Newport Beach, CA – A wise person once said “money can’t buy you love” and I’m inclined to agree, although it certainly helps!  But…what money can do is buy you something that you love and after just a few minutes behind the wheel of the 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata I was completely head over heels, deeply, madly, in love with this car.  I was searching for reasons not to have to give the keys back. 

 It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since the Miata hit our shores.  Mazda has been extremely careful not to mess with success on the Miata and short of trying to change the name to MX-5 (but the Miata namesake would not go away), replacing the pop-up headlights, newer and improved materials inside and out and modern technology under the hood and in the suspension, they have stayed true to the original formula. 

What is very easy to believe is why this car is on just about everyone’s list of top ten models and/or wish lists I’ve ever spoken to or read about.  The reason for this you ask, well it’s an easy answer, fun, fun, fun.  I can’t remember the last car I spent time in that brought such a grin to my face or had me looking for a reason, any reason at all, to jump in it and take off.  Oh, you want some fresh Sourdough Bread…OK I’ll jump in the car and run up to San Fran and pick some up, it’s only 400 some odd miles, ONE WAY… I’ll be back soon!

 I didn’t actually take that road trip but would have in a heartbeat.  I did manage to spend almost 500 glorious miles of top down cruising throughout SoCal during the time the Competition Yellow hottie was in my driveway.  A cruise up and down the coast, you bet.  High speed run up to Supercar Sunday in Calabasas, check.   Drop off dry cleaning and pick up groceries, did that too. 

 For 2010 Mazda offers the MX-5 Miata in three trim levels with either a soft top or a power- retractable hard top (PRHT).  The ease of raising/lowering the soft top is simplicity in and of itself.  Release the headliner latch and push the top back until it locks into place, takes all of maybe 5 seconds.  To raise it simply pull another release latch, grab it and then secure the headliner latch again.  It took longer to describe the process than actually doing it, up or down.  The power-retractable hardtop adds weight and complexity, both of which are the nemesis of engineers, but the folks at Mazda have

kept both in check.  For colder climates or someone that only occasionally puts the top down the PRHT may be the way to go, but the rest of us can check the soft top box on the order form.

 This particular blonde (2010 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring) will set you back $29,310, not exactly cheap for a two-seat roadster with just enough luggage space for a little more than  a weekend bag full of bikini’s in the trunk.  But you don’t buy a two-seat roadster for SUV like hauling capacity!   As you would expect the top of the line trim level comes extremely well equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, front suspension tower brace, power windows/locks, keyless entry/start, leather seating, leather wrapped steering wheel (with audio and cruise control function on it), and shift knob, heated seats, fog lights, trip computer, and six-disc CD changer with 7-speaker Bose audio.  Tack on the suspension package adding Bilstein Shocks and a sport tuned suspension with a limited slip differential and the Premium Package which brings xenon headlights, Sirius Satellite Radio, and Bluetooth to the party and you can Zoom-Zoom in style all over the place!

 The 2.0 Liter DOHC 16-valve I4 VVT engine makes 167 horsepower and 140 Lb-Ft Torque. Does not sound like much in today’s world of 400 and 500 HP sports cars, but they all tip the scales, at if not twice, but three times more than the MX-5.  Weight is the enemy in a sports car, not only for acceleration but handling too.  The more pounds the lower the EPA rating as well.  This little gem of an engine provides EPA estimates of 21 City and 28 Highway.

 My whirlwind affair with this blonde maiden ended way to soon, no more runs up through the sweet shifting gears managed by a shifter that is perfectly placed and the clutch pedal which, happily, becomes part of your foot.  No more listening to the evocative tones emanating from her dual sport exhaust.  No more basking in the sunshine that made us soul mates.  She had me at “hello”!  True love indeed, or is it lust?  Either way…I want her back.

Column and photos provided by Rich Branch, EVP of Race Central TV and Radio Network Partners.