2016 MX-5 Miata thread
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,382
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From: ON/NY
Yes, Agreed, but part of that weight saving this year seems to be with quite thin sheet metal that may (?) be prone to dings and dents. I hope that actual owner-experience with this car (as with the new all-aluminum F-150) proves me wrong, but my initial impression is that this is not a car that you would want to park under trees that drop acorns or other nuts.
Parking under a tree and worrying about acorns is the least of anyone's worries. I would be much more worried about squirrels making a nest inside the engine compartment than I would acorns.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Aug 22, 2015 at 09:58 AM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
You need to ease back a bit on the vehicle sheet metal thickness and door dings. The car manufacturers actually TEST and engineer the vehicles that they are building and thus selling. The sheet metal is fine on moden cars.
Parking under a tree and worrying about acorns is the least of anyone's worries. I would be much more worried about squirrels making a nest inside the engine compartment than I would acorns.
Parking under a tree and worrying about acorns is the least of anyone's worries. I would be much more worried about squirrels making a nest inside the engine compartment than I would acorns.
There are two large oak trees right outside my condo townhouse, and I constantly see what they do to vehicles parked under them.....yes, after factory "tests".
Last edited by mmarshall; Aug 22, 2015 at 11:13 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Always was. That's one reason why it made Car and Driver's 10 Best List for a number of years.
Most of the difference, from what I saw in my static-review, seems to be around the headlights and taillights. The grille, size/dimensions, and general body shape remains pretty much the same.
That's pretty remarkable, considering that the BR-Z, being a closed coupe, has a significant advantage in body/chassis stiffness that the Miata may lack, even with additional chassis-bracing.
Are you going to try out a Fiat version with the MultiAir engine if you get a chance? It, of course, has not been released yet.
Most of the difference, from what I saw in my static-review, seems to be around the headlights and taillights. The grille, size/dimensions, and general body shape remains pretty much the same.
That's pretty remarkable, considering that the BR-Z, being a closed coupe, has a significant advantage in body/chassis stiffness that the Miata may lack, even with additional chassis-bracing.
Are you going to try out a Fiat version with the MultiAir engine if you get a chance? It, of course, has not been released yet.
MMarshall, while size is similar, the sheet metal contouring is completely different. The outgoing model was very bubble and used a lot of rounded curves and stamping lines. This new one is much sharper, crisp lines.
Mazda has been able to utilize a soft suspension with good geometry and low weight to make it more controlled under certain circumstances than the FR-S/BRZ, which utilize a very firm suspension tune to try to achieve handling metrics. Just two different execution methods.
The Fiat version isn't close to coming to market, but we'll definitely be able to drive it/see it before it debuts.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,592
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From: TN
Thank you, but I will ease back if and when I see fit. We are all free to post our automotive opinions and experience here. And I post basically what my experience has been.
There are two large oak trees right outside my condo townhouse, and I constantly see what they do to vehicles parked under them.....yes, after factory "tests".
There are two large oak trees right outside my condo townhouse, and I constantly see what they do to vehicles parked under them.....yes, after factory "tests".
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
(BTW, I just finished posting a detailed static-review of a new Grand Touring automatic model, but declined a test-drive offer...I'm going to wait till an unsold stick version is available, considering this car with an automatic to be a waste of time).
The Fiat version isn't close to coming to market, but we'll definitely be able to drive it/see it before it debuts.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: TX
Thank you, but I will ease back if and when I see fit. We are all free to post our automotive opinions and experience here. And I post basically what my experience has been.
There are two large oak trees right outside my condo townhouse, and I constantly see what they do to vehicles parked under them.....yes, after factory "tests".
There are two large oak trees right outside my condo townhouse, and I constantly see what they do to vehicles parked under them.....yes, after factory "tests".
