Pros: Superior traction and stability. Turbocharged. Convertible. Best roadster value today - incredibly reliable.
Cons: This it not your Dad's oldsmobile. The ride may be too harsh for some.
The Bottom Line: This 2004 MX-5 represents 14 years of roadster engineering excellence - in design, performance, and handling. It is the Miata that should have been delivered in 1990.
Janice_Alster's Full Review: 2004 Mazda Mazdaspeed MX5 Miata
The special edition (SE) Miata for 2004 is not a Miata at all. I picked mine up at a dealer in Columbia, South Carolina, and no where on the body of the car does it say "Miata." Instead, there are MAZDASPEED MX-5 badges everywhere - behind the mirror, on the door sills, on the crinkle powder coated red valve cover (from the factory mind you). The 2004 Mazda Mazdaspeed MX-5 is turbocharged with 178 horsepower and comes with more goodies under the hood, in the interior, and hidden in the suspension than you can imagine. The end result is a very special little roadster engineered for hours of enjoyment on curvy back roads.
My first drive in the Mazdaspeed MX-5 introduced me to the 6-speed. I have previously logged over 150,000 miles with Miata's superb 5-speed. This one functions just as nicely, just takes some getting used to. The turbo sets this car apart from the normally aspirated Miata. The rapid acceleration is tremendous and makes passing a much shorter ordeal than in the regular car.
This car handles curves without flinching. I went through several in my area and could not even begin to reach the car's limits - no wiggles, no slipping, no noise, nothing. With 17 inch Racing Hart wheels as stock, and with nice sticky tires, I suspect spirited driving on street legal roads will not begin to test this car's limits. A trip to the local road course will be necessary to really work the unique suspension Mazda equipped this car with.
When choosing a Mazdaspeed MX-5, you have two exterior and two interior color choices. The exterior colors are: Titanium Gray Metallic, and a red metallic. The interior colors are black leather with red stitching, or a cloth interior comprised of a black and red color scheme. If you opt for the leather, your car will come with a black cloth type vs the vinyl one.
The price of the MAZDASPEED MX-5 is set at $26,200 with the leather option costing an additional $700. Get the leather. You won't be sorry.
Not all Mazda dealers will be selling these nice cars. Only special dealers will have the honor. I live in Charleston and had to travel to Columbia, about 2 hours away to get one. I used Mazda's web site car locator tool to help me find one. The rest was easy. Do not expect to have to pay full sticker. Plan to haggle and you will save $500 to $1000 off list.
Don't wait if this car may be what you need. Only 4000 are planned for production. This may be the only turbocharged Miata to ever hit the U.S.
Updates added 05/13/2004:
My impressions on specific categories are included below:
Power
The nature of the MAZDASPEED MX-5 (MS) is totally changed from the normally-aspirated (NA) model because of the extra horsepower. Like most everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages. My impressions are from the science of measurement known as “seat of the pants” comparisons. The MS jerks you forward through the gears. The term that comes to mind is “ripping.” In effect, once you get in gear and tromp on the accelerator, assuming you are keeping the rpm’s above 3500 or so, you will rapidly accelerate to the rev limiter in each gear. Both the MS and NA have “artificial” rev limits enforced by electronic engine management systems. To keep things sane in the MS and also head-off any unexpected temperature increases, the rev limiter kicks in sooner. This also limits the fun and necessitates the next gear change before it seems natural (according to the seat of my pants). For this small annoyance, however, the forward pull or g-forces feel immense. The most surprising sensation is the lack of noise. The turbo is plumbed to suck in the exhaust for its spin-up, and as a result, there is very little exhaust left to make noise. The whole ordeal happens very quietly.
The NA keeps the ride sweet the old fashioned way. You stay in one gear for what seems like forever. The engine sings an upward spiraling melody as you wind through the gears. Spirited driving usually consists of purposely aiming for and hitting the red-line every time between gears, just to hear the music. According to other Miata drivers I have talked to, this is a popular past time (and harmless to the engine). Despite the noise and commotion, there is not a tremendous amount of forward motion going on. Yes, you do take off and continue to accelerate, but you may notice the new flowers in the neighbors yard while doing so.
