perfect performance mix for just about everything. When its wet out I'll dial it back into tour....or depending on the road surface when the wife's in the car. But it just does everything well....great highway cruiser and sporty enough to have a lot of fun in a variety of road situations. Often I drive fairly sedately and it does that well too....but never fails to disappoint when pushed.

 

[XjonesX]

I agree. My V mode setting is set to dry/sport with everything else mid level except for sound....and aside for wishing it being a bit louder and more raucous its just the perfect performance mix for just about everything. When its wet out I'll dial it back into tour....or depending on the road surface when the wife's in the car. But it just does everything well....great highway cruiser and sporty enough to have a lot of fun in a variety of road situations. Often I drive fairly sedately and it does that well too....but never fails to disappoint when pushed.

Agreed!!

 

[savethemanual]

I might keep it and then pick up a Miata so I can do “stupid” at mostly legal speeds.

Why I made the move from the ct4 blackwing to my nd3 Miata. Put a 500$ exhaust on it and you can redline on gear changes and still be close to speed limits. Couldn’t do that in my blackwing.

 

[dinkman]

I’ve had mine for a few months and a little over 2k miles and I agree with what your are saying. I think the car is absolutely amazing. The steering and handling are Miata/911 like and the transmission is among the best I have experienced. That said, I don’t find it to be much fun because it so damn good and yet muted. It would be a weapon on track with even a mediocre driver. You really have to do something stupid to get it out of shape and when you do, it reigns you back in quickly. It reminds me of my 911’s, so neat and tidy all the time. I could care less about lap times for a street car, entertain me and make me laugh. I am amazed by it, so torn as to what I am going to do with it. I might keep it and then pick up a Miata so I can do “stupid” at mostly legal speeds. I miss the easy antics that would be had with my F80.

WOW, quite the endorsement from someone who has some awesome cars that I consider replacing my 4BW with (plus a daily). I originally thought I would get a 5bw, but never found one to drive, so I picked up a 4. I did recently do a quick drive in one (5BW), but at very slow speeds and it just felt like my car but way bigger. I really wanted to hear and feel that V8 more. I hope to get a longer drive in one at some point. As GT350 prices drop, I feel that could be a great option too as they will eventually go back up.

you sound exactly like, just 3 months behind

 

[AC2024]

I’ve had mine for a few months and a little over 2k miles and I agree with what your are saying. I think the car is absolutely amazing. The steering and handling are Miata/911 like and the transmission is among the best I have experienced. That said, I don’t find it to be much fun because it so damn good and yet muted. It would be a weapon on track with even a mediocre driver. You really have to do something stupid to get it out of shape and when you do, it reigns you back in quickly. It reminds me of my 911’s, so neat and tidy all the time. I could care less about lap times for a street car, entertain me and make me laugh. I am amazed by it, so torn as to what I am going to do with it. I might keep it and then pick up a Miata so I can do “stupid” at mostly legal speeds. I miss the easy antics that would be had with my F80.

WOW, quite the endorsement from someone who has some awesome cars that I consider replacing my 4BW with (plus a daily). I originally thought I would get a 5bw, but never found one to drive, so I picked up a 4. I did recently do a quick drive in one (5BW), but at very slow speeds and it just felt like my car but way bigger. I really wanted to hear and feel that V8 more. I hope to get a longer drive in one at some point. As GT350 prices drop, I feel that could be a great option too as they will eventually go back up.

Yep, my list of complaints on the 4BW is quite short: its TOO composed and refined all of the time. Its too serious-it only wants to go around a corner the fastest way. Thats great except for when i want to be a bit of an idiot and get tail happy-its too damn composed to unsettle at legal-ish speeds. The is in the ethos of the car - its quiet, it rides nice - its an apex sport luxury sedan; performance with refinement.
Conveniently my 335 is super good at trying to kill me all of the time, with a bone jarring ride, and you cant hear yourself think over the noise, so when i want to be a hooligan i can grab that and when i want to go fast, precise, with a luxury ride, i grab the BW

 

[Clubracer6]

Maybe I'm doing something wrong (or right lol), but I find myself having fun with the car around town. Access road turnarounds, hairpin turns, even just mashing the throttle in 2nd or sometimes 3rd can get the rear end to get squirly and it's an absolute hoot. I can easily get the rear to slide around on turns just going to the grocery store. And yes the car does reign you back in quickly with PTM set to off. In dry/sport, it allows more shenanigans. The bandwidth of the car is insane. Can be a cruiser/daily, weekend toy, track rat, all in one.

