so Mazda is doing an unveiling at NY

I have a CX-7. The naturally aspirated ones were OK. Not as good as the 5 or 9, but respectable. The turbo versions are generally looked on as one of the worst products Mazda's made.

Keith Tanner wrote: If I have enough time today, I'm totally sketching out the planetary wankel.

Go grab a Spirograph. You'll need it.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/22/11287786/mazda-miata-rx5-rf-announced-new-york-auto-show-2016

I get the lid blown off comment now.

I like it.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/NNgXXyFxaMo

(dimly lit) footage of the roof in action!

I'm just glad the roofline wasn't too far off from the initial post. I honestly didn't think we'd be that lucky. I would've loved a fastback coupe, but this is crazy to complain about. I'm sure Mazda wants to go tell Toyota, cute facelift, (regarding the 86) have you seen what we've lifted?

It's beautiful in person. Totally stunning.

This SEEMS dumb or weird at the very least. Like it's basically a power retractable hard top like the last version except the back stays on despite it being motorized.

I mean at this point just give me a coupe and make the miata even lighter. Or make a version that is not motorized and I can just store the targa as i wish

Car looks cool for sure but the coupe shape looks cool to me. The targa seems pointless.

Harvey wrote: http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/22/11287786/mazda-miata-rx5-rf-announced-new-york-auto-show-2016 I get the lid blown off comment now.

Your link said RX5 in it and I was like WTFFFF

Wait... so with the roof "retracted" the car becomes a targa?

Oh well. I was hoping for a PRHT like the NC had. Bummer...

Did they mention on sale dates? What was the price delta between the NC soft top and the NC PRHT? Do we think it will be a similar delta or more?

I love the roof line, the inset back window, and the targa top. I think it's beautiful. I'm also not sure they made the right choice verses a full-open convertible for the actual sales market, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see on that.

Looks good to me

I think it is a winner. I would have preferred a true targa fastback, but I will say, the difference wouldn't stop me from buying that car, just stunning.

Now if there is a way for the flying buttress to have an integrated roll bar....

Now what has been seen can't be unseen, how long until THIS is the removable hardtop design for any ND race series

Now I'm conflicted. I think I need to ride in a targa car to see if I like it as much as riding in a convertible. It will be a close decision, but ultimately a few years from now I think I see myself in a 124 rather than this.

But Mazda did just make that decision a whole lot harder.

mtn wrote: Now I'm conflicted. I think I need to ride in a targa car to see if I like it as much as riding in a convertible. It will be a close decision, but ultimately a few years from now I think I see myself in a 124 rather than this. But Mazda did just make that decision a whole lot harder.

100% with you. This looks awesome, but a Spider Abarth has some serious want potential. I saw my first Fiat Spider on the road (as opposed to the auto show) over the weekend and it looks better than the pic. I can't wait to see both this and the Abarth in the flesh

Sploosh

I guess I'll be the dissenting vote. As good as it looks with the top up is as bad as it looks down.

I bet the reason why they aren't doing a full-on coupe was the same reason Pontiac did a targa on the Solstice - they didn't change the car enough for it to require recertification.

I wonder how hard it would be to remove the folding mechanism and fix the top into the coupe so many enthusiasts want...

How hard could it be? Buy the car. I've got a welder. We'll make it happen.

Kreb wrote: How hard could it be? Buy the car. I've got a welder. We'll make it happen.

There's the GRM spirit!

Watch it all be composite.

I had a long rant written, but I suppose it was too harsh.

I'll leave it at this----- for the purist, the soft top option still exists. This new option opens the MX-5 to an expanded market, and hopefully will make Mazda a bunch of $$. Is it aimed at racers? No. Is it a beautiful, fun, reasonably priced sports car? Yes, and for that I'm happy.

It appears Mazda decided that the market for a fixed coupe is a small one. (look at Solstice coupe sales, look at FR-S, BRZ sales) They then decided to take a page out of their success-story book, and create a retractable hard top / targa. This seems smart, and will allow them to continue to build fun cars.

Kudos to Mazda, for creating such a lovely little car. They are one of the only car companies that truly "Get It" and continuously support our scene.

I do wonder about the added weight & complexity, but it looks too damn good to matter. Do want.

Joe Gearin wrote: I had a long rant written, but I suppose it was too harsh. I'll leave it at this----- for the purist, the soft top option still exists. This new option opens the MX-5 to an expanded market, and hopefully will make Mazda a bunch of $$. Is it aimed at racers? No. Is it a beautiful, fun, reasonably priced sports car? Yes, and for that I'm happy. It appears Mazda decided that the market for a fixed coupe is a small one. (look at Solstice coupe sales, look at FR-S, BRZ sales) They then decided to take a page out of their success-story book, and create a retractable hard top / targa. This seems smart, and will allow them to continue to build fun cars. Kudos to Mazda, for creating such a lovely little car. They are one of the only car companies that truly "Get It" and continuously support our scene.

I agree.

If they wanted a coupe to sell it would need to be more like a RX8 or 370Z, have a larger/more powerful engine, and be priced to compete in that segment.

This car will mostly be had with auto trans and mostly be owned by secretaries and people who loved duran duran showing off the original vehicle.

Joe: Don't get all worked up. The GRM consensus seems to be 90 percent thumbs up. Not so much on some of the other automotive sites, but that's their problem This car will sell itself. Personally it's the first time that I've really considered taking the plunge on a new convertible. That's the highest compliment that I can give.

I'd like to see Mazda do a club sport version to shut up the hard core element. Basically turn the top into a permanent fixture and incorporate roll protection. I'm sure that they'll sell at least 50 of them!