2006 or 2007 Miata

Hi, I am thinking of buying the latest model Miata. I have read a
bunch of reviews and have not heard one negative thing. Before seeing
a dealer I have a few questions:

1) is it a great car? I plan on getting the higher trim with 6
speed, I will drive it alot, but pretty much get split usage between my
other vehicle which will solves the cargo demand.

2) I just learned about the 2007 model will have a hard top and I was
wondering if it is worth it to get the hard top. I live in CA, so
cold or rainly weather is not a big deal here. I have not had a
convertable before so I really cannot foresee how it is either way.
Although I think I probably do not like to park with the top down.
Some says the hardtop take something away from the Miata? Why? When
will the 2007 model be available and will it still be possible to buy
the 2006 model when the 2007 is available?

3) I have not started the buying process, I think mazda made it clear
with the different trim models and options few and clear. I wanted to
know if it is a difficult car to order in a particular color, or
options.

4) I suppose to final straw might be the insurance, is it especially
expensive because it is convertable? horse power is mild enough I
don't think it falls into the high insurance bracket.

Thanks

Jeremy

wrote:
> Hi, I am thinking of buying the latest model Miata. I have read a
> bunch of reviews and have not heard one negative thing. Before seeing
> a dealer I have a few questions:
>
> 1) is it a great car? I plan on getting the higher trim with 6
> speed, I will drive it alot, but pretty much get split usage between my
> other vehicle which will solves the cargo demand.
>
> 2) I just learned about the 2007 model will have a hard top and I was
> wondering if it is worth it to get the hard top. I live in CA, so
> cold or rainly weather is not a big deal here. I have not had a
> convertable before so I really cannot foresee how it is either way.
> Although I think I probably do not like to park with the top down.
> Some says the hardtop take something away from the Miata? Why? When
> will the 2007 model be available and will it still be possible to buy
> the 2006 model when the 2007 is available?
>
> 3) I have not started the buying process, I think mazda made it clear
> with the different trim models and options few and clear. I wanted to
> know if it is a difficult car to order in a particular color, or
> options.
>
> 4) I suppose to final straw might be the insurance, is it especially
> expensive because it is convertable? horse power is mild enough I
> don't think it falls into the high insurance bracket.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jeremy
>
1) in my mind and in the minds of most owners and reviewers it is a
great car

2) from what I've heard the folding hardtop is a new trim level which
adds something like $1,500 to the car's price. It will make the car a
bit more secure and, assuming they include some sort of headliner, will
make it warmer/cooler inside and probably quieter also. The hardtop adds
a bit of weight but not much and probably not enough to be a serious
performance drag. It will certainly be possible to buy a 2006 when the
2007 becomes available (hint: some dealers will still sell you a new
2005 right now and there are probably a few 2004s to be had) but what
you will be getting will be the leftovers so getting exactly what you
want will become problematic - no special orders then.

3) ordering anything you want in the way of a standard trim level in a
standard color with standard options should be no trouble it all

4) I know that California insurance is high but as such things go the
Miata should be a relatively cheap car to insure. That assumes of course
that you aren't 19 years old with a bad driving record and living in a
dangerous area. Hell, I was paying < $500 a year for liability and
collision on my 1991 Miata and changing over to the 2006 raised that to
~$620.

--
John McGaw
[Knoxville, TN, USA]
http://johnmcgaw.com

I guess I thought of a few tech question

- does it run on regular (87) octane gas or require premium fuel?
- how is the factory LSD? and suspension upgrade? If I am not
mistaken $500 gets you both of them?
- I think there is a HID option, how is it?
- I know it has some kind of traction control with the premium package,
what does it do? and can it be turned off so the driver can have
complete control? beside the ABS I suppose.

I am thinking the 2007 hard top would be pretty good, supposed to only
add 70 lbs.. seems it would be better security when parked.

