Jalopnik: Miata

This Is What a Mazda Miata With Dual V8s Looks Like

Tom Joslin — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST

If you came across a Mazda Miata en route to the crusher, what would you do with it? While any variety of answers immediately come to mind—track day beater, stripped street car, V8 swap—we bet you didn't think about stretching it and adding two Chevy 350ci V8s. More »

This Miata has gigantic balls

Peter Orosz — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST

The connection between sports cars and allegedly huge—or tiny—male genitals has never been as clear as with this black Miata, decked out with a titanic glans and a pair of galactic balls. If they're that big, shouldn't they be blue? More »

Ventiest Miata ever has vents on its vents

Patrick Frawley — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST

Christmas dreams for a Pep Boys regional accessory manager aren't about sugarplums or shiny bicycles: they're about taking an underadorned car and putting things right. Which means plastering a serious pile of cheap plastic crap onto something like a defenseless Miata. More »

You've gotta get to a race track

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

This past weekend I froze my ass to the floor of a trailer not designed for human habitation, ganked my knee jumping a barricade while trying not to spill a bottle of water, and had to wash a car window while being timed. It was awesome. You've gotta get to a race track. More »

Mazda gives MX-5 Miata a Porsche-like top for SEMA

Patrick Frawley — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EDT

Compared to the sprawling efforts of Chevrolet and Ford, Mazda is taking a fairly laid-back approach to this year's SEMA show with five cars: two MX-5 Miatas, two Mazda2s, and a Mazda5 sure to inspire lust in suburban dads. More »

Behold, the Deutsche Racing Green Miata

Peter Orosz — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EDT

Greetings, proud German owner of this first generation Mazda Miata. The sentiment is appreciated, but please note that the Miata is one of those rare Japanese cars based not on a German car but a British one. More »

Flying Miata project combines Kickstarter and Chevy V8

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EDT

This video from the Flying Miata project shows how they're getting ready for the upcoming Targa Newfoundland with something a little more powerful than the stock fourbanger: an L33 5.3-liter Chevy V8 putting down 400 horsepower to the wheels. Even better? They did it with the support of the Miata community. More »

Dear London rioters, please stop setting cars on fire

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EDT

Was the cause of the London riots police brutality or bored youth? I'm not sure, but I sure as hell know it wasn't the cars, so please stop torching them. People like cars. Set fire to things English people don't like: traffic cameras, toothbrushes, and Rupert Murdoch. More »

Mazda Miata with the face of a Z3 on Ebay

Tom Joslin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EDT

People usually build replicas of cars because the originals are so rare or so expensive they are out of reach for the average person. Taking this into consideration makes giving your Miata the face of a Z3 seem like an even worse decision. Even though this creation is currently on Ebay, we are afraid the decision to sell the Miata and buy something else (a Z3 perhaps?) came a little too late. More »

Pedobear Miata pays his penance

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EDT

Last week's photo set of a Pedobear-adorned Miata driving under an 18-wheeler drew the ire of many (including us) for its sheer stupidity. The driver of the Miata agrees it was a dumb choice and has a message for all of you. More »

Custom bodied Miata for sale on Ebay

Tom Joslin — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST

Always wanted the reliability and fun of a Miata but didn't care for the styling or naturally aspirated of one in stock form? If so, this 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata fitted with an aftermarket body and supercharged engine could be the small roadster of your dreams. More »

Mazda MX-5 Special Edition smilingly rolls into Chicago

Justin Hyde — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:15:00 EST

Mazda will only build 750 of these MX-5 Special Editions, essentially loaded models with some special paint colors. Outside of an auto show, this may be about as close as you can get to the $30,000 version of l'il Smiley. More »

2011 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition's a shiny silver goody bag

Justin Hyde — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:10:00 EST

To mark the sale of 900,000 Mazda MX-5s and Miatas, as well as disguise the aging parts underneath, Mazda will offer a 750-vehicle special edition MX-5, with all the available suspension goodies and a limited-slip differential standard. More »

