2005 Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5 Miata Review
Fuel Economy
20 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
The standard Miata is a sporty yet affordable roadster. Aided by a turbocharger and an array of chassis upgrades, the Mazdaspeed version is a full-blown sports car that still fits the budget of an enthusiast with a day job.
Pros
Fun-to-drive character, excellent steering response and handling, thrilling acceleration, excellent build and materials quality.
Cons
Tight cockpit is a squeeze for taller drivers, small trunk, engine drones on the highway.
What's New for 2005
The Mazdaspeed Miata's formula remains the same for 2005, with the exception of a new wheel design and two new color options.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
ZOOMING Past most!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 2dr Roadster (1.8 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Review
I liked it so much I bought TWO! I have a Black Mica and a Lava Orange. I bought accessories for the puny intercooler and boost controls, upgraded to cross-drilled slotted rotors and intake hard pipes with K&N filter and Blow-Off valve, Autometer boost gauge. The only drawbacks are premium gas >18mpg in town and around 25 freeway. The forward cupholder. And the lack of iPod integration (sold separately $200). This car is phenom, 10.02 seconds 1/8th mile stock. Top end is around 126 mph or so, the rev limiter. But boy 0-60mph in a sub-2400 lb car with over 200 HP it is evil-quick, nothing even comes close to me except bikes.
Favorite Features
The MOTOR man, all that ZOOM! Handling is superb, I have driven lots and lots of cars, the next best thing in my mind is an old- school 300ZX 2+2 Dual turbo. I love larger displacement highend cars but nothing beats the sheer thrill of 65 mph to 120 mph with a downshift and throttle punch!
Suggested Improvements
Mazda tried. A 2.0L with Turbo and around 9-12lbs of boost and a 8000 rpm limiter would have been perfection! I run mine at 9lbs and works just fine. The intercooler is tiny, plastic and heatsoak is instant. I have one now that is 2.8x bigger and a 5lb CO2 cryo bottle/halo system to really ZOOOOMM!!
If it is Miata, buy it
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5 Miata 2dr Roadster (1.8 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Review
It is a rare car, turbo-charged engine powers car great. This is one still called Miata. Mazda people dropped miata name, so pity. New Mazda is not good as Mazdaspeed Miata. If you find one, buy it. It is rare car, I looked for it everywhere. It is hard to find, easy to drive.
Favorite Features
Rims, tires, Bose 6 cd changer in dash, performance, fog lights, leather seats, rear wheel drive especially driving over 100 mph, gas mileage, exterior design, weight, easy to park.
Suggested Improvements
6-speed is not bad but prefer 5-speed. Power top would be nice but not that much problem. Tilt steering wheel,more powerful turbo with 220 HP like Lotus Elise. New 2 liter Mazda turbo will be coming but only 200 hp, not good enough. 2 cup holder, raise redline rpm, stronger A/C.
Plenty of zoom, zoom, zoom.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 2dr Roadster (1.8 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Review
Weekend car. Spirited drives with local club and auto-X & track time. Tons of fun. My only negative comment is the turbo downpipe is near the driver's feet and my feet are almost always hot due to this. The added 'cool breeze zcoop' helps. Other than that I love this car.
Favorite Features
Quick revving 1.8 L turbo engine.
Suggested Improvements
A better tire could come from the factory.
Can't get any better
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 2dr Roadster (1.8 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Review
I bought a left over brand new '05 Mazdaspeed Miata last month. WOW. After having owned the old body style, this car is everything that the old one should have been. I find the firm suspension to be just right. My driving is 90% city and in Atlanta traffic. The car is an absolute delight to drive. I have never had cars that I've wanted to go and drive just to drive until I bought a Miata. This is my second one and definitely the best. Go buy one before they're gone. They only made about 1,500 in 2005 (the factory burned). They made 4,000 in 2004, to the '05's are special. My color, Red is the most rare (only 255).
Favorite Features
Handling and comfort. SPEED! Exclusivity. I've not seen another one! BOSE! FUN TO DRIVE!
Suggested Improvements
Better fuel mileage, but I'm probably partly to blame. Cruise control (I read that they couldn't fit the cruise in the engine bay with the Turbo).
The Lava Orange Rocket
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 2dr Roadster (1.8 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Review
This is absolutely the best sports car I have ever owned, including Porsche. The handling is superb, I just wish I had the ability to drive it to the max. It really surprises the little souped up pocket rockets and the WRX's and Z3's too. I have yet to see another orange Mazdaspeed so it's really in a class of its own. The fit and finish is first class. The performance and gas mileage really improved when I changed the air filter to a K&N. Love the sound of the turbo winding with the nice exhaust note. Highway mileage really running it is around 28MPG with in town mileage averaging 23MPG. Be careful parking head in with the concrete barriers.
Favorite Features
Performance and handling! Bose radio with Sirius in great. The automatic volume control that is speed activated works surprising well. Nothing better than dropping the top and driving along the beach on a warm sunny Florida day. Perfect!
Suggested Improvements
Wish it had cruise control and of course more acceleration. Can't get enough of that. The cup holders are in a unhandy position when shifting, especially the front one.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2005 Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5 Miata
- 2004 Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5 Miata
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