2016 Mazda Miata: The Oppositelock Review

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54) 06/02/2015 at 08:05 • Filed to: 2016 mazda miata

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The ND Miata somehow accomplishes the impossible feat of going both forward and backward in time simultaneously. Not even the Doctor’s TARDIS can do that.

( Full disclosure : Mazda wanted me to check out the new MX-5 so badly that they gave one to Jalopnik for a few days, and Travis Okulski was crazy enough to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , so I did. I’ve been under Matt Hardigree’s orders to not talk about it until Tuesday, but now that it’s Tuesday, I can.)

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The last MX-5, the NC, wasn’t as popular as its predecessors. It had put on a little extra weight and gone soft in middle age, rather like I have. These problems are easily fixed by the aftermarket (at least for the car – not so much for me), but you shouldn’t have to resort to the aftermarket to turn a Miata back into what a Miata is supposed to be in the first place.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! goes back to basics, while simultaneously keeping up with the times. The styling was the first thing I noticed, ever since that terrible live stream reveal that showed one angle of the car for a few seconds and switched as quickly as they could to a Duran Duran concert, while the live chat window became a scroller coaster of angry people shouting “SHOW US THE $^%*&^ CAR!!!!!!!!!!” Once actual pictures came out, I was less than impressed. It’s as though they took a bunch of styling elements from other cars and threw them on the Miata to make it look more modern, rather than evolving the classic Miata styling as they’ve done up until now. At the time, I said I was glad to see that Mazda has given us the convertible FR-S/BRZ that Toyobaru refuses to build.

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After seeing it in person, I’m still not sold on the looks. It looks angry, not fun like a Miata is supposed to be. Travis loves how it looks, and that’s the one point on which we disagree. He told me the looks would grow on me, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’m probably biased. All three Miatas I’ve owned have been Classic Red NAs, and I like the looks of the NB as well, so I’m probably just a curmudgeon in the styling department. Now get off my lawn.

But the shade of red on this car was an excellent match for its looks. It’s a bit darker than Classic Red, but Classic Red wouldn’t work on this car. Honestly, I didn’t care for it on the NB either. Another touch of red that I liked seeing was on the Brembo brake calipers of this particular car.

I stood by and watched while the Jalopnik folks finished shooting video – specifically, the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! video from last week. (You can actually see my parked BRZ over Travis’s shoulder at 1:36.)

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When they were finished filming, they offered to take people for rides around Lime Rock’s autocross course. I didn’t want to be greedy, but no one else was jumping to go first, so I did. I can’t say what it was like to drive the car because Travis was at the wheel, but after doing autocross instruction for a few years I’ve gotten pretty good at picking things up from the passenger seat.

The interior felt a little more roomy than my old Miatas - not a radical departure, but I could get into it like a car instead of putting it on like a glove. I really don’t like the modern trend of touch screens that look like somebody glued a tablet to the middle of the dashboard, but many manufacturers are doing it, so I can’t hold that against Mazda specifically. The body colored plastic bringing the exterior color inside the car reminded me of a Fiat 500, or my mom’s ‘74 Super Beetle that I grew up in. I don’t care for the hard plastic on top of the doors, but I shouldn’t complain, because my NA interiors were entirely hard plastic, and the ND’s interior is quite good. I also appreciated the lower seat height. At 6’ tall, I had to give my NA’s seats a “foamectomy,” cutting some of the foam out of the bottom and back so that I would sit lower in the car. Without that, the top of the windshield was in my line of sight. But without modification, I sat low in the ND, right where I wanted to be.

Travis pulled out onto the autocross track, and that’s where the real fun began. I got a ride exactly like the one you see !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , complete with the drifts around that uphill left turn. There have been many comments throughout the articles and videos complaining about how much body roll the ND has, but you don’t feel it as much from inside the car. It’s certainly less roll than my NAs had, even after adding Koni shocks. But body roll isn’t necessarily bad. That was partly how Travis managed to drift the car so well, by using weight transfer to break the rear loose. The NC might have gone soft, but the ND seems to have tightened things up a bit.

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I was impressed by how well the car powered out of the corners. We’re not talking about massive amounts of power here – it’s a Miata, after all. But compared to previous models, this car actually has a decent amount of grunt. Some people have complained about the drop in horsepower from 167 to 155. But torque has actually increased from 140 lb/ft to 148. Plus the ND is about 300lbs lighter than the NC. It all adds up to a Miata that accelerates out of the corners better than any other stock Miata I’ve experienced.

