Phil,
I can give you a little info on the 99 Miata.
First of all, thanks to everybody that responded to my inquiry on how a
Miata compares to a TR-6. Some good info was sent my way. I am hoping to
get either a Miata or a TR-6 this summer and have been test driving Miatas,
including a 99, and lurking on the Miata and Triumph mailing lists.
However, I have never driven or ridden in a TR-6.
The 99 Miata is a great car. The biggest changes are in the appearance of
the car. The styling is more aggresive and rounded. The new look has not
been universally accepted and it took me a while to warm up to it myself.
The pop up headlights are gone, replaced by standard looking oval
headlights. The top now has a glass back window so you won't have to
un-zip the back window before you lower the top. The very small trunk has
been rearranged to make it more usable. The battery and spare tire are now
below the floor. The body has been enhanced to make it more rigid in all
directions.
The suspension has been re-worked to improve handling without increasing
harshness. I have heard tell that the standard model now handles like the
old "R" model. One pretty cool improvement is a 3 spoke "Nardi" steering
wheel with an airbag.
The engine now has variable valve timing to improve the low-mid rpm power.
It did help, but the improvement is not breathtaking like the magazine
reviews would lead you to believe. The power starts to come on at 3000 rpm
instead of around 4000 in the earlier cars. The exhaust note is a little
more noticeable, but it still sounds like a new car. Frankly, it sounds
pretty pathetic compared to the real sports car sound of the Triumphs I
have heard.
For what it's worth, from a student of both cars.
Ken Goff
Farmington, Arkansas
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> From: Phil Smith <smith007@mindspring.com>
> To: triumphs@autox.team.net
> Subject: 99 Miata
> Date: Saturday, March 21, 1998 1:36 PM
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> Does anyone know what the changes will be for 99 Miata? Bigger
engine,sound
> more like a Triumph,?
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> Phil Smith
> 69 TR6
> " More Dreams Than Money "
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