NC coming to Dallas April 17th

[Darron65]

Those guys were NUTS! They built rails, slid the car out on them, raised it up, WENT UNDER IT TO TAKE THE RAILS APART , then lowered it. We then got to go all around to look at it while they took the box apart to replace 2 broken tiedown straps. After that, they raised it up and up and up and up (Those little bitty forklifts are STRONG!) and finally drove the fire truck under it. Once it was jockied into position they lowered the car on it.

It was very interesting to watch.

I found myself taking more pictures of that amateurish loading procedure than of the car itself. I figured I would offer them as evidence at trial. Why didn't they just get one properly sized forklift?

The car looked much nicer up close than I expected from the internet pictures. I would not be embarrassed to drive one, not so comfortable to pay premium new car price.

[Majik]

Is the winshield header crome? Or is that just a reflection?

[Titus]

Is the winshield header crome? Or is that just a reflection?

Crome... only on the SE though.

[carguychris]

I went to the Douglas Ave. fire station to look at it, but they had already loaded it back up in the enclosure early because there was rain coming. I didn't get to sit in it.

Pretty neat looking car. Looks tough. I like the fender flares and 17" wheels, despite the extra weight. The main upgrade seems to be the interior tho- the top folds down flat, Boxster-style, and the interior looks much more upscale than the previous car IMHO. I liked the red-on-red color, although I'm not crazy about the "bling-bling" chrome windshield frame.

Any other comments?

[MadMerv]

We scored multiple t-shirts and tasty mints... and nice close views of the NC!

And somewhere on the internet there is going to be a picture of us TCB's on the Lone Star site...

They have a decent turnout? What did you guys who went think of the NC?

Not on Monday! My mom and I got there (at the original address) at 9:30, then followed the crew truck up to NW Highway where it really was! There was NO ONE there!We took some pix on the firetruck, with Sunny next to it, of the disembarkation, bunches of closeups, and side-by-side comparisons with Sunny. I will attempt to post some pix, too. It's a very nice car, but looks heavy. I can't imagine it's only 22# heavier than the current Miata, but if it is, it should be AWESOME on the track and autocross courses. For those that got to look at the RX8 suspension, on the lift, at the car show, the Miata is almost identical. Samy design, same aluminum a-arms and hubs. Only the shock mounts are different. It still has the same, simple, adustment cam bolts. Shock travel seems to be improved significantly, which should help the ride and the handling. The laid-back radiator leaves tones of room for an intercooler, the cold air box is nice, and the bigger brakes should haul it down better. I expected the engine setback to limit footwell space, but it was minimal. I have a feeling that it is going to be difficult to remove the valve cover...... The trunk is small, and the opening is even smaller. I felt a bit claustraphobic in the cockpit with the space between seat backs being all enclosed. I was thankful that the doors were still comfortably lower than the S2000, SKY, and Solstice, as I like to lay my arm over the edge when driving top down. The roll hoops are useless, and I would remove all that junk and install a REAL roll bar. I still think Mazda would be smart to offer a lightweight Club Racer version without all the luxo-garbage. I would buy one in a minute. As for this one, I don't know. If the price stays at "starting under $25K", Mazda is going to lose lots of sales to the SKY/Solstice at "under $20k", even if they are slower and heavier.

[black roadster]

This thread is all talk and no pics... :ncool:

[altiain]

[altiain]

Here's some pics for ya, black roadster - stolen from Lone Star and the board.

[altiain]

[altiain]

Y'know what? I like the NC... until you park it next to an NA. Then it looks tall and narrow and bulbous, especially the front end.

[Kestrel]

I was thinking the same thing... I think I rather have the yellow NA! Ah well, maybe the NC will grab me more in a different color.

[Titus]

I was thinking the same thing... I think I rather have the yellow NA!

If anyone is interested in buying a new NC for the purpose of trading it to me for my Yellow NA, please feel free to PM me.

[Sharpie]

Hey Merv, How you gonna put a real rollbar in it and keep the softtop? The way it folds down didn't leave room form backward bracing. Just curious? Seems difficult to do.

[MadMerv]

Y'know what? I like the NC... until you park it next to an NA. Then it looks tall and narrow and bulbous, especially the front end.

Ahhh, but remember that Sunny is lowered a bit (Koni's on the lowest perch). I do agree, though tht the NC is a bit bulbous in comparison. I'm thinking that a set of Flying Miata fender flairs, some 8" wide offset rims would give you an equivalent track on the NA and probably handle just as well as the NC....then a 2.0 crate motor and.....WHOOPIE!!!!!!! :)

Merv

[MadMerv]

I was thinking the same thing... I think I rather have the yellow NA! Ah well, maybe the NC will grab me more in a different color.

OK, OK, I'll sell you Sunny for ONLY $20,000.......

[MadMerv]

I was thinking the same thing... I think I rather have the yellow NA!

If anyone is interested in buying a new NC for the purpose of trading it to me for my Yellow NA, please feel free to PM me.

Dang, I wasn't quick enough

[MadMerv]

Hey Merv, How you gonna put a real rollbar in it and keep the softtop? The way it folds down didn't leave room form backward bracing. Just curious? Seems difficult to do.

We looked at that, and there is room, but you have to take out all that junk between the seat backs, including the dorky baby hoops. I think there is space for the rear braces if you go outboard like I did on Luna in '99. If not, go ROADSTER!!!!!!!

[Treibenschnell]

If not, go ROADSTER!!!!!!!

[Titus]

Is the winshield header crome? Or is that just a reflection?

Took me a while, but I finally figured out where I had seen it before:

[srivendel]

So sad to see the MX-5 badge on the trunk. It's the only think I dislike about my MSM, and now Mazda has made it "official" with the NC. Nice looking car, although those fender flares are still pretty weird.

S.