i’m not sure if it is the same model, but recently, there was a horrific car crash involving a high-powered mazda.
A guy, who had no intention of buying the car took it out for a test drive and he crashed it so badly that the salesgirl who accompanied him for the drive was killed.
Incidentally, the mazda crashed into a BMW and apparently, the BMW was not half as badly damaged as the Mazda.
I’m beginning to believe more in German technology.

Yep, that was the same model. It happened in Singapore. The reason the Mazda was badly damaged was because when it crossed over the center line it flew up in the air and flipped over after it hit the BMW. In mid air it collided with a Mini-van. The guy driving it was going way too fast. In a crash like this it is a miracle anyone survived but generally the new MX-5 is pretty good in a crash. Convertibles have generally stronger bodies because they don’t have a roof but when it flips over there’s not much you can do.

Also it is not a matter of German Technology being better. The BMW is a bigger and way more expensive car. The MX-5 is a lightweight sport car so there is going to be trade-offs. You just got to drive safely.

Not like it really matters but did the guy die too?

No he didn’t. He walked away from it.

Here’s a picture:
http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/6427/pic00036kb.jpg

OK, now I don’t want to focus on it cause you know that you create what you think about. Let’s concentrate on the fact that the car was voted Japan Car of the Year and it is kick ass man!!

It must be pretty tough to flip a car that low over. The dude that did it must’ve been a real idiot. But lucky for the guy, he did it in Singapore, and we all know how lenient they are in that country when it comes to people screwing up.;) He’ll get his.

Anyhoo, like you said in another post, you’re more likely to be run over by a SUV in a parking lot that can’t see you.

Back to the subject, I can’t believe the Miata didn’t win Japan car of the year when it was introduced. Wasn’t it much more of a “revolutionary” ( I can’t think of a better word) car back then? I mean that car brought back the 2 seat convertible sports car segment back. This JCOTY is long overdue.

He must have been going really fast and used the center divider as a ramp. I can’t figure out how a car so low could flip like that.

I don’t think there was anything revolutionary with the original Miata. It was influenced by the original british roadsters and lotus elan. It was just cheaper and more reliable and marketed in a way that made it accessible to everyone. It’s like Star Wars is not the best SF movie but it contains the right combination of things that worked and came out at just the right time when the market was ripe for something new.

One thing many people don’t realize (most people aren’t obsessed like me) is that this is a completely different car from the previous roadster. The only part that is the same are the side marker lights.

Rick, why don’t you go to a dealer and test drive one? I would be interested to know what you think. Usually there is no pressure from sales people to make you buy a car so don’t worry.

Yeah, I knew revolutionary was not the right word for it. But it was the car that started the comeback. The affordable price, lightweight, and peppy performance brought back the market for cars like the Z3, MR2, Boxster and SLK.

I drove a first generation Miata years back (only the 1.6 liter). And I rented a 2001 Miata SE (won my class in Solo2 autocross with it too:)) for a day. So even if I test drove the NC, I would have no idea how to compare it to the others. It’s been so long! On top of that, I haven’t owned a car of my own for almost 3 years now. So sadly now, even the last car I drove, a rental Toyota FunCargo, was a blast to drive. But on the other had if you wanna volunteer your car for a test drive, I’ll happily give it a go!;)

Test drive MY car? Hmm..I’ll have to think about it ;)

photo is funny, lol police officer casually giving driver a speeding ticket.