The Mazda Miata: Legendary or not?

[fitftw]

^ you win the thread!

 

[McLaren]

The Civic is the highest selling compact car ever. If not for the civic there would be no "body kits" or what we call "tuners" today. The Civic started it all on the Japanese tuner import scene. The Civic has far more history. Once again Im no fan of the Civic either but it has meant much more to the auto industry than the Miata. The Miata is nothing more than an over-sized go-kart with the same power.

Nobody is seriously this dense....

Yeah, there's a much better word to be used, but it'd probably cost me an infraction.

 

[Azuremen]

Yes their was some corner cutting going on here and there but there was ALLOT of corner cutting going on in the 80's (possibly the worst decade for cars ever)

The MR2, from the same decade, didn't have such critical corner cutting. Nor did many other Japanese cars...

 

[eSZee]

Nobody is seriously this dense....

Yeah, there's a much better word to be used, but it'd probably cost me an infraction.

Just do it, it will be worth it.

 

[zr1chris]

Legendary cars are rare.

I never said that

Legendary are iconic.

This is true imo

Legendary doesn't need to be iconic, Lil' Chris must like it.

Never said that either

Legendary cars are good at many things.

more than one thing is not many things, its just more than 1

All that it takes to be legendary is to be ahead of your time.

Not true but it can help

Miata's are popular solely because they're cheap.

Not all but most of the reason

Legendary cars must be dream cars.

Not cut and dry but once again it does help.

Legendary cars must be popular and sold to the masses.

Not true either. Never said that but if a car is one of the top sellers alltime it can only help.

Legendary cars must be bring change to car culture. Miata's don't.

The Miata didn't change the way all cars are built the way some of you make it seem.

You say must allot and I never uttered the word must. All of my points is what helps a car become iconic or legendary. Its not a cut a dry situation as to what cars are legendary and what isnt.

 

[zr1chris]

The MR2, from the same decade, didn't have such critical corner cutting. Nor did many other Japanese cars...

You guys like to put words in my mouth and over exaggerate everything. I didnt say every single car. Were there still some great cars in the 80's yes there were but far less than almost any other decade.

 

[fitftw]

Not all but most of the reason.

The Miata didn't change the way all cars are built the way some of you make it seem.

Cost is the 3rd or 4th reason why the Miata is great. Handling + drivetrain layout + convertible factor as a whole are the main reasons. People would still buy the Miata if it cost over 30k. Maybe even 40k. If I had money burning and had a choice between the Z4, Mercedes SLK, or 370Z, I'd still buy the Miata.

Correct, the Miata didn't change the way all cars are built, but it did change the hearts and minds of the public. Over 900,000 Miatas sold worldwide in 22 years. Honda sold 112,000 S2000's in 10 years. Mazda is the king of lightweight, rwd roadsters. The Z3/4 are pigs by comparison. 350/370Z is a pig also. And of course the Benz as well.

It seems nobody wants to compete directly with Mazda. For every other type of car, there is at least one very close competitor in terms of price, weight, and specs. Not so with the Miata. Mazda holds the monopoly on that.

 

[Azuremen]

I never said that

This is true imo

Never said that either

more than one thing is not many things, its just more than 1

Not true but it can help

Not all but most of the reason

Not cut and dry but once again it does help.

Not true either. Never said that but if a car is one of the top sellers alltime it can only help.

The Miata didn't change the way all cars are built the way some of you make it seem.

You say must allot and I never uttered the word must. All of my points is what helps a car become iconic or legendary. Its not a cut a dry situation as to what cars are legendary and what isnt.

You do realize he was basically summing up what you said? And virtually everyone but you seems to be seeing that. You went around defining requirements, which you've changed continually, and have supported with crap for evidence.

Also, allot is not a lot. Nor alot. Which isn't a thing at all.

 

[zr1chris]

You do realize he was basically summing up what you said? And virtually everyone but you seems to be seeing that. You went around defining requirements, which you've changed continually, and have supported with crap for evidence.

Also, allot is not a lot. Nor alot. Which isn't a thing at all.

