2004 MazdaSpeed MX-5 Miata | Retro Review

Finally Mazda listened and offered a beefed up turbo Miata. Limited numbers and exclusive colors added to the charm.
Show 2404 | Original Airdate 09-21-2004

Stay connected with MotorWeek on social media!

MotorWeek, PBS' award-winning weekly automotive magazine provides unbiased, consumer-oriented car news with feature stories on related topics.

To license this video or any content from MotorWeek, please visit:

[dohc]

Retro and modern greatness still going strong to till this day. Go Mazda.

[TrailBlazerSS]

This is what being a sports car was all about.

[kristianhermann]

Back when engine bays were gorgeous and not covered in plastic

[lecram]

1:41 The only Miata ever with a 6 valve per cylinder engine 😂

[TJHulkSS]

I had a black 2005 that I sold after a year because at 6’ 3” it just didn’t work for me. I still have dreams about this car and it’s still the most fun driving car I’ve ever owned.

[J.Wick.]

This, and the Mazdaspeed Protege of the same year were excellent cars. Shame they didn't sell many of either. The Mazdaspeed 3 took off very well. But the Protege and this version of the Miata are very tough to find. I remember when they came out, a friend and I went and test drove both. Very fun.

[Tony_miata]

I've had 5 msms. Underrated car. They make 50 wheel hp w the flyin Miata bits and an ecu. Honestly all the hp a Miata could ever need. This Gen has so much steering feel and a chassis you can just slide around all day. It has been more fun than my lotus Elise ever was. Bonus is every old dude lets them go for $10k and you can flip them for 15-23k

[faheemabbas]

A shame Mazda nowadays thinks Mazdaspeed is “childish”.

Not kidding, Mazda said that in an interview. Look it up.

[PrinceDavid]

My friend had one of these, amazing car!

[rickym.]

Man that radio antenna is crazy long lol.

[dogdoc]

Was looking for a used one 10yrs ago; could not find any.

[johnfetter]

I had a 2001 Miata. Great car, but underpowered. I ordered a Jackson Racing supercharger and had Archer Brothers Racing install it. It became a snarling little tiger. Fun to dust off some old Fox Body Mustangs back in the day.

[chickitbra]

I had one. It started to rust and I needed something bigger so I sold it. Wish I still had it.

[KeithSchwerin]

Not sure why they killed MAZDASPED. The MS3, MS6, MS Protege, and MS Miata were all great, but none got a 2nd generation.

[JDMHaze]

wow I didn’t know ANY Miatas had a factory turbo in any generation

[pete]

Criticize it all you want, I’m a big fan of the Mazdaspeed MX-5. No car is perfect, but this one’s a load of fun.

[texan]

They should have added a turbo way back around 1993 once sales were strong consistently year after year and they knew they had a hit on their hands. Love that they still produce them in modern times after so many competitors quit on the small roadster segment. Sadly, Audi killed the TT and BMW has made the Z4 a bloated large car.

[Dongzzzzzz]

This engine was at its peak at mazda 323 gtr

[mrniceguy]

Dang, 7.1 seconds to 60, doesn’t the modern Miata have the exact same weight to power ratio but goes to 60 in 5 seconds?

[johnnymason]

Instead of trying to go upscale which will never work, Mazda needs to bring back the idea of Mazdaspeed vehicles to emphasize performance and try to recreate the Amati luxury brand(no Ford or economic downturn to get in the way now). Mazda would be better off doing that and not try to be something it can never be.