Earlier today, I test drove a nice new Mica Red Metallic Miata with the folding hard top (the car that was on display recently at the Washington DC Auto Show) with the top both up and down.
The hard top is impressive, and leaves decent trunk space -- about the same size, but looks a bit deeper than my '95. The trunk lid also seems a bit smaller, but has two stiffer dampers.
I loved the color -- sort of half-way between rust and burgundy -- and liked the cloth seats much more than the leather seats in another new Miata. The new visors are much better integrated than on my 95 (removed years ago).
I didn't like the chrome trim on door handles, instrument rims, etc. The entire dash and interior looks and feels cheap, particularly the climate controls. An exception is the control buttons well-integrated into the steering wheel.
I didn't like the exclusive Mazda alliance with Sirius, since I'm an XM guy.
Even with the duals, the exhaust note is barely audible and not impressive compared to my Borla.
The clutch gripped *really* close to the floor in first gear. If it were a motorcycle, I'd have adjusted it before driving off.
The car is smooth and quiet, fairly taut feeling. Yet compared to my 95 R, it just didn't offer that fun go-kart quality that I love -- not even close. It actually felt closer in handling to my wife's 3 series Bimmer with sport package. And it didn't feel any faster to me either.
So I guess I've just decided that I'm not buying it at $25,695. Bummer. It's purty.
-- Larry