Mazda & Fiat having a baby

[masraum]

Yeah, so Mazda and Fiat have teamed up to make a 2 seat sports car based on the Miata.

The Associated Press: Mazda, Fiat to work together on small convertible

[RWebb]

maybe this make up for Porsche bowing out on a small roadster...

[Zeke]

Fiazda.

[dewolf]

And it looks good. With a sweet TT Alfa V6 it would be nice.

[onewhippedpuppy]

A Miata that sounds like an Italian car.........I like it.

[mikesride]

So now we will have something thats not very comfortable or reliable! Don't see many folks lining up for this one.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by mikesride

So now we will have something thats not very comfortable or reliable! Don't see many folks lining up for this one.

Does'nt sound much different to most German cars...head studs, waterpumps, ims, grenading plastic cooling systems etc etc.

[mikesride]

While I personally don't like the ride or comfort quality of any Mazda I have ever been in, at least they seem to be reasonably reliable no? My Fiat was an incredibly unreliable but super fun car! Maybe it would result in something better than my first flippant remark implied.

[kach22i]

Sexy looking car.

[pharlap71]

I have had both, what the people at Mazda are smoking I want some!

[scottmandue]

While at the Dr. office I read an article on the "new Miata"

Mazda said they want to get back to a smaller lighter Miata... to get back to it's roots.

Too bad a certain other auto manufacturer can't get on board with this idea.

They mentioned nothing about the Fiat connection. As much as I like that Alfa looking thing I got the impression it will still look like a Miata.

A Miata is high on my list of cars I would like to own someday... but egad... +$30K for a new Miata?!?

[szyzygy]

I have a 2001 mazda 626. It's been very reliable. 5 speed manual. Has just over 100k miles on it. My wife drives itfor the most part.
Shes mentioned wanting a new car in a couple of years, I don't see why when the mazda works fine. Looks good, too. Interior is messed up a little due to kids. Sagging headliner, too.
Seems like all mazda 626s rear license plate trim falls off. Ridiculous expensive to fix.

[scottmandue]

After some research it looks like Mazda/Fiat will share mechanicals with different bodies ala GM/Saturn, Subaru/Scion...

[Ronbo]

^^^Different engines as well.

[masraum]

Different body and motor doesn't leave much the same does it?

Same cup holders.

[masraum]

I'm on my second miata not counting the one that the wife has. My only complaint is that the seats suck. I've been in "sporty" Chevy economy cars with more lateral support

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

While at the Dr. office I read an article on the "new Miata"

Mazda said they want to get back to a smaller lighter Miata... to get back to it's roots.

Too bad a certain other auto manufacturer can't get on board with this idea.

They mentioned nothing about the Fiat connection. As much as I like that Alfa looking thing I got the impression it will still look like a Miata.

A Miata is high on my list of cars I would like to own someday... but egad... +$30K for a new Miata?!?

My dad just bought a new one with the soft top, 6-speed, and sport package for just under $26k. I haven't driven it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

My dad just bought a new one with the soft top, 6-speed, and sport package for just under $26k. I haven't driven it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

Sorry I should have included that price is for the "special edition" that adds a bunch of goodies... I think it even had a folding hardtop like a SLK/Z4...

I presume we in the states will not get the Alfa?

[pharlap71]

I saw an interview with the CEO of Fiat, Alpha, Chrysler, Lamborgini, Ferrari and he said they were planning on bringing Alpha back to the US. Fiat has returned to Canada not sure about the US.

[Hugo930]

They're planning on bringing Alfa back...in 2012. Fiat has gotten the cold shoulder from the American Market, no big surprise there, Americans are fat slobs. The Fiat response may make/brake bringing Alfa back to the land of the cheeseburger.