Safety

The 2005 Miata has standard dual front air bags, available ABS brakes and seatbelt pre-tensionners. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) awarded the 2005 car 4 out of 5 stars (a good result) for the driver and 5 out of 5 stars (a perfect result) for the passenger in frontal impacts. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has not crash tested the Mazda Miata.

Conclusion

Cars are all about emotions. It is actually the principal reason why we choose a car over another. Sometimes, we look at a certain vehicle and we feel attracted to it because of its looks or the way it drives. In the case of the Miata, every emotion applies to it. The only thing that can not be asked of it is to be the family vehicle.

The first time I test drove the car in 2000, I clearly remember waking up at 2 am to go back on the road for another drive. The Miata has always had a hold on me. This is still true to this day as the Miata is one of the best, least expensive and most invigorating driving experiences one can have. With the top down and driving around with your favourite person, troubles seem to disappear. To boot, the Miata is one of the most reliable cars on our market. How about that?

I have now actually had the opportunity to spend a few days behind the wheel of a 2006 MX-5 and so far, the similarities and differences would not make me choose one over the other... yet.

Good stuff:
Rewarding driver's car
Steering
Brakes

Not so good stuff:
Legroom

Competitors:
Mini Cooper S Convertible
Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
Pontiac Solstice (shortly)