Miata vs MX-5

Wasn't the Miata officially renamed the MX-5 for a short time and then changed back? Or is my brain making E36 M3 up again?

iirc it was the NC being offically renamed to the MX-5 Miata rather than just miata

It's been the MX-5 at least in Europe since it came out. IIRC they changed it in the US with the NC, and definitely with the ND.

In reply to BoxheadTim:

So you're saying that the NA and NB in the USA was named "Miata", and the NC and ND are named "MX-5 Miata"?

At least according to every where I type the car in, parts sites insurance etc. my 93 is "mx 5 miata" but my 91 was just "miata"

I thought when they went to the 1.8 in 94 it became mx5 or mx5 miata but I'm not a mazda historian.

Being anal retentive as I am, this bullE36 gives me fits during autocross preregistration season.

In reply to bravenrace:

That's my understanding, but I'm not a Mazda historian...

AIUI:

The NA and NB were the "Eunos Roadster" in Japan, the "MX-5 Miata" in North America and the "MX-5" in the rest of the world. In the US, you might or might not see the "MX-5" in written materials, but it's always been on the badge on the back of the car. Back in the 90s, Mazda had an MX-3 and an MX-6 as well.

The NC was the same when it came out except that North America went to just "MX-5", same as the rest of the world. Later on (not sure exactly when), they realized that the "Miata" brand was valuable and added it back to the NC.

I think the ND has been the same, but I'm not 100% sure of it.

Regardless, I always refer to my NC as a Miata because otherwise no one knows what I am talking about.

In reply to codrus:

Yeah, ND is badge Roadster in Japan and MX-5 everywhere else. I'm almost tempted to get Roadster badging for mine.

My 99 base has lettering on the back that says "MX5" in smaller lettering and MIATA right beside it in larger letters.

Mazda really wants "Miata" to go away, but it just won't.

Keith Tanner wrote: Mazda really wants "Miata" to go away, but it just won't.

Beware, lest they forget the Legend of the Acura.

Keith Tanner wrote: Mazda really wants "Miata" to go away, but it just won't.

Ummm, why? Does someone at Mazda think it has a negative image? As they just built their MILLIONTH one...?

I like Mazdas a lot, but as a company they have some strange ideas.

I hate "MX-5", it sounds like a car that slots in between the MX-3 and MX-6, which the Miata is not.

If the MX-3 and 6 had not existed I might not hate it, but they did, so I do.

WildScotsRacing wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Mazda really wants "Miata" to go away, but it just won't.

Ummm, why? Does someone at Mazda think it has a negative image? As they just built their MILLIONTH one...?

I've heard two reasons, both from very reputable sources inside Mazda.

1. The Miyata bicycle company. There was some legal action around the name, and Mazda came to some sort of agreement that they would only put the name Miata on cars and nothing else. I could not get their approval for a poster that had the visible words "Flyin' Miata" on it (stupid printers required approval from the maker of the car visible on the poster thanks to Ford being childish). They were trying to move away from Miata for this same reason. This is from Mazda legal.

2. The Miata brand is not connected to the Mazda brand. People know what the car is, but not who makes it. So they want to bring the name in line with all the others - CX-3, etc. It also makes the name consistent worldwide (other than Japan, where it remains a Roadster). The Miata is the only Mazda that has a name these days. The Protege and Millenia and Tribute and whatever are gone.

I didn't say they were GOOD reasons.

The miata has always been known as an mx5 in Australia. The name miata confuses the hell out of most Aussies.

I had a mate screaming at the TV when we were watching Super troopers that they were dumb and its a berkeleying mx5 not a miata.

Honestly, I think the name miata is part of why the "girls car" tag has been so hard to shake. (Ducks for cover)

Up untill the launch of the cx badged vehicles, most people here immediately associated the Rx and mx badges as Mazda's sporty vehicles.

daeman wrote: Up untill the launch of the cx badged vehicles, most people here immediately associated the Rx and mx badges as Mazda's sporty vehicles.

I'm not sure the rx-2 really qualifies as "sporty". :)

In reply to codrus:

Maybe not in stock trim. But I don't remember the last time I saw a stock rx2 here. I've seen some very fast and capable handling rx2's over the years.

I believe my 2005 NB Mazdaspeed Miata is only badged as MX-5 and Mazdaspeed. There is no Miata badging on the car IIRC. On my registration, title and insurance paperwork the work Miata does not appear.

daeman wrote: Honestly, I think the name miata is part of why the "girls car" tag has been so hard to shake. (Ducks for cover)

That may be true, but it may also be why the car has been such a success.

I'd be interested in knowing who the actual buying demographic has been. I have a feeling the "girly car" thing has been a strong reason for the sales. Woman buyers, woman who influence the purchase, or just guys who wanna attract women are all attracted to the "girly car" name.

Hmmm... I guess guys who want to attract men might be attracted to the girly car name too! Lol!

Just change its' name to "The Answer" and all problems are solved.

SVreX wrote:

daeman wrote: Honestly, I think the name miata is part of why the "girls car" tag has been so hard to shake. (Ducks for cover)

That may be true, but it may also be why the car has been such a success. I'd be interested in knowing who the actual buying demographic has been. I have a feeling the "girly car" thing has been a strong reason for the sales. Woman buyers, woman who influence the purchase, or just guys who wanna attract women are all attracted to the "girly car" name. Hmmm... I guess guys who want to attract men might be attracted to the girly car name too! Lol!

I actually agree with you, and let's cut to the point, Mazda wouldn't still be making a 4 cylinder convertible if it didn't sell. Call it a mx5, call it a miata, the cars merits are what sells it.

That said, I too would love to see the buying demographic, because I think it would be rather suprising. Did you see the Lambo and rat Rod road kill? It was hilarious seeing the sausage fest over the Lambo while the girls seemed to love the rat Rod. I don't think many people saw that coming.

As for guys attracting guys... "Not that there's anything wrong with that" lol

I rather get a kick out of when I say, "my Miata", and a someone responds with a 'girl/hairdresser/secretary car' comment. To which I reply with something like, "Apparently you were not aware that the Miata just happens to be the single most popular track and racing car in the ENTIRE world. Why don't you come take ride with me and let me demonstrate why "