Really. Not trying to be rude,here

In reply to captdownshift :

What you're describing is awfully close to my perfect car.

irish44j said:

Woody said:

I like the car, but I really believe that most people who want open top motoring would just buy the convertible. I think ones who have been begging for a Miata coupe really wanted a Miata that has something like the back hatch of an early RX-7.

This * a billion. I would strongly consider buying a new Miata (and I am someone who actually buys brand new cars) if it had a real roof (with sunroof) and a hatchback to make it look better and be more practical. 

I agree with this as well. While I do like RF, it's not quite big enough to be a practical daily for me (although for a spicy I6 I'd compromise.) Even the tiny back seat in my FRS is enough to make it work for me, since it gives my dog a place to ride. The hatch area of my 2nd gen RX7 works for him as well. I'm also a huge fan of lift back coupes in general.

The RF is much nicer than the convertible. To me. It's quiet and feels like a real car in a way that the convertible doesn't. It's a LOT like bolting a hard dop to an NA Miata. It doesnt make the car more useful, but it does make it better. 

A Miata coupe would change my world. 

TJL said:

I’d say the Miata is one of the most hated/misunderstood cars and also the most loved cars. 

I used to make fun of them, now i want one. A NB though. The styling of the one has grown on me. Cant see ever buying one, but i kinda like it. They have always been different. 

The Miata is an awesome, stupid, invigorating, useless, amazing toy of a car.  I find the styling unique and stimulating.  I kinda wish they made them big enough for real adults to drive and I am extremely unlikely to ever own one.  I will enjoy the little bit of the Miata that made it into my new CX-9.

You want ugly, go look at some Nissans.

Tail lights. The ND light always bothered me. Makes the rear pinch in. Upsets the proportion greatly.

The other day at the autocross we had the obligatory herd of Miatai.  From ES 1.6 NAs, STR NBs and NCs, and some CS NDs in soft top and RF flavor.  And I commented to my friend that the rear proportions of the RF were just “off”.  He and pretty much everyone agreed.

I agree with the OP and his pic. Looks too much like a Mazda 3 sedan hatch, early 2000s BMW 3 series sedan hatch, or 05 Chevy Malibu Maxx back end. But the gray one that Wheelsmithy posted is absolutely beautiful, so I think it's just the angle that ruins it.

Things that I'd buy, brand-new, from the Mazda dealer (not necessarily the stance, wheels, etc...just the body shape:

reincarnation of the M-coupe

reincarnation of every British/Italian GT car from the 70s

In reply to irish44j :

Bottom pic: hell yes, all day. 

Top pic: kill it with fire. 

In reply to Appleseed :

+1  Absolutely! 

When I first saw the pictures I thought wow that looks fantastic but then after seeing one in the flesh I too think they look a bit awkward. It's not enough to scare off buying one were I in the market for a hard top but I'd likely go for the convertable instead.

Also for the record I think the shooting brake version above looks great.

Lowering the RF seems to help pull the proportions together:

Am I the only person to see a lot of Opel GT in the RF?

The RF (and the ND in general) has some angles from which it looks great and some others from which it looks really awkward.  I think what's happening is that Mazda is trying very hard to disguise the fact that the hood and fender lines are higher than they really want them to be, in order to meet Euro passenger impact standards.

triumph7 said:

Am I the only person to see a lot of Opel GT in the RF?

Not anymore!

triumph7 said:

Am I the only person to see a lot of Opel GT in the RF?

No, you’re not. I noted it right away. 

I have yet to find this “awkwardness” of which people speak. I think NDs looks awesome in both variants. Though I agree with David that a slight lowering does improve the looks, that doesn’t mean they look bad to begin with. 

IMO the RF version is the best looking Miata yet, with NB coming in second. Yes the rear is a wee bit off, and I was meh about the front at first, but it's grown on me over time, and the top just sets everything off. 

The Fiat version looks more classic and upscale - exactly what they intended methinks.

In reply to Kreb :

IMHO the Fiata, especially with aftermarket wheels/tires, looks much better than the ND.  Too bad the engine is somewhat of a letdown...

Rodan said:

In reply to Kreb :

IMHO the Fiata, especially with aftermarket wheels/tires, looks much better than the ND.  Too bad the engine is somewhat of a letdown...

 

Well Esthetics are always a crap shoot. I mean most of the Toyota lineup looks to have been designed by a bunch of Anime artists juiced up on Red Bull. But they sell pretty good.....

IMO both Mazda and Fiat nailed their visions from almost all aspects; but yes, the Fiat motor could be improved upon for sure.

You're just picking the wrong color: 

It looks better with different wheels and a bit lower makes the proportions better all over and that blue is awesome

I would trade my first born for a turbo Miata shooting brake.  Maybe both kids.  Maybe both kids, wife and grand son.

I saw a white one today

 The rear window/ sail panel  just jumps out of the boot way too fast

 Makes the sail panel  tall and too skinny

 Just strange  looking for mesorry.i will stick  with ecotec  powered  84 Alfa Romeo spider 

kazoospec said:

You're just picking the wrong color: 

There is not a damn thing wrong with the proportions of that car.  Despite the two-fisted ride height.

The FIATa is... OK.  My brain keeps expecting it to have a shorter hood and a longer trunk, like a real 124 Sport, and it keeps being disappointed.

Yeah, there's no way you will convince me an RF is a bad looking car. They look awesome.