Mazda MX-5 Review - Kelley Blue Book

[sbghms]

Lol "firm suspension".. its so soft.

[magma84]

shit I regret it.. should buy this one, instead mazda 3

[magma84]

Everytime this car pass me, I will sigh

[crimsoninred]

hey guys! lovers of miata and hardcore mazda fans. im just wondering how do you think this awesome vehicle can handle snow? ofcourse keep in mind having winter tires and adding weight (if needed)

[fiaccik]

with this car all pussies are yours

[hank5by5]

Brought to you by the folks that bombed Pearl Harbor!

[rockwell0]

@hank5by5

...mitsubishi made the zero airplane.

[hank5by5]

@rockwell0 Yea, got that info. In general Japan brought us those days, and U.S. auto makers built the answer. They ( us Americans) have a good answer to Japanese products today, and then. Not intending to be too harsh....one and all move on....

Our marshall plan rebuilt their ability to do what they do today, aside from other technology transfer.

[rockwell0]

@hank5by5 thats all fine and good, but im just wondering what made you bring up pearl harbor. its not normally the first thing that pops to mind when you see a mazda. sure, its a japanese company, but do you shout out the same thing when you see a sony tv at best buy? it just seems a bit insensitive.

[dafiltafish]

@hank5by5

really... you went there?

(not to mention Germany, Briton, and Korea all of which we went to war with!)

[TheAMGLover]

all the original one needs is a firmer suspension...it's too high on it's feet ...

Set it lower with wide 16" rims and it runs great !

[ksakbk]

i dont get why guys think it's girly. its an amazing car built for handling and for true drivers!

[Racin3]

this is a hairy chested man car

[noonedude101]

With regards to the suspension, I'm a pure muscle car driver currently - I like my interior tiny, turns fast, and exhaust to wake the dead. But I'm also a pilot - so I like the ability to feel my surface and I love responsiveness. I've been looking to get into the roadster market for those reasons - and that my current 12mpg high octane gas is ruining my wallet. Since I like to feel every feature of the road, and to me a smooth ride is a bad thing, is that stiff suspension good?

[noonedude101]

Also, are they easily modifiable? I love after market mods, ect. I also heard that on the 1st and second generation modifications, it is rather easy to turbo without changing the balance

[mc653]

miata's are nice but i can see how people think they are a little girly... still a nice car though. i'd drive one. wouldn't matter to me lol

[Myuzaki]

this might be my first car :)

[alkens]

@Myuzaki

I've had my first MX5 for over a week and a half now, and I have to say that it's a great car. Like most reviews state, the handling of this vehicle is awesome. Have fun.

[Corbiel]

People who say the miata is too small to be a mans car must obviously think the Sport Grand Caravan is manly because its huge. I mean it's all about size right? A miata is purpose built. The definition of everything manly. No offense to the New Camaro but have u sat in one? Beautiful car to see and a great piece of engineering, everyday driver... no, visibility is poor, its not purpose built it's an accessory, and accessories are not manly.

[Subsw00fers]

Scions are girls cars. Bugs are girls cars. Jetta's are girls cars. But when was the last time I seen a girl drive a Miata? I mean come on they can't even drive stick, and you expect them to drive Miatas? Only limited Miatas came in automatic. Plus girl's hate driving. They want their man to drive for them.

[elfboy443]

@Subsw00fers thats...really sexist...my mom is on her 3rd GTI all with manual transmitions. not all girls don't like to drive...

[alfredomnzn]

rx8 beat vette & gt-r the only 2 cars beat rx8 were porsche & lotus. i was surprice they did't include miatas , I own both & the thing that love from miata is the great handling ofcourse rx8 is faster & couse of unique rotary engine is more smooth & more comfortable but i love both . check my car pics "rx8 mx5 my sport cars" & those haters wish to have one of those two "girl's car" lol

[alfredomnzn]

some people really talks couse is easy to write & talk shit... but belive me many of those don't have a car. couse people that know about cars they repect & never talks bad about no one car . my wife loves corollas I love sports I had monster trucks in 90's but becouse I love spot mazdas doesn't mean mustangs are bad cars . to be honest i love rx8 for the nice handling but never expect rx8 in CAR & DRIVER test looking the best handling in cars under 100,000 rx8 was 3rd ....

