Notices
Australia/New Zealand Forum They come from The Land Down Under.

Retractable top MX5

Old Jun 20, 2006 | 06:47 AM
  #1  
Dan 8's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Retractable top MX5

MX5 LOVERS HERES THE LATEST .

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/ma...how-181916.php
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2006 | 07:08 AM
  #2  
takahashi's Avatar
New Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,944
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Australia
Nice... the MX-5 is now really have no boot space
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2006 | 09:15 AM
  #3  
dmp's Avatar
dmp
RX8 and a Truk....
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
That is HOT

I hope Mazda gives the damn thing about 100hp MORE, however.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2006 | 04:38 PM
  #4  
Dan 8's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
100hp more would be nice that would make 3 Mazda cars that outrun Mazdas top of the line sports car the RX8


MAZDA 3 MPS
MAZDA 6 MPS
MAZDA CX7

Anyway heres a link to the thread discussing the MX5 with tin roof.

https://www.rx8club.com/general-automotive-49/first-pics-mx-5-hardtop-vert-92678/

Taka if you get one now your daughter will love you when she turns 18
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2006 | 05:54 PM
  #5  
ILIV48's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 929
Likes: 0
I myself am trying not to look at it
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2006 | 08:52 PM
  #6  
dracoMJB's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
Apparantly it doesn't eat into the boot space but sits on top similar to where the soft top sits.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2006 | 01:23 AM
  #7  
Revolver's Avatar
Shootin' from the hip
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Hmm, seems to me that this is merely a sop to the American market. Mazda obviously feel they've got to fall into step with the increasing number of folding metal roofed convertibles in order to be competitive.

Given that the MX5's chassis could handle some more power as it is, I have a problem with the extra 30kgs. It's also added to the wrong place (i.e. up high), which can only hurt handling. On a less focused car these would be minor quibbles but the 5 is a very limited purpose tool and anything that hurts performance and handling attacks the MX5's purity as a sports car.

As someone else said in the other thread, Mazda boasted of trying to save weight in every component of the NC, so why add so much (unnecessary) weight? Bet the marketing boys won this round and there's some engineers sulking atm.

For those wishful thinkers hoping it won't impinge on boot space too much, read the commentary in the first link again:

Apparently, it will "have little available trunk space."

So to gain security and practicality in one dept, practicality in another aspect of the car has been heavily compromised (and remember, there's no 911-type micro back seat to serve as a de facto boot).

I've often wondered why more effort wasn't put into designing a light-weight yet slash proof fabric. It's available uses would obviously extend beyond the ragtop business.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2006 | 01:34 AM
  #8  
dracoMJB's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
I tend to trust Mazda whenever they do anything to the MX-5. They haven't made any mistakes yet.

Also this link http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/852/ reports "However, unlike the SLK, the Mazda's roof does not take up the whole of the boot. Folding up into a small space just behind the seats." which doesn't guarantee there is no reduction of boot space but still indicates there will be boot space available.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2006 | 01:39 AM
  #9  
Dan 8's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ILIV48
I myself am trying not to look at it
You could always sell yours and upgrade , most people arent aware of the new model retractable hardtop coming
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2006 | 01:52 AM
  #10  
Revolver's Avatar
Shootin' from the hip
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Originally Posted by dracoMJB
I tend to trust Mazda whenever they do anything to the MX-5. They haven't made any mistakes yet.
I'm not sure I agree with that. For example, they only brought out a turbo model after Mazda Australia demonstrated that there was a market for it.

Note the other comments on boot space. This is probably a secondary consideration for some but it would certainly stop me from ticking the box.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2006 | 01:58 AM
  #11  
dracoMJB's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
Originally Posted by Revolver
I'm not sure I agree with that. For example, they only brought out a turbo model after Mazda Australia demonstrated that there was a market for it.

Note the other comments on boot space. This is probably a secondary consideration for some but it would certainly stop me from ticking the box.
I don't think that's quite right. Mazda Australia were pretty much on their own developing the MX-5 SP, but from what I can understand the SE wasn't a result of that but more as a realisation by Mazda that they needed to do something different before the NC was ready.

