2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The 2014 Mazda
MX-5 remains one of the world's top affordable sports cars
Prices: $23,720 -
$30,550
The Mazda MX-5 Miata didn't look exotic when it arrived for the 1990
model year. But it turned lots of heads because it was the
first modern-looking small sports car in years, complete with
retractable headlights. Once-popular affordable sports cars such as the
dated British MG and Triumph were long gone.
The Miata actually was a clever copy of the 1960s-1970s British Lotus
Elan sports car. Both were a blast to drive. But, while the low-volume
Elan was troublesome and known to few Americans, the heavily promoted,
high-volume Japanese Miata was dead reliable.
The rear-wheel-drive Miata was a quick, straightforward,
agile little roadster. Many young women--not to mention
plenty of male sports car fans--just had to have one. At
about $13,000, the Miata wasn't about to break many banks,
either.
The nicely built 2014 Miata--largely a carryover model from 2013--also
is relatively inexpensive. It starts at $23,720 for a fabric soft-top
model with a five-speed manual transmission and ends at $30,550 for a
better-equipped automatic transmission model and nifty power
retractable hard top that zips down or up in approximately 12 seconds.
The hardtop has a glass window with a defogger.
As with the easily used soft top, the hardtop doesn't steal trunk space
when lowered. Thank goodness for that because the trunk is only
moderately sized, which is to be expected with a two-seat sports car
with just a 91.7-inch wheelbase.
There also are a $23,720 Miata Sport model and a $28,665 Club model for
Miata buyers who want something a little different in terms of trim and
equipment. You also can get an optional suspension
package.
Several generations of Miatas have been built, and it's become the
world's best-selling two-seat roadster, according to the Guinness World
Records, with more than 900,000 produced. (It's even outsold
the admittedly more expensive Chevrolet Corvette two-seater, which has
been sold since 1953.)
Mazda has kept the Miata's basic design while making key
visual and mechanical improvements down through the years. One of the
most noticeable things to go have been the pop-up headlights.
Making the current model look like the raciest Miata ever are such
items as a low front air dam, diffuser and alloy wheels. Contrasting
stitching in the interior gives the car a more upscale look.
But, as always, the Miata is a pure sports car designed for top-down
driving fun.
Besides the five-speed manual, the 2014 MX-5 Miata also can be had with
a six-speed manual gearbox or a slick six-speed automatic with a
manual-shift feature. My test 2014 Miata had the automatic, which at
first didn't seem appropriate to me for a sports car such as the Miata
but soon won me over.
The responsive automatic was welcome in stop-go traffic, and its
manual-shift feature worked efficiently. A 2013 Miata I drove had a
slick six-speed manual transmission, but it came with a rather touchy
clutch.
The Miata's sophisticated 2-liter, 16-valve double-overhead-camshaft
four-cylinder engine with the manual transmission generates 167
horsepower , while that engine with the automatic provides 158
horsepower. The horsepower difference is no big deal, as I found that
the Miata automatic was quick off the line and during highway passing
maneuvers.
Estimated fuel economy with the soft-top Miata and five-speed manual
gearbox is 22 miles per gallon in the city and 28 on highways, or 21
and 28 with both the six-speed manual and automatic. The
Miata hard top version provides an estimated 21 and 28 with either the
six-speed manual or automatic.
The lowest-cost soft-top Miata with the five-speed manual is the
closest you can come to the first basically equipped Miatas. But
Americans are spoiled, so Mazda now offers the Miata with all sorts of
items.
For example, my test car had such features as a tilt leather-covered
steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, power windows
and door locks with remote entry, dual power mirrors, Bose
audio system with 7 speakers, heated leather-trimmed seats
and automatic air conditioning. Some of those features are options on
lower-cost Miata models.
No matter what model or transmission, the Miata is a kick to drive,
even for quick runs to the grocery store. It reminded me of a large
go-kart, with nearly 50/50 weight distribution, front/rear stabilizer
bars, shock tower brace, front double wishbone suspension and rear
multi-link suspension.
While the fairly light, rigidly built car's suspension is supple, sharp
bumps and prominent highway expansion strips can be felt. The interior
is fairly quiet with the hard top in place, but the Miata isn't really
suited for long trips--unless maybe you're in your teens or 20s.
The suspension keeps the Miata flat as a pool table when zooming
through curves. Helping keep things stable are dynamic stability
control and traction control systems. Also, my test car's handling was
helped by its 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 45-series
high-performance tires.
Safety items include advanced front and rear air bags.
The razor-sharp electronic power rack-and-pinion steering is
firm to help retain good control. And anti-lock brakes with electronic
brake distribution bite early to stop the car quickly and surely, with
good pedal feel.
The low-slung 49-inch-high Miata is a "drop-in-climb-out" car
best-suited to agile occupants. The seats are supportive, but the
interior is rather snug--although not cramped. Gauges can be quickly
read and the large climate controls are easily worked. Smaller controls
are clearly marked for easy use. Each front door contains a single deep
cupholder.
Although moderately sized, the trunk is nicely shaped. Its
lid raises smoothly on twin struts, but the aluminum hood is held open
with a prop rod. Note when the hood is up how far back the engine is
set to help give the car nearly perfect balance.
Affordable old British sports cars such as MGs, Triumphs and
Austin-Healeys, and Italian Fiat sports models, have become collector's
items.
In fact, the early Miatas are rapidly gaining collector
status.