[alfredomnzn]

some people think that couse is small & pretty & some couse is the only way they think they can be ofensive & relief the frustration couse they don't have one.

is funny some rx8 haters think the same thing rx8 are for girls & the true is 95% fe rx8 owners are men couse rotary are for people that love to get into extra care ,check the oil at least 3 times between oil changes .how many ladies do you know that love to get into mechanical things or extra care in cars. lol. but like i said...

[Mr1wd]

poor man's elise

[nicknickk]

Girls only buy more expensive sports cars to get noticed even though the cheaper sports car may be better. I have an NC MX5 and really it is friggin awesome in the way it does things! F&*k these poseurs with their more expensive sports cars, simply not necasary.

[Desm0Rob]

The answer to the question of why most men cringe at the thought of buying an MX5 lies somewhere between not knowing how great of a car it really is and not having the balls it takes to drive something that their idiot friends would question their sexuality for.

Its sad, because an MX5 is a car to be proud of. It shows that you know how to have fun, while so many other more expensive/powerful cars just have "cock extension" written all over them.

[LonewolfSaichi]

@Desm0Rob You sir, are awesome!

[PT111111]

Great car, you need to add a body kit if you want people to take it seriously. It doesn't look girly so much as looking a little too simplistic.

[meemoonses]

Sept 20 makes 3 years with my 2008 Miata, soft top, 6 spd auto. It is the best car I've owned and I've owned many,new and old. Not the biggest, not the most luxurious, not the most expensive, but the best. And the least practical. I keep a Dodge Ram 1500 handy. Not aggressively powerful, but that's why I'm probably still alive. Only prob? Failed rermote trunk latch fixed under warranty. Buy one. (BTW: I'm a guy)

[ilovecats748]

"those who know little of cars laugh at the mx-5 because it is widely regarded as a female car. Car enthusiast and Track rats fear them for the razor ability of the car to tear up a track. it usually runs right up with porsches without a problem on the track."

[srspower]

why would you want airt con in a soft top? If its hot enough to have air con on then take the top down!

[al3xxThEUnDeRtAkEr]

It doesn't matter who is driving it but it does matter how you driving it

[areolaman]

I passed one in an SL55 and the MX5 driver looked ticked off.

[Bulgdoom]

The base Miata starts at 23k, and I can't see why when it has an underpowered engine, less space, and just RWD and Double-wishbone front suspension. For the same money you can buy the Speed 3 with more than 100 more HP and loads more torque and seats. FWD, but it has a LSD and handles amazing as well even with just a McPherson front suspension.

[epluribusunum0]

If you drive one of these, you won't how fast you're going. You won't care how it looks. You won't care about the fact that this is the most practical car in it's class. You won't care that it's epically reliable. That's the same thing that MG B's had. But guess what? They fell apart all the time, didn't really look THAT great, and were a pain in the ass. This is all of that, and more, AND none of the drawbacks. If you're buying a car and image is a concern, then you're just compensating.

[LonewolfSaichi]

What I find funny is that the miata is looked upon by people as a cute girly car, but girls aren't really into miatas much. I've seen girls here and there driving the manly type of cars most people can think of, like mustangs, I've seen a girl with a 370Z, BMW's, etc. Most girls go for the flashy sport looking cars and would think twice before buying a miata. so here is my question to those who still think miata = girly, why are girls buying the bigger "manly" cars?

[RedlineXD]

i seen girls with celicas a LOT, miata is kick ass, i would own one

[LonewolfSaichi]

Yeah. Not to mention compared to the Celicas now, they are RWD and are fun little cars to drive.

[ESKgraffwriterBreC]

@LonewolfSaichi true true man! i like this car. its kinda like a civic its cheap and you can get a good amount out of its for a low cost tune up. and since its so light it picks speed up pretty well. that means alot of fun if you just wanna speed around town. and if you put the right exhaust on it itll sound fuckin awesome. and thats all you need think about it were you gonna be able to max out a BMW unless you go to a race track!!!

[LonewolfSaichi]

@ESKgraffwriterBreC This car is made for fun. Man or Woman, top down on the high way or a back road, you'll feel how much fun this car is. I've owned so far the last two gens and I always had fun driving them.

[taypuc31]

@LonewolfSaichi I completely agree. I'm getting one soon, and the girls i know love riding in them, but they wouldn't buy one. It's kind of a chick magnet really. Evey time I see one it's a guy driving it. I rarely see a girl driving one.

[LonewolfSaichi]

@taypuc31 ^_^ have fun with it. that's what it was built for.

[teofthe1]

@LonewolfSaichi driving a miata will get u laid faster than a porsche.. thats for sure

[LonewolfSaichi]

@teofthe1 sounds like you have experience on that. xD jk!

