2024 Mazda MX-5 Club 6M – Review by David Colman

The Joy of Sports Car Driving

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

If you're planning to drive a manual gearbox Miata, park your clodhoppers in the closet and strap on your driving booties. That was a lesson I learned after discovering my clunky Adidas track sneakers would never suit the Miata's tiny pedals. After a quick shoe exchange, we were off and running in the most joyous sports car you can buy today for less than $40,000. In fact, the Club version of the MX-5 may just be the most joyous sports car you can buy period. After all, Mazda has had no less than 35 years to perfect the formula for building a perfect 2-seat roadster. It was pretty close to great when the original NA series model debuted in 1989, and has done nothing but improve through four successive generations.

The current fourth model, tabbed ND, was introduced in 2015, and continues into a 9th year of refinement with 3 soft top convertibles and two retractable roof hardtops available. The soft tops start with the basic Sport version, which carries a base price of $30,170. This marks an increase of $995 over last year, making it the first time a base Miata has retailed for more than $30,000. More elaborately optioned convertibles are the Club, which we tested (base price $32,485), and the Grand Touring (base price $35,450). The retractable hard top models up the ante considerably, with prices ranging from $38,195 for the Grand Touring RF to $41,995 for the Club RF.

Having driven both the soft top and retractable hard top versions several times over the past few years, I would definitely opt for a convertible model identical to the 2024 model tested here. For one thing, the RFs are slightly more top-heavy than the convertibles. Secondly, the fixed sections of the RF roof slightly obscure side and rear vision. If you're after the full top-down roadster experience, stick with the convertible. Besides, you will never believe how simple Mazda has made the task of raising or lowering the canvas top. One pull of the centrally located windshield latch disengages the top from the windshield header while simultaneously lowering both side windows half-way. This allows you to swipe the folding roof back with one hand and store it in its receptacle.

Unfortunately, manual transmission sports cars are disappearing from the market with such regularity that few are left to choose from these days. One of the very best is the snappy 6MT (6-Speed Manual Transmission) Mazda supplies to the MX-5. Smooth clutch actuation takes some practice, but once you ascertain the proper engagement point, the manual Miata's transmission becomes a pleasure to operate. Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of driving the stick shift MX-5 is its hyper accurate ratio selection. Banging home gear changes is like putting the bolt action of a rifle through its paces. No slop or wasted motion means there's never a question about what gear you've selected. The 6MT Miata provides a level of pure driving pleasure that few will experience today. If you want to take the precision experience to the next level, be sure to opt for the $4,800 "Optional Equipment Package" which transforms the looks and behavior of the Club Miata into a track-ready toy. Your five-grand investment starts with the "2AP Appearance Package for Club" consisting of a front air dam, rear lip spoiler, side sill extensions, and a rear bumper skirt. These upgrades help smooth airflow over the Miata and keep it pinned to the pavement on the race track. The "2BB Brembo/BBS/ Recaro PKG" replaces the MX-5's stock disc brakes with competition-worthy Brembo calipers front and rear. It also supplies 17" forged BBS dark alloy wheels shod with track-worthy Bridgestone Potenza S001 (205/45R17) tires with a sticky grip rating of TW 280. The final enhancement of the optional equipment bonanza is a pair of supportive Recaro heated sports seats that will glue you in position just as solidly as those BBS wheels and Potenza tires will stick your Club model to the pavement.

While it may at first seem counter-intuitive to consider a sports car making just 181hp as quick, when you factor in the 2,484lb curb weight of the MX-5 you'll recognize that its exceptional horsepower-to-weight ratio of 13.72 lb/hp puts the Miata in the top echelon of sports cars. It also explains why this two-seater can cut a quarter mile standing start run in 14.5 seconds at 95mph, a 0-60mph sprint in 5.7 seconds, and record a top speed of 140mph. Is it any wonder that the MX-5 has been the number-one-selling sports/race car since its inception? Whether you want a nimble street ride or a weekend track warrior, the Miata Club model, accessorized with the 2AP appearance package, the 2BB Brembo upgrade, the BBS forged alloys and the Recaro buckets is still the best sports car you can buy today for under $40,000 - just like it was back in 1989 when it retailed for less than $15,000.

2024 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA CLUB 6MT

• ENGINE: 2.0 liter inline-4 DOHC, 16-valve, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
• HORSEPOWER: 181hp@7000rpm
• TORQUE: 151lb.-ft.@4000rpm
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 26MPG City/34MPG Highway
• PRICE AS TESTED: $38,900

HYPES: Track-Worthy, Yet Practical

GRIPES: Minimal Interior Storage

STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman