2016 Miata - R&T First Drive

[cbrsurfr]

Eh, the Miata's never been about big power and in all honesty I think a turbo engine is a poor fit for the car.

At 2200 pounds, 155 horsepower is quite sufficient. It won't be a straight line rocket but 0-60 in the mid sixes to low sevens isn't sluggish.

ZV

Eh I wouldn't call a 1.5T big power. Ford's 1.5 puts out 181/185 in stock trim.

 

[brainhulk]

Wow 2200 lbs. Amazing they were able to do that

 

[MongGrel]

The weight reduction and everything involved there is pretty impressive on the 2016.

I guess that is what they do, and they do it well.

I still think of my MX3 as a very well built go cart, more or less.

 

[Wuzup101]

Eh, the Miata's never been about big power and in all honesty I think a turbo engine is a poor fit for the car.

At 2200 pounds, 155 horsepower is quite sufficient. It won't be a straight line rocket but 0-60 in the mid sixes to low sevens isn't sluggish.

ZV

No, but it's a sports car. I agree that the Miata was never designed to be a high horsepower rocket, but I doubt you'll find may perspective owners who wouldn't love 30 more horse power (over that 155). As it sits, it'll be great fun in the curves and I'm sure a great driving car, but it's far from a straight line rocket. I actually think it would be more balanced at 185hp. Who want's their power to be described as "sufficient" in a sports car? This isn't a minivan.

 

[pauldun170]

No it doesn't. I have one, and use 87 as the manual calls for.

My mistake
My original source (skimmed and missed the part about the US version)
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/mazda-skyactiv-g-and-skyactiv-d-engines-news

Premium Fuel, Mid-Grade Output
Premium, 91-octane fuel is required for the Sky’s not-so-staggering 163 hp at 6000 rpm and 155 lb-ft at 4000, but Mazda is proud of its exceptionally wide torque band for enhanced real-world drivability. To enable running on regular gas, the U.S. version will have a compression ratio of 13:1, which means fuel economy and torque will diminish by about 3 to 5 percent, according to Mazda.

 

[Sulaco]

No, but it's a sports car. I agree that the Miata was never designed to be a high horsepower rocket, but I doubt you'll find may perspective owners who wouldn't love 30 more horse power (over that 155). As it sits, it'll be great fun in the curves and I'm sure a great driving car, but it's far from a straight line rocket. I actually think it would be more balanced at 185hp. Who want's their power to be described as "sufficient" in a sports car? This isn't a minivan.

You do realize that the Miata's power has only been "sufficient" for the last 25 years, right? That hasn't exactly stopped it from outlasting countless failed competitors, becoming the most road-raced car in the world, and one of the world's best-selling, highest rated sports cars.

I mean, sure, moar powr is always a plus, but this isn't exactly insurmountable territory for the MX-5.

 

[pauldun170]

You do realize that the Miata's power has only been "sufficient" for the last 25 years, right? That hasn't exactly stopped it from outlasting countless failed competitors, becoming the most road-raced car in the world, and one of the world's best-selling, highest rated sports cars.

I mean, sure, moar powr is always a plus, but this isn't exactly insurmountable territory for the MX-5.

Probably some of favorite my times behind the wheel have been in a first gen with anemic 1.6. Not only was it a first gen, it was a well worn first gen with probably 180K on the engine.

Could give 2 craps if someone was able to beat me stop light to stop light.
0 f's given.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Eh I wouldn't call a 1.5T big power. Ford's 1.5 puts out 181/185 in stock trim.

My point was that 155 hp with only 2,200 pounds to haul around is more than enough to make the car entertaining, so that's not a problem and that the power delivery profile of a turbocharged engine is not in keeping with the spirit of the car.

No, but it's a sports car. I agree that the Miata was never designed to be a high horsepower rocket, but I doubt you'll find may perspective owners who wouldn't love 30 more horse power (over that 155). As it sits, it'll be great fun in the curves and I'm sure a great driving car, but it's far from a straight line rocket. I actually think it would be more balanced at 185hp. Who want's their power to be described as "sufficient" in a sports car? This isn't a minivan.

I doubt you'll find many prospective owners of any sports car who wouldn't love an extra 30 horsepower over what the car already has.

Based on the power and the weight, it should manage 0-60 in the low to mid 6-second-range. That's quite quick. It's essentially the same as the 189 hp Mini Cooper S (which is a comparative porker at nearly 2,800 pounds).

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people that they don't understand that a 2,200 pound car is going to be plenty quick with 155 hp? Are we really that used to overweight pigs of cars?

ZV

 

[drbrock]

Car looks great. Reminds me a little of the Z4. If the current pricing stays the same 30k for a hard top convertible is pretty solid. Only hope they dress up the interior a bit.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I own an NA. It's garaged at my dad's in Atlanta. I drove it while visiting last weekend. What an amazing little car. A 1992 with 63K on the ODO! It runs flawlessly. It puts a smile on my face like no other car. And it does that because of its simplicity and ability to enjoy at legal speeds, especially around 35-65 mph on empty back roads.

