Sam Smith, contributing editor at Car and Driver, takes a look at how the sportiness of the classic 1967 Lotus Elan translates to today’s Mazda MX-5 Miata on…
Sam Smith, contributing editor at Car and Driver, takes a look at how the sportiness of the classic 1967 Lotus Elan translates to today’s Mazda MX-5 Miata on…
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,….just watched a bad taste ad ! There’s na hiding that !!
Oh my two favorite cars !! Long live the Roadsters!
“What’s up? Let’s start some shit!”
– every Miata owner
Wow only Miata owners know exactly what he just describe. Amazing
When I bought a miata, two guys at my work called it the “gayest little
car” and a “granny car”. Then another guy came up and goes “fuck you guys!
Those things are fun as hell!!”
We high-fived. I did donuts. It was a good day.
It’s a pity the interior on this Elan is not as original. It should have a
veneer dash, wooden gearknob and a much more elegant dash layout (this dash
has extra gauges) also the original steering wheel is a beautifully fine
thing-not matt black like this one.
To know the mazda roadster is to love the mazda roadster. Only ignorant
bigmouths would ever bash it.
Really shows how TINY the Elan was/is! Former Miata owner here. 1990,
235,000 miles (the guy I sold it too 5 years ago is currently racing it in
SPEC Miata). Absolutely the most reliable car I have ever, or will likely
ever, have owned. I modified the suspension, roll bar, routinely put it on
the track and autocross. The best Miata I ever drove was a 1.8L
supercharged that made around 200HP…absolute blast! If I were looking
for another, I’d go for the Mazdaspeed edition with turbo. I’m not too
keen on the looks of the latest version, but appreciate that they are still
a great car.
CHECK OUT THIS ELAN ON EBAY ITS FREAKING CHEAP
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161273458358?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
i’ve never driven a miata/mx-5 or an elan before, but i feel like my ’84
rx-7 is kind of on the same level as these cars. just light, nimble, and
not too much power are all key for a streetable and fun sports car with
decent mpg and with very high spg (smiles/gallon)!
This guy uses way too many facial expressions when talking lol. Looks like
he’s taking a crap
Man that is an amazing Elan!
My Mom has a 2000 Miata (she’s 75, lol) after driving hers I HAD to have
one!! I bought a 99 base model no extras at all and it is the most fun car
I have ever owned!! I have had early big block Camaros (two of them) a 77
Porsche 924, Toyota Supra, Eagle Talon TSI all wheel drive turbo, Saab
Sonnet III suffice to say it isn’t my first sporty car, lol. Sure some of
the other cars would out run it but this thing is just a GAS to drive!! If
you get the chance to drive one do so, you will agree that the rest of the
car industry is broken!!
Wow. Great review. Watch out motortrend, i think you have a new rival.
Great review about how little, underpowered cars are so great but then one
of the suggested videos is a review of the F12? haha oops
1967 Lotus Elan and Mazda MX-5 Super 20 Concept – CAR and DRIVER!
Great to see an elan on the track, but I’m really curious why they put the
super20 on the track with it? If you wanna see the most elan-esque miata
find any 89-93 miata.
Very nice job C&D , Please vote here if you would like to see a video of
MX5 Super 20 vs FRS/BRZ from C&D !!!
‘I get out of a miata and think the rest of the car industry is broken’ So
true…
Well done C&D!
I LOVE MY MIATA!
This guy just explained everything I felt within the first 60 seconds of my
first time driving a first generation Mazda Miata. A month later, I bought
one. A year later…time to get another car…I’m only satisfied looking at
more miatas.
“whats up? Let’s go start some Sh**”
can anybody tell me how the design of those lotus rims is called?!! please
help
A cheap pig
I love my 94 mx5 I love how simple it is just pure driving experience no
stupid computers to monter every dam thing easy to fix also yes its not the
fastest thing on the road you don’t want to race any v8 mustangs exc exc
but I love whooping some punk in a Honda from light who thanks my “girly”
car is gay you cant beat a Miata
I know what he means when he says you can go peddle to the metal and not
feel like your endangering anyone. Speed limits just get in the way of cars
that can actually drive.
The commentator has the right idea. Very few cars have that magic
Chris Harris loved the BR-Z what are you on about?
That MX5 would look sweet next to my old ’90.
5:29 made me half choke on my food from laughing. It’s exactly right.
“What’s up? Let’s go start some shit!” hhahah exactly
Great video. Always been a fan of the miatas. Plan on owning one soon 🙂
4,000 lbs 600hp… sounds like a Bentley Continental GT-SS to me 🙂
Funny thing, I love the Elan and hate the Miata in the same time, even if
you say they are very close. The series engine in Miata is sad 1.8 n/a
whimp, no meat in it. The Elan is almost half the weight of the MX5 so that
should have a 3,2 liter to play with. Ok, the supercharger is exactly what
it misses in stock form, and with that I agree. Hey, I preferr the 600HP
4000lbs Supercar monster for me to tame, and it’s not that hard, ‘couse you
don’t have to stick the pedal to the metal constantly.
Fantastic video. Captured all the fun of driving, and two of the best cars
to do it in.
This is an amazing video
Lightweight = fun. I’ve been driving for almost 20 years and the heaviest
vehicle I have ever owned was my DC2 Type R Integra at 1060kg. I’ve always
subscribed to the notion that you should have fun driving a car at any
speed-if it makes you smile then you bought the right car 🙂
The Elan makes the MX-5 look huge!
Awesome. Thanks! We’re glad you enjoyed it!
x2…That’s what I was thinking.
God I miss my e36. I still find myself poking around online just in case I
find that “perfect” e36 M3 for sale…
That Losut makes Miata looks huge!
This young man seems amazed by what used to be normal for us in the 50’s
and 60’s–originality. Boy, am I glad I was young then and drove one of
these, instead of today’s sad kids whose biggest thrills seem to be
electronic toys.
I don’t like the NC design, but this one looks very good.
Superb video, excellent thoughts and presentation.
“you may be breaking some laws, but you won’t be endangering anybody.” yeah
I’m sure that’ll hold up real well in court.
Fantasitc video. Nice to watch a video where the guy understands the point
of the cars!
Good video. Too bad it’s a third gen miata instead of first 🙂
Wow, this guy is the best car “commentator”(for lack of a better word) I’ve
ever heard. He gets that same feeling I do when I get behind the wheel of
my 1990 Miata. It’s not about the top speed or the crazy horsepower, it’s
that feeling that you cannot explain. Only people that have driven a miata
can explain it. I cant imagine selling my miata and getting a better car,
because I just don’t think it exists. Big ups to you sir 🙂