Though it’s the base trim of Mazda’s sporty Miata lineup, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport Convertible still packs all the standard driving pizzazz of its more feature-laden siblings. This snappy 2-seater, when delivered with the standard 5-speed manual transmission, boasts handling worthy of cars costing thousands more, while offering a standard manually folding soft top, 16-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery and leather and simulated alloy cabin trim. Standard power windows and mirrors bless this hot little roadster, with power windows and mirrors, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and floor mats topping off the list of comfort and convenience features. Entertainment, meantime, comes compliments of an MP3-capable single-CD changer and 6 speakers. Should the available 6-speed automatic transmission be selected with the MX-5 Miata Convertible, expect standard cruise control, remote power door locks and steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls to be added to the amenities list. Unfortunately, luggage space is limited to an afterthought with only 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space, but a miniscule trunk is a fact of sports-car life.
Options for Mazda’s cool Miata Sport Convertible, meantime, include a 6-CD changer and satellite radio, while an Appearance Package adds a front air dam and chassis skirts and the available Convenience Package offers cruise control and a trip computer in the 5-speed stick-shift trims. An available power trunk opener and upgraded power windows can be delivered in either the manual- or automatic-endowed trims as part of the Convenience Package as well.
Standard power for the 2012 MX-5 Miata Sport Convertible consists of a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine and 5-speed manual transmission. Look for 167 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque with the stick shift, while a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission is also available, boasting steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Beware, however, that the automatic delivers only 158 hp. Sport Convertible trims equipped with the 5-speed manual can expect 22 mpg city/28 highway, while the automatic-endowed trims will go through recommended premium gas at a 21/28 clip.
Standard safety features on the 2012 MX-5 Miata Sport Convertible include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control and side-mounted airbags with a head protection chamber. Sport Convertibles with the 6-speed automatic additionally boast standard front fog/driving lights.
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