Although the car’s looks are a big departure from tradition, the exhaust note, particularly at high revs and full throttle, sounded very familiar to me, despite being a completely different engine than previous Miatas. I don’t know if Mazda tried to recreate the sound of the NA exhaust on purpose, but it sounded much like my NAs with stock exhausts did. I like that. Speaking of sounds, when I got a look under the hood later, I was surprised to see a tube leading from the air intake through the firewall. The Miata now pipes induction noise from the intake into the passenger compartment. I honestly didn’t notice the extra noise at all. With the top down, which is the one true way to enjoy a Miata, the exhaust was clearly audible anyway. I’m not sure why Mazda bothered doing this, but at least it’s genuine engine noise, not an electronic replica like BMW and Ford have been doing.

But more than anything, the car felt fun. I was laughing through most of my ride with Travis, and he was obviously enjoying himself too. When he took other people out for rides, all of them – every single one – came back with an identical wide smile on their faces, just like the one I had when I got out of the car. I may complain about its angry exterior, but once inside and on the move, I didn’t care. This is no convertible BRZ. I compared it to my previous Miatas during the ride, not my BRZ. Mazda successfully evoked the original Miata in this car, even to a diehard “they don’t make them like they used to” Miata fan like me. This car is a worthy successor.

A big thanks to Travis, Matt, and the rest of the Jalopnik crew for inviting us down, showing off the car, taking us for awesome rides, and trusting us to keep quiet about it until the appropriate time.

(Photos by the author)

LongbowMkII > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 08:38

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only 20 years until I can buy one for $2,000!

good write up!

Opposite Locksmith > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 08:42

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Very cool! The weight decrease is what sold me on the car

Ryan A. > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 08:48

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How is it compared to the BRZ? Should I trade my FR-S?

Justin Hughes > LongbowMkII 06/02/2015 at 09:09

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Thanks! Was it worth the wait? ;)

LongbowMkII > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:12

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No. I will hold this 10 hour delay over you forever. Or how long it takes the ND to go 0-100, whichever is longer.

Justin Hughes > Ryan A. 06/02/2015 at 09:14

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I agree with Travis that the ND is the best sports car under $30k, including the FR-S/BRZ. But the FR-S is still very very good. It’s an entirely modern design. The Miata is a throwback to the original done in a modern way. They’re just different forms of the same thing. Plus the FR-S has a solid roof, more cargo space, and it may have more standard features than the Miata, but I’m not entirely sure what’s included in what package on the Miata.

I need “one car to rule them all,” including more cargo space than a Miata, so I can’t trade mine in on one. But boy is it tempting, if I could get away with it.

VintageRider > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:33

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Wonder how many times times the eskomo brothers at jalop are going to write the same review about the same car......surely this cant go for more then two days in a row....

HiMyNameIsJayAgain > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:35

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I generally like the car (this coming from someone who was never the biggest Miata fan) but these LEDs look kinda cheap to me.

PooveyFarmsRacing > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:36

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how much body roll the ND has, but you don’t feel it as much from inside the car.

I just can’t get on board with that comment. I mean look at it...

Street Surgeon > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:39

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Which Ford electronically replicates sound and pipes it into the cabin?

wætherman > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:40

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I’ve heard quite a few FRS owners say that, after the honeymoon wore off, they wished they had a little more power, yet when you run the numbers the FRS has better p/w than the Miata - do you find that “other factors” make up for the low HP? If so, what other factors specifically?

Justin Hughes > VintageRider 06/02/2015 at 09:42

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The Miata is a car basically made for Jalops. They should be able to get at least three or four days out of it...

Justin Hughes > PooveyFarmsRacing 06/02/2015 at 09:43

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Sure, but compared to this? I’d say the ND has the NA beat.

Justin Hughes > Street Surgeon 06/02/2015 at 09:43

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The Mustang.

VintageRider > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:44

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Sure people love to talk about it on the web. Wonder how many Jalops will actually spend money on it. My guess is less then the ones that bought the BRZ.....

Gary Yogurt > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:45

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As soon as I pay off this Mazda3 I’m getting one. Screw passengers and practicality.

Gary Yogurt > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:46

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This is the first image of the front of the car that I like.