Brakes
I don’t notice a lot of difference here between the MS and the NA. The NA is far from stock, having had aftermarket brake pads added a good while back. Both stop incredibly well, based on my measurement system. However, my impressions had a reality check when my husband pointed out that our 6,700 pound truck had documented shorter braking distances than the Miatas. So much for seat of the pants.
Handling
In stock form, and for the money, there is no contest. The MAZDASPEED MX-5 includes all the upgraded suspension parts a person would consider when firming up the handling on a Miata. A normal Miata would be eaten alive by the MX-5 in almost any handling contest, assuming equally skilled drivers. I should also point out that Mazda engineers seemed to have figured out how to improve the handling for high performance driving, without sacrificing the ride on normal commutes. Keep in mind the commute will be quite distinct from a regular sedan, but your teeth and kidneys will be fine.
Controls
Everything seems to be where it should be. During most of my Miata outings, I am mainly concentrating on four controls: steering, braking, shifting, and operating the clutch. If you are able to heel-and-toe, the pedal layout will accommodate you. However, I have found I can get my shifts in quickly enough by just rapidly shifting and getting back on the gas. The shifter has a very short throw, and the power comes on quick without getting out of hand. Small mistakes, missed shifts, or a heavy foot usually go unnoticed and are easy to correct. The only time when its necessary to tip-toe is if you are running really soft tires and its raining very hard. Otherwise, the Miata is very forgiving.
I am short, so I really like the power accessories on the MS. There is no cruise control on our MS, nor is it offered as an option. I suspect the response, or shall I say, over-response of the turbo kicking in on a hill, probably presented more challenge than it was worth.
Noise Level
The noise level in the interior is below average in the MS because of the turbo. With the top down, the faster you go, the louder the noise level in the cockpit. The noise is not from the engine, but the rush of outside air. The stereo included with the MS offers a dynamic volume selector to help keep the stereo volume adjusted to the changing environment, with several options offered to accommodate different scenarios. I have not played with it much. I am still concentrating on getting the shifts in. They seem to come up real fast.
Comfort Level – If light and nimble is your style, you will feel right at home. If you are the least bit uncomfortable in small confining spaces, this car is not for you. It’s cozy in the cockpit, even for small people. My husband is about 6 feet tall. He does not complain.
Convertible Top
If you get the leather option, the convertible top is made of black cloth. All Miatas produced since 1999 have glass windows. Putting the top back is simple – just open two latches, lift up, and lay it back. A person with average arms can do this without getting out of the car.
Gas Mileage
The MS is rated at 26 mpg. The NA is rated at 28.
SCCA Solo II Autocross Considerations
I am not up to speed on all motorsports governance decisions concerning the MS, but in SCCA, the MAZDASPEED is currently in a category of “unclassed.” When a car is unclassed, it automatically gets placed in A Stock. This is where Corvettes hang out. This is probably not good. If having a long and prosperous autocross career is your goal, I would refrain from buying the MS until it gets classed, hopefully, in a competitive class. The regular Miata is very competitive in its current class, C Stock.
General Comments
Recently, my sister and I went out for a drive in our family’s normal mode of “tandem” style touring. My passenger and I rode in one Miata, and my husband and a guest in the second Miata. I started out in the NA and my husband in the MS. Midway through the afternoon, we switched. My passenger immediately noticed the quieter ride. I did too. I managed some real jerky launches out of first gear because the normal “sounds” were not present to cue me. I also noticed that the steering wheel seemed to be lower on the dash, and felt too close to my knees. On the other hand, I noticed how easy it was to hear the 6-speaker stereo with the top down at speed, how nice it was to adjust the power mirrors with the remote controls, and how nice the leather seats felt. If I had to choose one over the other, I am not sure what I would do. Here is my plan to make both cars better:
MS – switch out part of the exhaust system to increase the exhaust noises.
NA – Add a supercharger to increase the horsepower, which will not be as much power as the turbo, and will preserve the nice parts of the driving experience.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 26,200
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: MX-5 MAZDASPEED with Leather
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.