[djkasdjkasdjdjdj]

@LonewolfSaichi that explains why mustangs r gay..lol!

[LonewolfSaichi]

@djkasdjkasdjdjdj Lols

[Smashinz2002]

@LonewolfSaichi I agree. First of all, British sports cars, which the Miata is modeled after, were NEVER girl cars. Instead, they were built for MEN. I have NO IDEA where this idiotic notion of Miata's being 'girly' came from . It is a fully masculine car, as are all other sports cars. Does anyone honestly believe that the average woman driver could properly take full advantage of a Miata's capabilities? The answer is NO! Question. If size of ride equals manliness, then how 'bout Hayabusa? Ha!

[LonewolfSaichi]

@Smashinz2002 Well you know what they say, the bigger the car, the more they are compensating for something...(for the men).

[alfredomnzn]

@LonewolfSaichi that's a good one .lol

I love small cars but I'm normal not that big.lol

[LonewolfSaichi]

@alfredomnzn lols!

[Desm0Rob]

@LonewolfSaichi

Girls like to have expensive shit to get them noticed and envied by other girls more They could care less about how the thing drives, as long as its got heated seats and vanity mirrors.

[OMGEddyissoo1337]

@LonewolfSaichi Ur rite about Mustangs. Lol i see more girls with chargers than men

[serriously]

@LonewolfSaichi Who said a car is either for a girl or guy?

[LonewolfSaichi]

@serriously I believe the ones who drive around in their gas guzzling Muscle cars.

[serriously]

@LonewolfSaichi I can drive my miata sideways faster than they can drive a straight line.

[asianshark]

@LonewolfSaichi i want to get a mazda mx5.. i think it's small enough to be "girly" but cool enough for boys to be green with envy. it was actually my brother who suggested it, he said it was HIS dream car. :)

[coolerdude44]

"interior can be tight for taller drivers" well, i'm 6'5'' and i absolutely adore this car. i've sat in it at the new york auto show, and am seriously contemplating buying this car.

i think this car in conjunction with a ford fiesta is a perfect combinations. two very stylish, fun-to-drive cars, one practical one a raw sports car.

[coolerdude44]

what i meant to say is that one only needs to own two cars in life, the mazda mx5 and the ford fiesta. like i said, two fun-to-drive beautiful cars, the fiesta being very practical and the mx5 being very sporty.

i think one day i will own these two cars.

[FearOfTheFlesh]

The car is too feminine though, you are better off buying an rx8 or a larger car.

[coolerdude44]

@FearOfTheFlesh girly car? lmao you've got to be kidding. the mazda mx-5 has always been the spiritual successor to the mg midget and the triumph tr6. those cars are anything but girly. just because something's small doesn't mean it's girly, you moron.

[FearOfTheFlesh]

If you want to make a point try to make it without belittling others but rather with constructive comments.

Now as for why I typed that it's a girly car..simply google girly car and mx-5 and look up a few of the thousands of different posts on the issue.

I was simply making a point..if you can't take someone else's input on something as simple as a car without criticisizing and resorting to flaming then you really should reconsider posting since your 2 cents won't be worth that much.

[coolerdude44]

great, but i'd just like to know why it is your personal opinion that the best handling and most fun car to drive on the US market can only be appreciated by girls?

anyway, even if the general consensus of the global population is "girls car" then i still don't care. this car is a triumph in engineering and driving dynamics at a low cost. in fact, most reviewers feel that cars like the nissan 370z and bmw z4 are wasteful in comparison to this.

if a car's good, then idc what you think.

[FearOfTheFlesh]

k great comment and you are right. The car is cheaper and I think most would agree better than those others but I also see the z4, & s2000 as being more feminine. I think its the cute factor that gives them this. The 370z to me seems like a hs/teen car which is worse. You know the "manly badass factor" that some cars have? I think this car is more the "cute and nice factor".

If you are fine with the car though, I can't really say much. I mean what will I say...do u ""really"" like it?

[FearOfTheFlesh]

A better response would be:

You are wrong and here is why.....

PS: you are welcome for the advice

[lawrencelugar7777]

The Miata is a lot of great sports car for very little money.

I just bought a 99 Miata and added a style/roll bar, an exhausts, and a racing steering wheel.

it's Awesome.

Don't underestimate a Miata just because it's small, cute and weak.