Justin Hughes > wætherman 06/02/2015 at 09:47

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In which car? The ND makes 148 lb-ft of torque. The FR-S makes 151, and weighs 400lbs more. Not only did the Miata feel like it got out of the corners faster, I’ll bet 10 internet points that it actually does.

I wouldn’t complain about more power in my BRZ, and a supercharger is a distant dream. But I’ve had three 1.6 NA Miatas with a whopping 116hp. But in those cars, as well as the BRZ, I enjoy how the lower power forces you to drive well to get the most out of it, and the satisfaction of getting it right.

Justin Hughes > VintageRider 06/02/2015 at 09:48

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Interesting point. I bought a BRZ, but the BRZ doesn’t have 15 year old examples in good condition available for the fraction of the price of a new one.

asbsvc > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:55

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Justin,

Great article. If it is any solace, I find that looks on these types of cars are often polarizing right out of the box. When I say these types of cars, I mean cars with a long history and a devoted fan base for each individual iteration. For instance, whenever a new Golf comes out, I always dislike it at first. Yet, by the time the mid-life facelift hits, I do not find the looks to be so objectionable. One final point, re the body roll. It really is not that big of deal, especially when you consider that much of the most beloved European iron has this body roll. For instance, anything from the Giuletta architecture suffers from body roll. Yet, read any decent magazine or speak to an owner and those sources will espouse their handling, racing history, and road holding capabilities. The takeaway? This is a car that can be enjoyed on a variety of road conditions because it is not saddled with ridiculous 20 inch steamrollers and overly stiff suspension. Again, great write up.

3 pedal rower > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 09:55

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Think I’ll wait to see if/when Alfa comes out with their version. I know I’ll catch some flak here, but the Alfa version has got to be better looking than this.

Justin Hughes > asbsvc 06/02/2015 at 10:02

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Thanks! And I agree with you. At first, I thought the BMW Z3 based M Coupe was butt ugly, specifically because of its butt. But over time, it grew on me, and now I like it. And after driving one, I didn’t care how it looked - I loved it.

uofime-2 > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:03

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you can almost see the chassis flexing in the bottom your picture! I’m sure the new chassis is vastly improved and that’ll make a huge difference!

Justin Hughes > 3 pedal rower 06/02/2015 at 10:03

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I’ll catch flak with you then. This car, with Italian styling but still a Miata underneath, should be amazing.

Chasaboo > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:06

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I’m just grateful a manufacturer is still willing to make these cars and at this price point. Quit your bitchin’ all you trolls! If you don’t want the car, move on and go buy something else. Thank you Mazda!

Paullubbock > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:06

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Will there be a Coupe version? I have never been a look at me, look at me, convertible douche.

Arrivederci > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:08

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I honestly don’t know how you can make that assertion without having driven one.

illallowit > VintageRider 06/02/2015 at 10:08

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Something tells me it’ll go on for a while.

Source:

SCUDERIA CAMERON GLICKENHAUS SCUDERIA CAMERON GLICKENHAUS SCUDERIA CAMERON GLICKENHAUS SCUDERIA CAMERON GLICKENHAUS SCUDERIA CAMERON GLICKENHAUS SCUDERIA CAMERON GLICKENHAUS SCUDERIA CAMERON GLICKENHAUS SCUDERIA CAMERON GLICKENHAUS

VintageRider > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:09

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Although you bought a new car when there was a myriad of used cars that could have done everything you wanted for a fraction of the cost too.

Im just over all of these "second coming" articles that wax poetic about BS. They act like this is somehow a new thing.

gettingoldercarguy > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:12

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As long as I can fit into the nd, I’ll buy one probably by next spring. Just curious if there’s going to be the dealer markup like the na experienced.

Segador > wætherman 06/02/2015 at 10:12

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Plus the Miata costs more. I just don’t see the logic of a 2-seater, 155hp roadster (no matter how sublime) costing $30k.

Kobe'sLeftNut > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:13

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Enough with the Miata posts. Who gives a shit, it’s still a fucking Miata!

iamnotseanclark > Street Surgeon 06/02/2015 at 10:13

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Mustang, Focus St, Fiesta ST

VintageRider > illallowit 06/02/2015 at 10:14

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Probably until the next new small sports car. Then the posts will come again. They will all talk about how it has been ages since this market had something and blah blah blah. Some times I wonder if the writers here know anything about cars or the market.....

