Rules are Made to be Broken

Just this once, "Ask Bob!" won't start with an "Ask Bob!" question, but one asked in the Miata.net Forum's section dedicated to the NA Series car. Since not all "Ask Bob!" readers visit the Miata.net Forum (and not all visitors to the Miata.net Forum who read "Ask Bob!" visit the NA Section), I'm repeating it here;

Bob,
Can you provide any inside info on the NA color choices?

For instance: Why the different Whites?

Was there any controversy about your favorite, Mariner Blue? What about my favorite, Laguna? Why did it only last two years and Montego went on and on?

Was Yellow seen as a mistake because of the low sales?

What about the M colors...were they chosen for any particular reason?

Are there any Miata colors that only appear on Miatas and not on any other Mazdas or other manufacturers cars?

Are there any Miata colors that appear elsewhere but not in the US?

Were you ever personally involved in the color choices?

Sorry for so many questions.

Steve, aka Hawker

No problem Hawker.

The three kick off colors were in the system from real early, as they were traditional sports car colors. We also had BRG in the first go as well, but manufacturing said there would only be three colors available. BRG was dropped since it was felt it didn't work as well with a black interior as the other three. The fact the Miata's official launch date was 4 July, 1989 had nothing to do with the selection of red, white and blue as the sole colors offered at launch. Although Mazda's advertising agency of the day (Foote, Cone and Belding) pit together an ad with the three cars arranged vertically with the caption "Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue".

Our 'second tier' of colors was Yellow, Black and Silver. We wanted these at launch, but the paint booth restriction to three shades meant they were put on the back burner.

The only controversy which arose over blue (and the other launch shades) was about naming. It was originally proposed that the colors be named Italian Racing Red, American Racing White (In Japan it was going to be 'Japanese Racing White' since both Japan and the US have white as their official national racing color) and French Racing Blue. Somebody, somewhere didn't like that, so the colors were given more 'traditional' names. Rod Bymaster, the fellow at MMA who was responsible for marketing and sales of the Miata (as well as coming up with the name), though the shift to the more normal color names was a mistake, but the die was cast.

Laguna blue basically died in Japan and Europe. Germany was Mazda's most important market in Europe back then and Mariner Blue was the most popular color by a hefty margin (it peaked at just under 80 percent of all deliveries, but subsequently slipped to just about half) there, so when the decision was made to drop it the German importer went ballistic. As it shook out, Laguna took it in the shorts in Germany, where it was expected to carry global volume for the color. When it flopped in Japan as well (it's worth noting that sales of the Miata in Japan were running at a rate which was only about 10 percent below the US volume) and North American volume wasn't enough to keep it in the system, it was dropped.

Yellow was always expected to be a small volume color, but the pick-up rate on it was actually quite good. The problem was that to get the yellow we wanted, the paint the Japanese supplier provided meeting Mazda's fade resistance requirements had lousy coverage properties. As a result, all Sunburst Yellow NAs had to be painted twice. At the end of a shift, a batch of bodyshells were run through the booth, given a white exterior coat then taken off the line and put back at the start of the booth. They were run through at the start of the next shift, getting no prime coat but having the yellow final coat applied. This disrupted production too much to be done on an ongoing basis and is why yellow stuck around for a short time, not because of demand issues.

Colors for the M-editions were basically piggybacked with what the Japanese market was going to do for local production models or the V-Limiteds, although the US pushed to get Merlot in the system. It didn't do as well in Japan as expected and was sold alongside an Elegant Green Mica V-Limited with black leather which shot out of dealers in Japan while the Merlot V Limited was glued to the showroom floor.

Japan had a second go at Sunburst Yellow with a J-Limited (as the Sunburst cars were called) run of 1.8s which can be easily spotted as the only Miatas done with the windscreen header painted satin black at the factory instead of body color.

There was an R-Limited in 1995 which had a Satellite Blue Mica exterior with a bright red interior (an acquired taste) and the final 'sayonara' model, the SR-Limited, painted a Mazda Demio/121 color, Sparkle Green Metallic. A pretty sad way to say 'goodbye'.

The British importer was an out-of-control outfit (unrelated to Mazda other than as an independent business which imported Mazdas - it was not a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mazda as the US, German and Australian importer/distributors were) which did all sorts of weird specials often not relating to what was being done elsewhere. They had a run of Sunburst Yellow 1999 NBs which never showed up anywhere else and even took the sad Sparkle Green car and sold it as a 'Berkley' edition. With apologies to Busby or the caravan maker, one hopes.