Thanks


John McGaw wrote:
> wrote:
> > Hi, I am thinking of buying the latest model Miata. I have read a
> > bunch of reviews and have not heard one negative thing. Before seeing
> > a dealer I have a few questions:
> >
> > 1) is it a great car? I plan on getting the higher trim with 6
> > speed, I will drive it alot, but pretty much get split usage between my
> > other vehicle which will solves the cargo demand.
> >
> > 2) I just learned about the 2007 model will have a hard top and I was
> > wondering if it is worth it to get the hard top. I live in CA, so
> > cold or rainly weather is not a big deal here. I have not had a
> > convertable before so I really cannot foresee how it is either way.
> > Although I think I probably do not like to park with the top down.
> > Some says the hardtop take something away from the Miata? Why? When
> > will the 2007 model be available and will it still be possible to buy
> > the 2006 model when the 2007 is available?
> >
> > 3) I have not started the buying process, I think mazda made it clear
> > with the different trim models and options few and clear. I wanted to
> > know if it is a difficult car to order in a particular color, or
> > options.
> >
> > 4) I suppose to final straw might be the insurance, is it especially
> > expensive because it is convertable? horse power is mild enough I
> > don't think it falls into the high insurance bracket.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Jeremy
> >
> 1) in my mind and in the minds of most owners and reviewers it is a
> great car
>
> 2) from what I've heard the folding hardtop is a new trim level which
> adds something like $1,500 to the car's price. It will make the car a
> bit more secure and, assuming they include some sort of headliner, will
> make it warmer/cooler inside and probably quieter also. The hardtop adds
> a bit of weight but not much and probably not enough to be a serious
> performance drag. It will certainly be possible to buy a 2006 when the
> 2007 becomes available (hint: some dealers will still sell you a new
> 2005 right now and there are probably a few 2004s to be had) but what
> you will be getting will be the leftovers so getting exactly what you
> want will become problematic - no special orders then.
>
> 3) ordering anything you want in the way of a standard trim level in a
> standard color with standard options should be no trouble it all
>
> 4) I know that California insurance is high but as such things go the
> Miata should be a relatively cheap car to insure. That assumes of course
> that you aren't 19 years old with a bad driving record and living in a
> dangerous area. Hell, I was paying < $500 a year for liability and
> collision on my 1991 Miata and changing over to the 2006 raised that to
> ~$620.
>
> --
> John McGaw
> [Knoxville, TN, USA]
> http://johnmcgaw.com

wrote:
> I guess I thought of a few tech question
>
> - does it run on regular (87) octane gas or require premium fuel?
> - how is the factory LSD? and suspension upgrade? If I am not
> mistaken $500 gets you both of them?
> - I think there is a HID option, how is it?
> - I know it has some kind of traction control with the premium package,
> what does it do? and can it be turned off so the driver can have
> complete control? beside the ABS I suppose.
>
> I am thinking the 2007 hard top would be pretty good, supposed to only
> add 70 lbs.. seems it would be better security when parked.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> John McGaw wrote:
>> wrote:
>>> Hi, I am thinking of buying the latest model Miata. I have read a
>>> bunch of reviews and have not heard one negative thing. Before seeing
>>> a dealer I have a few questions:
>>>
>>> 1) is it a great car? I plan on getting the higher trim with 6
>>> speed, I will drive it alot, but pretty much get split usage between my
>>> other vehicle which will solves the cargo demand.
>>>
>>> 2) I just learned about the 2007 model will have a hard top and I was
>>> wondering if it is worth it to get the hard top. I live in CA, so
>>> cold or rainly weather is not a big deal here. I have not had a
>>> convertable before so I really cannot foresee how it is either way.
>>> Although I think I probably do not like to park with the top down.
>>> Some says the hardtop take something away from the Miata? Why? When
>>> will the 2007 model be available and will it still be possible to buy
>>> the 2006 model when the 2007 is available?
>>>
>>> 3) I have not started the buying process, I think mazda made it clear
>>> with the different trim models and options few and clear. I wanted to
>>> know if it is a difficult car to order in a particular color, or
>>> options.
>>>
>>> 4) I suppose to final straw might be the insurance, is it especially
>>> expensive because it is convertable? horse power is mild enough I
>>> don't think it falls into the high insurance bracket.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Jeremy
>>>
>> 1) in my mind and in the minds of most owners and reviewers it is a
>> great car
>>
>> 2) from what I've heard the folding hardtop is a new trim level which
>> adds something like $1,500 to the car's price. It will make the car a
>> bit more secure and, assuming they include some sort of headliner, will
>> make it warmer/cooler inside and probably quieter also. The hardtop adds
>> a bit of weight but not much and probably not enough to be a serious
>> performance drag. It will certainly be possible to buy a 2006 when the
>> 2007 becomes available (hint: some dealers will still sell you a new
>> 2005 right now and there are probably a few 2004s to be had) but what
>> you will be getting will be the leftovers so getting exactly what you
>> want will become problematic - no special orders then.
>>
>> 3) ordering anything you want in the way of a standard trim level in a
>> standard color with standard options should be no trouble it all
>>
>> 4) I know that California insurance is high but as such things go the
>> Miata should be a relatively cheap car to insure. That assumes of course
>> that you aren't 19 years old with a bad driving record and living in a
>> dangerous area. Hell, I was paying < $500 a year for liability and
>> collision on my 1991 Miata and changing over to the 2006 raised that to
>> ~$620.
>>
>> --
>> John McGaw
>> [Knoxville, TN, USA]
>> http://johnmcgaw.com
>

