2011 Mazda Miata Reviews

Mazda Miata

2011 Mazda Miata Reviews-The Mazda Miata remains available in two models: a soft-top roadster and a Power Retractable Hard Top model. Inside, the Mazda Miata feels basic but cheerful, with exactly the layout you'd expect for a classic sports car. The Mazda Miata handles like a go-kart at low speeds and shows a surprising degree of poise for higher track speeds.

The standard soft top is easy to use and surprisingly weather-tight. Standard equipment, at least in terms of comforts, is about on par with that of budget-conscious small cars; features on all models include power windows, power mirrors, a CD player, and tilt steering. Mazda Miata Touring models include upgraded wheels and tires, a trip computer, keyless entry, and cruise control, while Grand Touring models add leather trim, heated seats, and automatic climate control, among other features. Options include the six-speed automatic, Sirius Satellite Radio, steering-wheel audio controls, and a sport suspension.

The 2011 MX-5 Miata doesn't change one whit compared to last year's model. As you can probably tell, we think rather highly of the 2011 Miata. The 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a two-seat roadster that is offered in three trim levels: base Sport, well-equipped Touring and premium Grand Touring. In Sport trim, standard features include 16-inch cast-aluminum wheels, a black vinyl convertible top with a glass rear window, air-conditioning, cloth seats, a six-speaker sound system with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack, a height-adjustable driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and power windows and mirrors.

Touring and Grand Touring models can enhance the Mazda Miata's already nimble handling with the Suspension package (only available with a manual transmission), which includes a sport-tuned suspension with Brillstein shocks and a limited-slip differential. Also available this year is the limited-production Mazda Miata Special Edition. It's essentially a Grand Touring PRHT with the Premium package and, if it's a manual transmission, the Suspension package. The Mazda Miata Special Edition also includes unique exterior and interior colors.

The 2011 Mazda Miata is powered by 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that produces 167 hp (158 with the automatic transmission) and 140 pound-feet of torque. Sport models come standard with a five-speed manual transmission, while touring and Grand Touring models come with a six-speed manual transmission. The six-speed manual and automatic sacrifice only 1 mpg in city mileage.

Stability control is available as an option on the Grand Touring model only, however. As always, this Mazda Miata features simple, legible gauges along with well-placed, user-friendly controls.

Drivers with less sporting intentions should still find the 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata easy to live with and comfortable for long stints in either top-up or top-down mode.

The Mazda Miata is available with a manual soft-top roof or a power retractable hardtop, and it's offered in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels. Our test car was a top-of-the-line Grand Touring retractable hardtop with an as-tested price of $31,300.

By modern standards, the Miata is a small car, measuring just 13 feet from end to end and standing just 49 inches tall.

The rear-wheel-drive Mazda Miata is one of those cars where you don't have to break any speed limits to have a lot of fun. With the six-speed manual it gets an EPA-estimated 21/28 mpg city/highway, and the city rating improves by 1 mpg with the base five-speed manual. Like the Mini, the Mazda Miata uses more expensive premium gas.

The Mazda Miata's low weight delivers ride and handling benefits, however. This helps with ride comfort on bumpy roads; for being a sporty car, the Mazda Miata doesn't punish its passengers with a jarring ride. As mentioned, our test car had the retractable-hardtop roof, and Mazda's implementation of this type of roof has a few advantages over those from other manufacturers.

Standard safety features include antilock brakes and side-impact airbags. Many affordable cars, by comparison, now have standard stability systems.

The Mazda Miata is one of those cars that we're happy to see enter the Cars.com garage and sad to see go because it reminds us how much fun driving can be.