Mazda MX-5 Getting Refreshed Yet Again
Mazda will be refreshing the MX-5 for 2013, as they attempt to hold us over for the long-awaited “ND” Miata, due in a couple years, that will share a platform with the Alfa Romeo Spider.
Although *some* uninformed enthusiasts claim that the current car is a heavier, uglier abomination not fit to carry on the legacy of the MX-5, I couldn’t disagree more. The NC MX-5 is brilliant. Full stop. The only thing that puts me off is the goofy front fascia. Otherwise, it’s just about perfect, especially with the “dreaded” Power Retractable Hardtop. I would go so far as to say that it’s better in every single way than my beloved NA Miata, with no additional drawbacks.
The refresh is subtle, and helps diminish some of the “smiley face” character of the awful Nagare styling language, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s impossible enough to do away with that blight. The headlights, grill opening and air intakes are only slightly changed, but it does help. Even though the front is still ugly, I’d buy one over an FR-S. I suspect I’m not alone.
More by Derek Kreindler
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This fixes a lot of what the 2009 refresh screwed up. I see the FR-S/BRZ as what you have to settle for if, like me, you do not fit in an NC Miata. If you fit in an NC Miata then go get a ridiculous deal on a 2008 PHRT Touring (not Grand Touring) with the sport package.
When the lightweight ND comes out, there may be a lot of geezers finally selling their NAs. So supply may go up for vintage Miatas, while the NC becomes the unloved step child. Buy the NCs at your pecuniary peril, girls.
The later Miatas always looked fine to me, until they threw that embarrassing smile on them. Now instead of an evil grin we have a very very "DUHHH!!!" expression. And... it still looks like a Koffing!
I don't know, but it "seems" the folding hard top would be a much better idea than cloth. All I do know is that for the past few days it's been too damn hot, and every cloth top anything I saw at the stop light, had a miserable looking soul at the steering wheel.