All posts by budwells

About budwells

Born at Wray, Colo., graduate of Sterling High School, attended Northeastern Junior College, began work at Sterling Journal-Advocate in 1956, began work at The Denver Post in 1968, resides at Greeley, Colo. Bud and wife Janice are parents of three sons and two daughters.

2014 Mazda Miata loses top in 12 seconds

 

The 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata retractable-top convertible. (Bud Wells photo)

 

The 25th anniversary edition of the Mazda Miata, only 100 in number, will arrive in early September, About the same time, Mazda plans to begin providing quick glances to a totally redesigned 2016 Miata. In the meantime, amid the confusing release of those next two models, the ’14 version recently came my way.

What’d you think of it, someone asked recently after my farewell column in the Post. I had featured a photo of the 2014 MX-5 Miata convertible, though said little about it, as I mainly reminisced in the farewell.

The two-seater Miata, jet black in exterior finish, is a Grand Touring model with a power retractable top, and here’s what I thought about it: Driving anywhere in Colorado on a summer night is a great time for testing it. Loosen the center latch at the windshield header, push a button and the top drops into the trunk in barely more than 12 seconds. The cool breeze and open look are invigorating.

The rear-wheel-drive Miata, on a wheelbase of only 91.7 inches, is a good handler with independent double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension. Its turn circle is only 30.8 feet. It is nimble, accelerates fairly quickly with lots of noise from its 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.

Unlike most competitors, which use a paddle shifter to the left of the steering wheel to downshift and one on the right to upshift, the Miata has an odd-looking paddles and thumb presses system. Pull the paddle on either side to upshift and thumb-press either side to downshift. It’s easy enough to use, after a few blocks of low-speed stop-and-go situations.

Inside, the finish is in spicy mocha brown. The seats are positioned very low; of course they are, for, even with the top in place the Miata measures only 49 inches in overall height. They’re low and narrow and bolstered, and most accommodating to a driver of modest stature.

About the time this driver began to tire, the car’s tank did, too. It is only 12.7 gallons in capacity and, with the Miata’s EPA estimate of 21/28, this will extend only 250 to 325 miles between refreshing fuel stops.

The addition of a $1,300 premium package of antitheft alarm, keyless entry, Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio and xenon headlights pushed sticker price for the Miata to $32,735. Among standard equipment are Bose audio with seven speakers, heated leather-trimmed seats, leather shift knob, automatic air conditioning, dual front and side airbags and trip computer.

Here are the ’14 Miata’s specifications:

Wheelbase 91.7 inches; Length 157.3 inches; Width 67.3 inches; Height 49 inches; Curb Weight 2,593 pounds; Track 58.7 inches front, 58.9 rear; Ground Clearance 4.6 inches; Turn Circle 30.8 feet; Engine 2.0-liter 4-cylinder; Horsepower/Torque 158/140; Transmission 6-speed automatic; Fuel mileage estimated 21/28, average 25.7; Fuel tank 12.7 gallons; Wheels 17-inch; Cargo Volume 5.3 cubic feet; Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain; Competitors Volkswagen Beetle, Mini Cooper, BMW Z4, Nissan 370Z; Assembly Plant Hiroshima, Japan; Parts Content Japan 95%; Base Price of Lowest Model $23,720; Base Price of Review Model $30,550; Sticker Price $32,735.

The MX-5 Miata made its global debut on Feb. 9, 1989, at the Chicago Auto Show. More than 900,000 have been sold around the world since.

 

Half-year car sales in the U.S.

CARS:

Toyota Camry 222,540; Honda Accord 185,278; Nissan Altima 176,453; Toyota Corolla 174,354; Honda Civic 167,097; Ford Fusion 165,498; Chevrolet Cruze 145,338; Ford Focus 120,956; Hyundai Elantra 112,497; Toyota Prius 107,101.

SUVs:

Honda CR-V 154,692; Ford Escape 152,890; Chevrolet Equinox 120,831; Toyota RAV4 116,952; Ford Explorer 104,460; Nissan Rogue 99,302; Jeep Grand Cherokee 89,613; Jeep Wrangler 85,737; Jeep Cherokee 80,432; Subaru Forester 74,400.

TRUCKS:

Ford F-series 365,825; Chevrolet Silverado 240,679; Ram 203,860; GMC Sierra 93,191; Toyota Tacoma 75,149; Toyota Tundra 57,987; Nissan Frontier 35,943; Honda Ridgeline 7,906; Nissan Titan 6,416.

 VANS:

Dodge Grand Caravan 72,066; Chrysler Town & Country 69,876; Honda Odyssey 63,297; Toyota Sienna 62,291; Ford E-series 54,326; Chevrolet Express 39,514; Ford Transit Connect 19,799; GMC Savana 16,269; Nissan NV 13,287; Mazda5 7,215.

 

Back then . . . . ’79 Mazda RX-7

Mazda RX779

From 35 years ago this summer, I remember the rough shift of the automatic transmission from first gear to second in the 1979 Mazda RX-7 sports car with rotary engine, loaned to me by Buckingham Imports, 334 Havana St., Aurora. Excerpts from the review back then:

The addition of an automatic transmission to the 1979 Mazda RX-7 took none of the allure from that popular sports car. It’s not as quick as a stick on getaway, though it’s easier driving in the city, and at about 25 miles per hour or 3,500 rpm the automatic begins to run right along with the 4-speed. The ride offered by the two-seater is above average for a sports car, and handling is outstanding. Weight distribution is the key, as the compact rotary engine is mounted far back in the engine compartment behind the front axles. It was at its best on the hills and curves of the highway between Castle Rock and Franktown. Mazda’s use of rotary engines was cut by poor ratings of the Environmental Protection Agency five years ago. The present rotary, free of most vibrations, averaged 15.6 miles per gallon in town driving and 20.6 on the highway. The 2,400-pound RX-7 is on a wheelbase of only 95 inches and is 169 inches in overall length. With its narrow track, turning circle is only 31.5 feet. Its window sticker of $9,739  included the automatic transmission, air conditioning, removable sunroof, AM/FM stereo radio with power antenna, alloy wheels and electric remote hatch release. Officials of Toyo Kogyo, the Japanese builder of the Mazda, compare the RX-7 to the 1947 MG-TC, the ’53 Corvette and the ’70 Datsun 240-Z. I don’t know about that.