DM > HiMyNameIsJayAgain 06/02/2015 at 10:15

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All LED’s look cheap, at least they didn’t go with the fake brake vents.

asbsvc > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:16

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Gotta love the Clown Shoe!

Duck > Chasaboo 06/02/2015 at 10:17

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This price point? It starts at roughly $29,000. That ain’t exactly cheap.

heeltoehero > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:17

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In a perfect world, I’d daily one of these with a C7Z for the weekend.

Street Surgeon > iamnotseanclark 06/02/2015 at 10:18

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The focus uses actual induction noise from the inlet tract, it has a tube that runs to/through the firewall.

PooveyFarmsRacing > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:19

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Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:20

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I’d be extremely interested in reading a big comparison between the ND/BRZ if you’re ever able to get ahold of an ND to drive for yourself. (I’ll be cross shopping them in about a year’s time :) )

Justin Hughes > Paullubbock 06/02/2015 at 10:22

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Now entering wild speculation territory. I doubt it, for the same reason that Toyobaru has refused to give us a convertible FR-S/BRZ. The Toyobaru is a great cheap sport coupe. The Miata is a great cheap roadster. If one tries to become the other, it will fall short of the one designed from the ground up to be what it is.

Wow. That sounds kind of zen like.

iamnotseanclark > Street Surgeon 06/02/2015 at 10:24

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you are correct. For some reason i always think it has the fake noise through the speakers.

I think some of the new f150s also have fake noise but i might be mistaken on that one.

Justin Hughes > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] 06/02/2015 at 10:24

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As a current BRZ owner and past owner of Miatas, I very much want to get my hands on an ND myself and write this!

ghost650 > VintageRider 06/02/2015 at 10:26

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But sometimes people want a new car. Say you already have a car from the late 90s that fulfills your stripped-down, essence of driving, man-car-as-one requirements.... but you also want a new car that meets many, if not all, of those requirements. It’s nice to know that some thing(s) exists that can.

Rvinyl.com > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:28

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Great review! I wish you guys had released it last week when I was writing up my own. Keep up the great work guys!

VintageRider > ghost650 06/02/2015 at 10:30

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Agree 100%/. One can not really compare new cars and used cars.
But what I am saying is all this hype about the new Miata is stupid. The hype about the BRZ was also stupid. The NC Miata was not some worthless hunk of poop. It was a car. Is the ND better? I sure hope the new car is. Was the BRZ something nice to have in the market? Yup. But it wasn’t like it was the only thing in the class, or something completely new to the market.

Review a car for what it is and what it dose. All this intangible junk is dumb and mostly not based in reality

MazdaMonkey > wætherman 06/02/2015 at 10:31

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Several sources have already done comparison tests with the BRZ and found that the ND is around .5 seconds faster to 60 and in the quarter.

MazdaMonkey > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:31

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Several sources have already done comparison tests with the BRZ and found that the ND is around .5 seconds faster to 60 and in the quarter.

zedx79 > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:31

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So is this a fast car? I talking faster than a Fiesta ST.

HeyYouGuys > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:32

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My 2012 Mustang did it via a plastic tube run from the intake to the firewall- no electronics. Has this changed?

Justin Hughes > Rvinyl.com 06/02/2015 at 10:34

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Thanks! I was bound by the same impression embargo as the guys who get paid for this, which is why no one was talking last week.

I hoon, therefore I am > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:35

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Wow, the rear looks HORRIBLE from this angle. I swear no other rear photo has made it look that bad. Is it really that bad? Tell me it’s not that bad.

AnalogMan > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:35

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To be completely accurate, it’s only the 4 cyl turbo “EcoBoost” Mustang that has artificial sound electronically piped in. The V8 GT still makes sound the old-fashioned way, from the engine (though there is a ‘sound tube’ similar to the Miata that conducts noise to the passenger cabin, but at least it’s still generated by the engine and not a recording).

Justin Hughes > MazdaMonkey 06/02/2015 at 10:36

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Thanks for the stats! Between what my butt tells me in both cars, and knowing that the ND has nice torque right where the BRZ falls flat, I’m not surprised.

Justin Hughes > zedx79 06/02/2015 at 10:38

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A fast car? You haven’t heard of the ND Miata? It’s the car that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs...

Wait, that’s not what you meant. I believe the FiST will beat it easily in a straight line. In the corners, I’d like to root for good old fashioned lightness, 50/50 weight distribution, and RWD, but the FiST is very, very good. I’m not sure.

