From this week's AutoWeek:

"BMW is mulling five variants of its coming 2004 1 Series, including an entry-level, rear-drive Z2 roadster, say sources in Stuttgart. The two-seater may debut in the States by 2006 at less than $30,000. A hot M version is also possible, running a 2.2-liter four-cylinder with a magnesium block."

With the Miatas going for the about $25K now this would be HUGE competition. The Z3 was only created to compete with the Miata and to an extent it did steal some sales. With the price down, it would compete even more.

I think Mazda should put a rotary in the Miata ASAP to make sure it still stands out. We don't want the Germans doing to the Miata what Mazda did to the Fiat/Alfa Spyder.

 

I don't necessarily believe Mazda will put a rotary in the Miata. The reason I say this is because a Ford V6 concept Miata has appeared in the works from time to time.

One magazine I have, (will refer you to it if I can find it), stated the V6 Miata would have the same power/weight ratio of a Porsche 911.

I would like to see a rotary in a two seater again. And I agree with your thoughts on BMW. But I would much rather see another RX-7, and have rotary engines stay in the RX brand.

 

i agree totally. keep the rotary in the rx line!

 

Maybe a good thing then would be to make some kind of RX-M and keep the RX branding while creating a new car like the Miata.

 

Wow.. how dumb am I. I just noticed that I put "miami" buster instead of "Miata". I'm losin' it , people!!!

 

ThaBrkrs349, I saw that you put Miami too, but I just figured that you might have pasted from Word or something and spell check messed you up. Spellcheck has screwed with me a few times, sometimes with embarressing results. :o

 

Personally I would love to see a rotary as an option of the Miata - call it the Miata RX.

I think it would be a big mistake to Mazda to completely replace the for cylinder engine. An optional six or rotary engine would be wild but keep the four standard.

Just my $.02.