2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata User Reviews

Of All The Cars I've Owned, This Is My Favorite Car — This has been a great car that continues to hold its appeal. I never get tired of it. Of course, it can't do everything well (i.e. it is not great for long drives) but for my daily commute (30 minutes each way), I love it. The manual convertible top literally takes about 6 seconds to put up or take down. I like the ragtop and find it more convenient than the hard top convertible that came a year or two after I bought this car. I'm not especially fond of the gearing; I think sixth should be more for cruising and run at lower RPMs.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

How Giving An Opinion Can Change What You Consider A Great Sports Car. — Car reviewed: MX-5 GT AT. Drove this car with "Manumatic" to review it for my 66-year young mother. Being an ex-road racer and die-hard Porsche man, I was really skeptical. WOW!!! This little car delivers crisp/precise handling. The chassis/suspension gives ample communication. The engine's power band is wide, but keep it there, 4k+, if you want to go "fast" and yes, this car is plenty fast for public roads. The MX-5 Miata is more about "Dynamics" and less, a lot less, about drag/ego/idiot street racing. The brakes are fade free with excellent modulation. DSC really works and will keep most out of trouble on the street. The automatic transmission "Manumatic" was the biggest surprise, offering complete control of the power band with solid, lightning quick up/down shifting; a very nice unit, given the pricing point. The steering wheel mounted “shifting paddles” are perfectly placed, better than some F1 units, IMHO. Interior noise is low, considering it’s an ultra light street convertible. At 6' 180lb's, I fit just fine, though this area is really shape dependent. Gauges and interior controls are well place (move door lock switches next the center mounted window switches). Manual top works great, real smart design. Great fuel mileage!! In short, a well rounded, solid sports car and a great value. That’s why “I” bought one.

Owner for 1 years, 0 months

Miles Driven per Year:3,000

I Love This Car. — This is a great car. When it is time to replace it, I'll buy another one. I've had more powerful cars and more luxury cars but none that I have enjoyed more. The biggest disappointment comes when you get where you are going. You don't want to end the trip. A sheer joy to drive.

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

The One Car That Delivers Most Fun With Least Cost Of Ownership — Most fun one can have in a car with least cost of ownership… I'm not a motoring journalist but I think I can be a good one. I'd love that job of endlessly driving all new cars but it also comes with having to type endlessly as well. Because I'm not good at typing up a review in 2 minutes, it'll come when I have some (lot) more time. After a very long time... Finally, after a few months, and after being motivated by a dear friend (who said I was very talented in this area and that I was wasting it by not trying), I've managed to allot some time and energy to this rather boring task of typing up a review about my superb little car - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Sport. So, if you've reached thus far, that means you don't have anything better to do and I will try to make sure that your time here has been worthwhile (or so you'll think). A word of caution: I may use a lot of clichés. Performance: Although it may only have a 170 horsepower (don't write in to complain; 166 bhp for 2006 automatic transmission and all models since 2007) 2.0 Liter In-line 4-cylinder engine, if you manage to change gears quickly on the super slick 6-speed close ratio gearbox, you will leave most other road users behind at a signal. Partly, this is because of a total lack of weight, (lighter cars accelerate quicker; only lighter cars available in US are Lotus Elise and Exige) and partly because of Variable Valve Timing. The job of VVT is to alter the timing of intake and exhaust valves at about 3,800 rpm, beyond which, you will feel an invisible push like you've been caught in a sea-wave, unless you're used to driving cars that cost more than twice as much as this one does. Did you know that the Mazda Miata/MX-5 is the most popular car in the weekend racing scene anywhere in the world? And it is the bestselling 2 seater convertible sports car in the world, in the history of automobile!! Brakes are phenomenal this side of carbon ceramics. They are steel disks on all four corners and have excellent feel, while not biting too quickly. This means, they are comfortable during normal everyday use as well as being more than sufficient (coupled with ABS) when it really matters. And because this car is so light weight, the momentum is not carried much far when you brake. Handling is epic as well. There are three factors working in conjunction here. One: The optional sport package (Bilstein shocks, Sport tuned suspension and Limited Slip Differential) is definitely worth if you want to race. Two: Near- perfect weight distribution (advantages of rear wheel drive) means near- perfect balance while cornering. Three: Again, lesser the weight, lesser the centrifugal force that pulls the car out of its track while turning. Even during normal driving, you can feel the laser sharp steering without a trace of under or over-steer. You can, if you want, break the rear tires free and manage a glorious power- slide, by applying too much power or by lifting off, and feeding in some opposite lock. When I power-slid this car for the first time in my life, this car did not make me feel like I'm ham-fisted (either that or I mastered power-sliding just by looking at youtube videos of others doing it). It flattered me, made me look like a hero (girls don't admit it but I think they secretly admire men who can power-slide). Build Quality: I've had this car for a few years now and the only repair it ever needed was one of the spark-plugs had a loose connection. But because of the hard suspension, the car rattles over bumps. Although these little sounds makes you think that something is falling apart, everything continues to work like a charm and nothing is broken. Even so, these rattles are definitely unnerving and concern-causing, making you keep your fingers crossed, wishing for that legendary Japanese reliability to be a reality and more than just a legend. Appearance: Should I comment on something as subjective as looks? I guess I can give my opinion of it with the obvious risk of looking like a queer (I assure you that I'm completely straight). For most people, the 1st and 2nd generation Miatas looked cute and hence feminine and in turn connected all the males driving it, to gay community. To me, there is nothing wrong with cars that look cute. I liked the looks of those very much. This 3rd generation styling is a trial to dissociate those views. I think it worked and I still like it a lot. To make the car look masculine, the Japs have gone to the Germans for styling the front end. Enough said!!! Cost of Ownership: It's simple physics actually - less weight means not much power required to make it move; therefore less gas consumed. It’s not very expensive to maintain either. You will not regret it for any reason if you bought this car. Fun Factor: As I said, it is the most fun once can have in a car with the least cost of ownership. Yes - you can have more fun in Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini - but think of what your expenditure is going to be. So I'll save my change, if you please, for a Porsche later in life. Damn! I wish either of two things to happen - 1. Mazda, if you're reading this, please make a non-convertible, hardtop, coupe version of MX-5 and lose that grinning face of post-2008 models. 2. Or somehow I find many millions...

Primary Use: Commuting to work

Perma-smile — This car is fun to drive! Performance is outstanding with a few mods here and there. Quality for the price is hands down no comparison. Styling with mods and tweeks here and there is a head turner. ZOOM-ZOOM my fellow Mx-5 owners

Primary Use: Commuting to work