2016 ND mx5 Miata to 2016 or 17 Prius...questions

Deleted my long post in error before saving. My lost, your gain though yes, this is still long.

Am I crazy to consider trading in my recently purchased used red ND GT, had 6k miles, on a left over new 2016, 17 or older 2015 (used) Prius?

Idea behind getting the mx5 was for it to be my 'motorcycle fix' on four wheels since it would be safer when not on a bike. It does that job well though it is a one trick pony. Not much room at all though does fit me better then a prior NC (older body design) Miata I had prior. Plus she gets 38mpg with top up, and mid twentys top down in city. Mazda did a get job with the new engine and I enjoy the auto with shift paddles on the steering wheel. And darn, I think the body lines are a might fine.

Have a 07 highlander hybrid to put stuff in and will keep that forever it seems, 25mpg all day long with v6. Only drive 3 miles to work and Miata is fun for that. I seem to drive the mx5 a lot though with 17 wheels you feel the bumps a lot but mostly smooth rodes in tamapabay florida so not too bad.

Had a 2010 IV red/tan prior, nice combo, and seat hurt my back now and then. If I get a Prius again would want power seat, side mirror alert (love it on th ND), and maybe distance cruise (not in my ND)..just seems like a great feature to have. Could live, I think, without a sunroof...maybe... even though top down driving in Miata is fun. Leather would be nice, uncertain about vinyl leather though could pay $1,000 or so to have leather added I hope.

Guess it does not matter for EV mode distance one can drive what battery pack one gets on the 2016 model correct? Does regen charge rate to pack change based on battery pack type?

Have a charging station at work though it cost money. Read Prime comes with 1,000 continuous days of free charging. Not much of a benefit cost wise I figure and I would only get federal credit for a Prime purchase anyway since I live in Florida. And now days I wonder if gas is cheaper then charging at home...if one had a PIP or Prime. Realize this is not the Prime section...just a side thought.

Sadly, I am not taken with the 2016 interior colors and the tan/black looks Star Wars to me. And thinking would not do red if I get a Prius again. Believe colors and interior fabrics are the same in 2017 and save for safety packaging now coming standard on 2017 the only changes are prices for package combos...hope I got that right. Else maybe 2016 offered combos 2017 does not that make them of interest if price is right.

At any rate, thanks in advance for any input.

If you wondered if a 2016 Miata is a great ride, save for the 17" rims, I would say yes . Just don't try to bring much with you. Can a 2016 Prius make one smile like a Miata...not certain though it always makes me grin when I'm in EV mode in my highlander and likewise when the battery pack kicks in with the v6. Realize I would never make my money back on gas saved though that was not the primary reason for purchase back on 7/7/07.

 

I see blind sport feature on Prius is only on Four models. Will sort out if that is a must have feature in a Prius compared to my mx5. That plus 6 way bs 8 way seats and lumbar support feature.

Don't know seems hard to get used to the white/black interior combo thu will see them today. Been many months since I last went out to look at them.

 

So today's events...
I am simply amazed, though maybe should not be, the ND got 40mpg simply driving on straight road with little stopping for lights at mostly 55 to 65 mph. Not Prius mileage though dam impressive to me. Yes I get it, if it is not a stick why have it, what can I say I like the Miata auto. Just learned today I can upshift and down shift (which I learned last weeek) with paddles when stick is in Automatic mode.

Miata is darn small on the road so at night with big trucks around one can feel small. Safer then a bike though not by a county mileage it feels at times. Plus if top is up, well thank the lord for side mirror detection. It saves the day.

Saw a green Prius 4 with all black softtex leather and sun roof. not that big on all black leather inside but the storm trooper ash/white and Gray just stops me cold when looking at it. Plus I worry about that white dash reflecting light during the day. Also saw the tan/black softtex and could live with that.

Got a low trade in value at one place today. Have to say, if not too hot out the ND with top down is a sweet ride. Actually, the engagement with the ND is what makes me connect to it. The body leans into the turns a lot so you feel the effect, not two wheels though nice just the same.

Yes, power seats are to ensure no back issues mostly. Though adaptive cruise I can only guess would be very sweet. If I forgo the bells and whistles then a trim lower than four would work plus save a lot of money. Funny, or not, research seems to say the extras you pay for do not increase used car values that much.

Hit three dealers today so will is what offers the other two make so I know figures.

 

...Mazda designed quite a bit in, to give better feedback at low speeds...
It is interesting they did this so much with the ND since the new fiat 124, I read, has much less body roll. That of course uses a different engine. Did like the 124 lines but the ND was used and $6k less then new car pricing retail so got it instead. The little 2.0 engine is a great match for the Miata.

The 2016 green Prius four I saw sadly has dark window tint on it already. Great during the day but I feel darn dark when looking through it during night driving. My poor Miata needs a bath.

Will have to go back and spent some time driving a Prius and get some real miles on one during a test drive if the numbers work out. Who knows, maybe a more base model would be in the cards for me. Thought of a sun roof in one still linger in my head...

 

Darn, that is sad to hear. Maybe my 'state' of zen rolling down the road on battery only, be it ever so short, on my 07 highlander is a gene defect on my part

Though I do agree it is mostly or fully apples to oranges thinking a Prius may give the sports car feel ride like a Miata. A Prius simply engages a driver in a different manner, that being from a gas saving perspective...which most feel is boring car wise.

As another post points out, the steering I feel is darn nice in a Prius. At least in the 2010 model I had. In fact, others may disagree, I felt it made the car drive very well steering wise...nothing washy nor vague.