2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata User Reviews

Pros

FUN

Cons

Small

Purchased As Used

You don't so much as drive a Miata you wear it. It feels more like something you put on more than something you get in. Great fun.

Pros

Looks awesome, handles like on rails, price

Cons

MPG, road noise, jealous drivers

Purchased As New

I love this thing. Is it a practical family car? No. Is it a track star for the road? YES. I use it as my daily driver except when it rains, but only because it is still new.

Take it on a winding road and all your problems of the day melt away. Drop the top, which we can do here in the Bay Area about 2/3 of the year, and it is pure bliss.

It is a small car, but at 6' and portly, I fit fine, even with a hat and coat on. I can get out of it and not look like a fool. I am in my 40's so I get the "midlife crisis" car mularkey, but I don't care.

It is cheap on insurance (half that of my 7 y.o. Camry Hybrid),

With the bilstein shocks the ride is smooth yet firm.

If you are in the market and can drive one, GET THE MANUAL. I tried both, and you really need a manual for the full experience. I felt disconnected with the AT, and it seemed more sluggish. You do get 9 more HP with the MT as well.

The Club model is a track car for the road. It is geared for quickness, not high speed, though it will go just fine on the Interstate. It has a radio, Cruise control, AC, heater, and a Aux plug. That's about it, so if you need more creature comforts, opt for the grand touring model.

On long trips (say over 2 hours), you will want to stop sometimes, and with the smallish fuel tank, you will need to stop about every 250-300 miles, depending on how you drive it. It takes premium, so you will pay more ($4+ for 91 here in the bay area), and it gets a true 21-28 MPG depending on where and how you drive. Red light racing is dangerous here anyway, because of red light runners, but on a track you will likely get 15-18 at most. Same with a winding country road, like Calaveras or CA-130; on PCH you can do better, if you aren't stuck in traffic... On Interstates at ~70 I get 30 mpg and it is pretty tame. Again, thank those bilsteins for the tight alignment and tracking of the wheels.

So if you want a daily soccer mom car, look elsewhere. If you want a fun car you can throw a couple of bags and blast off for the weekend, or take the long way to or from work, you might find nirvana. I took the red one, because I wanted to be udnerstated (LOL), but the Club looks awesome in any color, especially with the black hardtop....read morehide

Pros

Great on gas, comfortable ride, peppy

Purchased As New

Life change. I sold our Porsche 911 Turbo and picked up a soft top Miata Club and we love it! Great little car - it is little - good looks, great pick up, and exhilarating with the top down. Although I miss the 415hp of the 911, I don't miss the 2k visits to the dealer and the rough ride. Great car; we're happy....read morehide

Pros

better fuel economy, more fun to drive and more comfortable than my Porsche.

Cons

Finnicky exhaust system (catalytic converter), cost of parts, clumsy cup holder.

Purchased As Used

My Porsche 911 was fun, but my Miata (loaded...don't know model) MX5 is FUN. Great visibility with the top down makes it a great urban car, and it's nimble enough to rip through traffic like a ME-109 through a bunch of bombers. Good wind defeating design and terrific heater make it a top-down possibility any month of the year. Surprisingly good luggage room; trunk holds two carry-on bags plus a lot of other stuff. Like Porsche drivers, we all wave furiously at each other in traffic, smiling like Howdy Doody....read morehide