EVO's Chris Harris calls Mazda MX-5 execrable

Justin Hyde — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:15:00 EST

"Truth be told, I think (Mazda) MX-5s are, well, sh*t," says EVO magazine's Chris Harris, helping European car fans stay warm by building a nice flame war. More »

Mazda Drops A 500-HP Mazda3 On Las Vegas

Justin Hyde — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EDT

Not to be outshone by the flood of Scions and Hondas crowding SEMA, Mazda brought a full range of toys, from cosmetically enhanced Mazda2s up to the time-attack Mazda3 sporting 500 hp from a 2.5-liter four banger. More »

Top Gear Does Israel In Bedouin Beaters

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:30:00 EDT

Top Gear Does Israel In Bedouin Beaters" alt="Click here to read Top Gear Does Israel In Bedouin Beaters" src="http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2010/10/top_gear_israel.jpg"/>

After dropping in on New York City earlier this month, the Top Gear UK crew decided to travel somewhere slightly less dangerous for their next challenge: Israel. The cars, including a hookah-equipped MX-5, look remarkably Bedouin. More »

How To Build An Intake Out Of Carbon Fiber, Styrofoam And Condoms

Justin Hyde — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EDT

We've long admired the crew performing a Hayabusa engine transplant into a Mazda Miata, both for its technical complexity and sheer steel cojones. The latest lesson: When it comes to molding carbon fiber air horns, nothing beats a Trojan. More »

The Miata Is Perfect For Towing Planes

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:15:00 EDT

Need proof the Mazda Miata is the answer to every automotive need? Check out this little guy hauling a disassembled airplane kit. There is nothing a Miata can't do. (H/T to Jagvar!) [ThereIFixedIt] More »

That License Plate Is Just Too Heavy! Weight Weenies Hack Away At Miatabusa

Murilee Martin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EDT

Just Too Heavy! Weight Weenies Hack Away At Miatabusa" alt="Click here to read That License Plate Is Just Too Heavy! Weight Weenies Hack Away At Miatabusa" src="http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2010/08/miatabusa_weight_weenie.jpg"/>

Last time we checked on on Dave Coleman and his Hayabusa-powered Miata project, the Miatabusa Madmen had their new engine installed. Were they satisfied with the 161-pound weight savings? Not at all! More »

Three-Time LeMons Champions Step On Own Wieners, Black-Flagged Out Of Contention!

Murilee Martin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:10:00 EDT

Eyesore Racing, the only three-time LeMons champions in history, looked like the favorites to take the B.F.E. G.P. race... but then they racked up a couple of penalties in the first few hours. Chain-gang time! More »

Mazda Bringing Full-Sized Slot Car Track To Goodwood

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:45:00 EDT

Everyone says the Miata handles like a slot-car. Now the simile will become reality at the Goodwood Festival of Speed when Mazda brings a life-sized Scalextric set complete with Miata slot cars. How cool is that?! [WCF] More »

What's The Best Car For A Hayabusa Swap?

Murilee Martin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 23:30:00 EDT

Having just visited the secret warehouse in which Dave Coleman (of Ghettocharged Miata fame), Alex (of CBR1000-powered Geo Metro fame), and Tim (of Magna V65-powered Honda Z600 fame) are dropping a Hayabusa engine into a Miata, today's question is obvious. More »

The MiataJeep: When A CJ Meets A Miata

Sam Smith — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EDT

Say, for the sake of argument, that you have a Jeep CJ. Say you also have a Miata. Say you huff aircraft-grade paint stripper after work. This is what you, Mr. Hypothetical CrazyFace, would create. Aren't you special? [Craigslist] More »

11 Fuel-Friendly Sports Cars For The Next Gas Crisis

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:30:00 EDT

Although the driving public now considers $3 gasoline to be normal, another "gas crisis" is inevitable. To help you avoid a knee-jerk beige-buying reaction, we've assembled this list of fun and fuel-frugal sports cars you can buy now. More »

All Glory To The Hypno Miata!

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 04 May 2010 10:30:00 EDT

We meant to post this photo yesterday, but were stuck staring at it for 17 hours straight. Thank God for blackouts. [Art Car Central via Ralf Becker] More »

And the Winner Is...

