Test Drive - 2009 Competition Yellow Mazda Miata

by Rich Velardo

 
 
I was at Woodridge High School with the Wadsworth tennis team on April 1st, this was a warm and sunny day, the perfect early spring Miata day. Now tennis is as exciting for me to watch as paint drying, so I decided to walk over to Cascade for a visit and to check out the Competition Yellow Miata I had spotted on our way in. After some general yakking with one of the sales guys, Jason (sales manager), suggested that he should give me a ride back to the bus in the new Competition Yellow Miata. Well now, who am I to argue?
 
Thanks to traffic, we did a slow run down Quick Road hill which allowed us to get comfortable with the new car. The six speed manual transmission has been improved noticeably, the shifter action is smoother and lighter than on the past models but the slight horsepower gain and engine modifications were not noticeable. At the bottom we turned around and did a fast run back up the hill where the improved shifting of the transmission became very noticeable. We were also able to appreciate the improved suspension package, that for the first time since the NC was introduced in '06, actually works very well, the '09 Miata is much more stable and settled than previous NCs and much more tossable and FUN in the corners. Now why has the suspension not always been this good?
 
The interior changes are positive too and reflect the modifications many of the '06-'08 Miata owners have been making in their personal cars. While many do not like the new front grille, I think it is very good looking, especially with the yellow paint. Over all the new Miata is a better Miata than the '06-'08 model was, if you've been holding out for a new Miata now may be your time to buy!
 
All to soon the very short ride back was over and we parked next to the bus for a color comparison. I think Mazda should rename the color School Bus Yellow. What do you think?