2004 Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5

Review

Stylish, Sleek, Sharp and Superb

When Mazdas Miata debuted in 1989 it was hot. Now, 15 years later it is the top selling sports coupe ever according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Not bad Mazda.

My family was among the first to buy into Mazdas zoom-zoom program, purchasing a first generation Miata right in the beginning. I remember driving around with my mom, the top down of course, listening to Richard Marx and all the quality music that came out of the 80s. I also remember a time when a stranger on the street approached my mom and offered her a very large sum of money if she would sell her little red convertible to him right then and there, keeping in mind that the Miata was a hard commodity to acquire in its first production year. She rebuffed him, he pleaded, and still she refused. But now that over 700,000 Miatas have been produced, hopefully the man who wanted our Miata has one for himself. Rocket science is not necessary when it comes to calculating the formula of attraction between the public and the venerable Miata. Simply, its nice to look at and even nicer to drive. No wonder it remains the consistent top seller in the category.

But why stop with being number one? Despite its age, the sports car company has just made its hot little number that much better, by introducing the limited edition MazdaSpeed MX-5 Miata. Yes, its still as stylish, sleek, sharp and superb as ever, but now its much faster too.

My test week started out on the rainy foot, as it usually does when I have a convertible. But fortunately this time it cleared up, and the sun stayed for the rest of my time with the speedy roadster. This enabled me to drop the top, grab a girlfriend, and cruise around town carefree in my hot new ride.

Like all the Miata generations, the Speed still incorporates a manual drop-top, but its quite easy and efficient to operate. Being a number of years since I was previously in a Miata, I referred to the owners manual to see how to go "topless." The car must be stationary with the windows rolled down, and then two latches, located above the sun visors, must be released. Then, by pushing the top backwards, it automatically flips backward into its place. What I found tedious and time consuming was putting the tonneau cover on. There are a lot of buttons to snap into place and it often took several minutes. It was not, however, as tiresome to operate as the Beetle Convertibles latch and cover. Nevertheless, its a small price to pay to ride in style.

When putting the top back up, I took the cover off, and had to physically get out of the Miata to pull the top up, maybe because my arms do not reach that far back to pull it up when in the drivers seat, or possibly my arms are too weak! Nevertheless, I placed the latches into their spots and pushed them down. It was again easy and quick. The latches were not fussy to click into place, making my life easier.

Not many cars make me giddy while behind the wheel, but this very special MX-5 Miata definitely did. I think it was because of its IHI turbocharger featuring 8.5 psi maximum boost - very noticeable. In comparison, the MazdaSpeed Protegé which uses a Garrett T25 turbocharger didnt have the same level of get-up-and-go as the Speed Miata. Ive said this before and Ill say it again, one minute I was driving and the next I was flying. Its a personal preference of mine to be able to feel the wrath of a turbocharger. I know I feel it when I catch myself saying "weeeee" as I zip around a particularly tight bend or over the crest of an incline. Sometimes I just started giggling while accelerating. I know it is a little childish, but I couldnt resist. Maybe its a girl thing?

It was all because of the Speeds screaming little 1.8-liter, 16-valve, DOHC 4-cylinder that puts out 178 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm engine. Its turbocharger does the trick, complimented by a Denso tube-fin air-to-air intercooler - strong assets. The hyper Mazda offers 38 more horsepower in comparison to the base trimmed Miatas (140 horsepower), that coupled with its rear-wheel drive layout, 6-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter, and lowered sport-tuned suspension, made it easy to love.

While friendly to drive, the MazdaSpeed Miata is still mean on the road. It is friendly because it is easy to operate from the first shift. Yes, the throws are short but the gearbox isnt stiff and neither is the clutch. Its just a very agreeable car to drive. When on the road, however, the handling is mean. What do I "mean" by that? Well, it handles like a charm. The lowered, sport-tuned suspension and rack-and-pinion steering system connected with the leather-wrapped steering wheel to make for accurate and precise steering and handling. It cornered fiercely, yet somehow beautifully when pushed a little. Whats more, when executing tight turns of any shape or form there was minimal body roll. The suspension is comfortably stiff, making for a sporty ride. Bottom line, its awesome.

Visibility is also splendid, with one minor exception. Because the ground-hugging Miata is so low, seeing out the rear is fantastic. I could actually see perfectly when backing up or parallel parking, with the top up. I had no issues with the passenger side visibility either. When the top is down, its smooth cruising all the way. What is not so awesome is the visibility from the drivers side blind spot. More than a little tricky, the tops large C-pillars (or do two-door cars only have B-pillars?) are awkwardly large. It makes it hard to check if other motorists are in the next lane when wanting to move over. But that, of course, is when good mirror skills come in handy.

But who cares about backing up when going forward is so much fun? But Ive talked enough about the cars racy engine. In case you were wondering what else sets the MazdaSpeed Miata apart from its lesser siblings, Ill tell you. Internally, features reclining front bucket seats, a leather-wrapped shift knob with red stitching, leather-wrapped parking brake with red stitching, alloy foot pedals and a drivers alloy foot rest with the MazdaSpeed logo. Also included is a body-colored rearview mirror cap with the MazdaSpeed logo, plus stainless steel scuff plates with, you guessed it, the MazdaSpeed logo. You shouldnt find it too difficult to remember what car youre driving.

Externally, it has, as I mentioned earlier, a lowered, sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch, 5-spoke Racing Hart alloy wheels (the same brand of rims used on the MazdaSpeed Protegé), a great set of Toyo Proxes R28 205/40R17 80 W rated tires, 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS, a front under spoiler, rear decklid spoiler, smoke finish headlamps, and halogen fog lights. Not too shabby for an entry-level convertible just over $25,000.

Now that I mentioned the price, I should say a few words about standard features. Its 6-speaker Bose audio system boasts 225-watts and an AM/FM interface with a 6-disc, in-dash CD-changer. Also, separate tweeters and speed-sensing automatic volume control are part of the package. I know I am beating the dead horse when I say this, but I still cant believe that the VW Beetle Convertible did not come with even a standard single CD player at its interstellar price tag. Moving on, the Speeds sound system rocks. Even when the top was down on the highway, the tunes blaring from the system were not distorted by the higher volume, and the sound emitted was clear and concise. I couldnt ask for more from a stock system.

I could ask for more interior space for my 64" boyfriend, mind you. The Miata is perfect for me, but not for him. There is very little head and legroom for those of taller stature. The seats are also a snug fit. I have no issues with this because I am tiny(er). It was funny though, when he sat in the car his head was higher than the windshield. When the top was down he arrived wherever we were going with a new hairstyle. With the top up, he had to duck because his head would hit the roof. When he sat in the drivers seat his legs were squished up to the steering wheel, and because the car doesnt include tilt steering the Miata would be very difficult for him to drive. Oh well, that just meant more MazdaSpeed Miata for me!

Its hard to describe near perfection in a convertible that costs just over $25,000, but if I had to spell it, it would read MazdaSpeed MX-5 Miata.