Here’s Why The Mazda MX-5 Miata Shouldn’t Be Ignored In 2024

Here’s Why The Mazda MX-5 Miata Shouldn’t Be Ignored In 2024


Summary

  • The 2024 Mazda MX-5 is the most affordable sports car with individual transmission, offering a fun driving experience at an affordable price.
  • Equipped with a lightweight six-speed manual transmission, the MX-5 is smooth and responsive with solid performance from its four-cylinder engine.
  • Going up against competitors like the Subaru BRZ and BMW Z4, the MX-5 excels in its handling and manual transmission experience at a lower price.


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In recent years, automatic transmissions have become common for manufacturers around the world, regardless of what type of vehicles they produce. Overall, switching to an automatic transmission from a manual makes perfect sense for the mass market, forcing drivers to focus more on the road as it removes one of the main jobs behind the wheel. However, for many, the satisfaction and sense of connection that only a manual transmission can generate adds a lot of value to the car.

Sports cars are the way to go if you want a memorable driving experience, but manual transmissions are few and far between in this segment these days. However, a few sports cars still offer a manual instead of an automatic, with the iconic Mazda MX-5 Miata being the cheapest. Here’s a deep dive into what makes the 2024 MX-5 such a special sports car.


In order to provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to prepare this article was obtained from various manufacturers’ websites and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver, and.
CarBuzz.

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Sports Car Fun at the Cheapest Price

Although the sports car market with manual transmissions is shrinking for the year, several interesting entries remain, including the BMW M2 (which will remain manual until at least 2030) and Porsche 718. However, these models start at more than $60,000. The Subaru BRZ is cheaper, with a starting price of $30,195, but the MX-5 still manages to undercut it.

With a starting price of $28,985, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 is the cheapest sports car to offer a manual transmission. The MX-5 has been one of the most affordable new sports cars for years, maintaining its reputation as an endlessly fun everyday car.


Six Speed ​​Manual Transmission

Mazda

In several other 2024 Mazda models, the SKYACTIVE automatic transmission is the standard for increasing gear shifting speed and overall efficiency. In the ’24 MX-5, however, the SKYACTIVE-MT six-speed manual transmission comes standard, designed to be lighter and smaller in size.

To further improve the MX-5’s manual transmission, the sports car has a short-range shifter, a design that is designed to reduce the time it takes to shift from one gear to another.

This places the revs higher to improve the car’s power delivery while making the transmission smoother at every turn. For 2024, all MX-5s with a manual transmission come with new and improved limited slip differential.


Strong Performance From Its Inline-Four Engine

Mazda

As for sports car power, the 2024 MX-5 is equipped with a small but powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Although this is not a huge output, the vehicle’s curb weight of 2,341 pounds makes the MX-5 light and responsive. Fuel efficiency is less of a concern for sports cars than for sedans and SUVs, but the 2024 MX-5 offers surprisingly consistent ratings of 26 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway.


An example

Mazda Miata MX-5 Club

Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring

Engine

2.0-liter inline-four

2.0-Liter Inline-Four

Horse Power

181 hp

181 hp

Torque

151 LB-FT

151 LB-FT

Contagion

Six-speed manual

Six-speed Automatic

Driving line

RWD

RWD

0-60 MPH

5.7 seconds

5.8 seconds

High Speed

140 MPH

137 MPH

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Mazda Offers Three Different Trims For 2024 MX-5

Mazda

Like most new sports cars, the 2024 MX-5 comes in three variants, each offering slightly different features. Offering only three different trims, the MX-5 remains competitive in terms of options with the Subaru BRZ and BMW Z4.

Difference between Trims

Mazda


The three pieces share a few similarities. However, there are enough differences to warrant a price change between them. The Club trim is the middle option, starting at $32,485, and doesn’t differ much from the basic Sport trim mechanically, aside from the sport suspension and Bilstein fluids. Many upgrades can be found inside, with the Club trim coming with a nine-speaker Bose audio system and heated seats. The Club Edition also has a wider selection of exterior colors to choose from.

