Don’t Listen to What People Say About the Mazda Miata. Just Drive One.
If you’re anything like I was until a few weeks ago and you’ve never driven a Mazda Miata before, you’ve at least heard about it. Some people have probably told you, “Oh, that’s a chick car” or “That’s not a man’s car.” I’d heard the same things for years. When I took the 2016 MX-5 Miata Grand Touring model out for lunch with the top down, I got a sneer from a Mustang GT driver that screamed them.
You know what, though? There have been plenty of positive things said about Miatas, too. For instance, “It’s well balanced and good on gas” and “It’s great for racing.” Get behind the wheel of the newest ND model and you’ll have plenty of praise to heap upon it. I know I do.
What a Looker
The NC Miata is a fine-looking car, all curves and soft edges. Its successor keeps most of the fluidity of its design, but raises the level of visual aggression, especially up front, where the pinched headlights scowl at you and the large grille speaks to you. It says, “I’m hungry for road. Let’s go.” The eight-spoke wheels are reminiscent of those available on the Alfa Romeo 4C; given how much I enjoyed the Spider version of that car, that association was one that only made me love the Miata that much more. Those 17-inch wheels sit under a short and compact form that flows to a squat rear end. Despite the Miata’s 154.1-inch length, its lines don’t look stunted, the way they often appear on small cars with promising styling not given enough room to be fully expressed.
It’s Surprisingly Civilized
Given the Miata’s diminutive body and 90.9 inches of wheelbase, I expected it to grenade my spine whenever I took it over a leaf on the road. I was surprised – pleasantly. The cabin was large enough to fit my 5’10” frame in complete comfort in all directions.
The only downsides to it were the ache the driver seat created in my lower back after a roughly seven-hour road trip and the placement of the primary volume control in front of the shifter that required an awkward bending of my wrist to use.
Mazda Stuffs a Lot Into a Small Package
I can’t say I was surprised Mazda sent me its top-of-the-line Grand Touring model; media review vehicles are typically loaded to better their chances of wowing writers. As a result, my tester came with such tech as push-button start, Bluetooth connectivity, a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, lane departure warning, adaptive LED headlights, heated leather seats, and a seven-inch touchscreen with navigation. Before I saw the window sticker, I was convinced the one on my loaner would have a price close to $40,000. Again, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it was only $31,315.
Simple is Better
Two things my Miata review special didn’t have were an automatic and a power top. I was delighted. I love driving stick, especially a six-speed with short, light throws and a clutch takeup point right below the middle of the third pedal’s swing. Lowering the fabric lid was as easy as throwing a center-mounted overhead latch, pulling back, turning around slightly, and pushing it down firmly into place. Such a solution requires minimal effort and saves weight. I loved its simplicity.
They Don’t Say the Miata is Balanced for No Reason
Sure, the 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque the Miata’s SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter I4 generates won’t change the direction in which the Earth rotates, but coming from a 2,332-pound car, it was satisfying. When I put my right foot down, it didn’t draw growls of impatience or exclamations of fright. The four-cylinder also gave me an average of 32.7 mpg over the course of five days of driving, including a day trip with more than 350 miles of highway driving from Austin, Texas to the Dallas area and back.
I Didn’t Feel Self-Conscious in It
I thought I would look and feel ridiculous in a Miata, but I didn’t. I felt enlightened – and proud to be in such an attractive, well-equipped, accessible value of a sporty car.
I Want One
Did I even have to add this part?
*My 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata review vehicle had an as-tested price of $31,315. That included an $820 delivery, processing, and handling charge and $430 in options: Soul Red paint ($300) and an advanced keyless entry system ($130).
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