-Premium (although intermediate seems to work fine on long interstate
cruises)
-LSD is a Torsen viscous type and seems to work well but does not lock
up solid like old-style USA types. Upgraded "sport" suspension does not
make a hard ride but I can't tell how much benefit it yields (but it
does come with pretty yellow shocks)$500 sounds right and I think the
LSD is worth it by itself
-I thought that the HID was part of the premium package? Don't know if
it is available separately or how much that might cost that way. Stock
lights seem plenty bright to me but tastes vary.
-traction control can be switched off IIRC. It is the sort which
determines if the driver is getting out of line and selectively applies
the brakes to one wheel at a time to bring it back. Have never tried it
since my "sport" doesn't have it and it never kicked in during my test
drives on the "premium" because the salesman was giving me the evil eye
when I really pushed it.

--
John McGaw
[Knoxville, TN, USA]
http://johnmcgaw.com

In article >,
John McGaw > wrote:

> -LSD is a Torsen viscous type

Torsen, not viscous. They're two different technologies. The Torsen is
an excellent choice for spirited driving on public roads, and should
last forever with no attention.

>$500 sounds right and I think the
> LSD is worth it by itself

Agreed. The concensus among hardcore drivers is that the springs and
shocks aren't nearly stiff enough, but if you like the way it works,
that's all that matters.

Octane requirement is 91.

Initially, I thought the PRHT was a wacky, over-the-top (pun intended)
idea. But I think the demand will be higher than anticipated. At an
$1800 premium, it's only $300 more than the old removable hardtop,
without the drawbacks of storage and wrestling it into place, not to
mention being able to enjoy an unseasonably nice top-down day without
advance planning. If I were in the market for a new NC, I'd want the
PRHT for sure. There's no downside except the initial cost. Well, and
that it's ugly, but not from inside the car, which is all I care about.

--
Lanny Chambers
'94C, St. Louis
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

Lanny Chambers wrote:

> Initially, I thought the PRHT was a wacky, over-the-top (pun intended)
> idea. But I think the demand will be higher than anticipated. At an
> $1800 premium, it's only $300 more than the old removable hardtop,
> without the drawbacks of storage and wrestling it into place, not to
> mention being able to enjoy an unseasonably nice top-down day without
> advance planning. If I were in the market for a new NC, I'd want the
> PRHT for sure. There's no downside except the initial cost. Well, and
> that it's ugly, but not from inside the car, which is all I care about.

That's what I thought at first as well, but it will offer the best of
both worlds.
No mater how much you like top down driving, the top has to go up
sometimes, the exception being maybe not if it is a purely recreational
vehicle located somewhere where rain is very rare.

It adds a bit of weight and I wonder about the life expectancy and
replacement cost of the electric motor. Then I think about never
replacing a vinyl top again....