The last color program I was involved with was for a major shift of the entire color and trim palette to take place with the 1993 model year. As originally proposed, the standard cloth interior would be beige, with the dash and door trim vinyl parts coming from the previous leather-upholstered cars. The leather package was going to move to black, using the vinyl interior and gas parts from the regular Miata. The color palette was going to change as well, although the core palette was still going to be red, white, blue and silver.

The red was going to shift to a darker red, not dissimilar to the color Jaguar used for XK-120s. White would be very much warmer, not an Ivory but like the Old English White MG and Jaguar used. Mariner Blue was to be replaced by a dark shade of Navy blue and the silver was going to darken to charcoal grey.

If anybody's still awake after that, maybe now's a good time to take a breather. I've got to have lunch. I hope it helps.

bwob

Too Many to Pick and Choose From?

I recently purchased a '94 "arrest me" red Miata. I love it! I was going to start doing some performance additions...headers, cat, cat-back type stuff. I ran into an article that said that there is actually MORE horsepower by leaving the stock header on than replacing it with an aftermarket. Before I dump the large money, could I please have your opinion?

Aaron Ramsay, Las Vegas, NV

That depends upon what header is matched with what car-back, and the rub comes from the fact the number of possible permutations of the two boggles the mind. But it's no more correct to say that retaining the OE manifold will provide more horsepower than it is to say any aftermarket one will increase output.

bwob

What's in a Name? Or a Letter?

Just a quick question, as you are probably aware Eunos Roadsters have become fairly prolific in the UK as of late, and a question popped up on the UK forum that you may be able to help us with. What does the "V" stand for in "V-Special"?

ben cartland, Berkshire, UK

No meaning beyond the fact the letter V matched the form of the pattern in the Eunos badge.

Well after the naming was selected, one of the people at Mazda's Japanese domestic ad agency rationalized after the fact it by saying the 'V' meant 'vintage', but inasmuch as the name was selected internally at Mazda months before the ad agency was even consulted, that's little more than marketing hype.

bwob

The Numbers Game

I have a 1990 A pkg. How can I look up my VIN number for the production number sequence and date of it being built?

Scott Lewis, San Diego Miata Club

The VIN - at least the last set of five numeric digits - serves as the indicator of the car's build in the production sequence for that model year.

Build date (as far as year and month) is on the certification label in the door jamb. Mazda does not keep records of specific day of vehicle build, as this isn't a regulatory requirement anywhere.

There are links to VIN decoders at Miata.net which can explain what information's included in the number as well as what is not. They can be accessed through the Miata FAQ there.

bwob

We Don't 'Filter' the Questions Here

Dear Bwob:
I have an NB (1.8) and until now I have consistently used mineral oil, but with a change of oil and filter every 7,500 km, i.e. twice as often as the recommendation in my handbook. I've read enough in the many threads on lubrication to be convinced that it would be a good thing to change to synthetic oil, and increase the change interval to 15,000 km. The car is approaching 45,000 km so I don't think I need to worry about the running-in period.
My question is about the filter. Until now I've always used the standard Mazda filter; in your opinion is there any reason to change?
I haven't found any comment on this question in the usual places.
By the way, the car is used in pretty favourable conditions - a warm climate (no sub-zero starts) and no off-road or competition use.
Thanks in advance
Allan Beattie

Allan Beattie, UK, but living in Spain

Allan, there a strong possibility that I'm the wrong guy to ask this one. I gave up on synthetic engine oils back in the late 1980s. There's nothing wrong with them if you leave them in, but I'm uncomfortable - really uncomfortable - keeping the oil in a car more than 90 days or 5000km (whichever comes first). The benefits synthetics offer in temperate climate as the ones I've lived in are outweighed by the expense when the stuff's changed as often as I am comfortable with. I suppose if I lived in places with a complete set of seasons and kept oil in the car for more than 10,000km, I might give 'em another go. But with the oil and filter changes I am comfortable with, I remain staunchly in the mineral-based oil camp after my thirteen-year dalliance with synthetic engine oil.

In the case of transmission and differential lubricants I am wholeheartedly in favor of synthetics, so I don't really qualify as a synthetic hater.

