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2006 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring Road Test

Summer Cruising at Its Finest

Somebody once asked me what the ideal summer car would be. After thinking about that question for a moment, I answered it would have to be something with pep, pizzazz, and power, not to mention great handling, cool styling and top dropping.  And when asked what kind of car that would be, I answered without having to think for a moment: the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

I had the opportunity to take this sassy little sports car for a spin last summer when it was first introduced to the automotive media. I liked it then, but have to admit after a week behind the wheel that I love it now. After all, I only

Pretty little car... yes, Im still in love. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

had a days worth of drive time to get to know the 3rd generation MX-5 last year, so I made sure that our most recent time together was very well spent.

Whether its driving to work, the mall, grocery shopping or taking a friend out for a spin - emphasis on the a because it only seats one additional person - the Miata is fit for the taking.

Sexy from every angle. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

Its 2.0L, 16-valve, DOHC I-4 produces 170 horsepower at 6,700 rpm and 140 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, giving enough pep to accelerate quickly and get me to where I wanted to go. Its slick shifting 6-speed manual transmission (a 5-speed automatic is optional) enabled me to harness all 170 ponies with precision and haste. I love this gearbox. Not only does it transition between gears ultra-smoothly, but the clutch isnt tiresome in stop and go traffic,

Few things more refreshing than wind in the hair on a balmy day. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

which can sometimes be the case with sports cars. The whole MX-5 package is exceptionally well engineered, and with a base SV model starting price of $20,435, its hard to match. The price as tested on the Grand Touring model was $24,435 (it goes up to $24,500 for 2007).

Its also hard to match the feeling of driving with the wind blowing through my hair, sun beaming down and the volume turned up on the BOSE audio system, which incidentally includes an AM/FM/CD player with 7 speakers, 2

No need for a tonneau cover. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

tweeters and AudioPilot noise compensation technology. Such was the case throughout my entire week, as Mother Nature was on my side allowing the sun to shine so I could keep the top of my little red roadster dropped continually. Although the ease at which it goes up and down wouldnt have made lifting it up to avoid raindrops difficult. All dropping it takes is unhooking two latches, followed by a good, stern push before the top is down in just a few seconds. And with the elimination of the dreaded tonneau cover, the roof just snaps into the latch. Its so fast and easy. In the event of that spontaneous rain

Lots of room inside. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

shower that never came, or parking it for the evening, putting the top up was also fast and easy, but required me to be out of the car. I know that some larger folks have no problem lifting it into place while seated, but not so for me. If this might be a problem for you, check out the new fully powered retractable hardtop option, ideal for owners who might use their MX-5s year round.
Since Mother Nature was so good to me, I didnt have the opportunity to play in the rain with the MX-5. Though it would be fun to take this ball of fire onto a skid pad and test out its rain dancing abilities, not to mention the braking ability of the power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes with

Lots of room in the trunk too. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

diagonal hydraulic circuits and ABS, Ill have to wait until next time, possibly when I try out the retractable hardtop.

Being of average height, I found entering and exiting the MX-5 to be very comfortable. The ground-hugging roadster rides close to the concrete, but not so close that I had to plop myself in and hoist myself out. The same went for my former 64" partner. I bring him into context because not everyone is of average height, and it goes to show that the MX-5 accommodates taller people quite comfortably. So guys, chick car comments in mind, there are really no excuses as to why you wouldnt be able to take this one out of the driveway unless you really dont fit!

On the topic of fitting, the MX-5 fits a generous amount of cargo,

Performance lives up to promise from sleek styling. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

with a capacity of 5.3 cubic feet. Ok, it might not seem like that much space, but its more than its direct competitors, the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn SKY, with 3.8 cubic feet apiece. And in the GM roadsters cases, their roofs takes up most of the trunk space leaving little for anything else, not to mention their a much greater challenge to drop and stow, due to their clamshell trunk lids. The MX-5, while better than its closest rivals, is not a car I would want to take on a long road trip, but I would like to take it on a day trip to Seattle for a close friends wedding.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take sunscreen on my day trip. The standard air conditioning cooled me down to and from my destination, but it was aloe vera that literally cooled me down after discovering very uncomfortable, not to mention awkward-looking burns

Easy to park thanks to small size and good visibility. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

and burn lines I had on my neck and arms. I guess I was distracted with the capability of the MX-5s fully independent double wishbone front suspension with coil springs and rear multi-link setup, also with coil springs (stabilizer bars at both ends), as well as how nicely the P205/45R17 with 17-inch alloy wheels gripped the concrete as I ventured from city to city. The nimble-handling Japanese roadster was ever so pleasant to sit in, thanks to its black leather seats and trim.

Driving with the top down gave a new meaning to the term "open road" since visibility in the tenacious two-door is extremely... well... open. There are few cars that I can actually say facilitate parallel parking with ease, but this is one of them. I could literally see the tail end of my car when squeezing into tight spots, making my life so much easier.  The only quibble I had with the Mazdas new roadster was with the large C-pillars

Cockpit is biased towards performance driving, but still is quite comfortable. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

which obstructed visibility when the top was up. But, as mentioned, the top was down for the most part so it wasnt too bothersome.

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