Julf wrote: > Great car, and also illustrates the difference between subjective and > objective preference. I have a Morgan. I would be the first to admit > that the MX-5 is objectively better in pretty much every way, and > cheaper. > > > > "We get what we get..." :)
The only other car I've had that had a similar feel was a 1972 Lancia Fulvia: that was the model that bankrupted Lancia. Very radical design by Professor Fessia. Cost half as much again as an E-Type when new, yet Lancia still lost money on every one they sold. It was however an engineer's vehicle. The Mazda story is of course very different. The MX-5 tag is the giveaway - the MX series were Mazda prototype vehicles not intended for production. The engineers were told to design an up-to-date version of a 1960's British 2-seater, with 3 provisos: it had to be reliable; the roof had to be totally watertight; and it had to be low-slung enough that you could tap a pipe out on the ground while sitting in the driver's seat! When the MANA (Mazda North America) guys saw it they said, "We can sell this, you've got to make it!". Manufacture began in 1989, and by the time the original design (with evolutions) ceased production in 2004, Mazda had sold 750,000 of them and made a healthy profit. It is the world's best-selling sports car. This makes parts readily available, but also means it'll never be worth much because there's no scarcity factor whatsoever. However, the accountants didn't get a look in, so it's a very good engineering product, and fabulous to drive. Plus Japanese assembly plants are nearly as good as the German ones. The Mazda factory where they were all made is on the outskirts of Hiroshima, which sadly is better known for another reason. Dave :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Golden Earring's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=66646 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=106519 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
