Mazda MX-5 Miata 2008

miatamama1

In Lexington, KY there is a red hardtop that has been on the lot for 2 months if anyone is interested. It was way too much screaming red for me.

wilzap

its a great little car, got the 5 door,for the price with the options that it comes with and a few extras totaly worth the 20k my wife loves it and i can use it to go to Home depot with it,

milkey

When we were looking for a gas mizer, we couldn't believe how much nicer the 3 was vs. Civic, Corolla, Neon, Focus. Looked richer, handled better, nicer interior... everything about it IMO was (and still is) far superior to the others. We paid less than 19k(July 2005) for a heavily optioned S model, incl. leather, 6-disc changer, cassette, spoiler. The car consistently gets 33-35 hiway mpg (I've gotten up to 40) always gets noticed, and after 50k hasn't had any issues. Wife loves it, I love it, and that's why I'm so looking forward to getting the Miata! :shades:

milkey

I have to agree with you about the True Red. I normally gravitate towards a bright red convertible (like most people.) But for some reason, I think the lines on this car look better a little muted. Too bright a color detracts from the simplicity and classic look of the MX-5... just my opinon. I want people looking at the car and the unique retracting top, not the color. I actually wanted ours in HIghland Green, but my wife wanted Copper Red Mica... see, I don't hate red!

manybmws

Interestingly enuf I have been told it is the most popular color. Also, it is almost identical to Porsche Guards Red FWIW.

I like the True Red with the black cloth top (what I have) but the PRHT does scream red with the top up IMO. The red is easy to maintain for sure and does age very well compared to other colors that are trendy like the electric blue that was available for the 06 models.

My choice from the current color palette is the Stormy Blue Mica but my other car is this color so I went with red. And the blue looks good also with the cloth top since it matches the leather interior on the GT models.

milkey

Yeah, I totally agree. The True Red looks fine w/ the black softtop... the contrast really makes it pop. Overkill w/ the hardtop. (I just sold my '66 Mustang hardtop this fall to help finance the Miata. Owned it for 13 years...the color of the stang, you ask? Bright candyapple RED!)

gputz

I'm really not overly smitten with ANY of the current MX-5 colors. I selected Stormy Blue Mica but it's a little too dark. My first choice would be Marble White but it's not available in the PRHT. Be sure to see the True Red in person if you're thinking of getting this color, many people see a lot of orange in the mix...

milkey

That's a good point about the available colors. I chose Copper Red almost by default. I'd prefer more of a burgundy. I'd like to see what an off-white or an ivory would look like on this car. Even a pale yellow might look classy. But, hey, what do we know more than the market research people? Maybe the '09's will be available in the '08 Special Edition Icy Blue.

milkey

Hey, if you stop at Walser, feel free to leave them a check for my deposit... I'd really appreciate it! Congrats on the grandson... take care of that MX-5 - it'll be a heckuva high school graduation gift for him someday!

gputz

"That's a good point about the available colors. I chose Copper Red almost by default. I'd prefer more of a burgundy. I'd like to see what an off-white or an ivory would look like on this car. ..."

The mica colors do color-shift according to light. The CR can look burgundy in bright diffused light, but it more often looks like reddish-brown to me. The Stormy Blue and Highland Green are so dark they can appear almost black out of the sun. The Galaxy Gray can look like it has a subtle lavender tinge in some light. The colors are deep and rich, but to my eye they are not "sports car" colors. YMMV.