It is fun to push it to its limits and be amazed that something that big has that much grip. I have literally gotten myself car sick on on-ramps. Unless I need cruise, I have everything turned fully off. I just find the back end a bit unpredictable. Sometimes when I think it’s going to get a bit loose it just hooks up and then when I try even harder it gives me way more opposite lock than I expected, which I then cannot fully modulate, like I could in all the BMW’s I had. I think it has something to do with the diff, but I’m not the engineering type so it’s hard for me to describe what I feel.

Why I made the move from the ct4 blackwing to my nd3 Miata. Put a 500$ exhaust on it and you can redline on gear changes and still be close to speed limits. Couldn’t do that in my blackwing.

Do you have a daily to go with it or do you not need a back seat? I’ve owned NA-NC, but have only ever driven an ND1, which I was disappointed with.

And yes, I agree with everyone that it does have a true dual personality that I appreciate. Like I said I might just need something more whimsical and/or loud to go with it. A cheap C6 might be another option for me so I can get my V8 fix.

 

[Champale]

It is fun to push it to its limits and be amazed that something that big has that much grip. I have literally gotten myself car sick on on-ramps. Unless I need cruise, I have everything turned fully off. I just find the back end a bit unpredictable. Sometimes when I think it’s going to get a bit loose it just hooks up and then when I try even harder it gives me way more opposite lock than I expected, which I then cannot fully modulate, like I could in all the BMW’s I had. I think it has something to do with the diff, but I’m not the engineering type so it’s hard for me to describe what I feel.

Do you have a daily to go with it or do you not need a back seat? I’ve owned NA-NC, but have only ever driven an ND1, which I was disappointed with.

And yes, I agree with everyone that it does have a true dual personality that I appreciate. Like I said I might just need something more whimsical and/or loud to go with it. A cheap C6 might be another option for me so I can get my V8 fix.

Have you considered a Boss 302? I've owned 2 and they are about the most engaging and rowdy cars you could ever imagine. Shockingly good handling if you put better tires and even better with some minor (cheap) suspension work. And that engine is incredible! Power everywhere, revs hard to 7500rpm (or over 8k with a tune), and factory side pipes! FACTORY SIDE PIPES! So fun.

 

[Caraholic]

Curious as to why you are dropping the plaid? Since you have been daily driving a plaid almost anything will feel slow in comparison. Now a 5 won’t be as quick but will bring some of that drama and more back that the 4 can’t. Have you ever given any thoughts on the Porsche Taycans? Those are very nimble and quick considering their size. They are however like every other Porsche kind of boring just putting around. However once you open it up they are a blast.

 

[savethemanual]

Do you have a daily to go with it or do you not need a back seat?

It’s my third car. So can be as impractical as it needs to be. I owned a nc prht. The nd3 is much better than that. The nd1 was a bit underpowered imo, they fixed that.

 

[Clubracer6]

Have you considered a Boss 302? Not in a while, but I used to all the time! Maybe I’ll check out the markets on those.

 

[DCV]

I think a used Mach 1 is better choice if you go that route. You get the Tremec tranny and the 350 suspension bits but not the issues of the voodoo engine. Plus a regular dash and not the hideous tacked on iPad dash of the new Mustang. It’s even uglier in person.

 

[savethemanual]

As much as I like the Mach 1 and the dark horse to an extent once you’ve experienced the alpha chassis Camaro it’s hard to go back to mustangs.

The Camaro is so much a better drive, actually op find a ss 1le or a zl1, it feels more playful and raw than the blackwings.

 

[Champale]

The Mach 1s are definitely "better" but they are a lot more money and, from people I know who have owned them both, not as rowdy and fun as the Bosses. And you can swap the TR3160 into the Boss pretty easily (which is what I would do if I ever bought 3rd Boss).

Anyway, sorry for the thread hijack!

