Miata Mailing List: March 1996, Message #80
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   From: "John D. Emerson" 
Subject: Miatas with different levels of equipment
   Date: Sat, 2 Mar 1996 08:49:24 -0500

    The current thread on Miatas equipped in different ways is interesting.
I agree that Mazda should have kept a $20,000 (or even $25,000) model of 
the current RX-7, one without the turbo.  It is a shame to see great cars 
grow themselves into oblivion (epecially with bloated prices and bloated 
equipment lists).
    Why can't a good car company do it both ways?  The 1996 M Edition 
sells for over $25000 and has standard ABS, security system, remote, and 
even power locks (not sure about last one -- is that right?). I have no 
problem with that and with someone who wants one equipped like that. But 
why can't they keep a "stripped" model for, say, $16000?  Fortunately, we 
can still buy the base model Miata and I think the R package is a good 
value for those who want the stiff handling package. Prices have crept 
up, I think by more than the inflation rate.  And the A option package 
is no longer available, so if someone wants more than power steering but 
not electric windows, they can no longer get that.  It will be a BIG 
mistake if Mazda stops building the base model and the base model plus 
power steering package. I hope they are smarter than that!
   I suppose the response to all this is that it costs a lot to build 
cars with different levels of equipment.  But in the case of the Miata, 
cars for all countries from around the world come off the same line in 
Hiroshima.  It seems like they could produce some models with minimal 
levels of trim for the U.S. market.
John Emerson,  1992 Sunburst Yellow A
Middlebury, Vermont