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OREM — A good friend of mine in high school had an early 1970s model Triumph Spitfire.
There was also a new development near my neighborhood where the roads had been completed, but houses had yet to be built. Those new roads served as a racetrack of sorts for that Spitfire and other cars.
What I remember most about that Spitfire, besides the frequent mechanical problems, was that no matter how hard we pushed it around corners, that light and nimble car just begged for more — though perhaps in a way that felt a little scary.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto show and was designed to pay respect to the British two-seat roadsters of the 1950s, 60s and 70s — like the Triumph Spitfire. The 2017 MX-5 is still light and quick, though the name Miata is nowhere to be found.
The power hardtop is a mechanical marvel, and handling is the name of the game.
“Power is everywhere these days, but power does not truly equate to a joyful driving experience," said Chip Hawkes, general manager at Mazda in Orem.
Exterior styling
The lines of the MX-5 are similar to those of a 1970s era Corvette Stingray. The high, sloping front fenders stand out immediately, and the rear fastback sports sharply-angled window frames that connect with the wide fender flares. A subtle spoiler sits atop a short end.
From the front, the view is decidedly more modern with narrow headlight covers above a black lower air intake and daytime running lights built into the lower air effects on either side.
The round taillights meet slender turn signals and resemble the scowl of other Mazda models. Rear lower air effects add to the aggressive look. Dual chrome exhaust outlet covers sit low and to the right.
The test model was white with black BBS multi-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and red Brembo brake calipers.
Interior styling
The three-dial instrument cluster is similar to all other Mazda models with the tachometer front and center, the speedo to the right and an animated driver-information center to the left. There are round vents and a 7-inch color touchscreen rising from the top of the dash. Red stitching runs below the screen from the climate controls to the passenger door panel.
The climate and media controls are simple and elegant. Three dials, that also serve as push buttons, control the climate. Mazda, in fact, collaborated with BMW to design the driver control knob near the manual shift lever in the center console.
The test RF model had black cloth seats with red accent stitching and two cup holders. A small glove box sat behind and between the two seats.
The power top is operated by a single toggle switch below the climate controls. The interior of the MX-5 is simple and beautifully laid out. The manufacturers used quality soft-touch materials throughout the dash and door panels.
While the interior is somewhat less elegant than other Mazda models, it fits the retro feel of the MX-5 perfectly.
Technology
The MX-5 is an old-fashioned, naturally-aspirated roadster with little beyond what is necessary. Blind spot monitors are standard and the Brembo brake package seems excessive for such a light car.
The Bose nine-speaker audio system is a good one, though bass response couldn’t withstand top-down driving. Mazda’s multi-function commander control knob accesses media and car setting functions via the touchscreen.
Menus are well laid-out, and most functions work with the car in motion. Navigation is also included.
The power hardtop works very well and is fun to watch. The rear deck raises and the top folds back and into a space in front of the trunk. The rear deck then lowers back into place. With the top up, the MX-5 RF is not obviously a convertible — a good thing in my opinion.
Performance and handling
"Lightness" is the first word that comes to mind when driving the MX-5. The clutch, brakes and steering are all effective and responsive, yet feel buoyant. The MX-5 is a very easy car to drive and would be a perfect car for those driving manual transmission for the first time. The clutch is incredibly forgiving.
It's obvious the MX-5 is lightweight yet, unlike many of those earlier British roadsters, it never feels unnerving. The rear tire grip is excellent, and my confidence never wavered as I pushed the car harder into corners.
At highway speeds, the MX-5 is surprisingly planted and rarely feels jarring or light in the tires. The manual transmission is laid out tightly and shifts with an ease similar to most everything else about the car.
The exhaust note, one of the car's few weak spots, comes alive a little more with the top down than the top up. The car is surprisingly quiet with the top up.
The MX-5 is quick, going zero to 60 happens in a respectable 6.3 seconds, and the very small MX-5 feels faster than that.
“Mazda took the best of a two-seat light convertible roadster, added the correct amount of power and Japanese precision and reliability. The MX-5 is something special,” Hawkes said.
Conclusions
The 2017 Mazda MX-5 is quick, light and fun to drive. The two-liter, naturally aspirated engine with Mazda Skyactive valve timing won’t satisfy power enthusiasts, however, and the MX-5 is a very small car — even grocery runs will challenge the available trunk space.
The exhaust note is disappointing, considering the platform is shared by Fiat. A Fiat exhaust would add value to the MX-5.
Ultimately, twisting roads and freeways alike are enjoyable in the MX-5. Top-down driving is excellent, although Mazda would be wise to consider a beefier sound system in the little roadster.
Specs
Vehicle type: front engine, rear-wheel drive, two-passenger convertible.
Engine: DOHC 16-valve inline four-cylinder with aluminum block and head. Direct fuel injection and Skyactive technology
Displacement: 122 cubic inches, 1998 cc
Power: 155 horsepower, 148 pound-feet of torque
Transmission: six-speed manual, auto available
Wheelbase: 90.9 inches
Performance: 6.3 seconds zero to 60 mph 14.9 seconds quarter mile
Fuel economy: EPA estimated highway/city 29/35 miles per gallon
Warranty: 3 year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper
Price as tested: $35,830
Interestingly, I looked but the name Miata is nowhere to be found for 2017.
“Mazda took the best of a two-seat light convertible roadster, added the correct amount of power and Japanese precision and reliability. The MX-5 is something special,” Hawkes said.
Conclusions
The 2017 Mazda MX-5 is quick, light and fun to drive. The two-liter, naturally aspirated engine with Mazda Skyactive valve timing won’t satisfy power enthusiasts, however, and the MX-5 is a very small car — even grocery runs will challenge the available trunk space.
The exhaust note is disappointing, considering the platform is shared by Fiat. A Fiat exhaust would add value to the MX-5.
Ultimately, twisting roads and freeways alike are enjoyable in the MX-5. Top-down driving is excellent, although Mazda would be wise to consider a beefier sound system in the little roadster.
Specs
Vehicle type: front engine, rear-wheel drive, two-passenger convertible.
Engine: DOHC 16-valve inline four-cylinder with aluminum block and head. Direct fuel injection and Skyactive technology
Displacement: 122 cubic inches, 1998 cc
Power: 155 horsepower, 148 pound-feet of torque
Transmission: six-speed manual, auto available
Wheelbase: 90.9 inches
Performance: 6.3 seconds zero to 60 mph 14.9 seconds quarter mile
Fuel economy: EPA estimated highway/city 29/35 miles per gallon
Warranty: 3 year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper
Price as tested: $35,830
Interestingly, I looked but the name Miata is nowhere to be found for 2017.