 

[Roadhawk]

Yep, my list of complaints on the 4BW is quite short: its TOO composed and refined all of the time. Its too serious-it only wants to go around a corner the fastest way.

I totally get this and agree. Too some extent its why - in many ways and in many situations I enjoy driving our GTI and BMW ZHP more then I do the 4 BW. I do really enjoy driving the BW though - quite a bit....and I marvel every time I push it. But I really prefer small, nimble and a bit raucous. So yeah, in many respects its too composed.

I bought the car in Atlanta and drove it up to DC - my first time ever driving a 4 BW. I was immediately comfortable with the car and blown away by the chassis and handling. I detoured through the mountains of North Georgia and did a run on Tail of the Dragon and was just amazed by the grip. If it wasn't for me keeping the revs low and trying not to push it too hard during break in I just might have been able to keep up with that racer spec Miata with a big wing that I let pass me.

Anyway I'm very happy with the car but I get that its almost too capable....still there are certainly moments...

 

[Roadhawk]

It’s my third car. So can be as impractical as it needs to be. I owned a nc prht. The nd3 is much better than that. The nd1 was a bit underpowered imo, they fixed that.

My son had an ND1 (1990) Miata for many years and I really enjoyed driving it - particularly on back roads. But fast it wasn't fast.

Funny though, back in the day, when I was driving a supercharged 1st gen MR2 (that my neighbor, and SCCA autocross instructor and national champ) still daily drives - I had driven a friends brand new ND1 - and my feeling then was whats all the fuss about? It wasn't nearly as fast and precise as my (totally stock) MR2 and the body roll seemed excessive.

And speaking of....an MR2 would be a fine fun little car to have (2nd gen probably the sweet spot). I often find myself longing to be driving my old one....probably the most fun driving car I've ever had.

 

[piranha971]

I drove and autocrossed the 2nd gen MR2 turbo for probably 6 or so years in the 90s. It was a great car that was fast enough, but the handling was wicked. It understeered until it didn't and then the back would come around. When driving in the snow conditions, just lifting off the gas in a straight line would at times cause the car to start to rotate. I probably didn't have the best tires....Had many instances when the car would go sidways in the snow. You could not lift once it lost traction, just keep the foot in it and steer. Could be pretty scary.

 

[Roadhawk]

I drove and autocrossed the 2nd gen MR2 turbo for probably 6 or so years in the 90s. It was a great car that was fast enough, but the handling was wicked. It understeered until it didn't and then the back would come around. When driving in the snow conditions, just lifting off the gas in a straight line would at times cause the car to start to rotate. I probably didn't have the best tires....Had many instances when the car would go sidways in the snow. You could not lift once it lost traction, just keep the foot in it and steer. Could be pretty scary.

I drove mine with very sticky Yokohama A008R semi slicks in the summer then used snow tires in the winter. Mine did exhibit some of the behavior you describe - particularly on snow (tail wag)....but it never left me stuck...and I had one memorable get away from flashing lights pursuit where I was able to U turn in an unplowed and rather deep median (tail wagging with power down) that gave me the margin I needed and it just increased from there.

On the summer tires I could make near 90 deg high speed turns at 70 mph with brief hard braking and the car would skip (bigly) once then regain grip and go. The unfortunate part was that I often forgot to take cassette tapes off of the little dash....I lost at least 3 that kept going straight right out the window...

 

[Super Saloon]

Do you have a daily to go with it or do you not need a back seat? I’ve owned NA-NC, but have only ever driven an ND1, which I was disappointed with.

It’s my third car. So can be as impractical as it needs to be. I owned a nc prht. The nd3 is much better than that. The nd1 was a bit underpowered imo, they fixed that.

They improved the head starting with the ND2 so power improved from 155hp in the ND1 to 181hp in the ND2. I believe the redline also increased to 7,500 rpm from 7,200 rpm.

My son had an ND1 (1990) Miata for many years and I really enjoyed driving it - particularly on back roads. But fast it wasn't fast.

I’m guessing you meant NA. NA = 1st gen and ND is the current gen starting in 2016.

 

[Roadhawk]

I’m guessing you meant NA. NA = 1st gen and ND is the current gen starting in 2016.

Correct....sorry.