2012 Mazda Miata MX-5

2.0-liter DOHC 4-Cylinder Engine
There is no supercharger or turbo to boost output, no V6 crammed under the hood to throw off the 50/50 weight balance, just a marvelously rev-happy 2.0-liter engine that responds without complaint and sips fuel to the tune of 28 mpg.

Aluminum
To look at the MX-5 Miata's spec sheet, you'd think the starting price was in the mid-$30s or even $40s, rather than mid-$20s, as the structure utilizes a remarkable amount of lightweight (and relatively costly) aluminum. Hood, trunk, front suspension control arms, rear suspension uprights and rear brake calipers are all crafted in a material many carmakers seem yet to discover in any meaningful quantities. It keeps the MX-5 Miata commendably light and wonderfully responsive.

There is no getting around the fact that the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible's interior is a snug affair but, for those who can wedge themselves inside, it promises to be a great ride. The beauty of the MX-5 Miata's interior is that, if you're shorter than six feet tall, there is ample leg and head room, even with the top up. The seats might be marginally comfortable for some, and a few people may find them not to be the best for longer trips. Amazingly, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible's trunk is big enough to fit a large overnight bag or a few days' worth of groceries. The interior materials are well above what we'd expect at this price, with Grand Touring models outfitted with heated leather seats, Bose audio and automatic climate control.

We could describe the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible's most alluring features to you, or you could just look at a picture, because what you see is what you get. The sleek exterior shares no sheet metal or parts with the last-generation Miata, but the two look amazingly similar. The MX-5 Miata's retractable soft top is a marvel of engineering, requiring only one arm to open and close. Those looking for a bit more comfort and security can opt for the retractable hardtop version, which amazingly takes up no trunk space and results in the loss of only a small storage compartment behind the driver's seat.

With 167 horsepower at 7,000 rpm from its 2.0 liters of displacement, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata's powertrain is merely middle-of-the-pack in terms of power output. But what it provides in driving enjoyment puts it solidly in pole position, with feedback - both mechanical and aural - fully appropriate to the classic sports-car experience. And much of that has been engineered into the car. One example: The engine's plastic composite intake manifold is designed to transmit - rather than mask - certain frequencies that duplicate a sports car's "sound." Both 5-speed and 6-speed manual transmissions are short in their throws and precise in their actuations. And, as noted, a 6-speed automatic is optional across the board, but truly appropriate only if you've lost your left leg in a racing accident.

2.0-liter in-line 4
167 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm (manual); 158 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm (automatic)
140 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 (5-speed manual), 21/28 (6-speed manual), 21/28 (6-speed automatic)

The three 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible trim levels - Sport, Touring and Grand Touring - range in price from about $24,000 (5-speed Sport) to almost $29,000 (Grand Touring automatic), plus whatever port or dealer-installed accessories the consumer would care to add. The power retractable hard top Touring starts around $28,000 and a loaded Grand Touring tops out around $33,000. Be sure and check kbb.com's Fair Purchase Price for what consumers are paying in your market area. Historically, MX-5 Miata resale value has been consistently strong, a testament to both its long-term reliability and desirability to successive generations of car buyers.

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