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Car Forum / Mazda / Mazda Miata / May 2005reflections on the 2006 MX-5
Having spent 2 days with the 2006 MX-5 (no longer Miata) some thoughts: It is bigger inside, especially in the area of head room. And the steering wheel can be dropped for shorter drivers. The seat bottoms have bolsters that make the seat feel narrower. Storage is a little worse. There are some storage cubbies behind both seats, big enough for a video camera and not much more. With the top down, there is no longer room for a bag on top of the boot- it's flat there, even with the top of the sheetmetal. The trunk is deeper, since no spare. (Run-flat tires.) There is a jack in a side pocket where the battery used to be. (Odd). There is a tow-hook port fore and aft, with a long tow-hook in the tool bag. The battery is in the front, easily accessible. It's really tight for turbo stuff, but since Flying Miata was checking it out, that will come. No MazdaSpeed version the first year, nor a hardtop. Old hardtop won't fit- new cockpit is wider. Also, single center latch for top. Supposed to be easier to put up/down but not so on the prototype- altho it may get easier with use. Wider fender flares front/back looked nice- very well done. Dual exhaust tips looked classy. There is actually a nice-looking factory grill. I didn't like the exhaust- too quiet. When the engine was revved, you could hear only the engine, no pretty note, altho the engineer from Japan said it has been tumed to rumble at high RPM. It is clearly a Miata, not an RX-mini. Suspension is similar, but different- this was stressed by engineer. Oh-cupholders. The passenger one is a nice touch, but the drivers is between your knee and the steering wheel. There are still the normal consle ones. Generally, pretty nice. I'll wait until they've been out a while before I consider buying, and even then would look at a trade-in 2004/2005. On another note, Miatas in Moab had 175 registered vehicles, 184 total, 350+ drivers for 4 days. Only 1 speeding ticket (10 over) was admitted. Only one flat tire seen. We'll be back in 2007! Loren I can't wait to see the new gen Miata in person. I have many mixed emotions from the pix so far! It's yet to be determined whether the Miata moniker will indeed be dropped. Many so called "experts" have said that it is OFFICIALLY an MX-5, however a trip to Mazdausa's website proudly announces the 2006 MX-5 MIATA. All the text also refers to it as a Miata. *shrug* doesn't matter what you call it, as long as it has the bloodlines of the original! > Having spent 2 days with the 2006 MX-5 (no longer Miata) some thoughts: > It is bigger inside, especially in the area of head room. And the [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > Only one flat tire seen. We'll be back in 2007! > Loren The Miata appelation is already off the Mazdaspeed versions. It is not to be found on the car at all. I guess is saves on consulants and avoids costly marketing embarrasments. I remember a blurb in a car mag that Mitsubishi originally intended to name their SUV the Pajero. At some point the found out this was latin american slang for onanist, which would not have been good for sales. I wonder if owning a car brand named after a Zoroastiran god is a great enough offense to be stoned by the Taliban? >It's yet to be determined whether the Miata moniker will indeed be dropped. >Many so called "experts" have said that it is OFFICIALLY an MX-5, however a >trip to Mazdausa's website proudly announces the 2006 MX-5 MIATA > I wonder if owning a car brand named after a Zoroastiran god is a > great enough offense to be stoned by the Taliban? By...with...as long as they're providing the dope, what the heck? Actually, "Mazda" was a pun on the company founder's name: Jujiro Matsuda. The company, Toyo Kogyo, started using the Mazda name in 1931, when it was applied to a 3-wheeled 500cc truck. The company name itself wasn't changed to Mazda Motor Corporation until 1984. --- Lanny Chambers '94C, St. Louis http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html Lanny Chambers <lanny@hummingbirds.net> wrote in: > Actually, "Mazda" was a pun on the company founder's name: Jujiro > Matsuda. The company, Toyo Kogyo, started using the Mazda name in > 1931, when it was applied to a 3-wheeled 500cc truck. The company > name itself wasn't changed to Mazda Motor Corporation until 1984. Gee, and people say usenet isn't educational! I didn't know that, thanks for the info. > Stuff Deleted.... I remember a blurb in a car mag that Mitsubishi > originally intended to name their SUV the Pajero. At some point the > found out this was latin american slang for onanist, which would not > have been good for sales. The Pajero Got sold in japan and i think pac rim countries (New Zealand)..........places that don't have a large latino tinge..... i take great delight in pointing it out to the drivers of these lumbering things I always call them paherro They just say pajjerro I think I'm Right :-) >Having spent 2 days with the 2006 MX-5 (no longer Miata) some thoughts: >It is bigger inside, especially in the area of head room. And