Topic: First Drive: 2016 Mazda MX-5

[Weels]

There is no technical reason Mazda could not have made a car more similar to the Z3 M, which had over 300 horsepower and has a legitimate claim to the performance car label.

Only one calling the MX5 a performance car is you mate.   Oops, and aquadorhj now.. ha ha
MX5 is a roadster.  Small light & nimble.  It isn't a performance car and doesn't pretend to be.
If you wish it had the power (and weight) of a Z3, BMW will sell you one right now.

[Fobroader]

There is no technical reason Mazda could not have made a car more similar to the Z3 M, which had over 300 horsepower and has a legitimate claim to the performance car label.

Only one calling the MX5 a performance car is you mate.
MX5 is a roadster.  Small light & nimble.  It isn't a performance car and doesn't pretend to be.
If you wish it had the power (and weight) of a Z3, BMW will sell you one right now.

Ewww.....Z3, go from a perceived hair dresser car to an absolute one. If you want a roadster, do it right, buy a GT500 convertible, buy a roadster cover and boom, fast roadster. The Miata is a fun, light, sport car, you either get it or you don't.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

[Weels]

My roadster definition also includes "2 seater".

The Miata is a fun, light, sport car, you either get it or you don't.

Yup. No doubt about that.

[JacobBlack]

No doubt.  The figure for the CBR929 I used to have was 2.9 seconds.  It actually "felt" faster than the Ducati because of the manic 4 cylinder engine.

Jesus, every single post you make you pull out another cool rig you owned! I'm super impressed.
I miss my old 929, sadly, I killed her with a massive crash.

Anyway, I don't know if "performance car" and "sports car" need to be the same thing. The MX-5 is perhaps not a performance car, but I definitely call it a sports car.

As for reasons they don't want to make it like a Z3/Z4, there are many. The "Mazda Nerd" who spoke to us talked a lot about balance, and a lot about how power has a dramatic flow-on effect to the rest of the car and what you have to do.

The goal of the MX-5 is to be ridiculous amounts of fun at all speeds, including legal street speeds. Bigger, faster cars are only fun on certain roads, and far closer to the edge of legality. The MX-5's mission is fun and balance at all speeds. It's a sports car. It may not be your favourite type of sports car, and that's fine, but you don't need to wave your e-peen around all over the place to convince us of your argument.

You like more powerful cars - I happen to like those too. But I still love the MX-5.

Incidentally, have you driven one? I had a similar attitude as you til I drove one. Here's my article on my revelation: http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2014-mazda-mx-5-gt/

[ElectricMayhem]

I miss my old 929, sadly, I killed her with a massive crash.

I bet my massive crash was worse than your massive crash!  I have a significant amount of titanium in my legs after the woman in the Corolla turned left in front of me.  Was on my back for 4 months.  I don't ride on the street anymore.

Anyway, I don't know if "performance car" and "sports car" need to be the same thing.

Agreed.

I just regret the lost potential of the MX-5.  They are proceeding in the spirit of Colin Chapman (reduce complexity and add lightness), and I can get behind that.  But everything CC did was at the limit of the power-to-weight figure of merit, at least in his day.

Would it really be impossible to fit a 200 hp engine into that car?  Really?  Because it would be just about perfect if they did.

I also think $40k+ is a lot to pay for what you are getting.  There is a 2002 Z3 M for sale in my market right now with less than 50k km.  It will probably go for low-mid $twenties.  That is a superior car in every way.

Incidentally, have you driven one?

Yes, there was an NC for sale in my market and I test drove it last weekend.  I had forgotten what a pleasure a light RWD car is to drive.  It was fantastic from that perspective.  But as far as power-to-weight, there was no there there.  Also, there were squeaks and rattles (car was not "tight") and a really annoying exhaust drone on the highway.  So I passed.

Here's my article on my revelation: http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2014-mazda-mx-5-gt/

And an excellent article it is.  I hope you will be able to write another great article about a 2018 Mazdaspeed MX-5.

[ElectricMayhem]

If you wish it had the power (and weight) of a Z3, BMW will sell you one right now.

I respectfully decline to buy a Z4.  Not a fan of Bangle's flame surfacing.  Also, the Z4 was produced in large numbers that ensures it will never be collectible.

Now, a 2001-2002 Z3 with the E46 M3 engine, that is a different story.  Looks like teats, and can actually get out of its own way.  You can buy one and sell it for more than you paid after 3 years, because there aren't that many of them.

[johngenx]

Someone seems to think every post is a dick measuring contest.

I get you don't like Miata.

Don't buy one. Reviews are unanimous that it's pretty awesome so Mazda probably won't worry too much that you don't like it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ElectricMayhem]

Someone seems to think every post is a dick measuring contest.

