Just spoke to a Mazda dealer who had a display of cars in my local town center. They said they expected the mk4 in July 2015.
Also saw a Mazda 3 in the Soul Red - have to say it’s quite a nice colour.
I think factory build special editions are fine.
But when Mazda Europe just sticks on a set of (non-Mazda) wheels and glues a badge to the side of the car - it just seems pointless. They may as well offer these as options for those that want them.
If mazda are officially launching the mk4 at the Chicago motor show next year, they should be on sale a few months later surely.
Actually getting the keys to one could take a while though
Rather answers the question of what it’s a different paint colour and some leather.
Incidentally, are the Jota cars selling?
The Mk3.5 was launched in October 2008 at the Paris Motor Show but I guess due to unsold Mk3’s in the UK, there were some sold in early 2009 but not many until mid to autumn 2009.
So it would seem a few months after launch until volume availability would not be usual.
July 2015 orders taken according to my local Mazda dealer. Delivery 6-8 weeks later. Just about the right time for a 65 plate on 1st Sept.
IMHO a non-standard paint colour, set of wheels and a stick on badge doesn’t make the car a special edition or justify any significant increase in price. I would expect some unique features, whether that be body styling (not stick on trim or decals), internal gadgetry, perhaps some performance enhancements over and above the standard set up. In other words, something that really makes the car stand out from all the rest. Otherwise, it’s just a cheap marketing gimmick to sucker a few people into paying out more for essentially the same car you can already buy. No offence to anyone who’s bought a special edition but it is what it is.
What would I be prepared to pay for a proper ‘special edition’? Probably nothing if I’m honest but that’s simply because I’m not “into” cars of any make to that extent and don’t change cars on a regular basis anyway. To my mind it’s not all about the money although if you really want something special you’ll probably find a way to pay for it. Interestingly, some years ago I had a Vauxhall Astra and was looking to replace it with a Vectra estate (we’d just got dogs so needed the boot space). Vauxhall had a ‘special edition’ on offer but when you looked at what you got for the money it actually worked out marginally cheaper if you just bought a standard spec car and added the optional extras. Buying the standard car also gave you greater choice on colour and interior trim. Therefore, all you were really paying for for the special edition was a cheap plastic badge.
Just my opinion, each to their own.
If its 10, its rare because no one is buying them. They’re effectively retro fitted kits to existing cars. Its not a factory edition. The bespokeness extends to the sticky tape used to hold the ECU in place. The diffusers etc are all extras, which you can buy from Jota anyhow. Oh, and they are nothing like the 3 orange/black cars that toured the country. It only exists because of loopholes in UK legislation. Its a footnote in the history of the NC, nothing more.
One advantage of a special edition over just buying the accessories is that all insurance companies will see the special edition on their list of manufacturer models and you won’t get problems with invalidating your cover due to modifications on a standard model.
I think they have done the right thing by offering a colour not available normally - that makes it special straight away IMHO, but…
It would have been nice if they’d also offer it with the recaro buckets rather than the light leather standard seats, the kuro rear diffuser and larger tailpipes, HID front lamps, led tail lights, some led DRLs that looked like they should be there, SmartTOP, and an intermittent wiper stalk.
Just received details of the 25th Anniversary Edition. £22990.00, £500.00 deposit contribution from Mazda, balance on 0% finance. Orders are now being taken!
The problem: To buy the last of the MK3’s, or buy the 1st of the MK4’s?
Any thoughts…
Do we know yet what the mk4 will look like? Tough choice if not!
Not yet - but you just never know what might happen at the 20th National Rally in September…
I had that thought for an hour, what does the 25ae give me in terms of driving fun that this doesn’t?
I’ll keep saving for a MK4…
Well once you lose that Forth Bridge Spoiler the handling is much improved
I’d post a smiley response Iain except it’s not an option when using an iPad… 
Our version is based on the Sport Tech Nav so will have the Alpine navigation unit, it also gets the rear diffuser and larger tailpipe trims.
I’ve been compiling info here if anyones interested >> http://www.roadster-nc.com/2014/06/25th-anniversary-edition.html
If I was in the market for a new MX-5, I would get this one and then likely trade it in for the ND depending on what deals are on offer.
Will the UK have the powershift version available?
750 is a huge number for UK allocation. More than many of the “standard” limited editions we’ve seen over the years!
Personally I would wait for the mk4 if you have the cash for a new MX5, or risk huge depreciation. Of course the special edition may have some protection against that, but how special is it really?
If anyone is interested in ordering a 25th Anniversary Model, I am currently taking orders… (I being a Mazda Salesperson in a Mazda franchise)