Author Topic: First Drive: 2016 Mazda MX-5 (Read 55471 times)

johngenx · « **Reply #180 on:** June 09, 2015, 05:23:11 pm »

Quote from: Fobroader on June 09, 2015, 05:18:17 pm

You mean that no one has come up with a rollbar that can be used with a soft top without being a dangerous jungle gym??

The issue is probably unsolvable. To fit the bar under the top, it ends up too close to your head. If you were rear-ended you'd smash your noggin into the bar. Not on issue on track day as you're wearing your lid, but a huge issue on the street. Not many people think about it based on the number of bar-equipped Miatas I see. The "style bars" are usually low enough to not pose a safety hazard, but then of course don't do anything helpful if you're upside down either.

Us old school track dogs that welded in our own cages had to learn lots about clearance for street use vs. track use as the track inspection guys were not only "measuring tape nazis" but we actually cared about street safety.

Fobroader · « **Reply #181 on:** June 09, 2015, 05:25:48 pm »

What about some roll bar padding?? Ive never looked at a Miata close enough to see what space would be like for a roll cage.

johngenx · « **Reply #182 on:** June 09, 2015, 05:42:44 pm »

Quote from: Fobroader on June 09, 2015, 05:25:48 pm

What about some roll bar padding??

That "squishy" padding like a Jeep has is nice to keep your noodle from hurting when getting in and out, etc, but for an impact - completely ineffective. You need to use SFI/AFI approved padding - and it's not at all designed to be used in an application where your bare noggin might contact the bar/cage. The bar, padded or not, should not be within range of an unprotected head.

When talking to Miata owners, I reference this excellent little article -

http://rallyways.com/9216/important-safety-aspect-of-sfi-roll-bar-padding/

Keep in mind that running a roll bar or a roll cage on the street without a helmet can be potentially dangerous or even deadly if you strike your head with the roll cage in the event of a crash – regardless of whether you have SFI-rated roll bar padding installed or not.

Basically, when building your cage or bar, you need to ensure that there is no way an protected head can touch it - padding, no padding, whatever. The forces involved are too great and the head is too fragile (and important!)

Fobroader · « **Reply #183 on:** June 09, 2015, 05:51:30 pm »

Quote from: johngenx on June 09, 2015, 05:42:44 pm

Quote from: Fobroader on June 09, 2015, 05:25:48 pm
What about some roll bar padding??

That "squishy" padding like a Jeep has is nice to keep your noodle from hurting when getting in and out, etc, but for an impact - completely ineffective. You need to use SFI/AFI approved padding - and it's not at all designed to be used in an application where your bare noggin might contact the bar/cage. The bar, padded or not, should not be within range of an unprotected head.

When talking to Miata owners, I reference this excellent little article -

http://rallyways.com/9216/important-safety-aspect-of-sfi-roll-bar-padding/

Keep in mind that running a roll bar or a roll cage on the street without a helmet can be potentially dangerous or even deadly if you strike your head with the roll cage in the event of a crash – regardless of whether you have SFI-rated roll bar padding installed or not.

Basically, when building your cage or bar, you need to ensure that there is no way an protected head can touch it - padding, no padding, whatever. The forces involved are too great and the head is too fragile (and important!)

I concur that whacking your noggin off a crossbar in a crash would be bad. Hmmm....weird with the popularity of racing these little things that no one has come up with a solution like a different top or something.

johngenx · « **Reply #184 on:** June 09, 2015, 06:01:22 pm »

More and more Miata owners are owning several of them - dedicated track cars are becoming much more common. It's because there's a better supply of them - it's not hard to buy a full race-prepped car for the same price as a clean road car - $7-10K. $15K and you have two Miatas - one for street and one for track.

The other possibility is not being able to use your top - so some owners get a tonneau-style cover and try to drive fast if it rains.

The remaining "one car for both" owners chose to ignore the potential of a crushed skull in a minor street collision. Not me.

neil · « **Reply #185 on:** June 09, 2015, 08:18:56 pm »

A modded rag is probably the solution, extra fabric that would tent over the bars.

neil · « **Reply #186 on:** June 09, 2015, 08:27:53 pm »

A modded rag is probably the solution, extra fabric that would tent over the bars.

johngenx · « **Reply #187 on:** June 09, 2015, 08:31:42 pm »

Quote from: neil on June 09, 2015, 08:18:56 pm

A modded rag is probably the solution, extra fabric that would tent over the bars.

Maybe - but when you see a car with a bar tall enough for street use - they're kinda ugly and the top would probably be ugly too.

rrocket · « **Reply #188 on:** June 09, 2015, 08:32:52 pm »

Quote from: johngenx on June 09, 2015, 08:31:42 pm

Quote from: neil on June 09, 2015, 08:18:56 pm
A modded rag is probably the solution, extra fabric that would tent over the bars.

Maybe - but when you see a car with a bar tall enough for street use - they're kinda ugly and the top would probably be ugly too.

