They run around $26k before processing, tax, and tag fees at a no-haggle place for a base model. It seems that is a lot of money for such as tiny car. What is so special about it? In addition, why is it so bad in fuel economy, which is under 30 mpg for such a tiny car with a tiny engine?
why mazda miata so expensive
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It's considered a toy, which means it's a "want", not a "need", hence the manufacturer knows it can charge more for it. Besides, a Z4 which is in the same segment would set you back 2x as much, so the miata is a bargain by comparison.
As for MPG, well, it's supposed to be a sports car that has a drivetrain geared more towards performance, not fuel economy.
As for MPG, well, it's supposed to be a sports car that has a drivetrain geared more towards performance, not fuel economy.
They are fairly low volume, I think my dealer sold 3 or 4 last year. There are some expensive suspension parts on that car though. A lot of the models have Bilstein dampers, plus there is the big torque arm on all the Miatas.
too much money for not enough car
Originally Posted By: hardcore302
too much money for not enough car
Have you driven one?
too much money for not enough car
Have you driven one?
Originally Posted By: M1Accord
What is so special about it?
Take one for a test drive, and you will understand.
If you don't understand, then it is not the car for you.
By this logic, why do motorcycle manufacturers with 0.6l displacement motorcycles charge like $11k for it? They're like 400lbs, and can't even seat more than two.
What is so special about it?
Take one for a test drive, and you will understand.
If you don't understand, then it is not the car for you.
By this logic, why do motorcycle manufacturers with 0.6l displacement motorcycles charge like $11k for it? They're like 400lbs, and can't even seat more than two.
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It's a rear wheel drive roadster, so you can't compare it to say a Civic and make an apples to apples comparison. The next cheapest car in this class are probably Mustang convetible, Nissan Z, and BMW Z4.. all a lot more expensive.
Having said that, Mazda is also being too comfortable, having little or no direct competition in Miata class.
Having said that, Mazda is also being too comfortable, having little or no direct competition in Miata class.
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Low volume vehicles are higher in order to make the same money. As a side comment; I don't buy my vehicles by the pound as in pounds per dollar. 
) Ed
) EdA bargain in it's class for sure. Car and Driver top 10 pick for many years. Not an econobox.
The Porsche Boxster is roughly twice the price. Is the extra 2 cylinders worth over 20 grand extra? Or is it the Porsche name?
Some could argue that it is Porsche's racing heritage that merits the extra cost. But before we go there, guess how many Japanese marques have won the 24 Hours of LeMans. Hint: it's not Toyota or Nissan.
It's Mazda.
The Mazda RX-2 was just about the only thing that could challenge a BMW 2002i around a roadcourse. And it did it with a solid live rear axle and without rack and pinion steering.
The retail price of a Mazda MX-5 is probably not much more than the price of a new Triumph Spitfire or MG Midget was when adjusted for inflation. And as a former Triumph owner and enthusiast, it pains me to admit that the MX-5 is better in virtually every category than my Spitfire was. Sure it doesn't have the Coventry wooden dash, the sound of the little cast iron OHV 4, or the "soul" of the Spitfire, but two minutes behind the wheel of the Miata and you forget all that. It's every bit the essence of pure roadster motoring.
So is it worth double the price of a Nissan Versa? Only as much as the Porsche Boxster is worth double the price of the Miata.
Some could argue that it is Porsche's racing heritage that merits the extra cost. But before we go there, guess how many Japanese marques have won the 24 Hours of LeMans. Hint: it's not Toyota or Nissan.
It's Mazda.
The Mazda RX-2 was just about the only thing that could challenge a BMW 2002i around a roadcourse. And it did it with a solid live rear axle and without rack and pinion steering.
The retail price of a Mazda MX-5 is probably not much more than the price of a new Triumph Spitfire or MG Midget was when adjusted for inflation. And as a former Triumph owner and enthusiast, it pains me to admit that the MX-5 is better in virtually every category than my Spitfire was. Sure it doesn't have the Coventry wooden dash, the sound of the little cast iron OHV 4, or the "soul" of the Spitfire, but two minutes behind the wheel of the Miata and you forget all that. It's every bit the essence of pure roadster motoring.
So is it worth double the price of a Nissan Versa? Only as much as the Porsche Boxster is worth double the price of the Miata.
they also seem to hold their value well, depending on when and where they are selling. I had a gen2 and it was fun, reliable, solid, and did everything it was meant to do well. It had soul.
I drove a friend's Z3 in to work this morning. That car cosr 2-3x as much as the miata. While it had a touch more refinement, it was not 2-3x more car.
The miata is absolutely an enthusiast's car.
M
I drove a friend's Z3 in to work this morning. That car cosr 2-3x as much as the miata. While it had a touch more refinement, it was not 2-3x more car.
