today i went to the very crowded mazda drive event. i drove the 3,6, and then stood in line for 1.5 hours to drive a red 2004 mazdaspeed miata, you know the factory turbo package complete with stiffer supension, different gearbox/clutch,larger wheels and tires, and 178 hp, all for about 25.5 large, perhaps 3000 will make it here this year for the in house package.

mazda sold about 36000 units in 1990, now they sell closer to 11,000, so this is a big deal, bigger than the se units they always try and push off as special edition miatas, this one is different. this is a fun car, more fun than my 2001ls or my 1990 b package. this car does go, although it runs outta pep at what seems like an early rpm and there is no vetc rush, just a quicker miata that hangs in there better...a real fun tossable car...in fact there is nothing real serious about this car...and that's most of it's charm. the trim level is also nicer than prior years. it's stereo and the sound of that stereo have better sound than my s2000s'.

i love miatas, the idea of a roadster that i can drive without a new equity line against my home is a good thing. fun, droptop, reasonable features.

Now with some power to pass that mini van to the next light. and this is a fully equipt modern car, there are only a few options and you know resale value will be such that it will be even more of a bargain very soon....oh yeah, it has a 4 year, 48,000 mile warranty with roadside assistance and free loaner car, standard...maybe you need that warranty alot, maybe they have more faith in their cars than honda seems to have?

this car should not be comparred to the s...$6,000 plus difference and a whole change of character and build purpose differentiate these autos.

Still the miata is about fun, about balance, fun ,and friendly motoring, now you can have one that is trying to be more serious at the same time. and it looks really cool.

 

Excellent report. Thanks. I'm a big fan of the Miata and would love to have this one.

 

I love miatas, but I think 178hp is kind of disappointing. I have driven numerous 250+whp reliable miatas and I think Mazda should have teamed up with Flyin Miata on this one. A 300hp miata for <$30k would be awesome.

 

How about the way Mazda teases everyone by letting the magazines see a new "may be headed to production" V6 prototype and then does nothing to the Miata but find 5-10 more hp.

 

not gonna happen

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by eyescream

 

Too true, too true. They have cried wolf so many times, it's not even funny.

 

I think it going to become like the Mazada Protege and get some big number from the aftermarket tuner. We just have to wait and see. It nice to have a turbo kit that comes from the factory and don't really have to worry about it. I think the lower power is due to warranty and sales of the flaghship car of the RX-8. Like I said when you give it to a tuner with intake, exhaust, and a increase in boost we are going to see something to rival the Rx-8 or even a stock S2000.

 

also went in an RX8. totally different car than a miata or our S. room for 4 is a big priority, style, the rotary smoothness, and it can handle, that may be the strongest point, it handles with excellent balance. power wise it could use more.

the miata is just the most fun top down roadster on the planet....for the price you pay....step up with more bucks and you enter a whole new level of engineering, fit and finish, and performance. I hope mazda gets the idea that it is a good thing, more hp that is.