Ask the Car People.SM


Article Comments - 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT

75 messages,  Last post on Jun 05, 2008 at 4:05 PM

You are in the Mazda Miata Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda MX-5 Miata, Convertible

Follow-Up Test: 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT - After putting a quick thousand miles on a 2007 Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop (PRHT), we think the company's estimate of a 20-30-percent take rate on this option is going to prove low (more)

Messages Page 2 of 9

#3 of 75 Most Wanted by atomicdog

Sep 07, 2006 (1:10 pm)

I just happened to be in the market for a new car. My son talked me out of my beloved Honda Del Sol for his college transportation. The Honda Del Sol was also a convertible hardtop but it was a manual process and required one to get out of the car and put the top in the trunk. They stopped making the Del Sol in 1997. So I shopped for a suitable replacement and there were none. My criteria was, convertible hardtop that was not a pain to remove and put on, good on gas, 2 seats, reliable, small and simple.
I looked at the Mercedes Benz SLK 280, Lexus SC430. I even searched some larger 4 seat cars, Volvo s40, Pontiac G6. All of these are retractable hardtops but all failed my criteria in one or more areas.
Just when I had given up all hope I heard a rumor that Mazda was putting a power retractable hardtop on the MX-5. The Mazda Miata is why Honda created the Del Sol and I had often wondered why the Miata didn't have a hardtop that didn't require a mechanic to install.
Well, I have been waiting since June to hear an actual test drive or test top to confirm that this is the car for me. I was not sure if Mazda would beef up the suspension to handle the extra weight or if it would it be necessary to order the suspension package to better handle the weight, even if it is not a great increase in weight. I also wanted to know if this was an electric or hydraulic system. Hydraulic systems tend to leak and I feel are less reliable. So I am glad Mazda went with electric motor.
By the way, I want a hardtop because I park outside , in the Arizona sun, and cloth or vinyl just does not stand up well under the relentless UV downpour we receive here.

#4 of 75 On sale now! by jaserb

Sep 19, 2006 (7:14 pm)

My local dealer has one in stock - a copper red Grand Touring. Sticker is $26k and change, which seems a steal of a deal for this car. It almost followed me home.
 
-Jason

#5 of 75 PRHT testdrive by erics6

Sep 24, 2006 (9:33 am)

I drove one yesterday. Black Grand touring. First NC I've driven. It was nice. The hard top is very easy to use. Set the parking brake and push the button. Put the top up at a stop light. Very quick.
 
The NA and NB feel like totally different cars with the removable hard top on or off. Didn't really feel it in the NC, which says something about how rigid the NC platform is to start with. Biggest difference between my 93 and the NC was the clutch feel and the brakes. Extra power was nice too. I didn't feel the extra weight of the PRHT, but again, I'm coming from the NA which has less power. You definitely loose some of the raw feel of the original, but it isn't too refined for my tastes. Still a modern "roadster" in my book. Note to Mazda... You haven't screwed it up.
 
I think the PRHT will be a big seller for Mazda and I'll replace my 93 with one at some point in the future. I'm thinking silver sport PRHT.

#6 of 75 Can a tall driver (6'1") feel confortable in the MX-5 Coupe? by brake4me1

Sep 26, 2006 (6:42 am)

I guess I should head down to a local Mazda dealer and sit inside a Miata MX-5. I've read a few places that someone over 6' tall will have over-head problems sitting inside the MX-5. I understand the coupe version is 10mm higher then the soft top model. I weigh 200 pounds and was very comfortable (height and width wise) in a Nissan 240 I used to have. I'm not sure if any local dealers in my area (DC)have the retractable hard top version yet but can anyone confirm the driver height limitations for this vehicle. I also was wondering if the MX-5 seats recline back a ways to reduce driving height position. I know may coupe's have a rigid front seat that does not recline. So if the MX-5 seat is rigid then I guess I might be a little to tall for the vehicle interior.
 
Last question - with the top down would someone 6'1" tall be protected from wind shear (by windshield) or is the car designed really for those under 6' tall?

#7 of 75 Re: Can a tall driver (6'1") feel confortable in the MX-5 Coupe? [brake4me1] by manybmws

Sep 26, 2006 (10:15 am)

Replying to: brake4me1 (Sep 26, 2006 6:42 am)
I am 6', 210 lbs with no problems at all - BTW the '06 front seats do recline.

#9 of 75 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT Availability by skt57

Oct 04, 2006 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: KarenS (Aug 29, 2006 5:30 am)
I intend to purchase a 2007 MX5 retractable roof Miata in March of 2007. My choice is Sunlight Silver, black interior w/ Performance Package 2 and Sport Suspension.
 
Question: How hard do you think it'll be to find one like this? Will availability be a problem? What are you hearing from other members, etc.?
 
Thank you,
 
Scott

#10 of 75 Re: 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT Availability [skt57] by brake4me1

Oct 04, 2006 (2:04 pm)

Replying to: skt57 (Oct 04, 2006 12:16 pm)
Why not place an order now and your 07 MX-5 should be ready by February/March 2007. Almost all dealers seem to be waiting for the retractable roof version to trickle in, but I know most dealers are taking orders now to insure buyers have a car waiting for them in the spring. I assume at some point more MX-5 will hit dealer lots, but it is hard to say when and how many. I suggest you give yourself an early Christmas present at no cost since you only have to put serious money down when the Miata arrives in early 07.
 
Good luck.

#12 of 75 Re: 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT Availability [skt57] by erics6

Oct 04, 2006 (9:23 pm)

Replying to: skt57 (Oct 04, 2006 12:16 pm)
Hard to say what availability will be. The PRHT is very new. You might consider buying in winter when the convertible market is soft. Spring is a little harder if availability is limited.
 
The Hillsboro dealer seems to be pretty good about pricing. Local Miata members have picked up 06's at invoice... When they were still a hot commodity.

Messages Page 2 of 9

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement