Test drive of a 2016 MX-5

[MurrayPeterson]

On Monday, Jo and I drove up to test drive (and likely purchase) an ND Miata (GS model).  Here are my impressions:

It is a slightly tighter fit in the cabin than our S2000.  I needed to recline the seat before my helmet would fit when the top was up.

The cloth seats are comfortable and have fairly good side restraint.  Race seats not needed for autocross.

The cup holders aren't as bad as I was expecting.  The passenger holder can be moved to a spot that would be useful when driving alone.

The noise level is about the same as in the S2000 (aka noisy).  Which makes the entire radio system somewhat useless for highway driving.  The radio controls were rather annoying (some touch screen and some silly diddling with dials on the center console).

The trunk space is smaller than the S2000.  At present, we can haul both helmets, a small cooler, and 2 suitcases, but the Miata would likely force us to cut back to a single suitcase.

The body roll is horrendous -- feels like driving a boat on a lake.  A swaybar is an absolute necessity, even if you never race the car.

The gearing is much shorter than the S2000.  The S2000 gets into its 2nd gear power band from around 70 kph up to 110 kph.  The Miata's power band starts much earlier (about 50 kph) and runs out around 85 kph.  The Miata feels about as peppy as the S2000 when in VTEC -- darned good.

The Miata's lower gearing makes it much, much peppier at lower speeds.  It feels to me like the Miata would be wonderful at many autocross events, since it could haul butt out of a lot of corners where the S2000 is just bogged down.  On the down side, I would expect the Miata to need 3rd gear, even at the Westerner venue.  Note that the shift from 2nd to 3rd is easy and fast -- the return spring is strong enough that there is no real likelihood of hitting 1st or 5th gear by accident.

Overall, Jo and I liked the car, but in the end, we decided not to buy it.  It was basically a $40,000 expense to end up with a car that felt very much like our S2000.  We had hoped to be much more in love with the Miata, but that just didn't happen.  Perhaps next year...

So, the S2000 is getting a replacement diff and catalytic converter this week.  Hopefully in time to go down to Helena for the weekend and test out the repairs.

[NickST]

Thanks for sharing, I was wondering how your test drive went

Also I love that you brought your helmet for the test drive... next time I test drive a car I am going to put a helmet on just to freak out the salesman, haha

[MurrayPeterson]

They weren't freaked out at all.  I think they were a bit more freaked out by us wanting something other than our S2000.  Every saleman in the place had to come out and look at our car.

[Terry Johns]

Good report Murray.

[majormojo]

$40K would get you a nice used Boxster with much more luggage room... 

[MurrayPeterson]

Or a fully STR prepped NC Miata.  I am more sympathetic to street classes -- the dealer/mechanic doesn't freak out when you bring it in for service

The ND Miata is probably going to be the car, but just not this year.  Our cross Canada trip is more about driving fun than bleeding edge autox competitiveness.  Who knows, I might even get lucky and find the National's course to be AP1 friendly.