Moving up to the top-of-the-line Grand Touring trim, the starting price has been raised to $34,285. As you’d expect, the Grand Touring trim has more extras, with a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

Exterior features have also been extended for the top trim, with adaptive headlights and high beam control as standard. Mazda Navigation also comes with the Grand Touring for more efficiency behind the wheel. All 2024 MX-5 models are front-mid-engine, with rear-wheel drive as standard.


Model RF-MX-5

Mazda

In addition to the base MX-5 Miata model, the MX-5 Miata RF model, introduced in 2021, returns for 2024. The RF badge stands for ‘retractable fastback’, meaning the unique high roof can be lowered and raised electronically. button. Regarding the price, the MX-5 RF model starts at $37,010 in 2024, which is still very competitive in the budget sports car market.

As for power, the RF has the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as the base MX-5, producing 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

Because of the added retractable hardtop, the MX-5 ZF weighs 2,452 pounds, 111 pounds heavier than the base MX-5. However, the ZF suspension is more rigid, maintaining steering response.


Mazda claims that the improved electric power steering has improved the handling of the MX-5, which was already renowned for its balance and stability.

The MX-5 RF’s transmission options also stay the same. Club and Grand Touring trims have a six-speed manual short-shift transmission. The Grand Touring offers a six-speed automatic transmission, starting at $37,010 and rising to $40,210 for the Club trim. Interior benefits for the Club trim include black Recaro sports seats.

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Once Again Improving the Fourth Generation Miata

Mazda

Ever since Mazda released the MX-5 in 1989, the sports car it has passed through four generations, with the fourth being the current one. The fourth generation was introduced in 2016, with the 2024 and 2025 models expected to be the last before the fifth generation is introduced. Despite being eight years old, the MX-5’s design, inside and out, is one of the most timeless.


Modern Interiors Are Still Timeless

Mazda

For 2024, the MX-5 sees minor changes to make it feel fresh and modern. Inside, the main new feature is the 8.8-inch full-color center display on all trims, an upgrade from last year’s 7-inch display. The MX-5’s interior upholstery stays true to its quality, with black cloth-trimmed seats and a leather steering wheel, shifter, and parking brake lever. The Club trim has a choice of cloth and suede inserts, while the Grand Tour has black leather or Nappa leather available.

All trims also come with armrests, carpeted floor mats, and a driver’s footrest. For the more expensive Grand Touring trim, an extra touch of class is introduced through black door trim plates and stainless steel inserts. For infotainment, the MX-5 comes with all the connectivity essentials, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa, and Bluetooth audio and streaming capabilities.


Good Outdoor Style

The MX-5 has been one of JDM’s most recognizable sports cars for decades, with its smooth, cohesive lines framing its compact shell. For 2024, the overall shape of the MX-5 remains the same, apart from a few but impactful changes. The ’24 model features new wheel designs, a revised front grille, and new LED exterior lighting elements.

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The ’24 Mazda MX-5 Compared to Its Rivals

Despite the MX-5’s price being enough to make it competitive within the sports car segment, it’s always important to compare the model to its closest rivals in terms of performance and price range. Mazda has a few four-cylinder sports cars that compete with it, even if the cars’ prices are sometimes quite different.


2024 Subaru BRZ

As mentioned, the Subaru BRZ is slightly more expensive than the base MX-5, starting at $30,195. Under the hood of the ’24 BRZ is a massive 2.4-liter four-cylinder, producing a solid 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.

Although it offers a 20% increase in power compared to the 2023 BRZ, it doesn’t have the luxury of being a convertible sports car like the MX-5. The ’24 BRZ also has a six-speed manual transmission, making the two models even more closely matched.

2024 BMW Z4


Moving on to the MX-5’s rivals, the ’24 BMW Z4 is another long-running sports car that received a third-generation facelift last year. It finally welcomes its six-speed manual, the Z4 takes a big step up in terms of price, starting at $54,050. However, performance also takes a step forward, with its popular 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing an impressive 255 horsepower.

The MX-5 lacks 74 horsepower less than the Z4, but its $25,065 price drop compared to the BMW makes the Mazda more attractive as a budget sports car. Even compared to the Subaru BRZ, the Mazda falls short in power, but its class-leading handling and responsive manual transmission are more than enough to keep the MX-5 in the mix.