Miata and Mustang Are Among the Last Affordable Convertibles

The Mazda MX-5 Miata and Ford Mustang symbolize the top of a really enjoyable automotive period. In the event you’re on the lookout for a traditional front-engined, rear-wheel-drive open-roof sports activities automobile in America that will not destroy your checking account, listed below are your solely selections.

Frankly, this realization sort of crept up on us. The Camaro is lifeless, and there is no signal of a Nissan Z convertible within the works. The Corvette has lengthy moved previous its “beneath $60,000” beginning value, and even then, it isn’t precisely an reasonably priced possibility. Except Subaru and Toyota determined to whack the roof from the BRZ and GR86, motoring lovers are left with only a few affordable choices.

That’s, a minimum of in the case of sports activities automobiles. You can nab an entry-level Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler with a comfortable prime at an affordable value. However these off-roaders do not evoke the sports activities automobile spirit, for apparent causes. There’s additionally the Mini Cooper, which slips under the Mustang as the most cost effective four-seat convertible in America, with a beginning value of $34,945. Minis have lengthy been terrifically enjoyable to drive, however they align extra with the hot-hatch phase than sports activities automobiles. And the Mini is front-wheel drive.

In order that brings us again to Miata and Mustang, two unlikely companions in an SUV-dominated world. We by no means thought we would be cross-shopping these automobiles, but when your wishes are open sky and rear-wheel drive for beneath $50,000, that is all you get. This is how they stack up.

There are some wildly totally different numbers there, however that displays the totally different nature of those automobiles. The Mustang clearly is the bigger of the 2, and by a relatively vital margin whenever you examine them side-by-side. It is taller, longer, wider, and admittedly, much better suited to sports activities automobile tomfoolery should you usually have a passenger. Technically, the Mustang is a four-seater, however the again is not precisely a pleasant place for adult-sized folks. Consider it extra as additional area for some quick-access baggage or carrying youngsters to the seaside in fashion. Supplied the seaside is just some miles away.

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

The dimensions makes Mustang a snug, enjoyable grand tourer. The trunk is massive sufficient for per week’s price of baggage for 2, by no means thoughts what you stuff within the again seat. And the 315-hp turbo-four is wealthy with torque, sufficient to drag properly when the street opens up. You’ll be able to nab 60 mph from a standstill in somewhat over 5 seconds, which is not precisely gradual. And the EcoStang would not deal with unhealthy, both.

The Miata, nonetheless, handles like a boss. With a curb weight beneath 2,500 kilos and a close to 50/50 weight distribution, it very a lot carries on like a real sports activities automobile. The 181-hp engine feels stronger than it really is, and the automobile’s dealing with limits are largely past something you will attain on the road. It is definitely the basic selection of this pair, serving up all types of analog enjoyable versus the Mustang’s digital expertise. That features the six-speed guide transmission—one thing you possibly can’t get in an EcoBoost Mustang.

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

The Miata can also be surprisingly good for street journeys, albeit for simply the driving force. The experience is not as harsh as you’d count on, and the seating place is comfy for lengthy distances. Cupboard space within the trunk may be very sparse although, with room for only a single bag. A weekend journey for 2 would require very mild packing.

As for which is healthier, that is not likely the appropriate query right here. Mustang stretches the definition of a sports activities automobile within the traditional sense, nevertheless it does ship a sporty open-air expertise with a front-engine/rear-drive format. It is simply the higher touring automobile, whereas the Miata is targeted on enjoyable, with guide controls and heavenly dealing with.

Ought to neither of those automobiles be to your liking, you will want a minimum of $55,000 to discover different choices. That is the beginning value for a brand new BMW Z4 Roadster. And issues solely get costlier from there. Nonetheless, a minimum of there’s some measure of selection on the decrease finish of the worth spectrum. Tariffs would possibly take a toll on the Miata’s affordability index, however each automobiles ought to stick round for the foreseeable future.

Enjoyable convertibles—reasonably priced or in any other case—are an endangered species. Take pleasure in them whereas they final.