Inside info on buying a new MX5 ND

[hks_kansei]

How long until we see the Fiat badged models?

Who knows, or cares?

Being essentially the same car i'm sure a lot of potential buyers would care.

For all we know Fiat may release the better car?
Maybe the Fiat will look better? be faster? handle better?

It could also end up being noticeably more expensive too.


Basically, other than existing fans, a lot of people are likely to want to see the whole range released before they sign the paper. And the Fiat is in a way, part of that range.




In saying that, I expect the Fiat to be aimed at a vastly different demographic to the MX5. Neither company are stupid, and neither would want to step on each other's toes, I expect there have been agreements that Mazda takes the cheaper "youthful" market with teh MX5, while Fiat go for the more expensive "premium" market with whatever they call theirs.

[rjastra2]

Final astonishing fact: If the price of $29,990 for the lovely (I agree Michael) NA in 1989 was increased by a conservative 2.5% inflation per year, and not adjusted for how much more you get in the car now, the ND would now be $55,600 for the 1.5 ROADSTER manual. You'll actually pay less than 2/3rds of that!

You can't use that logic. There was a 40% import tariff on the MX5 in 1990 which no longer exists.
The cheapest mazda 323 in 1990 was $18K - cheapest Mazda 3 now is 20.5K. And the difference in standard features is even more striking than the NA -> ND.

Maybe a better example is the first NC in 2005 (2L engine,base model) - $42K (before on roads). Add 10 yrs of inflation like above --> $54000.

So the NC wasnt the ripoff we thought - the NA was

[rjastra2]

In saying that, I expect the Fiat to be aimed at a vastly different demographic to the MX5. Neither company are stupid, and neither would want to step on each other's toes, I expect there have been agreements that Mazda takes the cheaper "youthful" market with teh MX5, while Fiat go for the more expensive "premium" market with whatever they call theirs.

The Fiat (124 Spider i think its called) should have a range of turbo powerplants (Multiair)

[pcmx5]

As much as I love MX5's not even the most devoted fan could ever say that they have ever come with a refined state of the art engine.I will probably end up in a 2 ltr ND at some stage but would love to see something like the Alfa multi that won engine of the year a couple of years ago in one just as I would love to have seen a Renault 2 ltrs NA out of a Clio or the turbo out of the RS250 .(Incidently my nephews RS250 is now over 140000 klms and has been utterly reliable)
So maybe not the right post but like HKS I care and am interested,we must not get TOO precious about the ND its a bloody good car at a great price but is still what it is.
I still have the original owners receipt for my 96 LE and it was a whopping $50990 including air on the road so the ND pricing is amazing, Congratulations to Toyota/Subaru for setting the price point and Mazda for meeting it.

Let's just all enjoy it while we can.

Peter.

[bootz]

OK the price is exactly what I predicted a year ago, but $6000 premium for the 'GT'' and also we don't get the Club?

[pcmx5]

[quote="bootz"]OK the price is exactly what I predicted a year ago.

I think you and me both Bootz!!

Peter.

[davekmoore]

Congratulations to Toyota/Subaru for setting the price point and Mazda for meeting it. Let's just all enjoy it while we can.Peter.

Fair comment.

[davekmoore]

Japan

[emu]

Well, I've got mine , an auto red Roadster, and I couldn't be happier.
I've dríven all manner of NA's NB's and NC's, standard , turbo'd , s'charged, rotary etc , since buying my first NA new in 1989 for $31,950 with a/con , and I've owned and raced I don't know how many NA's over the years , and I just can't believe how good the ND's are for the same price as the NA's.

I only picked it up yesterday , but first impressions are that the gears lock in well enough to match my Collingrove Hillclimb times in the manual NA, and it'll certainly do well at Mallala when I get the chance next month.

But just as a daily driver, the responsive drive , handling , top quality tyres , specs ,equipment , features and finish are just unbelievably good value.

And , unexpectedly , I much prefer the dash of the Roadster , as against the GT with it's silly-UN Sports Car high dash screen , and I prefer the silver wheels of the Roadster to the black on the GT
And at first glance , the 4 stud x 100 pcd hubs and brakes look as though they will accept my NA's 15" wide lightweight track wheels and sticky tyres ,......I'll try fitting them later this week.
Now , to find a lucky buyer for my 130,000 km NA.

[davekmoore]

Tan interior.jpg

At Mazda head office today.
Somehow the pic goes the right way up when you click it.
Apparently I'm better at looking after Mazda customers than taking pics of Mazdas.

[zero00]

Tan interior.jpg

At Mazda head office today.
Somehow the pic goes the right way up when you click it.
Apparently I'm better at looking after Mazda customers than taking pics of Mazdas.

YUK!! [Still upside down for me when clicked]

[Mr Morlock]

Dave that interior - thats going to divide the troops.

[taminga16]

I took the time to stop by Bendigo Mazda and view a Ceramic GT with black leather trim, the colour wasn't terribly inspiring but I was impressed with the finish of the interior, I am not a fan of "black" wheels and found the lack of a glove compartment rather odd. It would be nice if the info screen was to fold away. It is my intention to drive one and as soon as I can see myself clear, I intend contacting my dear friend and favourite Mazda salesperson (I have purchased six from her) and going to lunch somewhere in the Yarra Valley or the Dandenongs.
Greg.

[davekmoore]

Ceramic took 3 days to grow on me.

Maybe a 1.5 Roadster buyer might be persuaded to swap their silver wheels with a set of gunmetal ones from a 1.5 Roadster GT?
Or just go the 2.0 Roadster GT. That'll have bright silver wheels whereas the 2.0L Roadster has silver ones. And you'll get 17s instead of 16s. Yes, it's confusing.
The same reversing of options happens with the door mirror colours between the 1.5 and 2.0.

Did you find the glove box between and behind the seats? And were the stowage spaces behind the seats pointed out to you?

MZD is built in to the dash on the CX5 and M6 as these dashes are tall enough (in bigger cars). In M2, M3, CX3 and MX5 the MZD screen is designed to sit on the dash to allow room for the HVAC in these smaller cars. Your test drive will confirm it isn't in the way when driving.

[taminga16]

Thanks Dave, I found the between the seats cuddy (sans NC) but was not directed to the under seat storage. I wasn't concerned about the MZD being in the way, it just looks 'stuck on'. A drive will sort things out.
Greg.