Familiarity may have dulled our appreciation for just how rare and special the Miata is — and how lucky we are that Mazda continues to build it. Certainly, it’s difficult to imagine a new lightweight, relatively barebones, and affordable sports car project being approved in today’s market, particularly one that refuses to play the “more is better” horsepower game. We shouldn’t take the MX-5 for granted.
That doesn’t exempt it from criticism, of course. The 4.5 cu-ft of trunk space is laughable (the soft top Miata adds an extra tenth of a cubic foot), the infotainment system feels dated, and the cabin is decidedly cramped with two people in there. If you don’t mind a fixed roof coupe, the Toyota GR 86 starts at around $30k: Mazda’s decision to load up the Miata RF Club with niceties like the Recaro seats, BBS wheels, and Brembo brakes (all of which are optional on the soft top Club trim), in contrast, helps propel this particular example to $41,970 all-in.
Chris Davies/SlashGear
As an 181-horsepower weekend plaything, that might seem excessive (and send you scurrying for the used car ads). Yet, with a splash of bravery, the RF’s added creature comforts and slight uptick in refinement could make it a daily driver for the right person. The rest of us can just watch them go grinning past, simmering with Soul Red envy, and hope Mazda doesn’t decide the Miata’s charms have outstayed their welcome.
