2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review
Fuel Economy
22 - 23 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
As much fun as you can have while driving with your pants on.
Pros
Fun to drive, excellent steering and handling, glass rear window.
Cons
Small trunk, drones during freeway trips, over $20,000 MSRP base price.
What's New for 2001
For 2001, the Miata receives a host of minor changes. Horsepower has been increased, and a six-speed manual transmission is now optional on the Miata LS. Both the exterior and interior have been updated and there are four new exterior colors. Regular Miatas now have 15-inch wheels as standard equipment, while both the Miata LS and cars equipped with the optional suspension package get 16-inch wheels. Safety and security are improved via seatbelt pre-tensioners, improved ABS, an engine immobilizer, an internal trunk release and optional keyless remote (standard on Miata LS).
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
BEST SPORTS CAR
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This car is so much fun to drive. Red Exterior with Tan Interior (leather) combination is fabulous. At red lights people always remark how Great Looking the car is. (I do keep it in fantastic condition) Anyway, if you want a roadster with a low sticker price THIS IS THE ONE. You won't regret it.
Favorite Features
Love the manual convertible and Red/Tan combination. The manual top, lets you put down or up in a matter of seconds.
Suggested Improvements
NONE
Our fun car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Always read about how fun Miatas were to drive, so just bought a 7 year old 01. People think it is brand new until they see 106K on the odometer. We drive Lexus for comfort but the Miata is just plain fun. Until we add on to the garage the "comfort car" will sit outside. My wife is into this as much as I am, even planning a long road trip just to spend more time in it.
Favorite Features
Fantastic cornering, responsive steering, easy up/down top. Great styling, simple build, easy to tinker with for the do-yourself guy.
Suggested Improvements
Nothing so far, it is exactly what I expected.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Great fun car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have owned this Miata since it had 3000 miles. I drive about 6k per year on and around the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a second car which is driven only in spring-fall. Putting the top down takes about 20 seconds and the car is simple to operate and fun to drive.
Favorite Features
Convertible top.
Suggested Improvements
2001 Mazda MX5 LS
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
One of the best, if not the best, cars I have ever owned. Bought in California and driven home to Texas and averaged over 30 MPG at an average speed of about 95 MPH. Most fun of any vehicle I ever drove and is more reliable than any I have owned which have included several sports cars. The only drawback to certain 2001 MX5s is a very slight clutch shudder when first driven on certain mornings. This is no real problem because it disappears after a couple of starts. I have tangled with BMW Z3s, among others, and blew them off in both high speed acceleration and cornering. If I didn't like this one so much I would buy another at the drop of a hat.
Favorite Features
6 speed transmission, acceleration above 80 MPH, cornering ability, feeling of control and stability over 100 MPH. In fact, the whole car!
Suggested Improvements
Find a fix for the clutch shudder (for picky types).
Still Smiling
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Review
This is one fun car. Looked for several months before purchasing a used Special Edition with 53K miles. This is one of many Mazda's I have purchased. Great handling, good brakes, this car begs to be driven enthusiastically. The six speed is great, shifts smoothly and precisely and keeps the rpm's below 4000 at 75 mph. I will go out of my way to take a twisty set of roads, this car is easy to push hard in the corners. It takes a set and with smooth power application will drift progressively,and when pushed hard will break lose in the rear. If this Mazda lasts as long as my 91 truck I will be smiling for years to come.
Favorite Features
6 speed, limited slip differential, British Racing Green paint.
Suggested Improvements
A bit more power without a weight penalty.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
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