2009 BMW Z4 vs 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2009 BMW Z4

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Select style

2-Door Roadster sDrive30i

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Z4 2-Door Roadster sDrive30i	19	28	$42,090	$45,750
Z4 2-Door Roadster sDrive35i	18	25	$47,520	$51,650

Select style

2-Door Conv Automatic Grand Touring

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Automatic Grand Touring	20	27	$24,335	$26,340
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Automatic Special Edition	20	27	$25,257	$27,340
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Automatic Sport	20	27	$22,033	$23,840
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Automatic Touring	20	27	$23,129	$25,030
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Manual Grand Touring	21	28	$23,323	$25,240
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Manual SV	22	27	$19,081	$20,635
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Manual Special Edition	21	28	$24,567	$26,590
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Manual Sport	22	27	$20,002	$21,635
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Manual Touring	21	28	$22,116	$23,930
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv PRHT Automatic Grand Touring	20	27	$26,058	$28,210
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv PRHT Automatic Touring	20	27	$24,815	$26,860
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv PRHT Manual Grand Touring	21	28	$25,046	$27,110
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv PRHT Manual Sport	22	27	$22,609	$24,465
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv PRHT Manual Touring	21	28	$23,802	$25,760

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$42,090

$24,335

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$45,750

$26,340

Monthly Payment Estimate

$763 / month

$439 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.2

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2009 BMW Z4 isn't a lightweight, basic roadster anymore, but it's a comfortable and exhilarating touring sports car that leaves a lot of flexibility.

The 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata brings the classic roadster into the modern era, with fantastic handling and an optional power-folding hardtop.

TCC Likes

Tight hardtop
Velvety, responsive engines
Excellent dual-clutch automatic

Engaging handling
Perky four-cylinder engine
Great manual shifter

TCC Dislikes

Tight cabin and low windshield header
Steering ratio feels too quick
Unimpressive standard sound system

Tight cockpit
Lack of safety data
No stability control on base models

Fuel Economy

City

19 mpg

20 mpg

Highway

28 mpg

27 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Two-Seater

Two Seater

Interior Dimensions

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.3

53.2

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

43.1

Front Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

50.6

Passenger Volume (ft³)

- TBD -

Front Head Room (in)

39.1

37.4

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

50.8

49.0

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.4

58.9

Wheelbase (in)

98.3

91.7

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.5

67.7

Track Width, Front (in)

59.5

58.7

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

4.6

Length, Overall (in)

166.9

157.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

8.0

5.3

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8 x - TBD -

11.4 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8 x - TBD -

11.0 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr-Assisted

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

14.5

12.7

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

14.4

15.0

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.1

15.4

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Pwr

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.0

2.7

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P225/45R17

P205/45R17

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45R17

P205/45R17

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3241

2529

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 8.0

17 x 7.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Alloy

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 8.0

17 x 7.0

Front Wheel Material

Alloy

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

7.9

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

147

100

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

255 @ 6600

158 @ 6700

Engine Type

Gas I6

Gas I4

Fuel System

- TBD -

MPFI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

220 @ 2600

140 @ 5000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.0L/182.8

2.0L/122

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.81

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.19

3.17

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.01

2.06

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.27

4.10

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.70

0.58

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.50

3.54

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.31

1.40

Trans Type

Summary

Body Style

2 Dr Conv

2 Door Convertible

Vehicle Name

BMW Z4

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

- TBD -

Multi-link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

- TBD -

Double-Wishbone

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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