2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata Enthusiasts: Welcome to 2006MazdaMX5Miata.com. A Source for Classifieds, Reviews, Photos, Pricing and Specifications for the 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Over the intervening years, the Miata has worn well. It's a daily commuter in environments as disparate as Southern California and Detroit, Michigan. There are more Miatas on racetracks every weekend around the country than any other car. However, its carefully serviced freshness and vaunted vitality has been fading lately. Direct competition is looming in the form of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, not to mention more expensive entries from BMW, Audi, Porsche, and Mercedes.

Thus we have the all-new, 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata. It's longer and wider, but taller. It's more powerful, but gets better gas mileage and is cleaner. Its looks are sharper, more assertive, but faithful to the heritage. It's also more fun to drive, and not just because it's more responsive to the driver's needs and wants, but also because it's safer, with improved crash protection from side impacts.

Price-wise, it's a compelling picture. Once you sift through the shifting mix of standard and optional features, that is. The entry-level 2006 MX-5 Miata lists for $1,103 less than the base 2005. While the '05 came with air conditioning, a spare tire, leather-wrapped steering wheel, boot cover and fog lights, it didn't have anti-lock brakes or side airbags, both standard across the 2006 line. Given the choice, we'll take the ABS and side airbags. When the top models, the 2006 MX-5 Grand Touring and the 2005 Miata LS, are tricked out with all the available options, the '06 edges the '05 by about $1,500, but this also includes a few niceties like the aforementioned side airbags, larger wheels with run-flat tires and dynamic stability control. So we're not exactly complaining.

To us, this sounds like a good deal on a fun car.