Pat

Lanny Chambers wrote:
> In article >,
> John McGaw > wrote:
>
>> -LSD is a Torsen viscous type
>
> Torsen, not viscous. They're two different technologies. The Torsen is
> an excellent choice for spirited driving on public roads, and should
> last forever with no attention.
>
>> $500 sounds right and I think the
>> LSD is worth it by itself
>
> Agreed. The concensus among hardcore drivers is that the springs and
> shocks aren't nearly stiff enough, but if you like the way it works,
> that's all that matters.
>
> Octane requirement is 91.
>
> Initially, I thought the PRHT was a wacky, over-the-top (pun intended)
> idea. But I think the demand will be higher than anticipated. At an
> $1800 premium, it's only $300 more than the old removable hardtop,
> without the drawbacks of storage and wrestling it into place, not to
> mention being able to enjoy an unseasonably nice top-down day without
> advance planning. If I were in the market for a new NC, I'd want the
> PRHT for sure. There's no downside except the initial cost. Well, and
> that it's ugly, but not from inside the car, which is all I care about.
>

Amazing. I've had a Torsen since my '91 Miata and all that time I just
assumed it was some sort of viscous arrangement and never bothered to
check it out. So much for intellectual curiosity...

--
John McGaw
[Knoxville, TN, USA]
http://johnmcgaw.com

Thanks alot, I discussed with my significant other and we now both
think the hard top would be a good choice, one of the few reasons one
is we have a tree that drop saps in spring I cannot imagine what would
happen if that falls on a soft top.
so I will probably not get the HID lights and use the budget for the
hard top instead.

Regarding the LSD then, I understand it is the "gear type" then not the
clutch type (vicious?) Is there noticable gear whine and does anyone
know it is a 1 way or 1.5 way LSD?

The sports suspension I think I would get anyway, if it is stiffer than
stock I would go for it. I figure by the time shocks need replacement
it would be time to go aftermarket, and warranty would be over by then
too.

I saw specification file the 2007 model will have 167HP and 163HP for
AT. Why did it lost 3 HP.. !

pws wrote:
> Lanny Chambers wrote:
>
> > Initially, I thought the PRHT was a wacky, over-the-top (pun intended)
> > idea. But I think the demand will be higher than anticipated. At an
> > $1800 premium, it's only $300 more than the old removable hardtop,
> > without the drawbacks of storage and wrestling it into place, not to
> > mention being able to enjoy an unseasonably nice top-down day without
> > advance planning. If I were in the market for a new NC, I'd want the
> > PRHT for sure. There's no downside except the initial cost. Well, and
> > that it's ugly, but not from inside the car, which is all I care about.
>
> That's what I thought at first as well, but it will offer the best of
> both worlds.
> No mater how much you like top down driving, the top has to go up
> sometimes, the exception being maybe not if it is a purely recreational
> vehicle located somewhere where rain is very rare.
>
> It adds a bit of weight and I wonder about the life expectancy and
> replacement cost of the electric motor. Then I think about never
> replacing a vinyl top again....
>
> Pat

> wrote in message
ups.com...
> Thanks alot, I discussed with my significant other and we now both
> think the hard top would be a good choice, one of the few reasons one
> is we have a tree that drop saps in spring I cannot imagine what would
> happen if that falls on a soft top.
<snippage>

I've never had a problem removing sap from the soft top on my 1990 - just a
little Simple Green and a full application of elbow grease takes it right
off. Removing sap from the hardtop is more complicated since you want to
get it off Right Away so it doesn't damage the paint.

Of course my '90 is not clear coated so that might make a difference.

