Topic: 2010 Mazda MX-5 GS PRHT; Day 1

[Autos_Editor]

James hits the road in a Mazda Miata -- oops! -- MX-5 this week, equipped with the optional Power Retractable Hard Top roof. Predictably, he thinks this will be a fun week, and we all tend to agree.
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[rrocket]

Wow!!  Great colour on the Miata!  Just great!!

[Rod Gardner]

I purchased a 2010 GT 6-sp in Jan. and after 4500km have flogged it. Suspension was soft,and the seats were not as supportive as my 06 GT. A real disappointment.

[HeliDriver]

How much weight does the retractable hard top add?

I can see the appeal on a boulevard cruiser like the 3-Series or CLK, but on the simple, fun and lightweight MX-5? Not so much.

[bikenut]

i went to mazdas web site looking for a profile - side shot of the hard  top up
they have a side shot of the mx5 with the hard top down , good looking car
but no side shot  of the hard top up, they did this for a reason , it doesn't look good with the top up
they still and always will be a fun car no matter what generation you get , just not a good looking one with the retractable top up

[gut]

How much weight does the retractable hard top add?
I can see the appeal on a boulevard cruiser like the 3-Series or CLK, but on the simple, fun and lightweight MX-5? Not so much.

CLK convertible (and the new E klasse convertible) do not have the retractable hard top.
Both have a simple rag top (and a gorgeous looking also).

And i cannot see the appeal of the retractable hard top on any car for that matter, BMW 3, Mazda Miata, Mercedes SL or any other.

[gut]

i went to mazdas web site looking for a profile - side shot of the hard  top up
they have a side shot of the mx5 with the hard top down , good looking car
but no side shot  of the hard top up, they did this for a reason , it doesn't look good with the top up
they still and always will be a fun car no matter what generation you get , just not a good looking one with the retractable top up

Here is the side shot:
http://www.netcarshow.com/mazda/2009-mx-5/1600x1200/wallpaper_28.htm

[Leviathan]

How much weight does the retractable hard top add?
I can see the appeal on a boulevard cruiser like the 3-Series or CLK, but on the simple, fun and lightweight MX-5? Not so much.

CLK convertible (and the new E klasse convertible) do not have the retractable hard top.
Both have a simple rag top (and a gorgeous looking also).

And i cannot see the appeal of the retractable hard top on any car for that matter, BMW 3, Mazda Miata, Mercedes SL or any other.

I'd get one

[wing]

Why go through Mazda's site when I gave you the shots right in our gallery?

Side shot looks great IMO

[lebowski]

i went to mazdas web site looking for a profile - side shot of the hard  top up
they have a side shot of the mx5 with the hard top down , good looking car
but no side shot  of the hard top up, they did this for a reason , it doesn't look good with the top up
they still and always will be a fun car no matter what generation you get , just not a good looking one with the retractable top up

I agree, it looks awkward and ungainly - sort of like the Lexus SC 430. I would definitely stick to the soft top with this car.

[kevlar]

i agree with wing.   it looks great esp. in that colour!   it's nice that mazda hasn't killed this car like honda killed the s2000.  (i guess the accountants have taken over honda) 

[aknutson]

Wow, soooo jealous right now, I love this car. As a fan of Mazda's compact sedans, I can only imagine the handling joy that would be the nimble, light, tossable (and RWD!) MX-5. I find this to be one of the most successful applications of the new family smiley-face grille, as the redesigned Mazda3 looks a little artificially Prozac to me. I remember reading an article from one of the major car magazines and they had a top-5 or top-10 list of the 'most fun cars money can buy', I'm pretty sure this came second only to the ZR-1 and Porsche Boxster, beating out even the Audi R8 V10 for the fun-to-drive factor. Should be a good week!

[D70]

This model was popular at the Miatas in Moab IV event in mid May this year

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4621800984/in/set-72157624086884670/

[airbalancer]

Has anyone over 5-10 seat inside with the top up

[wing]

Loads of headroom!

[Shnak]

Has anyone over 5-10 seat inside with the top up

Last time I sat in a Miata (5-6 years ago), all I could see was the frame holding up the windshield... my eyes were looking straight at that damn frame. Unless the dimensions have drastically changed over the years, I can't see anyone taller than 5'9" driving one of those.

[whaddaiknow]

Has anyone over 5-10 seat inside with the top up

Last time I sat in a Miata (5-6 years ago), all I could see was the frame holding up the windshield... my eyes were looking straight at that damn frame. Unless the dimensions have drastically changed over the years, I can't see anyone taller than 5'9" driving one of those.

I am 5'11" and I was quite comfortable when I sat in one at the dealership. Very nice looking car. Looks great IMO in this color AND with the hard top up. I'd get one if I was looking for something in this category.

[huota]

An interesting day-to-day review for a change   I'd forgotten the MX-5 exists, will be interesting to hear wing's impressions.

[D70]

Has anyone over 5-10 seat inside with the top up

I am 6 ft and have just completed a 8,000 km trip from Vancouver to San Antonio Texas and return in my 1990 Miata often driving 9 hours a day day after day being quite comfortable. I collect OAS and have a hip replacement. No AC or cruise control and a manual transmission and the top was up.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4579009527/in/set-72157623993056140/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4667877131/in/set-72157623914523541/

[D70]

Has anyone over 5-10 seat inside with the top up

Last time I sat in a Miata (5-6 years ago), all I could see was the frame holding up the windshield... my eyes were looking straight at that damn frame. Unless the dimensions have drastically changed over the years, I can't see anyone taller than 5'9" driving one of those.

I am 5'11" and I was quite comfortable when I sat in one at the dealership. Very nice looking car. Looks great IMO in this color AND with the hard top up. I'd get one if I was looking for something in this category.

All three generations, NA 1990- 1997, NB 1999 - 2005, NC 2006 - 2010, have adequate head room for a 6 footer. The NA has the most room as the early models had no airbags and less padding in doors. They also had the sharpest handling. We also have a 2001 in the garage. I have driven all 3 models.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4680186415/in/set-72157624086884670/