"daender" (daender)
09/05/2015 at 10:01 • Filed to: mazda, mx-5, miata
3
9|
"daender" (daender)
09/05/2015 at 10:01 • Filed to: mazda, mx-5, miata | 3
| 9 |
Scott Will Mazda in Sumter, SC has a white automatic base model in the showroom. As you can expect, I was there first thing in the morning to check it out. Sat it in, looked under the hood, under the rear of the car (got a funny look from the salesman doing that) to check out the suspension, under the front of the car to see if I could spot the oil filter, and played with the softtop.
What I like:
It weighs about the same as an NA Miata but with 155hp versus 135hp in my heavier NB.
The soft top is secured when it’s down and it only uses a single clamp to secure it to the window frame; really easy to operate with one arm.
Shares the same 4x100 bolt pattern as old Miatas and Hondas so finding aftermarket wheels will be a breeze.
The interior is roomy and laid out perfectly as a driver’s car; cup holders are removable and in perfect locations so you won’t smack into them like on NAs and NBs.
What I don’t like:
Trunk volume is horrible and this is a car without a spare tire.
The OEM GPS touchscreen is going to look so out of place but you have get it if you want the LSD and Bilstein shocks from the factory.
Expensive...
WHY DOES THE ONLY ND MIATA IN SUMTER HAVE AN AUTOMATIC?!
whoarder is tellurium
> daender
09/05/2015 at 10:11 |
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I want to see one. My local Mazda dealer does not have any MX5 in inventory. I checked and the closest dealer with one in stock is 74mi away. I am disappoint.
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daender
> whoarder is tellurium
09/05/2015 at 10:13 |
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Sumter was not supposed to have a ND but the owner is apparently good friends with the regional director so he was able to score an automatic car as the perfect showroom attraction for a small-time Mazda dealership.
Redhondamike
> daender
09/05/2015 at 10:21 |
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You gotta drive one. I had the chance to test drive one at a local autox event and I was impressed. The way it pulled so strong all the way through the revs was so good, it made me so happy.
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daender
> Redhondamike
09/05/2015 at 10:26 |
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I wanted to drive it but I’d rather test drive the manual first for a good back-to-back comparison with my own manual car. I have heard they’re quite torque-y motors for a 2 liter!
Saazbaru
> daender
09/05/2015 at 10:31 |
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God I really want one. But I can’t afford one, much less justify one between a Saabaru and an NA. I wonder if the dealership in town will trust me enough (at 18) to test drive one...
LongbowMkII
> daender
09/05/2015 at 10:40 |
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I’d guess it’s an auto so they can justify keeping it in the showroom longer
jjhats
> daender
09/05/2015 at 10:48 |
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It blows my mind that dealers knowingly order automatic miatas. That used to mean cursed creature that would sit on the lot for months
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daender
> jjhats
09/05/2015 at 11:06 |
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Sadly, the dealership has a super low-mile manual retractable hardtop NC that used to be inside on the showroom floor but it’s been pushed outside. They haven’t been able to sell it in ages.
Khalbali
> jjhats
09/05/2015 at 14:42 |
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From my experience, two thirds of new miatas sold are automatics, manuals are only desirable on the used market. Every customer I've had on an ND has been over 60 looking for a weekend cruiser with one exception.