the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >a bag on top of the boot- it's flat there, even with the top of the >sheetmetal. The trunk is deeper, since no spare. (Run-flat tires.) *Run-flat* tires? Where are you going to find a choice in performance run-flat tires? Leon > There >is a jack in a side pocket where the battery used to be. (Odd). There is [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >Only one flat tire seen. We'll be back in 2007! >Loren  SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen) >>Having spent 2 days with the 2006 MX-5 (no longer Miata) some thoughts: >>It is bigger inside, especially in the area of head room. And the [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Leon And we all know about that pesky law that says we must replace tires with the exact type that comes from the factory. Oh, wait . . . > *Run-flat* tires? Where are you going to find a choice in > performance run-flat tires? Time for a Miata continental kit? Or just drive around with normal tires and no spare. I did that for 9 years in my '96. OK, I occasionally put the spare back in for long trips. SignatureGrant Edwards grante Yow! Youth of today! Join at me in a mass rally visi.com for traditional mental attitudes! >> *Run-flat* tires? Where are you going to find a choice in >> performance run-flat tires? > >Time for a Miata continental kit? What is a continental kit? >Or just drive around with normal tires and no spare. I did >that for 9 years in my '96. Having had about 8 flat tires, most sidewall punctures, on my own 96, it does not have that great an appeal to me. I carry the spare as well as a can of fix-a-flat. > OK, I occasionally put the spare >back in for long trips. Not that I would make any. Leon SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen) >>> *Run-flat* tires? Where are you going to find a choice in >>> performance run-flat tires? >> >>Time for a Miata continental kit? > > What is a continental kit? A kit that allows you to mount the spare tire vertically on the back of the car. Apparently (at least in the US) that was distinctive of the Lincoln Contentental. Here are example "contental kits" for Cadillac. http://www.mindspring.com/~dburden/continental.html > Having had about 8 flat tires, most sidewall punctures, on my > own 96, it does not have that great an appeal to me. I carry > the spare as well as a can of fix-a-flat. Yow. You're not supposed to drive Miata's through firefights... SignatureGrant Edwards grante Yow! I'm not available at for comment... visi.com Grant Edwards <grante@visi.com> wrote in: >> What is a continental kit? > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > http://www.mindspring.com/~dburden/continental.html Here's the real thing: http://www.hubcapcafe.com/ocs/pages01/linc4102.htm Hmmm I have driven a fair number of cars with run flat tires, and I did not like the ride or feel on any of them. My mate has a Z4, he changed the wheels and tires to normal tires and the difference in ride comfort and feel was absolutely amazing, Of course it is always a gamble, if you carry a foam repair kit you know for a fact that the puncture is going to be to big to repair, the very first mod I did was to remove the spare, I can't fit my fishing kit in the boot with it in. After many miles I have (touch every piece of wood in the office) had no punctures. In fact after 20 years driving, sometimes covering 100k a year I have never had a puncture in a car, had a couple of blow out on bikes though :( I saw someone mentioned that on that side of the pond, if a car comes with run flats as standard you have to always fit run flats, is that right? Cheers Mark. >>> *Run-flat* tires? Where are you going to find a choice in >>> performance run-flat tires? [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Leon "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote in: > I saw someone mentioned that on that side of the pond, if a car > comes with run flats as standard you have to always fit run flats, > is that right? AFAIK, the only applicable law in the USA is that you cannot legally downgrade tires. That means if the vehicle comes with "V" speed rated tires you cannot install "H" speed rated tires (although it's done). There would be no law prohibiting changing run-flat tires to conventional but if a car came with no spare it might not be a smart thing to do.... > There would be no law prohibiting changing run-flat > tires to conventional but if a car came with no > spare it might not be a smart thing to do.... Is there enough room in the trunk for a spare and a jack? I mean you don't really need a whole lot of room left over in the trunk, how much space do a service manual, tool kit, jumper cables, six pack, pair of shorts and a beach towel take? Yours WDK - WKiernan@ij.net johnny phenothiazine <thorazine@butterfly.net> wrote in: >> There would be no law prohibiting changing run-flat >> tires to conventional but if a car came with no spare it might [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > how much space do a service manual, tool kit, jumper cables, six > pack, pair of shorts and a beach towel take? There's enough room in my trunk for a spare and