Topic 23 of 39: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Sat, Nov 29, 1997 (17:38) |
El Sam Blob (Afor)
From the mid-Seventies to the present, Mazda has made its presence in the sports-car arena known. Three series of RX-7 and one series of MX-5 Miata have turned the Mazda X-cars into modern-day MGs or Austin-Healys.
It is my personal opinion that the RX-7 was the biggest problem that the Porsche 924 and its derivatives ever had to face, and that the third-generation RX-7 was the last straw for the front-engined, liquid cooled fours from Porsche. You could almost hear the RX-7 Mk III telling the Porcshe 968 "There can be only one!" as it delivered the final blow. But the RX-7 Mk III was itself weakened and killed by the changing taste in cars.
What do you think about these sports cars from Hiroshima? What do you think of the upcoming MX-5 Miata Mk II (as featured in the December 1997 issue of Road & Track? Do you think that they should prepare a coupe version of the new Miata, give it a rotary engine, and call it the RX-7 Mk IV?
57 responses total.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 1 of 57: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Nov 29, 1997 (20:26) * 2 lines
The Miata looks cool, but not as cool as an XKE.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 2 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Sun, Nov 30, 1997 (11:04) * 5 lines
There is almost nothing on Earth that looks as cool as an E-type.
Have you ever seen the RX-7 Mk III? That might come close. That looks better than any production Corvette, with the possible exception of the C2 Sting Ray coupes.
The new Miata looks O.K., not as good as the original, but even with E-Types the original looks the best (the Corvette is an exception!) The Miata looks like a good starting point for a new RX-7, with a concept similar to the first.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 3 of 57: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Mon, Dec 8, 1997 (19:02) * 4 lines
Miata looks like an accident waiting to happen!
I actually don't like the look that much.
Now... the new Mercedes created to compete with BMWs smaller car...
I could play fast with that!
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 4 of 57: Stephen (1stPeter122) * Mon, Dec 8, 1997 (19:11) * 4 lines
I love the old muscle cars of the 60's.
I have a 68 Cougar of my own.
They are very fast, very loud and can be very unique.
There is nothing like a FORD powerplant!
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 5 of 57: Frank Susca (Cafe) * Tue, Dec 9, 1997 (09:52) * 1 lines
Welcome. Check the Cars with muscles topic! 68 Cougars are rarely seen now, eh?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 6 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Tue, Dec 9, 1997 (23:00) * 22 lines
Stacey: Miata looks like an accident waiting to happen!
Now why exactly is that?!?
I actually don't like the look that much.
Well, that I'll accept! (we'll just agree to disagree here...)
Now... the new Mercedes created to compete with BMWs smaller car...
I could play fast with that!
A few words about the Mercedes-Benz SLK (I have many, but most aren't printable!):
i: The retractable hardtop (a la '50's Ford Galaxie Starliner) is an affront to every sports car fan who ever embraced the Robert Browning quote "Less Is More" as their motto (and copied architect Mies van der Rohe in doing so) Maybe with a real convertible top (unpowered, please!) or with the hardtop welded in place and the retraction mechanism tossed in the bin where it belongs, I'd like it.
ii: No available manual transmission.
iii: About as little sporting cred as the Honda del Sol, which is mercifully extinct!
I'd hate to hear Stacey's opinion of the Lotus Elise (if she's ever heard of it, that is.)
THe SLK is one of those cars that just generally angers me whenever I think about it. Kind of like the Toyota Supra, the anti-RX-7, the ugliest, least inspiring, and last surviving Japanese muscle GT.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 7 of 57: Frank Susca (Cafe) * Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (10:33) * 3 lines
Whoa Sam! Surprised you don't like an Elite lookalike or the Elite itself. i thought the +2S was cool but fragile.
The SLK is a car for the affluent poseur I admit, but if i woke up with one i wouldn't throw up (kinda like Cindy Crawford?).
The Supra was a great example of Jap engineers gone nuts, like the 3000GT/VR4. All that techno-effort for what? Always makes me wonder what the real reason ws for the demise of the 2000GT.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 8 of 57: carmen hermosillo (humdog2) * Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (13:20) * 7 lines
i saw a miata get crumpled in a parking lot -- low speed and lots of
fender damage. what do you guys think of the mazda rx6, which is
supposed to be child of rx7?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 9 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (17:49) * 11 lines
I didn't say that I didn't like the look of the Miata, I said that I'd accept that Stacey doesn't, and agree to disagree with her! I won't accept the "accident waiting to happen" without elaboration, however!
