One Week Drive: 2016 Miata Club

"Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom" (will-alib)
08/24/2016 at 23:49 • Filed to: 2016 Miata Club, will alibrandi

Miata Club in Soul Red

Mazda’s MX-5 Miata has been in production since 1989, and is now in its fourth generation for the 2016 model year. The car draws its heritage draws from classic British roadsters from the 1950's and 60's such as the MG and Triumph. The combination of a flickable chassis and an engine that likes to rev has resulted in the Miata being the best-selling two seat convertible sports car in history, with over 1,000,000 cars sold worldwide as of April 2016.

2-liter 155hp Skyactiv motor. Down on power from the NC but faster 0-60.

The Miata is powered by a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder rated at 155hp and 148lb-ft torque backed up by a six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential. A six-speed autobox is optional. This engine in the 2,332lb Miata provides a 0-60 acceleration time in the high 5-second range, and an EPA rating of 27mpg city and 34 highway (30 combined). Horsepower is down a tad from the NC’s 167hp but the car’s curb weight has also received some attention and is down from around 2,480lb. The ND is about one second faster 0-60 than the previous NC.

Miata’s cozy cockpit. The fixed display looks a bit tacked-on and is controlled by the rotary dial on the console.

Anybody familiar with the MX-5 will immediately recognize this cockpit. Drivers up to six feet will find the cabin cozy but not overly tight, although taller drivers may find the seat adjustment runs out of rearward travel. The gauges are simple and placed well so that the steering wheel spokes don’t block them. Gone for 2016 is the retractable hard top; a victim of Mazda’s quest for weight savings. The soft top is easy to raise and lower; operation is a one-handed affair.

The test car had the optional Brembo/BBS package. Yours for only $3400.

On the road, the Miata doesn’t disappoint; the steering is truly telepathic and the 2.0 liter engine feels like it will rev into the stratosphere. This is fortunate as it must be wound up to move the car with any kind of gusto. There is no discernible body roll, and the suspension provides a firm ride, but not jarring over unimproved pavement. The six-speed manual transmission has a precise feel and shifts are fluid and positive. Mazda has gone back to its original formula for its elemental sports car by reducing weight by nearly 200lbs over the NC. The latest iteration is a car that’s highly entertaining and comfortable on the street while sure to be a hoot on the track.

DISCUSSION (8)

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/25/2016 at 01:34

The one thing I haven’t been able to reconcile with the MX-5 is the motor. People say it’s smooth and rev-happy, but in my experience I’ve found Mazdas rough and slightly agricultural. Not as gruff and grumbly as Fiat’s 1.4, but definitely not on the level of Honda’s inline-4s.

I haven’t driven an ND, but I have driven a 124 Spider. Great Mazda platform, pick-your-flavour relationship with the ND.

samssun > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
08/25/2016 at 06:00

I think “rev happy” and “loves to rev” are just fallback phrases when you can’t praise the performance, kind of like how any engine described as “sporty” is a dog. “Needs to rev” might be more accurate.

Pretty sure the Miata hits 7k, same as every other 4-banger in existence. My 93 Nissan V6 does 7400, by comparison.

nerd_racing > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
08/25/2016 at 07:40

The original miata mill, the Mazda B series engine family, was always a bit more harsh than most 4 cylinders. They made a good bit of vibration and consequently in the aftermarket you would see things like cracked tubular manifolds if they were too thin walled (every cheap ss autochrome turbo manifold ever) and the turbo supports were not braced. But man I loved the B series a lot. Some people are regularly cracking the 700 whp range with them now.

Arrivederci > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/25/2016 at 09:52

PRHT is coming back with the ND RF.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
08/25/2016 at 09:58

I had no complaints with the motor, other than thinking a bump in torque would be nice. In my perfect world this car would have 200hp/200 trq. Soon as I can get my mitts on a 124 (hopefully the Abarth) I'll have a better comparison.

tpw_rules > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
08/25/2016 at 12:03

I have an NC and I agree. It doesnt feel like they knew how to design the computer. It’s practically undrivable after the battery is disconnected because it runs so poorly. Once it’s happy again, mine still randomly chugs and just doesn’t feel like it wants to accelerate, particularly from a stop. But it’s only got 50k miles,happens rarely, and no hint of an issue once i’m out of first.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
08/25/2016 at 14:30

I really enjoyed my test drive in the ND. I just fit, but I do, and I could definitely have fun dailying it (current DD is an E90 M3).

Looking forward to maybe picking one up secondhand for $10-15k at some point. Would be a perfect car for my kids to learn to drive manual on.

Might end up with a BRZ/FR-S/86 instead, if it’s going to be their first car. Quite a bit more practical!

BayAreaMiataBoi > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
08/25/2016 at 18:10

My Dad’s four-cylinder MG-TC sounded like a delivery truck with no muffler.
It's good to see that the Miata is closely adhering to the agricultural sounds experienced in classic British roadsters!