For the fourth year in a row, the Mazda Miata is an Eight Great Ride. And may God forgive us for not including it in 1998. (Mazda didn't help us any; the company didn't manufacture them that year.)
Although the 2002 Miata is not really new in any way, it remains one of our absolute favorites, and the reason is simple: It's an absolute blast to drive.
With a 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution, the rear-drive Mazda Miata is perfectly balanced. Our dark green test car pulled an effortless .93g around the skidpad, which is the best of the eight cars.
Out on the road, the Miata's cornering response is perfectly predictable. Push it hard and it pleasantly understeers; push it harder and it will four-wheel drift, push it until you pucker and it will oversteer. But that takes plenty of pucker.
Around town, the little roadster is manageable and remarkably comfortable. The seats remain supportive; the LS with six-speed gearbox comes resplendent with a leather interior--nice, but unnecessary for purists who are more concerned with weight savings than creature comforts. For the true enthusiasts, Mazda offers the same Suspension Package, with a five speed, cloth interior, a limited-slip diff, engine compartment brace and Bilstein shocks. Ditching the LS luxuries dumps 70 lbs. Sure the six-speed in our test car shifts wonderfully and is geared well, but a Miata with leather interior is like putting a mustache on Britney Spears.
Torque from the small 1.8-liter four-cylinder is adequate and spread nicely throughout the powerband; but with only 112 hp at the wheels, the Miata's yank is lagging behind many of the alternatives in the price range, including the other seven cars here.
Mazda isn't promising any more power in the near future, but the company did show a 2.3-liter engine at the Tokyo Auto Show, which may be destined for North America's Miata. We've also heard Mazda Australia is offering a limited run of 200-hp turbocharged MX-5s (the Australian equivalent to the Miata). Sorry, no exports, but the aftermarket offers forced induction alternatives for Miata-philes who desire more power.
After 12 years of production (much longer than Mazda's goal of six to eight years), the Miata continues to enjoy the attention of a cult-like fan club, earning more respect than many other reasonably priced rides. Unlike other cars that have hit the market with a flurry of advertising hype, the Miata is not a trend--it's an automotive icon.
Had a bad day? Gimme the keys.