Miata Topic Hub

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

I say Miata, you say convertible. Or roadster. Drop top. You get the idea. For most people, a Miata is a 2-seater convertible with a folding fabric (or vinyl) top that lets you take in the sun, the stars, the breeze. But there’s a percentage of people that like a Miata with a hardtop. Those that live in 4 seasons, but want to drive their Mazda year-round. Or those in environments where the added security of hard roof makes you less of target. Racers need them too – look at the prices for a hardtop – sans Miata –on Craigslist …

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Jul 20, 2018 Read more

2017 Polaris Slingshot SL – First Drive Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

Taking a ride out to Nielsen Enterprises, in Lake Villa, IL is always a treat. They’re the ultimate big boy toy store. You can buy anything from ATV’s, UTV’s personal watercraft, snowmobiles, all four Japanese motorcycle brands, Can-AM Spyders, and Polaris products. If it’s fun, and it goes fast, Nielsen’s got it. Today’s mission is to take a Polaris Slingshot out for a test and find out why they can’t make them fast enough. The Slingshot is a three-wheel vehicle, with two wheels in front, and a single wheel in back. It is 150” long, which is 4” shorter than …

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May 29, 2017 Read more

2017 Fiat Abarth 124 Spider – Road Test Review – By Carl Malek

Its no secret that we are big fans of the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider and its compelling blend of retro Italian charm and its Mazda based underpinnings. Fiat has big ambitions for this model, and hopes that it can help reverse its fortunes here in the U.S. However we never had the chance to sample its spicier sibling, the 2017 Fiat Abarth 124 Spider which supposedly brings more performance and aggression to the 124’s elegant lines. But has Abarth’s interpretation of performance created a potent roadster offering that adds depth to the 124 lineup? To find out we spent sometime with …

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Oct 30, 2016 Read more

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring (6MT) – Review By Carl Malek + Fiat 124 Visual Comparo!

When Mazda first unveiled the current generation MX-5 Miata back in 2014, it signaled a radical shift in focus, with Mazda designers breathing newfound life into a car that some thought had lost its way since it was first introduced in 1989. With bolder exterior styling, and a renewed emphasis on weight shedding, the newly rejuvenated MX-5 promises to blaze its own chapter in the sports car ranks. Our last sampling of the MX-5 was out on the track, but can it succeed out in the real world? The exterior styling of the MX-5 embraces newfound levels of …

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Aug 14, 2016 Read more

Drive Review – 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata – by Ben Lewis

There are people out there not enamored by the all-new 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. And you can include me. Well, sort of. Let me explain. First of all, a disclosure. A well-worn 1990 Miata lives in the Ben Lewis garage. I’ve had it over 15 years. And yes, it’s red. So I’m a fan. And when the Second Gen (NB to you and me) bowed in 1999, I liked it. But I was amazed that even though it only lost an inch of legroom, I didn’t fit comfortably. And really, I’m not that tall. I was personally happier when the …

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Jul 20, 2016 Read more

Road Test Review – 2016 Mazda MX-5 Club 6MT – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

In the spring of 1971, I was almost finished with my freshman year at the University of Iowa, and it was time for me to get my first new car. My father and I were to split the cost. His idea of the perfect car for me was a low mileage, 1969 Chevrolet Impala, 4-door. And my idea was a 1971 MGB rag top. While my friends were into muscle cars of the time like Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers and Barracudas, I was more interested in small British cars that, while not fast, were known for handling prowess, rather than …

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Jun 23, 2016 Read more

Best of Geneva – 2016 Abarth 124 Rally Prototype – 300HP Kicks Off 2017 Abarth Racing Revival

In case the hot new Abarth Fiat 124 Spider were not enough to get your heart revving, Abarth Racing has brought along an even hotter version! A rear-drive rally racecar that started life as a ragtop!? Sounds like a winner to us. And it definitely looks like a winner too. A slightly raised ride height, boosted engine putting down 300Hp, plus a locking rear differential promise exciting, tail-out action to rally fans next year. Custom fender extensions, sill extensions and brake air vents behind the back axle speak to this car’s gravel-slinging dreams. As does its gigantic, fire-spitting single …

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Mar 06, 2016 Read more

2017 FIAT 124 Spider – Gorgeous Miata Makeover Is Biggest LA Debut Yet

More to follow. Wanted this gorgeous new FIAT online ASAP! 2017 FIAT 124 Spider ALL-NEW 2017 FIAT 124 SPIDER REVIVES LEGENDARY NAMEPLATE WITH ICONIC ITALIAN STYLING AND DYNAMIC DRIVING EXPERIENCE 18/11/15 2017 Fiat 124 Spider returns nearly 50 years after original introduction Revival of roadster continues expansion of FIAT brand in North America Delivers iconic Italian style with modern adaptation of original Spider legend Powered by turbocharged MultiAir 1.4-liter engine for 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, available with manual or automatic transmission Available with an array of safety and security features, plus technologies for added …

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Nov 18, 2015 Read more

HD Track Drive Review – 2016 Mazda MX-5 Is INCREDIBLE!

