cars news 10: 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Long-Term Arrival Review

Imaginations have been running wild in the office since the arrival of our long-term 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club.

“How are you going to modify it?” asked associate photo editor Robin Trajano.

“When are we putting new wheels on this thing?” asked our associate road test editor via text after driving it hard at the track.

Associate online editor Jason Udy has so many ideas for his dream Miata that I’ve lost track. There’s a good chance it includes a supercharger, an LS engine, and all-wheel drive (settle down, Judy).

The strong desire to modify the Miata isn’t surprising. Its aftermarket support is huge and there are countless online forums buzzing with MX-5 enthusiasts who will relentlessly try to convince you that it’s totally OK to blow your next paycheck on a new set of fancy coilovers. Next thing you know, you’ll want to race it (Mazda tells us over 5,000 Miatas are actively racing globally).

But there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the MX-5 out of the box. If you’ve paid attention, then you should already know that we’ve spent a ton of time with the Mazda’s fourth-generation “ND” MX-5 in its bone-stock form. Senior features editor Jonny Lieberman and testing director Kim Reynolds both drove (and were impressed) with the Japan-spec model and it’s been in a head-to-head against the Subaru BRZ.

It put up an even tougher fight at the 2015 Best Driver’s Car competition, where it sliced through Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for an impressive third-place finish behind two very tough track-focused Germans. And if it weren’t for the pesky (and very good) Chevrolet Camaro, the MX-5 would’ve been crowned our 2016 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

With that out of there, here are the deets on the car that we’ve added to #MTGarage. It’s a 2016 MX-5 Miata Club, which slots right in between the base Sport and the top-of-the-line Grand Touring models. While it doesn’t have the Grand Touring’s leather seats and navigation system, the MX-5 club has the necessities including Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, USB ports, cupholders, LED headlamps, and a surprisingly good Bose sound system.

Most important, opting for the Club model adds a limited-slip differential, an upgraded suspension system with Bilstein shocks, and shock tower brace. Our car has the optional Brembo brake and BBS wheel package that tacks on $3,400 and also includes the advanced keyless system. In all, the total MSRP comes to $32,820. A lot of bystanders seem to be big fans of the Ceramic paint job, which varies from a metallic white to a matte-like gray depending on the light.

Whether our MX-5 is modified or not, it’s easily one of the most fun-to-drive cars in the #MTGarage, and I imagine the small Mazda’s popularity will grow big time in the next 12 months.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata (Club)
BASE PRICE	$32,820
PRICE AS TESTED	$32,950
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, RWD, 2-pass, 2-door convertible
ENGINE	2.0L/155-hp/148-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4
TRANSMISSION	6-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	2,313 lb (52/48%)
WHEELBASE	090.9 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	154.1 x 68.3 x 48.8 in
0-60 MPH	6.0 sec
QUARTER MILE	14.5 sec @ 93.9 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	110 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.95 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	25.4 sec @ 0.72 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	27/34/30 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	125/99 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.65 lb/mile