A bit of ugly/mean look might compliment the cutesy Miata look rather well...

ElectricMayhem · « **Reply #189 on:** June 10, 2015, 06:13:13 pm »

Further to my comment about the lost potential of the MX-5, this is what it could have been. 0-60 in under four seconds, and makes a beautiful sound doing so.

https://youtu.be/Ie6J77X0prE

JacobBlack · « **Reply #190 on:** June 10, 2015, 08:24:35 pm »

Quote from: ElectricMayhem on June 10, 2015, 06:13:13 pm

Further to my comment about the lost potential of the MX-5, this is what it could have been. 0-60 in under four seconds, and makes a beautiful sound doing so.

https://youtu.be/Ie6J77X0prE

Yeah, and then it would have lost all balance on regular roads at regular speeds. And no, not because weight, because power. How the back reacts is directly related to how much grunt it's trying to manage.
The MX-5 is great for finding a smooth, sexy rhythm on real roads.
There are plenty of faster, stronger cars for drag strips and you can easily adapt it for the racetrack, but then you lose that accessibility.

johngenx · « **Reply #191 on:** June 10, 2015, 09:08:55 pm »

And you'd also add a bunch of cost so higher price. Maybe a new RX-7 could be a powerhouse, but that has never been the mission of the Miata.

Anyone read the R&T test? The gushing never ends. The car is nothing short of amazing. It's everything that Miata enthusiasts have been asking for. A modern NA Miata.

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johngenx · « **Reply #192 on:** June 10, 2015, 09:13:21 pm »

I've driven a ridiculous LS3 Miata that puts 500HP to the rear wheels. It's an interesting piece, but it's also insane to drive. 4.4lbs/go means it is super-car fast, but it's a terrible car. Honestly I'd rather have the ND model.

There's a local guy that evidently over the winter added a turbo LS driveline to a Miata. Word is that it's making about 700hp and can tear the tires loose at 160km/h. How much is enough? How could you possibly use it?

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ElectricMayhem · « **Reply #193 on:** June 10, 2015, 09:44:54 pm »

My RS6 made 444 bhp at the crank when it was new (I did not buy it new!), and I had no problem driving it on the street. It is just a question of exercising restraint.

It is the same with the 996 - it is capable of 0-60 faster than I can sneeze, but it doesn't mean I would do it on the way to work. There are far faster bikes out there today, too, driven every day on public roads without incident.

I just think the Brits in the video are making something that is far more authentic in terms of a modern interpretation of the British roadster. They are using a Mazda engine, so don't tell me Mazda can't make an MX-5 with 200 hp. I am not asking for sub-4s 0-60, just something in the low 5s.

DriverJeff · « **Reply #194 on:** June 10, 2015, 09:49:30 pm »

Ah, so the answer is to have it for bragging rights but never actually use all the power then?

ElectricMayhem · « **Reply #195 on:** June 10, 2015, 09:54:29 pm »

My view is that you can make excuses about why your car is so slow, all day long. But winners don't make excuses, they drive cars that can get out of their own way, and they go home to sleep with the prom queen.

Also, it is not that expensive to go to a track day. At most, it is a couple of hours to prepare the car (change brake pads, etc.)

JacobBlack · « **Reply #196 on:** June 10, 2015, 09:57:08 pm »

Man. You sure are

!

johngenx · « **Reply #197 on:** June 11, 2015, 12:38:09 am »

I don't get the hate. Do we pine for 400hp Yaris sedans? The Miata is basically an economy car with a great chassis - and the price is reflective of that. How on earth do we compare it to 400hp Audis? That's ludicrous! Are we saying "oh, look, everyone else is selling $30K roadsters and they all have 400hp!!" Whaaaa?

Are you serious or just trolling? I'm hoping the latter.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a25857/testing-the-2016-mazda-miata-less-is-more-quantified/

johngenx · « **Reply #198 on:** June 11, 2015, 12:39:28 am »

Quote from: ElectricMayhem on June 10, 2015, 09:54:29 pm

My view is that you can make excuses about why your car is so slow, all day long. But winners don't make excuses, they drive cars that can get out of their own way, and they go home to sleep with the prom queen.

There's an awesome tiny-dick joke in there - but it's far too easy. Way, way too easy. Stop lobbing soft balls.

OliverD · « **Reply #199 on:** June 11, 2015, 08:44:49 am »

Quote from: johngenx on June 11, 2015, 12:38:09 am

I don't get the hate. Do we pine for 400hp Yaris sedans? The Miata is basically an economy car with a great chassis - and the price is reflective of that. How on earth do we compare it to 400hp Audis? That's ludicrous! Are we saying "oh, look, everyone else is selling $30K roadsters and they all have 400hp!!" Whaaaa?

Are you serious or just trolling? I'm hoping the latter.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a25857/testing-the-2016-mazda-miata-less-is-more-quantified/

And let's not ignore the fact that the performance is on par with other sport compacts that are similarly priced but are hatchbacks, not convertibles.