Elise, 4C, ND MX-5

I want to see a comparison test. I also want to know how the 4C weighs so much more than even the ND. Has anyone found this?

Because it's totally a choice I'll be making... in the next three decades. I promise.

Funny you should mention this..

I thought the 4C was gossamer light with the carbon tub and that all comfort had been sacrificed to the gods of light weight. Turns out the damn things a pig ain't it? And an uncomfortable one at that. Nice lipstick though I must say.

NOHOME wrote: Funny you should mention this.. I thought the 4C was gossamer light with the carbon tub and that all comfort had been sacrificed to the gods of light weight. Turns out the damn things a pig ain't it? And an uncomfortable one at that. Nice lipstick though I must say.

very pretty and very fast. As an engineer, I can totally appreciate light, and the Lotus is awesome in that regard, but if the Nd and the 4C whoop it's butt around a roadcourse and do better in real life, then it doesn't mean much.

Hence my curiosity. The 4C has a lot more horsepower, the ND has a lot of refinement from a long evolutionary production run and the Lotus has bonkers weight savings.

GRM, get the three into a press fleet and test them. I'll even drive down in Catywampus to give some real feedback.

I mentioned this in our review, but if it's my money it's ND before 4C.

David S. Wallens wrote: I mentioned this in our review, but if it's my money it's ND before 4C.

What about in a future time when Alfa super-depreciation kicks in and they're even money? What about compared to an Elise?

The impression I got from the GRM 4C review is it's a tough car to spend time in, regardless of how much it costs.

tuna55 wrote:

David S. Wallens wrote: I mentioned this in our review, but if it's my money it's ND before 4C.

What about in a future time when Alfa super-depreciation kicks in and they're even money? What about compared to an Elise?

I'm still going with the ND. I'm putting the ND ahead of the Elise, too. If I had both (or all three) in my garage, I just see the ND getting the most use.

David S. Wallens wrote:

tuna55 wrote:

David S. Wallens wrote: I mentioned this in our review, but if it's my money it's ND before 4C.

What about in a future time when Alfa super-depreciation kicks in and they're even money? What about compared to an Elise?

I'm still going with the ND. I'm putting the ND ahead of the Elise, too. If I had both (or all three) in my garage, I just see the ND getting the most use.

Alright! Thanks!

Now set up the three way comparo anyway and invite me down there to check them out. Because, science! And driving cars quickly which don't belong to you! And magazine revenue!

...off to start penny jar for an ND.

In reply to David S. Wallens:

Translation: after Alfa "super-depreciation" kicks in, instead of being expensive and miserable to spend time in the 4C will be less expensive... but still miserable.

In other news... I finally saw an ND on the road yesterday... and it wasn't my ex's - who will be serving as the lead car at the Watkins Glen Vintage Festival this year. Mazda is the Tour de Marque this year but Corporate couldn't supply a ND and she knows one of the organizers and got asked. She's pretty stoked. I wonder how many laps of the Old Course she'll get to do this year...

As much as I like the ND, my penny jar is for a new GT350... hopefully in 2017.

Ian F wrote: In reply to David S. Wallens: Translation: after Alfa "super-depreciation" kicks in, instead of being expensive and miserable to spend time in the 4C will be less expensive... but still miserable. In other news... I finally saw an ND on the road yesterday... and it wasn't my ex's - who will be serving as the lead car at the Watkins Glen Vintage Festival this year. Mazda is the Tour de Marque this year but Corporate couldn't supply a ND and she knows one of the organizers and got asked. She's pretty stoked. I wonder how many laps of the Old Course she'll get to do this year... As much as I like the ND, my penny jar is for a new GT350... hopefully in 2017.

My penny jar is filled with actual pennies, an ND in 2030 is closer to reality.

In reply to David S. Wallens:

I have an Elise in my garage and I love it, but David is right, the ND would get more use. The Elise is more fun in short bursts when all you want is performance, but it's not an all-around use kind of car. For example, you can go to the grocery store and back for a gallon of milk in the ND in just the time it takes you to get and and out of the Elise. And the ND has room to put the gallon of milk.

In reply to tuna55:

My theory is that in 2017 I'll be 47 and about ready for a "proper" mid-life crisis car... Whether I can afford one at the time remains to be seen...

