Even though the Miata wasn't always the fastest sports car on the road, it was a real blast to drive. In a Miata, you didn't need to be going at breakneck speed to get the exhilarating emotion of motion. You were close to the ground, the slightest touch of the steering wheel produced an immediate reaction, the sun was shining and the wind was in your hair.
Now, with a beefed-up 178-horsepower engine in the Mazdaspeed Miata MX-5, you could be driving one of the fastest cars on the road. But Mazda didn't accomplish this big jump in power by plugging in an engine with a huge displacement. Instead, it put a turbocharger on the 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine, in addition to making the six-speed manual transmission standard, lowering the suspension and putting on cool-looking tires and wheels.
The result is a real pocket rocket, a car that retains its vaunted English sports car feel while keeping pace with the raging horsepower war that's being waged these days. The new Miata weighs in with 33 percent more torque (166 lb-ft) and 25 percent more hp than the standard model. Combine this lusty engine with a curb weight of 2,529 pounds and you have more power than you really need. Still, this car isn't about getting from Point A to Point B in the fastest time — it's all about the journey.
While the low-end torque has been boosted, the sweet spot starts near the top end of the power band. When the tach needle hits 4,500 rpm, an afterburner seems to ignite (otherwise known as the turbocharger) and the car takes off and accelerates hard all the way up to the 6,500 rpm redline. This transformation is so sudden it's unexpected the first time it happens. Once you get used to the power surge you can drive it accordingly. The best approach is to keep it "on the boil" with the rpm high so you can keep the turbo's power on tap.
Besides the beefed-up engine, the Mazdaspeed Miata offers several other tastefully integrated modifications. It has a lower sport-tuned suspension with gas-filled Bilstein shocks that let you throw this car through the corners with barely a whimper from the road-hugging 17-inch Toyo performance tires (sized 205/40 at each corner). We can't think of another car that provides such a great sense of fun with the way it handles. A Mini Cooper comes to mind, of course, but the Miata is even lower (lowered by 7 millimeters as compared with the regular Miata) and the steering is quicker, giving the driver a greater sense of being centered and at one with the driving experience. With the performance-tuned suspension comes a commensurate drop in comfort, however. Be warned — this is no commuter car. When you hit the expansion joints at just the wrong speed the result is teeth rattling. But on a weekend romp you'll never notice this.
Another caveat worth mentioning is the very limited dimensions of the Miata. This is a small car with a tight cabin. This fact hasn't discouraged some big drivers from owning this car, but if you think you may need more room, take a long test-drive. We had some trouble working the pedals, too, since there is little room in the footwell. While the pedal setup is great for heel-toe shifting, your left foot might have a hard time finding room to relax on longer drives. One tall staff member commented that the seat track travel is adequate but she would love to be able to raise the steering wheel (or lower the seat bottom) so that her knees and thighs don't hit it. This was especially annoying when she was downshifting. Perhaps Mazda will see fit to include a tilt steering wheel in the next Miata.
In general, we found the Mazdaspeed Miata offered an appealing down-to-earth quality, as if the frills were removed so the driver could get back in touch with the essence of driving. This means that the car comes without cruise or steering wheel-mounted audio controls. There isn't even an intermittent speed on the wiper. If you want, you can pop for some extras and get the Grand Touring Package (an extra $700) which offers black leather bucket seats.
Our tester had black and red cloth seats which provided a very stylish look to the interior. (One staff member felt the seat cushioning had been upgraded because it felt a lot more supportive than the '99 Miata we had in the Edmunds.com long-term test fleet.) The silver-faced center console stands out nicely against the black uncluttered dashboard. Mazda has always had a flare for balancing content with layout; all the knobs and dials fall easily under your hand. The simple silver-faced gauges and round vents give the interior a slight retro appeal. The climate control system is easy to operate except the buttons are small; with the stiff suspension it's sometimes tough to adjust the settings.
Folding the top down is an easy job for one person. All you have to do is flip two levers, toss the top behind you and it falls neatly into place. And with the top down, the fun doubles. In fact, you can even say that this car is really about going topless. Once you've experienced the thrill of top-down driving, you feel like you're in prison when the top is up. A short windblocker folds up to stop excessive wind gusts from entering the cabin.
The leather-wrapped three-spoke wheel feels great in your hands as does the six-speed transmission with its short-throw gearbox. With super-sensitive road feel and quick gear changes, you rapidly get accustomed to that wonderful connected-to-the-road feeling that defines the Miata. Although the low-profile tires are punishing on the highway, they really grip the pavement, allowing sharp turns that would send another car sliding out of control.
As expected, storage is very limited. However, we were able to put a set of golf clubs into the trunk after removing the long-shafted driver. Anyone taking this car on a weekend getaway should pack lightly. Interior storage space is also limited with little room even for a cell phone or wallet.
The Mazdaspeed Miata comes with power-assisted four-wheel ventilated disc brakes and an antilock braking system. Other safety features include side-impact door beams and second-generation front airbags.
A strong point in the Miata's favor is the amount of fun it provides for a rather small price. With its powerful engine, the Mazdaspeed Miata competes favorably against the 180-hp Audi TT which has a sticker price of nearly $36,000. The BMW Z4 tops the Mazda with 184 hp but also carries a heftier price, in the $35K range.
The Miata was introduced in 1990 and has been a favorite ever since. The lovable little Japanese two-seater, with its roots in the English sports car, has struck a chord with American drivers. Its longevity is due to the unfiltered driving experience it delivers — pure fun. With more horses under the hood and an even more responsive chassis, the Mazdaspeed version is, incredibly enough, even more fun to drive.
