The future of the MX-5 Miata, is there another 20 years left?

[Jeremiah]

So were currently on the 3rd generation MX-5 Miata with the new ND on the horizon. A 4th generation is imminent no doubt.
Now, what I am thinking about is how long will Mazda keep producing the Miata, its a hot seller for sure considering all the positives and price point.
But how much longer? The S2000 was short lived but I think thats due in part to the price point, whereas the Miata satisfied everyone young and old because they are affordable. The MR2 Spyder had promise but it just wasn't loved enough.

How much longer do you think the Miata will be around? Will we see an NE, NF, etc.?

[Sean5294]

It should be a while as long as they build what people want. I have only had mine for a week or so an it is by for the funnest car I have driven.

[— Phatmiata —]

Currently the biggest competitor for the Miata is from the USED Miata car sales

as long as the keep the price affordable I can see the Miata being around for a long time

[horribleR]

I think they would benefit from a lower starting price point. as it stands it's fairly high even for a "base model".

[Pfunk]

Currently the biggest competitor for the Miata is from the USED Miata car sales

Truth! That and those of us who pour money into our current cars rather than getting new ones.

[pnoy1duh]

There's nothing else that fills the niche the Miata fits in. Part of the Miata's success is it's generally non aggressive design, "fun" brand cache, reliability, and cult like following. Other automotive companies have tried, but can't match the relatively low cost of entry and the Miata's pedigree. The only things that could unseat the Miata is price creep, Mazda's modest advertising budget, and keeping the Miata fresh.

[riefdaddy]

Luckily, there are those who always want the latest and greatest. As long as Mazda doesn't mess with the formula, I don't see the Miata going away anytime soon. It is an iconic car at this point. It has been around for so long that kids who are now in their 20's don't know of a time that there weren't Miatas.

Will it last forever, no. Sadly, with automated cars on the horizon and the move towards "safer" cars, in time fun cars will go away. At that point I will be living the Rush song, "Red Barchetta".

[Pfunk]

I will be living the Rush song, "Red Barchetta".

Always liked that storyline, myself!

[poo_head]

a barebones performance/tuner spec would be cool. Kind of like the spec c sti.
cloth seats, soft top, base model wheels, minimalist/no av, lsd, 6 spd, maybe ac as an option.

That's of course if they want this demogrpahic to continue buy it.
My observation is that the nc is kind of a midlife-crisis car. Mostly driven by old and grey types (no offense – I'd love one). By that thinking moving into s2000 territory could eventually happen.
I think the current NC strikes a happy medium between those two ends of the spectrum.

Too bad the nc3 isn't offered with a soft top option in Canada...

[★ Unk577 ★]

Currently the biggest competitor for the Miata is from the USED Miata car sales

as long as the keep the price affordable I can see the Miata being around for a long time

I'm doing everything I can to deplete the used miata market. Now if I could just get hold of a low mileage LE to cut up...

[The Driver]

Currently the biggest competitor for the Miata is from the USED Miata car sales

as long as the keep the price affordable I can see the Miata being around for a long time

Porsche has since the late 70's considered their used cars as their "entry level" models.

Sadly, I disagree with your assesment. Sales have been dropping since 2007, at an accelerated pace, while the cars have gone "upmarket" and so have their prices.

Heck, car sales in general have been dropping. The younger generations are just not buying cars with the same fervor as before. Internet, video games and I-phones is where the money is at.

I don't see the Miata surviving another 10 years, the sales are just not there. I hope I'm wrong.

[DK AFFECT]

Heck, car sales in general have been dropping. The younger generations are just not buying cars with the same fervor as before. Internet, video games and I-phones is where the money is at.

You're blaming the symptom not the problem.

[The Driver]

You're blaming the symptom not the problem.

I'm not blaming anything, just stating the facts. Most of my friends who have children of driving age, those children are at best apathetic about cars. That trend carries over, I'm not the one saying it, car companies are.


http://money.cnn.com/2012/09/17/news...g-buying-cars/


http://www.fastcoexist.com/3027876/m...figure-out-why

[riefdaddy]

Driver, I think what DK is saying is that many young people are priced out of the new car market by the purchase price, maintenance, fuel, and insurance costs. Saddled with student loans, poor employment opportunities, et al. They may want a new car, but it isn't practical or feasible. So they instead look at cheaper alternatives such as living within a city that allows them to walk and ride public transportation. I'm not making this a political post, but with all the off shoring of jobs companies are cutting their own throats by not having people who can buy their products. Henry Ford paid a high wage and said the smartest thing ever - claiming that someone had to be able to buy his product. That to me is the biggest issue with new car sales - they are too expensive (newer used cars too).

[The Driver]

Driver, I think what DK is saying is that many young people are priced out of the new car market by the purchase price, maintenance, fuel, and insurance costs. Saddled with student loans, poor employment opportunities, et al. They may want a new car, but it isn't practical or feasible. So they instead look at cheaper alternatives such as living within a city that allows them to walk and ride public transportation. I'm not making this a political post, but with all the off shoring of jobs companies are cutting their own throats by not having people who can buy their products. Henry Ford paid a high wage and said the smartest thing ever - claiming that someone had to be able to buy his product. That to me is the biggest issue with new car sales - they are too expensive (newer used cars too).

Oh don't be afraid to make it political. Here @ MR.Net, we don't shut down opinions. I was just establishing that I wasn't directly blaming anything, or anyone. DK is a big boy, he knows how to take care of himself!
And yes, I agree to too often companies end up shooting themselves in the foot, by not paying adequate wages. But that is not something that will change anytime soon, if ever.