Buy a 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata or wait for the all-new 2016?
Seeing a 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata on the road today reminded me that spring is in the air and convertible fever is spreading throughout the United States. Those who catch it will want to immediately run out and buy a new convertible, despite the fact that the prices are likely to be higher in April than in any other month of the year. As a complete Mazda Miata fanatic, I am inclined to say “go get one!” However, there are two sides to the argument given that Mazda is close now to releasing the first truly new Mazda Miata since 2006.
Let’s not pretend that this writer is impartial. As a former owner of a 2007 MX-5 Grand Touring with the sport package I can attest to the deep satisfaction that a Miata brings to any driver. The current generation Mazda Miata is a fantastic car in terms of pure driving pleasure. Whether you plan weekend back-roads tours, or on-track fun, there really is no better car, at any price point. That said the current generation Miata does have a couple things it can improve upon in the new model.
First, the information and entertainment systems in the Miata are sub-par for any vehicle. I know the argument that the sound of the birds chirping will be your music and the sun your guide, but a decent stereo and a built-in Nav would improve the road-trip fun factor in this little gem tremendously. I suspect that this will be addressed in the new version. Also, the Miata gets about 27 MPG now on road-trips. Not bad given the car’s mission, but terrible by the standards of a car its size and weight. Worse than any other Mazda car. This will be fixed in the next car for sure.
Now let’s consider what a 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata might have we don’t want. First off, it might be harder to get, more expensive, and late. So if you are like me, and you are wise enough to realize all of our days on this Earth are limited, maybe act now for that reason alone. Next, do you want the first year of any new vehicle design? I trust Mazda. Mine never had a single major issue in 4 years of ownership. However, mine was built before the improvement to the synchros came out. Guess what? A person I let drive mine damaged the synchros. I could have used that improvement. Also, the engine had other internal upgrades that I did not have and that if I had tracked the car, would have wanted.
So there is a choice to make. Do you wait until next year and hope the new car is ready for you or do you go out now and get a proven vehicle with very few compromises? We are not asking rhetorically, tell us your plan in the comments section below.
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