2006 Mazda MX-5: Tester's Comments
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2006 Mazda MX-5 ▼
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- MSRP: $20,435 -$26,700
- Invoice: $18,883 -$24,654
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2006 Mazda MX-5. See if the 2006 Mazda MX-5 is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2006 Mazda MX-5 |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | Sport |
| Arrival Date: | 09/29/2005 |
| Engine: | dohc I4 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door convertible |
| Transmission: | 6-speed automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 22,935 |
| Price as Tested: | 24,595 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 1108 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 1266 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 158 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 7.094 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 22.27 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
6-speed Automatic Transmission
From the Back Seat
Chuck Giametta
Pure sports cars, such as the MX-5, require the purity of a manual transmission to fulfill their true mission. So it's no small matter to find that this automatic transmission doesn't ruin the experience. It's terrifically well-matched to this engine, pulling steadily off the line, downshifting alertly, even holding lower gears at midrange speeds, just as you might with the 6-speed manual. The paddle-shift feature is pretty racy, too, though it seems to sacrifice some promptness in the name of slightly slurred, but smoother, gear changes. If I had to, I could live with it, but I'd also argue that driving an automatic-transmission sports car isn't really living.
Rick Cotta
Still a great little sports car, but aside from a welcome dose of extra power and a more responsive automatic transmission, this MX-5 is not a huge step forward from the Miata--and in some ways, such as top function and interior details, a step back.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2006 Mazda MX-5 |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | Sport |
| Arrival Date: | 09/06/2005 |
| Engine: | dohc I4 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door convertible |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 22,935 |
| Price as Tested: | 23,995 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 234 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 532 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 298 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 12.55 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 23.75 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Suspension Pkg. (Sport-Tuned Suspension, Limited Slip Differential), Bilstein Shocks
From the Back Seat
Tom Appel
About the best $24,000 toy on the market. MX-5 is a smile maker that could pass as an efficient daily driver for some lucky single. Don't need a back seat? Don't need much luggage space? Like the open-top thing? Here's your car--unless your 6-ft tall or taller or 300 lb or heavier.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2006 Mazda MX-5 |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | Sport |
| Arrival Date: | 04/27/2006 |
| Engine: | dohc I4 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door convertible |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 22,935 |
| Price as Tested: | 23,995 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 1204 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 1742 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 538 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 19.418 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 27.71 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Suspension Package (sport tuned suspension, limited slip differential, Bilstein shocks)
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2006 Mazda MX-5 |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | Grand Touring |
| Arrival Date: | 09/12/2005 |
| Engine: | dohc I4 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door convertible |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 24,435 |
| Price as Tested: | 25,495 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 193 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 2910 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 2717 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 31.13 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 23.74 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Bilstein Shocks, Suspension Package, Limited Slip Differential
From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
The MX-5 is a hoot. There are very few cars that are this much fun to drive, and fewer that are this economical in both MSRP and MPG. I just wish I fit in the cockpit better.
Ed Piotrowski
MX-5 is raw fun that's priced within reach of many buyers. Use the money you save over buying other sporty/performance cars to take a long road trip or build a garage addition.
John Biel
The MX-5's Miata predecessors never relied on power as the core element for driving fun, but this driver can't say he doesn't enjoy the added strength in the new model. The fact that it doesn't seem to detract from the historically fun driving experience of the Miata/MX-5 is all the more to the good.
Rick Cotta
Aside from a satisfying increase in power, the new Miata doesn't strike me as any improvement over the old one, and even incorporates some new-found lapses. Yet it's still the quintessential sports car, though it has stiff competition in the form of Pontiac's Solstice.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2006 Mazda MX-5 |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | Grand Touring |
| Arrival Date: | 09/06/2005 |
| Engine: | dohc I4 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door convertible |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 24,435 |
| Price as Tested: | 25,495 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 163 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 387 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 224 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 10.508 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 21.32 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Suspension Package (Sport-Tuned Suspension, Limited-Slip Differential, Bilstein Shocks)
From the Back Seat
Mark Bilek
This generation Miata remains true to form. First and foremost it is a fun car to drive. Mazda did a great job, I only wish they had added two more inches of leg room and another inch of head room.
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