In keeping with the general industry trend of offering more car for the
same or less money when a model's revised, Mazda Canada has kept the base price of the 2006 MX-5 Miata at the same level as its predecessor -- $27,995.
As is also the industry norm with a revised model, the third-generation Miata gets more power from a new drivetrain and equipment that was previously not available.
Notwithstanding the changes, says Mike Benchimol, the president of Mazda Canada, the Miata that arrives in dealerships this September "remains the epitome of the affordable, lightweight sportscar."
This claim has particular resonance this time, since Pontiac is about to launch the Solstice roadster into this very market, armed with a more exciting style and considerably more buzz than the latest Miata is getting.
While Solstice will probably get the trendy young buyers, Miata seems to have a lock on the type of buyer who likes to join clubs and go on rallies. There are about a dozen Miata clubs, Benchimol says, and about 1,000 members. This has been a reality with the little car from Yokohama since it debuted in 1989.
Mazda Canada will offer the 2006 MX-5 in three versions: GX, GS and GT. All are convertibles, but the two lower-priced models get a vinyl roof. A cloth top comes only with the most expensive trim.
Miata GX is the $27,995 model, which includes a 2-litre inline-four that delivers 170-hp to the car's rear 16-inch wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. Other standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes, front and rear stabilizer bars, power windows and locks, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD with its controls on the tilt steering wheel, cruise control, keyless entry, and fog lamps. A new six-speed sport-shift automatic transmission, air conditioning and a detachable hard top are available options.
Miata GS has a sticker of $30,995 and also gets a six-speed manual shifter, 17-inch alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, a limited slip differential, stability control, a strut tower bar for the sport-tuned suspension with the Bilstein shocks.
Air conditioning and a detachable hard top are also optional on the GS model.
For the luxo-cruiser version of Miata, there's the GT trim at $33,995. For that, you also get a six-speed manual, 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/45R 17 tires, anti-lock brakes, the strut tower bar, Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights, heated leather seats, a cloth convertible top, air conditioning, side airbags, a smart card keyless entry and a seven-speaker Bose audio system.
A six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters is available as an option, as is a detachable hard top.
photo:Mazda Canada
 |
| (photo: Mazda Motor Corporation) |
As is also the industry norm with a revised model, the third-generation Miata gets more power from a new drivetrain and equipment that was previously not available.
Notwithstanding the changes, says Mike Benchimol, the president of Mazda Canada, the Miata that arrives in dealerships this September "remains the epitome of the affordable, lightweight sportscar."
This claim has particular resonance this time, since Pontiac is about to launch the Solstice roadster into this very market, armed with a more exciting style and considerably more buzz than the latest Miata is getting.
While Solstice will probably get the trendy young buyers, Miata seems to have a lock on the type of buyer who likes to join clubs and go on rallies. There are about a dozen Miata clubs, Benchimol says, and about 1,000 members. This has been a reality with the little car from Yokohama since it debuted in 1989.
 |
| (photo: Mazda Motor Corporation) |
Miata GX is the $27,995 model, which includes a 2-litre inline-four that delivers 170-hp to the car's rear 16-inch wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. Other standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes, front and rear stabilizer bars, power windows and locks, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD with its controls on the tilt steering wheel, cruise control, keyless entry, and fog lamps. A new six-speed sport-shift automatic transmission, air conditioning and a detachable hard top are available options.
Miata GS has a sticker of $30,995 and also gets a six-speed manual shifter, 17-inch alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, a limited slip differential, stability control, a strut tower bar for the sport-tuned suspension with the Bilstein shocks.
Air conditioning and a detachable hard top are also optional on the GS model.
 |
| (photo: Mazda Motor Corporation) |
A six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters is available as an option, as is a detachable hard top.
photo:Mazda Canada
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