Interesting note about the ND - I've been driving ours whenever I get the chance, and I've probably logged more top-down driving in the past three weeks than I have in the past three years of driving Miatas.

My friend has an Elise. On smooth pavement, the Elise is an absolute blast to drive around. If there is even the hint of a pothole in the road, brace yourself, Ned Stark style.

Having owned an Elise, there are a lot of reasons not to own one(and I finally surrendered to the voice in my head that said to sell it) but it is still the closest thing to naked wild monkey sex that you will find on four wheels.

You are a Honda owner now and should get the S660 instead.

I finally saw a 4C in the flesh the other day, and my god what a good looking car. I need to drive it to see if it is as bad as the GRM guys said. Almost every other review you read raves about it. But I'd put it and Elise (which I absolutely love) into the same category, and that is toy only. The ND can be used everyday. So I'd say the answer would depend on your final usage. The 4C though, I'd could get a lawn chair and a beer and sit in the garage and stair at it. Only the Italians could design something with those curves. They should have called it Amy!

racerdave600--- we really didn't say it was bad.....just that it had bad qualities. I don't think anyone here that spent time in it could argue that that the 4C isn't fun....it's just a demanding mistress.

It's not an everyday car, and the suspect build quality would make me wary of ever buying one....especially used. I loved it.... and I hated it, but it is certainly entertaining.

I'm also not captivated by the look--- so I found it hard to look past it's glaring faults.

racerdave600 wrote: I finally saw a 4C in the flesh the other day, and my god what a good looking car. I need to drive it to see if it is as bad as the GRM guys said. Almost every other review you read raves about it. But I'd put it and Elise (which I absolutely love) into the same category, and that is toy only. The ND can be used everyday. So I'd say the answer would depend on your final usage. The 4C though, I'd could get a lawn chair and a beer and sit in the garage and stair at it. Only the Italians could design something with those curves. They should have called it Amy!

Interesting. Every review I've read basically says "it's gorgeous but disappointing to drive". I tend to read EVO more than Motor Trend, though.

ND is Cayman levels of fun at a small fraction of the cost and with the enjoyment of top down driving. It's fun, it's a special car without pompom circumstance that makes it feel so special that you're afraid to drive it properly. 48X miles in we've observed 34.2 mpg, with only about 30 interstate miles. And imo it looks far better in the flesh then in photos, I really like the front end in person, and there's a slight rake from the rear wheel arch body sculpting being ever so slightly highly then the front arches. It's subtly aggressive while still being playful. I can honestly say that there's nothing that I can say that I'd initially like to change about it, with the exception of adding the club sport's limited slip, track pads, fluid and stainless lines. It's that good.

ND is the first Miata that speaks to me, design wise. I really really wanted one while shopping, but ultimately couldn't justify (justify, not afford) buying new and taking the depreciation hit. So I bought a turbo Fiat instead, paid with cash and the next 4-5 years I'm paying myself $300 into a high interest savings account. Then I'll have enough to buy a used ND.

Keith Tanner wrote: Interesting note about the ND - I've been driving ours whenever I get the chance, and I've probably logged more top-down driving in the past three weeks than I have in the past three years of driving Miatas.

Keith - What is it about the ND that prompts so much more top-down driving?

I really don't know. It's easy, that's for sure. Less trouble than dropping an NA or NB top, and quicker than a power hardtop. I'll admit the weather has been helping, the sun's less intense at this time of year than it is in the middle of summer.

But I'm also finding myself listening to music more often instead of listening to audiobooks on my commute. Basically, it's as if the car has become a treat again instead of just a way to get around. I haven't put my finger on exactly what it is, but the car's carefree. I'm kinda digging it.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand Just like that river twisting through a dusty land And when she shines she really shows you all she can Oh Rio Rio dance across the Rio Grande

David S. Wallens wrote:

tuna55 wrote:

David S. Wallens wrote: I mentioned this in our review, but if it's my money it's ND before 4C.

What about in a future time when Alfa super-depreciation kicks in and they're even money? What about compared to an Elise?

I'm still going with the ND. I'm putting the ND ahead of the Elise, too. If I had both (or all three) in my garage, I just see the ND getting the most use.

Is that because the ND is more every day practical? I always thought the Elise was one of the ultimate drivers cars. The Elise is in the top group of my always-wanted-one list, but I'm also in love with the ND...or any Miata for that matter.