I get you don't like Miata.

Don't buy one. Reviews are unanimous that it's pretty awesome so Mazda probably won't worry too much that you don't like it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Happy to receive any messages you care to send over PM.  Briefly, though, I don't think anybody cares what phone you use, nor is it appreciated that you add three inches to every post with that picture at the bottom.  You are not as bad as the poster who insists on appending the four inch vertical-dimension drawing of his TT RS to every post, though.

[DriverJeff]

 

[Woodyism]

I really like the car, friend has an NB I believe, a fun little toy. I certainly like the rear, front could use a little, maybe better in the flesh.

If you could pick one which would it be, the base 370Z for $30,000 or one of these about same price?

Occasional track car versus summer fun?

Hmmmm

Cheers
Woody

[johngenx]

I'm sorry I can't hear you over the sound of how awesome you are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dirtyjeffer]

Happy to receive any messages you care to send over PM.  Briefly, though, I don't think anybody cares what phone you use, nor is it appreciated that you add three inches to every post with that picture at the bottom.  You are not as bad as the poster who insists on appending the four inch vertical-dimension drawing of his TT RS to every post, though.

if you're looking to be a smite magnet, you're doing a fantastic job at it.

[OliverD]

Happy to receive any messages you care to send over PM.  Briefly, though, I don't think anybody cares what phone you use, nor is it appreciated that you add three inches to every post with that picture at the bottom.  You are not as bad as the poster who insists on appending the four inch vertical-dimension drawing of his TT RS to every post, though.

if you're looking to be a smite magnet, you're doing a fantastic job at it.

He's not entirely wrong about the sigs though.

[dirtyjeffer]

He's not entirely wrong about the sigs though.

maybe, they don't really bother me either way, but he doesn't seem to be doing well at making friends in here.

[ElectricMayhem]

maybe, they don't really bother me either way, but he doesn't seem to be doing well at making friends in here.

Doesn't bother me a lot.  Marcus Aurelius said the object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.

Can we get back to the MX-5 discussion?  All y'all are free to abuse me over PM - let's take it offline.

[HeliDriver]

maybe, they don't really bother me either way, but he doesn't seem to be doing well at making friends in here.

Doesn't bother me a lot.  Marcus Aurelius said the object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.

Can we get back to the MX-5 discussion?  All y'all are free to abuse me over PM - let's take it offline.

Dammit, now you've put this song in my head and I can't get it out. Can't concentrate on MX-5 discussion. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=z5rRZdiu1UE

[johngenx]

All y'all are free to abuse me over PM - let's take it offline.

Or not.

Maybe you've been here since 2009, but maybe you've missed a few things.  First, we don't run down people's rides.  Someone might have a miled-out Mazda Protege, but the love of cars is the tie that binds.  Your comment that someone who owns a Corolla has no understanding what a fast car actually is a double dig - you're bashing someone's ride and you're making an assumption.

When I use TapaTalk it adds that "iPhone" signature and I don't care to know how to change it - I don't see how it affects the content of my post.  Also, how is it germane to the discussion?  The same applies to mine, and Snowman's, and others signature lines/images.

As for the discussion at hand - you seem to be pining that the new Miata (MX-5, whatever) is not a Z3/4, etc.  It's a $30K car - Mazda can't sell it at that price point given the relatively small volumes if they don't use some off-the-shelf components.  They need to use an engine from a high volume model - but they did tweak it for different power delivery - which is cool.  The only time the 155hp figure counts is when bench racing.  Otherwise, it's how the car drives that people are really interested in.

[Solstice2006]

There is no technical reason Mazda could not have made a car more similar to the Z3 M, which had over 300 horsepower and has a legitimate claim to the performance car label.

Why would they want to build that?  Then it would be less attainable to the average consumer.  Why not flip it around?  Why can't BMW make a convertible under $55k?  If Mazda made it more powerful like the S2000, it would must likely end up the same way.  $50k for a convertible not many can afford...

Performance is more than just speed, it is handling, braking capability.  It's a fine balance. 

[Snowman]

Someone seems to think every post is a dick measuring contest.

I get you don't like Miata.

Don't buy one. Reviews are unanimous that it's pretty awesome so Mazda probably won't worry too much that you don't like it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 


Happy to receive any messages you care to send over PM.  Briefly, though, I don't think anybody cares what phone you use, nor is it appreciated that you add three inches to every post with that picture at the bottom.  You are not as bad as the poster who insists on appending the four inch vertical-dimension drawing of his TT RS to every post, though.

Thinking about updating to this one:



 

[johngenx]

Thinking about updating to this one: