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-   -   R&T short article on changes in new 2019 Mazda Miata (https://www.rx8club.com/general-automotive-49/r-t-short-article-changes-new-2019-mazda-miata-267523/)

gwilliams6 04-09-2018 02:15 PM

R&T short article on changes in new 2019 Mazda Miata
 
https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...ws&date=040918

New Yorker 04-09-2018 03:48 PM

Thanks, cool. I've owned three already, but have to admit I'm considering a fourth. Still love the 8, though. And I can only have one car. I really shouldn't have any. But no CD player? Could be deal breaker for me.

nicklevin1979 04-22-2018 12:25 AM

i want i want i want

UnknownJinX 04-22-2018 02:05 AM


Originally Posted by New Yorker (Post 4857292)
But no CD player? Could be deal breaker for me.

Move everything to your phone, done.

Or buy an old iPod/iPod knockoff for $20, move everything on there, done.

And no, you won't notice the difference unless you are a huge audiophile.

I am actually glad that my factory navigation unit hides the CD ports. Can't even remember the last time I see someone with a music CD.

wannawankel 04-22-2018 09:49 AM


Originally Posted by UnknownJinX (Post 4858419)
Move everything to your phone, done.

Or buy an old iPod/iPod knockoff for $20, move everything on there, done.

And no, you won't notice the difference unless you are a huge audiophile.

I am actually glad that my factory navigation unit hides the CD ports. Can't even remember the last time I see someone with a music CD.

I actually like having the CD player - reasons:
  • far better audio quality
  • prevents SiriusXM interruptions
  • can take a large collection with me on a trip

UnknownJinX 04-22-2018 12:26 PM

1 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by wannawankel (Post 4858435)
I actually like having the CD player - reasons:
  • far better audio quality
  • prevents SiriusXM interruptions
  • can take a large collection with me on a trip

The quality, like I mentioned, isn't really a concern for me. To each of their own, I don't really think I can tell much of a difference, especially with the road noise, and sometimes I find that I don't even listen to music at all if I am out for a spirited drive.

XM interruption isn't all that common for me. Might be more common for different locations.

And isn't a phone/iPod more convenient than a bunch of discs?

I just think it makes sense for the manufacturer to get rid of a feature that 99% of the population don't use anymore. The only thing the CD slot is good for for most folks is that there are those CD slot phone mounts you can buy.

It's kinda like wanting car manufacturers to give you a tape player like my 99 Corolla had.

hornbm 04-28-2018 11:04 AM

What would really make the difference is the ability to play high res audio.

Steve Dallas 05-01-2018 07:50 AM


Originally Posted by UnknownJinX (Post 4858442)
The quality, like I mentioned, isn't really a concern for me. To each of their own, I don't really think I can tell much of a difference, especially with the road noise, and sometimes I find that I don't even listen to music at all if I am out for a spirited drive.

XM interruption isn't all that common for me. Might be more common for different locations.

And isn't a phone/iPod more convenient than a bunch of discs?

I just think it makes sense for the manufacturer to get rid of a feature that 99% of the population don't use anymore. The only thing the CD slot is good for for most folks is that there are those CD slot phone mounts you can buy.

It's kinda like wanting car manufacturers to give you a tape player like my 99 Corolla had.

I like my the CD changer in my RX-8 and use it all the time. I burn mp3 playlists onto 6 CDs and put them in the changer. Each CD holds roughly 100 medium quality songs. The changer just plays them seamlessly, and I don't have to futz with my phone in the car.

And, when I want higher quality sound, I can have it with real CDs.

UnknownJinX 06-02-2018 01:58 AM

After reading these replies, I actually decided to give the CD a try.

The reason is that, like people mentioned, I'd rather have my hands completely off my phone as I am driving. Also, blank CDs don't cost much and I have a DVD/CD writer sitting around.

With the 320 kbps songs, the quality is very good. It has the advantage of not being interrupted like Sirius XM sometimes does.

One nice bonus I found is that the Bose Centerpoint only works with CDs on S2 RX-8s with Bose. It doesn't work with anything else AM, FM, XM or AUX. The Centerpoint works really well in the car and simulates a surround sound. Pretty cool.

Guess that CD player isn't as useless as I thought it is, though on newer cars, I can see how they are being replaced by CarPlay/Auto.

New Yorker 06-02-2018 08:39 AM

I’m an avid audiophile; I can hear the difference between CD and other audio sources. The difference is slight to none in a car - particularly a noisy roadster - but at home, no contest. And I prefer having one medium for both home and car. So if I get one - big “if,” as I still love the 8 - I might go for a CD-equipped ‘18.

That said, if you can’t hear a difference between CD and ripped music - and most people can’t, or don’t care - why bother with CD? Go for convenience.


UnknownJinX 06-02-2018 05:53 PM


Originally Posted by New Yorker (Post 4861528)
I’m an avid audiophile; I can hear the difference between CD and other audio sources. The difference is slight to none in a car - particularly a noisy roadster - but at home, no contest. And I prefer having one medium for both home and car. So if I get one - big “if,” as I still love the 8 - I might go for a CD-equipped ‘18.

That said, if you can’t hear a difference between CD and ripped music - and most people can’t, or don’t care - why bother with CD? Go for convenience.


I burn mp3 files to CD, so the quality isn't as good as a CD bought from a store. Regardless, I like it.

If the 2019 MX-5 has more power then I think that will be a winner. The current 6800 redline is pretty pathetic, seeing how my 08 Accord V6(lots of more moving parts) has the same redline while an Accord I4 EX-L from the same year has a 7200 redline, and that was for a family car. There is definitely more room for more power.

Hi Flying 8 08-22-2018 11:03 AM

After reading several articles on the 2019 MX-5, I see many rave reviews (other than the price) but I don't see what transmission they have put in the car.
the original tranny was trash and I believe they put in a heavier duty unit in as the replacement. However, in the recent Motor Trend article, the author said he loved the 2016 that he owned until the original tranny sheared its gears and then the replacement did the same. With significantly higher Revs than the old engine, if the transmission is not beefed up, I see many failures upcoming.
Anyone have any input?

Steve Dallas 08-23-2018 07:59 AM

I have no verified information to add. I can only say that the Fiat version uses the old NC trans, which is a nice unit. Hopefully Mazda went back to that one.

furansu 08-23-2018 02:56 PM

Mazda is and likely always will be hush-hush about the root-cause of the Sky-M gearbox, but looking at the parts replacement in each transmission revision, it infers the challenge was partially related to manufacturing faults with the 2nd gearset, metallurgical specification for the surrounding assemblies, and even a concern with case flex affecting gear mesh.

It'll take time before we really know what other changes took place that Mazda marketing didn't see fit to share, especially since they still have lots of 2018's still on the lots to sell. Visually, the engine block has changed, including what appears to be an additional bell-housing bolt location and reinforcement webbing. The lower-bolt position matches the larger 2.5L engines, so it is possible they are matching components across the 2.0 and 2.5 now. Previously, the SkyActiv motors were physically scaled around their displacement, including the attached components. Always seemed wasteful to require a dedicated parts for each displacement package to fit the size, but Mazda claimed weight savings was made possible this way versus the previous shared casting model. The part number for the transmission has changed, but several internal components are still the same as the last revision Mazda was shipping for the 155bhp cars.

155bhp 2.0L Sky-G (ND1) versus 181bhp 2.0L Sky-G (ND2)
https://www.flyinmiata.com/news/images/Engine-copy.jpg
(Image source: Flyin'Miata)

Mazda3 2.5L Sky-G
http://www.motorreviewer.com/images/...SkyActiv_G.jpg
(Image source: Autoblog)

They won't have reverted to the NC transmission as that goes against their corporate mission and efforts with the SkyActiv programs. They will continue to revise the Sky-M as-needed to meet their original design goals (lower drive losses and lower weight) while resolving any durability concerns.

My 2016 suffered transmission failure at 11,000 miles and was replaced with a Rev2 transmission that felt slightly better and did not fail after another 16,000 miles of hard use. I sold it and presume it is serving the new owner well, though some have seen failures in Rev2 transmissions as well. Mazda was up to Rev4 on the last ND1 cars.

ASH8 08-27-2018 10:34 PM


Originally Posted by New Yorker (Post 4861528)
I’m an avid audiophile


:)
Me too!!, for many decades and you will NEVER convince me that Digital is better than Analog.

Yes it has vastly improved over the years, but the improvements are not at the 'source' but in the delivery of...a pig is still a pig no matter what you do.
Digital is Digital it can not be altered, how it is transmitted and amplified to analog speakers is where the human ear adjusts and notices.

There really can not be any difference between an album of Music that is Digital on a CD Disk over that of a Digital Musical File on a phone or
Digital hard drive or flash drive, they are all the same.

Reluctantly I have personally had to adjust to what a studio engineer says is right sound quality to what others who know what analog think.
I have spend a fortune on state of the art hardware and software and still IMO nothing competes with a properly made analog vinyl album
through a studio reference turntable, through quality Amplifiers and the final Speakers.