He wasn't summing up what I said at all because it wasn't what I said. He acted like everything I said was must this and must that. That's not at all what I said. There is no specific criteria as to what makes a car legendary or not. Allot of it is matter of opinion. If the Miata is legendary to some people that's fine. I have no problem with it. Its just not legendary to me. There is allot of different combinations that can make a car legendary. There is no one certain category that is a must (besides imo that the car should have some kind of iconic status.)

 

[fitftw]

The Miata is legendary, straight from the source: http://www.mazdausamedia.com/content/20-years-making-–-mazda’s-legendary-mx-5-miata-roadster

Thread has been solved.

 

[Joey D]

No, I don't believe the Miata is legendary. It's a great car with a decent sized cult following, but it's not what I would call legendary...at least not yet. Cars that are legendary hold some sort of story about them (the definition of legend). I would say the Miata is iconic though and probably a future classic, I imagine when I'm 50 I'll be walking around a car show somewhere an see a middle aged fat guy with a Miata he just restored. Probably by that time it will be legendary, but I don't know.

As for something that's legendary? Old Le Mans cars come to mind like the GT40, Group B rally cars are another breed that I think of too when I hear the term legendary. I would also throw in the original Mini Cooper, Ford Mustang (maybe), Chevy Corvette and Nissan Skyline as well.

I also don't think production run has anything to do with being legendary either, they've made the Chevy Suburban in 1935 and that's isn't legendary in any way.

Oh and I don't think a '57 Chevy is legendary either, it's certainly iconic but that's about it.

 

[zr1chris]

The Miata is legendary, straight from the source: http://www.mazdausamedia.com/content/20-years-making-–-mazda’s-legendary-mx-5-miata-roadster

Thread has been solved.

That's nothing more than promotional. Its on the Mazda website. What would you expect them to say? I really do wish there was a way to solve this discussion even if I turned out to be wrong. The fact is that in this topic there really is no right and wrong. Its simply a matter of opinion.

 

[Zenith]

Cars that are legendary hold some sort of story about them (the definition of legend).

Hm, valid argument. But doesn't the story of the Miata reviving roadsters as a class count? Same way that the Mustang invented pony cars, the Corvette brought European handling and performance to America, and the Mini revolutionized small cars.

 

[Crispy]

That's nothing more than promotional. Its on the Mazda website. What would you expect them to say? I really do wish there was a way to solve this discussion even if I turned out to be wrong. The fact is that in this topic there really is no right and wrong. Its simply a matter of opinion.

Here then.

And if thats not enough.

Here.

I think this argument is getting rather pointless as we have gotten nowhere since the argument started.

 

[Zenith]

The fact is that in this topic there really is no right and wrong. Its simply a matter of opinion.

Opinions are based on facts and you don't have your facts straight. That's why you keep changing your argument. We use facts and examples that contradict your opinions and reasoning and you change it to another uninformed and poorly backed opinion.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Ok so maybe it was second. Big Deal.
That statement in bold is a far reach. How in the world can you say that those cars would have never came out if it were not for the Miata. Did you work for those companies to know their reasoning behind their cars? I can almost see that being the case with the Sky but the Solstice was more like the second coming of the Fiero than being anything like the Miata.

The Sky existed because the Solstice did. And if you think it was the second coming of the Fiero you're beyond hope.

 

[zr1chris]

Here then.

Im sorry but I dont see anything legendary in that entire article. It has the word in the title and the rest of the article fails to prove it. Did you even read that article or did you just stop at the word legendary in the title?

Here.[/url]

Just a typical C&D article. Nothing special.

I think this argument is getting rather pointless as we have gotten nowhere since the argument started.

When your right your right. 👍 I'm glad we finally agreed on something.

The Sky existed because the Solstice did. And if you think it was the second coming of the Fiero you're beyond hope.

All I said is that it was more that then it was inspired by the Miata. There were even rumors before its release that it might be a mid engine but GM decided against it since they didn't think they could do it right.

 

[eSZee]

All I said is that it was more that then it was inspired by the Miata. There were even rumors before its release that it might be a mid engine but GM decided against it since they didn't think they could do it right.

