The Mazda Miata: Legendary or not?

[The Vanishing Boy]

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Oh and about trunk space, S2000 guy? The trunk volume is 5.0 cu/ft for an s2000 and 5.1 cu/ft for a MSM *trollface*

^ Formal measurements are pointless IMHO. Its all about how you can fit stuff in there. Like for an example, my S can fit a hard electric guitar case (box shaped) in my trunk/boot PLUS a Cannon 60D camera w/ case, an emergency roadside kit bag, an air compressor AND my 15in MacBook Pro.

 

[fitftw]

I'm sure a Miata could fit all that stuff too. Mine can since it's gutted. I never keep anything in my car anyway.

 

[Keef]

I'm sure a Miata could fit all that stuff too. Mine can since it's gutted. I never keep anything in my car anyway.

I don't believe the Miata trunk is wide enough (the car is way skinnier than an S2000) to fit a guitar case. And because the body is so thin, there's not much depth in there either. I know the spare tire takes up a hugely annoying chunk of space as I've had to stuff a bunch of bags in a Miata trunk before.

But who really cares how big the trunk is? Get a rack, or tow a trailer if you need that much stuff. Lay it in your front seat. Or, better yet, get an RX7 like mine that has a bigger trunk, a lovely flat load floor, and built-in straps to tie stuff down.

Even with the divider and cargo cover the Rex still has more trunk space than either the Miata or S2000, all while being approximately 300 times rarer and more awesome in various ways.

Both of your arguments are invalid.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

My sister's MX-5 could fit jack-all in the boot because half of it was taken up by the battery and the "space-saver" spare wheel. Maybe a small suitcase and that's about it.

Tried putting stuff on the parcel shelf but the roof goes onto that so that is out of the question, and her boyfriend usually drives the car with her as well so the front seat is a no-no.

 

[12thgear]

My sister's MX-5 could fit jack-all in the boot because half of it was taken up by the battery and the "space-saver" spare wheel. Maybe a small suitcase and that's about it.

Tried putting stuff on the parcel shelf but the roof goes onto that so that is out of the question, and her boyfriend usually drives the car with her as well so the front seat is a no-no.

The older Miatas had the tire sitting right in the trunk. Newer models have the tire mounted under the trunk floor and it's more useful. It's shallow, but it can swallow a large quantity of small to medium items. Works just fine for a week's groceries and weekending. Not so much for a single large item.

 

[homeforsummer]

My old MX5's trunk was big enough for what I used it for. Was enough for a hold-all and assorted stuff, or a couple of weeks shopping for two, and I found the parcel shelf was ideally shaped to fit my 23" TV in such a way that it could lay flat but also wouldn't move about.

Still, it's not really the car you want if you need to carry stuff regularly.

I'm also not quite sure what luggage space has to do with a vehicle being legendary.

 

[12thgear]

I'm also not quite sure what luggage space has to do with a vehicle being legendary.

There may be something to it actually. Part of the Miata's appeal is that it can justify itself as being more than just a toy. It's cheap enough, reliable enough, practical enough, and plenty of fun to drive. It's my all-season workhorse.

The Porsche Boxster is still a two seater, but it looks nice, it's pretty quick, it's priced right (though not cheap), it's surprisingly practical, and it has the legs for a comfortable road trip.

Pure toyishness is what I think killed like the very good MR2 Spyder.

Toyishness killed the Solstice/Sky twins before they found their stride. Perhaps if they were a little more practical they would have sold well enough to justify a 2nd generation.

 

[Zenith]

Since when does trunk space contribute to whether or not a sports car is legendary?

 

[Crispy]

Since when does trunk space contribute to whether or not a sports car is legendary?

I don't really know.

Anyway, the MX-5 actually does have fairly good trunk space. My parents moved from Virginia to Texas with an two MX-5's. (Mover truck carried couches and stuff) One MX-5 had a German Shepherd and the other had two cats. Both were stuffed with suitcases and things like that, nothing on the top or boot.

THe Miata's can hold lots of stuff, or at least the NA's can.

 

[eSZee]

again in english?

LOLWUT?
Is that better?

 

[CodeRedR51]

Spare tire solution = Put it under the car (see below) or take it out completely...

http://www.miata.net/garage/spare_reloc.html

 

[Keef]

Lower center of gravity ftw? Sounds like a plan to me!

 

[CodeRedR51]

Since we're on the subject of Miata's, I'll just drop this in here.

 

[fitftw]

Spec Miata race. Still think Miatas are for chicks? This is the craziest racing series there is.

 

[CodeRedR51]

That looks like so much fun. Just wish I had $5-10k to dump into one.

 

[fitftw]

I dumped $5k into mine but it's not set up for SM. I've gutted and modded it too much to be legal for anything except autox really. If I got another, I'd set it up for SM but that wouldn't be probably for another 10 years.

PS. That new FMIIR turbokit is insanity, bolted up to the stroked 2.0L...I now honestly don't know if I'd rather have an LS3 V8 kit instead of a fully built & turbo'd BP. Both would cost about the same, the LS3 puts out 480hp and FM puts out 448. It really comes down to the weight and exhaust note...I'm sure the BP weighs less even with the huge turbokit, but a V8 sound is unbeatable. Though that BOV sounds a-mmmm-azing.

In a utopian world, I would own one of each.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Actually, the V8 car and the turbo car above probably weigh about the same.

 

[fitftw]

well then it's a really tough call for someone with only the option to chose one. Both are bulletproof engines.

 

[hejira]

looking at the poll I think its fair to say the verdict is in..

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Definitely legendary

The first 3 episodes of a 5 episode documentary by the goose:

 

[GTV0819]

Good thing Mazda still produces its own roadster, which is now on its fourth generation.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Episode 4 with the NC:


Dave Coleman offers a great overview and insight into why the NC was built the way it was. He also goes over the reasoning behind the changes made for the refresh.

 

[GTV0819]