[kfnccc00]

mx5 the best car

[mbfla]

I own a Mazda MX-5 Touring Roadster - a GREAT

car... superior handling, great power, super with its six speeds!

[SmidgenPC]

The MX5 and the S2000 really aren't in the same league. The S2000 is a high-performance car which is all about going faster. The MX5 is a roadster which is all about having more fun. They may both have two seats and a soft top, but they're very different cars to drive.

[davidzzz94]

who would buy that instead of a honda s2000?

[crusaderlineman2]

1) It handles better. 2) It looks nicer. 3) It's cheaper. Who would buy an S2000?

[davidzzz94]

#1 WRONG, #2 WRING, S2000 has more power and can rev to 9000 rpm, so i think unless if ur poor as fuck.... u shouldnt buy this car

[ranacherian]

get a rx7 so u can shift at 10K+ not like ur POS vtec

[LonewolfSaichi]

Easy up on him. He's one of those Ricer wannabes supporting Hondas Vtec. S2000 is a good car, but I'd prefer the MX5, smaller, lighter, and cheaper. Plus it comes with a RHT. All Hondas have are soft tops (stick a knife in it and come talk to me) or the hard top (sold separately, or add on as an option, but pretty much ruins the purpose of why it's a CONVERTIBLE) (and also its either keep it on or take it off)

[ranacherian]

true. and the mx-5 was one of the top 10 best cars from motor trend out of 100.,.,were the hell was ur s2000? and it was the 1st japanese car in the top 10 too.,.,

[LonewolfSaichi]

Yeah, that's why most S2000 fans call the Miata MX-5 a girls car. It may not be as bulky and big as the S2k but you know what they say, the bigger the car only means your compensating for something else...

[FearOfTheFlesh]

it is a girly car though but I am not an s2000 fan either

[potatotruck]

The S2000 is great but considerably more expensive (~$10k) and an absolutely lousy daily driver (I've had two). The 400 extra pounds and the need to rev it constantly to get any torque makes an S2000 too tiring in traffic. Mileage and ride quality is poor too. For most sports car enthusiasts who aren't ready to pay $45k+ (Boxster, Z4, etc.), a Miata is a better choice.

[ParisHypocrisy]

who is the best the pontiac solstice gxp or this one mazda mx5?

[sexyvoicejustin90]

Awesome car...I'ma get it...

[psionex2320]

nice car

[Appu4893]

Bakwas

[bewd6797]

What was the point of having the sky and solitice?

[luisomtz20]

LSD FTW!

[unnamedgrave]

rofl that sounds like my saturday night

[Llamabalooza]

Nice car. I'm looking around for my first car. Retractable hardtops are nice. I live somewhere where theres snow for 8 months of the year. Can anyone tell me if their is a soft top convertible that can stay warm in sub zero temperatures? Their usually cheaper than hardtop convertibles.

[supremewhip]

The PRHT (power retractable hard top) isn't that much more than the soft top. It is definitely a good investment especially for $1800 or less. The PRHT will definitely make a difference in cold weather and in road noise. The soft top shouldn't have much problems keeping you warm though.

[keiththewheelman]

Hi there I have a 2nd gereration miata and once I drove it 250 km in -7 celcius bundled up with the top down and the heater cranked. It was chilly but I didn't get hypotherma. If I put the top up I would have been nice and toasty... but If you're talking below 0 farenheit I don't know íf it'd still be warm... basically the heater in the miata works very well and the top keeps the hot air in.... but it's still best driven with the top down.

[browntowel67]

why the hell did u leave the top down lol

[peterdaniel66]

uh, the residual value trails the solstice and sky?? Once again, KBB proves how little they know about cars. KBB value means nothing to me, never did and never will.

[MirthMansion]

Nice car. SLK Z4 and Boxter is cooler

[saudim46]

And they are quite a bit more expensive. 2~3 miatas = boxter

[ivaniclixx]

BoxSter, you bastard

[saudim46]

very sorry for misspelling motherfucker

[ivaniclixx]

You're welcome.

[bbqlamb]

Hi everyone, can someone please tell me whats an average 2nd gen mazda mx-5 highest milage before the engine starts playing games. And what the common problem with this car. Because am looking to buy a second hand one. But cant find anything about the engine longtivity on the net. Thank you :-)

[c2100]

It depends how it was driven and /or maintained 250,000 km should be no problem

[MiamiMiataGroupInc]

@bbqlamb you need to pay us a visit at Miatanet.com they make it over 200K and even 250K. They are bullet proof my friend, is just the right way to describe them.

