Solstice gxp
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,014
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
Originally Posted by Anrosphynx,Jun 28 2010, 12:16 PM
A mazda MX-5 Grand touring (with the softtop, not hardtop) starts at 26,560. There is no way that with the upgraded motor and the supporting R&D that would be needed to fit the MS3 motor into the miata, that the Miata with the MS3 motor would be less than the low to mid 30k range.
For comparison's sake, in 2005, the base Miata went for $22,098, the top-of-the-line normally aspirated LS went for $24,903, and the turbocharged Mazdaspeed went for $25,780. So it seems not only possible, but likely, that they could offer a turbocharged version of the current Miata for under $30k.
Besides, Mazda's not stupid -- they surely realize that people would scoff at a $30k Miata, turbo or not.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 19,734
Likes: 247
Not sure why not. A motor is a motor and in this case, it's a production ready motor. So, the R&D isn't on the motor itself, just how to fit it in the car. Let's remember that you can buy a MS3 for $25K and it's a bigger, heavier car with more material in it.
In short, guys with pencils, some paper, a welding machine, and a small CNC (hand operated, even!) can do that kind of R&D (they do it all the time). Mazda could figure out how to fit the motor pretty easily, I'd imagine.
Let's not forget that you don't have to get a Grand Touring model, either. Make the turbo motor standard and you can then buy it in a $22K Miata as well. Mazda just changed the body slightly; change the motor and they have a fresh, fast car that is good for another five years with only minimal changes. Win, win!
In short, guys with pencils, some paper, a welding machine, and a small CNC (hand operated, even!) can do that kind of R&D (they do it all the time). Mazda could figure out how to fit the motor pretty easily, I'd imagine.
Let's not forget that you don't have to get a Grand Touring model, either. Make the turbo motor standard and you can then buy it in a $22K Miata as well. Mazda just changed the body slightly; change the motor and they have a fresh, fast car that is good for another five years with only minimal changes. Win, win!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, California
Originally Posted by PedalFaster,Jun 28 2010, 12:00 PM
The Sport starts at $22,960.
For comparison's sake, in 2005, the base Miata went for $22,098, the top-of-the-line normally aspirated LS went for $24,903, and the turbocharged Mazdaspeed went for $25,780. So it seems not only possible, but likely, that they could offer a turbocharged version of the current Miata for under $30k.
Besides, Mazda's not stupid -- they surely realize that people would scoff at a $30k Miata, turbo or not.
For comparison's sake, in 2005, the base Miata went for $22,098, the top-of-the-line normally aspirated LS went for $24,903, and the turbocharged Mazdaspeed went for $25,780. So it seems not only possible, but likely, that they could offer a turbocharged version of the current Miata for under $30k.
Besides, Mazda's not stupid -- they surely realize that people would scoff at a $30k Miata, turbo or not.
I don't see Mazda putting in an upgraded motor and then skimping on all the options. Most likely, it would be very similar to the MS3 and MS6 where you pretty much get sport or grand touring, which is why i quoted the grand touring.
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, California
Originally Posted by JonBoy,Jun 28 2010, 12:04 PM
Not sure why not. A motor is a motor and in this case, it's a production ready motor. So, the R&D isn't on the motor itself, just how to fit it in the car. Let's remember that you can buy a MS3 for $25K and it's a bigger, heavier car with more material in it.
In short, guys with pencils, some paper, a welding machine, and a small CNC (hand operated, even!) can do that kind of R&D (they do it all the time). Mazda could figure out how to fit the motor pretty easily, I'd imagine.
Let's not forget that you don't have to get a Grand Touring model, either. Make the turbo motor standard and you can then buy it in a $22K Miata as well. Mazda just changed the body slightly; change the motor and they have a fresh, fast car that is good for another five years with only minimal changes. Win, win!
In short, guys with pencils, some paper, a welding machine, and a small CNC (hand operated, even!) can do that kind of R&D (they do it all the time). Mazda could figure out how to fit the motor pretty easily, I'd imagine.
Let's not forget that you don't have to get a Grand Touring model, either. Make the turbo motor standard and you can then buy it in a $22K Miata as well. Mazda just changed the body slightly; change the motor and they have a fresh, fast car that is good for another five years with only minimal changes. Win, win!
I would assume that Mazda would have to do some work to not only fit the motor, but make it adaptable for rearwheel drive use. That cost would then be incorporated into the cost of buying the car.
Then factor in the "upgrade" perception, and it would give Mazda a highline sport model. I can't imagine less than a 15 percent increase for that. No way that car would be under 30k
Registered User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Lexington Park, MD
Originally Posted by TheDonEffect,Jun 27 2010, 03:10 PM
You forgot that the kappas also outhandled the s2000 and cost a god amount less, so as a performance car it is cheaper and somewhat superior, but I guess that don't matter at all, still an absolute failure. The engine was a nice effort? People go gaga here about DI yet the lnf came with it also, all forged internals minus the teutonic pistons, and can be modded for pretty cheap. You talk about cars that sacrifice certain aspects for others, how mainstream cars have certain things, but then you evaluate sportscars on criteria that isn't performance. But hey, if you shop your sportscars with the same criteria we do when we shop for premium sedans, that's ur thing, doesn't make cars that you don't like crap. Afterall, it could be worse, the kappas coulda came with the gay ass gm light blue interior, thank god the s2000 didn't.
but I like my interior....... 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,281
Likes: 119
The current generation Miata uses a derivative of the same engine that is in the Mazdaspeed 3 already, so I don't think your argument really holds water. They already have various arrangements of the same engine.
The same is true of the last two generations of Miata.
The same is true of the last two generations of Miata.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,387
Likes: 0
From: Palo Alto
Originally Posted by TheDonEffect,Jun 28 2010, 10:55 AM
Seriously, seems like a no brainer to me, but hey the miat is still one of the best all timeselling sportscars of all time... but thenb again a good amount of people pay 2000-4000 for smog legal forced induction, a market that mazda ould cover.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,365
Likes: 636
Originally Posted by bluAP1s2k,Jun 28 2010, 01:25 PM
...... but I like my interior.......
but I like my interior.......
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,365
Likes: 636
Originally Posted by rockville,Jun 28 2010, 01:39 PM
The Miata isn't the best selling sports car. The Corvette and probably the 911 have out sold it. The Miata is the best selling roadster or such.
Anyway, point I was trying to make is that mazda clearly has the recipe right as they are selling them consistently.