2012 Mazda MX-5 MIATA Review
The Mazda MX-5 made its debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. It was derived from the spirited roadsters of the 1950’s and 1960’s such as the Alfa Romeo Spider, Triumph Spitfire, and the Lotus Elan, but with none of the drawbacks that are usually associated with old British sports cars. The 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and is available in traditional soft top or with a power-retractable folding hardtop.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
The 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata is still one of the best choices if you want an affordable sports car that is fun to drive and cheap to maintain. The current-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata is bigger and heavier than the previous generation model but it is surprisingly refined and easier to live with on a daily basis.
What’s New For 2012:
The 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata gets traction and stability control as standard equipment. Mazda will also be launching a Special Edition model of the 2012 MX-5 Miata, with only 450 units allocated to the US market.
What is the Predicted Reliability:
Ever since the first-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata was launched in 1990, it quickly gained a distinct reputation for reliability. In fact, there were no major problems reported on the engine, suspension, and driveline of the car, even those that were manufactured from 2005 to 2009. The 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata also got 5 out of 5 from the J.D. Powers and Associates Initial Quality Study.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
The 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata was not yet tested by the NHTSA or the IIHS. However, this car is equipped with stability/traction control, side airbags, and antilock brakes.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Communicative and accurate steering feel
+ Fantastic handling
+ Cheap to run and cheap to maintain
+ Affordable base price
Cons
– Diminutive cargo space
– Excessive body roll when driven hard
Head-To-Head Competition:
The new Fiat 500 costs around $7,000 more but it is smaller in size and it has 66 less horsepower than the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Mini Cooper Convertible costs around $1,400 more but its base engine has 46 less horsepower, making the Miata a better choice. The Fiat 500 returns 30/38 MPG, while the Mini Cooper Convertible achieves 28/36 MPG and the 2012 Mazda Miata MX-5 returns an impressive EPA average of 22/28 MPG.
What Others Are Saying:
"The Mazda MX-5 is what a sports car should be: a two-seat roadster with rear-wheel drive that’s fun on the street and can be driven to a race track." – NewCarTestDrive.com
"On a daily basis, the Miata is easy to live with and comfortable for long stints in either top-up or top-down mode." – Edmunds.com
"Where others have disappeared completely, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata soldiers on, proudly wearing the distinction of the ‘world’s best selling two-seat sports car’." – MotorAuthority.com
Read more about the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata at the Mazda manufacturer’s website.
