I Have One Of These For The Rest Of The Week

"Patrick George" (pgeorge)
10/14/2013 at 09:16 • Filed to: 2014 Mazda Miata

It's a 2014 Mazda Miata Club Edition. It's terrible and not fun at all. Don't buy one.

JUST KIDDING, obviously. It's amazing. I'm probably not giving it back. If the Miata and I run off to Mexico together to start new lives, it's been nice knowing all of you.

Things I like: Amazing handling (duh), six speed manual is among the best I've used, power hardtop is super easy and carries a minimal weight penalty, engine lacks power but works hard enough to get the job done, fun to drive everywhere.

Things I don't like: More power would be always be nice, clutch is kinda wonky, it will make you hate driving anything that isn't a Miata.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. Full review coming later this week before I disappear with it forever.

DISCUSSION (30)

wkiernan > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 09:19

Certainly you've driven NAs and NBs. How does it compare?

hobbes567 > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 09:23

Does it feel top-heavy at all? I always thought the power hardtop miatas would feel like dump trucks with a power hard top. Obviously, its not that bad since people really like this car. I'd like to know if its noticeable though.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 09:23

Compared to the Toybaru twins, what do you prefer?

When did you become a hair dresser?

MIATAAAA > hobbes567
10/14/2013 at 09:25

It's not at all. Feels just like the soft top version I think.

SuperChargerHeaven Live in USA > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 09:26

Is this the special edition Miata to beat the BRZ? Assuming the standard Miata needs a bit more to do that.

Long Live the Longdoor > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 09:29

Any ideas what (if any) changes there are for the 2014 model?

I didn't think they were making a 2014 NC model as the next gen (ND?) was coming soonish.

Patrick George > wkiernan
10/14/2013 at 09:30

Honestly — and it pains me to say this — I haven't had nearly as much time in older Miatas as I would like. This article can probably answer your question better than I can.

Patrick George > hobbes567
10/14/2013 at 09:32

Nah, not at all. I think it only weighs 80 pounds over the soft top, so you really can't feel it.

Long Live the Longdoor > Long Live the Longdoor
10/14/2013 at 09:33

Also, take many pictures! I require more picturesque photos (as above) for my desktop background, to fuel my Miata obsession.

Patrick George > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/14/2013 at 09:34

It's been about a year and a half since I last drove a BRZ, so it's tricky to say. I remember it being more tail happy, more powerful and a bit more practical thanks to its back seat, although that's quite small. I like the Miata's shifter better, it's shorter and tighter.

I'd have to drive both back to back to really nail this down. The Miata is very tough to beat. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Patrick George > SuperChargerHeaven Live in USA
10/14/2013 at 09:36

Not really. The Club edition is now the middle package that replaces the old Touring model. No extra power or anything like that.

Patrick George > Long Live the Longdoor
10/14/2013 at 09:37

As far as I can tell it's a carryover from the 2013 model. We're expecting the Miata to be all-new for 2015. No details on that yet, but the buzz is it's going to be amazing. That platform will also be used for a new Alfa Romeo Spider.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 09:38

So, when can we see Jalopnik Comparison Tests? They could be like the Motorweek ones where they just grab two hapless rubes off the streets and ask for there opinions.

Can I volunteer to be one of the hapless rubes?

Patrick George > Long Live the Longdoor
10/14/2013 at 09:38

I got a few good ones on a country drive in Virginia yesterday! Hoping to get more before the week's over.

Patrick George > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/14/2013 at 09:45

I'd love to do comparos. I'll send that up the chain, see if it's do-able.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 09:46

Kinja'd!!!

Long Live the Longdoor > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 09:55

Interesting, I've been following the information trail but didn't know it'd be a 2015 model. Good to know, thanks.

Long Live the Longdoor > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 09:57

Sweet, make sure to share em :)

Scott Keelan > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 10:11

I like the color combo. I think the black wheels and black top go together really well.

From a practical standpoint, when the hard top is down does it intrude into the trunk? I remember seeing the G37 hard top at an auto show with the top down and it literally took up the entire trunk.

Patrick George > Scott Keelan
10/14/2013 at 10:13

Yeah, the red/black is pretty badass. It's the best looking NC Miata I've seen.

I don't think the hardtop takes up much of the trunk. I had some stuff back there and it didn't seem to be a problem. Let me investigate and get back to you, that's a great question.

H4N5 GRU83R > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 10:17

Have you driven a soft top version? If so how does the handling compare with the hardtop version?

daender > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 10:28

Ever driven the 5-speed variant? Do you think the version you drove would benefit from the 5's slightly longer gear ratios?

Volvosaurus-Rex > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 10:32

How do you think this compares to the first-gen miata?

Same question for second gen?

Scott Keelan > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 11:34

Thanks, I look forward to your reply. It would be a shame if it does take up a lot of space with the top down. That would sadly discourage any luggage-intensive road trips with the top down.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 11:52

Can you get it with the soft top? You know, for Simplify and Add Lightness?

To be honest, I almost bought a brand new NC with the soft top and 5 speed gearbox. I say almost, because I bought a 2007 Z4 3.0si soft top instead. That is going to the track next Friday, once I get the new brake pads in...

I loved the NC Miata on the test drive. It's fabulous just as you say!

But then I got something that was basically the same thing with a BMW Inline 6.

Game. Set. Match.

Enjoy your week!

Patrick George > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
10/14/2013 at 12:43

Yup, you can get it with a soft top. It's a few grand cheaper too. The PRHT is really great, but I'd probably go soft top if I bought one.

Patrick George > Scott Keelan
10/14/2013 at 20:45

Hey! I'm happy to report that putting the top down does not affect trunk space in the least. The top goes into a little compartment between the trunk and the cabin. It's pretty great. actually.

SpeedSix > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 21:05

Do you think the grey wheels look better or worse than regular silver wheels on a Miata?

Patrick George > SpeedSix
10/14/2013 at 21:13

Better. I think the smoked out greys are pretty badass. It's a matter of personal taste, though.

Scott Keelan > Patrick George
10/14/2013 at 21:58

Awesome. Thank you for investigating.