2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring

The Little Sports Car that Could

The 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring has a big heart. Shaking free of its cute roots, the third generation MX-5 is a polished package of performance and pure fun. Carrying a list price of $24,435 ($25,495 as tested), the 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring comes with a 4 year/50,000 mile warranty and just two seats – back seat passengers need not apply. The MX-5 might just be the ultimate commuter car – small, efficient and affordable, it could make your commute the best part of your day.

First Glance

When Mazda introduced the MX-5 Miata in 1990, it was an instant hit. With proportions that recalled British two-seaters like the MG-B and Austin-Healy Sprite, the Miata added a much needed dash of Japanese reliability to the formula. People who've never driven a Miata might think of them as toys – and nothing could be farther from the truth. The Miata has always had the soul of a sports car.

The new MX-5 Miata is still small – but it's bigger and more muscular than previous generations. Broader and longer than before, the MX-5 actually exudes a bit of menace from certain angles. The designers have done a good job of preserving the essential character of the Miata, while pumping it up at the same time.

The Grand Touring model comes with a cloth top, a classy upgrade from the vinyl tops found on the other MX-5 models. A glass rear window with a defroster will help make the MX-5 a year-round car, even in frigid climates.

Top up or top down, the MX-5 is a looker. Shiny integrated roll bars catch the light behind each seat, adding obvious safety benefits. The multi-spoke 17" alloy wheels look great, especially with the wide low-profile tires. Subtle badging never says "Miata" on the outside – I guess "MX-5" is more macho. Go figure.

In the Driver's Seat

I've always been a little jealous of Miata drivers. I don't have a tailored suit kind of body. I'm big and wide, always have been. Previous generation cars were just too small for me. The MX-5 has grown to accommodate me – just barely. If you're much over 6' tall, you may have to forget about driving, at least with the top up. The top closes with one big latch in the center of the windshield. It's easy to release with one hand, and flops open with minimal effort, literally in seconds. I was able to open and close the top from the driver's seat. I've owned several convertibles, and going topless is always a balance between convenience and pleasure. Not in the MX-5 – it's as easy as opening a window, and takes just as little thought.

The Grand Touring MX-5 features gorgeous leather seats, as opposed to the black cloth seats on other models. The seats are comfortable, supportive and generous. Leg room is sufficient for comfort, great for driving. The driver's foot box is a little tight – don't try to drive the manual MX-5 in your work boots.

The MX-5's dash is clean and uncluttered, a simple palette for performance driving. There's very little storage in the cabin, and the trunk holds just 5 cubic feet. Leave the junk in the SUV.

On the Road

The MX-5 is a blast to drive. While not blazingly fast, it does give the impression of speed, especially when the top is down and you can hear the rich exhaust note. It's the MX-5's four wheel independent suspension and handling that rocks. The MX-5's razor-sharp rack-and-pinion steering and low center of gravity make it feel glued to the road, never twitchy. My test car had a $500 suspension package with sport-tuning, Bilstein shocks and a limited slip differential – so it had particularly good road-feel and handling, swallowing bumpy roads whole.

All MX-5 models have the same engine, a 16-valve 4-cylinder powerplant that pumps out 170 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque. My test car's 6-speed manual transmission was well-matched to the engine, requiring a minimum of fussy shifting in traffic and providing great access to the meaty part of the powerband. The 4-wheel anti-lock brakes are great – big discs and calipers haul the MX-5 to a stop in a hurry.

Driving the MX-5 is a contact sport – you have to pay attention to the engine, brakes and steering to get the most out of the car. It is pleasantly tame in day-to-day driving, well-suited to big city commuting – as long as you're not intimidated by bigger vehicles. The MX-5 is itsy-bitsy.

Journey's End

Power isn't everything. Another important factor to consider with power is weight. It goes without saying that the lighter the car, the greater the effect engine power will have on it. The MX-5 is a very light car – 2498 lb – with a power/weight ratio of 0.068. Each horsepower from the engine has to move only 14.69 lb of car down the road. You have to spend lots more money to find that kind of power/weight ratio in a two-seater – there's not a two-seat roadster within $8,000 that can touch the MX-5's statistics.

Pontiac is releasing the Solstice in 2006, a missile aimed directly at the MX-5. Though it has similar pricing and proportions to the MX-5, the Solstice has a longer wheelbase, outweighs the MX-5 by 360 lbs and has a lower power/weight ratio (0.061). Saturn has the Sky on deck for 2007. Look for reviews here as soon as we can get our hands on them. It should be an exciting comparison.

Other two-seat roadsters on the market include the BMW Z4, Audi TT, Nissan 350Z Honda S2000 and Porsche Boxster – all of which cost $8,000 or more over the MX-5's price. That's how much you have to pay for this quality driving experience. The MX-5 is a real bargain. It's the most sports car you can get for the money, hands down.