Mazda MX-5 Miata Deck Luggage Bag Red Trim (1989-2005)

It’s always fun to drive a Miata

It's always fun to drive a Miata, and you can have this joy in a barebones or pricier package. Enough has been said about the snappy turning possible with this roadster, which is accompanied by a wonderfully tuned exhaust providing a powerful, but not annoying, note out of the dual exhausts.

Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT

The 167-hp, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine has torque (140 lb-ft) to match the car's handling, but uses premium fuel. EPA mileage is 21 mpg (city) and 28 hwy, but I clocked just a tad more than that in 222 miles of mixed highway and suburban driving.

While it's not your father's Miata (early versions are smaller), the car is what my wife likes to call the "grandparents sports car," meaning there is adequate truck space to hold presents for the kids (or a couple of small suitcases). I don't like the Saturn Sky or Pontiac Solstice because with the top down there is no room to store more than a large, flexible fanny pack.

My only annoyance is more a personal quirk. I like to drive with my hand on the shift for the 6-speed manual transmission, resting my forearm on the center console. It's very easy to flick the wrist through the gears this way. But Mazda has the controls for both power windows just behind the shift, so passengers, when I drive, don't have access to the switch. (Plus I sometimes inadvertently roll down the windows—but I learned to avoid it after awhile.)

The Miata still can be considered a working-man's sports car, nice to drive, and there are plenty of spares and aftermarket parts for tuners and tinkerers—with a base price of $22,420 for the ragtop version. The tricked out PRHT (power retractable hardtop) version I recently tested (base price $26,060) was the Grand Touring model and had the optional $500 suspension package (too stiff for my older bones), which includes a limited slip differential. It also came with a $1,650 premium grouping of audio and electronic goodies (including stability control)—for the total MSRP of $31,010.

Retractable hard top seals deal for Mazda Miata

Retractable hard top seals deal for Mazda Miata
July 2, 2009
BY REX ROY SearchChicago – Autos Contributor

The Mazda MX-5, also known as the Mazda Miata, first appeared as a 1990 model during its wintry debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. That seems like a long time ago.

In the decades since, the Miata has become a favorite of enthusiasts, club racers and just about anybody who likes cute little convertibles.

The original Miata caused a stir because back in those days there was a dearth of affordable, two-seat, rear-wheel-drive convertibles. Memories of drop-tops sourced from Great Britain were fresher in the nation’s collective memory, so many saw the new Mazda as an automotive reincarnation in the spirit of the Triumph Sprite or MG Midget.

Of course, for anyone who owned one of those English gems, the fond memories were highly selective. Compared to the entirely modern and trouble-free Miata, the old Brit cars were as sophisticated as an anvil – but not nearly so reliable.

And they leaked: from the engines, from the transmissions, from the differentials, from the windshields and from the back light. Neither you nor your garage floor was ever guaranteed being dry.

Since 1990, Mazda has carefully polished the Miata/MX-5 to be a gem of a little car. The most recent update came for the 2009 model year. The most noticeable changes were to the resculpted front end that rid the little car of a guppy-like face. The more aggressive fenders Mazda first sculpted into its RX-8 have found a new home. There’s a deeper air intake up front, flanked by reshaped headlamps and foglamps. Lightweight 16- and 17-inch wheels are new for 2009 as well.

Inside, the open cockpit is surprisingly roomy for such a small car. The MX-5’s new seats provide good long-distance comfort, while the center console provides useful storage space. Pop the trunk in the Miata to find enough room for a couple duffel bags – about 5.3 cubic feet – enough for a weekend getaway.

Speaking of tops, my 2009 Mazda MX-5 tester had the power-retractable hard top (first available in 2007). This stands out as a best-of-both-worlds feature. It quickly motors up and down in a no-fuss manner. When shut, it provides fixed-roof interior quietness and weather sealing.

I’ve also driven recent editions of soft-top Miatas; that top goes down just as easily and can be released from the driver’s seat while waiting for a traffic light to change. The hard top weighs about 80 pounds more than the soft top, but the extra pounds don’t impact the car’s sporty performance.

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine spins up nicely. Horsepower is 140. Three gearboxes are offered: five- and six-speed manual transmissions and a six-speed automatic.