Freshly back from a track drive with the 2016 MX-5 Experience tour — and have some serious vehicular brilliance to report! As you might know already, or simply expect, this latest MX-5 is an absolutely breathtaking evolution on the light/rear-drive roadster theme. Improving upon a genre the Miata defines conclusively? Not easy to do — especially with firm price and power caps limiting headline performance numbers. Yet the latest engineering, style and handling excellence from Mazda has done wonders for the MX-5. After all, if Mazda can make the CX-5 into a lively steer, the SkyActiv mantra should really make …

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Sep 21, 2015 Read more

2016 Mazda MX-5 Track Drive Dates! Fun, Free …and in Your City?

Mazda’s new MX-5 looks stellar. We cannot wait one minute longer to try it out. Is that how you feel too? You might be in luck! There are five or so dates left on the initial MX-5 Experience tour: Atlanta today Sept 11 and tomorrow Sept 12, followed by more dates in New Jersey, Texas and Arizona. There is no RSVP list and no $2k fee, a la Jaguar and Lamborghini. First come first served! Looks like the stations to try out the MX-5 are autocross, braking and hot track lap. Mmmmm! Seriously debating the six-hour drive to Atlanta…. forgive …

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Sep 11, 2015 Read more

2016 Mazda MX-5 Spec Secret + Prices, Colors and Options Guide

The new MX-5 is in your area! The launch is in full swing – so a perfect time to explore the trims, prices, colors and options! The configurator is almost a two-click affair. Just a few key choices to make it yours from $25k: transmission, trim and cabin color. (All these prices include the $820 delivery charge, by the way.) Sport kicks things off, followed by Club, and up to the top-line GT. With an automatic and every option checked, the new MX-5 GT is almost $33,000 exactly. A Club with the Brembo/BBS pack is within a few hundred bucks, …

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Aug 27, 2015 Read more

2016 MazdaSpeed MX-5 Racecar Revealed Ahead of Global Racing Series

How incredible does the new MX-5 look in a tracksuit?! This car is a precursor to the 2015 MX-5 Cup – a global racing series for the 2015 MX-5 to battle it out for milliseconds on racetracks all over the world. Of course, the new MX-5 racer will be very relevant to current MX-5 owners. The MX-5 is the most-raced car model of all time in SCCA and track day events across the US. 2016 MazdaSpeed MX-5 Racecar MAZDA WAVES GREEN FLAG ON 2016 GLOBAL MX-5 CUP RACING SERIES 05/11/14 November 4, 2014 (LAS VEGAS) – The Mazda MX-5 …

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Nov 05, 2014 Read more

Update2 – 2016 Mazda MX-5 Roadster in Paris Debut + Cabin Photos

UPDATE2 Great to see this car outside the world of digital renderings. In the 4D Paris debut, the nose and low new beltline design really comes to life and is fantastic. This is great news — it looked a little pinched in the preview renderings. Overall, the new aesthetic appears to chop the surfaces anywhere that the previous-gen Miata was rounded. This is especially visible in the new drop-nose design and the hood’s strong leading edge – both new MX-5 design features. 2016 Mazda MX-5 Roadster Paris Debut Autoblog.com snapped some of these fantastic photos at the …

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Oct 10, 2014 Read more

Updated with 80 New Photos – 585HP, 3.9s 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 and S65 AMG Coupe

Updated 10.9.14 with 80 New Photos A handful of photos of the forthcoming S65 AMG Coupe from Pebble Beach, along with a big set of new photos showing the UK model of the S63 two-door. The design is wholly transformative versus any CL-Class that has come before it. But is it unique enough versus the S550 Coupe? But first, a charmer of a 300SL. 2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe PREVIOUS The S63 AMG Coupe builds on the hottest new Mercedes-Benz strategies of supercar pace/luxury-car comfort — and keeps building, and building, and building! A true skyscraper of a …

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Oct 08, 2014 Read more