Mazda MX-5: Now with a retractable hardtop

[Sage]

Straight from the horse’s mouth: mazda.com/publicity/release/200606/0620.html

More photos (just the first four though).

 

[a6m5]

Nice looking car. 1-ton truck they talk about sounds very interesting also. Probably based on Ford again, but I can't wait to see one.

Edit: Mazda BT-50 1-Ton Truck

 

[Jim Prower]

uhm...I'll take mine with a lightweight removable hardtop, thanks. I bet this option will sit quite well with my fellow Americans, though.

 

[Swift]

Wow, that's going to add a lot of weight. Something that Mazda has done a great job of keeping OFF the MX-5.

 

[Onikaze]

I'd rather a nonretractable hardtop, thanks.

Like a swoopy fastback.

 

[Vonie]

The hard top only adds 75 lbs.

I'd still rather have the softie, though.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Yeah, I wonder how much weight it adds in total.

 

[Raghavan]

I'd rather have a hardtop that doesn't fold back, but since that's not going to happen, i'd take a softop with the lightweight removable hardtop shell.

 

[YSSMAN]

Meh, they needed it to bolster US sales, and put it in better competiion with some of the other hard top coupes out there.

...Maybe this will spur GM to get to building that Solstice Coupe we were quasi-promised three years ago...

 

[Wolfe]

Soft-top convertibles are going out of style. As YSSMAN said, Mazda needs this to stay in the game.

I'd still take the classic soft-top. How can you argue with a manual top that goes up and down as fast as your arm can?

 

[Onikaze]

I just want a Miata coupe.

Guess I'll have to wait for the Kabura.

 

[Wolfe]

I just want a Miata coupe.

Guess I'll have to wait for the Kabura.

Or you could just import one from Japan...

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=1774

I must admit, that car's name is rather oxymoronic.

 

[harrytuttle]

Wow, that's going to add a lot of weight. Something that Mazda has done a great job of keeping OFF the MX-5.

This seems to follow along with the rest of the complaints about how the MX-5 has "lost the plot": a bit distant from the road, poor secondary ride, etc.. I still plan on getting one eventually, but it would have to be a pre-2006, post-1999 version. And if I can ever manage to import one of those Coupe Type A's from Japan.... Well, it'd be a tough decision between that and a 1999 Skyline GT-R.

 

[ND4SPD]

Interesting, I'm more interested in what the coupé will look like though.

 

[Onikaze]

Or you could just import one from Japan...

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=1774

I must admit, that car's name is rather oxymoronic.

Now why the hell didn't we get that over here?

That's the concept I saw first.

That's mighty nice too.

Thanks though, I didn't know they had offered even a limited edition coupe Miata, other than a concept I saw once.

 

[a6m5]

Coupe's nice, but I've always thought that they should have ripped off the M-Coupe. 3-door hatch Miata would be so sweet. 👍

One good thing about the Miata's retractable roof; I've heard that Miata's hardtops are very easily stolen. You wouldn't have to worry about that any more.

 

[Raghavan]

An aluminum roof would be excellent.
those Coupes look soo hot!

 

[Swift]

This seems to follow along with the rest of the complaints about how the MX-5 has "lost the plot": a bit distant from the road, poor secondary ride, etc.. I still plan on getting one eventually, but it would have to be a pre-2006, post-1999 version. And if I can ever manage to import one of those Coupe Type A's from Japan.... Well, it'd be a tough decision between that and a 1999 Skyline GT-R.

I drove a grand touring version of the MX-5 hard on an autocross track. I must say thatit was very tight. I can't comment on the rigd, but the handling was incredible.

 

[STLbarcelona5]

I think the hardtop will probably only appeal to people who don't really care about driving a car at its limits. I know in my case, the 1st thing I thought of seeing "Hardtop + Miata" is added weight. And most likely, any other driving enthusiast will think that too.

So if anything, this will just make the Miata more appealing to people who have to drive in the snow from time to time, or want a convertible that have to drive it in all seasons.

 

[ExigeEvan]

The hardtop will appeal to people who want a secure and safe car. It's always been a concern to people that their soft top will get slashed. It'll also help on the motorway aswell.

"Japan: Mazda Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top"
Catchy name!

 

[Onikaze]

That is a safe and secure Miata.

Oh I'm so in love with this car.

 

[Danoff]

Wow, I've never wanted a miata more than I do right now. The retractable hard top is a big plus for me. Why you ask? Because soft tops look like cheap pieces of crap (not even expensive crap looks that bad).

Honestly, I don't know how anyone can stand having a soft top.

 

[Raghavan]

Wow, I've never wanted a miata more than I do right now. The retractable hard top is a big plus for me. Why you ask? Because soft tops look like cheap pieces of crap (not even expensive crap looks that bad).

Honestly, I don't know how anyone can stand having a soft top.

That's why I see most Miata's around here with hardtops on them.
I'm in love with this car:
http://www.clubmiatamonteregie.ca/miatamx5_ts_2.jpg

[edit by mod]: Die, hugenormous images! Die!

 

[Danoff]

This shot is just sexy:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/d/75954/d_ams_fotoshow_detail?skip=4

Anybody know how much a hard top improves the crash test results?

 

[Sage]

Wow, I've never wanted a miata more than I do right now. The retractable hard top is a big plus for me. Why you ask? Because soft tops look like cheap pieces of crap (not even expensive crap looks that bad).

Honestly, I don't know how anyone can stand having a soft top.

When I was shopping for cars some months ago, I found a used 2003 Mazda Miata with a gorgeous deep purple paint job, and I seriously considered getting it. However, the soft top was the deal-breaker: bringing a soft top onto a college campus is just begging for it to be slashed.

To everybody else: honestly, how many of you actually autocross or do any other kind of racing? I know a few people on this forum do, but most of you are complaining about a relatively non-trivial issue. If I have one passenger in my car, I can’t detect any difference in throttle response or handling – and this retracting hardtop probably equates to having an extra passenger (or even less – a kid?). If you drive 10/10ths all the time on normal roads, then you’re insane.

 

[CodeRedR51]

That's mighty nice too.

I want! 👍

 

[Tornado]

This shot is just sexy:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/d/75954/d_ams_fotoshow_detail?skip=4

Anybody know how much a hard top improves the crash test results?

It doesn't, because they make no changes to the rigidity of the car. The top is still down occasionally, and putting it up doesn't change the structual intgrity either. I'm sure the Mazda Miata Coupe has higher crash test ability, but I'm guessing the hardtop will not.

 

[YSSMAN]

So what kind of effect do ya'all think this is going to have on the market as a whole? Are we going to see a rash of hardtop converts poping up on Porsche Boxsters, Pontiac Solstices and BMW Z4s?

I'd be willing to bet, however, that if the price is substantially raised and the performance drops, chances are this car will be a flop.

 

[ND4SPD]

Great car that miata coupé, but the first gen coupés were so much nicer looking IMO.

 

[JCE]

Too bad I don't actually FIT in a Miata or I'd love to drive one...oh, wait, it's a chicks car...nevermind. Still the hardtop looks good.