[kkjk7]

love this car

[Ninosilvio]

isn't there a 1.8 too?

[sonakoya2001]

yep @

Ninosilvio

[bbev1974]

I just hired one of these over the weekend and it exceded all my expectations. i've come from skylines and sylvia's and i found the mx5 a much more entertatining drive. its handling is electric and i was completley satisfied with the power the lil 2L delivered. I'm def getting myself one!

[IamTheMaximum]

Now I know you're a fucking liar. You know how easy it is to tell when someone is lying about driving SIlvias? Most of those liars spell it SYLVIA. With a fucking Y. If you REALLY drove an S-chassis... you'd know it's SILVIA. Go fuck yourself.

[bbev1974]

gawwd, what a dick you are mate. Can't be fucked talking to you. piss off u little shit.

[saudim46]

stop cursing you son of bitch lol

[poplockkorea]

so if this car can go on curves at full speed...its not a good drift car??? or if it a good car to drift in??

which is better the rx or mx??

[MiamiMiataGroupInc]

@poplockkorea The NA and NB Miatas are the best platforms for drifting, the NC gets fitted with RX8 suspension and sway bars and they are great for drifting as well. In general all Miatas are great for drifting, think about it a drift is a controlled skid and what a better platform than one of the best handling cars under 30 grands. On top of that is a small car with a short wheel base meaning you can go crazy smoking the competition while bigger cars take cones with them when they lose control

[TrefyJot]

0-62 is almost irrelevant

the pick up for overtaking at speeds between 30 and 70 is more overtaking esp. from a safety perspective and the 5's pick up is very good.

I do like the TT but will stick with the 5.

[mao12345]

Why is the new MX-5 more expensive than (or at least as expense as) the RX8? The RX8 has an unconventional race-aimed rotary engine, more hp, seats 4, and as much tech mechanically and electrically as the mx5. I can see how the MX5 might be slightly more balanced and better handling than the rx8 just because of how small it is, but it's not that much better in terms of handling but way under-powered.

[awesomeman09]

u just dont get it do u?...drive an MX-5 and specially an MA and u will know its appeal

[DKingTaco2188]

rx-8 is more

[ImNotOkayHelena]

RX-8 is more, but still My step-dad owned an RX-8 and I have only test driven a MX-5 the RX-8 is not a comfy ride, its race tuned even at the weakest option I'm sure. It has to much torque and you feel it in every shift, also It is a true sports car, Low to the ground bumpy tight ride and poor gas mileage, also the RX-8 has a Renesis Wankel Rotary Engine that burns oil so you constantly have to put oil in it...BUT THE RX-8 IS A GREAT CAR!!! Miata just more comfy and efficient

[geletmote]

jump in one and ull see camt explain how good it is i stil got a 1990 mx5 and i get toey

[cbjorgol]

Lower it and throw an exhaust on it, do the same to a tity, and the mx-5 will be way better. Power to weight makes a few hp a huge deal and for 20k, you are not getting to 60 in 4 seconds. The miata is more fun than any car under 25k, read ANY car magazine review.

[Taff1967SC]

People get way too hung up on this 0-60 thing. There is so much more to it than that. This is a modern day Lotus Elan, and is priced right. If you want more grunt out of this car, then there's the Cosworth S/C option.

[youmils03]

Not much of a sports car. It doesn't have a whole lot of power, and it's not super quick either.

[c2100]

When did you last drive an MX5?

A sports car does not have to have "a whole lot of power" or be "super quick"

Handling and response factor in and the overall feel and balance of the car count for a lot. Great value for the money as nearly a million owners can vouch for.

[youmils03]

It's a good value, but I'd rather work my ass off for a few more years and take an Audi TT with more standard features and a faster 0-60. The MX-5 is not a sports car because of its 0-60 time or amount of power, but it is a sports car because of its exceptional handling and ride quality. However, you need speed in a sports car. Without speed, it is incomplete.

[c2100]

When did you last drive an MX5 or Miata?

[youmils03]

February 2008

[ranacherian]

A true sports car is how well it can handle with speed. not gud with too much speed and less handling. not gud with too much handling and less power.

[magnersnice]

A sports car is not defined by speed or power. 99% of a sports car is in the handling. Ive seen this car leave leave cars with twice the power in the corners

[youmils03]

Would you rather have a car that gets to 60mph in 4.0 seconds or 6.0 seconds? ... I thought so. Sports cars need "sport" - athletic, fast, strong.