FT-86 v.s. MX-5

[spin9k]

Originally Posted by blur

Exactly what I was thinking.

Maybe, just maybe Mazda will take a 2nd look at ^ idea if the FT-86 eats into its market share ^

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by spin9k

Maybe, just maybe Mazda will take a 2nd look at ^ idea if the FT-86 eats into its market share ^

That coupe looks like it is based on the Version 2.0 body style. The current MX-5 body style sucs. A coupe of the current version, therefore, would suc.

[spin9k]

Forget the old, Motor Trend says, "We've told you that in 2013, Mazda plans to return to the car's original 1989 roots by making it lighter, more fuel-efficient, and cleaner."

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/future/fut...#ixzz1dLQhnBoD

Here's their chance ^

[Snoopyalien24]

Hardtop like that it looks like a tiny viper lol

[val_lixembeau]

Originally Posted by fatoni

the hardtop miata was never sold. im pretty sure it was just a concept type deal. they get compared all the time just never in this new official vs category.

The hardtop second-generation (NB) Miata was sold for a limited time in Japan (and I believe only in Japan). [Edit: Oops, didn't notice somebody said this already]

To me the FR-S's closest competitor is the Miata as I'm looking for a minimal, RWD, light weight, driving-pleasure oriented car. The only ones on the market are the Miata, and the RX-8 (killed off this year). From the stat page that was leaked, it looks almost like Toyota purposefully aimed to be right in the middle of the Miata and RX-8. That makes me optimistic that they understand driving pleasure is as important or more important than numbers alone (something Hyundai sadly didn't seem to understand with the Genesis Coupe).

As far as other comments saying the Miata is sprung too softly, it may have been when the third gen NC first came out, but it got a suspension upgrade in 2009 or so that semi-fixed that.

[Gardus@Supersprint]

It's sad that Mazda always refused to use a powerful engine in the MX-5 (apart from a few JDM only turbo versions)
Cosworth now makes some kits for all the models, turbo 1.8 for the NA/B and supercharged 2.0 for the NC.
I'd like to test a mk2 NC with ththe SC kit as it should be a lot of fun!

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Gardus

It's sad that Mazda always refused to use a powerful engine in the MX-5 (apart from a few JDM only turbo versions)
Cosworth now makes some kits for all the models, turbo 1.8 for the NA/B and supercharged 2.0 for the NC.
I'd like to test a mk2 NC with ththe SC kit as it should be a lot of fun!

the turbo version wasnt jdm only and the mazdaspeed miata sold terribly. its easy to bitch about a car company doing the "wrong" thing but nobody bought the turbo cars. they were just doing what worked

[spin9k]

^ Well, when they came out with the MS version, it was an "end of life" add-on just before killing that model and announcing the 'new and improved' one. WoW .. I'm excited now...

Who in their right mind is going to buy the 'old' when the 'new' is about to appear at the dealer's showroom floor? OK, a few who just had to have the turbo, or who want some great discount, but it wasn't like it was something Mazda really had any faith in, elsewise they would have kept the boosted version in the new lineup. Of course that didn't happen.

In fact, since then they've never had another boosted version, and have publicly dissed many times any thoughts of one in the future. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe not, but we'll likely never know. Historically, Mazda doesn't ask the consumer what they want, rather they decide internally what'll be produced and only tell the public just before they announce it as a done deal. Must be a cultural thing with the company, who knows...

[Marrk]

^^val, what's the weight on this car? 2700 lbs? How is 2700 lbs. "lightweight"?

You guys are more tolerant than I am. For me, "lightweight" starts at 2500 lbs. and goes down from there.

Still, numbers is numbers. They can't tell you everything. How the car handles is what matters.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by spin9k

^ Well, when they came out with the MS version, it was an "end of life" add-on just before killing that model and announcing the 'new and improved' one. WoW .. I'm excited now...

Who in their right mind is going to buy the 'old' when the 'new' is about to appear at the dealer's showroom floor? OK, a few who just had to have the turbo, or who want some great discount, but it wasn't like it was something Mazda really had any faith in, elsewise they would have kept the boosted version in the new lineup. Of course that didn't happen.

In fact, since then they've never had another boosted version, and have publicly dissed many times any thoughts of one in the future. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe not, but we'll likely never know. Historically, Mazda doesn't ask the consumer what they want, rather they decide internally what'll be produced and only tell the public just before they announce it as a done deal. Must be a cultural thing with the company, who knows...

thats simply not the case. in 2004-05 there were over 50k miatas built and they werent left on the lots so alot of people were buying the old. of that there were just over 5k mazdaspeeds and they sold poorly. if the mazdaspeed could have been the sucess you would think it probably would have sold faster than <1/10 of the pace of the regular car. i dont think culture has anything to do with it. i dont care where a company is from, they chase profits.

think about it. the ms miata did poorly then a couple years later the skystice had a shit ton of power and did poorly so i think mazda kinda knows what they are doing and you see that by the million miatas sold. the car is and likely will always be about balance. the nc miata is lighter than the mazdaspeed and almost as powerful so i dont think its the end of the world

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Marrk

^^val, what's the weight on this car? 2700 lbs? How is 2700 lbs. "lightweight"?

You guys are more tolerant than I am. For me, "lightweight" starts at 2500 lbs. and goes down from there.

Still, numbers is numbers. They can't tell you everything. How the car handles is what matters.

thats a good standard to have but the game is changing. i cant think of a single current sports car that is under 2500lbs other than a base miata and even that is almost tipping your scale

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by fatoni

thats a good standard to have but the game is changing. i cant think of a single current sports car that is under 2500lbs other than a base miata and even that is almost tipping your scale

Well, fatoni, I guess even experts like you, who are generous enough to share their pronouncements with the rest of us poor, benighted souls, don't know everything.


BTW, ever heard of the Lotus Elise? Nice car.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Marrk

Well, fatoni, I guess even experts like you, who are generous enough to share their pronouncements with the rest of us poor, benighted souls, don't know everything.


BTW, ever heard of the Lotus Elise? Nice car.

great car. too bad they dont sell them in america. i assume thats where los angeles is

[Neutral_Eyes]

I think turbo was the wrong direction for them to go with the Mazdaspeed Miata, especially with the engine they used. Something like a RWD native K20 would be perfect for the Miata.

I don't mind the 2700 weight in the FR-S/BRZ because it'll likely be much safer than a Miata roadster. That's one of the main selling points I personally see towards the FR-S/BRZ when compared with the Miata.