Here is a crude photoshop mockup I did months ago... Not terrific work, but it gives an idea of how the car would look in white. I wish Mazda at least offered us the choice. If they offer MW in '09, I'll be :mad: .

http://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=38909

wilzap

LOL,can't wait to take him crusin in the car,they are suppose to be moving back to ill. this summer, I think my son would rather me give him the car,but thats not happinen

wilzap

so true, my Stormy Blue can look like many different shades depending on day,night,overcast, clean or dirty. but in the sun when its clean it looks very sharp, just wish it would be warm and sunny all the time, and as most it shows the dirt bigtime...

destry

Looks great in White. Mine is Brilliant Black Clearcoat and it's very sporty looking...I have gotten many compliments on the color. The other color was silver, but I chose black. It's awesome! I wouldn't trade it for red mica, true red, stormy blue, white or any other color. :shades:

milkey

On the contrary, your photoshop skills look pretty good to me! Yeah, a white PRHT looks pretty sharp :shades: Custom paint job, anyone?

miatamama1

I have Brilliant Black and the statement it makes it that of class. It looks great cleaned up but it easily shows the dirt. Somebody made the comment that the subdued, low-key colors look best and I agree. I have seen the white and red. They are too intense for me with nothing to break up the intensity (i.e. soft top color). The photosho job was effective enough to show the white version (I am a graphic designer by trade so my hat is off to you).

miatamama1

Here is something I have been thinking about:

How many people own a PHRT and seem to be only one in their area? I have never seen anyone else driving one where I live. I see lots of soft tops, never a PRHT. I hate to admit it, but I really like the distinction.

sher2327

Hey, that looks great!! You should send that to Mazda. They don't make a white PRHT and this photo should tell them to go for it!!

milkey

That exclusivity is EXACTLY what I'm counting on. A person could spend a whole lot more money on something like a beamer or Audi, and just be another drop in an ocean of like cars. Sure, it's a Miata, but it's a RETRACTABLE Miata. Of course, since the town I live in is about 35,000 people, I could drive a Camry and feel special!!

wilzap

Scince I ordered mine(last Memorial day) I've only seen 2 and they both weren't from anywhere close to were I live, and I see every MX-5 the road, kind of funny how you really notice them when your waiting for one and still after you get it..

wilzap

never thought about getting a MW until that seeing that PS pic, nice..

miatamama1

I must have been dreaming when I saw a white PHRT...now I am wondering what I saw (I was driving past a lot).

gputz

"never thought about getting a MW until that seeing that PS pic, nice.."

Isn't it?! Color is the ultimate personal preference, but I think that's a terrific look for the PRHT. Someone claimed to know that Mazda nixed MW for the PRHT because that model has so many panel seams. But the car does come in bright silver which also highlights all the seams. Only Mazda product people know for sure...

destry

They call it Marble White, so it's more like a cream white than a snow white. I saw one on the lot 2 months after I purchased mine. It's was very nice! I love my Brilliant Black Clearcoat though....It's black on black...Looks Tight!

wilzap

Had a guy pull up next to me one day in a white hardtop,turned out to be 2nd generation with the removable top, took me a min. to figure that out, as I was driving I saw him coming up from behind me so I made sure we caught the same stop light he had a bunch of questions for me about my PRHT.

sher2327

I concur. Still waiting on mine, should arrive at the dealer anytime now, but it will be the only one in my town. No dealers in ND have had a PRHT, I had to go to MN to get one. Dealers here aren't allocated until 2008. I'll be the lone ranger for some time. Not too many MX-5's here either, but funny how you do see them when you are wanting one!

sher2327

sunlight silver perhaps?

aviboy97

Next Spring I am thinking of enrolling in the Skip Barber school...

I went to Skip Barber Racing School, and I have some pretty cool vid's from driving the MX-5 around a short autocross track.

manybmws

Cool are they up on YouTube?

Claires

Cool are they up on YouTube?

