Handing, cost to feul, reliability, entertaining. This car turns on hot young chicks. Mood enhencement in nice weather when top is down. Good response to aftermarket modifications. Two seater and small. Car isn't the fastest but it keeps up.

tight shifting, can't go up to 35mph on first gear and 50 on second. ride confort is rough.

January, 2005 I bought a miata off of ebay after I attempted to buy a Mazda 3s before the deal fell through. I didn't know much about miatas at the time, but I saw it on ebay and I always wanted to drive a convertable. Being inside of a convertable would be a summer fun driving experience. I decided to take it. From the start, the engine ran good. I couldn't drive stick at the time but I made it home from the shipping truck. The miata was a little beat up, plain looking sports car. I later learned that the car comes stock with 135hp with 130lbs of torque in a 1.8Liter engine. The miata had crabby 14" wheels in which I replaced with 17" alloy rims. After some improvements, the miata looked as a different car with more class. I can find just about every part for this baby. I soon grew to love my ride, especially in the summer when the temp. hung around the 90 degree mark. The car sucks in snow as it is a rear wheeler, ironically I was able to drive the miata 20miles from school to my house eventhough there was 10" of snow on the ground. The fuel economy is fair but it doesn't cost me much to fill up my tank. After Katrina, when gas peaked at $3.15 a gollen, I still spent less than $25 to fill up my 12 gallon tank while the average dude was paying over $65. The handing is awesome, I could make u-turns on two lane highways without converting to k-turns. The only thing wrong with the miata is that the rpm gets too high too quick. I can't go over 20mph on first gear. The engine is loud for a 1.8liter, almost like the subaru impreza wrx. Miata is a car that people will either love or hate with no in between. Yes, I pissed a hell lot of people off while driving but I don't care as I love this car. I would like to have a newer model.

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1999 Mercury mystique Ls

For the money, it's an awesome value with the factory turbo (and the warranty!), factory beefed up suspension, the 17" alloys, and black leather seats with red stitching trim.

I think that the Mazda could have a added a cruise control for the MSM. Hmm...that's about it.

I've wanted a Miata ever since their introduction back in the early 80s. Funny how you live your life and you always say, "Man, I wish I would've..." about quite a few things but never got around to them. Well, though I've been wanting a convertible sports car for a LONG time, I'm glad it took me this long to get one. The MSM is just an absolute joy to drive. It's quick, nimble, stable and with the turbo, a kick in the seat at 3200 rpm. LOTS of mods available from appearance to performance. Very affordable to purchase, to maintain, and to personalize it. I've driven the LS and Base Miatas before buying my MSM and though nice in their own rights, it just can't compare with the MSM. I drove and considered the Honda S2K. Sweet car, great handling, but the rpms need to be almost screaming to take dip into the power band. For a new one, an S2K is north $30,000. Sorry, but the MSM was just a better value - for me.

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- Considered a Honda S2k

acceleration,price,amount of comfort combined with performance,reliability, resale value, size

size(I am 6` tall, weigh 220lbs. legroom is at a premium), small trunk

I bought my first Miata 2 years ago: it was a 2002 LS. I paid about $21000 and thought it was a bargain. It was enjoyable to drive, comfortable for its' size. However, it was relatively slow and the suspension rather soft with only average grip. It seemed like the perfect "girls car" to me, but not exactly what I wanted. Then I saw my dealer had a Mazdaspeed for $19900! The test drive was great: suspension slightly firmer, grippier tires, seemingly much greater acceleration, and all the advantages of my old LS except no cruise control! That's ok with me, because the rest of the car more resembles the old British roadsters I drove and loved when younger without the pain, suffering, and mechanical disasters. That the Mazdaspeed has at least 90 percent of the performance of a Honda S2000 at a cost of less the 66 percent makes it an absolute bargain in my mind. I admire the Honda but have never seen one new for less than $30000 in my area, and that was 2 years ago. The Mazdaspeed, after 2 months, is much more like the type of car I like: a roadster first, easy to stow top, firm but not jolting ride, 0-60 less than 8 seconds, acceptable fuel economy, low polar moment of inertia, small size, capable of being daily driver (because I feel like these characteristics best represent well designed automobiles).

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various old British roadsters, Toyota MR2

Appearence, value, want to drive it appeal, aftermarket support, handles like on rails.

Not the most ponnies out there but still plenty for weekend cruising.

The best roadster out there. The TT tries to be squeeky & rattle free and look half as good as it, the Z3 wants to shift and handle like it, the Boxter aspires to be as reliable, the M3 wishes to be a compliant as it and the MR2 would settle for half the cargo space and finally the S2000, a close second, would like to pull a few more lateral "Gs" like the MX5. The car handles like a street legal go cart; the top goes up in seconds and owner satisfaction is top drawer according owner feedback and the rating mags. Best part is value and will most likely never see the repair shop.

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325i, 68 Lemans, 74 911

Handling, appearance, mpg, shifter, cheap to own and maintain. Show me a car that's more fun to drive at a cheaper price! Anyone?

All cars have weaknesses although some reviewers will say differently. As for this car: underpowered motor 128hp, ride comfort on trips over 45 minutes, power antenna, cheap paint, in general the cheesy special editions that come out every year until the mazdaspeed turbo SE.

