Mazda has officially confirmed that the 2009 MX-5 / Miata facelift, the first photo of which hit the net on Wednesday, will make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. The Japanese automaker hasn’t released any details whatsoever, so for now, all we know is that the 2009 Miata / MX-5 gets a new face that is distinguished by the trapezoidal grille, the new fog light inserts, the restyled front bumper with a splitter and the more angular shaped headlights. Additionaly, the facelifted version features new alloy wheel designs and more sculptured side-skirts. While we'll have to wait to see the car up close for our final take, we reckon that the styling tweaks manage to give Mazda’s highly successful rear-wheel-drive roadster a sharper look. -Continued
21 Comments:
Man, this is a sweet car. I still remember seeing the original in the dealership in 1989 and thinking how great it was. Good work Mazda. There aren't many cars with this much soul.
Great facelift. Will certainly sway potential buyers who would have opted for the better-looks of the Sky. Now the MX-5 has a much more aggressive demeanor than before, and is an overall better vehicle than the Saturn and Pontiac Solstice are. Great work, Mazda!
Great look! Has anyone heard any whispers about a 2009 "special edition"? Surely they will have one for the 20th anniversary, since there was one for the 10th. Can't wait to see what they come up with! We own 3 Miatas--91, 93, & 01 & think they are the best automobile on the road!
Not so sure about this... too much of a departure from the uniqueness of the original Miata. Looks more like a take off on the Honda S2000 styling. Any more changes and it will loose it's identity and become just another 2 seat sports car.
JP Saleeby, MD
Our '08 got totaled with under 5000 miles on it. We're looking to replace it, but some research says there will be a MAJOR facelift/change in '2010. It'd be crazy to buy an '09 with that on the horizon only a year away ????
Maybe they will come out with some new colors at least for the '09's.
It was only a matter of time before Mazda blew it and ruined Miata's uniqueness. Now it looks like every other Mazda. I'm glad I got mine when I did.
I wanted to buy a 2008 ...But when i sat in the car and took it for a test drive... the cup holder in the driver side door panel was pressing into my kneecap. What a terrible place for a cup holder. Beautiful car and great ride...but undrivable with a cupholder constantly pushing into my kneecap. Come on Mazda...fix that cup holder problem!!!!
Hey Anonymous, you are right on the money, what's with that cup holder? I have a '95 Merlot Special Edition and was contemplating the '08 as a replacement. There is no way to be comfortable with that assinine placement of the cupholder. I can only hope/assume that Mazda will remove it for '09!
Anon 2
I own a 1992 NA...with some 70k original miles on it.
I too sat in the NC and was totally pissed by the door-mounted cup holders! Talk about a simple fix that would please a lot of possible buyers!
Otherwise, I think the stock suspension needs to be a lot tighter with lower ride-height, etc.
And of course I would love a bump to 200 HP at least.
I would also like to be able to option a car with heated seats, Xenon bulbs, etc., but without keyless start/entry.
I mean, the Miata concept was always suppose to be "keep it simple" and Mazda has definitely allowed too many gizmos to get in teh way.
I love some of the doofus comments that go something like: " I just saw the 09 XXX and could not believe the design of the new valve stem caps on the wheels. I am so glad I decided to keep my (fill in 89-2008) XXX instead."
Its like they have to reinforce to themselves how "smart" they are and know something no one else does. Gimme a freakin break.
it could be worse, you could of just paid retail for a sky or solstice, or worse yet a sales person at a saturn dealership.why the long wait for the o9 miata?
I jut ordered the 2009 Miata grand touring model. Love the new styling and all the new features. First time in a Miata, tested the 2008, rode nice handled well and seem to be quick enough. 3 to 5 month for delivery.
I tried the Solstice and Sky. Miata won.
Retractable roof clinched the deal.
What a Beautiful Car! I use to own a 1993 Miata and that was a great car. You can not buy a better built sport car. The Honda S2000 does even offer a Automatic Transmission. Great job! Mazda..... Suggustion a powerful V6 that can rival a Porsche Boxer
2009 Mazda MX-5 MIATA: some specs
2.0L DOHC 16-VALVE 4-CYLINDER W/VVT
167 HP @ 7000 rpm (MT)
158 HO @ 6700 rpm (AT)
Available Transmission:
5 speed MT, 6 speed MT & 6 speed AT
16 - 17-inch wheels
POWER RETRACTABLE HARD TOP - 12 SECONDS
AVAILABLE: BLUETOOTH, 7 SPEAKER BOSE SYSTEM, RUN-FLAT TIRES,LIMITED SLIP DIFF, 5-SETTING HEATED SEATS
EXTERIOR COLORS:
COPPER RED MICA, STORMY BLUE MICA, LIQUED SILVER METALLIC, BRILLIANT BLACK CLEARCOAT, TRUE RED, MARBLE WHITE, COMPETITION YELLOW.
INTERIOR COLORS:
BLACK CLOTH, BLACK LEATHER, DUNE BEIGE LEATHER, HAVANA BROWN, LEATHER.
2009 was a tweak, because it's just not smart business to risk major design changes in an economy like this. I read somewhere the changes slated for the 20th anniversary model are being postponed. Might be worth waiting for. Still, man, the 2009 looks sweet! (I still drive the 1990 model I bought in 1989 and still get compliments when she's top down).
to the Boxster comment-- I have an 07 Boxster (for sale) and can tell you I bought the wrong car after driving an 09 6spd Miata. Sublime. The Porsche is nice but for far less money the Miata is spot on and in some ways better.
Yes I also love the goober comments that state something like " I just saw an 09 XXX and really think the horn is too tinny or the engine "only" puts out XXX. I'm glad I will keep my 1994 with 93000 miles" Freakin retards who are just jealous they cant have one so they pat themselves on the back to show us they know better. Ok ,you win ok?
Yeah, the cupholder really sucks!!!
addition to the Boxster comments - I just bought an 05 Boxster S and I know for sure after a few weeks that I bought the wrong car. Beautiful car but too darn fast for anything but the track - 3rd gear and I'm already touching 90 - it's just no fun running the gears when you are in jail territory before 4th.
Test drove a 2008 MX-5 PRHT GT yesterday (there are some great 08 incentives out there now) and it is SOOOO much more fun and real for day to day. Personally I do like the 09 touches.
I'm picking up a new 09 tomorrow. Great rebates if you can still find one.
Test drove the PRHT automatic and thought it was a huge improvement over the 1991 I owned in the mid 90's. Cupholder issue? I didn't even notice. Maybe my legs aren't long enough to be bothered by it (5'9"). Very quiet car(wind noise), hard top convertible was quieter than my 07 Speed3. Obviously less power, but plenty of power to pass cars and have fun.
Hi, I need your advice. I would like to buy a 2008-09 Miata GT PRHT AUTO in Blue but having trouble finding one. I've went to Dealers, CL, Ebay, other sites on the web. I was hesitant to look at Repos & Autions, what do you think?
I also wanted to know if it's worth buying the 2009 vs. 2008? It seems to be $3-4K more, but it has the longer Mfr. Warranty. And also the GT vs. the Touring - worth the money?
Thank You! This will be my 1st Miata & I'm psyched! I own a 1986 Toyota MR2 which has been a dream & just won't die ;) but I want a convertible.
Are they any other rebates other than the Leasing?
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