In the November Issue | Building a Do-It-All Miata

Andy
By Andy Hollis
Sep 2, 2020 | Mazda, Miata, MX-5

Mazda introduced its latest generation of Miata to a fanfare of enthusiast accolades. Returning to its roots with a lightweight, nimble car packing “just enough” power gave Mazda a winner.

Its impact on the motorsports world was immediate at all levels, from the single-make professional Global MX-5 Cup series all the way to SCCA cone-dodging. This ND-generation Miata was also regularly found on road courses as a high-value track toy. 

And nothing could beat the lithe roadster for relaxing and exhilarating Sunday drives on twisty roads.

We quickly added a new-for-2016 MX-5 to our fleet–one of the Brembo brake-equipped Club editions–and turned it into a triple threat, equally adept at autocross, circuit use and comfortable cruising.

As great as that car was, one feature stood out as half baked: the 2.0-liter engine. It certainly delivered solid torque, but seemed to choke on itself in the upper reaches of the rpm range. In contrast to the rev-happy 1.5-liter unit powering ND Miatas in other parts of the world, this one smacked of grocery-getter grunt.

We’d later learn that the 2.0 was a bit of an afterthought, quickly sourced from the Mazda3 and pressed into service as a stopgap for the U.S. market.

Even as the new cars were launched, Mazda’s engineers were working diligently on refining the 2.0 into a more appropriate roadster engine. That updated engine–the most powerful and flexible Miata engine ever–made its debut for 2019. 

So we got the updated car, another Club model fitted with the bigger Brembo brakes. New, that’s about a $30,000-plus purchase; used, figure a little less.

 

Subscribe now to read the full story in the November issue of Grassroots Motorsports Magazine.

 

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Comments
350z247
350z247 New Reader
10/8/20 2:12 p.m.

I can't see the value of buying a $30,000+ ND Miata when you can get a 987.2 Cayman S or Boxster S for less than that with thousands left over for minor upgrades and FCP Euro based maintenance.

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
10/8/20 3:51 p.m.
350z247 said:

I can't see the value of buying a $30,000+ ND Miata when you can get a 987.2 Cayman S or Boxster S for less than that with thousands left over for minor upgrades and FCP Euro based maintenance.

How long have you worked for FCP Euro?

And comparing a rock solid reliable vehicle with a warranty, to a used vehicle with very expensive parts and maintenance is.........well. I'm sure you can figure out a word for it.

350z247
350z247 New Reader
10/15/20 9:53 p.m.

In reply to z31maniac :

I don't work for FCP Euro; I'm not even sponsored by them (ECS Tuning actually). However, their lifetime replacement warranty is too good to pass up on any part that I expect to buy more than once.

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