In case anyone's interested.
We can finally publish this We had a prototype RF at Flyin' Miata back in August, and of course we put it on the scales. Mazda asked us not to share that information because they didn't want to hurt journalist's feelings by scooping them. With our own RF in house, we can talk.
Here's our list of ND chassis cars so far. All weighed in full stock form with full tanks of fuel.
GT soft top: 2328 lbs, 52.1% front
Club Brembo soft top: 2313 lbs, 52.3% front
124 Classica: 2412 lbs, 54.0% front
GT RF: 2421 lbs, 50.7% front (top up), 50.4% front (top down)
The prototype RF was within a pound and 0.1%. That's a 93 lb weight gain for the super-cool top. The Fiat also picks up a very similar amount of avoirdupoids, but it's all on the nose where the RF puts it all on the tail.
Those are pretty darn impressive weight distributions. Do you think the slightly better balance of the RF will make it handle better than the other two or is the amount too small to matter?
that's not bad considering the late model original Fiat 124s were around 2200 pounds. 200 pounds difference from then to now is pretty good
This isn't helping me want an RF any less.
As a skinny guy it's nice to know I could autocross an RF and still be lighter than some of the guys in their soft tops.
thatsnowinnebago wrote:
Those are pretty darn impressive weight distributions. Do you think the slightly better balance of the RF will make it handle better than the other two or is the amount too small to matter?
I suspect any minor advantage from the extra 93 lbs on the rear wheels will be offset by the fact that's there's an extra 93 lbs in the car
In reply to Keith Tanner:
Agreed. I'd say it'll probably handle a little differently, but not necessarily any better.
They handle differently out of the box, different suspension tuning. Dave at Mazda says the RF is better, simply because they had an extra year to spend.
I've only driven it home in the snow so far. But I predict a good weekend.
Keith, you guys didn't bail on a build did you?
bailed build in grand junction?
icaneat50eggs wrote:
Keith, you guys didn't bail on a build did you?
bailed build in grand junction?
No, but I suspect there's a good probability we'll own that car tomorrow. Thanks.f