2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata - Page 1 Review

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Shopping for a 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata? MSRP: $22,960 - $29,500

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The 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata brings the classic roadster look into the modern age with excellent reliability, great handling, and a weather-tight optional power-folding hardtop. For more than 20 years, the Miata has charmed those interested in a back-to-basics sports car that brings thrills but not necessarily a lot of frills.

From the outside, the Miata gets a more aggressive front end and a revised rear bumper last year, along with new lightweight 16- and 17-inch wheels. Overall, however, it keeps with a very classic roadster appearance, featuring a long hood, short cockpit-like cabin, and rear decklid.

The 2010 Miata’s four-cylinder engine is very responsive and rev-happy, with sports car-perfect handling, quick short-ratio steering, and short-throw manual transmissions that are a joy to run through the gears. Beginning in 2009, the combination became even more enjoyable with redline for the engine pushed up and new carbon-coated synchros for the gearbox.

At the top of the Miata range is a PRHT (power retractable hardtop) model, which is very well executed; when the hardtop is retracted and folded away, the Miata still has 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space. While that’s much smaller than any sedan, it’s large enough for most overnight bags or a couple of duffels. The PRHT model adds very little extra weight, and the top stows away in just 12 seconds; unlike some other hardtop convertible models, it doesn’t hamper the fun.