CD Article: 2009 Mazda MX-5 PRHT

[CD_Editor]

         
Test Drive:


With revised styling, spruced up interior and optional retractable hardtop, the 2009 MX-5 sports car has "plenty of headroom", "decent legroom" and "improved sound insulation" says reviewer Peter Bleakney. "It still delivers maximum driving pleasure at modest velocities," he says.
 More: View the photos | All the Test Drives

[Rupert]

Gosh!...I like that. You can keep the muscle cars.

[ovr50]

Gosh!...I like that. You can keep the muscle cars.

Traditionally, the fans of the Miata-type were, in olden times, the fans of the British & Italian sports cars (TR6, MGBs, Healeys and Fiat 124s, Alfas) AND the fans of the muscle cars today were the fans of the muscle cars back then. Two distinctly different groups then and now. Nothing has changed except in both cases, the cars today are vastly superior to the olden ones in terms of power, efficency, safety and today are vastly more costly.

[initial_D]

I like the car, not so this particular color.

[johngenx]

The original Miata was super affordable and actually a genuine bargain.  Sadly, that value seems to be gone, and now I rarely see one on the road.  Awesome car though, and if used values are decent, I might get one sometime.

[normancw]

I like the car, not so this particular color.

I had a 1992 special edition in the same color (included a matching hardtop and limited slip diff).  I bought it used in 94 (I was looking for a shopping for a red one).  I grew to love it.  Kids loved it too - I would get a lot more waves from kids on school buses than my buddy in his 911  

While the retractable hardtop is overkill (I could lower/raise the manual top in a few seconds at a stoplight), it's much more convenient than the removable hard top for year-round drivers.

I know it's considered a chick-car, but of the cars I've had, it was the most fun to drive (followed by an 86 Toyota MR-2 and my current 330i) - and it had the best shifter and pedals for heel and toe'ing.

[johngenx]

...I know it's considered a chick-car...

Sure, for chicks that love to drive.  All models/years of the Miata are superb cars and only a true homophone/neanderthal would be embarrassed to drive one.

[Brigitte]

only a true homophone/neanderthal would be embarrassed to drive one.

Due tell.  Your almost their.   

[johngenx]

only a true homophone/neanderthal would be embarrassed to drive one.

Due tell.  Your almost their.   

Burned!!  Good one...

So good, in fact, I'll knot edit my post...

[Brigitte]

Eye understand.   

[Mattesa]

The original Miata was super affordable and actually a genuine bargain.  Sadly, that value seems to be gone, and now I rarely see one on the road.  Awesome car though, and if used values are decent, I might get one sometime.

I don't know about back in 1990, but the MK2's (1999 to 2005) were terrible terrible terrible value.

$34K for the 6-speed, LSD, upgraded brakes and suspension.

Still tiny.  Still tinny.  Still no power.

As a used buy it's about the cheapest way to get a reliable RWD LSD good handling car.  But as a value proposition it's.... it's just not.

[johngenx]

In 1990, they could easily be had for well under $20K.  Priced about the same as a mid-level Mazda 626 or base Accord.

[Seafoam]

 It's unfortunate the PRHT is only available on The top GT model. Last year you could order it even in the base GX model which came in about 30 grand. To me though a miata  has a soft top. I'd be afraid of the power top parts costing  a lot of money if they needed repair. As for the chick car comment, I've owned 2 miatas and get that comment from time to time.It usually changes once  I take them for a drive through some twisties at speed. I have to pry their hands from my dash.

[Demosthenes X]

The original Miata was super affordable and actually a genuine bargain.  Sadly, that value seems to be gone, and now I rarely see one on the road.  Awesome car though, and if used values are decent, I might get one sometime.

Plenty around Victoria, although I do see far fewer in Kingston.  I'm sure they still sell well in the lower States, though.

[initial_D]

It's unfortunate the PRHT is only available on The top GT model. Last year you could order it even in the base GX model which came in about 30 grand. To me though a miata  has a soft top. I'd be afraid of the power top parts costing  a lot of money if they needed repair. As for the chick car comment, I've owned 2 miatas and get that comment from time to time.It usually changes once  I take them for a drive through some twisties at speed. I have to pry their hands from my dash.

have to pry their hands from my dash.

Maybe you should drive on the same side of the road as everyone else. 

[Seafoam]

It's unfortunate the PRHT is only available on The top GT model. Last year you could order it even in the base GX model which came in about 30 grand. To me though a miata  has a soft top. I'd be afraid of the power top parts costing  a lot of money if they needed repair. As for the chick car comment, I've owned 2 miatas and get that comment from time to time.It usually changes once  I take them for a drive through some twisties at speed. I have to pry their hands from my dash.

have to pry their hands from my dash.

Maybe you should drive on the same side of the road as everyone else. 

I do