Topic: Comparison Test: 2016 Mazda MX-5 vs 2015 Scion FR-S vs 2015 Ford Mustang

[ArticSteve]

    I'm implying they didn't have the foggiest and don't really care so the Mustang "test" is irrelevant and that's coming from an Ecobust hater. 

The Mustang had 91 in it.

Did you personally fill it from empty?     Plus it calls for 93. 

[DriverJeff]

    I'm implying they didn't have the foggiest and don't really care so the Mustang "test" is irrelevant and that's coming from an Ecobust hater. 

The Mustang had 91 in it.

Did you personally fill it from empty?     Plus it calls for 93. 

If it can't perform on gas I can find everywhere (ie. 91), it should be docked further points. 

[Noto]

If it can't perform on gas I can find everywhere (ie. 91), it should be docked further points.

Even more odd in the 'stang since at least Subaru, for example, has an 'excuse' for publishing figures using 93 Octane: the engine is designed in/for Japan, where the higher octane fuel is far more prevalent.

With that being said, in Japan, the FA20F is rated at 296hp, whereas here (in the WRX as the highest-output factory tune)is 268hp - this was explained for the 2014 Forester with the 250hp tune due to the concern for varying quality of gas in the US.

[neil]

Excellent video here, with excerpts from the Mazda Tech Center, with a ND bare chassis.

Great commentary about things they did to the engine, and the rear suspension.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyAhz8fYn_E

[neil]

I think I'd enjoy the MX-5 as an occasional use car. It sounds like it would be fantastic. I would have no interest in driving it through an Edmonton winter though. I'd need to be in a higher income bracket to justify the cost based on the limited use.

Anyone wanting to keep their Miata won't want to subject it to our winters.  The cold would be no issue, even with the soft top - even my old NA could easily keep the tiny cabin toasty in the winter.  It's the roads.  Salt and rocks and ruts - ugh.  Sand? When was the last time Edmonton actually used sand on the roads?  The 80s?  ROCKS.  Now it's all rocks.

The previous owner of my NB used it as a year round daily driver in YXE.  Thus why it looked the way it did, as posted elsewhere on the forum.

[Mike]

Here's the video

http://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-vs-2015-mazda-mx-5-miata

[johngenx]

Here's the video

http://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-vs-2015-mazda-mx-5-miata

Wow, 3sec per lap quicker?  That's huge.

[mixmanmash]

If it can't perform on gas I can find everywhere (ie. 91), it should be docked further points.

Even more odd in the 'stang since at least Subaru, for example, has an 'excuse' for publishing figures using 93 Octane: the engine is designed in/for Japan, where the higher octane fuel is far more prevalent.

With that being said, in Japan, the FA20F is rated at 296hp, whereas here (in the WRX as the highest-output factory tune)is 268hp - this was explained for the 2014 Forester with the 250hp tune due to the concern for varying quality of gas in the US.

93 is available in a fair number of places in the USA.

[Seafoam]

Not really a comment on the comparison test . I sat in a soul red GT today when I was in at the dealer ordering a thermostat for old blue. The interior seemed nice but felt more confining than my 25 year old car.Even more so than the NC that I owned. The windblocker between the seats no longer folds. It is basically just pulled off when you don't want to use it. Seemed really cheesy to me. The brochure says the car has headrest speakers but the base model only gets one for the driver. You have to buy the GT to get other speaker for the passenger seat.Really weird. ???The folding top was amazingly light. It could be raised from the drivers seat with ease.Far easier than the NC model before it or any model for that matter. I still would not mind owning one of these cars some day. Now if I could actually drive it that would be good.

[neil]

Videos Ive seen show the top to be spring loaded, almost like a counter-balance, which is cool.  my NB is a hard pull from the drivers seat.

[JacobBlack]

The top is so awesome. It's light as , so you can put it up or down at 120 km/h. But it's also super well-insulated.
It made me go "wow, a mechanic top is totally pointless". Previously, I would never have considered the canvas one.

[Seafoam]

The top is so awesome. It's light as , so you can put it up or down at 120 km/h. But it's also super well-insulated.
It made me go "wow, a mechanic top is totally pointless". Previously, I would never have considered the canvas one.

Really . To me  I would have no use for a PRHT. Real roadsters have manual folding tops. This one just makes it easier than previous generations.
When the NC came out it was the first version without a top boot. Without a top boot you are less likely to get soaked in a rainshower while putting your top up.
[think older British roadsters]

[johngenx]

Fabric tops are simple, can be replaced in old age for a pretty reasonable cost, and if you have a zip out rear window, driving in the rain on the highway with the top up but the window out is awesome.

The PRHT offers more security.

[neil]

I don't buy the security argument, if someone wants in your car they are getting in, i dunno if i were a thief I'd rather break glass than cut through a top. Mindless vandelism is another topic.

[DriverJeff]

Videos Ive seen show the top to be spring loaded, almost like a counter-balance, which is cool.  my NB is a hard pull from the drivers seat.

Yes, it must be.  Having felt the difference in operating the NC vs ND tops back-to-back, it's amazing how much easier the new one is to close (and I used to be able to do my NC top without hesitation or leaving the driver's seat).