The six-speed shift-it-yourself variant in our tester had exceptionally short throws and the kind of action that makes it fun to row up and down the gears. With mileage of 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, the little car is fairly frugal, but not as efficient as one might expect given its size. The full-size, two-ton 2010 Ford Taurus with a 3.5-liter V-6 gets the same highway mileage.

Performance-wise, redline on the 2.0-liter four-cylinder is high, 7,200 rpm, and the engine remains composed at those revs.

Above 3,000 rpm, the engine pulls, but don’t expect the power of a 6.2-liter V-8 out of a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS.

The engine delivers the kind of performance that’s perfect for country two-lanes or running through hills or canyons.

On roads like these, the MX-5 comes alive. Its short wheelbase whips around corners effortlessly. Body roll is tightly controlled, and the steering tells you exactly what’s going on at road level. It is no wonder the Miata has its own class in SCCA racing.

When driving at a more sedate pace, the overdrive gearing found in sixth lets the engine settle down nicely, even at an 80-mph cruise.

Standards include a long list that would leave owners of old British cars checking their dictionaries: power windows, power mirrors, a CD player and tilt steering column. Optional features include power door locks, Sirius satellite radio, steering-wheel audio controls and a sport suspension.

Dual front and side airbags, along with antilock brakes, are standard, but stability control is only available on the high-end Grand Touring.

While the dimensions of the Miata have grown along with its features list over the two decades it’s been available, Mazda has kept the focus of the Miata MX-5 the same as it always was: to be a reliable, trouble-free, affordable sports car.

True to its nature, the 2009 Mazda Miata MX-5 was easy to live with when it was in our care. Even during torrential rains, the interior stayed dry. More importantly, as I backed it out of its garage space every morning, the floor was dry too.

Rex Roy is a Detroit-based automotive journalist and author. He can be reached at www.RexRoy.net.

2009 MAZDA MX-5/MIATA

ENGINE: 140-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder

TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual

DRIVETRAIN: rear-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 22 city/28 highway

BASE PRICE: $26,140

New Board Members

The vote for the 2009-2010 First Coast Miata Club was conducted on June 13th. The results are:

PRESIDENT Shirley Kaye

VICE PRESIDENT Jose Cordero

SECRETARY Linda French

TREASURER Bill Branning

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Mike French

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Colin Busch

EVENTS COORDINATOR Clark Pierce

WEBMASTER Rolando Almaguer

Maintenance Schedule

Maintenance Schedule

Regular Maintenance

First a quick revue on maintenance items and frequency. Oil and filter every 3,000-4,000 miles. Rotate tires every 6,000-8,000 miles (every other oil change). 4 wheel alignment every 15,000 miles. Stock air filter every 15,000 miles. Wiper inserts/blades every 15,000 miles. I change my spark plugs every 15,000 miles. (Stock plugs are good for about 20,000 miles.)

30,000 Mile Maintenance

Let's look at the 30,000 mile maintenance. Include tune up, fuel filter, brake/clutch fluid flush and coolant flush. If the car has stock 80w-90 weight lube, I also change the transmission and differential fluids. Change to red line and replace every 60,000. I have not seen the need, or had any reason to use gas, or oil additives, but I hear they are a real money maker! Note: It's been found in racing applications, the Torsion differential had problems with metal fragments. The cure was to change the fluid after the first 100 miles or so. Not bad advice for any new car, I would change the transmission fluid at this time also. Ignition wires, before 45,000 miles.