Miata Rules! This mainly because Toyota stopped making the MR2, which was probably a better sports-racing platform and maybe a better handling car, but the Miata just enchanted everybody.
The main thing I have against the Miata, actually, is that it is the car that killed the Alfa Romeo Spider, one of the most beautiful cars ever made, but it couldn't compete against the Miata, which was just as good at half the price!
If I woke up with an SLK in the driveway, the first thing I'd do is find the owner to move it away. If by some miracle I am the owner, I'd drive it to the M-B dealer and have them weld the roof in place (maybe adding a rollcage at the same time) and remove the retraction mechanism. Then box changing time!
The RX-7 Mk III was a pure sports car! Power, lightness and beauty, it had it all! The 3000GT and Supra only had one, and one out of three is bad!
I have never heard of an RX-6. RX-2, RX-3, RX-4, there may have been an RX-5, but I'm not sure, but those were all in the Seventies. Where have you seen this RX-6?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 10 of 57: carmen hermosillo (humdog2) * Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (18:25) * 6 lines
i called up the mazda dealers and asked them, ok they don't make the
rx7, but i want the closest thing. what would you sell me? so he said
they got the rx6, which is like a toyota something or other (i forgot) & i should go
to this dealership in capitola ca to see it...
maybe we should all go to the mazda site??
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 11 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (18:31) * 5 lines
Are you sure it wasn't an MX-6?
BTW, the MX-6 has been discontinued, as has the Ford Probe, based on the same platform.
What's Mazda's address? I guess it would be http://www.mazda.com but I'm not sure.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 12 of 57: Frank Susca (Cafe) * Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (10:54) * 1 lines
Probably thinking MX6-GT? A very beautiful car with decent, safe performance. I looked at them before I bought the Integra. Turn-off other than the sewing-machine-like motor was the noticeable light gauge of steel Mazda uses.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 13 of 57: carmen hermosillo (humdog2) * Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (13:23) * 11 lines
http://www.mazda.com is the address.
yes the light gauge of steel was immediately visible when i saw the
miata crumple in the very very lowspeed parking lot crash. the miata crumpled
like a weak beer can.
does the integra still have that hatchback kind of look to it, like the old
supras?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 14 of 57: Frank Susca (Cafe) * Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (15:54) * 2 lines
I have a 90 Hatchback GS. I believe they produced them until last year, now it's a straight 2 door coupe. I'm one of the apparent minority that loves hatchbacks; it's been used like a pickup truck several times! I looked at the entry BMW for the same reason. Integras are wonderful cars. Built properly.
Yes the lite weight of the Mazdas is definitely a sore point, and the tight quarters of the Miata are easy to improve upon if they'd like.But to be honest, any small car folds up pretty badly nowadays, they all do with the exeption of Volvos and Mercedes.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 15 of 57: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (19:16) * 3 lines
Accident waiting to happen: c'mon Sam it's a freaking fiberglass car! How much more info do you need. You can punch your fist through it, nevermind a little 20mph fender bender!
Yes, I know of a Lotus. Albeit I've never seen it in the "flesh" if I may. S'ok. Goes fast, similar designs. Gues I just really don't like the look.
The del Sol: now THAT is something we can agree on!
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 16 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (22:56) * 3 lines
The Miata is NOT made from fibreglas! You're thinking about a Lotus or Corvette! Unsafe at any speed? I think not!
We agree on not liking the Del Sol. You probably don't like it because it looks like a sports car. I don't like it because it looks like a sports car...and isn't! I dislike it even more because it replaced a sports car, the Honda CRX.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 17 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (23:00) * 1 lines
Oh, and by the way, an "accident waiting to happen" is something that is likely to cause an accident, not someting with questionable survivability in one. A huge sedan or van with defective steering linkage (or front suspension, or brake lines etc. etc.), now that's an accident waiting to happen!
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 18 of 57: Frank Susca (Cafe) * Tue, Dec 16, 1997 (09:12) * 1 lines
well I like the little bullet-del Sol. Throw $1000 at a used one, its a screamer!
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 19 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Tue, Dec 16, 1997 (18:32) * 1 lines
How much would you have had to throw at a CRX?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 20 of 57: Frank Susca (Cafe) * Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (17:45) * 2 lines
Depends; could always use better rubber than stock, an exhaust/airbox mod, maybe shock/strut mods for start. Those nylon motor and suspension mounts add a nice feel also...about $1300 all told?
The delSol Si already had the rubber, leaving money for the rest.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 21 of 57: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (19:27) * 3 lines
Well if I intended to mean it was going to 'cause' an accident, I would've stated such. *stick out tongue and blow!*
*smile*
I specifically said it was waiting to happen. And waiting it is.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 22 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (22:12) * 3 lines
That's what the phrase "An accident waiting to happen" means, something that will cause an accident, but just hasn't caused it yet! So, basically, you did state such!
And I don't have to make faces at you; the truth supporting me is doing a good enough job of that.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 23 of 57: carmen hermosillo (humdog2) * Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (17:50) * 3 lines
i drove a volvo wagon for a long time up and down highway 17 in california ( a famous Nasty Road commuter highway through the Coast Range that washes out every winter) and i must say that my opinion of cars is to some extent conditioned by the little "count the dead cars by the side of the road" exercise that i used to perform during the rainy seasons and during the san jose santa cruz memorial summer let's go to the beach parking lot exercise that took place every weekend in the summer. what i noticed i
that more mercedes ended up dead by the side of the road in the summer than i thought might. few volkswagens, lots of big american sedans (we came to refer to them as the "grandpa cars"). few bmws. hardly any hondas and i only saw one volvo. the cool open jeep sort of cars rolled over often enough for me to remember it, and we won't get into
the kinds of cars most frequently found disguised as pancakes at the beginning of long snakes of irritated and horrified commuters.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 24 of 57: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (18:18) * 4 lines
Sam, where's take your face outta the cliche book. It doesn't mean anything but what I want it to mean!!
(and I obviously can't stand on my sound arguements so *phhhhhllllllllltttttt*
(that was the stick out tongue and blow sound!)
*smile*
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 25 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (21:12) * 3 lines
So if what you say means anything you want it to mean, how are we supposed to know what you mean?
Or maybe you talk just to hear the sound of your own voice? (Is everyone clear as to what that means?)
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 26 of 57: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Fri, Dec 19, 1997 (10:09) * 1 lines
Well, Sam that would be true except, as I was born deaf, I've never really learned to speak and certainly never heard my own voice.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 27 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Sat, Dec 20, 1997 (18:18) * 3 lines
This is a bit of a surprise, I would more have suspected a lack of vision!
(and by that I don't mean sight...)
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 28 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Wed, Dec 24, 1997 (21:08) * 3 lines
Saw a Suzuki Capuccino this morning. Silver with black hardtop. For those not in the know, a Capuccino is a roadster about halfthe size of a Miata (but it's ALSO not fiberglas!) It has a turbocharged 660 cc engine and is what the Japanese call a Kei car, which has special low rates in Japan for road taxes, licence fees and highway tolls.
Stacey would hate it, which means it's a nice car.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 29 of 57: Frank Susca (Cafe) * Fri, Dec 26, 1997 (14:09) * 1 lines
Sounds interesting but impractical for US roads, unfortunately. Is it a screamer or an econo-type car? Or both, a la Mini.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 30 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Fri, Dec 26, 1997 (22:00) * 1 lines
From what I've read, it seems to be a screamer. It's a pity they don't make a 1200 cc aspro version; I don't trust small, turbocharged cars that much.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 31 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Fri, Dec 26, 1997 (22:02) * 3 lines
Considering the size of the 660 cc Kei car market, it's interesting that Honda and Suzuki haven't come up with 660 cc bikes that use Kei car engines.
Then again, maybe their Kei car engines are based on their bike engines!
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 32 of 57: Frank Susca (Cafe) * Sat, Dec 27, 1997 (09:46) * 1 lines
I think they are Sam. I thought Honda had one or two in Japan only?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 33 of 57: carmen hermosillo (humdog2) * Fri, Jan 16, 1998 (17:45) * 5 lines
so is this one of those cars like the teensy austin healey of long ago
which provides various and sundry opportunities to smear yourself
all over the highway while having lots of fun?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 34 of 57: El Sam Blob (Afor) * Fri, Jan 16, 1998 (22:02) * 1 lines
you mean sorta like a vw beetle?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 35 of 57: Frank Susca (Cafe) * Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (09:41) * 1 lines
Well, the opportunities are always there (just around the corner?), but I've driven a great many small sportscars, many considered "horribly" primitive and outdated, and never been "smeared" anywhere.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 36 of 57: I'm ridin' my car (sprin5) * Mon, May 15, 2000 (08:45) * 1 lines
What's your favorite small sportscar?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 37 of 57: Samm Blob (AlFor) * Sun, Feb 3, 2002 (14:16) * 2 lines
Of all time: Alfa Romeo Spider (mid '60s to 1993)
Currently: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 38 of 57: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Feb 3, 2002 (16:28) * 5 lines
Man, I'm sorry, in another conference I mistook you for someone from Austin.
