2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review

The British introduced desirable, affordable, high-volume sports cars to Americans in the 1950s, but let their MGs, Triumphs and Austin-Healeys fade into unwanted fossils in the 1960s and 1970s.

Japan's Mazda finally revived the market for affordable, charming sports cars with its Miata, introduced in July 1989. It cost $13,800, so just about anyone with a steady job could get one. More than half a million have been sold.

The Miata had the traditional British sports car front-engine/rear-drive design and was more reliable than the old mass-market British models, which had gremlins such as unreliable electrical systems.

The Miata was well-engineered and had personality -- something many Japanese cars still lack. It was a clever copy of the low-volume 1960s British Lotus Elan, which was more sophisticated than MGs or Triumphs because it came from an automaker mainly concerned with making world-class race cars, one of which won the Indianapolis 500.

The Elan and Miata had an all-independent suspension, while the other British roadsters had an old-style rear suspension. The Miata and Elan also had an identical looking dual-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engine, although the Miata's was not temperamental.

As time passed, Mazda kept refining the Miata, although the current model looks nearly the same as the original.

To the chagrin of some Miata fans, flip-up headlight covers were replaced with fixed headlights in a smoother-looking front end in 1999. Changes for 2001 included a more responsive engine, revised interior, larger brakes and a stiffer structure.

The 2002 Miata thus was virtually left alone, and the base 2003 model just gets standard 16-inch wheels, instead of 15-inch ones -- giving the entire Miata line bigger tires for better handling.

(The 2004 Miata is virtually unchanged, with just interior refinements and styling changes to wheels.)

The five 2003 Miata models range from the $19,480 Club Sport to the $26,178 SE (Special Edition) I tested.

Even lower-priced Miatas are pretty well equipped. Sports car fans thus should be happy with the Base $21,843 model, which has power steering, air conditioning and an AM/FM/CD player

There's a special $19,480 Club Sport model for hard-core sports car fans with manual steering, modified suspension and no air conditioning to get a lighter weight for better performance. But this scarce model is being dropped for 2004.

Most Miata buyers aren't hard-core sports car buffs, so the $24,623 LS version is alluring to many of the car's purchasers. Its features include leather upholstery, cruise control, remote entry, power locks and Bose sound system.

The top-line $26,178 SE adds an in-dash six-disc CD changer, along with unique interior and exterior trim. It also has a six-speed gearbox, which allows slightly lower engine revs and thus more relaxed highway cruising.

The standard five-speed manual gearbox on all other Miatas is a slick unit that does fine, but you can get the six-speed in the LS for $650. A four-speed automatic is offered for $800, but Mazda says few order it for such a pure sports car.

All models have an easily folded manual soft top with a heated glass rear window. An attractive $1,500 hard top is offered and comes in handy during Chicago winters.

The only engine is a high-revving 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 16 valves. It produces 142 horsepower and lively acceleration if the car is shifted to keep revs high with the small engine. The engine is loud when pushed but can get you to 60 mph from a standing start in 7.9 seconds.

Fuel economy is an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway.

Steering and handling are sharp, and the powerful brakes feel reassuring. The double-wishbone suspension provides a smooth ride for a small, short-wheelbase auto, although sharp bumps can be felt.

The interior is moderately noisy, although this is a genuine sports car cockpit. The bucket seats are very supportive and gauges can be read at a glance. Controls are easy to reach and use. But getting in and out of the low-slung car calls for extra effort.

The small trunk offers little cargo room, but it's nicely shaped to take a few pieces of soft luggage.

Ironically, the old MGs, Triumphs and Austin-Healeys have become rather pricey collectors' items, although the Miata can run circles around them.

MAZDA MIATA

Prices:
$19,480-$26,178

Likes:
Sporty styling. Athletic reflexes. Lively acceleration.

Dislikes:
Entry and exit. Tight interior. Tiny trunk. Noisy.