124 Fastback. Any truth in one coming ?

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

I got an mx5 because I wanted a rear drive manual sports car at a price I could afford. I didn't want a drop top, but the MX5 was my only choice.

After owning the MX5 it turned out the drop top is super fun, not something I ever would have learned I liked without owning one.

I don't think targa tops etc a real solution. There's a difference between a big sunroof and a convertible.

But, of course, everyone enjoys different things. I think all the options mazda throws around represent how diverse the buying preference is. The only thing that surprised me was the move back to manual cloth after we'd gone automatic hard. I thought that would be a one-way street.

[rascal]

The only thing that surprised me was the move back to manual cloth after we'd gone automatic hard. I thought that would be a one-way street.

If automatic hardtop didn't have the weight penalty it would have been one way street. Since it did, it isn't.

[Mr Morlock]

I would guess that Mazda offered the ND with the soft top to see if the car was going to have a good market take up and to get it released without too much delay . Whilst they promoted how wonderful the ND soft top was it is essentially the same as MX-5 previous offerings for a soft top- i.e. an easy to operate and convenient top. Engineering a folding hard top would be a major engineering exercise - new tooling, more components and changing the car design to accept the top. Additionally the production and paint lines all need to be able to cope with the variations .

I think the old retractable hard top was a good bit of kit but there is an extra cost and it is more complex device i.e. failure longer term is more problematic to an owner. I think OCS is probably right about the Targa Tops and other variations of a more open car. Rascal is also probably right that a retractable top at launch of the touted lighter ND car might have rained on the parade.

[Rocky]

Like others, I thought the 'retractable HT' would supercede the folding ST - but there you go.
The retractable HT seemed like a big leap forward to me because it provided security and choice, even though there were styling and boot space limitations. Re weight - just give the thing a few more HP.
For me the retractable HT also gave the MX5 an 'image-boost' making it look like it was punching above it's price-point - more identifiable with say a Z4 or 350SL.
It's the only feature that would get me into a new NE (assuming better styling).

[atlast]

.... a bit catty, folks??????

Anyways, I don't care what's happening with the new model, because I'm never likely to be able to afford one. But the Power Retractable Hard Top was top of my shopping list when I was looking, because I wanted to be able to choose and act easily on whether to drive top up, or top down. I ride a motorcycle, so being out in the open air is no big deal per se, but I couldn't see the point of buying a sports car and not being able to have a proper roof, lined and insulated, etc, and being able to be out in the open air as well if I wished. As it turns out, I put the top down to drive to the shops, not for pose but just because I like it that way.

[Odd]

I hope Fiat make a hard top....then everyone can get what they want.....

A Mazda or Fiat roadster...for the purist
A Mazda targa top for those that arent into roadsters
A Fiat hardtop....for those that hate roadsters

As long as there is a pure version available I'll be Happy
and Mazda has proved that it is loyal to the original concept that it has spawned the MX5 in 1989

[Blade_Hunter]

I drive mine lid open unless it's raining. I don't begrudge anyone who drives lid closed. I make my choice, other owners make their choice.

I bought mine because I wanted to get back to the feeling of my first car (Heavily worked 1978 Mini Clubman). Everything since then got more and more powerful yet felt softer and softer, I wanted the rawness of driving, just like I used to have. I have always loved the MX5 because they are a fantastically designed vehicle that handles how I want AND you can drop the lid!!!! I never owned a convertible before but I KNEW I would love it and I do .

Weather you like your lid open or closed, I think every MX5 driver appreciates the back to basics car and driver feeling in these little things. If you don't, then why DID you buy it? there are other convertibles out there that would probably be more comfortable or have more gadgets in them (or sun visors that are more than a small bit of plastic with a mirror out of an Easter show bag glued to it).

The MX5 is a package, it's fun, convertible, balanced, light, nippy and raw. THIS is why it wins awards, THIS is why people race them and THIS is why I personally bought one, it's the whole package for my criteria.

The 124 was never even a consideration for me personally and neither was the RF.