Here’s a nice photo of the Stormy Blue RHT (Retractable Hard Top) NC with the Galaxy Gray RS Softtop taken from Carview. As I mentioned before, I’ll be getting my new NC in June and I’m getting excited about it. It’s the only thing getting me through this terrible sick spell which won’t go away.
For those who cannot read Japanese, enjoy our Test drive with HD Video here ;-)
http://www.nihoncar.com/review-372-X.html
The roadster is a good affordable car, I like the RHT for gentle cruising and city, but the lack of power, the bad interior make me regrets that Mazda did not tuned up a little this good car…
Personally I would go for a S2000, but this is 2 time the price of the Mazda.
Cheers !
Oh and I forget, be careful with the stock break of the RHT, after 45 minutes of our test drive our little track, we almost melt them ! The front break were on fire… white smoke :(
If you drive “normally” it won’t be a problem, if you enjoy squashing the paddle with the right foot and happen to be on the Izu Skyline (where Carview shoot their photo) well you may arrive in Hakkonne without breaks ;)
I missed that video before. Thanks.
Your comment about the oversteer is interesting. The model I got doesn’t have DSC but I don’t think I’ll drive it like a maniac like you did on the track so I should be alright.
The concept of the roadster was never about power but drivability and fun. I think the Roadster is just right. Why are some people, especially Americans, so obsessed with power as a measure of a car’s worth? And the interior, while I agree is kinda cheap isn’t that bad. I test drove the S2000 way back and didn’t feel like it had any soul. It’s a nice car and well built etc. But not worth twice the price IMO. I’d rather go up a notch and get a Boxster. btw, the mechanism that stops a car is spelled “BRAKE” not “BREAK”
More oversteer is a bit normal on the RHT, the car center of gravity is higher (1cm), the car is heavier, chock absorber are softer, the chassis is not that “strong” compare to other cars (Roadster like)… All this make a car less “safe” than the soft top version.
But I must admit that the RHT is a great Car if you just want to cruise slowly around or in the City, the RH make it even better in winter and give a better sensation of security.
Now the S2000 is a UNIQUE car, an Out performe a Boxter on so many point. Actually the Boxter is just a car for those who cannot afford a Porsche. The S2000 has won 4 time the Best Car award in the UK (TopGear search), while the Boxster was 50 place below in the ranking.
Yes the Boxster is nice and powerful but does not give the Thrill of a S2000. For me the S2000 is the Japanese version of a TVR Tuscan with less power but million time safer… Go and test it again and try a flat out on the high way or Izu Skyline the car is stick to the road and after 4.5k rpm BOOM the Vtec is here… man that is a great Car
Anyway we can one day take a drink and talk about cars in Tyo ;)… Or if you want to sit in a Gallardo Spider let me know I will have one in June