Topic: LIVE: 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata To Be Revealed At 10PM EDT, 6PM PDT

[johngenx]

My 1994 model weighs a touch more than the 90-93s thanks to the airbags and the door beams and some other bracing, and it tipped the scales at 1001kg wet.  (full tank of fuel)

[dkaz]

Most of the fan renderings of a Kodo MX-5 were ugly. Mazda did a good job with this one. Stray too far from that iconic Miata design and they risked losing the faithful customers. It had to be a step forward yet true to its heritage. This definitely looks like an evolution off the NA rather than the NC, and judging by most people's comments about the NC, I'd say that's a very good thing.

I wonder how much the small offset crash test will eat into the 100kg weight savings?

And it seems like a turbo option still hasn't been 100% confirmed yet. I'd go for a naturally aspirated motor myself to keep the weight and complexity down, but the option needs to be there.

[rrocket]

Most of the fan renderings of a Kodo MX-5 were ugly. Mazda did a good job with this one. Stray too far from that iconic Miata design and they risked losing the faithful customers. .

I dunno...I think most Miata fans would buy most any Miata Mazda turns out.  The trick is getting people like me (new customers) who always thought the styling was "ho-hum" to have interest.  And this design fails in that regard.  I don't think you can just build a car to please your current fan base...you have to expand that base to new customers too.

[Julie]

Most of the fan renderings of a Kodo MX-5 were ugly. Mazda did a good job with this one. Stray too far from that iconic Miata design and they risked losing the faithful customers. .

I dunno...I think most Miata fans would buy most any Miata Mazda turns out.  The trick is getting people like me (new customers) who always thought the styling was "ho-hum" to have interest.  And this design fails in that regard.  I don't think you can just build a car to please your current fan base...you have to expand that base to new customers too.

I agree with this. The new design takes cues from the NA, NB, NC. Miata nuts like me see the easter eggs. But they have to expand their market base. Pleasing us nuts doesn't help much.... Heck, a lot of the miata folk just hang on forever to their NA/NB. Or buy used. That doesn't help Mazda.

But I do think it's an 8/10. And making it look modern and aggressive will bump up its sales.

[dkaz]

Most people have made up their minds about the MX-5.

I think a turbo will boost sales.

[rrocket]

Most people have made up their minds about the MX-5.

I think a turbo will boost sales.

For me anyways, it's always been about the lack of styling.  I never questioned the excellent handling, sweet 6 speed or nice light weight.   I thought it did lack power, but it's something you can live with because of the other attributes.  I couldn't live with the ho hum styling though.

I just wish this styling was amped up.  This should be the pinnacle of the Mazda styling genre, since this is their heritage car.  And the styling really falls short for me.

I'm sure many will love it though.

[Frontier1]

Looks absolutely awesome!!

[Weels]

From most angles i'm really liking this.
Prefer the darker wheels -- the charcoal/black wheels in earlier render look awesome.  Nicely matches up with the windshield surround & side mirrors
Can't see anything bigger than a 2.0L here, if there is a turbo to be had, I don't think i'll be able to resist handing over a cheque.

Looks like what was leaked yesterday:

What a total fail that unveil was. Apparently the Japan and Spain ones were better.

Gong show for sure.
I'll have to go talk to the marketing geniuses who work on the other side of the floor here to get them to explain what the thinking behind that was.

[KD]

I think it looks fantastic!  It's the very model of a modern major makeover.    I just wonder if I can fit inside this one?

[OliverD]

Overall, I really like this new MX-5.

My one quibble is the way the front end drops off when you look at the side profile. I'm assuming this has something to do with pedestrian safety standards though.

[evil_twin]

I think that's a beautiful looking roadster.   Surprised by the amount of negative criticism on here.  I'd expect this design to appeal nicely to new Miata buyers...at least those who are truly potential buyers.

There a number of people who would never buy a miata, thinking it to be too "girly" (regardless of the new design) and under-powered.  Making a more aggressive or unique design wouldn't have swayed those folks into being actual buyers with money in hand.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I really liked the look of the NA Miata. I was pretty indifferent to the styling of the later ones, which seemed slab sided and blunt.

I think this new version looks terrific. It's contemporary but not over the top. I like the black wheels. Silver and grey wheels have been done to death. Weight loss is always a good thing provided the chassis isn't a wet noodle like the NA version. Pricing will be key to success. Hopefully it isn't bumped too much, as it's already getting up there for what will be a second car in most households.

[redman]

Me still to tall for MX-5 

[Noto]

Sorry to chime in so late...

I think it's pretty incredible - nature, that is.  A wild Jaguar F-Type stalked its mate and impregnated an Aston Martin Vatage.  The gestation period for these magnificent vehicular creatures is a lengthy period, but we have finally been given the joy of introducing their offspring to the world.  Meet, Miata!

Can I get some joyous applause all around?

*cricket...cricket...*

I like the sound of shedding ~220lbs and upgrading the drivetrain, but can't none of ya'll actually be thinkin' that they're going to drop a turbo into that thing...fo serious?  It'll remain the 2.0L NA, and IF buyers are lucky (or Mazda only had a brain, do doo do doodoo do do...) the 2.5L will be standard in the top-of-the-line GT model.  Like the FReSh-BReeZe twins, power has never been the priority: it'll be all about how the thing handles.  I expect the bigger picture here is the updated interior with tech bits finally available.  I'm also guessing that most people won't give a hoot n' a holler about it as they want their Miata to be a basic sports car - basic as in focus on driving...not pre-collision braking, etc.  With that being said, pricing is absolutely going to go up, and the Miata already isn't a 'steal'.  The base price will remain attractive, but I reckon it'll get upwards of $35k once all the option boxes are checked (including a backup camera  )

If that's the front grill....the car is going to look like a buck toothed grin with a plate.  Like an RX-8....

You mean like, this?:

[mixmanmash]

I'm like the new design.  The NB Miata was my personal favourite.  I remember seeing a silver one a number of years ago, done up nicely.  It almost looked like a FD RX7.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

If that's the front grill....the car is going to look like a buck toothed grin with a plate.  Like an RX-8....

You mean like, this?:

What's a "front" plate?

[OliverD]

With that being said, pricing is absolutely going to go up, and the Miata already isn't a 'steal'.  The base price will remain attractive, but I reckon it'll get upwards of $35k once all the option boxes are checked (including a backup camera  )

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if Mazda holds the line on pricing in Canada. The MX-5 is already quite expensive here, starting at about $30k and topping out over $40k. Meanwhile it starts at under $24k US and a loaded one doesn't break $35k.

[Noto]

If that's the front grill....the car is going to look like a buck toothed grin with a plate.  Like an RX-8....

You mean like, this?:

What's a "front" plate?

Jerk.

[johngenx]

Some folks from the Miata club were at one of the reveals and asked about Canadian pricing and were told "off the record" that the pricing would be identical or very, very slightly higher than the NC.  No numbers yet, of course.

Mazda has carefully used as many "off the shelf" components as possible (a recurring Miata theme, of course) to keep production costs as low as possible given the unique sheetmetal and relatively low volumes compared to mass appeal models.

The more pictures and videos of it I see, the more I like it.  I'm eager to see one now.  I think two of the local clubbers have deposits down to be the first owners in the city.

[dkaz]

So it kinda makes sense why the MX-5 looks the way it does: