Realistically, what will the ND be?
 

Ok, figure we need some new discussions up in this bitch.

SO lets talk about the next miata. What do you think the next ND will have? What do you WANT the next ND to have?


What it will have:
less weight, smaller engine, and NB dimensions exterior, with some manufacturing magic to maintain a relatively spacious interior. I expect its going to be a Naturally aspirated form of the sky-G with the 6-speed manual and 6-speed auto optional.

What I wish it had:
I wish that the next RX and miata model where built on the modular platform/chassis. Mazda could then take that platform and modify it for 3 cars:
-an RX model line with a rotary, revised front and rear, and slightly larger dimensions.
-a coupe miata with a reciprocating IC engine.
-a convertible miata with a reciprocating IC engine.

This would allow the coupe miata to get very good chassis rigidity, and with a RX subframe a rotary conversion would be more plausible. This would really help with engine conversions too, as I suspect the next miata may not be so spacious up front.
It would open up to us a new line of sturdier transmissions, since the rotarys tend to carry a bit more power (imagine the next rx will probably be north of 250hp, which is a magical number in miata land).

your turn!

Hmmm I'm not really excited for the ND miata. I'm moreso excited for the rx9.

I've got this bad feeling the ND is gunna fall flat on it's face like every other mazda lately. Great freaking cars if you ask me, I dunno Mazda just doesn't sell for some odd reason until their cars are like 10 years old.

I think it's going to be too late in the game, there's a lot to say in being first. We all know damn well with the advent of the GT86 everyone and their mother is gunna start making lightweight underpowered cars. Even though the miata has been there and did that for the last 20 years, I feel like the lack of info about the up and coming from mazda will really kill overall sales. Cause the Toyota/scion/subaru is gunna sell like crack. Since mazda hasn't really made any big announcements besides their new drivetrains, their the last thing in buyer's minds.