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4.5 stars
"Fine sports car, great value, poor audio"
Pros: Handling, acceleration, styling, trunk space, features, value
Cons: Poor audio system
Summary: I bought a 2006 Miata (Sport model) three days ago to replace my Toyota MR-2 Spider. I loved the MR-2, but it didn't have a trunk, which made it hard to even take a two-day trip with my wife, or carry my computer and work files with me. The Miata looks like a good solution. I drove it over 200 miles today in heavy wind and rain, and it was comfortable, pretty quiet, and provided rock-solid handling.
Let me compare it with the MR-2:
Handling: I haven't driven it real hard, but I get the feeling that the Miata handles a bit better. It really sticks to the road. It's an excellent sports car (I've had a number of different ones). The car pretty much steers itself on the highway. I kept my hand on the steering wheel, but rarely did anything (just like the MR-2).
Ride: I think the Miata transmits a bit more road noise when on poor highways, and is a bit bumpy. It's very quiet and smooth when the highway has been recently paved.
Power: The Miata engine is smoother and faster than the MR-2. 170 horsepower seems like all I'll ever need - the engine revs like crazy in lower gears, and still has a lot of zip at 80 MPH. It's not a 'Vette, but it's supposed to do 0-60 in 6.5 seconds - excellent for the price. Feels quite a bit faster than the MR-2.
Transmission: The MR-2 has a smooth shifting 5-speed. The Miata has a short-throw 6-speed, but the shift mechanism is not as smooth. Shifting seems to require a bit more force (but the MR-2 was really good). The Miata pulls about 3850 RPM at 80 MPH - only slight less revs than the MR-2 at that speed.
Convertible top: The Miata's top is quiet and waterproof, just like the MR-2, but the Miata's top is much easier to latch and unlatch.
Wind noise: Both cars are good with the top down and windows up. Pretty quiet. Wind noise and buffeting is pretty good even with the windows down - especially on a warm sunny day (like Monday was in Silicon Valley).
Seats: The MR-2 was perfect for me. The Miata seems to provide a little less legroom. I'm only 5'9", so I have enough, but I'm not sure how a taller person would do. My wife was very comfortable for our 3 hour trip today.
Styling: The 2006 Miata looks much better than the older ones. The flared fenders, twin roll bars, new headlights, etc. look great. It's not daring, but fine for the money. Like a poor man's Cobra.
Heater: Simple controls - works fine.
Spare tire: Makes me a bit nervous to not have a spare, but I need the trunk space.
Storage: The Miata trunk is awesome. We loaded in a small suitcase, big computer bag, purse, two heavy jackets, camera bag, and still had rooms for odds and ends. On the other hand, there is almost no storage in the passenger compartment. The doors don't even have map pockets, although I did fit maps and other stuff in the Glove Compartment. The door-mounted water bottle holders are nice, but the center console drink holders are pretty useless, because you rest your shift hand there.
Music: The radio reception is mediocre, and the audio system is downright poor. The bass is OK, but the treble distorts even at low volumes (from either radio or CD). I can't tell if it's a problem with the amplifier or speakers, but the MR-2 was far superior. The Miata's sound quality was so bad that I sometimes just turned it off. I'm not sure how to fix this, but it needs to be fixed. On a sunny day with the top down, you don't listen to music anyway, but you will in the winter. There is no iPod support, which is a shame. There was no iPod support in the Boxster I drove on Monday either, or in my MR-2.
Features: The audio controls on the steering wheel are great - the MR-2 didn't have those. Ditto for the cruise control. Ditto for the remote key lock. All big improvements.
Gas Mileage: The MR-2 gets 31 MPG on SF Bay Area freeways (even with traffic jams). I don't know what the Miata will do yet. It's going to be better than 25 MPG, but I don't know how much better yet.
Conclusion: The Miata seems like an excellent sports car, with power, great handling, good style, nice creature comforts and a very useful trunk. I'd be ecstatic of the sound system wasn't so poor.
