New MX-5

The new Miata is just around the corner, although Mazda has decided to drop the Miata name plate and refer to it just as the MX-5. Bold move if you ask me, but all is forgiven when you get in this car and take it for a test drive.

Every single aspect of the car has been improved, and it shares no parts from the previous generation Miata. The previous generation had been in production from '98 til late '04 when the factory burned down, so we have been without this little icon in showrooms for about a year now. A great little car as it was, but as Motor Trend put it best in their September '05 edition, "The new MX-5 is just like that bubbly, blonde cheerleader you knew in high school 15 years ago. Only now she's grown up and has a college degree. She's also put on a few more pounds. But she still knows all the moves."

The new MX-5 has gone through a painstaking engineering process where the ultimate goal was to change and improve the vehicle enough to make it new and exciting, but at the same time not alienate the Miata enthusiasts. The car has only gained 316 lbs. since the original 1989 model, but has improved vastly in size, power, performance, and creature comforts. If you are looking for something to ease your mid life crisis, or something that you can take down to the SCCA club track on the weekends, ladies and gentlemen, this is your car.

The new MX-5 is scheduled for arrival in late August/early September.