Justin Hughes > HeyYouGuys 06/02/2015 at 10:39

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Yes, the 2015 Mustang does it through the speakers now.

SpyWhatSpy > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:39

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The Alfa version is now a FIAT version and will probably be in the 200hp realm. It will be interesting to hear the debate between the purists and the Mo’Powah guys when (if) it comes out.

gettingoldercarguy > iamnotseanclark 06/02/2015 at 10:39

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The fist has the sound composer as well (real noise). A bit hokey, but fun when hooning it a bit without drawing unnecessary attention. I think the eff one fiddy is speaker based.

Justin Hughes > I hoon, therefore I am 06/02/2015 at 10:39

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Meh. This is my least favorite angle of the car. Fortunately, I can’t see it when I’m inside it.

Justin Hughes > AnalogMan 06/02/2015 at 10:40

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I thought the GT still did it through the speakers, but I could be wrong. I don’t know the Mustang that well.

MazdaMonkey > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:42

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Yep! That torque makes a huge difference. I did some engine work on my NC and netted around 10lb-ft on the dyno across most of the range. Massive difference in drivability.

The Gray Adder > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:43

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I can’t help it. It looks like a Pokemon.

Justin Hughes > SpyWhatSpy 06/02/2015 at 10:43

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The Miata platform has always been able to handle a lot more power than it comes with. A power boost in the Fiat would certainly make it a more distinct offering than the Miata. I look forward to that comparison!

Scary__goongala! > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:44

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I hope Mazda sells an egregious amount of these.

Justin Hughes > MazdaMonkey 06/02/2015 at 10:44

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Similarly, a tune on even a stock FR-S/BRZ eliminates the infamous midrange torque dip it has from the factory and improves performance with no other mods.

MazdaMonkey > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:46

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Oh good. I figured the aftermarket would come through - Last year I spent a day driving a BRZ and found the power delivery perplexing.

colorfulyawn > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:47

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I wish a large segment of the industry would follow the Miata’s example. It’s preserved pretty much all the things that were great about ‘90s sporty cars, while incorporating the advancements of modern production, so it’s like the best of both in my eyes.

It’s proof that you can still make a lightweight, normally aspirated, manually shifted sports car, and do so at an affordable price point, even if you’re a relatively small automaker.

As for the looks, I am reminded of my reaction to the 3rd gen Acura Integra when they came out in late ‘93. I thought the front end looked really odd. That car grew on me, though, and I have a feeling the ND will as well.

Justin Hughes > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] 06/02/2015 at 10:55

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Actually, I just found this if you’d rather not wait for me.

Brian Silvestro > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 10:56

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Misleading headline

Dream Theater of the Absurd > colorfulyawn 06/02/2015 at 11:04

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I remember thinking the front end of the '93 Integra looked a lot like the rear end of a '75 Corvette.

Dream Theater of the Absurd > Gary Yogurt 06/02/2015 at 11:04

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“I'm hungry! Feed me some twisted asphalt!"

LoganExplosion > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 11:06

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I’m glad mazda got into the Z4 game..

Justin Hughes > LoganExplosion 06/02/2015 at 11:09

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Looks more F-type to me.

Justin Hughes > Brian Silvestro 06/02/2015 at 11:10

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Not good enough for Oppo?

Jerk Dently > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 11:12

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I know I’m alone in this, but I don’t like the current Mazda styling. I think it looks too bulgy and swoopy.

Justin Hughes > Jerk Dently 06/02/2015 at 11:17

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I’m not sold on the looks, either. I can’t believe I’m actually agreeing with a Lannister...

3ch0 > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 11:21

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“Please stop it with the impressions, my ears are bleeding!”

Brian Silvestro > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 11:22

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What? No it's a misleading headline.

Justin Hughes > 3ch0 06/02/2015 at 11:24

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COTD

Justin Hughes > Brian Silvestro 06/02/2015 at 11:33

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How? I wrote what I thought of it. I posted it to Oppo, and the FP picked it up. Just curious what you mean.

Brian Silvestro > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 11:37

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A “review” of a car usually means you drove it and wrote about the driving impressions.

Justin Hughes > Brian Silvestro 06/02/2015 at 11:40

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“2016 Mazda Miata: The Oppositelock I Got A Ride In This Thing And Here’s What I Thought Of It” just doesn’t have the same ring.