Iva & Belle.)
'90B Classic Red.)
#3 winkin' Miata

replied inline

"John McGaw" > wrote in message
. ..
> wrote:
>> I guess I thought of a few tech question
>>
>> - does it run on regular (87) octane gas or require premium fuel?
>> - how is the factory LSD? and suspension upgrade? If I am not
>> mistaken $500 gets you both of them?
>> - I think there is a HID option, how is it?
>> - I know it has some kind of traction control with the premium package,
>> what does it do? and can it be turned off so the driver can have
>> complete control? beside the ABS I suppose.
>>
>> I am thinking the 2007 hard top would be pretty good, supposed to only
>> add 70 lbs.. seems it would be better security when parked.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>> John McGaw wrote:
>>> wrote:
>>>> Hi, I am thinking of buying the latest model Miata. I have read a
>>>> bunch of reviews and have not heard one negative thing. Before seeing
>>>> a dealer I have a few questions:
>>>>
>>>> 1) is it a great car? I plan on getting the higher trim with 6
>>>> speed, I will drive it alot, but pretty much get split usage between my
>>>> other vehicle which will solves the cargo demand.
>>>>
>>>> 2) I just learned about the 2007 model will have a hard top and I was
>>>> wondering if it is worth it to get the hard top. I live in CA, so
>>>> cold or rainly weather is not a big deal here. I have not had a
>>>> convertable before so I really cannot foresee how it is either way.
>>>> Although I think I probably do not like to park with the top down.
>>>> Some says the hardtop take something away from the Miata? Why? When
>>>> will the 2007 model be available and will it still be possible to buy
>>>> the 2006 model when the 2007 is available?
>>>>
>>>> 3) I have not started the buying process, I think mazda made it clear
>>>> with the different trim models and options few and clear. I wanted to
>>>> know if it is a difficult car to order in a particular color, or
>>>> options.
>>>>
>>>> 4) I suppose to final straw might be the insurance, is it especially
>>>> expensive because it is convertable? horse power is mild enough I
>>>> don't think it falls into the high insurance bracket.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Jeremy
>>>>
>>> 1) in my mind and in the minds of most owners and reviewers it is a
>>> great car
>>>
>>> 2) from what I've heard the folding hardtop is a new trim level which
>>> adds something like $1,500 to the car's price. It will make the car a
>>> bit more secure and, assuming they include some sort of headliner, will
>>> make it warmer/cooler inside and probably quieter also. The hardtop adds
>>> a bit of weight but not much and probably not enough to be a serious
>>> performance drag. It will certainly be possible to buy a 2006 when the
>>> 2007 becomes available (hint: some dealers will still sell you a new
>>> 2005 right now and there are probably a few 2004s to be had) but what
>>> you will be getting will be the leftovers so getting exactly what you
>>> want will become problematic - no special orders then.
>>>
>>> 3) ordering anything you want in the way of a standard trim level in a
>>> standard color with standard options should be no trouble it all
>>>
>>> 4) I know that California insurance is high but as such things go the
>>> Miata should be a relatively cheap car to insure. That assumes of course
>>> that you aren't 19 years old with a bad driving record and living in a
>>> dangerous area. Hell, I was paying < $500 a year for liability and
>>> collision on my 1991 Miata and changing over to the 2006 raised that to
>>> ~$620.
>>>
>>> --
>>> John McGaw
>>> [Knoxville, TN, USA]
>>> http://johnmcgaw.com
>>
>
> -Premium (although intermediate seems to work fine on long interstate
> cruises)

Exactly what I've found...

> -LSD is a Torsen viscous type and seems to work well but does not lock up
> solid like old-style USA types. Upgraded "sport" suspension does not make
> a hard ride but I can't tell how much benefit it yields (but it does come
> with pretty yellow shocks)$500 sounds right and I think the LSD is worth
> it by itself
> -I thought that the HID was part of the premium package? Don't know if it
> is available separately or how much that might cost that way. Stock lights
> seem plenty bright to me but tastes vary.

Stock lights work fine

> -traction control can be switched off IIRC. It is the sort which
> determines if the driver is getting out of line and selectively applies
> the brakes to one wheel at a time to bring it back.

Cute little Icon on the dash, let's you know every time you "break
traction".
You don't know how much I wanted to type "every time you break wind!"

Have never tried it
> since my "sport" doesn't have it and it never kicked in during my test
> drives on the "premium" because the salesman was giving me the evil eye
> when I really pushed it.
>
> --
> John McGaw
> [Knoxville, TN, USA]
> http://johnmcgaw.com