Originally Posted by Rampage (Post 2261559)

Here is an interesting quote from an online article about the 2016 MX-5:

"The car already has one big fan: Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda. He sang its praises on May 13 at a news conference to announce a wide-ranging product, technology and manufacturing partnership with Mazda.

Originally Posted by strat61caster (Post 2262699)

I want a rotary powered coupe.

I still pull up the article where Tetsuya Tada said they considered rotary power when developing the 86.

This just fuels my inner fanfiction writer.

Originally Posted by Rampage (Post 2261559)

Here is an interesting quote from an online article about the 2016 MX-5:

"The car already has one big fan: Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda. He sang its praises on May 13 at a news conference to announce a wide-ranging product, technology and manufacturing partnership with Mazda.

In the run-up to the deal, he test drove Mazda's cars and said the MX-5 Miata was his hands-down favorite.

"I really wanted to drive that car," the car-crazy Toyoda said. "That's a car I can really understand."

Mazda will build a version of the MX-5 Miata to be sold by Fiat. But Yamamoto declined to comment on whether Mazda was considering supply deals to other automakers, including its new partner, Toyota."

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise (Post 2262846)

I've got a lot of respect for Akio Toyoda for giving credit where it's due, even if praising a competing product. Very classy.

Originally Posted by strat61caster (Post 2262892)

I find it frustrating that the Miata goes up against the 86 and Mustang/Camaro/Challenger, GTI, Focus ST, etc.

I wouldn't call the Miata a competitor to the 86, their capabilities are different enough that they really only compete in price and performance numbers on paper. I mean, how many people seriously compare a 2 seater convertible with barely enough storage space for a picnic basket to a 2+2 coupe with rear folding seats and enough space to fit a bike? The 1%-5% of people who will actually track and autocross, otherwise the real life implications are enough to keep them in separate categories imo.

tl;dr I don't think the Miata truly competes with the 86, there is some overlap but it's limited to the enthusiasts, I don't think it takes much moxy to say what Mr. Toyoda said, I'd bet $5 they spent a fair amount on market research determining the potential overlap of the two before any 86 ever got lowered onto the ground.

Edit; but there can never be enough praise for Akio because he made the 86 happen.

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise (Post 2262937)

Hmm not sure I agree with you there, they're both lightweight RWD japanese sports cars with moderate horsepower and minimal torque, and an emphasis on balance and feedback. The Twins may as well be 2 seaters given how small the rear seats are.

Granted the Miata is a convertible and the Twins are coupes, but they're probably the closest competitors for each other in the current new car market. I can't think of a closer competitor for the Miata or Twins actually.

Originally Posted by strat61caster (Post 2263033)

See you're analyzing it from a performance perspective, not from a "This is the only car that I will use everyday for the next 3-5 years" perspective. Most buyers of either car are not looking at torque curves and curb weights and reading reviews about steering feedback.

I have taken 4 full sized adults (5'5", 5'7" x2, 6'2") on an afternoon roadtrip the long way through Napa, 3x adults and luggage for a weekend from LA to SF, 2x adults plus bikes and luggage for a weekend. I could not have done any of those thijngs in a Miata, let alone any of the number of times I've taken instruments, TV's, a bike (to be clear I don't use a rack, it fits with the front wheel off and the rear seats down), even boat paddles don't fit in my buddies Miata and have to be held by the passenger the entire journey.

The 370Z is a closer competitor to both the 86 and Miata splitting the difference with Ok storage space as a hardtop or as a 2 seater convertible, even when it comes to price very few 86's in my area ever left a dealership for less than $28k, and with the special editions and dealer packages coming out at $30k+ to the Z's current $30k msrp, Miata's are easily optioned up into that price range as well, I'd consider them close enough in price. The ND inches closer with the upgraded kit and pricetag but will never overcome it's basic design. If you include cars produced within three years from the 86's introduction (2009-2012) you can include the RX-8 with the 86 and the S2000 + Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky with the Miata. When considering DD function only all the muscle cars offer 2+2 seating with spacious trunks at equivalent prices to the 86, not to mention the BMW 2 Series.

I agree with your feelings because we are like minded, the Miata is the only competitor to the 86 as a lightweight, affordable, reliable, RWD, performance oriented vehicle that you can buy new. The reality is that from a business perspective, that is the business of building and selling cars, they are very different.

Edit: forgot the Gen Coupe as an 86 competitor from a non-performance perspective along with the muscle cars and the BMW 2, won't bother inserting it above.