2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 Review

The Mazdaspeed MX-5, or more commonly known as the Miata, has provided driving entertainment to consumers at a moderate price for years. During the 2004 model year, another option became available for drivers seeking a thrill. Mazda introduced a high-performance Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata with a turbocharged engine that generates 178 horsepower rather than the usual 142 hp. Offered only with a six-speed-manual transmission, the Mazdaspeed model rides on 17-inch tires and has a body that's been lowered by 7 millimeters. Bound to reinvigorate the roadster marketplace with a new level of performance and style at an unbeatable price point, MazdaSpeed MX-5 Miata comes fully equipped and costs thousands less than vehicles such as the BMW Z4 and with nearly the same horsepower. These precise engine modifications on the Mazdaspeed Miata, combined with a short-throw, six-speed gearbox with improved gear durability and MazdaSpeed sport-tuned and lowered suspension, makes for an amazingly quick and agile car

Mazdaspeed MX-5 Drive

The 2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 178 hp at 6,000 rpm and 166 pounds-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. The engine teams with a six-speed-manual transmission. The sport-tuned fully independent suspension in the Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata includes shorter springs with increased rates, larger front and rear stabilizer bars, and Mazdaspeed-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers. The company says more than 1,000 parts were modified to create the Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata. A Bosch torque-sensing limited-slip differential is installed.

Fitted with a ball-bearing single-scroll turbocharger with 7.25 psi maximum boost and an air-to-air intercooler, the 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine now makes 178 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm, 25 and 33 percent more respectively than the normally aspirated Miata. To handle the extra power from the turbocharging system, the engine block is modified to accommodate the oil line for the turbo, the cooling system receives an increased radiator core volume with increased coolant capacity, the six-speed manual transmission, clutch and pressure plate, driveshaft and differential all have been optimized, and a Denso tube-fin air-to-air intercooler added. The piston shapes have also been modified to increase displacement volume in the cylinders and handle the extra fuel-air mixture provided by the turbocharger. Keeping the MazdaSpeed MX-5 Miata cool as its turbocharged engine blazes are two additional oil cooler plate pieces, allowing the oil more time to cool before it recycles through the engine. Harder rubber is also used for the engine and differential mountings to account for increased torque and avoid flexing and wearing due to more extreme temperature changes under the hood.

Design of the '05 Mazdaspeed MX-5

The Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata exhibits curves that are offset by few straight lines. The manual-folding fabric top has a glass back window with a defogger. A rear-deck spoiler, an under-spoiler and a large exhaust tip are standard. Fog lamps are recessed into the front under-spoiler. A detachable hardtop is optional. The exterior, colored in either Velocity Red Mica or Titanium Gray Metallic and subtly tattooed with MazdaSpeed and MX-5 badging, sports smoked headlamps and a unique front under-spoiler with recessed fog lamps. From the back, a rear under-spoiler, rear deck spoiler and large exhaust tip with MazdaSpeed logo is the last image most other cars on the road will see.

Mazdaspeed MX-5 Cabin

A new Grand Touring edition of the Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata arrived for the 2005 model year and features leather upholstery rather than the cloth seating of the base model. Mazdaspeed is the in-house performance arm of Mazda. Cloth bucket seats are used in the regular Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata, while leather upholstery is installed in the Grand Touring edition. A black vinyl top is standard, and a black cloth roof is available on the Grand Touring model. Because the car is only 4 feet tall, occupants have to drop down into the seats. The driver faces a simple dashboard, and all the controls and gauges are within easy reach. Standard equipment includes a 225-watt Bose six-speaker AM/FM radio with an in-dash six-CD changer. Sirius Satellite Radio can be installed. A black cloth soft top with black leather bucket seats and red stitching are optional with the Grand Touring Package-the only factory option available. As with all MazdaSpeed vehicles, special attention to detail permeates throughout, including a red wrinkle finish with turbo logo on the valve cover and an anodized aluminum oil cap with MazdaSpeed logo. When raised, a black vinyl soft top covers black cloth seats with red centers, red door inserts, and a black leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake with red stitching. Silver instrument panel gauges showcase the MazdaSpeed logo as do the foot pedals, stainless steel scuff plates, floor mats and body-colored rear view mirror cap. A unique curl-fit finish adorns the center stack panel and shift panel.

Conclusions

The 2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 looks the part of a fun, turbocharged vehicle. The smiley face of the stock Miata has been replaced with a more aggressive front end whose open mouth showcases a bad-boy intercooler. Visit the official Mazdaspeed site for a closer look at these vehicles. Shorter springs lower the ride height by a quarter-inch, and seventeen-inch Racing Hart wheels and 205/40 Toyo Proxes fill the wheel wells stylishly. For anyone looking for something even more powerful and impressive than the traditional Miata, the Mazdaspeed Miata is an amazing value and a thrilling drive. For more research, read another Mazdaspeed Miata review.