As to boot space, the only people it would stop from buying are those that only have an MX-5 and want boot space. Sure it's a consideration when deciding to buy something, was one of the reasons I moved from MX-5 to RX-8 but if you are considering an MX-5 you're not getting much boot space anyway
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2006 | 02:17 AM
  #12  
kunz's Avatar
•▫▪› is way, way way way way way way way way wayyy better than you ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ▪ ;)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
I love it =) might convince the gf to get this when she upgrades her ride :D
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2006 | 02:51 AM
  #13  
ILIV48's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 929
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Dan 8
You could always sell yours and upgrade , most people arent aware of the new model retractable hardtop coming

Thought about it but decided that just 1/3 the money I would need to pay to upgrade would buy me that nice BRP Supercharger kit with air/water intercooler that is going on sale July 17. Think I would enjoy 180kw (hunt them Porsches down at Sandown) more than 118kw with a metal roof!
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2006 | 06:52 PM
  #14  
Revolver's Avatar
Shootin' from the hip
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Originally Posted by ILIV48
Thought about it but decided that just 1/3 the money I would need to pay to upgrade would buy me that nice BRP Supercharger kit with air/water intercooler that is going on sale July 17. Think I would enjoy 180kw (hunt them Porsches down at Sandown) more than 118kw with a metal roof!
Now we're talking!
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2006 | 03:23 AM
  #15  
Dan 8's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Revolver
I'm not sure I agree with that. For example, they only brought out a turbo model after Mazda Australia demonstrated that there was a market for it.

Note the other comments on boot space. This is probably a secondary consideration for some but it would certainly stop me from ticking the box.
According to this article the roof goes behind the seats so there is no loss of boot space .

Dave pull out your cheque book and tick the box

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...1&Profile=1024
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2006 | 06:24 PM
  #16  
Revolver's Avatar
Shootin' from the hip
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Nup - I still want a NA thrash machine. If I bought a NC, I'd baby it too much.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2006 | 12:42 AM
  #17  
ILIV48's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 929
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Revolver
Nup - I still want a NA thrash machine. If I bought a NC, I'd baby it too much.
Watched a little vid the other day of a 92 NA (force fed of course) passing a 911 down a long straight after giving the German hell on the preceding corners... Nice!
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2006 | 01:56 AM
  #18  
Revolver's Avatar
Shootin' from the hip
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Originally Posted by ILIV48
Watched a little vid the other day of a 92 NA (force fed of course) passing a 911 down a long straight after giving the German hell on the preceding corners... Nice!
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2006 | 02:00 AM
  #19  
Revolver's Avatar
Shootin' from the hip
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
To return to the debate on the folding hardtop MX5, Wheels mag covers it on page 26 of the latest issue.

They confirm that the folding roof fits into the same space as the fabric version and there's no compromise on boot space. So, I was wrong there.

They also say it's not metal but a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic composite.

Bad news - they also report that according to Mazda's project manager there is no turbo version planned. Boo, hiss!
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2007 | 03:55 PM
  #20  
lucifuge's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Canberra, Australia
Originally Posted by takahashi
Nice... the MX-5 is now really have no boot space
...like the Rx8 has ample boot space LOL.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2007 | 06:02 PM
  #21  
N rider89's Avatar
^NieL
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 1
From: santa clara ,ca
i actually sat in one of these and it was pretty nice. the tunk wasnt to small, a little smaller than a set of golf clubs maybe.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2007 | 06:26 PM
  #22  
Cromax's Avatar
Buzz Buzz Buzz
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Victoria
Originally Posted by lucifuge
...like the Rx8 has ample boot space LOL.
LOL it has masses of space, it's like a mini cavern in there! LOL
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2007 | 11:44 PM
  #23  
Domza's Avatar
Designated Comic Relief
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
its been out for a while, it wasa contender for me when i was buying the rx8, but in the end, i felt that the mx5 was suited more towards a) old men b) teeny bopper girls. I fit neither of those categories however, I am being noticed more by category b) when I am driving in my car. :p
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 12:25 AM
  #24  
Cromax's Avatar
Buzz Buzz Buzz
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Victoria
Originally Posted by Domza
its been out for a while, it wasa contender for me when i was buying the rx8, but in the end, i felt that the mx5 was suited more towards a) old men b) teeny bopper girls. I fit neither of those categories however, I am being noticed more by category b) when I am driving in my car. :p
I agree with you completely! But ... if the event of them bringing out a beefed up version (like the MX5 SP) .... would you have considered it then?
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 01:12 AM
  #25  
Domza's Avatar
Designated Comic Relief
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Cromax
I agree with you completely! But ... if the event of them bringing out a beefed up version (like the MX5 SP) .... would you have considered it then?
Supercharged, lowered, flared wheel arches, and even bigger wheels?

Quite possibly. Its still a 2 seater convertible, something doesn't sit quite right, but if they butched it up a little, i could have seen myself with an epicly hard decision to make.
Reply

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:32 PM.