Miata Mailing List: October 1995, Message #12
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   From: Brian Porter 
Subject: Re: 95 v. 96 Miata Brochure (long)
   Date: Sun, 1 Oct 1995 13:58:26 -0400


On Sat, 30 Sep 1995, Louis Brown wrote:

> Howdy. I have a '94 Saturn SL1, but it's boring, and I wanna Miata. The 
> dealer still has 5 on the lot, and in an effort to move a '95, he 
> pulled out the '96 brochure to compare.
> 
> Aside from the cover, the brochure, is virtually identical to the 95. 
> Here are the changes, in order of their appearance:
> 1. Chrome-ringed alalog gagues are gone. They're now black.
> 2. The optional stereo is now the MPSS (Mazda Premium Sound System) 
> instead of MSSS (Mazda Sensory Sound System), and they've dumped the 
> "special bass transducers in the seats".
> 3. Horsepower--no surprise--has jumped from 128 to 133.
> 4. Adios to Laguna Blue Metallic. They've replaced it with plaid. Just 
> kidding. Although Laguna Blue is gone, there's no mention of a new 
> color.
> 5. Montego Blue Mica is not available in the R Package.
> 6. Torque has increased from 110 to 114.
> 7. They've removed mention map pockets on the back of the passenger's 
> seat, so presumably the pockets are gone, too.
> 8. There's a new package: "Power Steering Package: Power steering and 
> wheel trim rings."
> 9. The Popular Equipment Package (PEP) no longer includes locks on the 
> wheels.
> 10. The PEP now includes "rear subframe bracerods".
> 11. The R Package includes wheel locks and rear subframe bracerods.

Hmm.. wheel locks? My 95 R has them. Anyone have more specifics to the 
rear subframe bracerods?? 

> 
> There's no mention or photo of the other changes for '96, but the fine 
> print full of caveats about things being subject to change without 
> notice gives us hope. 
> 
> If you're tuning in late, here's what else was expected for '96:
> 
> Drake A. Daum ("M Speedster Info/1996 Miata Info", 8/28/95. See the 
> archives) spoke to "the Madza VP for Sports and Sporty Cars, Rod 
> Bymaster" (if that is his real name), and Bymaster said, "Both armrests 
> and map pockets will appear on the door panels." [Can't tell from the 
> photos.] "The inside rearview mirror will be mounted on the windshield 
> to make way for an overhead cockpit interior light mounted on the 
> windshield header." [The mirror hasn't moved, and I can't verify the 
> light.] "There will be a never-seen-before color for the 1996 M 
> Edition, but it is being kept secret at this time." [The rumor d'net is 
> blue].
> 
> Motor Trend (1996 New Cars, 10/95, pg 81) mentions "'97-spec 
> side-impact protection", but it's not referred to in the "Safety 
> Features" box although they changed the brochure from "side-door impact 
> beams" to side-impact door beams." I don't know if it is a legal 
> change, a semantic change or both. There is also no mention of the new 
> engine computer, although its inclusion is pretty certain.
> 
> Road & Track (All the New Cars for 1996!, 10/95, pg 80), mentions the 
> torque and horses, and that's all.
> 
> Madame Zorba, my personal 1-900 psychic, says the new M edition will 
> include "Sebring rhymes with Leaking" bumper stickers.
> 
> And finally, a question: Based on your experiences, when should I 
> expect the '96 and the M edition in Houston?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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