Contenders of the Miata?

[AlexGTV]

I read that Mazda received yet another Guinness world record for its MX-5/ Miata as the most successful roadster. So this got me thinking, are there other roadsters out there that can rival its dominance in the future? Does the new Golf Roadster that it's coming out have any chance?

 

[sanmusa]

I doubt it. The Miata is that successful because it did two things very well:

1) It revived a style of car that had been unavailable for a while: two seater, inexpensive roadsters. The Miata was the new MGB.
2) It provided a platform that was highly capable in racing when modified. Even in stock form it was very capable.

I say if any manufacturer wants to do what the Miata did they don't need to make a roadster, they need to make a mid engine car. There are no affordable mid engine cars right now. If you want to buy a new, cheaper mid engine car nowadays you have the Elise, the Boxster or Cayman, none of which are really affordable. The Miata is still priced at 1/2 of what an Elise or Boxster costs without options. I think the automotive market needs a new MR-2.

 

[Blank_Redge]

I say if any manufacturer wants to do what the Miata did they don't need to make a roadster, they need to make a mid engine car. There are no affordable mid engine cars right now.

...

I think the automotive market needs a new MR-2.

Agreed, though it'd be nice if there were other competitively priced roadsters on this side of the pond.

 

[YSSMAN]

Of recent memory, the only vehicle that out-sold the MX-5 (at least in the US anyway) was the Pontiac Solstice before GM discontinued the car. All musings about it's demise aside, it was the first serious contender Mazda had had since the original BMW Z3. The Pontiac offered similar performance at a similar price, and I think an argument can definitely be made that the Solstice was a more attractive vehicle.

 

[Tornado]

No one seems particularly interested in doing so, so no.

All musings about it's demise aside, it was the first serious contender Mazda had had since the original BMW Z3.

 

[Time_Attack]

MR2 was a solid choice. Earlier models not so much they were very different from the mazda but the MK3 was a solid option for those that wanted a miata without the miata.

These days I'd say the S2000. It does everything the mazda did and then some performance wise.

 

[mustangGT90210]

I have a feeling the MR-S was looked down upon unfairly because of the looks. A lot.

 

[exigeracer]

Not that it's in any way more interesting, but there has to be quite a few Mustang convertibles out there?

 

[Time_Attack]

Plenty. All of them automatic V6s.

 

[astrosdude91]

That's not a roadster, that's just a bland convertible. I've ridden in a new one on the Pacific Coast Highway between San Francisco and LA. It was limp as a noodle.

 

[Boz Mon]

Wasnt that toyota front wheel drive too? One of the main reasons that people love the Miata so much is because it is rear wheel drive. And the Mustang has a back seat, which, IMO makes it a non-contender for this thread.

 

[sanmusa]

Of recent memory, the only vehicle that out-sold the MX-5 (at least in the US anyway) was the Pontiac Solstice before GM discontinued the car. All musings about it's demise aside, it was the first serious contender Mazda had had since the original BMW Z3. The Pontiac offered similar performance at a similar price, and I think an argument can definitely be made that the Solstice was a more attractive vehicle.

The Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Sky, both of which are basically the same car, with a few changes, most noticeably the styling.

I rented both of them, and the Solstice was great, had real good road manners, loved tight corners. The Sky had a softer suspension and didn't feel as confident on tight corners. I think the problem with the Solstice was that it was heavier than the Miata, the Solstice came in at 1305 kg, while the Miata of same year was closer to 1095 kg.

The interior on the Solstice was horrible, however, as it was super cramped with a high beltline, it felt like driving an uncomfortably tight glove. It was so bad that to activate the power window switch on the door I had to use the right hand, no way to push it with the left hand. Almost no storage inside, and no trunk whatsoever. The Miata has a much better interior and it has a trunk albeit a small one.

The Solstice had real good looks (better than most any Pontiac I can remember), had that GXP package that included a turbo engine and limited slip differential. The Solstice Coupe was also very good looking. Many people called the Solstice the Baby Corvette, and I have seen some autocrossing, can't recall if they are any competitive.

 

[sanmusa]

Wasnt that toyota front wheel drive too? One of the main reasons that people love the Miata so much is because it is rear wheel drive. And the Mustang has a back seat, which, IMO makes it a non-contender for this thread.

The MR-S and MR2 were all mid engine, real wheel drive.

 

[Boz Mon]

The MR-S and MR2 were all mid engine, real wheel drive.

Oh, ok. Didnt know.

 

[AMCNUT]

I know it's mid-engined, but what about the MG F or TF? Not in North America maybe, but It's in the same size/price/performance bracket right?

 

[YSSMAN]

The Solstice had real good looks (better than most any Pontiac I can remember), had that GXP package that included a turbo engine and limited slip differential. The Solstice Coupe was also very good looking. Many people called the Solstice the Baby Corvette, and I have seen some autocrossing, can't recall if they are any competitive.

The Sky Red Line was absolutely brilliant in its ability to be both a hardcore sports car, but also a comfortable cruiser when otherwise necessary. That 2.0T engine that GM crafted was a masterpiece, especially when you think about what a terrible condition the company was in at the time. The Solstice GXP wasn't too bad of a vehicle either, especially in the Coupe form that added the targa top.

