TGMF wrote: Sounds good...but can people, who can reach the top shelf at the store without a ladder, fit in it?
Maybe, and I realize that's a weak answer. I'm 5-8 and fit just fine. Dean's about the same height. Ditto Chris and Trent at the Tire Rack. Killboy sat in the car with no issues, and while he's fairly tall he noted that he's all torso.
Keith Tanner wrote: I think this car will appeal to a very different crowd than the NC, so each cohort will continue to prefer their preference. In other words, the NC prices may not drop as much as you think, especially with no power hard top option.
Interesting point Keith. What makes you say that it will appeal to a different crowd? I mean I do love my modded NC2 and have no plans to give it up but do want to drive a new one.
Can't wait for the next issue of GRM!
David S. Wallens wrote:TGMF wrote: Sounds good...but can people, who can reach the top shelf at the store without a ladder, fit in it?Maybe, and I realize that's a weak answer. I'm 5-8 and fit just fine. Dean's about the same height. Ditto Chris and Trent at the Tire Rack. Killboy sat in the car with no issues, and while he's fairly tall he noted that he's all torso.
This is something I was getting ready to ask also. I'm 5'11" and fit in my NB but have friends that taller that don't fit but are interested in Miata/MX5.
According to Mazda, an ND-chassis MX-5 fitted with a manual transmission weighs 2332 pounds. That’s only a single pound more than the 1994 Miata. One. Single. Pound.
I know I have have put on more than a pound since 1994, about 30 of them.
I pray I fit in the new car. This is the first new car I have wanted in a very long time. I could fit in the NA with a foam-ectomy, barely.
please let me fit, please let me fit, please let me fit.
You fit.
sjd wrote:Keith Tanner wrote: I think this car will appeal to a very different crowd than the NC, so each cohort will continue to prefer their preference. In other words, the NC prices may not drop as much as you think, especially with no power hard top option.Interesting point Keith. What makes you say that it will appeal to a different crowd? I mean I do love my modded NC2 and have no plans to give it up but do want to drive a new one. Can't wait for the next issue of GRM!
The demographics of the NC are older than any other Mazda model, and Mazda has said publicly that they need to change this with the ND. We've seen it in the purchasing patterns of aftermarket parts. NB owners with new NBs acted very differently from NC owners with new NCs. The NC has options aimed more at the older crowd, things like chrome windshield surrounds, power hardtops and seat height adjustments. The ND has no glovebox.
We are seeing a shift in the NC owners as the cars move on to second and third owners. They're getting younger and more willing to modify the cars.
Also, somewhere there's a photo of our ND tester parked in my garage. My wife graciously let her new Civic Si sit outside that night.
That's when it really hit me: The new MX-5 is tiny. Suddenly that side of the garage got really big.
I'm impressed with the dimensions. 2 inches shorter than the previous car. One pound heavier than the NA (not a small feat given today's model bloat). On top of that - perfect 50/50 weight distribution. I also heard that they improved the driving position by lowering the seats by 20mm and moving them inboard a bit too.
One thing I was surprised by was the sound. I watched a few videos of different jornos driving around Lime Rock. It sounded pretty snorty! I also noticed in the underhood pics that there seems to be a sound pipe coming off of the intake to pipe sound into the cabin. Any opinions about that David? Also, the suspension was noticeably "compliant". It seems to have a fair bit of body roll but everybody has said that it handles well. I'm sure the aftermarket will take care of that 
The Miata has always been one of those "meh" cars to me; it's never really been on my radar. I admit that I have never driven one. None of my friends own one. BUT, the ND has definitely piqued my interest. I want one. Badly.
On the autocross, yes, the GT is a bit soft. The bumpstop quickly come into play. Once the chassis takes a set, though, it grips.
Everywhere else, to be honest, it felt fine. It didn't feel soft on Tail of the Dragon. After 1200 miles, it's also comfortable enough. I'd do that drive again in a heartbeat. (This time with 8 hours of sleep per night, though.)
Keith Tanner wrote: I think this car will appeal to a very different crowd than the NC, so each cohort will continue to prefer their preference. In other words, the NC prices may not drop as much as you think, especially with no power hard top option.
Considering this is the first car my ex has seriously considered buying since her 2003 Cooper S (which she still owns), I can agree with this. She generally dislikes all Japanese cars, so when she exprressed interest in the ND as her next daily driver, the rest of us in our group were stunned.
stanger_missle wrote: Also, the suspension was noticeably "compliant". It seems to have a fair bit of body roll but everybody has said that it handles well.
I read somewhere that the body roll was so that the car doesn't seem "bored" during 50mph back-roads driving. It's likely a better solution for driver engagement than Prius OE tires.
How was it out on the highway? I mean, I know it's never going to be all cushy like a Park Avenue (thanks be for that), but 75 MPH in 6th gear - could you do that for 6-8 hours and be OK at the end of the day?