The miata is absolutely an enthusiast's car.
M
Originally Posted By: M1Accord
They run around $26k before processing, tax, and tag fees at a no-haggle place for a base model. It seems that is a lot of money for such as tiny car.
Our Solstice stickered north of $30K three years ago; I didn't pay that, of course, because of the going out of business blow out fire sale.
Though small, cars in this category are borderline premium cars, especially the optioned out cars, and are priced accordingly. They are not economy cars, either in initial, or operating cost. They are fun toys.
That's just the way it is.
They run around $26k before processing, tax, and tag fees at a no-haggle place for a base model. It seems that is a lot of money for such as tiny car.
Our Solstice stickered north of $30K three years ago; I didn't pay that, of course, because of the going out of business blow out fire sale.
Though small, cars in this category are borderline premium cars, especially the optioned out cars, and are priced accordingly. They are not economy cars, either in initial, or operating cost. They are fun toys.
That's just the way it is.
The FRS/BRZ might drive mazda to lower the base price a bit on the base Miata. I think alot of driving enthusiast folks will cross-shop them.
Actually I just looked up the base price of the "Sport" Miata, its $23.5k including A/C.
The retactable hard top is $27.5k
The one the OP was looking at is the "Touring" version with some fluff plus a strut tower bar and bigger wheels.
My Dad had a '90 base model for a while and it was very very fun. If I wasn't a family man I'd pick up an early one as a commuter/autocrosser.
Actually I just looked up the base price of the "Sport" Miata, its $23.5k including A/C.
The retactable hard top is $27.5k
The one the OP was looking at is the "Touring" version with some fluff plus a strut tower bar and bigger wheels.
My Dad had a '90 base model for a while and it was very very fun. If I wasn't a family man I'd pick up an early one as a commuter/autocrosser.
Mazda still doesn't make any cars in the US, and the exchange rate makes anything made in Japan extremely expensive.
Originally Posted By: M1Accord
They run around $26k before processing, tax, and tag fees at a no-haggle place for a base model. It seems that is a lot of money for such as tiny car. What is so special about it? In addition, why is it so bad in fuel economy, which is under 30 mpg for such a tiny car with a tiny engine?
I'm guessing that you never actually drove the car, did you, and you're just numbers shopping?
Mazda spends way more money on making sure their cars have a high quality suspension and chassis setup in them, so that the people who actually enjoy driving cars, can feel the difference when they get behind the wheel of a Mazda product.
The Miata is a car you want to own when you live near mountains that have great twisting roads that snake back and forth through them, like I have here in Colorado. Other great places to have a Miata would be the area around the Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina areas, where there are some simply fantastic roads to drive on.
Owning a Miata in the middle of Kansas would be very sad, as there isn't a hill or curve to be found for hundreds of miles.
As for the person who compared the Porsche Boxster price to the Miata, you do get more car for the price. more power, more torque, better drivetrain layout for trackdays, much better suspension and chassis setup, and the SOUND that the car makes right behind your head, not to mention the better quality interior (IMO), and much more luggage space (yes, the Porsche is better for carrying luggage than the Miata).
Plus, guys who are 6' tall and above can fit in the Boxster, without issue (I know this first hand).
BC.
They run around $26k before processing, tax, and tag fees at a no-haggle place for a base model. It seems that is a lot of money for such as tiny car. What is so special about it? In addition, why is it so bad in fuel economy, which is under 30 mpg for such a tiny car with a tiny engine?
I'm guessing that you never actually drove the car, did you, and you're just numbers shopping?
Mazda spends way more money on making sure their cars have a high quality suspension and chassis setup in them, so that the people who actually enjoy driving cars, can feel the difference when they get behind the wheel of a Mazda product.
The Miata is a car you want to own when you live near mountains that have great twisting roads that snake back and forth through them, like I have here in Colorado. Other great places to have a Miata would be the area around the Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina areas, where there are some simply fantastic roads to drive on.
Owning a Miata in the middle of Kansas would be very sad, as there isn't a hill or curve to be found for hundreds of miles.
As for the person who compared the Porsche Boxster price to the Miata, you do get more car for the price. more power, more torque, better drivetrain layout for trackdays, much better suspension and chassis setup, and the SOUND that the car makes right behind your head, not to mention the better quality interior (IMO), and much more luggage space (yes, the Porsche is better for carrying luggage than the Miata).
Plus, guys who are 6' tall and above can fit in the Boxster, without issue (I know this first hand).
BC.
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Mazda still doesn't make any cars in the US,
Isn't Mazda6 is made in the US?
Mazda still doesn't make any cars in the US,
Isn't Mazda6 is made in the US?
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