2016 MX-5 Miata thread
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From: TN
I've never had a problem getting in/out of the Miata. Yes its low, but the doors are short. Much more of a PITA if you're in something like a Mustang or Challenger in a tight parking lot. Worst car ever was my old 1999 Camaro, doors were so long, car was too low, seat bolster was always in the way.
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yes, my only complaint is pedestrian engine... everything else looks great. 2zz-ge or vtec would have done wonders in this light car.
Pole Position
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From: Florida
Putting in bigger engine would probably affect many components that would need to be replaced as well which means not only weight increase but more importantly MSRP increase.
MX5 definitely has a brand recognition and it could sell better than GT86 family but I not sure there is a sustainable market for cheap, small, non-powerful but fun cars anymore.
MX5 definitely has a brand recognition and it could sell better than GT86 family but I not sure there is a sustainable market for cheap, small, non-powerful but fun cars anymore.
Thread Starter
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I've never had a problem getting in/out of the Miata. Yes its low, but the doors are short. Much more of a PITA if you're in something like a Mustang or Challenger in a tight parking lot. Worst car ever was my old 1999 Camaro, doors were so long, car was too low, seat bolster was always in the way.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Texas - DFW Area
You might not be my size. I'm 6' 2" and quite heavy. And bitkahuna, I think, is a little taller than that. The main issue with the Miata for big guys is not necessarily its door length, but the very low-stance of the car, and the very limited clearance under the steering wheel for big or long legs, even with the column adjusted upwards. But even the Miata is a breeze compared to the Lotus Elise. I could write a whole book about what it took for me to get in and out of an Elise the day I reviewed one, back in August of 2007. The salesperson, for one, urged me to give up. He thought it was going to be impossible.....and he made his living selling the Elise.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Yes, for the most part, I also had to, except that I'm (probably) heavier and bigger around than you are, so for me, it was even more complex. Then, of course, one in, there's the matter of using the clutch, with your left leg wrapped around the ultra-low, non-adjustable steering wheel. As you note, LOL is about the best way to describe it. 
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: AB
LOL
I remember back in 2005 a friend and I drove out to the west coast to check out an Elise, that he eventually purchased.
I am not nearly as tall as you folks, only 5'8, but as a man of girth!; I too had to do a strange 'twist & shout', hand crawl move to get out of the Lotus (at first... I later worked out a better way
)
I think the best way to get in and out would be if we were built like crabs and slid sideways into these low to the ground sports cars
Now I don't remember if the MX-5 is THAT low, but I'll be certain to try it out when the dealers get them here...
In the land of pick-up trucks and SUV's here (Calgary); small sports cars, and convertibles are a rare sight, especially since we have snow most months of the year... getting hit in the face/head with gravel by rowdy aggressive drivers spinning their tires, is NOT my idea of fun.
I digress.
I'm in the market for a Boxster, before Porsche swaps over to an all turbo engine line-up
The MX-5 is also on my short list, it looks great, and I'm sure it drives really nicely! I'm quite eager to test it out!
I remember back in 2005 a friend and I drove out to the west coast to check out an Elise, that he eventually purchased.
I am not nearly as tall as you folks, only 5'8, but as a man of girth!
; I too had to do a strange 'twist & shout', hand crawl move to get out of the Lotus (at first... I later worked out a better way)I think the best way to get in and out would be if we were built like crabs and slid sideways into these low to the ground sports cars
Now I don't remember if the MX-5 is THAT low, but I'll be certain to try it out when the dealers get them here...
In the land of pick-up trucks and SUV's here (Calgary); small sports cars, and convertibles are a rare sight, especially since we have snow most months of the year... getting hit in the face/head with gravel by rowdy aggressive drivers spinning their tires, is NOT my idea of fun.
I digress.
I'm in the market for a Boxster, before Porsche swaps over to an all turbo engine line-up
The MX-5 is also on my short list, it looks great, and I'm sure it drives really nicely! I'm quite eager to test it out!
Last edited by Kelmin; Apr 5, 2015 at 10:02 AM.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: TN
You might not be my size. I'm 6' 2" and quite heavy. And bitkahuna, I think, is a little taller than that. The main issue with the Miata for big guys is not necessarily its door length, but the very low-stance of the car, and the very limited clearance under the steering wheel for big or long legs, even with the column adjusted upwards. But even the Miata is a breeze compared to the Lotus Elise. I could write a whole book about what it took for me to get in and out of an Elise the day I reviewed one, back in August of 2007. The salesperson, for one, urged me to give up. He thought it was going to be impossible.....and he made his living selling the Elise.
As for the Miata, I find there is plenty of room, something I could not say about the Sky/Solstice duo from GM a few years ago. Whoever designed that interior was a moron or a sadist, only people that would fit in that car would be 4'10" Japanese women lol.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by Aron9000
As for the Miata, I find there is plenty of room, something I could not say about the Sky/Solstice duo from GM a few years ago. Whoever designed that interior was a moron or a sadist, only people that would fit in that car would be 4'10" Japanese women lol.
Guys my size found them both somewhat cramped, but it seemed like the biggest advantage the Miata had over the GM twins (besides overall build-quality) was its ingeniously simple, easy-to-use manual drop-top, which can be done from inside the car with a flip of one arm or wrist. The Solstice/Sky required you to get out of the car and go through a five or six-step operation.
Every year, BTW, at the D.C. auto show, because the Mazda reps are often busy doing other things (or yakking with people), I myself sit in one of the floor-display Miatas and demonstrate the up/down manual top, with one hand, to people gathered around the car. They love its simple, no-nonsense, operation when they see it, and many can't wait to get in and try it themselves....I step out after a few minutes and give it to them. (I may have sold, indirectly, a number of Miatas, just from flipping the top up and down).
Last edited by mmarshall; Apr 7, 2015 at 07:25 PM.
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From: XX
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From: California
I'll admit that I didn't like the new Miata when I first saw the pictures. However, it's really growing onto me now. Although I'm sure I won't buy one, I believe they will sell very well. However, I'm curious if Mazda will make the Mazdaspeed version. If they do, I just might be interested in picking one up.
I'll admit that I didn't like the new Miata when I first saw the pictures. However, it's really growing onto me now. Although I'm sure I won't buy one, I believe they will sell very well. However, I'm curious if Mazda will make the Mazdaspeed version. If they do, I just might be interested in picking one up.
