Sixteen years and 700,000 units ago, Mazda launched its back-to-basics Miata onto a roadster-hungry public. And while the aging two-seater, last redesigned in 1998, still finds favor among legions of driving purists the world over, Mazda felt that it was about time to give the fun little sports car a much-needed makeover.
This third-generation car, which debuts in early March at the Geneva motor show, will draw power from a new 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, up from a 1.8-liter engine in the Miata today. The bigger engine will turn out about 20 more horses as well, reaching upward of 160 hp. The torque climbs to about 140 lb-ft.
Shifting duty will fall to one of two six-speed units, either a manual or automatic with a shift-it-yourself-via-paddles option.
Physically the Miata has grown in just about every measurable dimension, with a 2.6-inch longer wheelbase, as well as a 3.0-inch wider front track and 2.1-inch wider rear track. Overall length and height have increased nominally, each by just 0.8 inch, but the Miata is now measurably wider, by 1.6 inches.
That extra width comes courtesy of a departure in styling for the little roadster, which for the first time abandons its characteristic Coke-bottle shape for a more RX-8-like design, complete with flatter flanks and bulbous front fenders. The additional space afforded by this move not only benefits passengers with more hip and shoulder room, but also allows for the addition of side-impact airbags. Do you see some BMW Z3, Z4,Z8?
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
clearly same market as the new pontiac solstice 2.4 eco 177hp and 168tq.
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I like it. Looks really good.
Yep^^^
Now we got to know is weight on the MX-5. So far Solstice is at around 2800lbs.
Question here is... . Which car of these two is going to be more fun?
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
Lastly looking at that tranny, it looks to be a Getrag looks similar to one found on the 2005 Mercedes C230 Kompressor.
If it is, it is one smooth, sweet tranny. As good in feel as the one found in BMWs and Honda S2000s
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
That looks awesome. I don't care for the tail lights much, but other than that... Definatley better than the Solstice or Sky in my opinion.
solstice should be good competition for that
wonder if it will retain its 50/50 weight distribution
looks really sharp... kind of reminicent of jaguars or aston martins...
i hate those cars, there so small. seeing them in person makes them look like go carts with shells.
-Borsty
deff looks alot better
I've got a 3inch wiper blade that keeps my headlight clean during a rain storm
When I first saw the picture it reminded me a lot of the S2000. The interior of this MX-5 is definitly nicer than its predicessor. It's a nice looking car I have to admit, but lets wait and see how much it weighs, unless it's significantly lighter than the solctice and sky, i don't see it being much faster.
WOW
that's all i got to say.....ok not all. i also want to add this looks 100x's better than the Sky or Sol....and better reliability and resale to boot. it's all about the Mk3 Miata.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
i'm not gay and i think that it's a nice car...i mean the interior is beautiful
doesn't look bad, not too far departed from the current styling. I'll reserve final judgement for the curb weight + see what happens when MAZDASPEED gets a hold of it. still not enought pwer for me, unless it weighs 2000lbs, but i'm thinking 2700lbs.
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JAMMIT wrote:WOW
that's all i got to say.....ok not all. i also want to add this looks 100x's better than the Sky or Sol....and better reliability and resale to boot. it's all about the Mk3 Miata.
How the hell can you say it has better reliability or resale? The cars you are comparing it with aren't even out.
are you psychic
personally i like the sky's looks much better
solstice a little better
sappyL61 wrote: How the hell can you say it has better reliability or resale? The cars you are comparing it with aren't even out.
are you psychic
personally i like the sky's looks much better
solstice a little better
GM is known for reliability issues. If I had to put money on one I'd put it on the miata, but its really too early to tell. The interior of the miata looks exceptional though. BTW, is that Avenged Sevenfold's thing in your sig?
Mazda's design philosophy - make a radical looking flagship car, then style every other model similarly, yet not as stupid looking.
The only Mazda I would buy is the 6...it looks sharp, especially in the front. The TT and AWD coming is a plus too.
Zach wrote:sappyL61 wrote: How the hell can you say it has better reliability or resale? The cars you are comparing it with aren't even out.
are you psychic
personally i like the sky's looks much better
solstice a little better
GM is known for reliability issues. If I had to put money on one I'd put it on the miata, but its really too early to tell. The interior of the miata looks exceptional though. BTW, is that Avenged Sevenfold's thing in your sig?
yes that is avenged sevenfold's logo
and ford isnt known for reliability issues?
i think the reliability thing get way blown out of porportion
sappyL61 wrote:Zach wrote:sappyL61 wrote: How the hell can you say it has better reliability or resale? The cars you are comparing it with aren't even out.
are you psychic
personally i like the sky's looks much better
solstice a little better
GM is known for reliability issues. If I had to put money on one I'd put it on the miata, but its really too early to tell. The interior of the miata looks exceptional though. BTW, is that Avenged Sevenfold's thing in your sig?
yes that is avenged sevenfold's logo
and ford isnt known for reliability issues?
i think the reliability thing get way blown out of porportion
you are so brand loyal its sick
go check reliability ratings on the miata in the last 10 years. youll find very little to no problems.
Ford may not be as reliable as Honda or Toyota, but they definitely have better reliability than Chevy.
I am going to guesstimate a weight of 2500-2550 give or take. Since current MX-5s range from 2440lbs for the base model to like 2530lbs for the Turbo. I am judging on how Mazda did not increase much its weight from the Protege to the 3 sedan which was roughly I think it was like 75lbs or less, will have to look it up in files. Mazda did o.k. here.
Maybe Mazda did more of their homework and kept it close to the same. I will keep you guys updated on future info.
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
yes please do goodwrench, especially on the mazdaspeed segment of things
every magazine, mechanic, N.A.D.A., Kelly Blue Book, Consumer Reports, and much much more list the Miata as ultra reliable. and from that it holds it's resale.
i don't need to be psychic to tell you compare GM's 30 year history of lousy, spotty bulid quality, cheap materials, and reliability and resale issues to that of the mere flawless 15 year run of the Miata and the proof is in the pudding.
find how many recalls were on the miata Vs. ANY GM vehicle. the Miata is rated the MOST reliable used car on the planet. what GM car can make that claim?
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
themarin8r wrote:sappyL61 wrote:Zach wrote:sappyL61 wrote: How the hell can you say it has better reliability or resale? The cars you are comparing it with aren't even out.
are you psychic
personally i like the sky's looks much better
solstice a little better
GM is known for reliability issues. If I had to put money on one I'd put it on the miata, but its really too early to tell. The interior of the miata looks exceptional though. BTW, is that Avenged Sevenfold's thing in your sig?
yes that is avenged sevenfold's logo
and ford isnt known for reliability issues?
i think the reliability thing get way blown out of porportion
you are so brand loyal its sick
go check reliability ratings on the miata in the last 10 years. youll find very little to no problems.
Ford may not be as reliable as Honda or Toyota, but they definitely have better reliability than Chevy.
uhm neither of those cars i mentioned were chevies
ane well since this is a new platform you will have to wait and see wont you mr psychic man
