The things I'm reading about this car sound really great, and it could be had for about the cost of the options on a loaded GT4 or Spyder, or a GTS of either version. I'm tempted to keep the Shelby and add the new Miata, instead of trading the Shelby and dumping another 40 or 50 thousand into the new P car. Does anyone else on this forum share the excitement for the new Mazda roadster?
I had a '99 Miata and it was a blast.

 

I saw one at the NOLA Indycar race. Good looking car, and it appears they built in some adjustability into the suspension.

 

I just bought the last '15 Grand Touring power retractable hardtop within 400 miles of us today (Meteor Grey/Spicy Mocha) with every option (all 3!). Dealer said last '15 he's getting in.
As much as I like my TT, I really missed my Boxster S. I thought of getting another 981S, but I kept getting over $90K MSRP plus the wait. Even a lightly optioned 981 was hard (for me) to get under $70.
I didn't order a '16 Miata because:
1. I wanted one now (drove my first ever Thursday and bought today) and not Fall or later.
2. The new ones are soft top only for at least the first year and I found the retractable hardtop compelling - works great and only adds 72#.
3. The new one is lighter by 200# but less HP.
I was OTD with all taxes, fees and license for $34K. Of course, it's no Boxster but it is A BLAST to drive. No break in period. Nice smooth gear box and the leather seats are pretty good. In no way does it compare to a Porsche, but it's a perfect add on for me to have a manual convertible to drive around at that price point. No NAV but BOSE, bluetooth, Sirius, climate control, cruise, etc. It was about 80 miles home and thoroughly enjoyable with 24 mpg while keeping it around 4-5K. I had driven a Mustang GT V8 (huge disappointment; ponderous and the slowest 435HP car I could imagine) and was going to bite the bullet and order another 981 when I started reading about Miatas.
Perfect little in town commuter. My fleet is complete!

 

Yes, I was excited too, but it's too small for me. The 981 boxster spyder is about as small as I will go, but the miata takes it a step too far for me - I saw it at the auto show. I'm 6'2-3". I did the JCW mini convertible and although it was a blast and half I won't go that small again. The car does look truly amazing (the best iteration to date IMO) and I would get it if I hadn't already had time with the JCW and then a 135, I need a bit more then 350 horses but again this is just me and my needs - however, if I have a good month who knows at that price I could perhaps see one in my driveway.

 

That is a gorgeous car. Congratulations.

 

Thanks. It's exactly what I would have ordered, which made it seem like I had to buy it since it was literally the last one around (at least the GMs at the two places I went to said they had no more '15s inbound). They gave me a KBB "good price" and I didn't argue since, well, it was the last one. I got 5.3% off MSRP on the cash deal.
It is a little small and the seats are almost too narrow for me (5'11", 190), but i fit it OK. Clearly not like the 981, which was "perfect". However, I just bought my TT and another $70K+ for a second fun car this year wasn't in reach for me. This was and I'll have a significant % of the 981 fun in it for a while and maybe then go back to the superior platform after a summer driving season or two.

 

I forgot they also gave me two free oil changes and, if I have the 15K done there (under $200), I get another 2 free oil changes!
Huh?

 

Congratulations on the new Miata - great choice, especially when looking at the $$ for fun quotient. I am about a year away from replacing my MINI Cooper S Hardtop as my daily driver. My only non-negotiable is a convertible. My short list includes a CPO 981 Boxster, the new MX-5 Miata, the new TT Roadster or the slightly more practical Audi A3 convertible. I sail small boats and often have foulies and small equipment bags and I play hockey twice a week, so even though I have a truck for hauling and towing, I'd like to be able to carry those things in my daily driver at least once in a while, which won't be easy with any of my short list choices, other than the A3. While I'd really prefer the Boxster, I am very interested in the new Miata and the new TT and will drive them both as soon they are available. My wife has a CX9 that she loves so much that when I suggested we look at replacing it with a CPO A6 or MB C Class, she wasn't interested, at least not now. We'll just see what my thoughts and priorities are when it's time to pull the trigger and get myself a 55th birthday present.

 

Yes - interesting discussion as to the "value" of Porsche vs Miata or the Honda S2000 and other lower priced convertibles. Sure, the cache value is not there but there is huge value in them. Even in my 2010 Golf I marvel at the handling, the quality of the the cabin leather, satellite radio etc... of this $15K car. HUGE value per dollar but, alas, not a Porsche. I recently reaffirmed my decision to keep it and not go into a 991 as a DD when a wonderful zod of a local citizen skate boarder spit on my Spyder and I when I suggested he slow down in traffic and stop at the stop signs. So the Golf is a great city commuter but does not take the place of the Spyder as the phenomenally beautiful, incredibly sublime handling car it is. So I would say keep a P-car and pick up a Miata for your alternative ride.

 

When I own a car like my GTS Cab, or my Shelby for that matter, I expect it to be perfect. Logically I know it doesn't make any sense, but I can't help it. And when it starts to become less than perfect in any way, I lose a lot of enjoyment.
There's something that feels liberating about owning a car that costs so much less than the Porsche, driving the heck out of it, and not worrying about it. But when push comes to shove, I'm not sure I could cope with it being any less perfect cosmetically than I expect from a more expensive car.

 

I was really excited about it until I found out it's only getting a 155hp engine (lower power:weight than the already anemic NC) and will cost $32k to get the performance stuff. Pretty disappointing considering Ford can sell a 300hp Mustang for $23k. Ford's putting literally 50% more material into each Mustang than Mazda puts into a Miata, and no reason the MX-5 shouldn't be selling for way less.

So, basically, I was excited about a $20k 200hp 2200lb MX-5, but that car doesn't exist. I'm not at all excited about a $30k 155hp MX-5. If I have $30k to spend come 2017, I'm buying a used 981.

 

So how much does the 2017 MX-5 weigh? 155 Hp is fairly low these days but if it's a true lightweight (sub 2500 Lbs) it will still be very fun and plenty quick for the street.

 

I drove the Mustang GT @ 435HP - it felt ponderous and slow for the HP. IMO, it's a totally different car than either the 981 or Miata. No question the Miata is not a fast car, but it's a whole bunch of fun to drive. Can't argue the price point - the Ford interior was nice and the Sync thing worked very well compared to the voice control on my TT.

 

According to this, a little over 2300:
http://blog.caranddriver.com/2016-ma...s-are-heavier/

 

Fully understood. When I scratched the side mirror and nicked the rims on the Golf I felt BAD... but QUICKLY got over it! It's just a Golf! Yay! Liberating yes.