... or here on CarSpace Videos?

wilzap

I plan on driving mine most of the winter,if we get heavy snow forget it,if we are expected to get lots of snow forget it,( I can ride with my wife to work) but if the roads are clear I'm driving. Here in northern Illinois we only get a couple storms a year and the roads are ok most of the time, so I ordered a set of rims with some Blizzax snow tires( from the tire rack thanks manybmws) and just put them on,the Bridgestone tires that come on these cars will go nowhere in the snow(except sideways) I've heard from lots of people and read reviews on these Blizzax tires that they are great in the snow. As much as I want it to stay warm out, snow is gonna happen and I'm ready...

destry

I agree with you. I am driving mine as much as I can unless the weather is bad. I have a 2nd car that I drive when it rains, etc. Got to keep her garaged when we have bad weather...She's always shiny & clean! We don't get snow here like we use too. We get more ice than snow which sucks! Keep on Zooming.... :shades:

Zoom-Zoom

gputz

I could drive the car thru the winters here, the snow doesn't really bother me, it's the road treatment. I hope to keep this car for many years and the salt/cinders are killers. The car ages so much faster if driven in the winter because of the stuff dumped on the roads. We bought a 4WD Honda Element last winter (which we love) and the plan is to use that as my all year car.

aviboy97

Not yet..I will post them shortly!!

manybmws

YW wilzap and yes I agree that the salt is the killer. I am sure the car will do fine with the dedicated Winter tires. Find a snow filled parking lot and let us know how they work before the sanders arrive

wilzap

I'm hoping the snow is long way off, lately the winters here have been quite mild but I know I'm going to spend a lot of dough on the touch less car wash down the street to keep her clean, and theres always the Mazda 3 for bad weather days, but I am curios as to how these tires will preform...

miatamama1

I am curious. I have had a front wheel drive since the early 80s until now. I hate driving in the snow. How do these cars drive in the snow? I sold my other car and this is it for me. I guess I am also a little paranoid that a big truck will slam into me. I know.....I DID think about it when I bought it. I told my boss to count on me working at home when it snows! Hmmm...hoping for a mild winter.

wilzap

I thought the same thing until I realized that the only time any one slammed into me in any of my other cars it was summer ! and I've made it for 32 years of driving so far so I'm going for it, and with a set of snow tires it should be better.

milkey

Just a little update... wife & I are back from Mpls. Visited w/ some friendly people at Walser Mazda. Did some paperwork on the PRHT that we ordered 11/15/08. Concerning delivery time, when I told my salesman that based on what I've read in this blog, I didn't expect to see the car 'til April or May, he was pretty adamant that I could see it as soon as March. Operative word -COULD. I think he was just trying to be optimistic, like salespeople are. I told him it doesn't matter to us... May would be just fine, any sooner means garaging it anyway. But he insisted on 3 months. He'll keep us posted on VIN #, build date, ship date, etc. We ARE excited! Got to drive a black 6M ragtop they had in stock... WOW! Lots of torque, unbelievable cornering (NO body lean!) I didn't get nearly as much wheel time as I would have liked, but enough to know we made the right decision. What can any of you tell me about 6th gear not being tall enough? I've read some things about the engine being a bit buzzy at highway speed, but didn't really have time to check it out myself.

milkey

Just to clarify... I have assumed from what others have said that even though a car gets ordered by a customer on Nov. 15, it's a good bet that the order won't be processed by Mazda immediately, possibly not for a month or more. If that is true and my order isn't processed until Jan., that would still mean a 4-6 month build & ship time, pushing delivery into April at the earliest. So that's why I think what I've been told by my salesperson is a little optimistic. Thoughts, anyone?

wilzap

From the posts I read that could be very true, but at least you got it locked in

sher2327

Hi milkey, congratulations! Did the dealer let you know what their allocation date is for your car? It took just over a month to get an actual report from the dealer which showed allocation date. Then I knew that what he had told me was true. So many people within these forums have talked about their dealers telling them they had an allocation, but with the kinds of waits that some have seen, it is obvious that they were a few months off on their dates! Did you order keyless entry? What color~hope it wasn't Galaxy Gray since we both live in the same state!