My friend owns a Retail Outlet for high end home sound and visual.
Time and time again he and we and I see those who invest in new hardware the wrong way around.
Improve the Source First, Then Amplification, then Speakers in that order.
Having the Best Speakers money can buy and using a cheap turntable will always sound crap.
Where a good source (Turntable or CD player) through average Amp or Speakers will always sound better.

And agree in Automobiles (like Mazda) unless it is built like a tank (like a Bentley), ANY internal vibrations destroy the signal and end experience.
Everyone has the ability to listen to quality sound, they just have to be shown it.

I recall when I was a young musical know it all that POWER was all the go and all I needed, I slowly built up some great analog pieces
made in Scotland, but there was one missing part of my new system that I was waiting on, the Amplifier, that being a "Yamaha" 1200 watt per channel,
I also had new pair of huge tall ADR Floor Speakers, had it all ready, but no Pre-AMP/Amp. So my store friend loaned me this small and VERY Simple
NAIM (expensive) 70 watt pre- and main amp.
Plugged it all in a thought WOW this sounds fantastic!, could not wait for my new Yamaha 1200 watt Amps which would blow this NAIM amp out
of the water, well when the Yamaha arrived and plugged it in I was never more disappointed with a purchase ever!, compared to the little NAIM Amp 'loaner' the
Yammy sounded bloody terrible, it was Harsh, Hard and had no soul, my ears had been conditioned to hearing rock music on that small NAIM Amp.
Consequently store owner agreed to refund the Yammy and I bought a new 5 times the price way less power NAIM Amp.

To this day, to me Digital is still a long way from REAL Music as it will never overtake great Analog.

From that day I was converted that power and size means nothing, in fact it can be detrimental to listening pleasure..
Sorry to go off topic. :)

ASH8 08-27-2018 11:15 PM


Originally Posted by furansu (Post 4868656)
Mazda is and likely always will be hush-hush about the root-cause of the Sky-M gearbox, but looking at the parts replacement in each transmission revision, it infers the challenge was partially related to manufacturing faults with the 2nd gearset, metallurgical specification for the surrounding assemblies, and even a concern with case flex affecting gear mesh.

It'll take time before we really know what other changes took place that Mazda marketing didn't see fit to share, especially since they still have lots of 2018's still on the lots to sell. Visually, the engine block has changed, including what appears to be an additional bell-housing bolt location and reinforcement webbing. The lower-bolt position matches the larger 2.5L engines, so it is possible they are matching components across the 2.0 and 2.5 now. Previously, the SkyActiv motors were physically scaled around their displacement, including the attached components. Always seemed wasteful to require a dedicated parts for each displacement package to fit the size, but Mazda claimed weight savings was made possible this way versus the previous shared casting model. The part number for the transmission has changed, but several internal components are still the same as the last revision Mazda was shipping for the 155bhp cars.

They won't have reverted to the NC transmission as that goes against their corporate mission and efforts with the SkyActiv programs. They will continue to revise the Sky-M as-needed to meet their original design goals (lower drive losses and lower weight) while resolving any durability concerns.

My 2016 suffered transmission failure at 11,000 miles and was replaced with a Rev2 transmission that felt slightly better and did not fail after another 16,000 miles of hard use. I sold it and presume it is serving the new owner well, though some have seen failures in Rev2 transmissions as well. Mazda was up to Rev4 on the last ND1 cars.

I will do a complete Mazda OEM EPC Part Number comparison of all the new Parts (Engine and Transmission) that tells me what has changed, but not necessarily 'why' and Mazda never really says why unless it can be used as Marketing Spin at point of sale. Mazda very rarely tells all the story.

As far as the C66M-R 6 Speed Manual Transmission used in all ND's up until the new engine ND2, I beleive this Trans was and is still fundamentally flawed as it was Never initially designed to take the extra power of the 2.0L Engine, It was only engineered for a 1.5 Litre engine and it's Power output...Now Mazda will never say this...but, 1.5l 6MT failures are almost non existent, I know of 1 in Europe.

I will say this again as I have said before, while I am obviously not an engineer, Mazda strives constantly to make their cars lighter in weight, particularly the MX-5/Miata.
From memory they stripped 27 lbs from the old and obsolete NC P66M-D Transmission, both are 6 speed, both are alloy made. Again that is a lot of weight to shave off.

My point being at what stage does this shaving off 'matter' to save weight and therefore manufacturing costs does this 'lightness' interfere in and with all parts reliability?

