ASH8

J8, I am just interested to know why you don't care/like 2 seater convertibles like the MX-5, I am not insulting you here, but, have you driven a late model MX-5?, is it because it only carries 2 people, small, the underpowered perception, or is it safety?.....Just interested...

As ^^ post you can add the removable hardtop.

Japan8

^^ It has nothing to do with power... although I'd prefer more. It's personal preference. I don't like two seaters... impractical... even if I only ever need to carry two people I never have the option to throw junk/bags/etc. on the backseat. The trunk is out for what I refer to because the idea is to not have to go through that trouble and some things... like a cooler of cold drinks on a long drive... need to be easily accessed from the front seats. Convertibles are out because they either look like *** with the top up or look like *** with the top down... depends on the car's roots... i.e. new Mustang vs MX-5 (Mustang looks like *** since it is really a hardtop coupe, MX-5 is meant to be open and looks like *** with the top up). Convertibles are also out because of long term wear and tear on the top, easy break-in and theft and there have been issues with leaks and wind noise (I know it's better now). A retractable hardtop is more appealing for me, but still no two seaters.

Removable hardtops suck. It's like a "top" or "camper" on a pickup truck. What the hell do you do with it when you take it off? Garage? What if you live in an apartment or Condo? What if the morning was crap, but the afternoon/evening is good... so now you are out, but you want to go top down? What the hell do you do with the top? That's why the suck.

ASH8

I can understand your views on 2 seater's, convertibles from their inception many decades ago had similar issues about appearance/practicality.

Personally all convertibles (canvas) look better with the top down, even back to the MG days. I also agree the canvas tops are a much better design and fit (well the MX-5 is anyway).

The hardtop "option" is just that, an option, if you garage the car you can hoist (another option) it above in most cases, but, as I said its an option and they do give you a more "secure" vehicle particularly at night, depending on the circumstances.
You can lower and install the MX-5 hardtop in about 3 minutes with a hoist.

I had similar views to you on all convertibles, years ago I drove the old ones, I recall the MG with its roof water leaks, lumpy engine, rattles and a suspension setup/design that made you feel every pebble/bump in the road, it felt like you were in a horse drawn cart!.

I hated them...until.....

I drove the RX-7 convertible and then later the MX-5, yeah they have drawbacks, but the MX-5 is a very special mode of transport for 2, and most owners world wide think similarly. The MX-5 in fact has the highest resale value of any recent Mazda and probably the highest of any recent Japanese made car....

I don't want to insult anyones views, but, J8 have you actually driven an MX-5 lately as I am not sure of your response that you have.

In the end they are a fun car for 2 and not for families, or carrying objects, they are in many ways extravagant, they are a drivers car.

CelticFan

I've got a 1990 Miata and it's a blast. I've done a little work on it performance wise but it still looks stock from he outside. I put a hardtop on it in the winter and just use the soft top in the summer when I need to. The hard top is easy to take off if you have two people. I have long arms and can do it by myself in less than 3 minutes. I just put it on a stand they sell for them in my garage but it's not something you have to have. I had the car for over 10 years before I got one.
If Mazda makes a powered hard top MX-5 out of the 3rd generation Miata they will still make the soft top version also. So the car will have the advantage over the competition in storage still. I hope they make a coupe version like they did with the 2nd generation Miata in Japan. That was a good looking car.

RX8_GT

I have a 1990 Miata - one with no power steering - It is great to drive. Have the hardtop which I install in November and remove in April or May. Even in the MidWest - we have a winter of sort. It is a great car for just driving - just having fun. Almost always have the top down if it's not raining during spring to late fall. Visibility is better with the hardtop rather than with the top up.

Making the Miata a hardtop convertible will add weight - but also add a degree of practicalitly. It would be a great option for many in colder climates - I'm an ex-Canadian so I do know a little about colder climate. The newer convertible hardtops are very common in Europe - and have been 'perfected'. Have a 01 SLK320 - makes topless very practical when the weather is variable.

Bottomline the Miata is be a softtop first - but hardtop convertible or coupe would be OK in my books. In fact a Miata-based Kabura - as in the Detroit Auto Show - a 3 1/2 seater could be an pracxtical addition to the Mazda / Ford line too.

To each - his own.

PS Love Clarkson - he's crazy and on the edge. The edge of what - I'm not sure.

Japan8

ASH8... no no... you miss the point still. I don't care how it drives... I don't want a 2 seater, especially a convertible. I just don't care for convertibles. If/when I can afford to have a practical daily driver and a weekend car... I still wouldn't buy one. I'd buy another motorcycle. Sorry...

timbo

...nothing wrong with Clarkson's reviews....


....he just forgets to add the Seinfeld epithet: "...not that there's anything wrong with that!"

ASH8

No sweat mate, I do understand what you are pointing out, I just find it unusual that you perhaps judge a car without having driven one thats all.

IMO a 2 seater convertible is more practical that a motorcycle.

But, hey mate you don't have to be sorry, we ALL have our own opinions and needs/wants, that's what makes the world interesting, it would be bloody boring life if we all thought the same and had the same type of transport.

I would personally have an MX-5 over a motorbike..anyday, again thats my preference.

Take it easy Japan 8, how is good old Tokyo, cold I bet, I had a great 2 weeks there in the 80's, concrete city, Rapongy was very "interesting ", and you live in Japan full time!

Japan8

Bit chilly here the past few weeks.

Sure a MX-5 is more practial than a bike, but if I am getting a "2nd" vehicle for fun which is allowed to be impractical... I'd rather have a bike. I've been an enthusiast since I was at least 3 years old... if not the cradle. However, once I finally rode a bike... there is nothing like riding a bike through the twisties... or a race track (Twin Ring Motegi rocks!)... or speeding down the highway...

I don't dislike the MX-5 based on anything that would change from driving it. that's why that makes no difference. Even if it drove so well that I thought the Porsche Cayman sucked... I'd still not want to buy one. Not into convertibles and I prefer more practical cars if I can only have one... which excludes all two seaters. I wouldn't even buy a convertible Mustang... I just plain and simple have absolutely no interest in ever owning a convertible.

I've sat in the original Miata when it came out... too damn small. And I was both shorter and much thinner then. I checked out the MX-5 at the Tokyo Motorshow... sat in it. Too low and too cramped. Plus the styling does nothing for me... and looks do count.

It's a great car for people who like that kind of thing. The Solstice/Sky don't surpass it in any category, but styling... however the overal package is close enough so that if I absolutely had to get one of these... I'd be in a Solstice or Sky over the MX-5... only moreso when the muscle versions come out.

Rupes

This sucks I thought this was a post about Kelly Clarkson "on a new MX-5"

Let me know when you get that pic, thx.

ASH8

No problems J8, one day when I convert you into a convertible , Just make sure you "drive" all three you mentioned first, then decide...OK

Now I would definitely do my **** (Aussie slang...even though I am male) over an MX-5 with a ROTARY, I think you know my views on that one, I would go out and get one tomorrow!, I reckon it may even raise your blood pressure a Little J8, but, then again

Japan8

^^ Well... a rotary MX-5 (RX-5?)... that could get my attention. Either way, if I somehow got converted to a convertible lover (no puns intended)... of course I'd drive them all before buying. That's the only way to shop.

Steiner

The UK had their PC movement about 10 years before we did. People are just outright sick of it over there.

And yes, the Miata is somewhat of a pillow-biters car.