2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the most fun for the money

Published 11:27 am Monday, July 15, 2024

The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the last of a vanishing breed – an inexpensive convertible sports car that is available with a manual transmission. Starting at around $30,000, it is to be celebrated by automotive enthusiasts everywhere, whether they already own or are considering buying one themselves.

Cars like the Miata were once available everywhere. British, French, German, and Japanese manufactures produced a seemingly endless supply of small, fun-to-drive, shift-for-yourself, drop-top roadsters in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Although Detroit only responded directly with the Chevy Corvette and first-generation Ford Thunderbird, just about all of the early Pony Cars were available as convertibles with manual transmissions, offering similar (but more comfortable) thrills.

Mazda created the MX-5 Miata over 33 years ago to recreate the basic convertible sports car experience. By then, most of the original models were no longer in production. Today, the only other inexpensive new sports cars are the Subaru BRZ and mechanically identical GR86. Although both are available with manual transmissions, they are hard tops. Ford still makes a convertible Mustang with an available manual, but it starts at around $54,000. The next least expensive genuine convertible roadster with a manual is the BMW Z4, which is a genuine luxury car that also starts at about the same price.

Although inspired by the earlier inexpensive sports cars, the MX-5 Miata is much more refined, especially the newest version. The original “jelly bean” styling has been replaced with sharply angled styling that reflects the rest of Mazda’s line. It is available with most advanced automotive technologies. In addition to the soft top, there is now a retractable hard top version called the RF. Both versions are available as more track-ready Club versions.

Despite all that, the MX-5 Miata is still offered with only one engine, a high-revving dual overhead cam 2.0-liter inline four rated at 181 horsepower, mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Although that is not much power, it is so light at under 2,400 pounds that acceleration is brisk with either transmission.

But make no mistake. The MX-5 Miata is still a very small car. Gymnastics are required to get in and out of it with either top up. There is only one cup holder, located awkwardly behind the driver and passenger. At a mere 8 inches, the display is just about the smallest found in any vehicle, although the 2024 version is one inch larger than before.

My test version was the Grand Touring RT, which slots in just below the most expensive Club RT and was priced at $38,925. Although the term “Grand Touring” usually designated a gentler performance car designed for longer trips, it was nothing of the sort. The suspension was very stiff and freeway driving required constant attention because even average pickups, let alone semi-trucks, are so much larger.

But those drawbacks fade away on winding low-traffic streets when the six-speed manual could take full advantage of the engine’s torque curve. The steering is so precise that even short errands feel like road rallies. And with the top down, the wind is the face rush was a stark reminder why the loss of so many other convertible sports cars should be mourned.

By coincidence, I tested the newest Mazda MX-5 Miata, Subaru BRZ, and BMW Z4 within a few weeks of each other. All had manual transmissions and were upper trim level models, so each cost thousands more than the most affordable versions. Although the base Miata is the least expensive available sports car at $30,170, my Grand Touring version had the retractable hardtop, which helped push the price to $38,925, just a few hundred more than the BRZ Limited tS at $38,465 (which starts at $30,195). The Z4 starts at much more — $55,225 for the with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four that produces 225 horsepower. My tester was the top-of-the-line M40i version with a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight six rated at 382 horsepower.

In my opinion, the Miata was the most fun to drive, thanks to its light weight, high-revving 2.0 engine, and precise steering. It was also the most cramped and hardest to get in and out of with the top up, which makes it challenging as a daily driver. The BRZ was slightly roomier but not as refined. Although its 2.4-liter Boxer four was more powerful than the Miata’s engine (228 versus 181 horsepower), it did not feel as fast, but the manual was also fun to shift.

As a true luxury vehicle, the BMW was obviously the most expensive, with my M40i costing $74,520. It was the largest, although still requiring some gymnastics to get in and out of with the top up. Despite its horsepower advantage, the Z4 did not feel as fast as the Miata, in part because its transmission throws were wider. But the BMW was also the only one with drive modes, including a Comfort setting that makes it easier to consider as a daily driver.

The MX-5 Miata has gained a loyal cult following over the past three decades because of its fun-to-dollar ration. The 2024 version is the most sophisticated yet, but still retains the back-to-basics charm of the original.

2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Base price: $30,170 (Sport soft top)

Price as tested: $38,925 (Grand Touring RF)

Type: Subcompact sports car

Engine: 2.0-liter inline 4 (181 hp, 151 lbs-ft)

Transmissions: 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic

EPA estimated mileage: 26/34

Overall length: 154.1 inches

Curb weight: 2341 pounds

Final assembly: Hiroshima, Japan