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2004 Mazda Miata Sports Car
…Continued
Mazda's sports car still brings miles of smiles
An all-new Miata is rumored to be ready for sale sometime in 2005, and, if history repeats itself, we can expect the next Miata to be bigger, heavier, more powerful, more luxurious, and more expensive. On a foreboding note, those are the same steps that killed Mazda's RX-7 sports car a decade ago when it became too heavy and expensive for its core group of buyers.
With any luck, Mazda will learn from its RX-7 mistake by keeping the Miata's original traits that made it the best-selling sports car in the world. It should be lightweight, small, inexpensive, good-looking, and above all, fun to drive.
In other words, it should keep the Miata's timeless formula for fun.
Pros: No car offers more driving fun for the money. Its handling, steering, and transmission -- not to mention its classic exhaust note and svelte body -- all combine to make it one of the most smile-inducing cars on the road.
Cons: Since it's a tiny two-seat roadster, practicality is sacrificed. It has a relatively small trunk, and interior storage space is very limited. Finally, its horsepower doesn't keep pace with its otherwise stellar performance. Remember, it is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
Editors Ratings
RATINGS (1-10)
- Style: 10
- Performance: 9
- Price: 10
- Handling: 10
- Ride: 5
- Comfort: 2
- Quality: 8
- Overall: 9
More Data
Where Built: Japan.
Major Options: 6-disc CD changer, Automatic Transmission, .
Seating: 2
Number of Rows: 1
Length in Inches: 155.3
Warrantees: 4 years/50,000 limited warranty, 4 year/50,000 mile corrosion, 4 year free roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 2,473.
Maximum Payload in Pounds: Not Available.
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weigh in Pounds: 1337
Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Available.
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 12.7
Destination Charge: $520
