New RF. Are they on sale yet?

[gforceg]

I saw a nicely road-dirtied grey one recently in south Devon. Dealer demonstrator or an early adopter?

Looked good.

[Darryl247W]

Due in UK in March last I heard.

[gforceg]

Must've been a demonstrator, then. Cheers.

[PATTERNPART]

Do they look nice in the flesh?

[gforceg]

I'd say so. The front seems the same but it must have been the profile of the windscreen which made me look twice as it approached. The roof was open despite not brilliant weather and the buttresses were the real give away it was something different when I glanced in the wing mirror.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Not keen myself. They look good but all the reviews suggest they suffer badly from wind buffeting over about 50mph.

[The Hypno-Toad]

Mazda dealers are taking orders now for the 2.0 version. If you want one there will be a small selection available for delivery end March/early April.

The Automatic version should be available for late April and 1.5 should be around from May/June. A lot of dealers are having presentation days this weekend so if you're interested give your local one a call!

[SmilerFTM]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Not keen myself. They look good but all the reviews suggest they suffer badly from wind buffeting over about 50mph.

I've read the same, it sounds like it becomes unbearable as well

[The Hypno-Toad]

SmilerFTM said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

Not keen myself. They look good but all the reviews suggest they suffer badly from wind buffeting over about 50mph.

I've read the same, it sounds like it becomes unbearable as well

Its interesting that this seems to an ongoing opinion but its worth bearing in mind that quite often journalists drive pre-production models that might not have the build quality that demonstrators which have been supplied to dealers have.

When you're thinking about buying a new one yourself, it might be worth test driving an RF to double check?

Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Saturday 11th February 10:40

[dxg]

The Hypno-Toad said:

SmilerFTM said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

Not keen myself. They look good but all the reviews suggest they suffer badly from wind buffeting over about 50mph.

I've read the same, it sounds like it becomes unbearable as well

Its interesting that this seems to an ongoing opinion but its worth bearing in mind that quite often journalists drive pre-production models that might not have the build quality that demonstrators which have been supplied to dealers have.

When you're thinking about buying a new one yourself, it might worth test driving an RF to double check?

In the States they're saying that if you take the clear Perspex wind buffer out, it removes the problem. It hasn't put me off. A 2.0 RF in Reflex Blue would do me nicely.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I too will wait for 1st hand experience before making my opinion. I was just mentioning what every review so far has said.
I've also heard that the rear roof section feels a bit cheap and plasticy but again, I'll wait until I've seen one for myself before judging as different people have different expectations.

[gforceg]

It looks like the one I saw may have been a press car (although not the one in this piece).

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Beati Dogu]

gforceg said:

I saw a nicely road-dirtied grey one recently in south Devon. Dealer demonstrator or an early adopter?

Looked good.

There were a couple outside Vospers in Exeter (Honiton Road branch) yesterday when I walked past to the parts department. I think they were doing customer test drives with them, as they were lined up by the front door. They looked very nice, although I think I still prefer the regular soft top.

[Trabi601]

If the RF was the answer, what was the question?

Don't see the appeal.

[Mr-B]

Early orders due for delivery beginning of March I was told today. There are also some pre-built cars possibly available if you want one in March. Looks better in the flesh I think than pics. Took one out today and it drives very similar to the ND I have, not sure it's worth making the change personally. Bought mine on 0% and they are not doing that for the RF, was only offered 5.9% PCP deals. Meh.

[slowTwitch]

Trabi601 said:

If the RF was the answer, what was the question?

How can we (Mazda) extend the appeal of the soft-top, sell more vehicles and increase our profits. Words to that effect.

Trabi601 said:

Don't see the appeal.

Thanks for sharing.

[Trabi601]

slowTwitch said:

Trabi601 said:

If the RF was the answer, what was the question?

How can we (Mazda) extend the appeal of the soft-top, sell more vehicles and increase our profits. Words to that effect.

Trabi601 said:

Don't see the appeal.

Thanks for sharing.

But the old folding hard top did that, without the compromise of what's effectively a not very good targa and slightly odd looking targa setup.

[RushDom]

Went to have a look at both the RF and the standard MX5 at RRG Stockport last weekend. We are considering the MX5 as a 'fun' replacement to our Mini Cooper which gets little use.

The RF looks terrific in the flesh - me and my dad both compared it to an old Datsun 240Z or a miniature Jag F/E-Type. The new brown leather interior also looks great, and it would be nice if they offered this on the soft top.

I have no doubt that based on the looks alone it will sell like hot cakes, and everything we heard suggested that - the wait time is a good few months at present and there were no discounts currently on offer. Plenty of launch edition cars in the impound - nice, but certainly not worth the £28k asking price.

However, the biggest (and most surprising) problem I found was the reduced headroom you get in the RF. Everything I had read in the press about the car suggested it gained about 5mm in additional headroom, but it looks like this information was garbled - the roof itself is taller, but because it's thicker the space inside is reduced.

I'm 6 foot 3 with a long torso, and whilst I wouldn't call it spacious I can fit into the soft top with the roof up no problem. Unfortunately the slight reduction in headroom in the RF meant my head was just about touching the roof! Overall, the standard car is still my choice but, if you can fit, the RF looks lovely.

[R8FUN]

SmilerFTM said:

I've read the same, it sounds like it becomes unbearable as well

The RF is a lovely car until you get past 75mph then a whistling noise starts which gets worse the quicker you go.
Its not buffeting, more like you have a widow slightly open, so annoying I cancelled my order yesterday.

[rolex]

One at the local dealer