This just in: '06 and earlier Miatas are overpriced

http://usedcars.about.com/od/dealornodeal/tp/Over-Hyped-Used-Cars.htm

Additionally, no one needs 250 hp in a Neon, and the base Solstice is not a sports car.

Keith Griffin is over-hyped.

So.. the neon SRT4 is tons of fun but you should buy the base neon that sucks because neons are supposed to be slow? Was that the point he was trying to make?

Also, I tend to find the prices on good condition Miatas to be right about where I'd expect them. The cars were cheap new and they're cheap used.

For the SRT-4, I'll agree on his point about the "special edition". I do agree that most special editions are a waste of money.

But, Early Miatas are overhyped... but the 06+ isn't overhyped? What with most American journalists talking about how they're the greatest thing since sliced bread?

I love watching comparos between a new Miata and an older Miata. The older Miatas always take the new ones to task. I even saw a Fifth Gear shootout with some gal's personally owned, daily driven '91. Not dialed in for track work or anything, just basic maintenance through the life of the car. Not only did the '91 spank the new '06 MX-5, but the journalists were laughing in the '91, and cursing, spitting, and fighting the 06.

Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eZNnVrVUAQ

Okay, turned out the new one managed to be quicker. But they were still fighting it not laughing nearly as much.

And speaking of over-rated, what about the refund checks that Mazda had to give out to people when it turned out the engine of the new MX-5 wasn't pumping out as much power as they'd rated it at?

Salanis wrote: I love watching comparos between a new Miata and an older Miata. The older Miatas always take the new ones to task. I even saw a Fifth Gear shootout with some gal's personally owned, daily driven '91. Not dialed in for track work or anything, just basic maintenance through the life of the car. Not only did the '91 spank the new '06 MX-5, but the journalists were laughing in the '91, and cursing, spitting, and fighting the 06. Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eZNnVrVUAQ Okay, turned out the new one managed to be quicker. But they were still fighting it not laughing nearly as much.

Wow, it was only a second quicker, granted, the track was soaking wet. Might be a different story in the dry. Clearly the old model has the new one beat when it comes to 'bang for your buck'. But, this is GRM, and I suppose we all knew that already

Salanis wrote: I love watching comparos between a new Miata and an older Miata. The older Miatas always take the new ones to task.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/topless-two-step/

Salanis wrote: And speaking of over-rated, what about the refund checks that Mazda had to give out to people when it turned out the engine of the new MX-5 wasn't pumping out as much power as they'd rated it at?

Methinks you're confusing the MX5 with the RX8.

Check this out: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news03/mazda_buyback.html

Tim Baxter wrote:

Salanis wrote: I love watching comparos between a new Miata and an older Miata. The older Miatas always take the new ones to task.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/topless-two-step/

I loved that article

the only thing is that i was kind of wishing that you had also gotten a fully stock example of an earlier miata as the small tweaks in the 99 did in fact give it the legs up on the others.

MX5 vs MX5 was great, Its always nice to older cars put up such a fight!!!

Yeesh, who is this guy? This article read like the automotive version of Aunt Linda's movie reviews on Weekend Update.

Salanis wrote: For the SRT-4, I'll agree on his point about the "special edition". I do agree that most special editions are a waste of money. But, Early Miatas are overhyped... but the 06+ isn't overhyped? What with most American journalists talking about how they're the greatest thing since sliced bread? I love watching comparos between a new Miata and an older Miata. The older Miatas always take the new ones to task. I even saw a Fifth Gear shootout with some gal's personally owned, daily driven '91. Not dialed in for track work or anything, just basic maintenance through the life of the car. Not only did the '91 spank the new '06 MX-5, but the journalists were laughing in the '91, and cursing, spitting, and fighting the 06. Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eZNnVrVUAQ Okay, turned out the new one managed to be quicker. But they were still fighting it not laughing nearly as much. And speaking of over-rated, what about the refund checks that Mazda had to give out to people when it turned out the engine of the new MX-5 wasn't pumping out as much power as they'd rated it at?

What is that song playing in the last 15 seconds of the video??? Im going nuts, I cant place it!

Joey

Nevermind. Queens of the Stone Age, No one Knows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9WOBsPVjFE

Joey

Josh wrote: Yeesh, who is this guy? This article read like the automotive version of Aunt Linda's movie reviews on Weekend Update.

He probably should write for Car & Driver.

He is right the miata is overhyped. Everyone should sell theirs now...

This guy is an idiot.

"Point it in a straight line and it is fine but throw it hard into a corner and you might get thrown into the passenger side." Wow. This literally translates as "Its cornering abilities are SO bad that it will generate a TON of lateral acceleration."

How about the Neon SRT-4? "He had a BLAST with the car at Pocono speedway. But, as a sports car, it sucks." (Why??) Buy the 98 hp economy version (still a cool car!).

I wonder if he has ever driven a Solstice. The chassis is stiffer than some coupes, the suspension is superior to most, and the top is not THAT friggin hard to figure out. Unlatch one latch, pop the trunk, and stuff it in there. In fact, it is easier to get the top of a Solstice / Sky in the ready position than my electric top on my Z3.

Windows down

Unlatch 2 latches

Place window cover on window and strap in place

Get back in car and press brake and oddly-positioned top button

Get back out and reposition window so that it doesn't crease

Get back in and finish lowering

berkeley with top cover for 5 minutes and then give up when you can't get the stupid buttons to latch completely

Drive away

Stop and pick up top cover that fell off and throw in trunk

Drive away mad