Topgear.com - The 20 best cars of the decade

TypeSiR said:

I think that list is limited to cars produced as new models within the last 10 years. The Miata came out in 1989 and is one of the greatest cars made in the last 100 years, IMHO. Don’t take my words for it, go test drive one on a twisted road.

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Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhh...

...coming from a previous ‘08 Miata GT owner, equipped with the power retractable hard top and factory sport package...

...that also had a Cosworth supercharger and was overall built to haul ass- brakes, suspension including extensive bracing, wheels and tires, full intake and exhaust, etc....

The CTR is still way more potent and fun to drive.

I bought that car heavily modified from a close coworker and was pretty underwhelmed with how that car performed in regards to how much money it had invested in it. I can’t even imagine how lame a completely stock Miata would be in comparison. Right out of the box, the CTR destroys the Miata in every metric.

Driveitlikeuboughtit said:

So why are a Civic and a Fiesta on this list?

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I was wrong in my assumption and only checked a few cars on that list their manufacture dates. Not really sure how they came up with the list TBH.

fatherpain said:

Heh, my boss told me I should consider a 1996-2004 Miata for my son as his first car:

Fun as hell
Can mod and track it
Cheap
Easy maintenance
Can only take 1 passenger

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Yeah, get the NB (1998 - 2004) for best bang for buck. The NC (2005 - 2015) was a dud that everybody should skip. Got a little more cash, spring for a used ND (2016 - now) for better modern tech and comfort.

fatherpain said:

Heh, my boss told me I should consider a 1996-2004 Miata for my son as his first car:

Fun as hell
Can mod and track it
Cheap
Easy maintenance
Can only take 1 passenger

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BUT encourages, even solicits, the birth of the hoonigan youth driver. My 99 NB had me drifting every 90 - 180 degree corner in sight.
Though, full disclosure, the family Volvo 240 wagon didn't keep me tame either.

Learn2turn said:

BUT encourages, even solicits, the birth of the hoonigan youth driver. My 99 NB had me drifting every 90 - 180 degree corner in sight.
Though, full disclosure, the family Volvo 240 wagon didn't keep me tame either.

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The thing is, I'm not sure I'd trust a teenager with that

tinyman392 said:

The thing is, I'm not sure I'd trust a teenager with that

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This was my thought also. Plus what can go wrong which such small convertible if it rolls over? This roll-over thing keeps me away from such a car, no matter how fun it is.

TypeSiR said:

I think that list is limited to cars produced as new models within the last 10 years. The Miata came out in 1989 and is one of the greatest cars made in the last 100 years, IMHO. Don’t take my words for it, go test drive one on a twisted road.

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Miatas are great, and very hard to catch on the track! My wifes owns a 2006 Miataspeed with 20k original miles and she let me do the Tail of the Dragon with it, such a blast! But of coarse it's no match for my CTR

HondaFan2017 said:

This was my thought also. Plus what can go wrong which such small convertible if it rolls over? This roll-over thing keeps me away from such a car, no matter how fun it is.

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More modern convertibles have a deployable roll bar that explodes out if a roll-over is detected by the car. Granted an old Miata may not have one, the newer ones are since they're required by law now I think (don't quote me on the legality thing though).

Here's an example of a Murano with its roll bars activated.

I don't know why people knock the NC MX5, I have had 6 MX5s over the years including an MP62 Supercharged & Nitrous NA, a standard NB which was by far the worst, 2 Standard NC, 1 NC 3.5 with Rotrex Blower & my current NC 3.75 25Year anniversary standard car which is by far my favourite. I don't like the styling of the ND at all.
Along with my FX8 its the perfect pairing.

BOOSTFAN said:

I don't know why people knock the NC MX5, I have had 6 MX5s over the years including an MP62 Supercharged & Nitrous NA, a standard NB which was by far the worst, 2 Standard NC, 1 NC 3.5 with Rotrex Blower & my current NC 3.75 25Year anniversary standard car which is by far my favourite. I don't like the styling of the ND at all.
Along with my FX8 its the perfect pairing.

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NC is probably my least favorite design, but none of them really look bad at all; it's like trying to choose the worst of the best. I actually like the look of the ND, especially from he back. The front looks fine, but not the best.

I guess I'm in a really small minority of people that don't like the styling of any generation of Miata. They all look too "cute" or something to me. I'm not sure how to describe it, but none of them look like sporty cars to me.

remc86007 said:

I guess I'm in a really small minority of people that don't like the styling of any generation of Miata. They all look too "cute" or something to me. I'm not sure how to describe it, but none of them look like sporty cars to me.

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I know when the NB was around, I always thought of it as looking like a baby Dodge Viper since it kind of had a lot of resemblance with its lights and overall curvy shape. The current generation actually does look somewhat sporty to me as it's lost a lot of its curves replaced with harder cut lines. But you're right in regards that they aren't styled like typical sports cars of their era.