why mazda miata so expensive

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
Since when are automakers charging by the pound?

Would be interesting if they did.

That Miata would cost around $10/lb. In terms of $/lb, it's quite a bit cheaper than say a new Harley. Both can be fun, although in different ways.

Here is what some other things cost in $/lb by comparison:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/maybach5.htm

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Mazda still doesn't make any cars in the US,

Isn't Mazda6 is made in the US?


was made alongside the mustang IIRC.

 

[kkreit01]

I've never drive one, but have read all the rave. It wouldn't be the car for me. I prefer "torque + straight-line acceleration" vs. "canyon carving". Besides that, I get carsick if taking curves/hills too fast

.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
I prefer "torque + straight-line acceleration" vs. "canyon carving". Besides that, I get carsick if taking curves/hills too fast

.

There are probably not too many canyons to be carved near Olathe, Kansas as well.

Sadly most of IL is the same way.

 

[mechtech2]

Spazdog -
Early Miata designers based the general look/feel/vibe to a Spitfire.
I loved my Triumph Spitfire.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Mazda still doesn't make any cars in the US,

Isn't Mazda6 is made in the US?


was made alongside the mustang IIRC.


No longer. Mazda announced a few months ago they were ceasing US production. They even closed their training centers in CA and WA, we have to send our techs to TX for training, major inconvenience.

Going back to the Miata, I always wished they made a true hardtop version. No folding top, just a hardtop that is integral to the body.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Spazdog -
Early Miata designers based the general look/feel/vibe to a Spitfire.
I loved my Triumph Spitfire.


I always heard/thought that they were aiming a little bit higher than that, like basing it on the Lotus Elan, no?

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Spazdog -
Early Miata designers based the general look/feel/vibe to a Spitfire.
I loved my Triumph Spitfire.


I got to drive them back to back. ('96 MX-5 Miata and '74 Spitfire 1500) Mazda didn't get the exhaust note right but everything else was incredibly good.

Should have never sold my Spitfire

 

[rjundi]

Interestingly the upcoming Alfa Romeo Spider will be a joint effort with the next generation Miata.

 

[antiqueshell]

The FIRST generation of Miata was truly an amazing drive. And the entry price was VERY affordable to boot, I never liked the subsequent versions as they grew bigger, heavier, and of course more expensive.

Mazda should aim for the original weight, dynamics, handling, and similar price for the next generation. Time to go back to their roots.

 

[frankm]

So buy a Ford F-150 or an oversized SUV and don't worry. The Miata wasn't for you.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Spazdog -
Early Miata designers based the general look/feel/vibe to a Spitfire.
I loved my Triumph Spitfire.


I got to drive them back to back. ('96 MX-5 Miata and '74 Spitfire 1500) Mazda didn't get the exhaust note right but everything else was incredibly good.

Should have never sold my Spitfire

that's funny, because I distinctively remember reading that they spent a lot of time tuning the exhaust to get it just right.
the miata is the perfect example of Asian engineering: target a benchmark, imitate, copy, refine, make it perfect. it has all the good parts of the traditional English roadster and one of the downsides.

 

[Cujet]

Having owned 3 Miata's, I'd have to admit that it's the perfect little sports car. They really are as close to driving perfection as is possible. Today's cars are numb, non responsive and boring to drive. A Miata is lively, responsive and very fun to drive.

Those things don't happen by accident. They were engineered into the car.

Yes, a Toyota Camry V6 will outperform a Miata. But, there is nothing fun about driving a Camry at the limits. The Miata is a wonderful car to push to it's limits (admittedly low limits) .

Watch this video all the way through. It illustrates the lowly Miata perfectly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkU9NaQ0-kA Yes, it's a modified car. But it illustrates the neutral handling, the flat cornering, the excellent braking, the ease of driving at the limit, corner after corner, time after time. Yes, it's fun!

 

[kkreit01]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: kkreit01
I prefer "torque + straight-line acceleration" vs. "canyon carving". Besides that, I get carsick if taking curves/hills too fast

.

There are probably not too many canyons to be carved near Olathe, Kansas as well.

Sadly most of IL is the same way.



This is very true. It's as flat as a pancake here -- kind of like where I grew up in ND. Once you get near the Lake of the Ozarks (MO), it gets hilly/curvy. There's also some in NE MO -- as we recently found out on a HW 71 detour.

 

[mechtech2]

antique -
EXACTLY!
The early ones were light and fun. Handling and braking were great - the whole general feel. the only thing was a lack of HP.
Now they are bloated ticks.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
antique -
EXACTLY!
The early ones were light and fun. Handling and braking were great - the whole general feel. the only thing was a lack of HP.
Now they are bloated ticks.


They'll still outbrake and outcorner most cars around.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
Yes, a Toyota Camry V6 will outperform a Miata.


I certainly hope you are implying in a straight line ONLY!!

 

[Zako2]

It would be cool if Mazda update Miata with a higher reving 2.0 engine, similar to Honda S2000 or perhaps added forced induction.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Zako2
It would be cool if Mazda update Miata with a higher reving 2.0 engine, similar to Honda S2000 or perhaps added forced induction.


They did and they allegedly will.

The Mazdaspeed Miata was turbocharged...if limited to 4000 cars a year.

Mazda has been threatening a SkyActiv Miata for awhile

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2

The early ones were light and fun. Handling and braking were great - the whole general feel. the only thing was a lack of HP.
Now they are bloated ticks.


Lack of horsepower is relative. It had more than double the horsepower of the MG Midget and Triumph Spitfire 1500s, more horsepower than the Porsche 914/6 (less torque of course) and similar output to the Alfa Romeo Spider (without the Spica fuel injection problems).

The "bloated tick" aspect was inevitable. We always heard about how the Z3 1.9 wasn't as agile but it was more "refined" (I disagree. My experience with bottom level Z3s was anything but.)
You still hear it. The Z4 isn't as agile but it's more "refined". Nevermind that you can buy a new and a lightly used Miata for the price of the Z4. Mazda kept adding ingredients to the original recipe