had a new miata follow me home last night

[genericuser]

those little suckers are QUICK! I left work a little early which meant my favorite twisty road was clear so I could do some fun driving. I get off route 202 and see a little blue speck in my mirror. At the light it catches up to me and its a new blue miata.. Pretty cool looking in person. I'm hammering it down as usual and this miata is pacing me. Now of course, I decide to make him dance and he keeps up.. I get to the two lane portion of the road, and we both stop at the stoplight.. he pulls up next to me and says "that's a quick 6 you have there, but I get to lead tomorrow." takes the left turn and I keep driving home.

 

[BradC]

Nice!

What was your impression seeing/hearing one in person?

 

[romecandleboy]

They do look a lot better in person. The styling is somewhat conservative but it's the kind of styling that won't wear out over the years. Most pics people see of the new MX-5 are of it sitting next to a Solstice, which kinda makes it look boring (which it's not) so maybe thats why we all think it's looks better in person. Sounds like a fun drive !!

 

[genericuser]

honestly I liked it a lot.. I liked the styling to begin with. the only color I had seen it in was silver.. I can honestly say the blue really made that car stand out.. I'd like to drive one if possible.

 

[kcbhiw]

After seeing one in person, I agree. They are sharp looking cars. I can't wait to test drive one.

 

[michaeldenham]

honestly I liked it a lot.. I liked the styling to begin with. the only color I had seen it in was silver.. I can honestly say the blue really made that car stand out.. I'd like to drive one if possible.

How was the exhaust? I've not heard a new one yet, but hopefully it's a bit louder and more interesting than on a stock mk2 (ie. like a mk1 ).

 

[SilverBulletES]

I think the styling of the NC will age very well. (Unlike the NB-- sorry just don't like it except in Mazdaspeed trim.)

PS
When you said "followed me home" I thought you meant you bought one. (smoke) That's one car I think I could make a stupid impulse buy on.

 

[Rickman]

I was quite surprised by how good it looks in person as well. I'm looking at a used '02, but while I was browsing around I looked over a new one... and it is really nice. The interior is nice too, except I like the arm rest in the last gen better.

-rick

 

[mpsnightkid]

100% agree look a ton better in person, Did any of you guys get to drive one yet at Zoom Zoom Live? Tons funner to drive then look at.

 

[MazKid]

I drove a 6 speed around the block at work a few weeks ago(we got the 3rd gen limited(which one of the saleswomen drove around, really pissed me off because it's a special edition car and whoever buys them is clearly an enthusiast and wants a mint car) then 2 weeks later got 2 6 speeds which sold pretty quick, then got a 6 speed and a 5 speed(currently in the showroom thanks to me!) and now an auto)...

All I can say is - WOW!!!!

Drove great...amazing...words can't describe it, it's like perfect. Perfect balance, power, feel, everything! It's just as fast as a MazdaSpeed(it felt like it anyway, we still have 2 MS Miatas left) but unlike the MS you don't have to wait for the boost to kick in at high RPM...the 2.3 feels just as strong at 2K as it does at 5K, it's stunning! Perfection. Ofcourse everything has a flaw - in the Miata's case it's those front bumper marker lights. Gah!

The only other thing I'm not completely happy with it, is that it's too gadgity...lost are the days of "pure" Miatas...sure the days of the 1.6L 5 speed with no radio, no AC, no power steering, etc are gone for a long time, but the 2nd gens atleast you could get a bare bones model for SCCA useage(or for the purist driver!), the 3rd gen you get too much stuff, and the price shows it.

Drove the auto in the parking lot a few days ago...amazing as well...no transmission hesitation..you hit the gas and it goes...between gears it's a little goofy but feels sporty nonetheless.

If I had the money I'd own one...I actually have the money, theoretically if I did payments, but still. Guess I'll have to settle for my BP powered Protege huh.

 

[miatafied]

Did you get a chance to compare the 5spd to the 6spd? There is a "base" model - the club spec (5spd, no A/C) that prices out around 20,995 MSRP - I'd say that's a pretty good entry level price. I got a chance to test drive one at one of the club's last events at a local mazda dealer - definitely a blast to drive! I have the 6spd sport with the sport suspension - it's amazing - the more I drive it, the more fun it is to drive. I have to really watch myself on the highway - it's just so responsive I have to resist the urge to "play" in traffic! The speed is almost unnoticeable - it's so smooth. Yesterday, I was simply entering the highway on the entrance ramp and I thought that the traffic was a little slow, until I looked down and realized that I was already at 80!

 

[MazKid]

Nah haven't driven the 5 speed much except in the parking lot - I try not to drive the cars that are in the showroom on the street; I don't want to dirty a piece of artwork.

I do know that I liked the NB 5 speed over the NB 6 speed, the 5 speed seemed to have more solid shifts and due to the longer gear ratios it stayed in a gear longer(well duh, but it's hard to explain what I mean).

I'd say that the NC is possibly the best Mazda to drive of all time. Sure, it's not the fastest, but as the advertizing campaign says, "Be The Car", and when you're driving it you feel like you are the car.