milkey

Thanks... we're excited about it, as I know you are for yours! I'm not sure what is meant by allocation date. When I first talked to them via phone on Nov.10, they told me they had 1 more PRHT on their "current allocation which is due Nov. 15." Whether that means that they actually placed the order with Mazda on Nov. 15, or they have to wait for the "quarterly" ordering (in January), I don't know. All I know is that they called me on the 15th and told me they had "ordered it." At any rate, I'm thankful to have my $500 deposit officially placed, and my name on a PRHT! We went with Copper Red Mica/tan leather 'cuz we both like red (but thought the True Red was a little much.) I do like the Galaxy Gray and had the car been strictly for me, you might have seen another one passing you on I-94 next summer! The only options ordered for our Grand Touring are splash guards, wheel locks and all-weather floor mats. :shades:

wilzap

Just about to get off work and they say snow is coming, hate the winter but I'm looking forward to testing out my toys new winter tires, they have been talking a little snow in northwestern Illinois for this evening and tomorrow for 2 days now, so that means we probably won't get any and I'm fine with that also...

destry

Your brave...I am not driving my MX-5 in snow period...That's why I have an AWD vehicle too! I also have a 2005 Toyota Highlander V6(Blue). My MX-5 is driven on sunny days only and will be garaged for the winter unless I decide to drive it to Miami, Fl in 2 months? Good-luck with your new tires.... :shades:

wilzap

As usual the snow was just rain, a slight dusting of snow when I awoke and the sun is out, was thinking of taking mine to Fla. in Feb. but were going for a week and my wife could never pack so light as to fit in the car, me shorts and t-shirts and sunglasses and a toothbrush thats it, next summer I'm thinking of going to Colorado to visit a Buddy, that could be fun :shades:

ateixeira

Same here, we have a Legacy for snow.

I just don't want to play bumper cars when everyone else is bigger than you. :surprise:

sher2327

Hey milkey, got my PRTH home just before the blizzard! Haven't been able to drive it yet other than around the block at the dealership. I can see that I will be trying to insulate it somehow, either trunk or wheel wells. As we drove around the block there must have been lots of rocks or sand on the road and you could hear it hitting underneath the car. Suppose since you are sitting almost on top the back wheel you will hear all the road noise. Not used to that and when spring/summer hits the top will be down all the time so probably won't notice it much. I've read that truck mats help and there are many blogs talking about sound proofing. Anyway, I'm enjoying looking at my new toy in the garage! The heated seats have one speed, full on, they get warm quickly. The seats are firm and I can see they will really hug you. Surprised guys fit in there as it's tight! Sure happy the wait is OVER! Keep me posted. Later

milkey

Wow, bigtime CONGRATS! VERY, very excited for you on your new arrival and thanks for letting us in on the fun! So, you trailered it home from St.Cloud? Are you planning on winter driving, or just when weather allows? I wouldn't worry too much about the road noise aspect, as we both know that the ridiculously frigid temps here in lovely ND only magnify the smallest of noises, esp. in the wheel wells. (I found a website just yesterday that sells noise-dampening carpet for the inside of the trunk lid, onlinemazdaparts.com, I think.) My Mazda3 sits considerably higher than the MX-5, but even that has it's share of tire-roar. Hey... we didn't buy an MX-5 because it rides like a Caddy, did we?! When I test-drove the MX-5 last month, I too noticed the snug fit in the cockpit (I'm 5-10, 185), so, yeah, it might take some gettin' used to. My wife will be the principle driver, she's 5-4, average build so she should be alright... at least, she didn't complain during the testdrive. Glad to hear the seats warm up nicely! Keep us posted on anything else you note, even if it just sits in the garage for awhile ...I'm sure it must look awful pretty!

wilzap

Congrats on your new toy!! Your gonna love it, the heated seats are wonderful and since the car really heats up fast I end up turning mine off after about 5 to 8 mins

ateixeira

I noticed that on the CX9 I test drove, the seats did get real hot.

Don't they cycle on/off after a while, to maintain a certain temperature? :confuse: