The Mazda MX-5, which started life twenty years ago in North America as a reliable replacement for British roadsters, is like your favorite pair of running shoes. A good fit, great traction, and the ability to motivate, you are always guaranteed a great run. Or ride.
Flash forward to 2010 and the car has outlived all of its obvious rivals and it is only a year into a minor head transplant.
Has it kept up with the times or is it out of date? Read on to find out.
What is it?
A two-seat heads up roadster. Able to be outfitted with a choice of cloth top or, as seen here, folding metal hardtop arrangement, it is a blast to drive on either those go-to-work grand prix excursions,or just to the corner store.
Limited trunk space can hinder that cross-country trip, but packing judiciously will ease that pain.
The Miata is technically only in its third generation, and that might seem like a lot for a car first introduced back in 1989. But in reality, it’s as fresh as ever. Redesigned for 2006, the Miata got a new look and some light refinements for 2009. Not having any direct competition hasn’t made it rest on its laurels.
What’s it up against?
It’s hardly a crowded field anymore. What with the discontinuation of the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice and the Honda S2000 now missing in action, what else is there?
A Ford Mustang convertible, while in the same price arena, is a four-seater. The BMW Z4 sports the same two-seater set up, but it will likely strain the budget of a MX-5 shopper. Take home two Mazda s for the price of a BMW !
Any breakthroughs?
It’s not new, having first hit the scene in 2007, but we thoroughly enjoyed the power-retractable hardtop roof and its ability to keep the ambient sound levels down while zipping around. The six-disc Bose audio system always made sure the correct tuneage was at hand when we weren’t revving the twin-cam four-cylinder.
How does it look?
Looking like a direct descendant of the first-generation Miata, it is clear that this generation model follows the natural progression and is more evolutionary than revolutionary. Our range-topping Grand Touring model came with the addition of ground-effect side skirts and a lip spoiler on the leading edge. It’s a tasteful body kit, although some might prefer the more “pure†look of a standard car.
The Miata sports some of the largest natural flares found on any car, much less any roadster for a thoroughly contemporary look.
It seems as though nearly every vehicle in the Mazda lineup has an expressive grille at the front. This we found is to let all the mere mortals outside the car know what a good time you are having inside. It’s sort of like a rolling version of a “wish-you-were-here†postcard that you would send back to friends and relatives while on vacation.
And on the inside?
Once inside this now-classic roadster, you feel that you are wearing the car instead of merely sitting in it.
Our tester’s multi-adjustable leather seats offered great bolstering and with its low-to-the-floor seating gave the impression of riding a go-cart, which we think was the guiding light for the Miata MX-5 from the very start. We say mission accomplished!
With a nod towards contemporary styling, the MX-5 features aluminum-like accents along the dash and leather-wrapped steering wheel, to compliment its redundant controls. The shift lever is wrapped as well, and offers some of the best short-throw movements we have tried.
Cupholders in the center console always ended up under our right arm, especially when shifting. They were an annoyance and better left unused. It’s better to shut the lid and forget they exist under the sliding door. And that aforementioned Bose audio system is great with the roof up, but it’s sometimes trying with the roof down – even with the rear noise baffle in place.
But does it go?
The heart of the latest Miata is its MZR (in Mazda-speak) 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. With chain-driven dual overhead camshafts, variable valve timing, and electronic port fuel injection, it’s an elegant little powerplant that’s eager to please.
But don’t let the words elegant and little put you off.
The net result is 167-horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque, with the bulk of that torque happening above 5,000 rpm. Fan boys and tuners should not fret though as the curb weight of the Grand Touring model we tested with manual transmission is 2,593 lbs. That’s portlier than the original, but not bad given the folding metal roof, the luxuries and the obligatory safety and emissions equipment necessary on a modern car.
And about that transmission: The six-speed manual is one of the best made in a sports car sold in America. Optional except when ordered with the Grand Touring model, (others get a five-speed stick) it is a close-ratio fast shifting unit that rewards the driver with nearly every shift.
Power gets to the ground by front and rear suspension subframes which are attached to the monocoque body. Double wishbone with forged aluminum control arms in front, and multi-link with hollow control arms in back. By the way, order the Grand Touring model, and you get shock tower braces along for the ride too.
Driving the MX-5 gave us the thrill of being part of the car. So tossable into turns and on the throttle before you are even halfway through, it was a blast to experience everything this Miata, uh, there I go again, MX-5 has to offer. It reminds us of a dog that that is eager to please and just happy to be able to run free for a while. And that engine note…
The audible tune of the engine on our MX-5 tester reminded us of the sounds we heard from dual-draft Weber carbureted engines long ago. As ours was a six-speed model, it was equipped with what Mazda calls an Induction Sound Enhancer that, through the use of tuned intake manifold pipes and a passive resonance membrane, delivers the roar of the engine to just in front of the windscreen. It’s sort of a Disney-esque way of making the car sound good, but it is effective and makes for a very enjoyable ride.
Why you would buy it:
Because at the end of the week, you want to just be able to cut loose, not have any responsibilities, toss the toupée in the glove box and go!
Why you wouldn’t:
The golf bags won’t fit. Oh, and that toupée thing again.
Leftlane’s bottom line
Forever young, Bob Dylan used to sing. Sure it’s just over twenty years old, er young, but it is still a vital entry into the sports roadster arena.
And starting around $25,000 for a base model, it’s affordable at that. With competitors falling by the wayside, the Miata is cornering the market by default, but in actuality should be conquering it strictly on its merits. In this case it does. The MX-5 Miata is one of the greatest cars ever produced.
2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Roadster base price, $28,400.
Suspension package, $500; Premium package, $1,650; Destination, $750.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