It's great you're back. Where'd you go? How've you been?
How are all the other car buffs? Are you dragging them out of the bushes?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 39 of 57: Samm Blob (AlFor) * Sun, Feb 3, 2002 (16:44) * 7 lines
Well, I ran away when a disagreement in the music forum got ugly, and then I lost the URL. I was clearing out my Inbox when I found your e-mail and decided to take another look at the place...
Frank Susca is with the "new" Motorcycle Crossroads ( http://www.fp-webs.com:8080/~Xroads ) that's been around for maybe three years; I haven't seen Yves there recently, and Jon seems to have fallen off the face of the earth.
It is with sadness that I report that Brad/Rodehogger died about two or three years ago due to an allergic reaction. I read some of his posts in the motorcycle section today.
I'll tell Frank (and the others) that this place is still alive.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 40 of 57: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 3, 2002 (19:32) * 1 lines
=) Aloha ! Spring is always better when you are around!
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 41 of 57: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 3, 2002 (19:33) * 1 lines
Mazda ZX.... there was a car! Wankel was better but not in this particular model my son owned. It was a super stealth car now replaced by a Ford Probe.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 42 of 57: Samm Blob (AlFor) * Tue, Feb 5, 2002 (17:37) * 1 lines
Erm... I've never heard of a Mazda ZX... Datsun and Nissan made ZX cars (280ZX, 300ZX, 300ZX Turbo...) Mazda made RX (RX-2, RX-3, RX-4, RX-5 sedans in the '70s and then three generations of RX-7 from 1977 to 1992 or thereabout) and MX (MX-6 in the late '80s - early '90s and MX-5 Miata from 1990 to the present), but not a ZX, unless I'm mistaken (entirely possible...)
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 43 of 57: Sam Blob (AlFor) * Tue, Apr 2, 2002 (15:57) * 1 lines
April 2002: Pre-production Mazda RX-8 driven by Road & Track staff! 4-door sport coupe (!)
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 44 of 57: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Apr 3, 2002 (07:48) * 1 lines
I picked up an old, old Mazda for $50 recently and it still runs good. It's on loan to the teenage daughter of the guy who sold it to me. It's a long story. Maybe I'll tell it someday. Actually, it's still unraveling.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 45 of 57: Sam Blob (AlFor) * Wed, Apr 3, 2002 (16:02) * 1 lines
Rotary?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 46 of 57: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Apr 3, 2002 (17:53) * 1 lines
I'll let you know more when I get it back, check back in a few days or a week.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 47 of 57: Sam Blob (AlFor) * Sun, Jun 9, 2002 (08:57) * 1 lines
It's been about three months. What's the story on the Mazda?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 48 of 57: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Jun 9, 2002 (14:47) * 1 lines
It's not running, a vandal named Curtis Ackerman slashed all four tires, what a scumbag.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 49 of 57: Sam Blob (AlFor) * Sun, Jun 9, 2002 (16:29) * 3 lines
So when Goodyear or Continental or Michelin or Yohohama or whoever gets some of your money (or preferably some of Mr. Ackerman's money), what kind of Mazda will you have on the road?
(I nearly included Metzeler unitl I remembered that they don't make car tyres. Does Cheng Shin sell their car tyres in the USA?)
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 50 of 57: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (09:53) * 1 lines
Probably Michelin, I've got to do this.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 51 of 57: Sam Blob (AlFor) * Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (19:38) * 3 lines
*ahem* let me try this again:
What model of Mazda is this? MPV? 323? 626? 929? Millenia? MX-5 Miata? RX-7? RX-5? RX-3? Cosmo? What?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 52 of 57: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (07:38) * 1 lines
I'll let you know when it comes back from Pet Boys with new tires.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 53 of 57: Sam Blob (AlFor) * Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (20:07) * 1 lines
O.K. ...
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 54 of 57: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (04:00) * 1 lines
I may pick it up today, or maybe not, I have a dental appt.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 55 of 57: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (11:35) * 1 lines
1984. Mazda GLC 4 door Sedan. LX. Woo woo.
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 56 of 57: Sam Blob (AlFor) * Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (16:49) * 1 lines
The predecessor to the 323/Protege. Should be a fairly good car, although going on 20 years may have taken their toll. How available are parts?
Topic 23 of 39 [cars]: Mazda Sports Cars (& their rivals)
Response 57 of 57: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (05:25) * 1 lines
I'm not sure about parts. At least I have decent tires on it now, the previous owner took really good care of it and gave me asuper deal on it.
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