Life is tough. With busy evenings, stressful work, and little respite for ourselves, we sometimes need a little “me time”. Whether you’re rolling into the office, going to collect friends, or connecting your music library for a wicked weekend two-lane adventure, driving an engaging automobile can only make “you time” better – especially when your host is the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Whether you call it “MX-5” or “Miata”, and either is fine, you know what it is: A classically inspired roadster with the reliability and efficiency of a Japanese compact. But, this generation’s more aggressive styling gives off vibes that are more MX-5 and less Miata.
Classic long hood, short deck proportions remain, but this Miata looks to be harboring some anger issues behind its squinty adaptive LED headlamps. The hood’s a little swoopier, fenders wrap more sensuously around 17” wheels, and the voluptuous rear ports inset round taillamps. It’s still friendly, beautiful, sexy, but also a little bit mischievous. I specially enjoy it in Aero Gray paint.
Once you fold yourself inside, our Grand Touring edition makes you feel special. Tan Nappa leather seats with cross-stitching, French-stitched dashboard, and body color door tops that simulate sheetmetal are pretty fancy – as are automatic climate control, Bose audio with headrest speakers, and heated seats. Safety tech includes blind spot, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert systems.
There’s nothing better than looking beyond the classic analog gauges, out over the flared fenders, with hands grasping the perfectly-sized leather-wrapped steering wheel. Mazda’s decrepit joywheel infotainment controller remains, but you can also touch the dash-top screen for commands. Unlike many modern sports cars you wear like a scarf, the Miata’s low beltline still welcomes a relaxed arm. Given the tiny trunk, though, I’d pack a couple of duffels and little more.
Going for a drive brings my favorite part of the Miata: Its manually folding top. You don’t even have to get out of the driver’s seat to deploy it – any stop light will do. Flip the one header latch, toss it over your head, and hear it click. The top forms its own flush tonneau. Easy peasey.
You can get the Miata with an automatic transmission, but I’d lose a lot of respect for you if that’s what you chose because the six-speed manual is one of the most enjoyable click-click snick-snicks in the business. A light clutch is engaging during on backroad stress relief runs, but won’t wear you out in traffic.
So, put down the pumpkin spice café, click the stick, and rev out your aggression. Miata won’t mind.
The 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine whizzes out 181 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. It has plenty of power for a lightweight sports car, but you’ll have to work to get it to the rear wheels. Fuel economy is rated a frugal 26/34-MPG city/highway, so feel free to grab another latte and take another lap.
That’s when you’ll understand what’s been the fuss over Miatas for the past 35 years. They aren’t Corvettes; ripping racetracks isn’t the point. They’re about feeling the car around you, the tight steering, delightful gauges, and feeling at one with an automobile. And, if that’s what you need to relive a little stress, then you deserve it.
You know what makes this dream even better? The Miata is no more expensive than a sporty Japanese compact like the Subaru Impreza or Honda Civic. Base models start at just $28,985, coming to $36,200 for our luxurious GT. Competitors include the Subaru BRZ, Toyota GR86, and BMW Z4.
Storm Forward!
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