Pass the Koolaid, never mind the glass.

My week with the new MX-5. I'm ruined.

http://driving.ca/mazda/mx-5/reviews/road-test/car-review-2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-gs-sport-package

I'm not too far to being able to drive again, just a week away or so, and I'm really looking forward to getting the ND out for as long as my body can withstand. I've driven far faster cars with greater performance potential, but nothing has been more enjoyable and smile endosing than the ND and it comes without the headache of owning something 20+ years old and dealing with aging wiring, NLA parts and research projects that can come with some repairs. It's truly a brilliant little car.

What a zen experience that's going to be, and a really joyful way to get back out on the road. So happy for you cap'n.

Nice article, Lesley.

You ALMOST had me ready to take on a car payment.

The ND is really a fine piece of work.

Everyone should get one.

I want to see the ND and 124 driven back to back and compared

That's a great idea. Seriously considering adopting that press car when it's done this fall.

Question: Why does the auto have a better mpg rating on the freeway? Different gearing, or just testing dynamics (if it's a good auto it will shift quicker)?

mad_machine wrote: I want to see the ND and 124 driven back to back and compared

I expect that will be the standard test for many publications as soon as there are 124 press cars. Throw in a BRZ/FRS/GT86 to appear like you're not comparing two versions of the same car.

Interesting note for you, Lesley - Japan wanted a heavier flywheel to avoid rattles from the transmission. The US development team fought for a lighter one despite the noise. You may have already known that, or you're savvy enough that you figured out the light flywheel was the cause

captdownshift wrote: I'm not too far to being able to drive again, just a week away or so, and I'm really looking forward to getting the ND out for as long as my body can withstand.

This is truly the best news I've heard all week!

I'm willing to bet Dave Coleman had something to do with that :-)

Keith Tanner wrote:

mad_machine wrote: I want to see the ND and 124 driven back to back and compared

I expect that will be the standard test for many publications as soon as there are 124 press cars. Throw in a BRZ/FRS/GT86 to appear like you're not comparing two versions of the same car. Interesting note for you, Lesley - Japan wanted a heavier flywheel to avoid rattles from the transmission. The US development team fought for a lighter one despite the noise. You may have already known that, or you're savvy enough that you figured out the light flywheel was the cause

I so wish the Miata was a little cheaper in Canada. But even more than that I wish one could get the base model in a real colour. I dislike the iPad looking thing on the dash which the base model comes without. But the only (non) colour choices are black, white, grey and silver. Ugh. The GS is $4k more just to get red. Blue is top of the line only.

Maybe Fiat will offer a better palette.

David S. Wallens wrote: The ND is really a fine piece of work. Everyone should get one.

I'm trying to convince DW to get a targa/fastback/whateveritscalled next year.

"US development team" is code for Dave Coleman.

Lesley wrote: I'm willing to bet Dave Coleman had something to do with that :-)

Keith Tanner wrote:

mad_machine wrote: I want to see the ND and 124 driven back to back and compared

I expect that will be the standard test for many publications as soon as there are 124 press cars. Throw in a BRZ/FRS/GT86 to appear like you're not comparing two versions of the same car. Interesting note for you, Lesley - Japan wanted a heavier flywheel to avoid rattles from the transmission. The US development team fought for a lighter one despite the noise. You may have already known that, or you're savvy enough that you figured out the light flywheel was the cause

Dave wrote: I so wish the Miata was a little cheaper in Canada.

According to Lesley's article, it's the same price as in the US at current exchange rates and the specs sound pretty similar. FYI. Complaining about pricing is a Canadian pastime, I do understand that.

Checking historical data - the base model in 1989 was about $17k Canadian. Steel wheels, no power steering or AC, etc...although it did get a tape deck. That translates into $29.5k Canadian today. I'd say the Miata isn't really any more expensive now, even if you ignore all the goodies. Interestingly, Canada bought a lot more Miatas per capita in the early days than the US did.

Dave Coleman and Kelvin Hiraishi are pretty much the embodiment of zoom-zoom. Coleman has a rotary engine on his office floor

Dave Coleman is one of those heroes who's as great in person as you'd think he'd be. My friend bought his B13 SE-R from him, and one of the highlights of the trip was lunch with Dave and Josh Jacquot. You couldn't hire a better guy to represent what Mazda's about.

Yeah. I've been fortunate to meet him twice. Sat beside him at lunch during the CX-5 launch, and he showed me his iphone pics of crazy LeMons cars like the S.S. Enterprise Miata, or the Hyabusa Miata. Ultimate car nerd.

The ND looks like it just fires on all cylinders. The Fiat Spyder looks interesting as well.

Lesley wrote: Dave Coleman and Kelvin Hiraishi are pretty much the embodiment of zoom-zoom. Coleman has a rotary engine on his office floor

I'm betting the apex seals are in good shape, too.

Great article, Lesley.

Thank you!

Brett_Murphy wrote:

Lesley wrote: Dave Coleman and Kelvin Hiraishi are pretty much the embodiment of zoom-zoom. Coleman has a rotary engine on his office floor

I'm betting the apex seals are in good shape, too. Great article, Lesley.

Awful article, Lesley...just horrid...because now I want one even more and I can't have one.

It's even worse being allowed to take one home for a week. Taking them back is nothing short of traumatic.

It is telling how many journalists own Miatas themselves. Rarely new ones, but I seem to recall the very first long term test Miata at either R&T or C&D got purchased by the staff instead of letting it go back. And they extended the test from 30k to 50k first because they didn't want to give it up.

^^ I'm an old magazine weirdo, and frequently look at old Car and Drivers that I have laying around. I recently picked up one from 1990 (IIRC). It had the first review of the NA Miata, the NSX and the Lexus LS400. Pretty strong issue!

In the counterpoint William Jeans, who was the editor in chief said----" I'm frankly amazed at what Mazda has managed to do, I'm buying one" That's a pretty strong endorsement.

and yes.......the ND is fantastic. I mourn the loss of a real trunk, and I hate the TV screen and volume / infotainment knob in the console, but those are small nits to pick. The rest of the car is stellar.