| SugarRushMurano |
I have always been a big fan of miata roadster (the NA and NB model). Current miata model is a pure roadster machine, very agile and nimble. It is small, light and have enough hp. It has high mpg too. What do you all think?
While honda s2000 and nissan 350z are also excelenet roadsters, their price is in league with the BMW Z4s.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/ind...3&sid=184&n=157 |
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| GripperDon |
| I really like the color of the leather interior and that color is very close to MO Platinum. GRIP :D |
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| Halo |
158 hp is an embarrasment for that chassis. Well, who knows what will actually hit our shores.
As the current S is probably going to end its production run without a replacement, I don't see much real competition for the Miata in the true roadster category. Elise is mid, Z4 is considerably more money and luxurious but not a seat-of-your pants ride. The 350 vert is an afterthought, not a convertible from the ground up. Too much weight, sloppy chassis, damped steering feedback = plenty of power but no way to control it. Now, only if the Miata could lose that stereotype :1: |
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| hfelknor |
Ya know, I owned a brandy new 1999 Miata. I loved it.
2 things I didn't care for.
1- Turned about 8,000 RPM at 70 MPH. Well, it seemed like it...........it just screamed out on the freeway. Hated it.
2- It was so small as to be dangerous. It was said that you had so much mobility, you could "miss" the accident. You better.
Oh and the third , and most important reason I got rid of it.......
It came with a 36 month warranty. And I think a 36,000 mile warranty.
They built a whole BUNCH of motors with badly machined crankshaft bearing races. Hundreds for sure. and maybe a few thousand.
We tracked it on Miatanet.
(I was RedRover over there for a few years.)
The motors would just self destruct. Sorta like Nissan's alternator, nobody knew when. But they never seemed to make it to 36,000 miles........
After 30 months I had only 12000 miles on mine. Mazda would not say if they would extend the warranty for this problem.
I sold the car.
I know that you guys would probably never consider an American car, but I think the new Pontiac Solstice due out next year looks good.
Homer |
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| hfelknor |
| Here's another shot of the Solstice |
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| SugarRushMurano |
You are right about the 99 miata has the "self distruct" bearing problem. Only around 5% of the 99 miatas have this though.
Beginning of yr 2000+ model, this problem has been solved.
But i agree with you, that car is so small, it gives out the impression that surviving from a crash, especially against a ford explorer, will be futile. So far, I enjoy mine. So nimble, even with the 140+ HP it has a good weight to power ratio.
I like the soltice, but i'd rather get the saturn sky if I have to choose.
Of course, there is the fact that they are both domestic roadsters and i'd rather get neither one :4: |
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| pcs15394 |
| On sheer looks alone, I love the Solstice. Lutz came through on his promise of under 20G's by pricing at $19,995.00. IMHO that is a beautiful car!! |
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| Eric L. |
| I'm not sure why Mazda is doing this, but the new MX-5 will not have the Miata name badge on it. The old Miata had both badges "MX-5" and "Miata". I would have thought the Miata name is so well known that it adds brand cachet. I mean, if you think about it, no one says "Mazda Miata" - just saying "Miata" and you know immediately what car it is. |
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| GripperDon |
Dumb!
(nobody complain about short posts please that's all it takes to say what it is) GRIP :D |
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| Eric L. |
Its like Acura dumping the Legend and Integra names - a strange move that effectively erases all the positive notions associated with those models.
I can understand the domestics changing model names, esp if that vehicle is no longer competitive and has a negative image. For example, I think its pretty smart for Ford to drop Escort and Taurus in favor of Focus and 500. Same goes for Chevy's Cavalier and Cobalt. It does make you wonder though, how much longer will domestic auto makers do the name shuffle until people realize they are putting out essentially the same uncompetitive product. Example - GM's "new" minivans - new name, new Lutz-ified category "crossover sport van" - same uncompetitive platforms.
Build a competitive vehicle, and you won't have to change the name. |
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| Eric L. |
SRV?
If you meant CRV, at least the letters stand for something - Civic Recreation Vehicle. :D
At least the new Honda pickup truck got a real name, the Ridgeline. Its kind of an ugly truck, but its typical Honda - very practical and thoughtfully engineered. |
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| GripperDon |
TYPO I though It meant
Compact
Recreational
Vehicle
Goes to show they didn't get the point across at least to me.
maybe the C means Crummy, or Careless or Cute or Coy or Cowardly or Crafty or Cunning or ...... :2: |
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| Eric L. |
| Compact is probably correct. Although it is technically a civic wagon. :p |
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| GripperDon |
Ah Ha!!
Correct
Recreational
Vehicle
GRIP :D |
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| GMTURBO43 |
| I saw both the Solstice and the Sky - if I had to pick without driving either of them it'd be the Sky. Although the Solstice is a very pretty car also. |
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| SugarRushMurano |
Compare all there, which one you like :4:
Pontiac soltice - Saturn Sky - Miata mx5
All, expectedly, below $22K |
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| Kris |
| From the pics you posted I would say definitely no Miata. Both Pontiac and Saturn look better. However, I’d like to see and try them before I buy. The 2.4l Pontiac engine – hm, not sure. Even less impressed with Miata. Do not know Saturn. It would be nice to have 2.5L 6 cylinder engine in Pontiac. Much better torque, smoothness. But let’s try first and then judge. |
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| GripperDon |
I agree the Miata looks dated. Got to drive a NEW Audi A8-L today, VErrrrry Nice.
Also took a new X-5? BMW SUV for a spin, I'll keep the MO thank you very much. MattsMurano is still in charge of wholesale Parts at BMW and I am sorry he sold the MO, But he has gone a different route. GRIP :D |
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| GMTURBO43 |
| I like the new Miata - it isn't a huge departure from the previous version but enough to be different. I still think if I were to buy a convertable it'd be a Corvette :) |
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| SugarRushMurano |
The soltice, sky and the mx5 are domestic vehicle now.
So there is a big question mark on the quality..
:4: |
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| hfelknor |
And of course there is no question of quality on Japanese cars?
Get a life.
Homer |
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| SugarRushMurano |
quote:
And of course there is no question of quality on Japanese cars?
Get a life.
Homer
I merely say what i learn from reading an independent source report regarding vehicle reliability: consumer guides (www.consumerguides.org).
You can read the article here: http://v22.autos.yahoo.com/consumer...holding_up.html
The expected reliability of a car will definetely be a crucial factor in my vehicle purchase decision. From the survey, the domestics do indeed have more questionable quality than the asians' models... |
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| hfelknor |
The problem is, you want to talk about specific cars.
And then bolster your argument with generic figures.
Just building a Mazda in the US does not automatically make the Miata an "average" domestic car.
How do you know that the Miata will not be equivalent to a Buick?
Your own article shows a Buick is more reliable than any comparable asian model, be it Honda or Toyota, etc?
While interesting, there really is no use for a chart that shows generic figures.
Why?
Because people don't say "I think I'll go buy a Domestic car today".
They say they are going to go buy a Honda Accord, or a Buick Grand Regal.
And most would be surprised to find out that the Buick is built better than the Honda, because of the proliferation of these generic charts.
People talk about the Euro cars fallling like a rock in Quality.
But they haven't looked at Jaguar which now competes with Lexus for Build quality.
If I am going to buy a Jag, I really don't care if MB is slipping.
And all of this without even questioning that paragon of Automobile Knowledge, Consumer Reports. :D
Don't get me wrong, I like CR.
Whenever I buy a toaster, I check them out. :2:
Homer |
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