BoxheadTim wrote: Hmm. With those specs I probably want to wait another couple of weeks before I make up my mind about pulling the trigger on a 996...
Even though the unveiling is 2 weeks away it Probably won't be available until spring 2015 as a 2016. If it is really nice then we have to deal with all the dealer idiocy......mark ups, gouging that sort of thing. Might take a year or two to calm down. Still, I am looking forward to the unveil.
(responding to dean1484) If they go that route it wouldn't really be the Miata anymore... but they should add a model to the lineup to replace the RX-8. It wouldn't be an "RX" if they can't use a Wankel, but they could upsize the Miata platform a little, in coupe form, keep it well under 3000 lbs, use the V6 from the CX-9. BAM. Price it between the BRZ/FT86 and the 370Z (unless they can get enough power to challenge the Z on power-to-weight). And since it's a Mazda it would be better balanced and handle better than either of those options.
I'm easy to please. Just use the engine out of the Mazdaspeed 3 - 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.
But really, the looks have never grabbed me. If they made it look like a smaller Ferrari GTO (1960s version) they'd probably sell a whole lot more of them.
wspohn wrote: I'm easy to please. Just use the engine out of the Mazdaspeed 3 - 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.
^THIS. ND-chassis Mazdaspeed Miata.
Feedyurhed wrote:BoxheadTim wrote: Hmm. With those specs I probably want to wait another couple of weeks before I make up my mind about pulling the trigger on a 996...Even though the unveiling is 2 weeks away it Probably won't be available until spring 2015 as a 2016. If it is really nice then we have to deal with all the dealer idiocy......mark ups, gouging that sort of thing. Might take a year or two to calm down. Still, I am looking forward to the unveil.
That's a good point.
Am I the only one that doesn't think the current Mazda lineup looks very good? Not that I dislike them, but they are pretty bland and to me uninspiring. I really hope the Miata doesn't follow that design path. To me they look like they were designed by several different people without ever consulting with each other.
I did recently get to drive the CX5, and it was fairly decent.
To the original question, I just hope they don't screw it up. That's what I hope for every new Miata the original was so good. They've managed to OK so far, although the NC had a rough start.
jsquared wrote:wspohn wrote: I'm easy to please. Just use the engine out of the Mazdaspeed 3 - 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.^THIS. ND-chassis Mazdaspeed Miata.
That's the imaginary NC Mazdaspeed the internet decided was coming in 2007 or so. And a good example why I don't listen to internet rumors 
Just like the "turbo" noise in the teaser videos, it's all just fever dreams.
Well, this time, Mazda needs to listen to the internet!
Keith Tanner wrote:jsquared wrote:That's the imaginary NC Mazdaspeed the internet decided was coming in 2007 or so. And a good example why I don't listen to internet rumorswspohn wrote: I'm easy to please. Just use the engine out of the Mazdaspeed 3 - 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.^THIS. ND-chassis Mazdaspeed Miata.
Why didn't Mazda ever put the CX7/Speed6/Speed3 motor in the miata? It seems like a slam dunk.
wspohn wrote: I'm easy to please. Just use the engine out of the Mazdaspeed 3 - 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. But really, the looks have never grabbed me. If they made it look like a smaller Ferrari GTO (1960s version) they'd probably sell a whole lot more of them.
For real. For the Alfa/Fiat version I'd like an 8C that's been hit with a mild shrink ray. I'd be at the dealership tomorrow with money in hand if they did that.
But we all know that'll never happen, so oh well.
CrashDummy wrote:Keith Tanner wrote:Why didn't Mazda ever put the CX7/Speed6/Speed3 motor in the miata? It seems like a slam dunk.jsquared wrote:That's the imaginary NC Mazdaspeed the internet decided was coming in 2007 or so. And a good example why I don't listen to internet rumorswspohn wrote: I'm easy to please. Just use the engine out of the Mazdaspeed 3 - 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.^THIS. ND-chassis Mazdaspeed Miata.
You assume it will fit.
I want it to be roughly the size and weight of an NA and have enough power to run high 14s in the quarter.
I think my family would buy four of them in the second year of production along with four or five Mazda2s if that ever got a Skyactiv engine.
Fixed roof, please; ideally, a fastback with some room in the back to justify as an only car.
Mitchell wrote: Fixed roof, please; ideally, a fastback with some room in the back to justify as an only car.
But with fixed roof make sure someone that is taller than 5'6" can actually sit comfortably in the car.
