2004 Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5 Miata Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Mazdaspeed is designed for lightness and come standard with handling aids including sway bars, Bilstein, coil overs. And a power boost to 178 hp. 38 more than any other Miata until the 2019 ND’s CD were released. Fabulous handling, cruises nicely top down at 80 mph, and the power band when Turbo kicks in above 3,500 rpm. Find a car that has not lived in the North as rust can eat them up. I love mine. Dec 11, 2022

This is a great handling car with plenty of acceleration. Try the turbo charger in first gear. This is the MazdaSpeed which was limited in production as an anniversary edition and came with factory installed turbo charger, Bose Sound, Aluminum pedals, sport seats, Allow aluminum lightweight wheels, low profile tires, etc. If you want a fun convertible car to drive - this is it.Feb 08, 2014

I've owned 5 different Miatas. I kept upgrading whenever a new and better one came out, but stopped after the Mazdaspeed. I never liked the styling of the 2006-current version, though with each successive refresh to the styling, I find the 2006-2008 models more appealing, especially ones with the power retractable hardtop. Anyway, I've always regretted selling my first Miata, the 1997 STO Edition, one of the last first-gen cars built. Great colors inside and out, good looking wheels, and with production capped at 1,500 units, it was rare. To get the Mazdaspeed, I traded a red/black 2003 Miata with leather. While I love the way the Mazdaspeed looks, steers, handles, and brakes, I'm not that crazy about the peaky turbocharged engine. At around 3,000 rpm, its like somebody flips a power switch under the hood, and then the car blasts into its rev limiter all too easy. This is a quick car, but not a speedy car, and it's not easy to drive smoothly. I preferred the less powerful, but ultimately more refined, powertrain in my 2003 Miata. The car is almost 9 years old and has 33,000 miles on it. When my wife and I were dating, she loved convertibles. Now she hates them. And since your average SUV would crush this thing, I rarely put my kids in for a ride (it has a front passenger airbag defeat switch). Also, it lacks cruise control, and my aging legs aren't all that interested in being cooped up in the Mazdaspeed, holding the accelerator down. I should sell it, but it is long paid for, is exceptionally reliable, and still puts a big, fat smile on my face whenever I drive it. I still love Miatas, and might even buy another one in the future, but they are strictly second cars, or are best for single people who don't need to carry much more than carry-on luggage and a laptop case.May 30, 2013

Performance – Great, but highly limited from factory. NEEDS aftermarket upgrades to reach full potential. Increases of 30% in crank horsepower and torque from simple full intake and exhaust mods. With an ECU, larger injectors, intake/MBC & exhaust, these cars put down 215-230 whp... From 178hp stock, that's a huge increase. Build Quality – Excellent for it's size and type. Some rattles, but I expected much worse from a car with this kind of suspension setup. Appearance – Excellent, but smallest vehicle on the road meaning you're nearly invisible to some drivers and are a rock chip and door ding magnet. Watch out. Cost of Ownership – Medium. Fun Factor – Outstanding. Feb 06, 2009

Top down, terrific. Top up, makes me wish I owned a sport sedan. Have owned Miatas for 10 years now. Fantastic handling, braking, steering. Acceleration is just OK. Trunk is decent size for such a small car -- holds small rollaway and a briefcase. Once hauled a Christmas tree home on the roof. Bulletproof in terms of reliability. Biggest downside? Guys with, uh, "confidence" issues write it off as a chick-mobile. No problem, pal. Let's meet in Malibu so I can dust your Mustang on Latigo Canyon Road.Dec 11, 2008