Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring power hard top sport car with a 6-speed manual transmission. Some years ago my wife and I took a week vacation in Tahoe, CA and it was memorable. Why was it memorable? Because we were driving in a Miata MX-5 and packing for a vacation in a trunk the size of your typical air carrier carry-on luggage for two. It didn’t have any room for a toothpick when we were finished loading for the trip, but the great upside was the ride. Nice memories.
Surely the interior noise level is reduced from that rag top convertible version for that trip to Tahoen. This model has a power hard top and it is quieter inside. Albeit the noise level is still higher than I like. But others say, “it is a small sport car, what do you expect?” Ok, but a lot of the more direct competition is also small. Ok, but then look at the price difference! Yes I did and I’m absolutely right. It’s hard to argue with myself.
It is often said the Miata is a “Girls car” because it is little and too cutsie, small and light weight for a guy. Further, it is has been underpowered which is a turn off for macho men. Ok, so cutsie is a matter of individual taste and it is more solid looking and the doors and trunk lid are no longer tinny sounding when closed. I guess Mazda listened to criticism over the years and has improved a lot of the deficiencies while staying true to the theme of Miata. And you know what? I applaud Mazda for staying true to the original design. I couldn’t ever suggest it putting on more weight, more power or more size. I’m happy to see it has retained most of its small car charm.
General Information:
Parts from the US / Canada (not available) It is assembled in both the USA (Flat Rock, Michigan and Claycomo, Missouri.), and in Japan (Hiroshima and Hofu), Classification is Two Seater’s. Cars from Mazda: CX-5,7 and 9, Mazda 2,3,5,6, Speed 3, MX-5 Miata, RX-8 & Tribute.
Handling & Performance:
Well as you’d expect from something so low to the ground it whips around turns with great ease. But it comes at a cost. You must be mindful of others around you who won’t see you because of the MX5 small size. Not that small is bad, because a Ferrari 308 is small also. Mostly it is because it is low to the ground and large cars and SUV (half of all cars on the highway) look out their side windows and look right over you. Another price you pay is stooping low to enter and struggle to pull yourself up and out. The bigger you are the harder that is to do. So maybe it is more a car for younger drivers.
All that being said this is a delight to drive around town with short turning radius and you can find parking nearly anywhere. It is balanced and steering is responsive and for a small, light car and you no longer can bitch about being underpowered. The 167 horsepower 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine and a manual 6-speed transmission makes this fast enough for any driving experience. Nice.
Styling:
Not much change in look over the years and that is a good thing.
Fit and Finish:
Much improved from the first test I did in 1998.
Cost:
Not a bad entry price, but it is a two-seater. But it also competes with much more expensive badged products.
Conveniences and comfort:
This is a trip “back to basics” without many of the features we all have become accustomed to, like storage or cargo area, navigation system and no rear view camera. Ok, so with such a small car camera views are not as important as with larger cars. But it is a good reminder how valuable things become when you don’t have them any longer. One missing feature I’m surprised at being mission is “No Bluetooth” hands free capability. But on the other hand, I did not expect Lane Assist or smart cruise control or even blind spot detection and alert. Nor did I expect any other futuristic high tech gadget. That’s not what you buy a car like this for. I get it. But I did miss those features that add comfort and convenience and safety that we have become used to and increasingly rely on in everyday driving.
On balance, many of these features are already covered with your smart phone for Nav for example and hands free portable devices are inexpensive and work very well and I might add are less expensive than built in versions. And of course the mobile transportable versions go with you to any car.
Consumer Recommendation:
If you are in the market for a sport car and your budget doesn’t include the far more expensive competitors you owe it to yourself to let this Miata MX-5 take you for a ride.
Recognized Competition:
Mazda MX-5 Miata $29,000, BMW Z4 $49,000, Fiat 500 $18,000, Honda CR-Z $23,000, MINI Cooper S $28,000, Nissan Z $30,000, Scion FR-S $25,000, Subaru BRZ $26,000, Volkswagen Eos $36,000.
Good News:
Fast and fun to drive. Great around town car that takes the stress out of finding parking spaces.
Bad News:
Small two seaters have very limited use.
Standard Equipment:
2.0 liter inline 4-cylinder 167 HP engine with VVT (variable valve timing), 6-speed manual transmission, rear wheel drive, front and rear stabilizers, 17” alloy wheels, dynamic stability control, traction control, front and side airbags, anti-theft immobilizer, power mirrors, aluminum hood and power plant frame, power retractable hard top, leather wrapped tilt steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, power windows and locks, rear center console storage, 4 wheel disc brakes, power steering, front double wishbone suspension and rear multi-link suspension, glass rear window with defogger, fog lights, Bose audio system with 7-speakers, MP3 and 6-disc CD changer, remote keyless entry system, heated leather seats and leather shift know and hand brake, trip computer and climate control.
Gas Stats:
$3.95 / Gal avg. July 14, 2014
www.fueleconomy.gov
For more information.
21 City and 28 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $29,450.