I'd like to see Mazda offer a fastback version as well but please don't dump the roadster! Some boosted and tuneable suspension versions with big brakes (think an Elise sport package type of thing) would be nice. Crap, if they offered that as a 'trunk kit' it would be cool too and probably sell like crazy. 
Oh yeah, and the fastback will need to be able to handle a 6 footer for it to sell.
Keith Tanner wrote:CrashDummy wrote:You assume it will fit.Keith Tanner wrote:Why didn't Mazda ever put the CX7/Speed6/Speed3 motor in the miata? It seems like a slam dunk.jsquared wrote:That's the imaginary NC Mazdaspeed the internet decided was coming in 2007 or so. And a good example why I don't listen to internet rumorswspohn wrote: I'm easy to please. Just use the engine out of the Mazdaspeed 3 - 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.^THIS. ND-chassis Mazdaspeed Miata.
You speak (type?) as if you know it won't 
The0retical wrote: I want a modern version of this:200ish HP at the wheels if its going to weigh 2500lbs. Mazdaspeed or trim package with the better suspension upgrades. Easy to modify ECU. Option for a 13b-REW
Hmm unordered list markup language works in the preview but not after I posted...
This is what I want as well, except instead of rotary optional turbo engine similar to what was in a Speed 3.
Well camouflaged.
I just don't think Mazda is going to make a fixed head coupe. The PRHT is for that or the now defunct RX7 or the up and coming new RX7................well depending on what you read and hear anyway. They are not going to drop a big motor in there. Nothing over 2 liters, more like in the 1.5 range. Maybe a turbo, at least they have done that before. They are going to keep it (relatively) simple, and they should. The basic formula still works. Just ask the Supra, 3000GT, 300ZX and the RX7 how that worked out for them. Bigger, heavier more expensive and loaded with stuff is not a good formula for this category of car. I personally think they should take a page from the MINI playbook. A light, simple, cheap(er) version and a forced induction, more optioned version. More choices for different tastes. We will know in about 10 days. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Put me down for as simple and light as possible. If it's going to be 2500-ish pounds and around 200HP and they make it anything like the other miatas it should be great. I already pre-want one.
Feedyurhed wrote: I just don't think Mazda is going to make a fixed head coupe. The PRHT is for that or the now defunct RX7 or the up and coming new RX7................well depending on what you read and hear anyway. They are not going to drop a big motor in there. Nothing over 2 liters, more like in the 1.5 range. Maybe a turbo, at least they have done that before. They are going to keep it (relatively) simple, and they should. The basic formula still works. Just ask the Supra, 3000GT, 300ZX and the RX7 how that worked out for them. Bigger, heavier more expensive and loaded with stuff is not a good formula for this category of car. I personally think they should take a page from the MINI playbook. A light, simple, cheap(er) version and a forced induction, more optioned version. More choices for different tastes. We will know in about 10 days. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
That's kind of funny, because the last RX7 was the gear head car replacing the boulevard version. Meanwhile, MINIs keep getting bigger and more optioned.
The market won't accept a car with steel wheels and no radio anymore. Interestingly, did you know that current Miatas cost almost exactly the same as the originals in adjusted dollars? They're not any more expensive - but you DO get a lot more stuff.
I have dreams of actually building a FD with a normal motor and taking the motor out of the Mazda speed 3 seems like it would be the perfect motor for that platform.
If the spy photos above are anything to go by it looks like a more bloated version of the current one. It looks more like a Pontiac Solstice with a Miata nose stuck to it.
Mitchell wrote: Fixed roof, please; ideally, a fastback with some room in the back to justify as an only car.
I can justify it if it ever came with a solid fixed roof. I think the new ones (like most modern cars) will be built durable enough that they would make excellent rallycars.
Of course, a mx5 costs more than a frs does in Canada for some reason...
If the spy image is any indication, the arches got worse not better. It is hard to tell since the strategically located line in the photographers view slices right across the front arch. It would be off my list. Looks like a Juke. I was looking for something more along the lines of the Alpha shown above.
If it does show up as a bloat, I would not be surprised since the chassis images show struts that are way up there indicating high bodywork. Also new regulations about being able to comfortably bounce pedestrians off the bonnet require high cowl-lines as seen on the camo car.
Lets hope that all hints under the camo are red hearings.
Edit:
Found a better picture. Front arches might not be as hideous as I thought. The beltline is WAY up there with a top that looks out of proportion. Starting to look more like a lid than a top.
I want to be impressed by the ND, but any hints I've seen so far suggest I'll be disappointed with the looks.If I don't like the looks the dynamics won't matter.I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a nice clean NB in the mean time.
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