2015 Mazda Miata vs FR-S? To wait, or not to wait?

[Levi]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I think the Miata's biggest downfall is it was never offered as a coupe in the US. I'd guess the reason people are buying the Twins instead of the current NC is because of practicality (and possibly looks). Both cars have an interesting balance of upsides and downsides, but I know a lot of people eliminate the Miata outright from consideration because it's a two-seat "feminine-looking" roadster.

Mostly because it is a roadster. Because in all other ways the Miata is better than the Twins IMO: "mid"-front engine, smaller size, lower weight, 2 seats.

And I don't believe in masculine or feminine design, a car is a car, not a male or a female. There is only good design and bad design, Miata is rather good design, especially the new one. However it still disappoiting that it bloats with each generation, but that is so with all cars.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I think the Miata's biggest downfall is it was never offered as a coupe in the US. I'd guess the reason people are buying the Twins instead of the current NC is because of practicality (and possibly looks). Both cars have an interesting balance of upsides and downsides, but I know a lot of people eliminate the Miata outright from consideration because it's a two-seat "feminine-looking" roadster.

yeah i left that part out because, while important to the sales of cars, its not really relevant to the driving experience (well imo a vert enhances it despite my use of hardtops)

[Vracer111]

A miata was really my only consideration for a "new" car (planned on getting a used one) until the FRS came out...and when the FRS was about to be released there was no second thought given to a miata anymore - unless there was a new coupe version coming out that hasn't been mentioned anywhere. LOL I hate convertibles... and had been holding off on a miata for a LOOONG time because of that. I would have had to remove the entire convertible system and permanently install a rollbar and hard top in a miata along with changing seats/steering wheel for my 6'2" frame... so a miata would come with extra cost for me to just be able to daily drive it comfortably. Plus in the looks department miata verses FRS...no contest - game over for miata.

[Poodles]

Originally Posted by Levi

Not comparable cars, Miata is a roadster, Twins are coupes.

That is like comparing Miata to Golf.

Except the whole fact that the twins were aimed squarely at the Miata's market...

Originally Posted by Levi

Mostly because it is a roadster. Because in all other ways the Miata is better than the Twins IMO: "mid"-front engine, smaller size, lower weight, 2 seats.

And I don't believe in masculine or feminine design, a car is a car, not a male or a female. There is only good design and bad design, Miata is rather good design, especially the new one. However it still disappoiting that it bloats with each generation, but that is so with all cars.

Power retractable hardtop or the removable hardtop on the earlier ones negates a lot of that issue. The real issue is the Miata is TINY. The interior is cramped as hell no matter how you slice it.


I fit in a Miata fine, but I find it far too cramped to be comfortable for long commutes (not to mention the seats suck)


If I own a Miata, it's going to be a one with a crap body so I can give it the Exocet treatment...

[86Tony]

I own a 91 miata and brz love them both.

[Sideways&Smiling]

I predict the ND will be a better car than the FRS in many ways. Back to the lightness of an NA, but with a front-mid-engine layout like the NC, improved suspension geometry, a much more modern, stiffer chassis, and with much more appealing aesthetics than any previous generation. Power-to-weight will probably be similar or slightly less than the FRS, but as far as the chassis goes, it will be much more of a sports car... At the very least, it will be the best Miata that has ever existed.

But the engine might still let it down... it won't be powerful stock. We all know that... but it would be nice to get a strong engine with a lot of potential for aftermarket tuning and turbo kits.

Can't wait to get a chance to drive one.

[ultra]

I love my modded GT86 to bits. It doesn't have the power but the chassis is as good as you could ever want and it's practical day to day as well.

My modded 91 Miata was truly special though...albeit partly because of all the work I put into restoring it. Which is also partly why I sold it as well.

The 2015 ND Miata looks like it'll be a great car. Assuming that it is then the way I see it, the Twins are effectively the Miata coupe.

You'd adjust to either in a matter of days so the question might simply be - coupe or convertible?

[reni]

If the Fiat/Abarth version comes with the turbo motor and they make a coupe version, then we can talk. Otherwise not interested in convertibles. Really stupid of Mazda to not make a coupe, especially since they canned the RX-7.

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by reni

If the Fiat/Abarth version comes with the turbo motor and they make a coupe version, then we can talk. Otherwise not interested in convertibles. Really stupid of Mazda to not make a coupe, especially since they canned the RX-7.

They must be doing something right considering the car is 25 years old.

[Levi]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

They must be doing something right considering the car is 25 years old.

That they do something right does not mean there is no way of doing it even better.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Levi

That they do something right does not mean there is no way of doing it even better.

if you want a coupe, buy a coupe. if you want the most popular convertible of all time, buy a miata. we get that you dont like convertibles. that does not change how good or bad the miata is in any capacity.

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Is there a legitimate timeframe for more info on the USDM ND miata to arrive or no?

[thill]

I am excited for the ND Miata. I suspect it will give the FT86 a real run for the money for the driving enthusiast crowd.

[Sideways&Smiling]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

Is there a legitimate timeframe for more info on the USDM ND miata to arrive or no?

Nothing official yet, but it will be this summer or fall.