The NA clearly lives on in the ND. My dad will be buying an ND to join mine in the garage. My guess is he'll wait a year and buy by spring 2016.

 

[Excelsior]

I like this, a lot. As a current S2000 owner, it's nice to know that Miata is not only still producing the Miata but doing it better than ever. I would replace my S2000 with one of these if I had to, without much hesitation.

Having a curb weight of around 2200 is insane for such a modern car. And for the record, this thing has as much torque as my S2K but weighs ~500lbs less, so....it'll be plenty quick.

 

[JCH13]

Worth noting that an un-optioned NA miata was in the 2100-2200lb range. Very impressive that the ND is in that weight range with more options, better safety equipment, etc.

 

[Zivic]

Who want's their power to be described as "sufficient" in a sports car? This isn't a minivan.

HP is not everything and people that simply look at HP and move on are probably hugely ignorant. Those same people aren't looking at a miata anyways calling it a chick car. they don't look at the big picture and overall package this car offers.

Wish I had a few more dollars and a bigger garage. I just have too many cars I already don't have time to drive.

 

[JCH13]

No, but it's a sports car. I agree that the Miata was never designed to be a high horsepower rocket, but I doubt you'll find may perspective owners who wouldn't love 30 more horse power (over that 155). As it sits, it'll be great fun in the curves and I'm sure a great driving car, but it's far from a straight line rocket. I actually think it would be more balanced at 185hp. Who want's their power to be described as "sufficient" in a sports car? This isn't a minivan.

Some people will *always* want more power. This isn't the car for them. The Miata is a car for drivers who enjoy the 98% of driving that isn't interstate on-ramps or stop lights.

Furthermore: a car can be balanced (in the sense of suspension) at any power level. The 93 raging WHP of the original Miata was sufficient to induce throttle steering, it was/still is a hilarious amount of fun to drive at that power level.

 

[Midwayman]

Looks like a ton of fun if you live somewhere with nice twisty roads, or are buying it as a track toy. I'd love one just as a toy. However out here in flatland, the only real thrill is straight line acceleration. :\

 

[pauldun170]

Looks like a ton of fun if you live somewhere with nice twisty roads, or are buying it as a track toy. I'd love one just as a toy. However out here in flatland, the only real thrill is straight line acceleration. :\

One other thing the Miata has in its pocket is that when all else fails, its still one of the cheapest convertibles on the market.
Even for someone who could care less about handling or acceleration, a Miata is probably best way to enter the drop top market.

 

[Midwayman]

One other thing the Miata has in its pocket is that when all else fails, its still one of the cheapest convertibles on the market.
Even for someone who could care less about handling or acceleration, a Miata is probably best way to enter the drop top market.

Yah, fair enough. However our weather isn't exactly conducive to having a drop top most of the year either. Still its a neat car. If I lived elsewhere I'd be very interested.

 

[Bull Dog]

I personally don't care for convertibles. I would find a coupe option to be a more compelling choice.

 

[drbrock]

I personally don't care for convertibles. I would find a coupe option to be a more compelling choice.

You would not be happy with a hard top convertible? Or are they not going to have that their first year?

 

[Sulaco]

You would not be happy with a hard top convertible? Or are they not going to have that their first year?

The PRHT will not be available for the first year.

It's also not a true coupe, at all. And I've owned one. They're exceptional, but for different reasons.

 

[KeithP]

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people that they don't understand that a 2,200 pound car is going to be plenty quick with 155 hp? Are we really that used to overweight pigs of cars?

Plenty quick? I would say just adequately quick (I know, splitting hairs ).

But put two people in the car on a warm day and see what happens when trying to accelerate for a pass on the freeway. Or even worse, doing so at any elevation much above sea level.

I think the writer of the preview did a great job of dancing around the fact that the car does not accelerate quickly. I would not expect the US engine to help the situation much.

Don't get me wrong, from what I have seen I think this is going to be a fantastic car and a ball to drive when the road gets curvy. However, anyone that nails the throttle driving in a straight line is going to notice its power limitations.

-KeithP

 

[pauldun170]

Plenty quick? I would say just adequately quick (I know, splitting hairs ).

But put two people in the car on a warm day and see what happens when trying to accelerate for a pass on the freeway. Or even worse, doing so at any elevation much above sea level.

-KeithP

Having driven a couple of generations, several times with a big ole fatty in the passenger seat I'd say the car does just fine passing.
Drop a gear and go...

 

[JCH13]

*sigh* Complaining that you don't think a Miata won't accelerate well is like complaining that a screw driver doesn't make a good hammer. While it is technically correct, if you're using a screw driver as a hammer you're doing it wrong.

 

[IronWing]

I missed out on the S2000. This looks tempting. One cup holder would be rough.

 

[brainhulk]

I missed out on the S2000. This looks tempting. One cup holder would be rough.

I don't know about this car, but with the s2000-any drink in the cup holder hits your shifting arm.

I don't put drinks in the cup holder