Topic: First Drive: 2016 Mazda MX-5

[ArticSteve]

You did not miss it, it isn't in there.
Almost every single first drive event is pre-production, didn't think it needed spelling out.
Why? Is there some glaring issue that requires highlighting?

The glaring issue is the company often, as in almost always, throws a TUNE on the motor in this category of vehicle.

[OliverD]

You did not miss it, it isn't in there.
Almost every single first drive event is pre-production, didn't think it needed spelling out.
Why? Is there some glaring issue that requires highlighting?

The glaring issue is the company often, as in almost always, throws a TUNE on the motor in this category of vehicle.

What are you basing that on?

[pcsp]

I've made the mistake repeatedly tonight of going back to this article, re-reading it, and clicking on the full sized version of the pictures. That feeling of excitement and discovery is starting to rear its ugly and expensive head. I want a 2016 Miata! Make mine white or green with that lovely light brown leather interior and matching roof. I can find no fault with this car. Mazda has captured the essence of a nimble, fun, gorgeous roadster. It will do more to sell their other vehicles than any amount of "Zoom, Zoom" or  “Driving Matters”. I can think of no better way to get through Canadian winters than to think of this prized gem in storage waiting to emerge to the sun-filled days of happy and enthusiastic motoring.

[JacobBlack]

The glaring issue is the company often, as in almost always, throws a TUNE on the motor in this category of vehicle.

Maybe, but doubtful in this case. The engine is really not the star here so there's no point.
For what it's worth, I'm driving a CX-3 with a similar 2.0L four in it this week and the MX-5s we drove felt just a shade better than that - albeit through manual instead of an auto box. So I don't think these were particularly hot engines.
Anyway, I was surprised to learn the fact these were pre-production was not entirely obvious, so I added a line to the story. I'll make sure I do in future too.

[johngenx]

I'd still take a used S2000 over any Miata.

I want both!  The Miata is a lot of fun and cheap to own and look after.  The S2K is a much more performance oriented machine (though the ND Miata sounds like it might be a much more worthy challenger...) but care and feeding is more expensive.

[rrocket]

You did not miss it, it isn't in there.
Almost every single first drive event is pre-production, didn't think it needed spelling out.
Why? Is there some glaring issue that requires highlighting?

The glaring issue is the company often, as in almost always, throws a TUNE on the motor in this category of vehicle.

What are you basing that on?

I have mentioned this before...I had a friend who worked in the dyno room at Ford and it was his job to do precisely this for press cars.  But it was far, far more than a simple tune. Every single engine component were weight matched perfectly (all pistons, connecting rods,valve train etc). All flash was removed from any cast areas to be perfect.  And the list goes on and on. While everything was indeed OEM, only the most perfect components were used off the line and the engine built as perfectly as an OEM engine could possibly be built.

Do I know if other manufacturers have done/do this?  No idea.  Would I be surprised if they did this?  Not in the least.  Do I think this practice still goes on?  Yes.

[rrocket]

I'd still take a used S2000 over any Miata.

I want both!  The Miata is a lot of fun and cheap to own and look after.  The S2K is a much more performance oriented machine (though the ND Miata sounds like it might be a much more worthy challenger...) but care and feeding is more expensive.

Is it though?  The S2000 is pretty darn reliable and built to a very high standard.  I don't often read about the usual maintenance parts being obscene.

Didn't your dad have one? Was it that expensive to maintain?

[ArticSteve]

Maybe, but doubtful in this case. The engine is really not the star here so there's no point.

Which is precisely why they may have tuned it to 93 octane.

Some preproduction units are tuned to mpg or towing and the press reports X results.  Then months later the production units arrive and results are not X, but Y.

[johngenx]

Didn't your dad have has one? Was it that expensive to maintain?

Probably the most reliable high(ish) performance car sold - but yeah, still more than the Miata over time.  When I bought the Miata, no way to buy a cherry S2K for even close to what I paid for the Miata - so the higher initial price hurt - and the Honda is less DIY friendly (compared to the Miata) and parts/etc are more.  Modding of any sort is a lot more for the Honda.

No slamming the Honda - I love it, and still want one.

[rrocket]

Didn't your dad have has one? Was it that expensive to maintain?

Probably the most reliable high(ish) performance car sold - but yeah, still more than the Miata over time.  When I bought the Miata, no way to buy a cherry S2K for even close to what I paid for the Miata - so the higher initial price hurt - and the Honda is less DIY friendly (compared to the Miata) and parts/etc are more.  Modding of any sort is a lot more for the Honda.

No slamming the Honda - I love it, and still want one.

But the initial higher price does get you quite a bit more.  240HP for starters.     That alone would cost a few bucks to get a Miata to that HP level reliably.

[dirtyjeffer]

nice looking little roadster...sadly, if you live in Ontario, the front end will get butchered once you slap a plate on it...they really need to remove the front licence plate requirement here...it's silly.

[mlin32]

nice looking little roadster...sadly, if you live in Ontario, the front end will get butchered once you slap a plate on it...they really need to remove the front licence plate requirement here...it's silly.

This is true for so many Mazdas. It is best described as something akin to a bucktooth.

When I was in Montréal and Tremblant over the Christmas holidays, I pointed and laughed at all the Mazda3s from ON with a butchered front end 

[Kris78]

You did not miss it, it isn't in there.
Almost every single first drive event is pre-production, didn't think it needed spelling out.
Why? Is there some glaring issue that requires highlighting?