I owned an 89/90 Mariner Blue with factory installed hardtop. Never should have sold it. If I find that I am allowed to by a car someday soon it may well be this ND. I love everything I have heard except the silence about a hardtop. ND or FRSBRZ we will see.
David S. Wallens wrote: Also, I'll add that Dean is more than a "PR guy." He's an old friend and he volunteered to make the trip with me. We travel well together. He's also an engineer by trade and his first job out of college was working on the NA Miata. Before the NA was released, he drove one across Route 66. So on a few levels this trip was a bit personal.
Mr. Wallens,
I in no way intended to besmirch the talents or honesty of any Mazda or other company P.R. guy/girl. In fact, I first knew what his job was when I read it on the film clip. Having worked in the auto manufacturing industry for over 20 years taught me that having contacts is the best way to operate. And having an "old friend" almost certainly helped you get a car that soon. Which is great Also I'm thrilled you both had a good trip and enjoyed the car. That's a good sign for the rest of us.
However, all creatures tend to favor what they understand is in their best interests to favor. It's in our survival instincts. My comment on the film clip meant I wished someone without a vested interest in the car's success had been the speaker.
Box_of_Rocks wrote: How was it out on the highway? I mean, I know it's never going to be all cushy like a Park Avenue (thanks be for that), but 75 MPH in 6th gear - could you do that for 6-8 hours and be OK at the end of the day?
It was way, way more comfortable than my NA. The top doesn't flap when up, and the wind didn't beat us up when down. We did 1200 miles in a little more than two days. I had no trouble while napping while on the highway. (Note: Dean was driving.) I probably would have napped longer, but Dean woke me to let me know we missed our exit.
At the end, yes, we were tired. It was more our schedule than the car. The night before my flight up, my wife and I saw Rush in Tampa--more than two hours away. Got home late and then got up early to pack and stuff. Then my flight was delayed so I got in late. Dean flew in from L.A. for the trip, so he was on West Coast time. That was pretty much our schedule for the entire trip: asleep around 2:00 or so, up at 6:30. Still, we'll do it again in a heartbeat.
David, do you know if its possible to get the LSD as an option on anything but the club trim? Can I get a sport with LSD for example?
I still say the old pilot addage: Never fly the A model of anything.
I'd wait a year and see if anything creeps up.
I'm sure this info is out there somewhere, but I couldn't find it quickly - does the ND continue Mazda's legacy of suspension/alignment adjustment hardware? Looks like it's double a-arm up front and multi-link rear like the NC/RX-8. Does it keep with the tradition of factory-installed eccentric bolts for camber/caster adjustment?
Jaynen wrote: David, do you know if its possible to get the LSD as an option on anything but the club trim? Can I get a sport with LSD for example?
Media kit only shows the limited-slip diff on the Club (manual trans, only).
JohnyHachi6 wrote: I'm sure this info is out there somewhere, but I couldn't find it quickly - does the ND continue Mazda's legacy of suspension/alignment adjustment hardware? Looks like it's double a-arm up front and multi-link rear like the NC/RX-8. Does it keep with the tradition of factory-installed eccentric bolts for camber/caster adjustment?
Our friends at Tire Rack were able to do a pretty good "autocross" alignment on the ND for us. I have the figures at the office and am now home, but I want to say it was more than 1 degree of negative camber up front. That was using the stock hardware, too. We'll have all of those details in the NC v ND face-off article, too.
wlkelley3 wrote:David S. Wallens wrote:This is something I was getting ready to ask also. I'm 5'11" and fit in my NB but have friends that taller that don't fit but are interested in Miata/MX5.TGMF wrote: Sounds good...but can people, who can reach the top shelf at the store without a ladder, fit in it?Maybe, and I realize that's a weak answer. I'm 5-8 and fit just fine. Dean's about the same height. Ditto Chris and Trent at the Tire Rack. Killboy sat in the car with no issues, and while he's fairly tall he noted that he's all torso.
That doesn't sound promising. at just over 6'3" and all limbs I'm probably still screwed. I'll try anyway at some point, but not going to bother getting my hopes up. I do fit in the FRS/BRZ so all hope is not lost.
I'm 6'3" and owned an NA. Fit fine. However, the NC was very uncomfortable for me. I guess we have to wait and see on the ND.
Wow! We have to wait until October to read all the testing goodness. That is a little disappointing. At least the GRM testing should be a little more "sports" car oriented than those from most online sites and magazines.
I love the look of this one and how it has gone back to a much lower weight (I mean 100+lbs less than the lowest weight NC).
I have always found the NC looks unappealing.
Toyspyder wrote: Wow! We have to wait until October to read all the testing goodness. That is a little disappointing. At least the GRM testing should be a little more "sports" car oriented than those from most online sites and magazines.
The October issue mails in July (I know), so it's not as long as it sounds. It's basically the first issue to be produced after our testing. My understanding is that cars will not arrive at dealers until August.
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