Build Quality

Key Points • Miata enjoys a long history of reliability
• New MX-5 Miata’s build quality is disappointing

According to Consumer Reports magazine, the Mazda Miata is one of the most reliable cars on the market, and regularly lands on its recommended list for that reason. One of our staff members has owned four Miatas over the years, and aside from clutch problems on his 2001 British Racing Green edition (and the utter incompetence of almost every Mazda dealer that has serviced his vehicles), his personal vehicles haven’t given him a bit of trouble.

That’s why the build quality of our 2006 Mazda MX-5 test car distressed us. Rarely were we able to get the Z-fold top to collapse on the first try, and when it was raised there was a loose flap and an air leak on the passenger’s side of the cabin. Furthermore, the trunk lid and the driver’s door were crooked, and the front fascia was slightly tweaked. But one thing is for sure; the panel gaps on this new Miata are extremely tight.

Inside, the top of the gauge binnacle pops right off in your hands with little provocation, just like a GM product made 10 years ago. Compared to the solidly affixed unit in the previous generation model, Mazda ought to consider this an embarrassment. Beyond that, the plastic housing for the top release was loose, the mesh windblocker between the seats felt brittle and ripe for breakage, and our car had a piece of a gasket foam sticking out from between the right side of the dashboard and the A-pillar.