Long story short, GM answered every question that Mazda didn't, but ended up forgetting how to do simple maths. A shame they didn't let one of the cars carry on as a Chevrolet or Buick, or even a Cadillac.

 

[X-Power]

A modern interpretation of the MG B could out sell the MX-5 if it was executed well. The MG brand is still known to the general European public as a performance brand and from what I hear is very respected over in the US. (correct me if I'm wrong) Let's hope the new MG Motor will make a new roadster in a few years time once they've established themselves again.

The above is of course my opinion and I am biased since I love MG's but I like to think that a new MG roadster would sell by the ton if marketed correctly.

 

[Crash]

If well executed and priced correctly, I think one of the traditional European roadster manufacturers can compete with the Miata. Let's not forget though, one of the biggest draws of the Miata was that it had all the pure fun and driving dynamics of a good little sports car, while being damn reliable. Even if MG returns with a good, but unreliable roadster, I think they will be hard pressed to sell more copies than Miatas over a long run.

Many people called the Solstice the Baby Corvette, and I have seen some autocrossing, can't recall if they are any competitive.

The Solstice is extremely competitive in autocrossing. There's one around here that's always a top five contender in term of times.

 

[Eric.]

Very few people around my age are really going to know what an MG is. The older generations that repair theirs before and after every drive probably don't want another one.


Edit: Re: Solstice/Sky: I have a friend that autocrosses a Sky Red Line. With just some mild suspension mods, Star Specs, and a tune (goes up to 290hp/340tq from 260/260!), it gets around. It does have its share of quality issues though.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Mercedes SLK ( early ones ), and since it's basically SLK underneath, Chrysler Crossfire..

 

[Keef]

The Crossfire was automatic-only, and I had completely forgotten about the early SLK until you just mentioned it. That's how great a car it was.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Crossfire is available with 6spd manual..

 

[AMCNUT]

Mercedes SLK ( early ones ), and since it's basically SLK underneath, Chrysler Crossfire..

The Crossfire was automatic-only, and I had completely forgotten about the early SLK until you just mentioned it. That's how great a car it was.

Crossfire is available with 6spd manual..

I think the SLK/Crossfire combo is a little heavier and pricier than the Miata no? I suppose the argument could be made, but I've always considered them in an altogether different bracket.

 

[YSSMAN]

The Crossfire was automatic-only, and I had completely forgotten about the early SLK until you just mentioned it. That's how great a car it was.

I believe the SRT-6 Crossfire was slushbox-only, the standard car could be optioned with a stick. I drove a standard coupe with the automatic, and it was actually a pretty awesome car. Very unique looks, decent performance, acceptable price. My only complaint was the lack of headroom.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

I think the SLK/Crossfire combo is a little heavier and pricier than the Miata no? I suppose the argument could be made, but I've always considered them in an altogether different bracket.

Crossfire is definitely heavier and pricier, but then again, it comes only with V6. R170 SLK is lighter, and it it has been praised as a nimble little car just like Miata. And on top of that, it comes with a hardtop standard, not to mention the sleek looks which the Crossfire completely lacks despite of extensive sharing of parts between it and SLK. As for the price.. I checked autotrader and most of the SLK's were way under 10K, some even in the low 8k USD range, while Crossfires were slightly more expensive.

and about the looks..

Not bad, eh?

 

[Jim Prower]

There's a late-production "Front-driver" MR-2S on a local used car lot for about $9800.

However, if you want a TRULY FWD Miata Competitor.

 

[Time_Attack]

Those lotus' are pretty rare. I've never seen one.

 

[boiltheocean]

You don't want to see one. It's a fugly car.

 

[AMCNUT]

Crossfire is definitely heavier and pricier, but then again, it comes only with V6. R170 SLK is lighter, and it it has been praised as a nimble little car just like Miata. And on top of that, it comes with a hardtop standard, not to mention the sleek looks which the Crossfire completely lacks despite of extensive sharing of parts between it and SLK. As for the price.. I checked autotrader and most of the SLK's were way under 10K, some even in the low 8k USD range, while Crossfires were slightly more expensive.

and about the looks..

Not bad, eh?

Like I said, the argument COULD be made, and the price is alot closer than I had originally thought, but I'm not sure many people are going to cross-shop a Mazda Miata with a Mercedes SLK. The brands are just positioned a little too far apart for that to be the first thought in most people's minds, I would think. That's not to say it wouldn't eventually be considered, but probably not the first one.

However, I do agree the SLK has zoomy good looks!👍

You don't want to see one. It's a fugly car.

I wouldn't call the Lotus Elan 'fugly' - it's not their BEST effort, but it doesn't offend like a lot of cars do. It's just bland more than anything. It's biggest problem is that it's remarkably uninspired by Lotus standards - it can come and go and not leave much of an impression - which is bad in a class that places a good amount of importance on curb appeal!

 

[sanmusa]

There's a late-production "Front-driver" MR-2S on a local used car lot for about $9800.

However, if you want a TRULY FWD Miata Competitor.

After Lotus stopped making these cars Kia bought the rights for the whole thing and made them as the Kia Elan. They are even rarer than the Lotus, the whole six years I lived in Korea I only saw one once.

I actually think they vare pretty good looking two seaters.