2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata [ 2008 ]
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Overall Score - 9.0 (Excellent)
Thanks to a 2006 redesign, the MX-5 Miata offers better-than-ever performance with tight, balanced handling and zippy acceleration -- all for a very affordable price. Reviewers see its soft top and new power folding hardtop as the best in their class, though the MX-5 falls short of competitors on interior room. If you're in the market for a convertible, you should also consider the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky.
Reviewers see the 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata as a fun-to-drive roadster for a very affordable price. Listed in the 2000 Guinness Book of World Records as the best-selling two-seat convertible in history, the MX-5 was most recently redesigned in 2006. New for 2007 is a power retractable hardtop that raises or lowers in just 12 seconds. Kelley Blue Book calls the mechanism "a dream come true."
In fact, the MX-5 is so well-liked that it has racked up several honors, including Edmunds' "Most Wanted Convertible Under $25,000". It's also a Consumer Guide "Best Buy" and is listed by Car and Driver as a "10Best Car" for the second straight year. Consumer Reports lists the MX-5 as the most "Fun to Drive," noting it "won drivers over with its balanced handling, quick and precise steering, and crispshifting six-speed manual transmission -- all available at a reasonable price."
Though the Pontiac Solstice recently trumped the MX-5 as the most affordable roadster convertible in its class, the MX-5's new retractable hardtop model remains the least expensive of its kind. Moreover, a Road and Track comparison test drive concludes that the vehicles shouldn't be compared to begin with - as they're "utterly different in personality." Road and Track continues: "The Miata appeals to traditional roadster values. The Solstice is edgy, stylish and American."
Altogether, Edmunds sees the Miata as a "decent value for the money" and USA TODAY says it's "still the most sports car for the money." The Los Angeles Times notes of its performance, "If we're talking endorphins per dollar, maybe no car compares." Consumer Guide says, "This Best Buy delivers as much driving enjoyment -- if not outright power -- as two-seat sports cars costing thousands more."
The icing on the cake is that Miatas hold their value and come with attractively low ownership costs. Kelley Blue Book expects the MX-5 to "retain strong residual and resale values in the first three years, but then drop to average in years four and five." IntelliChoice gives the base model an "Excellent" value rating, based on total cost of ownership compared to others in its class. It also lists the MX-5 as a winner for Lowest Fuel Costs, Lowest Maintenance Costs and Lowest Operating Costs.
The MX-5 comes in several trims -- SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring -- with one universal 2.0-liter engine and three transmission choices. The two-door convertible is also available with a Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) in either the Sport, Touring or Grand Touring trims.
MX-5 Miata Performance - 8.7 (Very Good)
Reviewers absolutely love the 2007 MX-5 Miata's spirited driving. Motor Trend praises, "With the MX-5's potent driving dynamics, perfect power-to-weight ratio, engaging engine response, and short-throw shifter; this car is a delight to play with." Automobile Magazine calls it "a sports car in the traditional sense, one that trades gut-thumping power and torque for nimble reactions, excellent steering, and forgiving handling." continue
MX-5 Miata Exterior - 7.7 (Good)
Most reviewers approve of the 2007 MX-5 Miata's restyled exterior, which has a more masculine feel than the previous generation. The Los Angeles Times quips, "Mazda has pumped the MX-5 with some visual testosterone, most notably in the perfect-circle wheel arches cut into the sheet metal." The new power retractable hard top is also a high point, especially since it virtually disappears when not in use. continue
MX-5 Miata Interior - 7.0 (Good)
Reviewers generally see the 2007 MX-5's two-seat interior as classy and more spacious than previous models -- with a surprisingly roomy trunk -- though some disagree. "This latest generation (2006 and newer) Mazda Miata grew in all dimensions and it is more accommodating than before, but it's still a snug fit for full-figured or tall sports car lovers," says New Car Test Drive. continue
MX-5 Miata Safety - 8.3 (Very Good)
The Mazda MX-5 Miata, last tested in 2005, does well in federal government frontal crash tests, though it does worse in side crash tests. A repeated safety complaint is the MX-5's poor visibility for both short and tall drivers. continue
MX-5 Miata Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)
The 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Mazda offers warranty coverage on all of its cars, including a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. continue
