When Mazda took the wraps off the forthcoming MX-5 early last September, the enthusiast world breathed a sigh of relief: They didn’t screw it up. Last week we drove the new car, and we can reiterate that statement: Mazda definitely didn’t screw it up.
In creating the ND-chassis MX-5, Mazda has managed to reincarnate the original Miata. All of the …
Any word from Mazda on the availibilty of a factory hard top for the car at the time of launch? I kind of want one, but not having a hard top to snap on limits where I can play.
mazdeuce wrote:
Any word from Mazda on the availibilty of a factory hard top for the car at the time of launch? I kind of want one, but not having a hard top to snap on limits where I can play.
I haven't heard anything on a hardtop but I can ask.
What's the RPM in 6th gear at 75mph? I love my NA track/autocross Miata but the high RPMs on the highway really annoy me. It would be a fine highway cruiser if it just had a taller top gear.
CrashDummy wrote:
What's the RPM in 6th gear at 75mph? I love my NA track/autocross Miata but the high RPMs on the highway really annoy me. It would be a fine highway cruiser if it just had a taller top gear.
3050 for the factory 16" package, slightly less for the factory 17" package. I'd be surprised if Mazda calibrates the speedo differently.
CrashDummy wrote:
What's the RPM in 6th gear at 75mph? I love my NA track/autocross Miata but the high RPMs on the highway really annoy me. It would be a fine highway cruiser if it just had a taller top gear.
3050 for the factory 16" package, slightly less for the factory 17" package. I'd be surprised if Mazda calibrates the speedo differently.
Are the 17s lower in profile so they end up with essentially the same OD? If so, there would be no point.
Then again, I believe I've read many newer cars just read the ABS sensors to determine MPH.
CrashDummy wrote:
What's the RPM in 6th gear at 75mph? I love my NA track/autocross Miata but the high RPMs on the highway really annoy me. It would be a fine highway cruiser if it just had a taller top gear.
3050 for the factory 16" package, slightly less for the factory 17" package. I'd be surprised if Mazda calibrates the speedo differently.
Are the 17s lower in profile so they end up with essentially the same OD? If so, there would be no point.
Then again, I believe I've read many newer cars just read the ABS sensors to determine MPH.
17" package is a larger diameter overall by a little bit. 3050 with the 17" package gives 77mph.
195/50-16s vs 205/45-17.
You're probably right on the ABS sensor thing. Myself, i just get confused by anything that doesn't have a speedo gear/cable.
CrashDummy wrote:
What's the RPM in 6th gear at 75mph? I love my NA track/autocross Miata but the high RPMs on the highway really annoy me. It would be a fine highway cruiser if it just had a taller top gear.
You're probably right on the ABS sensor thing. Myself, i just get confused by anything that doesn't have a speedo gear/cable.
Swank, get used to it. As the gray hair piles up, or worse falls out, it just gets worse!
Since the oldest car I currently own is an '02. I'm still trying to figure where to hook my Halda Twinmaster up.
I just looked at the video. It's a shame it was narrated by a paid PR guy! But it did show more detail than I had seen previously.
I was thrilled to see the dash-screen wasn't nearly as intrusive as it is on many cars (think Tesla or Ford). It looks about like the one in my 2014 Mazda 3. Just gauges and forget the screen will always be my preference, but I guess that's not going to happen anymore.
And there's still probably no handy cable to hook my Halda up to.
Interesting note: the NC with ABS used the ABS sensors for wheel speed. The non-ABS version used a sensor on the transmission. The hole is there on the ABS cars, but there's a pin missing inside the trans that is the trigger for the sensors so you can't just install one. We had a fun time hooking up the Terratrip on that car. Meanwhile, to hook up the Coralba on my NA, I used...the ABS sensors
Miatas haven't had mechanical speedometers since 1997.
I think this car will appeal to a very different crowd than the NC, so each cohort will continue to prefer their preference. In other words, the NC prices may not drop as much as you think, especially with no power hard top option.
I asked about a hardtop. Nothing yet has been announced. Considering that the hardtop (both stick-on and power folding) has been popular, my guess is that we'll eventually see one.
Also, I'll add that Dean is more than a "PR guy." He's an old friend and he volunteered to make the trip with me. We travel well together.
He's also an engineer by trade and his first job out of college was working on the NA Miata. Before the NA was released, he drove one across Route 66. So on a few levels this trip was a bit personal.