Have you ever seen a car that you really wanted to have? Or perhaps you’re more focused on something that just gets you from Point A to Point B? Maybe you want something fuel efficient or something that hauls a ton of stuff? Well, look no further! In this series, we will be breaking down different types of vehicles and ranking them using FACEUPS. In order, the acronym refers to feel, aftermarket, cost, efficiency, utility/practicality, and size. Based on these factors, it’s up to you to determine whether this car suits your needs.
The first car that we will be reviewing is the Mazda MX-5 Miata, a convertible roadster and a personal favorite of mine.
Feel: 5/5
- The Mazda MX5 has one of the best driver feels of any car. With a sleek and forgiving manual transmission, it gives you the best connection with the asphalt that you are driving over. In terms of appearance, senior Jesus Pintor says that he “really likes the pop up headlights,” which is a frequent compliment from Miata fans and car enthusiasts. When we approached Mr. David, the school’s auto shop teacher, he commented that the Miata is a fun car to drive. Although the engine may not be powerful, it still gives drivers a certain amount of fun.
Aftermarket: 4/5
- Miatas generally have great aftermarket support because the car is very popular and in demand. Aftermarket support can range from simple gearshift knob replacements to suspension upgrades. One of the more popular aftermarket modifications in the Miata are head unit replacements, which are more common in the NA and NB generations (mainly because nobody uses stereo anymore).
Cost: 3/5
- Depending on what generation you want, the cost can range from $6,000-$40,000. For a Miata ND, its MSRP can range from $30,765 for the base trim to $42,535 for the Club RF trim. Personally, I would not buy a brand-new Miata ND because, after all, I am a 16-year-old working minimum wage, but it is a good car for the weekends, and you earn enough to spend on it. Going down to the NC, NB, and NA models, you can typically find these cars for $6,000-20,000. We once again asked Mr. David for his thoughts. He stated that it’s important to note that most (if not all) of these vehicles have already been used prior, and it’s good to have a mechanic check on them before buying one. But usually, you would use these cars as “project cars,” which are cars bought for the sole purpose of modifying.
Efficiency: 3/5
- When it comes to gas efficiency, Miatas are sort of in the middle. Miata NDs and NCs sit at around 26-34 miles per gallon (26 for city driving and 34 on the highway). Meanwhile, Miata NBs sit at around 21-28 miles per gallon. It’s important to note that these cars were not built for long-distance driving, so take that into account.
Utility & Practicality: 1/5
- Miatas are generally not very practical for daily driving, since they have compact cargo space and a 2-seater configuration. You cant really do much with them other than take them out on a weekend by yourself or with a significant other. The car is also popular as a “project car.” Junior Connor Fehil commented, “The car may be too small for my routine.” Although you can use this to take yourself from point A to B, there are definitely better options if you only want a practical vehicle to get you places.
Size: 1/5
- Miatas are tiny. Regardless of which generation you choose, Miata’s are one of the smallest coupes in the market. With such a tiny size, you can’t really take much with you. The good thing about its size is the fact that you won’t have much problem exiting your car in a cramped parking lot, but the importance of its size is really subjective.
Conclusion
- The Miata is more of a “toy car” than it is a practical vehicle. It can’t carry much luggage or many people, but it is definitely a fun car to drive. If your child is a new driver, then a Miata is a pretty good way to stop that child from illegally bringing more than one passenger with them on the road.
