Comments on: Dealers baffled by Mazda’s MX-5 folding hardtop plans

By: Kim - Aus

Kim - Aus — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:31:05 +0000

I find a need to respond to to those that do not know what they are about in the UK!

We are talking here of those that successfully managed to Alt-Ctrl-Delete the MG and Triumph TR series of roadsters with the statement. What do we need of an open top sports car! Company management and dealers were brainwashed. It worked, both companies best efforts died in a not so glorious blasé of bull-****! Do they now exist, NO!

I was in my younger life the very proud owner of a TR4A!

In later life, and now turning 58 Jul 11/06 I find a need to replace my TR4A memories with those of a reputable replacement roadster for my wife and I. The Mazda MX5 Series 3 (NC) is the one that was chosen at release! WHY, it suit all our needs and what we expected of a roadster!

BUT, I now suffer from Diabetes that has taken feeling from the feet, but not the enthusiasm from the brain. ANSWER The 6 speed auto gearbox. Mazda came to the rescue! After a test drive, what magic!

My TR4A had an aftermarket detachable fibreglass fastback type hard top not the surrey-top. I had made my mind up that this is what I would order for my MX5. But my wish list at my age was for an SLK type hardtop and this is what was rumoured to happen. So I waited, as I really have no place to store a detachable hard top. ANSWER Mazda will provide! Can I ask for more. No!

Does this answer the question asked by dealers. There is a place for both configurations. Soft top AND/OR Removable Hardtop combination, and electric lightweight composite roof. Mazda has seen the light for the young and old.

Can I say if this change didn’t happen early in the series 3 life cycle, I for one would most probably would still be waiting without ordering what I really wanted from Mazda!!!!

By: dan

dan — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 21:23:59 +0000

I think I’d like a hardtop version. especially if it still weighs less than a sky

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 07:51:02 +0000

My girlfriend and I both have never been interested in convertibles because of their soft top. I think this is going to play out quite well for Mazda, as this has certainly made me a whole lot more interested in the Miata.

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 05:18:23 +0000

Incredible. They can’t figure out if this would sell? Let’s see – give it a 240 HP engine, the hardtop, it has a very friendly interior, a decent trunk vs. cars with soft tops and basically no trunk. You’ve got SLK and boxster killer! Sell it for $26999 and take the whole market.

By: Bob Lastiri

Bob Lastiri — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 05:11:18 +0000

NO >> NO >> NO, , , PLEASE do NOT do this. This is just one more step down the road to perdition. BIGGER, WIDER, HEAVIER, UGLIER ! The original idea of the Miata was a small lightweight affordable fun to drive sports car. NOT a big, heavily accessoray laden Grand Touring Luxo Barge. There are other cars that fill that niche. Too many cars have gone down this road. The 55 Thunderbird for example, it went from a small 2 seater to a giant THING. Don’t let the Miata go that way.

By: JSP

JSP — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 02:16:30 +0000

Give me a coupe.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 23:49:31 +0000

#6… or with bad sales Mazda will get too scared to go edgier with the Kabura and drop any thoughts of it altogether.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 16:21:00 +0000

Go #6!

j i m

By: ziggy

ziggy — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 16:16:25 +0000

I hope this thing tanks in the sales department. Then Mazda will be forced to bring out the Kabura concept that EVERYONE loves. Throw in the Mazdaspeed 2.3l turbo engine and you have a fast affordable RWD coupe in the mid 20k range.

By: LBJay

LBJay — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 15:53:15 +0000

Dealers are the last people that know what customers want.

Yes, it will be powered. 3 piece top. About 12-14 seconds to open/close. Will add about 80 lbs to car’s weight.

By: Thom

Thom — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 14:59:26 +0000

Lots of people don’t buy convertibles because of the soft top. I think it will help sales, depending on the cost of it as an option.

By: mike

mike — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 13:23:02 +0000

It’ll help to reduce theft.

By: ss

ss — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 13:14:05 +0000

looks good to me. sometimes people dont realize they want something until they see it. i think they wont have a problem selling this car. well…to anyone under 6ft that is.

By: Renton

Renton — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 13:09:17 +0000

Let us see some pics.