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Colin Ryan
It’s awesome and has all the coolest things mankind has invented.
Strong Points
Cons
what’s new?
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sports Car is the perfect blend of handling, power, and affordability. Prices start at $28,050.
wonderful. buy it. end.
OK, let’s expand. Humans have invented some really cool stuff: space rockets, MRI scanners, Lego bricks, electric guitars, Swiss Army knives. Add to such a sacred company a small sports car that offers great fun: the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
As long as practicality isn’t a priority and you’re comfortable enough in the cabin, driving the MX-5 Miata is definitely a pleasure.
RF: retractable fastback
The typical MX-5 Miata is a soft-top version with a fabric roof. However, Mazda also offers RF variants in Club and Grand Touring trims, featuring an electric retractable hardtop in fastback shape. With the RF roof it looks more like a coupe.
With just 13 seconds to open and close, the MX-5 Miata is an all-season vehicle. It adds a little extra weight, but not enough to dampen the experience.
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Prices
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata starting at $28,050. This is for the Sport version with manual transmission only. To get the automatic, you have to choose a Grand Touring model.
The club’s Brembo BBS Recaro package upgrades brakes, alloy wheels and sport seats (using Brembo, BBS and Recaro products respectively). The most expensive premium paint is priced at $595, while the Grand Touring version is also available in a fine Nappa leather terracotta color for $300.
These are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and do not include the $1,275 factory-to-dealer shipping charge (destination charge).
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Similar financial ballpark fun machines include the Subaru BRZ (starting at $28.6K) and Toyota’s (7203.TO) GR86 (starting at $28K) joint project. These are coupe-only and take a similar approach to his MX-5: rear-wheel drive, light weight and moderate engine power. The Ford (F) Mustang (starting at around $29,000) feels pretty heavy, but offers a lot of muscle. Or, if you want a soft-top that’s more fun than a rear-wheel-drive enthusiast machine, there’s a Mini Convertible starting at $33.8K.
Before you buy your new MX-5 Miata 2-seater sports car, check out the Kerry Blue Book Fair purchase price to see how much you’re really paying. The MX-5 Miata holds its value well. It’s quite an icon at this point, and Mazda has no plans to discontinue this star performer.
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New for 2023
The only change this year is the addition of Zircon Sand Metallic to the exterior paint color selection. Available on Club and Grand Touring models.
As for what happens next, Mazda has announced that it will see a “somehow electrified” Miata in 2026.
Driving the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
We met a Mazda engineer who owns and thrills driving an MX-5 Miata. That’s just the emphatic endorsement there.
Sure, you can buy a Porsche (PAH3.XE) 718 Boxster, BMW Z4 or even a Corvette and enjoy more power while doing everything top down. But they are more expensive, and frankly, his 181 horsepower in the MX-5 Miata is more than enough for the public road, and the handling works well enough on the track.
No need for experienced road warriors to enjoy. The allure of the MX-5 Miata is easy access. So someone new to the realm of rear-wheel drive, or perhaps even a manual his transmission, couldn’t have made a better choice than this one.
Transport isn’t the only thing the MX-5 Miata is about. The steering is communicative and the suspension is precise yet able to withstand everyday driving and long trips. We put hundreds of miles on his MX-5 Miata.
One thing to consider is the club version. It comes with stiffer Bilstein suspension, a front strut tower brace for stiffer front end (sharp steering) and a limited slip differential for more rear wheel traction. Test drive this version before settling on a trim level. After all, other versions are perfectly fine.
intimate interior
It’s the exact opposite of theme park announcements that say, “You must be this tall to ride.” Unfortunately, the 2023 MX-5 Miata’s narrow two-seater quarters and low windshield make it virtually unsuitable for the largest and widest member of the car enthusiast.
Passenger footwell has to make room for the transmission tunnel, there is no glovebox and not much room for a phone. As if it mattered.
The important thing is the driving position. It is low to the ground so that you can best perceive how your car is performing. How the right hand naturally falls into the shift lever. And a clean dashboard.
I have some complaints. When the roof is down and the sun is behind you, the infotainment display reflects so much light that it’s hard to tell what it’s saying. And the 4.5-cubic trunk is just big enough for a couple of soft bags full of weekend stuff.
OUR FAVORITE FEATURES AND TECHNOLOGIES
Manual transmission Stick shift may seem to belong in the dark ages, but in this car it’s appropriate and more involved. As the saying goes, the more you immerse yourself in something, the more you get out of it. This unit is his one of the nicest shifting actions I have ever come across.
With more power than rear-wheel drive, there is a greater chance that the rear end of the car will slide off if someone goes too far into a corner. It is gentle and easy to control.
Despite lacking room for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto devices, the MX-5 Miata at least has smartphone integration as standard. It goes wireless in the Club and Grand Touring trims, so there’s no need to take your phone out of your pocket or purse.
Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) This is about the attitude of the car, not the people in the car. The MX-5 Miata has always demonstrated excellent cornering prowess. But since last year, it has been strengthened by KPC. This applies subtle braking to the inside rear wheel in high-speed turns. Steering feels more linear and body roll is reduced, contributing to overall stability.
Bilstein shock absorbers are standard on the club trim. Bilstein is a specialist company that supplies products to automakers such as Porsche and his BMW.
Brembo BBS Recaro Package Brembo supplies brakes to Ferrari (RACE) and others, BBS alloy wheels are highly regarded in the industry and Recaro makes excellent racing seats. Available in club trim.
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engine and transmission
Everything Mazda put in or left out of the 2023 MX-5 Miata makes perfect sense. The company decided not to install a turbocharged engine. Instead, this four-cylinder unit of his has maximum power at very high revs, allowing the driver to adjust the throttle for finer control over engine speed.
The standard transmission is a smooth 6-speed manual. Again, great choice. It involves drivers. For those who don’t want or can’t use stick-shift, in the Grand Touring trim he has a 6-speed automatic transmission available.
Another inspired option is rear-wheel drive. The MX5-Miata’s front-engine, rear-drive layout is classic sports car and well-balanced. All-wheel drive is not provided. If you live in cold latitudes, you can always buy a set of winter tires.
Mazda recommends using 91 octane premium gasoline.
2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine 181 hp @ 7,000 rpm 151 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy (2022 figures): 26/34 mpg (manual), 26/35 mpg (automatic)
More information on the MX-5 Miata’s fuel economy is available on the EPA’s website.
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3 years/36,000 miles warranty
Mazda’s new vehicle warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Powertrain warranty is 5 years or 60,000 miles. These are typical in the non-luxury sector.
KBB’s car review methodology.
This article originally appeared on KBB.com.
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(Closed) Dow Jones Newswire
01-23-23 0500ET
Copyright (c) 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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