The Miata RF is here

NickD wrote:

nderwater wrote: MX-5, RF, 124, Abarth - for once Miata fans are spoiled for choice. I wonder if there will ever be a Mazdaspeed RF?

I don't think there is going to be a Mazdaspeed Miata, roadster or RF.

From my conversation with Dave, it sounds highly unlikely.

The RF makes sense if you think of it as a good looking alternative to the very popular PRHT NC Miata. It's actually basically the same mechanism, it's just the big flat cover has some towers on it. All the aftermarket hardtops for Miatas and S2000s are like hatchbacks, so why not make the RF look good when the top is up? You can't see what's behind you when the top's down anyhow, and you've still got full airflow.

If you want a coupe Miata, the aftermarket already offers kits for the NA and NB. They're not great from a function standpoint and they are very clearly aftermarket, but they exist. To Mazda, the Miata is a roadster. Heck, it's CALLED a Roadster in some markets.

Any top-down pics?

I wasn't smart enough to shoot any. Looks exactly like the top up, but the middle of the top is gone A pro friend was shooting dozens of shots of the car, he'll have some.

There is a great angle from the front that's hard to capture, but in person is really cool. When you're standing just to one side of the front headlight, the curves of the rear of the car and the top all come together beautifully. I took a shot on my phone, I'll have to see if it came out.

Apparently it's much quieter on the highway with the top up. Top down, there's some ruffling at the C pillar that they're working on. Because of the buttresses, the side window seals are fixed to the body of the car (not the top) and they can do a better window seal because of it. Rear vision is basically the same as the ragtop with the top up, but the RFs may all come with blind spot monitoring as standard (it's only standard on the GT model of the ragtop). The RF will not come in Sport (cheap) trim, only Club or GT. Make mine black in Sport trim and I'll paint it Lexus Ultrasonic Blue.

More pics.

Stuff the LS into it and go F type hunting.

Please please please someone send me one so I can do just that. I can't wait to build that car.

It's crazy gorgeous. The NC PRHT was already pretty popular in my part of Canada (as far as Miatas go), I hope this thing is also going to fly off the shelves and make my commute just a bit prettier.

The want is strong for this one....

I know it's a movable piece that's not bolted directly to the chassis, but how strong does the RF structure appear to be in regards to providing any meaningful support in a roll over vs the structural (albeit short) hoops on the soft-top cars?

I would rather have it than not, but I would not expect it to be accepted by any sanctioning bodies. The car retains the same hoops.

So for the track day organizations that allow for factory hoops, it should still be at least as 'acceptable' as a soft-top model in factory form. Any idea yet on whether the ND soft top allows for any better head clearance (height vs longitudinal placement) with a proper roll bar than the NA/NB?

Yes! I'll have some pictures soon, but the bar we have for the ND gives lots of head strike protection and is quite high. Taller than is possible under an NA/NB top. I think the main hoop of this car would fit in the RF, but the rear braces would not.

https://www.flyinmiata.com/nd-hard-dog-sport.html

I like how it looks like there is a meeting going on in the background.

Also really like the RF wouldn't mind having one.

Andy Neuman wrote: I like how it looks like there is a meeting going on in the background.

There was! Dave Coleman was up there giving a talk on chassis development.

Yeah, I would be real surprised if the RF doesn't dominate the market across the board.

This makes it really hard to decide, 124 vs. Miata. I think the 3-second convertible aspect will win out though.

Stock for stock, you want the Miata. We'll see if we can sharpen up the drivetrain on the Fiat.

My question is how much quieter is hte RF over the standard MX-5?

What if the support bar went forward into the passenger footwell as opposed to rearward?

Bobzilla wrote: My question is how much quieter is hte RF over the standard MX-5?

Top up, considerably. Mazda has apparently made interior noise levels a priority recently. Top down, there's some ruffling from the C pillars that's still being worked on.

Flight Service wrote: What if the support bar went forward into the passenger footwell as opposed to rearward?

Petty bar! Hard Dog did that as an option on the NC. It was awkward, as you couldn't take a passenger when it was installed. But it would be an option. We have one of those bars on one of our NCs, I'm not sure where the Petty bar is...

It does look great. I think it makes the entire ND tie together. I keep looking at the convertible ND and it just bugs me that something isn't right, but this one, I think it all comes together.

Having seen the Fiat in person now, they definitely missed the mark, it's awkward at certain angles.

Keith Tanner wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: My question is how much quieter is hte RF over the standard MX-5?

Top up, considerably. Mazda has apparently made interior noise levels a priority recently. Top down, there's some ruffling from the C pillars that's still being worked on.

Flight Service wrote: What if the support bar went forward into the passenger footwell as opposed to rearward?

Petty bar! Hard Dog did that as an option on the NC. It was awkward, as you couldn't take a passenger when it was installed. But it would be an option. We have one of those bars on one of our NCs, I'm not sure where the Petty bar is...

If you've ever raced a mid engine car, you definitely know what a petty bar is! They add a lot of strength, but there are no more passengers at that point.

Frak, I love the RF. When they are $10k used and I know the transmission won't grenade itself I'm definitely getting one.

Keith Tanner wrote: Stock for stock, you want the Miata. We'll see if we can sharpen up the drivetrain on the Fiat.

Nah--stock for stock, I like the looks of the Fiat better, and if I'm going to care that much about performance I'll get an NA or NB. Or Corvette.

mtn wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Stock for stock, you want the Miata. We'll see if we can sharpen up the drivetrain on the Fiat.

Nah--stock for stock, I like the looks of the Fiat better, and if I'm going to care *that* much about performance I'll get an NA or NB. Or Corvette.

It's not just performance. The Fiat is a cruiser, the Miata is...well, it's a Miata.