I'm sure that BMW is a fine car and may handle great but it looks like crap to me.. If you gave me one I'd be placing the ad as soon as I got to the computer.. Back to the Miata. Mark you are correct the BRZ only has about 150 ft lbs. so if the Miata can come in lighter as advertised even if they don't bump it up any it should be on bout equal ground power/weight ratio wise.. Still be great if they'd raise the bar alittle without raising the price too much!!! Base price currently is around 25,000
Easy fix in a MX5, and I bet Hard Dog Rollbars will have one for the New MX5 almost before they hit the showrooms!!
That's the beauty of the Miata--so easy to get cheap parts, easy to work on,tons of aftermarket support, the only thing that's missing is easy HP; you can get big HP but it's a labor of love to do it, harder than a MINI...If you could just slap a head on it, tune it, and make 250HP (or more), it would be sublime.
Just slip a 5 liter Ford V8 or a small block Chevy motor in it. There are kits available for that that are E.P.A. approved. The kit makers will even do it for you.
Yes but it's not cheap. I looked at it. They're making a kit using the Acura tl/honda odysee v6 that should be quite a bit cheaper. Me, I'll probably do a stroker on the MINI, but an easily modded Miata would be tempting.
I test drove a retractable hardtop 2014 last weekend and really liked it. I REALLY like the look of the 2016, but would be really hard-pressed to give up my R53. But this does give me pause... I had taken my wife out to drive it, then a MINI Roadster. She much-preferred the Roadster. It has much more cabin space for a weekender car.
I commend Mazda for their design approach of late, from the SkyActiv M6, M3, CX5, now the ND. I'm pretty sure they've retained or even enhanced the roadster's manners that have won many over. I recently took delivery of a '14 3hatch, & can only sing praises. Great gas mileage & handling. It's no R53, but a worthy & comfy appliance. Mazda is definitely on the right track now.
Our (the wife's) brand new loaded 3SGT, great car and fun to drive, and as far as power? With the larger na 2.5 motor it will stand up for itself against a stock Mini S very well. Plus our lab has tons of room to roam in the back with the seats folded! Oh and did I mention it also gets great MPG on regular gas?
Nice 3 Mark, Mazda has done a very good job on that one. I'm glad they got rid of the joker face the previous generation had.
Thanks guys, it handles very well with a two inch wider wheelbase and almost exact length as our old E46, it has a very sporty stiff suspension and corners flat. With the electric assist steering Mazda was able to put a ton of castor in it which reduces the mid turn push that front wheel drive cars are known for... Having to resist the mod bug on this...but I am slipping a few things past the wife...lol Side view:
We don't have front plates in NC, and I like it but haven't decided whether I want to black out the chrome strip yet..
Yeah you're lucky. The car looks just right stock. The blacking out was just a product of boredom & having some leftover vinyl laying around. I just wanted it to match the my DS 53 w aero grilles.
Black it out, that would look great on a white car. Always liked the Mazda 3, even the older ones with the funky smile. The new one looks like an expensive hot hatch, it's one of those cars that looks much more expensive than it actually is. Another practical track car; they're pretty damned fast set up right.