Murilee Martin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST

They won at Reno-Fernley last summer. They won in Phoenix in January. Today, Eyesore Racing took their third overall win and became the New York Yankees of LeMons racing. More »

Tired Of E30s and Miatas at LeMons? Combine Them With an E30ata!

Murilee Martin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST

Everyone knows that BMW E30s and Mazda Miatas tend to get plenty of unwelcome attention from the LeMons Supreme Court... so here's a way for a resourceful team to capitalize on the loathing! More »

Two Hours In, F-ed Up E30 Chasing Eyesore Racing's Ghettocharged Miata

Murilee Martin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:10:00 EST

Everyone figured that Eyesore Racing's Ghettocharged Miata Miata would be the car to beat at the Auction Weekend Gavel-Tap, and that's how it's sorting out. More »

MacGruber Movie Has A Hero In A Miata, We Are Not Conflicted

Sam Smith — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:30:00 EST

MacGruber features Will Forte in a mullet wig and a whole heapin' mess of NA-generation Mazda Miata screen time. It's meant to be funny. It is, but we also think it's kind of cool. More »

LeMons Torture Test Results: Mazda Miata

Murilee Martin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST

Miatas hold the record for most People's Curses (three), and we've probably handed out sufficient BS Penalty laps to Miatas to knock some of them down into the bottom third of our groupings… but still, the main reason you're seeing so many middle-third Miatas is that cheap Miatas break! More »

Drive With Elan for $13,750!

graverobber — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:00:00 EST

The word Elan derives from the French élancer, meaning to dart. Nice Price or Crack Pipe is starting out the new year with a Lotus that's pretty good at darting in and out of traffic. More »

St. Louis Valets Abuse Hotel Guests' Cars, Post Videos To YouTube

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST

Dozens of videos were posted on YouTube this year showing a valet at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown St. Louis doing donuts, peeling out, burning out, revving engines and spinning tires in expensive cars. You know, being normal valets. More »

Big Little News: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Will Be Smaller Than Current Gen

Ray Wert — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:30:00 EST

Good news! The 2011 Mazda MX-5 will get the Sky-G engine and be lighter [Edmunds] More »

Miata Driver Takes Hunter Green Seriously, Hauls Deer Carcass

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST

People often knock Miatas by saying you can't carry enough of your gear to make it your primary vehicle. Not so. Looks like someone's been reading Jalopnik. (H/T to B3ND3R) [TinyPic] More »

Ruh-Roh, It’s a Rot Rod for $6,000!

graverobber — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Scooby-doo had trouble pronouncing anything but Rs. Today, Nice Price or Crack Pipe has the mystery of a Rot Rod that should have been a Miata — if it weren't for its meddling owner. More »

Miata RX Makes Rotary Fetishists Dreams Come True

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

If you've ever seen a Mazda rotary engine or driven an RX, you've wanted the same powerplant plopped into the nose of a Miata. Mike Burlas Design has done just that and thrown in a turbo. More »

Help The Environment And Ditch The Prius, Get A 911

Peter Orosz — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EDT

Enjoyable cars are neither expensive nor bad for the environment when you use them as replacements for boring cars that spend all their life stuck in traffic. More »

A Treasury Of Spec Miata Wrecks

Murilee Martin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:30:00 EDT

Spec Miata has become insanely popular, and we see many, many SM veterans racing in the 24 Hours Of LeMons. To hear them tell it, they've come to show us what real racing is about… More »

Ten Worst Cars To Have Sex In

John Krewson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:30:00 EDT

Earlier this week, the masculoids at Ask Men released their list of the ten best cars to have sex in — complete with positions. After careful deliberation we're prepared to warn you off these ten worst, complete with reasons. More »

Ten Cars To Drive Across The U.S.A.

John Krewson — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:30:00 EDT

When we drove from Manhattan to Detroit's Woodward Dream Cruise, it got us thinking about the Holy Grail of American road trips: all the way across the country. It has to be done, but behind the wheel of what? More »