After heavily modifying my mustang about four years ago i had to buy a car that will be sensible, economical but still fun to drive. I test drove the miata and was reasonably pleased with it so i bought it. Having owned a mustang i never even knew what great handling meant but i do now. Don't get me wrong the miata isn't the perfect car but i have put on 70,000 miles on this car in the past four years and still have yet to have any type of problem with it although the tires and brakes have been replaced...no mechanical difficulties of any kind. I keep telling myself that I am going to need another car soon but nothing will go wrong with it! Since i do quite a bit of driving to work i would not buy another one as i will admit that this isn't the most comfortable long-commuter car in the world. But i am averaging 29-30mpg throughout the year and the miata is certainly a car i would recommend to anyone that is looking for a car that is fun to drive, affordable and disregarding comfort an option. The miata will never set any land speed records...i doubt any Mazda would as they all seem to be notorious for being underpowered. However the car is quick up until about 45mph and then it seems to lose its "quickness". I love this car and i can attest that it is quite fun to drive in the rain and snow if you enjoy fishtailing around town like i do. The car is completely leak-free still with 125,000 miles. i would consider the new mazdaspeed miata if there were a little more room although 178hp seems pretty weak for a 1.8ltr with a turbo. i'm sure it's a blast to drive!

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1993 Mustang GT, 1992 Z28 Camaro (the only other cars I've had) not really similar.

handles great, easy roof, cold air and hot heat, very strong.

not for a short person!!!! noisey roof after replacement. CUP HOLDERS.

Awesome car. Overall happy with the car. mine had almost no noise untill we replaced the roof for no reason. handles well. i will own another one agian.

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NONE

overall driving experience, convertible, reliable, cheap to own.

More power would not hurt, maybe a supercharger? WEEEE!!!

I love it! It's not perfect, but it is mine! While I would love a 2K4 model, this was the best one at the lowest price point. It is a base model, only option ia A/C, which is a must in the South! I drive 140 miles roundtrip commute each day, and I only miss cruise control. Went through a torrential downpour yesterday, no leaks! I will add factory alloy rims, a better stereo, cruise, and a glass back window this year. I'd like a hardtop, but not soon. All in all, it is a blast! My kids (5, 3 1/2, and 2) swarm the car every day I come home! I will keep this car a very long time!

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Mustang GT Convertible (flexible flyer), Fiero GT (Horrible experience to tune up V6 model), several pony cars and muscle cars over the years

Great handling car with modest power but terrfic road manners. Great value for the money.

Personally would like the seat back to recline more when seat is in rear most position

I purchased this Miata as a midlife fun to drive vehicle. Since I purchased it it has been barely drivable. I go to drive it and my wife is running errands. I go to the garage later and my son has gone to band practice in it. Later I go to drive it and my daughter has taken it for the afternoon. I particularly find it undrivable in the sun. On bright afternoons I go to take it for a spin and it is gone.. It is sometives available when it is raining outside so I jump in and find out that it must get bad gas mileage. I always fill it up on the rare case that I do get to drive it, yet every time I get into it it's empty. What a strange car that seems to be so reliable but never available. With all the other cars I have owned over the years none seemed to get more than a quick once over by the family. Too pedestrian. But this little buggy was immediately adopted by one and all. I dont think in the past 3 months that the motor has cooled down. With 5 family drivers it seems to be the car of choice. It may be parked in the garage and blocked in by 4 other cars but it someone in the family will take 15 minutes moving cars around to take it on their next trip. Its that fun. So fun that my kids who swore they would never drive a stick shift will have been won over by this slick shifting sled. Fortunately this car is used for sporting around locally. Due to its size it would be be fun but tough to use as a family day to day car. No back seat and small trunk does not facilitate trips to the vet with the Abby the Lab, or to Lowes for lumber. But thats why we own SUVs and such. All in all I think that I will really enjoy this car. If and when I ever get a chance to drive it. The styling and performance is a bargin at the list price. Manufacturers rebates and dealer discounting really make this an affordable pleasure car. Whats more with the dependability of Japanese quality it is a pleasure knowing that unlike some of the European ancestors I won't face electrical problems, carb problems or oil leaks on the driveway. The old MG I had in the late 60's was terrible when it came to dependability. Mazda has truely captured a market segment that was underserved. Where else can you find a car that delivers spry performance for such a reasonable price. I know I will enjoy it ..someday...

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MG many years ago

None

Clutch chadder,noisy,gas release does;nt work and mazda service is the worst when it comes to warranty work. This car has 5000 miles on it. It has been to the dealer several times and dealer refuses to make repairs

This is the biggest piece of junk I've ever owned

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Pure roadster driving pleasure, reliability, price, comfort, style, aftermarket support. Mazda has hit the mark on this unit.

After two years of ownership, I can proudly say NONE.

1st of all, you don't buy this car for those looking for family practicality. If on the other hand you're looking for a roadster, this car is a true roadster. And, best of all you won't drive it a week or two, then wait for the dealer to fix all the squeaks, rattles and electrical problems plagued by more expensive german models. The MX5 is by far the most FUN car to drive of all the cars I've owned, period. The 1.8 L DOHC is plenty of power, and you can drive it for 200 miles without feeling the pain. Cockpit entry and egress is effortless. The leather seats are extreemly comfortable, the instrument layout is sensible and functional. The climate control coupled with the 6 speaker Bose system is excellent. The transmission coupled with the Nardi shifter is silky smooth and I would put it's handling up against ANY car other there (Porche, BMW, AUDI, Lexus) no matter the price. Skid pad performance is .93 Gs off the showroom floor. Impressive for a roadster in the price class. After 2 years of ownership, the MX5 has not been to the dealer for any problems. Highly recommended.

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