New Car Prices and Reviews

Mazda’s MX-5 Miata sports car has been with us for 20 years now, and the company celebrated the car’s 20th anniversary this year with refreshed styling, minor powertrain changes, and some interior updates. Despite the changes, the basic formula remains the same: The MX-5 is still a small two-seat convertible roadster that offers exposure to the elements.

2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Cars like the MX-5 aren’t bought for their practicality. Rather, they are chosen for emotional reasons. The MX-5 offers simple thrills in a lightweight, fuel-efficient package.

The Basics

For 2009, the MX-5 receives a few updates, such as a redline that increases by 500 rpm to 7200 rpm on manual-transmission models and a sound-enhancer system that is supposed to make the engine sound more pleasing without increasing the volume. Other changes include transmission tweaks such as taller top-gear ratio for improved fuel-economy and a modest horsepower increase from 166 to 167.

There are also suspension tweaks that are meant to improve handling, and a modest refresh of the exterior styling.

My tester showed up in Grand Touring trim, which meant it had such standard features as the 6-speed manual transmission, 17-inch wheels, power mirrors, windows, and door locks, air conditioning, heated seats, a power hardtop, fog lamps, AM/FM/6-disc CD changer, auxiliary audio input jack, an uplevel seven-speaker audio system, ABS, and side airbags. These features and others added up to a base price of $28,190.

Options included the $500 Suspension Package, which consists of a sport-tuned suspension, Bilstein shocks, and a limited-slip differential. The tester also had the Premium Package, which includes Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights, an alarm, an antiskid system and traction control, advanced keyless entry, satellite radio, and a wireless cell phone link. The Premium Package ran $1,550. All told, including the $670 destination fee, the price as tested added up to $31,010.

Drive Impressions

The MX-5 looks like the kind of car that should be spending its weekends on a racetrack or an autocross, or a cruise to the beach. It’s driving dynamics back up that look, at least to an extent.

With only 167 ponies and 140 lb-ft of torque on tap, the MX-5 isn’t known for blazing acceleration. But it does get off the line with more than its fair share of urgency, thanks to the car’s light weight. Be prepared to shift--and shift a lot--due to the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder’s rev-happy tendencies. Downshifts are also a necessity, given the paucity of low-end torque. Thankfully, the clutch and shifter are generally willing partners in crime. The shifter, in particular, works well, thanks to short, quick throws.

Toss the MX-5 in to a corner, and you’ll be rewarded. This car is a handler. It’s nimble and light on its feet, and it does what you want it to do. The steering is direct and accurate, although it doesn’t offer a ton of feel.

Unfortunately ride-and-handing is often a trade-off, and the MX-5 is no exception. The ride can be stiff at times, but it’s never punishing. It’s a reminder that you’re riding in a car that has a short wheelbase and overall length, and rides low to the ground. But the MX-5 does have decent around-town manners, and the highway ride, while not exactly compliant, isn’t terrible.

Just because the MX-5 is an elemental sports car, it doesn’t mean interior comfort has to suffer. The seats are comfortable, and there is enough legroom for taller drivers. There is also just barely enough headroom for taller drivers with the top up. As far as the switchgear goes, most of it is logically placed and easily reached. There are exceptions, however. The center-mounted power window switches are easy to inadvertently activate with a misplace elbow, and the trunk release is too low, located near the driver’s left knee. Also, prizes should be awarded to drivers who can find the fuel-filler release without consulting the owner’s manual.

Convertibles present special wind and road noise challenges, but the MX-5 is mostly up to the task. The wind is nicely blocked at low speeds with the top down, and even at higher speeds it’s never truly bothersome. A fair amount of outside noise does intrude with the top up, but it’s still livable. And yes, the hardtop does pass the car-wash test.

Speaking of the folding hardtop, it goes up and down without much fuss. To open, come to a stop, put the shifter in neutral, flip the release, and push and hold the top down button. Reverse those steps in order to put the top up. The magic happens in about 20 seconds, meaning you can put on a stoplight show for drivers behind you.

The top doesn’t eat into trunk storage space, because there isn’t much to begin with. Other than the tiny trunk, storage options are limited to the center console--which stands upright between the two seats and doesn’t hold a lot of stuff--and the glovebox.

The MX-5 has a reputation as a fuel-efficient sports car, and the EPA estimated ratings for my tester were 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. I averaged 22.6 mpg in mostly city driving.

Final Thoughts

For those who are drawn to lightweight, agile handling, and fun-in-the-sun, the MX-5 Miata makes an appealing choice, despite its lack of a rear seat and limited practicality. Its drawbacks are obvious, but if you’re willing to live with them, there’s a lot of fun that can be had in this car.

Positives: Top-down fun, high fun-to-drive factor, top-up protection

Negatives: Rough ride, needs a little more torque, limited practicality

Base Price: $28,190

Price as Tested: $31,010

Key Competitors: Honda S2000, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Pontiac Solstice

Specifications

Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder

Horsepower: 167 @ 7,000 RPM

Torque: 140 @ 5,000 RPM

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Wheelbase: 91.7 inches

Length: 157.3 inches

Width: 67.7 inches

Height: 49.0 inches

Curb Weight: 2,562 lb

Cargo Volume: 5.3 cu. ft.

Fuel Capacity: 12.7 gallons

Seating Capacity: 2

Front Head Room: 37.0 inches

Front Leg Room: 43.1 inches

Rear Head Room: N/A

Rear Leg Room: N/A