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Car and Driver lists 10Best for 2013, same as it ever was

Forgive us for having the distinct feeling of déjà vu, but it certainly feels like we've been here before. By that we are referring Car and Driver and the announcement of its annual 10Best vehicles for 2013. To be sure, it's an impressive selection of cars that combine heart-pounding performance and frugal sensibilities, but it also represents something of a broken record on the part of C/D. We're not so sure that's a flaw, though, as the resulting list is tough to argue with.
Vehicles like the Ford Mustang, Porsche Boxster, and BMW 3 Series have maintained their high-horsepower spots on this list for several years now. Even on the more practical and nimble end, the Honda Accord, Honda Fit and Mazda Miata have not budged. These continued spots are even in light of redesigns for some vehicles such as the Accord, Boxster and 3 Series.
In fact, the only newcomer to the 10Best list this year are the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins, which knocked out the Cadillac CTS-V. We think it would have been a huge misstep to have excluded the FR-S/BRZ, even in light of the supercharged Caddy's lamentable departure from 10Best.

Flyin' Miata's 525-hp V8-powered ND finally hits the streets

Flyin' Miata, in its valiant quest to turn Mazda's roadsters into small, Japanese Corvettes, has finally finished its first V8-powered ND Miata. The company has been slowly teasing us with images and videos for months, but it wasn't until this week that the car finally made it to the streets. As soon as the current ND generation Miata was released, Flyin' Miata started the work to shoehorn a GM LS3 under the hood. The company has a history of building brutish, V8-powered Miatas. It sells everything from minor parts to full V8 conversion kits. For those with the cash that prefer to avoid the hassle, Flyin' Miata will sell you a complete, turn-key car. The price hasn't been finalized, but customers should expect to pay about $50,000 plus the cost of the MX-5. The new car has a worked-over LS3 that sends 525 horsepower to the rear wheels through a Tremec T56 transmission. Flyin' Miata says the rear differential comes from a V8 Camaro. Other new bits include exhaust, suspension, brakes, and a roll cage. Flyin' Miata tells us that the V8-swapped ND will weigh 2,592 lbs, a little more than 200 lbs more than the porkiest stock Miata. Despite twice as many cylinders and more than three times the displacement of the stock four banger, the LS3 V8 is a relatively small and lightweight engine. The finished car has a 53:47 front to rear weight distribution. Final touches are being finished, but cars and kits should be available soon. This article has been updated with some info straight from Flyin' Miata. Thanks, Keith! Related Video: News Source: Road & Track, Flyin' Miata Mazda Convertible Performance flyin miata

The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF's trick roof will cost you at least $2,555 extra

Now that loyal customers have been given the opportunity to preorder the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition, Mazda has finally announced pricing for the regular 2017 MX-5 RF lineup. The vehicle, with its gorgeous power retractable hardtop, will come in two trims – the MX-5 RF Club and Grand Touring when the vehicle goes on sale early next year. The MX-5 RF Club with the manual transmission is priced at $32,390, including $835 destination, which represents an additional $2,955 over a six-speed manual MX-5 Club with a soft top. An automatic is a $730 option for both RF and soft top Club models. The range-topping MX-5 RF Grand Touring trim will start at $33,455 with a six-speed manual transmission, which is $1,170 less than the Launch Edition's price tag of $34,685 and $2,555 more than a soft-top model. Opting for the automatic transmission on the Grand Touring trim bumps the price tag up to $34,660. The MX-5 RF models are similarly equipped to the soft-top models. The Club models benefit from cloth seats with red stitching, a limited-slip differential (when equipped with a manual transmission), suspension from Bilstein, and an optional Brembo brake and BBS wheel package for an extra $3,400. The more luxurious Grand Touring models get adaptive headlights, heated leather seats, and lane departure warning. The MX-5 RF models, just like the regular soft-top models, don't have many options. Hands-free keyless entry is a $130 option, while premium paint options, which includes Machine Gray Metallic (the same color on the Launch Edition) and Soul Red Metallic both cost $300. Crystal White Pearl Mica is only available on Grand Touring models and will cost an additional $200. Unlike the Launch Edition that was limited to only 1,000 units, there's no production limit on the regular MX-5 RF. Mazda will being delivering the MX-5 RF Launch Edition in February of 2017, with the standard MX-5 RF models following shortly after. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF View 15 Photos News Source: MazdaImage Credit: Mazda Mazda Convertible Lightweight Vehicles Performance pricing mazda mx-5 rf