It was supposed to be mid engined because they were based on the opel speedster/vauxhaul 220 which are basically elise clones. GM decided against it cause they wanted to make the cars cheaper. Had nothing to do with doing it right since the euro counterparts were already great cars.
The miata and elise are both homages to the lightweight roadsters of the 50s and 60s, who's legend they carry on to this day.

Spell check also makes things much easier.

When your right your right. 👍

Ain't that the truth!

 

[niky]

A legend to me is a car EVERYONE agrees on being that epic and iconic car, usually brought on by winning championships and trophies. Cars like the 911 to Audi's R8 and then R10 cars. But it's all opinion based. I just don't see the Miata being legendary. It's probably more known by the masses as being a 'bitch's car' than a good sporty roadster that does quite well on the race track. Even till today, some of my friends will call the Miata a girly car and every time I say 'you know it's a really good handling roadster on the twisties, right?'

There are a lot of people who don't like 911s. I direct you to our GTP Cool Wall series, where you can see votes for all the cars. Opinions on the 911 are strongly divided. The 9ff, which is arguably the ultimate 911, got voted down as seriously uncool.

The R8 and R10? The R8 was definitely a good racecar, but the R10 was more of a question of Audi taking advantage of antiquated rules rather than building a domineering race car. The R10 was heavy, twitchy and very hard to drive. It won because the FIA's outdated rules allowed Audi to build it with a huge engine with variable geometry turbos and a bigger air restrictor than the gasoline competition, meaning the R10 had both diesel economy and a huge power advantage. The FIA never bothered to close the most glaring loopholes because having a diesel "win" LeMans is good for PR.

The Civic is the highest selling compact car ever. If not for the civic there would be no "body kits" or what we call "tuners" today. The Civic started it all on the Japanese tuner import scene. The Civic has far more history. Once again Im no fan of the Civic either but it has meant much more to the auto industry than the Miata. The Miata is nothing more than an over-sized go-kart with the same power.

Point One: Hullo Beetle... and if we're talking Japanese, Hullo Corolla... but then I thought high production was a bad thing, after what you said about the Corolla?

Point Two: Body Kits... meh. Tuners? What? The Civic made the scene popular in the US, but there are a googleplex of different tuners for almost any Japanese car you can buy out there. And that didn't exactly start with the Civic.

Point Three: The Civic name has more history, but there are several different flavors of Civic. The first flavor tasted like rust and motorcycle oil. The second flavor, the Civic you're talking about, is the "tuner" Civic, which lasted about three generations... from around 88-00, about the same timeline as the MX-5... this is the double-wishbone multilink generation with the B-series and the plethora of parts.

The third flavor is the current Civic, from the EP model to the FD, which is still tunerrific, but no longer double-wishbone in front and no longer that cheap to modify. The K20 is a legendary engine in its own right, and these cars are fast on track, but these two generations aren't as appealing or all-conquering as the old ones.

Point Four: The Civic means a lot to the tuner industry, but the auto-industry is more concerned with the Corolla standard.

The Miata didn't change the way all cars are built the way some of you make it seem.

No car changed the way all cars are built... not everything is on a production line (Model T), not everything is an arse-engined Nazi slot car (911... or even Beetle) and not every car is a a V8 tank (Bel Air). By that reason, nothing is legendary.

And yet, the Miata opened up the market for small, light sports cars... a market that was pretty dead before Mazda brought it back to life.

Yes their was some corner cutting going on here and there but there was ALLOT of corner cutting going on in the 80's (possibly the worst decade for cars ever)

Yup. Lots of corner-cutting in the 80's. Which is why the 89 Miata had a bespoke chassis (not shared with any other Mazda product), a bespoke transmission (still one of the best ever), an oil cooler, and double-wishbones all around instead of the cheaper McPherson struts. Because obviously spending on more technology for a cheap sports car is good cost saving.

Oh... and again... please use the multi-quote feature instead of double posting. You have already been warned.

 

[zr1chris]

Oh... and again... please use the multi-quote feature instead of double posting. You have already been warned.

