2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review [Video]
The first and second generation Miatas (as the MX-5 was previously known) are legendary for their nimble chassis, superlative shifters and no-frills open-air motoring. By modern standards, the previous cars are varying degrees of crude, with less-than-stellar highway manners, a compact cabin and a somewhat dated feel.
On the other hand, the Miatas drawbacks undeniably lend it much of its charm, and the newest MX-5, with its power folding hardtop, relatively plush interior and torquey 2.0L engine is undeniably improved. The question is, does it come at the expense of the original cars essence?
ALL THATS GOOD ABOUT THE ORIGINAL, PLUS SOMEIf you ask us, we can unequivocally say that the MX-5 is a triumph, and is a rightful heir to the Miatas lineage. Rather than being a diluted, super-sized caricature of its former self, the MX-5 takes all of the old cars weaknesses and buttresses them. Gone is the rough, gutless economy car engine, replaced by a growling 2.0L four-banger making 167 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque.
A 6-speed manual gearbox is an option on certain models (and fitted on our test car in place of a 5-speed stick or a 6-speed automatic gearbox). While the shifter retains the same tight, precise feel as the original car, the MX-5s clutch is trickier to operate, owing to a much lighter flywheel that allows for rapid clutch engagement, quicker shifts and a much freer-revving feel than its humble roots would suggest.
We couldnt verify the cars claimed 0-60 time of roughly 7 seconds, but the MX-5 certainly feels much faster. It may not look impressive on paper, but for everyday situations, the MX-5s grunt is more than adequate. Fuel economy for the MX-5 was less than impressive although officially rated at 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, if youre driving this car like its meant to be driven, it will be impossible to hit those numbers.
Straight-line performance isnt the only leap forward that the MX-5 has made. With big 18-inch wheels, sticky tires, Bilstein dampers and a limited-slip differential, the MX-5 feels just as nimble as the original car, but the overall experience is markedly different. Rather than the low-down, flickable cornering style of the Miata (which also happened to be plagued with substantial body roll and insufficient grip from the stock tires) the MX-5 feels much more planted and stable, yet can hardly be called boring.
Mazda 5 Reviews - News
While the Mazda5 GS isn't an overly exciting vehicle to drive or look at, it's also not boring. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/.com) Why is that? Mazda is a company that clearly understands its customers and while they push the envelope on occasion,
![2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review [Video]](http://nt1.ggpht.com/news/tbn/VS4XwIYzrnJqLM/6.jpg)
It's been a long time since a car has made us spontaneously giggle like an excited child, but the Mazda MX-5 managed to evoke that reaction within 15 seconds of climbing in the driver's seat. Having spent time in previous iterations, we approached the
One other major winning factor is the price--you can hop into one for a little over $23000. For a complete take on the safety, quality, performance, styling, and features of the , read the full review at TheCarConnection.
ART DIRECTOR CHERYL L. BLAHNIK: This 2011 Mazda MX-5 is the first convertible I've been in this summer, and the weather was perfect. So I jumped in, undid the latch and pushed the button to stow the power hardtop and I was off in this fancy Miata with
In past reviews, we've been generally positive about the Mazda5, but criticisms have included a lack of power when there is a full load of passengers and cargo on board, intrusive cabin noise, and a rather hard ride. It appears that Mazda has addressed
2010 Mazda Mazda5 Review by Joe Wiesenfelder
The small-minivan idea is a good one, yet most minivan models have either grown or — in the case of Mazda's MPV — disappeared. Complete with three rows of two seats each and the genre-defining sliding side doors, the Mazda5 is arguably the only small van on the market — a microvan. It's so much smaller than others in its segment that comparing it with minivans is pointless. It's closer in size — inside and out — to compact crossovers, but its closest competitor is the Kia Rondo, which has a similar layout and an optional third-row seat, but four conventional hinged side doors.
On its own merits, the Mazda5 is pleasant enough to drive and live with, and its starting price and cargo space are impressive. It's when you compare its passenger space with that of the Rondo and small SUVs that you wonder if its benefits extend beyond the sliding doors.
The Mazda5 comes in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. Our test car was a Touring equipped with a rear bumper guard and satellite radio as its only options. Click here to see changes from the 2009 model year.
Exterior & StylingThe sliding doors say "minivan," but many see the Mazda5 as a wagon. Minivans tend not to set hearts aflutter, but there's one thing I appreciate about the 2010 Mazda5, and that's its styling. It's nothing special, but it's also not the redesigned 2011 Mazda5 that's due at dealerships early in 2011; Mazda has already released photos (click on the thumbnails to the right). The 2011 has a less restrained design, including the smiling grille most new Mazda models get, plus a new characteristic: wavelike accent lines in the bodyside sheet metal. On the upside, the 2011 lowers the taillights and eliminates the clear-lens-over-chrome style, which is outdated at best.
Competing for SpaceThe interior is well-engineered and well-executed, but there's no avoiding the fact that there are six seats in a relatively small space. This isn't uncommon, but many models sacrifice space in just the rear seats, while the Mazda5 distributes legroom more evenly. As the table farther down this page reflects, the Mazda5 has less front-seat legroom than the Rondo and a few compact crossovers. The Mazda5's dimensions seem only slightly smaller — 1.
Car owners give their opinions at Auto Trader - find the latest used car reviews for the #MX-5
Car owners give their opinions at Auto Trader - find the latest used car reviews for the #MX-5
Car owners give their opinions at Auto Trader - find the latest used car reviews for the #MX-5
Car owners give their opinions at Auto Trader - find the latest used car reviews for the #MX-5 Mazda 5 Reviews - Bookshelf
The Contemporary review
Then answered Ahura-Mazda, ' (They shall look about) for a pure man, 0 holy Zarathustra, " 5. ' Who speaks true words, and recites the Manthra (Avesta), "6. ...The Wireless world and radio review
Power pentode with generous tone- corrected filter-fed output. Valves : Cossor 210 II L, two Mazda 21 5 SO and Mazda Pen. 220. ...Electrical world
Business Reviews, Together with Market Letters from Important Trade Centers ... The white "Mazda C" lamp is 5 cents cheaper at 60 cents; the 15-watt and 25- ...General Electric review
Car Equipped with 56 Watt Railway Mazda Lamps and Clear Reflectors ... Watts for for for for 105 volts for use 5 Group Group Group Group in series on 525 ...Electrical review
Bock and Stationery 3-6 Dry Goods 4-7 Clothing 4-7 Furniture 3-5 Drug 4-6 ... Lumen Output of the 110-125-Volt Mazda Lamps Commonly Used for Store Lighting. ...Casual News Directory
2010 Mazda MAZDA5
A review of the 2010 Mazda MAZDA5 that covers pros and cons, available options, powertrains and overall driving performance.
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2010 Mazda MAZDA5 Reviews and Ratings - The Car Connection
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2011 Mazda MAZDA5 Reviews and Ratings - The Car Connection
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