Its a baby Supra! I foresee basket handle spoilers making a comeback :/
Not everyone wants sportscar to kick their asses or be miserable to drive on the street. I think this is a good step.
Hopefully this will sell well and eventually lead to a true hardtop with a real trunk.
I'm with Joe - I'm tired of the idiot knee-jerk reactions I've seen all over the place.
Anything Mazda does to put more Miatas on the road is good. It means more money to develop the platform and more enthusiasts to keep them alive. The PRHT wasn't a good track car by any measure, but it was very popular amongst buyers - despite the looks. There's a lot of snobbery about this car from closed-minded folks (all automatics, only owned by secretaries, etc) but even if that's true, it's okay. It's more cars on the road. Remember, the only reason Porsche can afford to make the GT3 is because of all those Cayennes they shift. And surprisingly, there are some car guys who buy Cayennes. There's one in Andy Hollis' driveway, and nobody here is going to call him an automatic-driving secretary.
I think it IS the PRHT, just convenient packaging that gives most of the feel of a convertible, and looks pretty danged cool.
I bet it sells pretty well.
ok, wow that's pretty.
I will say this is the first car in a looooong time that makes me consider ponying up for it brand new, and now I'm old enough to actually have the funds to do it.
This is the first time I have actually wanted a Miata. Now if they would just give it more power they would have me!
Keith Tanner wrote: I'm with Joe - I'm tired of the idiot knee-jerk reactions I've seen all over the place. Anything Mazda does to put more Miatas on the road is good. It means more money to develop the platform and more enthusiasts to keep them alive. The PRHT wasn't a good track car by any measure, but it was very popular amongst buyers - despite the looks. There's a lot of snobbery about this car from closed-minded folks (all automatics, only owned by secretaries, etc) but even if that's true, it's okay. It's more cars on the road. Remember, the only reason Porsche can afford to make the GT3 is because of all those Cayennes they shift. And surprisingly, there are some car guys who buy Cayennes. There's one in Andy Hollis' driveway, and nobody here is going to call him an automatic-driving secretary.
This right here. It is a hardtop Miata, that also happens to be able to put the top off in a pretty trick way if you want to. Best of both worlds for a small car company.
Keith, I bet your car is getting plenty of accidental net traffic today as people search for Miata targa.
You're probably right 
I really like it. I'm not really interested in a full convertible anymore, but I like this compromise.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
I sum the negative nancy's thusly: The internet is a great place to express your OPINION. You are welcome to do so where the site owners allow it. That doesn't mean you should, that you're right or that anyone else cares or agrees with you.
I have no problem with the car existing and I agree anything Mazda can do to sell more Miatas is a good thing. I just would have preferred a PRHT instead of a targa. That's all.
My favorite Jalopnik comment thus far: "I like big buttresses and I cannot lie... Or small buttresses. Or any buttresses at all on vehicles."
The RF is dead sexy. Sure, the Internet is full of whiners who want eleventy million horsepower for $20k, a Miata coupe, a PRHT, a supermodel girlfriend and... a pony. The press on this car has been very positive. Google "RF Miata" You'll see pages of it.
I bet PRHT NC's outsold regular soft tops by a large margin, I bet this will too. Add to the fact that it looks awesome top up or down means it will be a slam dunk. I don't see any reason to by a regular Miata with this top available unless you are the 1% will track it regularly.
It seems most of the photos I see are profile shots. I saw maybe one from the rear, and I don't think it's pretty at all.
In reply to Adrian_Thompson:
Umm... Maybe if you prefer a full convertible experience?
Yeah, the rear's the weakest view for sure. But don't worry, they aren't that fast, so you won't have to look at it too much
^^^ Don't be so sure about that. The ND is no slouch--- it's a pretty quick little machine, that feels even quicker than it is.
Joe Gearin wrote: ^^^ Don't be so sure about that. The ND is no slouch--- it's a pretty quick little machine, that feels even quicker than it is.
Dude, this is the internet. Cars need to run at least a 12.9 in the 1/4 mile to not be considered "slow".
Joe Gearin wrote: ^^^ Don't be so sure about that. The ND is no slouch--- it's a pretty quick little machine, that feels even quicker than it is.
I was just funnin. I've always referred to Miatas as the cars that were faster than they had any right to be. If you don't believe me, just watch a well prepared one harass much more powerful cars at the track
I like it. It fits my needs and wants.
I was followed around by the Japanese designers at the NA's long lead, because as a 20-something with a yob I was the prototypical buyer, and as far as I'm concerned they've nailed it again.
Of course, I've long since accepted my place in the demographic that kills, but WTH. This has eliminated all residual lust I was harboring for a Cayman.
Margie
kanaric wrote: This car will mostly be had with auto trans and mostly be owned by secretaries and people who loved duran duran showing off the original vehicle.
You're probably right. My wife has texted me about it. If anything happens to her Fiat I think she'd be looking at this in red. She also likes the occasional Duran Duran song.
If the Miata became a hardtop coupe, it would have to compete in price point with normal, sensible cars. As a powered hardtop, it remains an indulgence, which allows it to live in a price point that justifies its existence to Mazda.
I spent more time just looking at it today--like just taking it in. I'm still in the "want" camp.
I can't wait to see one in person.
Harvey wrote: http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/22/11287786/mazda-miata-rx5-rf-announced-new-york-auto-show-2016 I get the lid blown off comment now.
Is that a "roll hoop" behind the headrest in the last picture? I know the convertible has it, but why have it in the RF?
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