As regards the filter, like you I have no qualms with the OE filter or any manufacturer/importer recommended substitute. Given my propensity for changing oil and oil filters frequently, I'd have no nervousness about using a good quality filter from a manufacturer such as Repco or Ryco (to use a couple of local Australian names) as well.

bwob

Who's on First?

Always wondered why MX-5's (particularly NA series) seem to flip flop between Momo steering wheels and Nardi steering wheels + gear knob. Were there different agreements with these suppliers? Reason I'm asking is that I am putting a Nardi black leather gear knob with my standard fit Momo and this question popped into my head.

Andrew Mackew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Political as much as anything. Momo's reputation in Japan isn't anywhere as good as Nardi's, while the reverse is the case in North America. Since Nardi and Momo are owned by the same group, Mazda splits orders between the two suppliers as a fop to the US and Japanese markets. This alternates the bellyaching headquarters gets from the US and Japanese sales departments without appearing to side with one over the other.

bwob

Is Kay Kyser Doing MX-5 Quizzes on the Internet Now?

Your last reply to me a couple of years ago had serious consequences: I sold my new 97 Black Special 90bhp MX5 and bought a 92 model Black and Tan 115bhp based upon your reply. I never regret that, thanks! Question now: a competition about MX5/Miata on Internet says that some models has been offered from the factory with the JR Supercharger. Is that really correct?

Frode Varn, Norway

Nope, not a micron of truth to it. At least no Miatas made at any Mazda factory have been so equipped.

bwob

It's in Good Hands With Kijimastate

Do you think the next generation of Miata has any chance of returning to its roots? Or is the NC destined to become larger, heavier, and more expensive?

Kent Wenger, New Holland PA USA

I have a lot of faith in Kijima-san (Takeo Kijima, the NC's Program Manager) and his team. He's already been on the record saying that the car will have an in-line engine with a whole number of cylinders which is more than three but less than five. And he's passed on the fact the car's targeted to weigh less than one metric tonne (2250 pounds for those still reliant upon Imperial weights and measures).

That all sounds a lot more promising than the mindless aping of the Honda S2000 some people have been babbling about. Then again those are people who believe a high redline is a substitute for a good drive.

bwob

So What do YOU Think of It?

Hello from Venezuela.
I'm planning to buy a '93 Automatic Miata.
What do you thing about a Miata with automatic transmission?

JC De La Vega, Venezuela

It's not my cup of tea, but I don't care for automatics in any car and never have. But it's sufficiently popular that roughly 10 percent of owners worldwide opt for the self-shifter.

What I - or others - think of an automatic in a Miata or MX-5 it is immaterial. What's important is what you think of it.

bwob

No Escape: There's One EVERY Month

A friend of mine replaced the timing belt in my 1993 Dodge Shadow car and there is a part left over and the car is running. I do not know what the part is but on the part it has QSM on it. What do you think it might be?

Vicki Ott, Ft. Worth, Texas USA

Well, since Mazda Miatas don't have 'QSM's (and the last Dodge I owned was a 1958 Coronet when I was in High School in the '70s, which never included anything marked 'QSM' in my attempts to deign what made it go), I'm afraid I cannot hazard a guess. Perhaps someone involved with Dodges or auto repair - like a mechanic - might be able to tell you. Sorry I cannot be of further assistance.

bwob

"The Dealer Said..."

Last year I bought my first Miata, a 94. The dealer said it was an "anniversary" edition, thus the nice wood grain console. I was told by an auto body shop that it's an aftermarket console. My question: Is there such thing as a 94 Anniversary Edition Miata?

Terri, Broomfield, Colo.

No, I'm afraid there isn't. The only model slugged 'Anniversary' edition was the 10th Anniversary Edition car, introduced in 1999. Wood-effect consoles were never part of any NA Series Miata, at least as it left the factory. Sounds like somebody with their hands on the car prior to you has been supporting the aftermarket.

bwob

Can you say "Design to cost"?

Why do auto manufacturers use air boxes and restrictive exhaust systems? It is clear from the aftermarket that upgrading these sorts of components will improve engine performance and fuel economy. Why would only a handful of cars come with improvements such as cold air intakes or performance headers stock? Thanks!

Ted Boggs, Durham, NC USA

Primarily (but not exclusively) because of the three most important reasons in the development of 99.99 percent of the world's cars: cost, cost and cost.