LodestarRunner > The Gray Adder 06/02/2015 at 11:47

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Gengar?

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 11:48

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I’ve got a while to wait, so I can read all of the articles :)

I’ll read that one over lunch :)

Xkjacob > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 11:49

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From what I understand the BRZ probably won’t be “as good” as the Miata. As little interest as I have in the..

Window noise, body roll, getting crushed by a SUV, body roll, replacing the glass window in the back, after market top, body roll miata. Did I mention body roll?

The BRZ is a 2+2 seater with inherent additions of weight. Where this will play out is in cornering speeds not in 0-60 speeds.

I’d call the Miata’s cornering “speed feeling” unreliable because on all turns it looks like 5-6 degrees of roll, which is additional travel the passenger feels, which may not translate into track distance covered.

If they did a head to head BRZ miata slalom I think the BRZ will be faster.

However, if the Miata is faster in all areas, then you’ve got a great deal.

Full disclosure I drive an rx8.

LJ909 > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 11:56

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Actually considering this for my next car. We will see though. I dont really care for the back though. The lights remind me of the Jaguar F Type or BMW Z8.

Justin Hughes > Xkjacob 06/02/2015 at 12:03

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Then you’ve got a great deal, according to Motor Trend’s comparison . The Miata wins in acceleration tests until 100mph, was faster on the road course and figure-8, and pulled higher lateral Gs.

Personally, I think the tires the Miata rolled on were pretty good and adequately grippy, while the BRZ’s stock tires are much more slippery. I’ll bet those tires lost the race for the BRZ more than anything else. I’d like to see similar tests run with both cars on the same tires. Based on my experience in my BRZ on Michelin Pilot Super Sports, I’ll bet your prediction would come true, and the BRZ would have an edge on handling.

Another interesting point is that Toyobaru didn’t use the Miata as their benchmark, but the Porsche Cayman. The Cayman is faster than both cars, but I can see how its characteristics influenced how the BRZ drives, while the Miata drives like a Miata.

Justin Hughes > LJ909 06/02/2015 at 12:05

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Always back in, never use the trunk, and you won’t have to worry about how it looks from behind.

Captain of the Enterprise > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 12:10

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I’ve been under Matt Hardigree’s orders to not talk about it until Tuesday, but now that it’s Tuesday, I can.)

So you got embargoed by Jalopnik, or was it a secret test?

Brian Silvestro > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 12:15

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But at least it’s accurate

Dr_Watson > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 12:17

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FYI the 2010 refresh of the NC that got rid of the “ohhhh” face and added 500rpm also added an induction sound tube. Not new on the ND.

MOMMA THERE GOES THAT MAN > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 12:17

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“It’s so... angry!”

Jake Stumph Racing > Justin Hughes 06/02/2015 at 12:19

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Nerding out here, but the Miata has a much fatter torque curve than the FRS/BRZ, which has this massive flat spot in torque in the middle of the powerband. I’m going to bet that you’re right, the Miata CAN pull out of 2nd gear corners harder, since it has a larger working power band.

Justin Hughes > Captain of the Enterprise 06/02/2015 at 12:21

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Not secret - they invited readers to come join them. But I had to follow the industry embargo until Monday, and then Matt asked me to hold off until Tuesday, presumably so the FP could release their own scheduled flood of “OMG MIATA!!!” coverage.

Justin Hughes > Dr_Watson 06/02/2015 at 12:22

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Aha - thanks for the correction. I haven’t gotten under the hood of an NC.

Justin Hughes > MOMMA THERE GOES THAT MAN 06/02/2015 at 12:23

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I’m hearing Mr. Regular grunting this in his best angry voice in my head.

Roody > LodestarRunner 06/02/2015 at 12:23

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Holy shit.

That might make me want one even more.

Justin Hughes > Jake Stumph Racing 06/02/2015 at 12:26

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Now that I’ve read Motor Trend’s test , I can say we’re both right! The Miata accelerates slightly quicker off the line thanks to its lighter weight and better torque curve, but the BRZ catches it at 100mph after 16.7 seconds. At that point its 45 horsepower advantage at high revs has taken over.

Younanomous > Gary Yogurt 06/02/2015 at 12:29

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That’s exactly what I told my wife about the 6, if we can afford it, I’m buying a Miata.