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Selected driving songs blasting through six speakers, volume cranked to the 225 watts maximum, downshifting pedal to the medal accelerating hard out of the cloverleaf, top down, wind in the hair, sun on your face, the one you love by your side and no particular destination. Now that's my idea of test-driving the new 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata. I must confess that I am not an impartial objective reviewer of the Mazda Miata as my own 1994 Miata with 137,000 miles sits longingly in the garage waiting like an anxious puppy for a romp. Yes, I love the Miata, its one of the most practical car on the planet simply because of the fun factor to dollars ratio. Sure there are more luxurious cars, sports cars with more horsepower, more status, more comfort and more speed. There are times you need more space and the ability to carry luggage and passengers. Staring up at the lug nuts of an 18-wheeler whiled driving from Kansas City to St. Louis on I-70 in a Miata will wring you out physically and mentally like an old chamois. But if you haven't dried up like a prune only to give up on romance and having fun then the Miata, in my opinion, is the best bang for the buck in a two-seated roadster. There is something therapeutic about winding country back roads that no drugs or psychotherapy can match. As I listened to the tuned exhaust sing in harmony with the stereo on highway 45 between Parkville and Weston, I decided to see if the 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata really preformed as advertised. I won't admit to actually exceeding the speed limit but I can say that as the turbo charger kicks in the romp to triple digits is unexpectantly smooth and stable due to the lowered and stiffened suspension of the Mazdaspeed Miata. Zero to sixty in 6.5 seconds is certainly adequate yet the real measure of this car is the fun that accompanies not only blistering speed but driving romance. True automotive passion is not always a quickie zero to sixty climax but the repeated thrusting through the curves of the countryside in topless bliss drives a long term love affair with the Miata. At $25,730 the 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata is simply a better buy than the Miata LS which by the time you add the 6-speed manual gearbox is actually priced higher than the Mazdaspeed Miata. For this bargain price you get the world's most popular roadster enhanced to near perfection. Adding 25% more horsepower and 33% more torque than the standard MX-5, the Mazdaspeed Miata includes a beefier 6 speed manual transmission mated to a Borsch torque sensing limited slip differential. Lowered and tuned suspension rides on 17 inch five spoke Racing Hart wheels shod with Toyo Proxes high performance tires. Huge four wheel Anti lock Disc Brakes bring this Miata to an instant stop. Sure the turbo charged Mazdaspeed Miata will drink Premium fuel but it will still sip only 26 miles to the gallon on the highway and 20 in the city according to our friends at the EPA. At only 13 feet long and weighing in at slightly over 2,500 pounds, the Miata is a glove tight fit. I am a big guy and I still have plenty of room for driving comfort. The additional features and badges over the regular Miata are simply too numerous to mention here, but the Mazdaspeed cues are everywhere making this an unmistakable head-turner. This is a car that I have been waiting to drive all summer. As a Miata owner I have always loved the car and can testify as to its reliability for me personally. I know its not for everybody and not practical in all situations. But how practical is commuting to work alone in a huge SUV anyway? I'll reluctantly give the 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata back, but there are five dealers here in Kansas City who can hook you up with one of the most fun cars on the road for less money than an ordinary car. I'm willing to bet that you fall in love with driving again once you are behind the wheel of your own new 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata.
2004 Mazdaspeed Miata.
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©2003 - Stan Risener