CAR gets way early first drive of Mazda MX-5
CAR magazine has gotten an opportunity to try out the refresh of the MX-5, which has left them impressed enough to say it's "still the best car Mazda makes." There's nothing revelatory coming for 2009, just more consistent refinement of a winning formula. The biggest change is a bit of rhinoplasty that adds more of the family nose to the MX-5's visage. The headlamps have taken on a shape that echoes the car's siblings the 3 and the 6. Grille openings, and the shape of the front airdam, call to mind the RX-8, and new sill extensions stretch between the wheels. The tweaking adds a whiff more aggression to the convertible's look, which some have found effeminate in the past.
Rather than get caught up in the recent massive horsepower war, Mazda's been careful to maintain the MX-5's stellar chassis manners that allow drivers to make the most of the horsepower with the car's penchant for serving up handling enjoyment. There have been refinements to the hardware: the transmission now has shorter throws, and the engine gets a forged crank connected to new pistons, and a new valvetrain also helps orchestrate a power peak 300 rpm higher, now at 7,000, and redline bumps out to 7,500. For those that don't want to shift themselves, there's a six speed automatic, and the front suspension has been revised to improve steering feel and action. The MX-5 has evolved from an MGB throwback to a classic in its own right. Now, if they'd just make a proper fixed-head version. Thanks for the tip, Nguyen Ta!
Gallery: 2009 Mazda MX-5
[Source: CAR]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kyle Swift 5:41PM (11/24/2008)
Gotta say, overall I'm not a huge fan of this new family front end Mazda is going with.
To me, it seems that this front end looks the best on the Miata. Saw it on the Mazda 3 and it just doesn't look right to me.
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Michael 5:43PM (11/24/2008)
Now that you mention it... a fixed-top coupe version of the Miata would be awesome. They probably wouldn't be able to sell enough of them to make it worthwhile, though.
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Kattleox 9:10PM (11/24/2008)
I wish they would just sell them with an OEM hardtop, too. It's a bit of a necessity in some places. However, when something ISN'T falling from the sky, it's always good to have the top down; below zero...BAH! My Miata is a furnace.
Biomech 5:44PM (11/24/2008)
Well, it looks a bit better with a big license plate covering it's smile.
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Brent 5:51PM (11/24/2008)
I don't understand why men buy these....
Tell me what makes this car better than a S2000 honda
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Peter 5:55PM (11/24/2008)
This starts $10,000 less than the S2000
Ken 6:00PM (11/24/2008)
Well have you ever driven a Miata? Did you drive it on some backroads? Its a very impressive handler. Are you implying that you're "not a man" for choosing one?
I've driven both the Miata and S2000 extensively, they're both excellent cars. The Miata weighs less, the S2000 has more power and has higher quality materials inside. It also costs a bit more (though you can get one from the dealerships brand new for high 20's)
Snowdog 6:01PM (11/24/2008)
I owned a Miata. The reason I owned it instead of the S2000 was the $20000 price difference in Canada.
Some of us don't have unlimited money for a roadster.
The Miata wins on smiles/$.
full_of_h8 6:04PM (11/24/2008)
Why would a guy buy a roadster that is cheap to maintain, handles superbly, is rear wheel drive, lightweight, fun to drive, inexpensive to purchase, has a great ownership community, awesome racing community, etc, etc, etc.
NO IDEA.
pmiddle5 6:12PM (11/24/2008)
I cannot figure out in anyway shape or form someone would buy an s2000? Why wouldnt you just buy a Boxster? Silly.
Mobius_1 7:02PM (11/24/2008)
Go ahead and buy that S2000, but remember that someday a guy is gonna pull up next to you at the traffic lights with a minivan full of kids: "Hey, mine works fine."
dac 7:19PM (11/24/2008)
@full_of_h8
Perfectly said. I don't know why I always have to justify owning a miata.
Cornholio 7:35PM (11/24/2008)
I've owned both. I would buy another Miata without hesitation. For the price, the car is a blast and the true definition of a driver's car. You've obviously never driven one on a twisty two-lane backroad.
I liked the S2000, but it was a bit sterile compared to the Miata, and would probably pass on the option of buying another. I sold my 2002 after a few years of ownership.
Of course, the way you word your comment makes me think you're more concerned about what others think of your sexuality than how the car drives. Sad -- you're missing out.
Bluestreak 9:55AM (11/25/2008)
I don't understand why some men feel their masculinity is tied to the vehicles they drive. Oh yeah: insecurity, that's it.
The S2000 behaves like a Honda Civic unless you rev the hell out of it, costs far more than it's worth, and has looks that literally put you to sleep. Good enough reasons for me to choose the Mazda, though I won't plunk down my dollars for one until they make a proper coupe (or even better, a hatchback).
Snowdog 6:11PM (11/24/2008)
More aggressive? It's more smiley than than the last version. Mazda has to get over this stupid smiley phase.
While not as stupid goofy as the new 3, I still don't like it here.
Even the Mazda 2 looks better as it doesn't have a goofy smile (yet):
http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/2008-mazda2/173524/
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pmiddle5 6:12PM (11/24/2008)
It'll be very easy to use these in "Cars 2". It will feature the most lazy animators everrrr
jv2k 9:28PM (11/24/2008)
With a front license plate on that mazda 2 it is going to look bucktooth.
Kitko 6:33PM (11/24/2008)
The world's best selling roadster ever just got even better.
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Andrew 12:23PM (11/25/2008)
Except for the fact that it looks worse than the old one.
Everett 7:00PM (11/24/2008)
That smile is highly irritating...I've always thought that people that smile too much are: a) mentally challenged or, b) con artists.
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