A Tale of Two Miatas, Part One
 I've been driving our long-term 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata for almost two weeks now. So far, it's been a very fun, though not a particularly convenient, car to have. Interestingly, this decription could also be applied to a car I happen to own: a 1997 Mazda Miata.
Having the two cars together at the same time has provided me the opportunity to observe how Mazda changed and improved its Miata roadster design during the past nine years. For this post, I've come up with a few categories that can be used to articulate where the improvements – or lack thereof – have occured from the first generation to the third generation. I'll also be making another post later this week similar to this one, but with driving impressions.
Exterior design: With both cars parked in my garage, it's easy to see how numbers on a spec sheet translate into real sheet metal. The 2006 car takes up a little more room in terms of length and width, and its beltline is higher. It's styling is more aggressive and less curvaceous but marred by some overwrought styling choices, such as the bulging fender flares. Exterior design is one of the few areas where I feel the 1997 car, with its more classic and sensual look, still has the advantage.
Interior design: I'm of average height but my head still rubs against the roof in the '97 car. The 2006 Miata's extra size makes a noticeable difference. There's more headroom and general airiness to the cabin. The overall look of our long termer's interior, however, is a little bland as compared to my '97 Miata, which happens to be an M Edition. The long-termer's steering wheel-mounted audio controls are very convenient, but the car's climate controls knobs are harder to deceipher than the '97's tried-and-true slider design.
Top operation: No question here. The new car's top is considerably better. Mazda desgined it to have just one release clamp, not two, and it conveniently turns into its own tonneau cover when lowered. Plus, you get a glass rear window and defroster. (My car happens to have been upgraded from the original plastic to a glass rear window, but there's no defroster.)
Storage space: Both trunks are pretty similar in size. The new car has strut hinges for the trunk lid while the old car has gooseneck hinges. I did notice that Mazda has done away with the space-saver tire on our long-termer and gone with an inflation kit instead.
Look for my second comparison post later this week.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor, Edmunds.com
5,650 miles
Posted by Brent Jul 10, 2006 3:46 pm
Permalink
Categories: 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
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Generation 2 Review
My mom as a 2002 with the same color top and car as the one on the right. I love it!! the top goes up and down with one hand (although it is kind of heavy to bring up)!! The ac has knobs and there is enough headroom and legroom for me at 6'0. The problem is entrance and exit... The stereo is great and the leather is firm. We drove it from miami to jacksonville (almost 7hours) with the top up because we stuffed a suitcase in the boot so rearward visibillity was nil! The seats get uncomfortable after the firrst 4hours and require a pillow behind the back since there is no lumbar. Purchased for $15k with 32k miles and she is still running strong. Wish we would have gotten a 2006 for the heated seats and extra speakers. Ours has 4 bose speakers and all are in front (two on door bottom by feet, 2 by exterior mirror) of you so you seem to be going into the music and bass gets lost in the wind. We store our CDs in the little net behind the seats that run the with of the interior and close with the snap button. The glove box is small and so is the armrest. The window switches are in the middle and takes some getting use to as are the gas and trunk switches in the arm rest. We took out the ashtray and use the base for another cup holder. Finally the trunk is still roomy and if more space is needed, put it where the top will fall when you put it down.
pros: Heated rear glass, Performance, top operation, trunkspace for a 2seater, stereo equilizer (adjusts for when top is up or down), AC how easy it is to wash (except for when top gets dirty which isn't often. suprising for cream color).
cons: firm seats, the bass that is MIA when top is down, wind noise, mist that seeps through the frameless window (just a little when driving 80mph in the rain), Seats that make you choose between recline for comfort or slide for room (" sorry! Its not burger-king you can't have it your way" mom tells me), tiny door pockets, top up visibility.
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Generation 2 Review
My mom as a 2002 with the same color top and car as the one on the right. I love it!! the top goes up and down with one hand (although it is kind of heavy to bring up)!! The ac has knobs and there is enough headroom and legroom for me at 6'0. The problem is entrance and exit... The stereo is great and the leather is firm. We drove it from miami to jacksonville (almost 7hours) with the top up because we stuffed a suitcase in the boot so rearward visibillity was nil! The seats get uncomfortable after the firrst 4hours and require a pillow behind the back since there is no lumbar. Purchased for $15k with 32k miles and she is still running strong. Wish we would have gotten a 2006 for the heated seats and extra speakers. Ours has 4 bose speakers and all are in front (two on door bottom by feet, 2 by exterior mirror) of you so you seem to be going into the music and bass gets lost in the wind. We store our CDs in the little net behind the seats that run the with of the interior and close with the snap button. The glove box is small and so is the armrest. The window switches are in the middle and takes some getting use to as are the gas and trunk switches in the arm rest. We took out the ashtray and use the base for another cup holder. Finally the trunk is still roomy and if more space is needed, put it where the top will fall when you put it down.
pros: Heated rear glass, Performance, top operation, trunkspace for a 2seater, stereo equilizer (adjusts for when top is up or down), AC.
cons: firm seats, the bass that is MIA when top is down, wind noise, mist that seeps through the frameless window (just a little when driving 80mph in the rain), Seats that make you choose between recline for comfort or slide for room (" sorry! Its not burger-king you can't have it your way" mom tells me), tiny door pockets
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Here, there and everywhere in sunny, Southern California... Usually found going at Warp Factor 10. |
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Personally, in terms of handling, the gen2 gets my vote. A lot of the guys in Spec Miata have a field day tuning with the gen2. :)
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Please hurry with the rest of your review. I'm going buy a Miata this weekend or next and I'm tormenting myself with the urge to get an NC instead of an NB!
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I'm a generation 2 fan of the Miata (99-2005). I'm looking at 2000/01 models as my weekend car (great tuner car). My sister had a manual 91 that was a blast; my mom has a 00 and I prefer the styling and feel of her car. Plus the power's a wee bit better than the 91's ;-)
Now, the gen 3 Miata (MX-5 now) seats the driver too low. Yeah there are improvements but for now the gen 2 cars get my attention. Plus one can snag a Gen 2 for under 10k.
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Ellicott City MD United States of America |
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"Exterior design is one of the few areas where I feel the 1997 car, with its more classic and sensual look, still has the advantage."
It's very difficult to improve upon a great original design. I think Mazda did a good job here, but you're right. There's just something about the original Miata's styling in that it's virtually "perfect," and how do you improve upon that?
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