2016 Mazda Miata MX-5 - Top Pick

Consumer Reports recently released their 2016 Top Picks for cars.  They said, “We set a high bar for the cars we rated the best in the U.S.  Each leader in its category drives beautifully, boasts solid reliability, did well in crash tests, and makes owners happy”.  Those last three words really nailed it for CR's choice in the sports car category as the lovable redesigned 2016 Mazda Miata MX-5 got the honors. 

The Miata's owners totally agree as this two seater convertible does the job in “Happy”.  Just ask one or better yet see this Miata MX up close and personal with a test drive from the friendly folks at Hixson Mazda located at 2506 MacArthur Drive, in Alexandria, LA or call the dealership at 318.448.0871 and get prepared for an enjoyable experience. 

To receive this Top Pick from Consumer Reports a car has to make top grades in Performance, Reliability, Safety and of course Owner Satisfaction.   This Mazda Miata is the true driver’s classic roadster that is affordable, agile, and just fun to drive.  You will make excuses just to drive it somewhere and drop the top.  This sports car can't wait to explore the back country roads with you and yours.  The new MX-5 is shorter, lighter, faster and yet roomier than its previous models.

It starts with an aluminum hood and under it is an easy-revving aggressive 2.0-liter four cylinder that punches out 155 very lively horses.  It quickly scoots you down the road with a choice of a smooth shifting automatic transmission or the popular six-speed manual.  This setup also delivers a combined 34 mpg; not bad for a sports car.  Bumper to bumper, this stylish Miata is just so much of a delight to drive, which you will quickly discover in your test drive; it’s not just hype as this two seater is even better than advertised. 

Standard features for the Sport trim include 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, Bluetooth and much more.  If you move up to the popular Club trim, you will receive Sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, limited-slip differential, awesome engine sound enhancer, 17-inch wheels, rear spoiler and other neat gadgets.  For example, try the 9 speaker Bose audio system in the headrests, it is the very best system for delivering music in a convertible.  Another great choice for a test drive is the Grand Touring Miata MX-5.  It comes with leather, navigation, some very important safety features and automatic climate control when you are forced to put the top back up.  Flipping the top up is really a breeze as well as storing it. 

To be honest, this MX-5 from Mazda isn't suited for taking your foursome to the golf course or even a trip to Home Depot unless you need a quart of paint.  Leave those chores to Miata's bigger Mazda's.  The MX-5 is built to have fun with you in your drive times, pure and simple.  If you desire that type of an automobile, then do check out this sports car.  The bet is on that you will drive away with a smile on your face, not only because you have put the “fun factor” in your drive times, but also for the great deal you received.

Visit http://www.hixsonmazda.com for more information about the MX-5 and to see all the great vehicles in the Mazda line-up today!

2016 Mazda Miata may have Alfa Romeo 4C's amazing 240 HP engine

By John Goreham 2014-07-28 10:54
Source: Torque News

Will Mazda offer the Alfa's incredibly powerful engine as an option?

It is no secret that Mazda and Fiat’s Alfa Romeo division are co-developing the next generation 2016 MX-5 Miata. The engines are secret though, and we have reason to believe that the Miata may have the Alfa Romeo 4C’s amazing 4-cylinder turbocharged engine as an option.

2016 Miata Test Mule Spotted

Contributing writers at Torque News’ were at an event recently where a Miata-bodied vehicle was making hot laps on the track. At the request of the host automaker, we will not reveal more details. Attendees familiar with the Alfa Romeo 4C who had recently driven the vehicle said the exhaust note of the test-mule Miata sounded exactly like the 4Cs. The vehicle was photographed, and I have seen the photos, but again, the automaker hosting the event asked that those in attendance not publish any pictures yet. In any case, the vehicle looked exactly like any other 3rd generation Miata (currently on sale.)

The Alfa Romeo 4C’s engine is not at all like anything the previous Miatas have seen. Although there were turbocharged MazdaSpeed Miatas in the second generation, they didn’t have more power than the 2006-2015 Miatas have, which is about 167 horsepower. The Alfa Romeo 4C’s engine makes 240 horsepower. In a Miata that would mean mid-4 second 0-60 times. Suddenly the Miata would be one of the fastest convertible cars for the dollar in the world.

Too Much Power For Miata?

It is hard for us to believe that Mazda would put so much power into such a small, yet capable, car. For one thing, it would be a car that would rival the 4C, so Alfa has reason not to allow the creation of a Mazda-branded MX-5 that will run with its current halo car in the US. Fiat and Alfa might be crazy enough to do it for their Spyder version of the upcoming car. Nothing will surprise us again after seeing the 700 HP Dodge Hellcat SRT. On the Mazda side, this simply seems like much more power than the Miata needs to fulfill its goal. The Honda S2000 had power on this scale, but was a larger, heavier vehicle. Frankly, this Miata would be a widow-maker if it packed so much power. Perhaps the plan will be for Mazda to offer the base engine in the US Miatas and the Alfa Spyder and top-spec Miatas will get the 4C engine? In Europe and other markets Alfa will likely offer a lower-powered Fiat engine in the Spyder.

Draw your own conclusions from what we have conveyed to you. Mazda is planning to reveal the 4rth generation, 2016 Miata in September (less than 2 months from now). All of our instincts and background tell us the Mazda will only pack a normally aspirated, sub-2-liter engine with about 170 Horsepower made by Mazda. If that is not the case, and the Miata is suddenly a rocket with an available 240 horsepower Italian engine, you heard it here first.