Would you drive it? The Mazda MX-5 (ahem, Miata)

Dappered Car Correspondent Steven B. developed his passion for cars while growing up with a father who often used his son to help repair, rebuild, and restore makes and models of all kinds.  Like 1973 VW Super Beetle “all kinds”.  They also autocrossed together as a father son team.  Top 2nd Generation Photo credit: R. Traidas

Repeat after me; the Mazda Miata is not a girl’s car.  No matter what your 4×4 driving, flannel wearing buddy tells you.  The Miata is as close as you will get to a road legal go-kart at a reasonable price.  It’s practical to boot.  The roadster has enough room for you, your better half and a weekend bag.  What else could you need?

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is like that J.Crew Factory suit hanging up in your closet.  It is simple yet classic and if you were patient you got a great deal on it and best of all you will find any excuse to drive it.

The accessible, affordable, dependable (Japanese) MGB.  Left:  1st generation.  Right: 3rd generation

The Miata was released in 1989 as the spiritual successor to the classic British sports car.  Think MG’s MGB without all those pesky electrical problems.  The formula was simple: light weight, great handling, fuel efficient, reliable, and best of all affordable.  For 23 years Mazda has stuck to this formula just like your favorite pair of shoes.  There is nothing flashy and driving with the top down will never go out of style, unlike those square toed shoes you bought when you got your first job.

Miatas aren’t just used for lollygagging into work at an administrative assistant’s desk.  They’re built to be driven.
With a 50:50 weight balance, the Miata is a hugely popular car for amateur racing.

The current generation has been on sale since 2006 and with a new model coming in 2014 there are deals to be had.  A clean 2006 model with less than 70,000 miles can be purchased for less than $15,000.  If you wait until the late Fall or Winter you can get an even better deal and if you want to save even more then broaden your search to areas that don’t get much convertible weather.  Best of all these many of these were bought by older people that babied them and only drive them to the Early Bird Special at their favorite eatery.

With so much about the Miata to like it is easy to ignore the naysayers, and if the secretary jokes get overbearing just drop the top and step on the gas.