60,000 Mile Maintenance

This brings us to the 60,000 mile maintenance. The "Big One". Assuming all maintenance has been done on the car to date, this is what to expect. A full tune-up and fluid change, including the brake and clutch fluid. Suspension and brakes should be checked. (A good time to think of replacing those old shocks!) Four wheel alignment. All the belts. If money is tight, the timing belt could wait, but don't wait too long (no more than 75,000). You do stand the risk of being stranded if the belt breaks. If the belt breaks, there should do no further damage to the engine, (this engine is a non interference type) but it will not run. When the timing belt is replaced, be sure to have the camshafts and crankshaft seals replaced. This is a job for someone that will stand by their work. It is very easy to scratch the surface of the shafts when pulling the old seals out. If this happens, the new seals will leak and could be expensive to repair. Be sure the crankshaft bolt is cleaned, and Loctite is used along with the correct torque. When the timing belt is being replaced, be sure to have the water pump checked for leakage. The water pump is mounted inside the timing belt area. If the water pump has to be replaced, the timing belt has to be taken off to gain access to the pump. Best to check it when the belt is off the car, if it is leaking, it can be replaced for a lot less labor at this time. When a timing belt is replaced, the valve cover gasket should also be renewed. (The valve cover has to be removed to replace the belt.) The timing has to be adjusted after doing a timing belt, so if you have a preferred spec (14 deg, 18 deg) this can be done at this time. Also, if you are running a setting other than stock, be sure the technician working on the car is aware of it, or he may put it back to a stock setting.

Finding A Shop

Finding a shop. I guess it's like picking any other service, (Doctor, Lawyer, Hairstylist) word of mouth is the best indicator, letting people with like tastes and expectations help guide you to a shop that will suite your needs.What to look for when searching for a repair shop for your Miata: Looks are deceiving, but on the whole, a clean shop would be better than a grease pit. (Not always true, but someone that has pride in their work, usually has pride in their shops appearance.) A well equipped shop is a must. For example, any shop can have a tire machine, but is it the type that will not destroy the rim of a mag wheel trying to get these new low profile tires mounted? Can you talk to the technician working on your car directly? Or do you have to try and communicate with a go between, and hope the information reaches the person doing the work on your car? Are they knowledgeable of your car? (Better yet, do they own one?) Do they have access to information on your car? (Manuals, CD system etc.) Are they certified technicians? (ASE, Mazda etc.) Will they stand behind their work? The best place to find these answers is through your local Miata chapter. You have a whole network of people at your disposal, and most will be willing to tell you about their favorite repair shop, also the places to steer clear from.

Tips

When you bring your car in for a 4 wheel alignment, ask, when was the last time the alignment machine was calibrated? If it's a dealer, and it's been over a week, ask them to call you the day it's being calibrated and make an appointment for the next day. Reason: At a larger repair shop, many people use the alignment equipment, and the chances are greater that a projector could be dropped, knocking the calibration of the machine out of spec. The problem with a large shop, is that nobody likes to own up to throwing the equipment out of calibration, the only way it shows up, is with cars coming back with complaints (it could be your car) until the company is called to re calibrate the machine. Sometimes, the company is under contract to calibrate once a month or so. If a smaller shop has alignment equipment, there are less people involved with using it, and more incentive to keep the machine accurate. Many small shops can not afford to call up the company to calibrate the machine on a regular basis, so they invest in the equipment and knowledge to calibrate in house, when ever they feel it necessary. When someone's personal reputation is on the line, they tend to do a better job, and do it the first time around. If a technician hides under the cloak of a large franchise or operation, they have less personal liability. Their incentive is to churn the work out as quickly as possible.

More Thoughts

I know a lot of people like to change their own oil etc. on their cars. The question is, are you really do the best thing for your car, or yourself? Apart from the hassle of getting the car on ramps, getting covered with oil, trying to get that dam oil filter off, and disposing of the toxic waste in a politically correct manner. Is the car getting the inspection or maintenance it should? Are the brake lines checked? The brake calipers checked for leakage? Brake pads checked for wear? Differential and transmission seals checked? Tire pressure checked? Tire wear noted? Doors lubed? Fluids filled? Heat shields checked? Clutch linkage lubed? Etc. Etc. All these things can done at a glance when the car is serviced on a lift, and all for about $25. One of the best deals I know of. I would rather spend my time driving the Miata than crawling under it! I have a container with 200-300 objects pulled from tires that were leaking. All these were noticed doing routine maintenance, and noticing one tire was a few pounds lower than the rest. If the air pressure wasn't checked every oil change (3,000-4,000 miles) one low tire wouldn't mean much, and further investigation for a nail would probably not be done. This is just one example of preventive maintenance, if it is not done on a regular basis, many things could go unnoticed until it is too late. Happy motoring!

Funny Miata Video

Click on the link below to see a Miata with the top Down in the Rain!!!!

Wet Miata

Dedicated to Colin!