Drove past my dealer today, they had a bright red 2006 'NC' Miata (ehemm MX-5) displayed right out front. So I swung in to take look. They had a few colors on the lot, I think I like it best in red or white. Too bad there's no yellow!

My first impressions, very nice - looks just like how it looks in the car mags. The interior was good, but I think I like the interior of the 2nd gen better and the exterior style of the 1st gen Miata still as the best. But don't get me wrong, the new MX-5 is a very nice car inside and out. Looks small and nimble, but yet more roomy than the old Miata. The leather on the steering wheel seemed of better quality than that on our RX-8. The 6 spd shift action felt very similar, although I didn't actually drive the car.

The sales guy said they had the cars for about a week now. Actually, the Big Island of Hawaii is where Mazda chose to debut the MX-5 to press a few months back, and I think the dealers here might have gotten them a little early compared to other parts of the US.

 

hmm, might have to swing by a dealership soon to check one out in person.

If they truly are arriving, I'm sure that the Southern CA dealerships are getting them. (considering MNAO is just around the corner) *crossing fingers*

Thanks RX-Hachi

 

might have to go down to browning maxda in cerritos...

 

I recall when the RX-8 was first released, Hawaii was one of the first states to get them as Mazda ships directly to our port. We're a little bit closer to Japan than the West Coast, but I'd think many S. Cal dealers should have 'em by now or will be getting them real soon.

The funny thing was, while I was looking at the new Miata, a group of sales guys huddled around looking at my car. Apparently they liked the little exterior mods I had done and they had not seen a Lightning Yellow in a while. (Unlike other parts of the US, by Jan. '05 there were no '04 RX-8 left overs here.)

Anyway, when I have more time, think I'll head back to take the new Roadster for a spin...

 

The just recently did the public debut of the car in Hawaii...hence you seeing them, there was a lot of press on it. We should start to see them state side in a few weeks. early-mid september is my guess, of course its gonna start on the west coast and work slowly east.

 

^right. but these are new cars at the dealers ready to be sold, not the press cars.

 

Stopped back again to take the new Miata for a test drive. Fun stuff.

Nice exhaust sound, a little raspy. The power is ok, but I think I'd go for the old NB MS Miata if I were after power. The handling is great as expected, but I wouldn't say it's way better than the RX-8. It's lighter and more agile for sure, but seemed a little softer. The ride was firm but quite compliant as well.

All in all, a very nice package. But somehow I still like the original NA Miata the best and think I'd opt for a left over '05 MS Miata over the new NC. Anyway, here are a few pics.

 

i dont like the aluminum on the steering wheel but still looks excellent !
the miata should be able to outhandle the 8 because of its weight and size

p.s. damn hawaii's skies look nice -____-

 

So hasn't the new MX-5 arrived at other dealers yet? I'm curious about what you guys think about the new car.

 

The new MX-5 is awesome!!! I would not mind have this car as a weekend toy. Personally I think this car is better than the s2000. Easy/cheap to mod, cheap to run, RWD, and light weight. But why are there automatics for this car?! That's sacrilege :D

 

Thought that I would throw this in....

I was at the Woodward Dream Cruise last Friday night. While sitting on my lawn chair on the edge of the road watching tons of NICE cars, I saw a LARGE fire-truck coming down Woodward. The fire truck had all its lights, siren, and horn going. As it got closer (this was stop and go traffic, mostly stop), I saw that there were large flood-light shining on 'something' on top of it. When it passed me, that 'something' sitting on TOP OF THE FIRETRUCK all lit up with the floodlights, was a shiny brand new red MX-5! How cool is that?!?!? There was also signs 'announcing' the arrival of the new MX-5 posted on the firetruck. Very cool.

 

My local Mazda dealer has a red one... it says "3rd generation limited edition" they have a dealer markup of $4,000.

 

Well they do have the limited editions ones that have some nice metallic silver painted wheels, chrome trim inside and out, and special badging and numbering--so its a little bit more than just a reason to markup. I think this is probably my favorite Miata thus far--a 97 Miata was my first car ever--I just didn't like its bugeye headlights--the aftermarket quad units looked badass on the 1st gens.

 

apotocki, if I remember correctly that's also what they did out here in CA recently.

The MX-5 was sitting on top of the fire truck while being flanked by a bunch of the So Cal Miata guys as they pulled up to MNAO.

 

wow. never noticed how large the front fenders are. Pic. with the White one really shows of those fenders. Def. more masculine than the previous gens.

 

Yea it had all that. The chrome trim is really nice!

 

i know out this way, the dealerships i spoke to last nigh said they wont get any until late september or october... so we have to wait a while to see it...

i like how the front bumper is one piece with the fenders (from what i can see in the pictures). although if you ever hit someone it may be a pain on the pocket book...

 

There is a dealer here in orlando, Classic Mazda East, that has gotten a few new miatas, and I saw one (first one in person) just yesterday on the way home. being a miata owner, I like my year the best, 99-00, first year for the new NB body style...01 saw a slight revision. But its still a good looking car!

 

I took one out for a test drive and its a nice lil car that might just well take on THE 8.
Some Socal Dealers has them the one i went to was in riverside. its red byu the way.

 

Wow, good eye! I didn't notice it, but now that you mention it, it is cool! Does that mean the fenders are polyurethane too? On a side note, I like little design innovations such as this....example: I like the rear ends of 350z and the G35 coupe, because theyre breaking new grounds in design....they don't have conventional "bumber looking" rear ends or "shelves". I wish the Rx-8's behind was a little more innovative.

 

I had to do a double take, it really did look to be one piece. It looks that way especially on red, but in this pic of the white's side you can see that the front bumper is separate.

 

The one I saw was gunmetal and it looked pretty hot!

 

Hmmmm....is it just me or does it look like the car is a 4x4?!?!? (the red one looks lifted!)
I'm sure that springs will be in order for most folks buying this car.
With that said, however, I think Mazda did a great job with the re-design. Wonder how far behind a MS version will be? (my guess is next year!)

 

damn....well, it still looks cool anyways. :D

 

I took my car in for service yesterday and my salesman stopped back in the waiting room, pointed at me and waved me over. When I went over he told me to tell him that I was interested in test driving the brand new mx-5. So I said, "umm....ya...sure" and he said, "that's all I needed." He ran out into the show room and grabbed the key and announced that we were taking the first test drive. Apparently, the car just arrived late the night before and no one drove it yet.

The car is very nice! It has a solid feel and is very sharp aesthetically. This will definitely give the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice something to try and keep up with.