Engineering Explained: 6 Reasons Why The Mazda MX-5 Is The Best Driver's Car Under $50K

Today is a great time to be a petrolhead. There are truly incredible cars which can be obtained for less than $50,000. I’ve driven the Nismo 370Z, the Scion FRS, the Subaru WRX & STI, the Ford Mustang GT & EcoBoost, the VW GTI, and the Mitsubishi EVO, yet none of them have made me grin quite as wide a when I was behind the wheel of the 2016 Mazda Miata MX-5. Here’s why:

1. Horsepower Is Not Everything
2. It’s Not For Everybody
3. It Finally Looks Good
4. The Underdog Barks The Loudest
5. Three Perfect Pedals & Aggressive Gearing
6. Engineering Excellence

The Voice Of Reason: Why I Won’t Be Buying One

1. Horsepower Is Not Everything

If you take the weight of the eight cars I’ve listed above, the Miata weighs on average 988lbs (450kg) lighter than each. Can we reflect briefly on that?! We’re talking about some of the most iconic affordable sports cars, and one literally weighs one thousand pounds less than the others?! It’s remarkable to say the least. In a world where every year introduces a new Hellcat (oh hey, I’ve got more power than you), the Miata blazes its own unique trail, not even allowing the carbonfibre-tubbed Alfa Romeo 4C to beat it in weight in the US market.

It’s hard for people to wrap their heads around unless they take the time to get behind the wheel, but horsepower truly isn’t everything. There are certain laws of physics which you simply cannot avoid by adding weight. Lighter cars will be more agile, more nimble, have quicker steering response, better predictability and controllability, and ultimately more grip all else equal.

The critics will moan “if only it had just 50 more horsepower” without wondering why it doesn’t. These statements are made without an understanding of how well weight, power, and cost are related. If your goal is to keep the car affordable, you can only pick one: low weight or high power. That’s because adding power means bigger brakes, beefier axles, and a more robust drivetrain. From the inside out the car must become heavier to compensate. Yes, you can add power and keep the weight down, but as the 4C demonstrates, the price skyrockets. The MX-5 manages to perfectly balance more than just the weight on each axle. Mazda has kept weight low while maintaining an incredibly affordable $25k starting price.

Whether it’s car makers, journalists, department stores, or coffee shops, they all share one thing in common. The vast majority attempt to meet the needs of the largest quantity of people possible, in the hopes of obtaining the biggest market share. Chances are, the Mazda Miata isn’t right for you, and that’s part of what makes it so incredible. Instead of pandering to the masses, Mazda stays true to only those who appreciate dynamic driving. There’s no glove compartment. The sun visors are a cheap thin plastic. The cupholders are equally unimpressive. You’re not buying this car because you want to check off a large list of features, you’re buying it because you only care to tick one box: the joy of driving. Now don’t let me lead you to believe the interior is heavily flawed. The seats are incredibly comfortable, well bolstered, and the seating position is low as it should be. My one complaint is that as someone over six feet, I wish the steering wheel could telescope. That said, I can’t simultaneously brag that the car isn’t made for everyone and then whine that it’s not perfectly suited for me.

The car only seats two, the trunk fits a grocery trip, and the cabin noise levels are higher than most new cars. It even has what many might consider to be excessive body roll, although the precise amount of roll was dialled in by engineers determined to provide the car with the greatest feel. If you don’t like driving, buy something else. If you’re only mildly interested in cars, you’ll be a regular CTzen after just one take behind the wheel.

3. It Finally Looks Good

As an engineer by trade, I try to avoid subjectivity, but the new MX-5’s styling evokes an emotion I cannot deny. I’ve never thought of the Miata as particularly eye-catching, which is part of the reason why I have never tried one out prior to this generation. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some dangerously appealing vehicles in my driveway, though rarely will a passerby comment. On day one of having the Ceramic Metallic ND at my garage door, within hours I’d already received two compliments by strangers. In fact, at a press event in Washington state, the Miata sat alongside a Rolls-Royce, Maybach, Jaguar F-Type, Cadillac ATS-V, Viper, Hellcat, and numerous others, and yet a gentleman came running over asking “is this the new MX-5?!” When you’re trying to find the best meal on Yelp, you don’t look at the number of dollar signs beside the restaurant. Instead you look at the ratings and reviews; the MX-5 is 5 stars on the inside and out.

4. The Underdog Barks The Loudest

We live on a planet of eternal competition. People aren’t satisfied unless what they’re driving is the best. Their car is better than yours, period. Horsepower and 0-60mph figures will commonly be quoted as proof. Your Miata is dumb, and will get smoked at the lights, they’ll boast. It’s unfortunate that their ego prevents them from driving something truly more enjoyable. You won’t be winning stop light races, you probably won’t be posting the fastest lap times, and you’re going to lose 9/10 rev battles. When it’s all over though, on that perfect mountain road, no one is going to be smiling more for the amount of money they’ve spent. For less than $30k, you’ll experience a machine that flawlessly harmonises man and road.

5. Three Perfect Pedals & Aggressive Gearing

To be clear, all of the models I mentioned at the beginning of the article offer the correct number of pedals, but not so often is the combination executed so favourably. Shift throws are short, with moderate effort required and a unique notchy engagement ensuring the gear is in place, while the clutch pedal makes use of the entire travel. The sandwiched disc bites as soon as you begin releasing your foot from the floor, but it isn’t fully engaged until you’ve released all the way. Take your time for smooth, precise shifts with absolute control, or hammer through them as fast as your feet allow. Both the brake and the throttle feel linear; there’s no spike in the throttle to make the car appear to have better response than it really does. All three pedals provide the level of control you want (and expect) from something aimed at being a driver’s car.

As far as the gearing, it’s becoming all too common that the need to shift gears is being taken away from the driver. With tighter fuel economy restrictions, certain cars seemed to be geared for efficiency (looking at you, VW GTI and Porsche Cayman) rather than outright speed. The Miata has one of the most aggressive gearboxes on the market, providing the joy of shifting gears and allowing for on-demand wheel slip under 40mph. Though I’ve never driven it, I’d imagine the Porsche Cayman GT4 might be the best driver’s car period, but only if they gave it shorter gears.

6. Engineering Excellence

When designing a driver’s car, there are certain givens which allow for the greatest experience. Mid-engine (the Miata’s 2.0-litre longitudinal I4 impressively sits behind the front axle), rear wheel drive, and a well balanced weight distribution (50/50 for the MX-5, with a driver in the car). Arguably, the automobile is the most technically advanced product available to the masses for consumer use. Also debatable, the ND packs some of the best engineering into a modern day car, budgets considered, and for that it deserves applause. Oh, and did I mention I managed 44 miles per gallon when I tested it out?

So, Am I Off To Buy One Now?

Nope! For the same reason that I love it (#2 above), I simply shall not have it. I’m a ski bum. I fancy going up to the mountain with four pairs of skis on the roof rack and three friends in the car, all while three limited-slip differentials sort out where to send torque via the fresh winter tyres on my AWD Subaru. My WRX STI isn’t the most fun car to drive under $50k, but it will do absolutely everything I ask from it.

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