Exactly right! It'll sit out at work all day today and I won't think about its well being for a second. Not that I don't like it, but it's just different somehow.

 

Nowhere do I find any information on air bags in the new MX!
The Honda S2000 is a great vehicle but no side bag at all where as the 981 has Front and knee, side and side head bags.
These are small vehicles and safety to me is paramount.-Richard

 

I put cache value in the same category as long-term Bitcoin value.


I doubt there is a single car that is more represented at any track day or autocross from CA to FL to NY and everything in between.

When I saw the new cup car at the NY Auto Show I just thought
"why are we spending all this money on German cars again?"

 

The new MX5 definitely has front and side airbags. Other than knee airbags, there isn't anywhere else to place them in a convertible.

 

Materials of construction and luxury aside, I cross shopped the Gen III Miata with the Spyder with focus on pure driving enjoyment, performance and connection with the road. I definitely enjoyed driving the Miata and it is a very well thought out driving machine with excellent controls (steering and shifting). In fact the shifter is nicer in the Miata than the Spyder and the Japanese still seem to build a better feeling gearbox.

Clearly my decision was to purchase the Spyder at more than double the cost. I was completely blown away with the Spyder's handling and the overall connected feeling. The Miata didn't offer the same scalpel like feedback at each of the wheels and the performance difference was drastic.

My point is that I don't see how they can be cross shopped realistically unless you're strictly after an incredibly fun weekend car and not too focused on the performance aspect of it.

I should also note that buying the Miata would have allowed me to also keep the 928GT which I also loved. The Spyder was just too good to pass up.

 

The solution is to buy a used one that already is cosmetically challenged. Then you can drive the car anywhere and park it at a convenient parking spot rather one that is far away from any other car. That way you can join the 95% of other car owners who don't treat their cars as a piece of art.

 

That's funny. I bought my '87 Carrera from the original owner in '94. It had a nickel sized dent in the middle of the driver's door. It was my good weather DD until 2001 (when I sold it back to the original owner) and in ever had it fixed. It was parked in University Circle area of Cleveland every day the weather was nice and I put about 30K miles on it.
Never got another dent or scratch the entire time.

 

The 981B has head bags in the door panels and thorax bag in the seat.

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/bo...afety/airbags/

I find no definitive information anywhere about the new MX-5.-Richard

 

i think the new Miata is a great call - for the money - its a win.

 

Well how about that? I learned something new today.

As a 22 year/one car Miata owner, this model appeals to me a lot more than the previous NC. I like the styling and they've done wonders to reduce the weight. Regardless, I can't help but be disappointed with the output from a 2.0 DI engine - it really seems like Mazda wasn't trying very hard (or just plain ran out of development funds).

 

At the end of the day, it's still a Miata.....

 

At our last track day, in the advanced group, the only car that could run away from me was an R8 GT Plus (on Trofeos). Oh, there was a modded GT-R that would zoom past me on the straights but, after a few hero laps, his brakes were done (maybe the engine was heat-soaked as well). Sure, my Miata has north of 300 whp and all kinds of suspension and brake upgrades, but it's still primarily a street car (with A/C even). No lightweight special - it's just under 2,500 lbs sans driver.

Why am I getting a GT4 again?

 

I am with you DeerHunter - a little more umph is always nice.

perhaps a higher level model with 250HP?

 

Mazdaspeed? Seems likely...

 

EXACTLY! It's a boatload of fun and the perfect 6 speed MT convertible accompaniment to my 991TT coupe. A good weather DD I would park anywhere and not give it a second thought. I wish I could be so relaxed with the TT, but it's a lot tougher for me to do so.