All that you do is pull down a large central latch then hold down the top control button mounted on the center console. Somewhat soft springs and relatively tall aspect-ratio tires make for a comfortable ride, but also induce more body roll than you might expect out of a sub-2,600-pound car. One major option is a Bose audio system that changes its settings for better sound, depending on whether the top is up or down. Roll hoops are included, and they're designed to deliver rollover protection, although they're not all that high. Our professional team of reporters have many years of experience covering the latest cars, trucks, upcoming new-car launches and car shows. Glove box space is fair, if not voluminous; there's a center console cubby that doubles as a dual drink holder; two more cupholders can be found in either door; a larger center cubby between the seats can be locked for secure storage; and two larger cubbies behind each seat complete in-cabin storage.
In real-world driving, we've done better, however, with some of our editors' drives managing more than 32 mpg on the highway. We do think it's a little odd that Bluetooth hands-free connectivity is very difficult to get in the Miata; it's only offered with the Premium Package, optional on the Grand Touring, and packaged with xenon headlamps, advanced keyless entry, and Sirius Satellite Radio. Throughout the model line there's a six-speed automatic transmission on offer; you get steering-wheel shift paddles, but we can in no way recommend it over the manual gearboxes, which have light clutches, short, precise lever throws, and levels of driver involvement that really enhance the open-top experience. It seemed like everywhere I went, someone was asking questions about it and telling me how great it looked. Add in the gently flared fenders, smooth surfaces, and lightly contoured hood, and you get an exterior that's just the right amount of classy and understated to go with the naturally flamboyant layout.
I had to replace the seat material. It looks and feels like a sporty roadster should feel and it was comfortable on both long trips and short drives to the store. The seats are well-contoured, supportive, and bolstered for sporty driving, and there's plenty of space for long legs to extend ahead. No joke…of all of the cars that I have tested in the past few years including much more expensive sports and luxury cars…none of them drew more comments. It can also very comfortably climb up over the century mark and it will hit those speeds with the same urgency whether the top is up or down where some sporty convertibles have a drastically more strict speed limited when the top is down. Even with the top up, there is a bunch of head room for the driver and passenger to go with tons of leg room, knee room elbow room and shoulder room. I do have to think twice about making any purchase as the cargo space is extremely li.
The windows drop as needed and the hard tonneau in front of the trunk lifts up to accept the folding top, then it closes once the top is safely tucked away. Unlike many roadsters that look very awkward with the top up, the power retractable hard top allows this car to look like your average coupe when the roof is closed and the fact that the roof is gloss black on the bright red car really hammers home the black and red theme. But because it's geared more for performance, it's not quite that fuel-efficient. Yet its balanced handling, rigid construction, and excellent braking can put it at a significant advantage in helping to avoid accidents. The Club package makes this car look great on the outside with lots of racy black trim while the grown up interior offers real seating space for two adults without feeling like they are being crushed. New for 2013 is the Club trim. Slowing down for a corner seems so antiquated now.
More than 20 years ago, the Miata kicked off a roadster renaissance, and it's become a motoring icon for those who like sports cars that are light, lean, and relatively simple. I had to replace the seat material on the drivers side were it wore thru. Yet its balanced handling, rigid construction, and excellent braking can put it at a significant advantage in helping to avoid accidents. The sense of confidence it provides and how solid and planted it feels in all conditions. The shallowness of the trunk is essentially a limiting factor, making it a top-loader and limiting the number of things that will fit; there's plenty of space for weekend bags, though.
Zero to 60 mph times vary by the trim and soft or hard top choice, but the range gets to 60 mph in about seven seconds. The top operation is super quick and super easy. It is now very clear to me why so many Miata owners love their little roadsters and why so many of them frequent the race track as this car offers race worthy road handling while maintaining a level of ride quality that allows this to be your daily driver and your weekend racer. The back end has mostly smooth, rounded lines but there are a few hard lines here and there to break up the bubbly feel. You can definitely feel the road through the chassis and the steering more than you can with, say, the Mazda 6 but it is far from excessive and in the end — anyone buying a car like this should expect a stiff, sporty ride. Space and styling aside, I could definitely see why people who loved to drive were so attracted to the Miata.
Special graphics and badges are also included, as are dark gunmetal 17-inch alloys. Out only complaint--and what will keep you from wanting to take the Miata on a long trip or make it your car of choice on a rigorous commute--is that there's a fair amount of road and wind noise in the cabin, even with the top up. . There's enough space to fit even those well over six feet tall, while cargo space is enough for a set of weekend bags though you give up some cargo space in the hard-top versions. Fit and finish are okay. On a tank of fuel where I drove the car hard with a fairly even mix of city and highway driving, I got around 21mpg average but much of that was with the top down so aerodynamics are compromised on top of the fact that I kept the accelerator pinned to the floorboard. I was told years ago that if I took out a Mazda Miata and really drove it hard, I would fall in love with this compact Japanese roadster and that person was 100% correct.
Visually, its special graphics and badging on the outside help it standout, while the black cloth seats get red contrast stitching and there's a new body-color decoration panel across the dash. For a roadster, there's a lot of storage space in the Miata; and in general, storage space is better than you might think. From the front, the look of the Miata has changed very slightly this year, with a new front fascia for all the models. But some shoppers are going to find it frustrating that Bluetooth connectivity is only offered as part of an option package, on the Grand Touring. It is not great in snow or long freeway drives. The power hard top's only disadvantage is that it steals away with some of the trunk space there's just 5.
New this year is a Club trim that slots between the base Sport and the top Grand Touring. Optional extras include a six-speed automatic transmission, satellite radio, and a sport suspension--plus a Bose audio system that changes its settings for better sound, depending on whether the top is up or down. Torque News provides a fresh perspective not found on other auto websites with unique pieces on design, international events, product news and industry trends. A separate detachable hard top is available for the soft-top models. He explained that he gets a lot of crap from his buddies with Mustangs and Camaros because he drives a four cylinder roadster but he told me that I should make sure to drive one and see if I still have the same questionable opinion. It handles and drives like a true sports car should.
With the big, black grille, the black front chin spoiler and the black fog light bezels, the car looks super sporty. Visually, its special graphics and badging on the outside help it standout, while the black cloth seats get red contrast stitching and there's a new body-color decoration panel across the dash. Anti-lock brakes, front and seat-mounted side airbags, and stability control are all standard in the Miata. It handles and drives like a true sports car should. This is a great fun in the sun California care. Get the power hard top and it's a little better-isolated.