Now, with a beefed-up 178-horsepower engine in the Mazdaspeed Miata MX-5, you could be driving one of the fastest cars on the road. But Mazda didn't accomplish this big jump in power by plugging in an engine with a huge displacement. Instead, it put a turbocharger on the 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine, in addition to making the six-speed manual transmission standard, lowering the suspension and putting on cool-looking tires and wheels.
The result is a real pocket rocket, a car that retains its vaunted English sports car feel while keeping pace with the raging horsepower war that's being waged these days. The new Miata weighs in with 33 percent more torque (166 lb-ft) and 25 percent more hp than the standard model. Combine this lusty engine with a curb weight of 2,529 pounds and you have more power than you really need. Still, this car isn't about getting from Point A to Point B in the fastest time — it's all about the journey.
While the low-end torque has been boosted, the sweet spot starts near the top end of the power band. When the tach needle hits 4,500 rpm, an afterburner seems to ignite (otherwise known as the turbocharger) and the car takes off and accelerates hard all the way up to the 6,500 rpm redline. This transformation is so sudden it's unexpected the first time it happens. Once you get used to the power surge you can drive it accordingly. The best approach is to keep it "on the boil" with the rpm high so you can keep the turbo's power on tap.
Besides the beefed-up engine, the Mazdaspeed Miata offers several other tastefully integrated modifications. It has a lower sport-tuned suspension with gas-filled Bilstein shocks that let you throw this car through the corners with barely a whimper from the road-hugging 17-inch Toyo performance tires (sized 205/40 at each corner). We can't think of another car that provides such a great sense of fun with the way it handles. A Mini Cooper comes to mind, of course, but the Miata is even lower (lowered by 7 millimeters as compared with the regular Miata) and the steering is quicker, giving the driver a greater sense of being centered and at one with the driving experience. With the performance-tuned suspension comes a commensurate drop in comfort, however. Be warned — this is no commuter car. When you hit the expansion joints at just the wrong speed the result is teeth rattling. But on a weekend romp you'll never notice this.
Another caveat worth mentioning is the very limited dimensions of the Miata. This is a small car with a tight cabin. This fact hasn't discouraged some big drivers from owning this car, but if you think you may need more room, take a long test-drive. We had some trouble working the pedals, too, since there is little room in the footwell. While the pedal setup is great for heel-toe shifting, your left foot might have a hard time finding room to relax on longer drives. One tall staff member commented that the seat track travel is adequate but she would love to be able to raise the steering wheel (or lower the seat bottom) so that her knees and thighs don't hit it. This was especially annoying when she was downshifting. Perhaps Mazda will see fit to include a tilt steering wheel in the next Miata.
In general, we found the Mazdaspeed Miata offered an appealing down-to-earth quality, as if the frills were removed so the driver could get back in touch with the essence of driving. This means that the car comes without cruise or steering wheel-mounted audio controls. There isn't even an intermittent speed on the wiper. If you want, you can pop for some extras and get the Grand Touring Package (an extra $700) which offers black leather bucket seats.
Our tester had black and red cloth seats which provided a very stylish look to the interior. (One staff member felt the seat cushioning had been upgraded because it felt a lot more supportive than the '99 Miata we had in the Edmunds.com long-term test fleet.) The silver-faced center console stands out nicely against the black uncluttered dashboard. Mazda has always had a flare for balancing content with layout; all the knobs and dials fall easily under your hand. The simple silver-faced gauges and round vents give the interior a slight retro appeal. The climate control system is easy to operate except the buttons are small; with the stiff suspension it's sometimes tough to adjust the settings.
Folding the top down is an easy job for one person. All you have to do is flip two levers, toss the top behind you and it falls neatly into place. And with the top down, the fun doubles. In fact, you can even say that this car is really about going topless. Once you've experienced the thrill of top-down driving, you feel like you're in prison when the top is up. A short windblocker folds up to stop excessive wind gusts from entering the cabin.
The leather-wrapped three-spoke wheel feels great in your hands as does the six-speed transmission with its short-throw gearbox. With super-sensitive road feel and quick gear changes, you rapidly get accustomed to that wonderful connected-to-the-road feeling that defines the Miata. Although the low-profile tires are punishing on the highway, they really grip the pavement, allowing sharp turns that would send another car sliding out of control.
As expected, storage is very limited. However, we were able to put a set of golf clubs into the trunk after removing the long-shafted driver. Anyone taking this car on a weekend getaway should pack lightly. Interior storage space is also limited with little room even for a cell phone or wallet.
The Mazdaspeed Miata comes with power-assisted four-wheel ventilated disc brakes and an antilock braking system. Other safety features include side-impact door beams and second-generation front airbags.
A strong point in the Miata's favor is the amount of fun it provides for a rather small price. With its powerful engine, the Mazdaspeed Miata competes favorably against the 180-hp Audi TT which has a sticker price of nearly $36,000. The BMW Z4 tops the Mazda with 184 hp but also carries a heftier price, in the $35K range.
The Miata was introduced in 1990 and has been a favorite ever since. The lovable little Japanese two-seater, with its roots in the English sports car, has struck a chord with American drivers. Its longevity is due to the unfiltered driving experience it delivers — pure fun. With more horses under the hood and an even more responsive chassis, the Mazdaspeed version is, incredibly enough, even more fun to drive.
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