The Miata project was budged and run on the scent of an oily rag, so we had to use a lot of bits out of the parts bin. The purpose-built extractor of 1.6 litre NAs was a quasi header (all we could get away from on a budget of US$250,000,000 for the entire car), but when the BP went in , a less costly header was used.

Emissions compliance is also a reason. Since we - like most people in product development - have to work from a certain number of tertiary components which are already in the system (such as catalysts), an engine's intake and exhaust has to be optimized to maintain gas flow through the catalyst at a rate the cat is happy with to do its work. If the gas flow through the catalyst exceeds the optimal rate (in terms of cubic metres per second), it won't work at the efficiency it needs to ensure compliance with regulations governing emissions output while meeting deterioration factor for, say, 100,000 miles as is mandated in California. (Mazda, like just about everybody else develop emissions systems for the worst case scenario, and at this point in time that's California).

Another important factor is the sad one than the vast majority of customers wouldn't know and - worse yet - don't care. This sad fact makes the cost rationalizations a somewhat less bitter pill to swallow. By the same token, the fact that the Miata has proven so popular to those who don't care means that tons of them have been built, so there's plenty of aftermarket support.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I hope this helps.

bwob

Size matters to bwob - as Long as its Small

Hey Bob. I'm 15 years old going to be 16. I love Miatas. I think they are so cool, but my mother thinks that they are too small in the inside for me. What do you think about the inside of the car?

austin, union kentucky

I think it's plenty roomy, but then I'm only 5'8" tall and had only one friend I worried about riding in my car when I was your age. And she preferred small two-seaters, since it meant she could monopolize all my time. If you're over six feet in height, you may -depending upon how you're proportioned - may have trouble fitting. And taking two (or more) friends out when you go for a drive is, obviously, out of the question.

Another factor for me at age 16 was that my Father never owned anything larger than an Mercedes-Benz 280SL and as a result wouldn't let my brother or I drive large cars till we were out and on our own.

I think the Miata's interior is just fine, thank you. But I've never though much of large cars and don't need much space in a car. I have no pressing need to cart around all that much metal when I go for a drive.

bwob

Why doesn't a Land Rover have a ragtop option?

Here's a possibly irritating reality based letter for you to blow off with your good insight and retirement-caliber charm. I know from past posts you prefer to take your Miatas normally aspirated with reasonable displacement. Also I read with some interest your general explanation about why a high powered Miata could not be built by the factory, etc. basically for the reason the car would need to be upgraded with the result it would price and insure itself out of it's market. What about the new turbocharged Neon that is making at least 220 hp at the front wheels and 0-60 times in less than 6 seconds, all for approx $20K. I am interested in your viewpoint why Mazda cannot make a high powered version of a low powered car when Dodge did so without hindrance from any of the natural marketing and engineering impediments you mentioned before, and it is front wheel drive to boot.

I really don't believe that 200 hp in a car the size of a Miata is so outrageous and still don't understand why that is considered an unreasonable level for such a well sorted car with excellent fundamental chassis design. Can you clear that up for us again, why is it that Mazda stays away from a sport or club version of the Miata?

PS. A better definition of unreasonable / over the top would be, the current effort by Chris Evans, who is stuffing a 400+ cu. in. motor, a 9" Ford rear end, new frame, wheel tubs and 18" wide slicks under a Miata. Obviously this car is tailored for straight-line driving... but it will be normally aspirated... want to go for a ride?

Mike Powers, Rockford, IL

I'm glad you have your own definition as to what's unreasonable or over the top. I'm equally pleased it is not one I share.

What makes you think I have the opinion "Mazda cannot make a high powered version of a low powered car"? I've never said they can't. Of course they can. They've just decided not to. I'm certain that even the likes of your choice of US Congressman can learn to speak Japanese or even Welsh , so why hasn't he or she? Because they choose not to. I'm a little surprised that somebody from the 'States would miss the point that companies have choices just like individuals.

As regards additional "clearing up" again, between what's been written in "Ask Bob", the occasional editorial at Miata.net and in the Miata.net forum clears it up pretty concisely. If you choose to visit the Miata.net Forum and use the search facility there, you can read all about it.

I, on the other hand, choose to take my wife out for breakfast. So I'll be ending this one now.

Have a happy holiday.

bwob

We've Started Collecting for "The Worst of Ask Bob II"

what is the bigest engin i can fit into a miata?

Andy, Seymour/tn?us

That depends entirely upon how strong your back is.

bwob