I’d agree with countryboy should have been a coupe.
For me the ND should have been designed as a PRHT, like the NC, from the outset. Should never have been just a soft top. i dont really want a soft top ND after my PRHT and don’t think I’ll be won over by the sunroof option either. Although I’ll give it a try.
I know Mazda wanted to appeal to a different market but in doing so they appear to have lost sight that a large part of their mx5 customer base were driving off in PRHT’s than soft tops.
I might just end up in my NC for a long time to come. Not such a bad thing after all
Same here - PRHT all the way - the RF is just a huge lump of bodywork that moves about to leave you with a sunroof. Shame as my head says I should upgrade to an ND as it’s the newest iteration but my heart says stick with NC PRHT.
Not an issue really is it - otherwise people wouldn’t buy mk1s and mk2s would they
Well they have announced the prices in America for the RF, I know the UK spec’ will be different but if those prices translate to UK price then it’s not going to be cheap, unless USA MX5 prices have always been higher than UK
Today Mazda UK have opened pre-orders for the MX-5 RF which will launch in March 2017. You’ll be able to get your hands on one of just 500 Launch Editions available with 2.0L engine, Machine Grey or Soul red finish, twin-tone roof, BBS wheels, black mirrors, rear spoiler, Alcantara trim and Recaro seats priced at £28,995. The RF will also be offered in 1.5 and 2.0 versions and also an automatic. Prices start from £22,195.
Well had my name down as interested in the Launch Edition RF but it’s come in too high for me.
Driven a ND 160 Sports, love the interior with leather seats but couldn’t live with the sports suspension, well I could just, but the wife hated it, didn’t feel happy driving it, as too ‘skittish’ for the pot holed uk roads, in her words ‘didn’t feel in control’ of the car.
I know they do the SE-L but was hoping being the RF that may have come with leather seats as standard or at least a option.
Really can’t understand why Mazda doesn’t offer it as a option.
1.5 sport is a possibility I know but would like to drive one first to see how the extra weight affects the performance being as it’s heaver.
Think I’ll wait out the Launch rush and see what comes through, any thoughts on Leather V Cloth seats.
Anyone with a ND SE-L, what do you think of the seats, as I thought the Leather ones in the sport gave better support than the Cloth ones in the 1.5 SE-L.
I’m sure it’s going to be a great car, but I do think they should of made it a proper PRHT. With this large sunroof design! I think they missed an opportunity to make it a proper coupe, with a glass roof, with a large rear hatch boot, more boot space and no compromise on the style, would of looked much nicer and could well of sold better, due to more space in the car. The price is getting a bit high with the Launch Edition, £28,995 is pretty high, I think shifting 500 might prove challenging for Mazda UK.
I’m not sure about the coupe, their previous prht sold very well, looks like they wanted to keep that market share.
I personally love the design, well the pictures of it, be nice to see if it looks that nice in the flesh.
I put my name and a refundable deposit down on a RF, but will probably wait until after the launch rush (if there is one) and see what Mazda do price wise if they don’t get the take up they think, or even if they offer a icon style RF
As you say, they may struggle to shift 500 Launch editions at that price, quite a hike over the sport price for what you get
For me I would have to end up spending 27000 to get the RF specification I liked and even then I am just not sure about the colour palette. I like some of the safety warning devices but I guess that might be necessary as it may have large blind spots From the body shell design. I get the fact that Mazda will have to hedge the exchange rates and therefore it would be good to buy early and fix the price but I think I will stick with my mk3 roadster for a few more years As it’s only three years old and I just love the colour. That’s the sensible decision.
Torn between a 2ltr SE-L or 1.5Sport
See the co2 emissions have gone up to 142 from 139 wonder if they have tweaked the 1.5 due to the extra weight with the RF
Same as before with the 2ltr though
Seriously, Machine Grey or Soul Red? Are these the only colours Mazda can come up with? At this rate virtually every ND and RF will be Soul Red. They had the perfect opportunity to introduce a striking new colour yet they went for Soulless Red. Are they colour blind in Japan or have they just used all their imagination up on the design of the RF (which would be a damning indictment in itself)?
The new Fiat looks more like an MX5 from the back end than the ND. Incidentally, I’ve seen more of the new Fiats on the road in the few weeks they have been available than I have ND’s since their launch.
I have an ND 1.5l SE-L Nav with cloth seats and they suit me fine, no problems, comfortable and enough support. I’ve never got on with leather seats as I find they show wear worse than cloth or alcantara, if you tend to perspire they tend to aggravate the problem, and if you leave the hood down in the sun while you’re away from the car and wearing shorts, on return you can stick, OUCH, second degree burns (I’ve seen it happen!). So it all comes down to personal choice and prejudice. Good luck in whatever you choose!
I appreciate what you’re saying but irrespective of anything else you have to be comfortable when seated, it’s the difference between driving heaven and driving hell. What’s the point of having a wonderful car if you need to see a physiotherapist after every drive? No, I think getting the right seat for YOU is one of primary considerations when making the final choice. Good luck.!
