With the advancements in automotive technology and the great competition among car manufacturers, it can be difficult to decide which car offers the best driveability and comfort. But most petrolheads who have experience driving multiple sports cars, will tell you that nothing beats the Mazda MX5.
As someone who has the pleasure of driving one every day, the sheer engineering excellence behind it will leave most people grinning for hours after taking one for a ride. But that’s not everything, there’s much more to the MX 5 that makes it stand out, even when compared to industry behemoths such as Ford Mustang GT, VW GTI, Nismo 370Z, and so o
Great Power Packed Into a Super Light Vehicle
Well, for starters, it’s almost half a tonne lighter than the aforementioned cars. It’s one of the most affordable sports carts, and unlike most other manufacturers who focus mainly on increasing horsepower, the Miata is in a lane of her own. To give you an idea of how lightweight the Miata is -- it beats the Alfa Romeo 4C, which is carbon-fibre tubbed.
This fact can be a foreign concept to many people, and unless you spend some time behind the wheel, you can’t acknowledge that horsepower isn’t everything in a car. So what are the benefits of being so light? Well, it’s more agile, nimble, predictable, controllable, and offers superior steering response.
The one thing I’ve heard many so-called “experts” say is “If only it had 50 more hp”, without considering why it actually doesn’t. They don’t take its light weight, great power and low cost into account. Most manufacturers who want to keep the prices of their vehicles competitive, have to choose between power and weight.
The reason for that is simple -- more power requires larger brakes, a more robust drivetrain and bulkier axles. On top of that, the car itself must be heavier to compensate. And while you can get lots of power with lower weight, the price tag on such vehicles will be astronomical.
Comfortable Seating
Naturally, it’s not a car for everyone. Where most car manufacturers look to meet the needs of as many people as possible, Mazda is looking to please a select few, so to speak. The Miata probably isn’t for you, unless you take great pleasure in dynamic driving, in which case it becomes the perfect car. Why do I say that? Well, for starters, it doesn’t feature a glove compartment and other features that have become standard in newer vehicles. However, this doesn’t mean that Miata’s interior is flawed.
Mazda MX5 seats are very comfortable, well-positioned and bolstered. As someone on the taller side, the only real complaint I have is that the steering wheel doesn’t telescope. If the Miata you’re considering is older, and you don’t find the seats comfortable, you’ll be happy to know that thanks to its popularity, there are many aftermarket Mazda MX5 seats, as well as other parts available.
Speaking of seating, the Miata is a car for two, the trunk is relatively small -- enough to fit a trip to the grocery store, and you’ll find the noise inside the cabin louder than what you’re generally used to. A lot of people feel like it has too much body roll, although the body roll is engineered to provide the best feel possible.
Impressive Exterior
As far as its exterior, it’s undeniably one of the best-looking cars I’ve ever seen. While I don’t like most Mazdas, the Miata MX 5 is a thing of beauty. Gearheads will definitely turn every time you pass, and you’ll get plenty of compliments every time you park in a crowded lot.
On the downside, everyone with a sportscar will try to race you at the lights, and most of them will win. But as aforementioned, the Miata is made to provide the most joyous drive possible, not the fastest. At the end of the day, on the perfect coastal road, though, none of them will grin as hard as you for the amount of money you’ve spent for the experience you’re getting.
Improved Driving Experience
So what exactly enables the Miata to provide a better driving experience? Two things -- its pedals and gearing. Miata’s shift throws are short and don’t require much effort. The Miata sports a notchy-engagement feature to make sure the gear is properly placed, while its clutch pedal uses the entire travel.
The disc jaws as soon as you start releasing your foot from the floor without fully engaging until released completely. This allows you to take your time for smoother shifting with maximum control, or just hammer through them as quickly as you can. The throttle and brakes feel linear, and the throttle doesn’t spike to make it as if the car features a better response than it does. Basically, all three pedals are optimised for utmost control.
In terms of gearing, automatics are slowly but surely taking over. Plus, with the tighter fuel economy restrictions, a lot of cars are made with efficiency in mind instead of speed. Not the Miata, though. It features one of the most aggressive gearboxes available, allowing you to shift gears and featuring on-demand wheel slip under 60km/h.
I briefly touched upon the great level of engineering excellence found in the Miata. There are certain things that make it a driver’s car, including its mid-engine that sits behind the front axle, great weight distribution (50-50), and a rear-wheel drive. All of this makes the Miata one of the most advanced products available to the average gearhead.
But at the end of the day, if you don’t already own one, you probably shouldn’t buy one right now, especially if you’re a family man. If you’re a young bachelor who’s looking for adventure and an easy way to pick up women, then it’s probably the best car your money can buy. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference, but everything I touched upon above should give you an idea of what you’re getting when you opt for the Miata MX 5.