We have no problem admitting how much we've loved the MX-5 Miata since its debut at the Chicago Auto Show waaaaay back in 1989. Hard to believe it's been 25 years already, but it has, which means it's time for the obligatory anniversary edition.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Miata or, worse, unconvinced of its brilliance, let us count the ways it is so awesome. The original was small, nimble and light (granted, the car has grown larger and heavier over the years) and remains inexplicably thrilling to drive. No, the Miata was never terribly fast, but speed was never the point. That's the thing the car's detractors don't get. The Miata was the best British sports car Britain never made, the very essence of jinba ittai, Japanese for "horse and rider as one, though Mazda updated it to "oneness between car and driver."
But haters gonna hate or, worse, call the Miata a "chick car." Let 'em. Nearly one million buyers can't be wrong, and neither can the drivers who've made the Miata an absolute monster in SCCA racing.
To celebrate a quarter century of motoring nirvana, Mazda rolled into the New York Auto Show with a super-limited edition--just 100 will be offered--25th anniversary MX-5. The jaded among you will see a ploy to grab a few more bucks, but Mazda insists these cars truly are special. Its engineers hand-selected the engine's internals, choosing only the lightest parts and meticulously balancing them for optimum performance and smoothness. There's a six-speed manual, and choosing that (which, really, is the only choice) gets you Bilstein shocks as well.
This being a limited edition variant, there are of course the requisite baubles, including aluminum alloy pedals, 17-inch 10-spoke wheels with a gunmetal finish, "liquid metal-like" satin chrome details and a conspicuous “25” stitched into the leather seats. The 25th anniversary badge on the left front fender includes a serial number so everyone knows how early you got in line.
The car will be available later this spring, but there's no word yet from Mazda on what it'll cost you.
Pssst.... click full screen for the grand experience.
