2006 Miata

In my case, they will probably just call the police on their cell phones. :(

Leon

I bought an '06 last month, approximately on the 15th anniversary of purchasing my '91 which I drove constantly. Comparisons between the the two cars are probably pointless so I won't even try.

My new MX-5 is a "true red" sport with the suspension package and CD changer. I've since added the splash guards and the cargo net. The latter is amazingly useful since, despite the tiny trunk, anything carried which does not entirely fill it is subject to a violent beating given my driving habits. The CD changer was justified not by the changing but by its ability to play MP3 CDs which are the only decent way I've found to listen to books which serve to preserve my remaining sanity on long trips.

My vehicle is not even decently broken in and some of my instincts are still attuned to the old '91 but I can find no real faults in it. The handling is beautiful with the Michelin tires (likely any bought now won't have them since Mazda has changed suppliers) but I anticipate that virtually any performance tire will yield similar results. Power is great although given my long-term use of a '91 Miata my expectations are probably skewed. The MX-5 can't be knocked as an economy vehicle since on my one long trip so far it managed 34-35mpg cruising at 70-75 on the interstate. Sadly my driving habits and heavy right foot keep the local consumption at ~25mpg.

I did have a problem crop up yesterday morning -- a check engine light. Diagnostics showed a P0300 code which indicates "random misfire". The service techs said that Mazda has put out a new set of software for the computer and they re-flashed mine. But I will definitely be watching that from now on.

Despite the return to making car payments for the first time in 12 years I don't regret the purchase a bit and would surely do it again.

I am with you. I love the car! It is exactly as it is intended...its fun,simple to use, relatively inexpensive, drives great, not a rocket ship but very nice handeling. I also appreciate the more modern conveniences like the cup holders, the Bose radio, the trunk...although sure it could be larger so I am considering an aftermarket rack to carry beach chairs this summer....

M> chance wrote:

Me too. I use it to brace myself when cornering, but other than that I'm nowhere near it during normal driving.

I have a Winning Blue GT with the premium and suspension packages.

I sold an '01 Miata LS to buy this car.

I like almost everything about it. The increased torque, the looks, the interior, the new folding top (which I can put down or up with one hand in about three seconds).

The only thing I don't (didn't actually) like was the 4x4 look. The brochure photos showed a lower-to-the-ground car. The way they come from the factory, there's a huge gap between the tires and the fender. Looks like someone put a lift kit on it. But I bought the MazdaSpeed springs (about $410 installed, plus another $70 for a performance alignment) and I'm a happy camper.

As for the brake lever, I don't think much about it. My '02 S2000 and '03 Corvette both had the lever on the passenger side, so I guess I'm just used to it.

Craig Wagner wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

I'm sure it's not bothersome to those who are vertically challenged but for those of us who are of normal stature (6' 4") the leg is resting on it all the time.

I think I made this point in another post. Personally even though I say they don't bother me (they don't) I don't think they are needed or very useful.

At 6' 4'' I imagine the leg would be a problem no matter what.

I'm 5' 11". We have a club member who must be at least 6' 4" and it doesn't bother him either.

As for useful, my wife finds the one on her side incredibly handy for her travel mug. Much better than putting in in the center cupholder when I had my '01. On long trips I do like to keep a bottle of water there for myself, again, better than putting it in the center.

Now if the center was more like the one in the S2000, so it could be used for storage of small items like sunglasses or wallet, that would be handy.

just found it humorous....

Right there. It's nice to come out "on top" for once in life !!!

I'm 5' 3", and never let it bother me in life. But I always get a good chuckle when those taller than I find something to complain about! My response is purely in good humor, so don't get offended.

Where is 6' 4" defined as "normal"? Seems to me it's classified as "terminal tallness"

In his dreams. 6' 0" is normal.

According to one web site I just visited, the average height of an American white male is 5'10." From the chart, Black Americans appear to be about the same. American Hispanics seem to be 2-3 inches shorter. Not sure if these are medians or means.

Thank You all for the supporting science... After the rains, actually put the top down in New England today!!

Perfect weather where I am, too. Unfortunately I'm in Israel and my miata is in Dallas. I KNEW I should have packed it.

Then again, there is no reason to assume that Americans should be taken as the standard for "normal" people. Think of California, for one. The normal, and ideal height is about 5'7"; just consider all those Chinese.

Leon

C'mon, Leon, get over it. It's 2006. One of my cars is a '95 Miata M-edition with a crappy radio, a cheesy cupholder adaptor for what appears to be an ashtray, power windows that take forever to operate, and, get this--you actually have to stick a key in the door to unlock it. How quaint.

I don't have the slightest idea how *any* of these things detract from the Miata's sports car characteristics. People that complain about power windows in a Miata tend to be, well...old guys that haven't yet learned to deal with the fact that cars are evolving and aren't like the ones they owned in the '60s. Meanwhile, your '06 Miata in all of its power-windowed goodness will run circles around whatever you were driving 20 years ago.

You'd probably have a bigger list of complaints if you'd purchased a car that cost twice as much.

Exactly--some people just like to have something to bitch about.

It's OK, Leon. Let it out.

If you can hear it with the top down, it's a step up from my '95.

Well, some people (like myself) have hardtops. I also have the keyless ignition and doors on another car and wouldn't give it up.

People sure complain a lot about the fancier bits on newer Miatas, but you don't see many people buying stripper models.

"Remove This" wrote in news:aNHag.6033$Fi6.634@trndny03:

FYI, heights are defined as:

Midget = 6' 3" or less Normal = 6' 4" Giant = 6' 5" or more

Since WWII, the average (median?) Japanese height has increased drastically, approaching that of Americans. Some say this is due to improved diet. Though I once heard someone, very insensitively, assert it was due to the radiation.