The GT86 has been a sales disaster; bizarrely, Australia is the 3rd biggest market for the car, but only because it is priced at cheaper than other markets, despite Australia, outside of Singapore, being the most expensive place to buy a car (thanks to protectionist measures and dependance on commodities). In any case, Australia has always been a small MX5 market; sales in hundreds per year only. I doubt that car will be around much longer; Toyota have said the lack of sales have killed off any chance of a cabrio version or even a bigger engine… There are rather less drop tops made now than a few years ago; I don’t think Mazda has to worry too much about that new Honda. Nothing from PSA, Ford (unless you count a 4-cylinder Mustang, which will be as awful as the last time Ford had a 4-cylinder Mustang). Maybe the Renault is still toiling, but its ancient. MG won’t be launching a roadster until 2017 at the earliest. No Volvo CC. Nothing else Japanese. BMWs cost more, and breakdown more (and no such thing as a 3 year old cherished BMW). Mini dropped its roadster after a lack of sales. The Kia remains vapourware. The VW/Skoda roadster remains a sketch, and needs 40k sales a year to break even (ie. double the current MX5 global sales). So what cabrio rivals?
As for dealers not getting enthusiastic about a car they can’t sell for many more months; they still have NC stock to shift.
Your comment about births might offend or upset some.
And lets not forget; the first Miata road tests by the press were done in October 1988, with the car not on sale in the US until June 1989, in Japan in September 1989, and the UK, January 1990. I have read of rumours (nothing more than that) that supply issues affecting the 2.0 Skyactiv-G motor has had an impact on Mazda’s entire range, and that might explain the lack of 2.0 models being unveiled in Europe, and indeed, the US. Throw into that FCA’s scatty about-turn to rebadge their Alfa Romeo as a Fiat, ie use their version to go head to head with the MX5, rather than compete as an Alfa Romeo with the elderly Z4 in a more premium market. Considering Europe is now Mazda’s biggest market for the MX5, that must have had a serious effect on how they would position the 1.5. It might have even caused the decision to add the 2.0, which is the model curiously absent from the launches.
The Mazda dealers I have talked to advise that they sell three or four MX5’s some months and can sell no MX5’s for three or four months on end.
To them they are not their bread and butter and they do not cover the garage wage bill on a continual basis. The Mazda 2, 3, 6 etc are the cars that cover the garage cost on a continual basis.
With regards to rust proofing of the Mk4, there are areas underneath the MK3 that are not treated and I advise all long term Mk3 owners to get them rust proofed. I had a 2013 Golf and a 2013 VW Up on my two post lift at the weekend to put their summer tyres back on and they both had a number of patches underneath that had not been factory rust treated.
Therefore if I was buying a MK4 this autumn as a long term buy, I can see no way that it will not need further rustproofing to protect the underside.
In four year’s time, I will try a BMW Z4, a Merc SLK, a Audi TT and say an Audi A3 to check out the market and buy what I find suits me as I consider no reason to just by a MX5 if it does not suit my needs at that time.
Oh come on, that is a little out of order. I’ve now doubt that you didn’t intend to offend anyone, but I really doubt that you wouldn’t feel somewhat distressed if this impacted you or someone close to you. I’m sure you’ll be able to empathise if you think about it for just a moment.
Great car, just too expensive - I’ve said that from the start. Needs £5k lopped off the price and removal of stupid frills like keyless entry (on all models).
I know cars are cheaper in real-terms than in years gone by, but with high taxation both on income and VAT - it’s still a lot to splash out.
The problem for members of the OC will always be is it worth paying 10 x as much as their current mk1/mk2 is worth? Will it be 10 x as much fun?
I can’t imagine that Mazda would not fit the same Skyactive 2.0 engine for all markets. The tuning differences will be due to different octane fuel in the different markets.