a jack and all the other stuff you listed. The only thing I have to leave behind is SWMBO's purse but that exceeds the weight rating of the tires.... ;-) >Hmmm I have driven a fair number of cars with run flat tires, and I did not >like the ride or feel on any of them. >My mate has a Z4, he changed the wheels and tires to normal tires and the >difference in ride comfort and feel was absolutely amazing, I have no doubt that making a tire run flat means making many severe compromises in the design. Leon >Of course it is always a gamble, if you carry a foam repair kit you know for >a fact that the puncture is going to be to big to repair, the very first mod [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] >> >> Leon SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen) > Having had about 8 flat tires, most sidewall punctures, on my > own 96, it does not have that great an appeal to me. I carry > the spare as well as a can of fix-a-flat. Try treating the tires with True-Goo. This is some serious flatproofing technology that puts Slime to shame. Farmers use it in their huge tractor tires and BMX racers use it to combat desert thorns. I use it on an electric scooter that rolls through much wicked urban glass and shredded metal. http://www.truegoo.com/ I'm not affiliated - the stuff works, though. >> Having had about 8 flat tires, most sidewall punctures, on my >> own 96, it does not have that great an appeal to me. I carry [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > >I'm not affiliated - the stuff works, though. How much does it take for a 195/50/15 tire? I would not recommend using this stuff unless in an emergency, it will take your tires out of balance by a considerable amount, Tractors, BMX racers and scooters are generally not designed to go over 50mph, so the balance is not as critical. If you do need to use this type of stuff keep your speed as low as possible until you can have a replacement tire fitted. The other thing to note is the profiles of all the tires you gave as an example are generally of the taller narrow type profile, rather than the shorter type used on most cars. Cheers Mark. >> Having had about 8 flat tires, most sidewall punctures, on my >> own 96, it does not have that great an appeal to me. I carry [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > I'm not affiliated - the stuff works, though. > I would not recommend using this stuff unless in an > emergency, it will take your tires out of balance by a > considerable amount, On the contrary, True-Goo acts as a balancing agent. It is a very thin coating and does not slosh around. Do some research on it before trashing it, please. It is not Slime. If you look at the True-Goo web site under application suggestions http://www.truegoo.com/ApplicationsSuggestions.html you will not find any type of sports car listed in fact no types of car listed at all. The only mention of a sports car I could find was in start page 3rd paragraph, and even then they only mentioned that it repaired the tire, no mention was made of the high speed balance. My tires roughly do 928 revolutions per mile, so if I am doing 60mph that means I do the 1 mile in 1min, so at 60mph my tires are doing 928 rpm, double that at my cars top speed about 120mph that's just over 1800 rpm, or 3 revs per second. On the web site it states "True Goo acts as a good balancing fluid. The low viscosity of True Goo has been engineered to put it in the "Sweet Spot" for tire balancing (if True Goo were thinner it would not balance tires as well, and conversely, if True Goo were thicker it would not balance tires as remarkably as it does). The thin film of True goo that coats the inside of the tire dynamically adjusts to balance the tire as the tire rolls. " If you want to fill your tires with around 1lb of fluid that even on the manufacturers web site does recommend in this application, and then rotate your tires 3 revs per second mate that's your choice, but also take into consideration that at this sort of speed, your tire will be pulling just under 10g's so that 1lb of fluid will be close to the actual weight of your tire, Ok centrifugal force will distribute the fluid but still, I would not travel at highway speeds with any real quantity of fluid in my car, My tires, my car, my choice. If I had a puncture then yes I would use this type of product to get me home, but I would severely restrict my speed and I would replace the tire at the first opportunity. Just for the record even on mountain bikes I know very few people that use this type of product for normal cross country racing, just because of the extra rotational weight, on the high puncture risk course then maybe the extra weight is worth it, but generally not, Many down will use this type of product though, as they are usually not as concerned with weight. Cheers Mark. >> I would not recommend using this stuff unless in an >> emergency, it will take your tires out of balance by a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > very thin coating and does not slosh around. Do some research > on it before trashing it, please. It is not Slime. |
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