The glaring issue is the company often, as in almost always, throws a TUNE on the motor in this category of vehicle.

What are you basing that on?

I have mentioned this before...I had a friend who worked in the dyno room at Ford and it was his job to do precisely this for press cars.  But it was far, far more than a simple tune. Every single engine component were weight matched perfectly (all pistons, connecting rods,valve train etc). All flash was removed from any cast areas to be perfect.  And the list goes on and on. While everything was indeed OEM, only the most perfect components were used off the line and the engine built as perfectly as an OEM engine could possibly be built.

Do I know if other manufacturers have done/do this?  No idea.  Would I be surprised if they did this?  Not in the least.  Do I think this practice still goes on?  Yes.

I've read about Ferrari being fanatical about this type of stuff. Bringing 1 car for drag strip duty, another for track duty. Having to know the track ahead of time so that they could "prepare" the car. The weird thing is, why on earth did they bother? Things a freakin' Ferrari! I doubt folks would choose to buy a Z06 because it turned out the Chevy was a couple of tenths quicker around Streets of Willow. Do people even cross shop exotic cars?

Same thing applies here. What on earth is the MX-5 competing against that they'd have to tune the car? Also, what possible gain could they get out of a stock 2.0L motor?

Lastly, if you are too good at tuning the cars, you end up embarrassing yourself. Because owners can dyno their cars too. I know this happened a long time ago, but in 1999 Ford looked kinda silly with the SVT Mustang...

It is this last item that makes me suspect that there isn't a lot of tomfoolery going on with the cars. If you constantly had pre-production units offering performance that couldn't be matched by the retial versions, there would be hell to pay. My only concern with early products is that they give an inadequate/inconsistent impression on polish/NVH.

[mixmanmash]

You did not miss it, it isn't in there.
Almost every single first drive event is pre-production, didn't think it needed spelling out.
Why? Is there some glaring issue that requires highlighting?

The glaring issue is the company often, as in almost always, throws a TUNE on the motor in this category of vehicle.

What are you basing that on?

I have mentioned this before...I had a friend who worked in the dyno room at Ford and it was his job to do precisely this for press cars.  But it was far, far more than a simple tune. Every single engine component were weight matched perfectly (all pistons, connecting rods,valve train etc). All flash was removed from any cast areas to be perfect.  And the list goes on and on. While everything was indeed OEM, only the most perfect components were used off the line and the engine built as perfectly as an OEM engine could possibly be built.

Do I know if other manufacturers have done/do this?  No idea.  Would I be surprised if they did this?  Not in the least.  Do I think this practice still goes on?  Yes.

Wow.  I never knew it went to that length.  I remember when Toyota brought out the MKIV Supra, their press preproduction cars were running a bit more boost and possibly a different state of tune.  It became pretty obvious later when instrumented tests on production cars wouldn't come close to the same numbers.

Doesn't surprise me in the least that the press cars would be ringers, but didn't realize how much some manufacturers put into it.

[ElectricMayhem]

It's cheap to buy.

I don't think it's that cheap to buy.  The middle spec one is over $40k after tax.

I'd still take a used S2000 over any Miata.

Yep.  Or any used Boxster.  I test drove an NC on the weekend - the lack of power was only partially redeemed by the RWD nature.  It is hard to get excited about a sports car with such anemic power to weight, in 2015.

Hey, look - two guys in a Miata:

https://youtu.be/2Lw6hkAztsc

[OliverD]

The new MX-5 is barely slower than an S2000 to 60 MPH.

[99 Silver]

Didn't your dad have has one? Was it that expensive to maintain?

Probably the most reliable high(ish) performance car sold - but yeah, still more than the Miata over time.  When I bought the Miata, no way to buy a cherry S2K for even close to what I paid for the Miata - so the higher initial price hurt - and the Honda is less DIY friendly (compared to the Miata) and parts/etc are more.  Modding of any sort is a lot more for the Honda.

No slamming the Honda - I love it, and still want one.

You really can't beat a Miata for a low maintenance sport car.  I've this one for 11 years and 148,000 km and have done basic maintenance including timing belt and plugs at 96k, plus front pads and rotors only.  Tires are another matter as I enjoy fast cornering.

In addition my car is the factory MSM turbo with a full Flying Miata exhaust and a few other goodies.  Having said that, I don't abuse my car at all and my car is in boost only when it is thoroughly warmed up and then for only a few seconds at a time.

I just drove it back from Florida this spring and drove at mostly 130 kph and never used any oil.

It's time for me to buy another car and I am considering  the 2016 Miata or a one or two year old Boxter.

[Weels]

The new MX-5 is barely slower than an S2000 to 60 MPH.

Yep.  That with the fact the Mazda is easier to live with on a day-today basis and the much nicer interior, it appeals to me more than the S2000. 
And, every review I've seen gushes about the thing.  Can't wait to get my hands on one.

Re; comments about the white,  it looks like an off-white almost light grey to me, pretty sharp with dark grey/black wheels & black top.

[OliverD]

I'm really liking this color. Supposedly the same blue that's available on the 6.

[84im]

Speaking of colours, I wish Mazda had been more adventurous with their choices.