Steve Dallas 08-28-2018 08:11 AM


Originally Posted by ASH8 (Post 4868925)
:)

[snip]

My friend owns a Retail Outlet for high end home sound and visual.
Time and time again he and we and I see those who invest in new hardware the wrong way around.
Improve the Source First, Then Amplification, then Speakers in that order.
Having the Best Speakers money can buy and using a cheap turntable will always sound crap.
Where a good source (Turntable or CD player) through average Amp or Speakers will always sound better.


[/snip]

I disagree. If you don't have good speakers, you can't hear any changes you make upstream. Buying the best speakers you can afford first makes your other purchases more satisfying.

Caveat: unless we are talking about going from good speakers to great speakers, where the law of diminishing returns starts to apply.


UnknownJinX 08-28-2018 12:29 PM

Pardon my ignorance, but isn't a Miata softtop kinda noisy anyway?

Personally, I don't really pay attention to sounds. As long as it sounds like the stock system in the RX-8 or the 8th Gen EX-L Accord, I am not complaining. Gonna hear the engine buzzing away anyway.

The only thing I occasionally have wanted is a big subwoofer, but the kind of trunk space I am working with on the 8... Yeah, not happening.

furansu 08-28-2018 12:29 PM


Originally Posted by ASH8 (Post 4868926)
As far as the C66M-R 6 Speed Manual Transmission used in all ND's up until the new engine ND2, I beleive this Trans was and is still fundamentally flawed as it was Never initially designed to take the extra power of the 2.0L Engine, It was only engineered for a 1.5 Litre engine and it's Power output...Now Mazda will never say this...but, 1.5l 6MT failures are almost non existent, I know of 1 in Europe.

I will say this again as I have said before, while I am obviously not an engineer, Mazda strives constantly to make their cars lighter in weight, particularly the MX-5/Miata.
From memory they stripped 27 lbs from the old and obsolete NC P66M-D Transmission, both are 6 speed, both are alloy made. Again that is a lot of weight to shave off.

My point being at what stage does this shaving off 'matter' to save weight and therefore manufacturing costs does this 'lightness' interfere in and with all parts reliability?

It'll be interesting to see the gearbox in the new ones (if different). They were proud of the weight savings, especially around the case design, which may have factored into failures due to flex. I think you're right; they engineering the 1.5L transmission then late in the game they added the 2.0L and just used what they had, hoping the safety margin was large enough.

New Yorker 08-28-2018 02:35 PM


Originally Posted by UnknownJinX (Post 4868958)
Pardon my ignorance, but isn't a Miata soft top kinda noisy anyway?

Not when you're parked – engine off – overlooking the Hudson River on a warm autumn evening. Remarkably quiet.

Steve Dallas 08-28-2018 08:33 PM


Originally Posted by UnknownJinX (Post 4868958)
Pardon my ignorance, but isn't a Miata softtop kinda noisy anyway?

Personally, I don't really pay attention to sounds. As long as it sounds like the stock system in the RX-8 or the 8th Gen EX-L Accord, I am not complaining. Gonna hear the engine buzzing away anyway.

<strong>The only thing I occasionally have wanted is a big subwoofer, but the kind of trunk space I am working with on the 8... Yeah, not happening.</strong>

It's too bad the photos in this thread were eaten:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-in...thread-246297/

I go to great lengths to take measurements and detail how to improve the factory Bose stereo, including adding a JL Audio 10" sub and Alpine 500W amp with ample room left in the trunk. Sounds great for a car stereo, if you are into tight bass.

I a homeless at the moment, while I wait for my house to be built, so I don't have access to most of my photos and can't re-post them.

I think this is the successor to the sub I used:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_136933...0LG-TW1-2.html

And this is the amp:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500MRV...-MRV-M500.html

All these years later, the sub box is still installed via friction using a black bath towel. It has never moved a millimeter, including after a few dozen track days.

Not bad at all for under $500.

Loki 08-29-2018 07:57 AM

Hey, I'm really interested in following your footsteps on the audio front. Been bugging me for a while, and I do already have dynamat for the doors (but not in said doors ;))

No idea if the S1 Bose is at all similar, but guessing it can't be far off.

​​​​​​What did you end up using in the front woofer position? I haven't had a chance to read your thread in full, might be good to throw what your final happy config is into the first post

Steve Dallas 08-30-2018 07:24 AM

I have not done anything since updating the first post in that thread. I bought a set of speakers and an amp, but never installed them. It sounds good enough now, assuming I keep the fader set to +2 or +3F. If I don't do that, the rear speakers reveal too much of the EQ filters built into the Bose amp, but the rears are just for fill anyway, right?


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