Cant always multi-quote. I dont see an option for it when using a phone. Didnt know it was a matter of life and death.

 

[McLaren]

It's on the phone, too.

Terrific reply to Niky's points as well....

 

[zr1chris]

It's on the phone, too.

Terrific reply to Niky's points as well....

Well im not seeing an option for it on my droid. As for responding to Niky, what he said had pretty much nothing to do with anything.

 

[McLaren]

Well im not seeing an option for it on my droid. As for responding to Niky, what he said had pretty much nothing to do with anything.

I love that everyone responding to you has not been posting anything relevant in your eyes.

You prove ignorance is bliss.

 

[zr1chris]

I love that everyone responding to you has not been posting anything relevant in your eyes.

You prove ignorance is bliss.

You prove to be the ignorant one. I never said everything people have posted hasnt been relevant. Some has and some hasnt. The things that have just doesnt prove to me that the Miata is legendary. Allot of you like to exaggerate what people say when its not the same belief uou have.

 

[McLaren]

You prove to be the ignorant one.

Nope. Try a better response b/c everything I've posted (as well as most of the rest of us) has been relevant & based on actual facts to form our opinion. You haven't because you think being cheap is the Miata's strongest point & completely ignore the fact it's the most popular choice for a track car ever built, or better yet, the reasons why it is such.

I never said everything people have posted hasnt been relevant. Some has and some hasnt. The things that have just doesnt prove to me that the Miata is legendary.

You have acted like everyone who has replied a valid argument to you has not posted something relevant. Or you ignore it.

Allot of you like to exaggerate what people say when its not the same belief uou have.

You're no saint yourself, with constantly changing qualifications for what makes a car "legendary" or calling people insane because they think a Miata is legendary.

 

[niky]

Well im not seeing an option for it on my droid. As for responding to Niky, what he said had pretty much nothing to do with anything.

Of course, that means that your own points on the exact same topics, points which I discussed and cited, also have pretty much nothing to do with anything?

Whoops-a-daisy...

 

[zr1chris]

most popular choice for a track car ever built, or better yet, the reasons why it is such.

Please tell me that you dont honestly beleive thats a fact.

You have acted like everyone who has replied a valid argument to you has not posted something relevant. Or you ignore it.[QUOTE/]
Not really. If thats what you think then you are easily offended.

You're no saint yourself, with constantly changing qualifications for what makes a car "legendary" or calling people insane because they think a Miata is legendary.

I never changed qualifications just gave different examples.

 

[McLaren]

Please tell me that you dont honestly beleive thats a fact.

That's a cold hard fact. Accept it.
[youtubehd]R_tjM8eEqUo[/youtubehd]
"More people road race Mazdas than any other car"

The Miata is the sole reason Mazda can make such a claim behind the Mazda open wheelers.

Not really. If thats what you think then you are easily offended.

I have not been offended in any way. Just calling a duck a duck.

I never changed qualifications just gave different examples.

That contradict each other....

 

[zr1chris]

Of course, that means that your own points on the exact same topics, points which I discussed and cited, also have pretty much nothing to do with anything?

Whoops-a-daisy...

You were bringing up 911s and what cars are considered cool. That has nothing to do with anything. It doesnt prove one bit that the Miata is more legendary or legendary at all. Double post. Oh well. I couldnt care any less.

That's a cold hard fact. Accept it.
[youtubehd]R_tjM8eEqUo[/youtubehd]
"More people race Mazdas than any other car"

The Miata is the sole reason Mazda can make such a claim behind the Mazda open wheelers.

I have not been offended in any way. Just calling a duck a duck.

That contradict each other....

Not every mazda is a Miata, just fyi talk about contradicting. First you say its the Miata specifically then change it to Mazda.

 

[McLaren]

Its funny you keep saying im ignorant while making an ignorant statement.

Except there's nothing ignorant about my statement. You completely missed what I was saying, even though the majority of the cars spotlighted in the commercial was the model in question....

You're like the little kid that cries, "I know you are, but what I am?" Bet $50 every member would agree with me as well.