Today at lunch near Roppongi I spotted a new roadster out on the street for the first time. It had Yokohama plates and a car show shine like it was delivered yesterday. I’ve been keeping my camera ready everyday for the last 2 weeks just in case I see one. Call me obsessed. Anyway, it’s quite different seeing one on the street than in the showroom. Something about the reality of it that got me totally excited I almost wet myself. I would have missed it completely if my co-worker didn’t point it out. The other people I was with impatiently waiting as I took pictures and oogled it. The winning blue color never did much for me when I saw the one with the appearance package indoors, but this RS looked smokin! For a moment, I thought I should have gotten the blue! Then the owner came out carrying a whole bunch of camera gear. I could tell he just got the car because it took him a while before he figured out how to open the trunk. I know I will not have this problem because I’ve already read the entire owner’s manual which has been online since 8/25 and studied every inch of the car very carefully. I complimented him on his car but he looked too busy to respond and just nodded. I wanted to stay and watch as he drove off but the others were waiting so…
As a side note, I got the road tax refund in the mail tonight. You pay your annual road tax in April every year and if you sell your car they give you a partial refund. Since I sold my NB in July I got back a fair chunk, 23,000yen! Maybe this can go toward getting that iPOD Nano? Oh Yeah!
Hello Roy, it’s kzy from Minkara,
you might be excited to see your brand new NC Roadster soon. Your Instruction can be worn out before NC comes :) Look forward to seeing your review both English and Japanese? maybe.
Last week I went to a Mazda dealer and drove an NC a little, it really has same Roadster feeling even my one is NA, well everything on NC get better really.
I would go for iPod nano with the unexpected refund money, it maybe the best iPod so far, in my opinion.
Cheers!
kzy
Kzy, how are you?!
I’ll be getting my NC this thursday and very excited of course. I did not test drive at the dealers but I did drive it a little when I went to the Yokohama event in July (my picture is on the Roadster special website!)
I’ve read so many impressions of the car, both good and bad and am very curious to see how I feel about it. Many people have said the drive feel is like an NA but I have never driven an NA so not sure what that feeling is. Maybe you can explain it to me? I’ve only driven my 1.6L NB (NR-A) so I think it might be similar with more power and softer suspension. I’ve heard the sports suspension on the NC is not as good as on Turbo NB and compromised to appeal to a wider audience. That’s fine with me because I don’t race on the track.
In particular, I’m curious about the light clutch everyone is talking about. Some say it is easier to drive, others not. But I guess that depends on what you are used to. The clutch on the NB was fairly hard and I liked that but maybe a lighter clutch will be easier in Tokyo traffic.
Agree about the iPOD but I will have to hold out a little longer before getting one.
Okay let me explain about NA, specifically my NA1.8 series2,
the lead engineer is same as NC father “Kijima-san” who use to be responsible for chassis area on NA1.6,
For NA1.8 the Drive feel could be similar to Kart, since 990kg is light enough drivers to enjoy any corner even we are in town. The optional Bilstein supension had very good drive feel for most situation, but it is said to be just too hard for rutted roads, eg: some girl on your passenger seat may sometimes complain, well it is also too soft if you drive quite hard like around 90km winding corner then into a tight corner, you should feel quite a lot rolling(suspension move). I personally felt it was scared and no more acceralate further, this is appearently on purpose to realise driver to give much information from car, Kijima-san said,
Additionally I have no complaint anymore since Ohlins PCV adjustable suspension is installed I can acceralate earlier and more now :)
other thing I noticed was the higher bonnet and the door on NC, NA has lower height on both, which could give us more freedom, you know what I mean?
If we get a chance, meet up sometime and swap our Roadster couple hours?
that is the easiest to feel the different taste, if you wish.
sorry my English, you could find it difficult to understand.
Bye!
Kzy。
Kzy, what you said about the stiff suspension is right. On my NB I really like the stiffer shocks but most passengers got car sick. Maybe just my lousy driving.
Some people on the miata.net forum said that the NC sports suspension is too soft for the track. I guess these guys are enthusiasts but most people would like the slightly softer ride. I like the suspension of the NC over NB so far.
Thanks for the offer. While I don’t have problems lending my car to other people to drive, I’m nervous about driving other people’s car..does that make sense?