Used 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata for sale 

Mazda’s lively convertible comes in three different trims for the 2011 model year - Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. Note that we have not included the special edition here, as it will be in limited numbers. Meanwhile, the remaining three trims are here to stay for the rest of the year. As always, the Sport trim encompasses just some basic necessities like air-conditioning, audio speakers, height-adjustable driver’s seat, etc.

The Touring trim begins to add more fun to the cabin experience at an affordable price of $25,450. Prime emphasis is on the tweaked suspension and 17” Alloys that this trim houses. Moving up to the Grand Touring buys you automatic climate control and 7-Speaker Bose audio system. However, there are no parking sensors or bi-xenon headlights for the MX-5.

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Well, with the MX-5 being the cheapest convertible available, we would suggest you to opt for the best one among the trim lineup. Precisely, the Grand Touring trim would be of great value to you knowing that the vehicle will be better equipped than a few on the roads. Plus, you also get the retractable hardtop as standard equipment on this model.

All 2011 MX-5 Miata models have a 167-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and are available with a soft-top or a retractable hardtop. The Sport trim comes with a five-speed manual transmission while the Touring and Grand Touring models have a six-speed manual transmission, which is absolutely delightful to drive.

A six-speed automatic transmission with steering-mounted paddle shifters is also available on the top two trims. The only price to pay is that Miata models with the automatic transmission produce 158 horsepower. The convertible reaches the 60 mph mark in 6.3 seconds and completes the quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds.

Miata’s engine comes alive, especially with the smooth-shifting six-speed manual transmission. Prominently, the Miata shines on winding roads, thanks to athletic handling and responsive steering. Still, the free-revving four-cylinder always seems eager to play and the short-throw manual gearbox is as good as it gets. Drivers with less sporting intentions should still find the 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata easy to live with and comfortable for long stints in either top-up or top-down mode.

Miata’s great fuel economy has been a prime attraction for the populace. Unlike most of the convertibles in the segment, MX-5’s powertrain is quite laid down, and thus returns some good numbers on the fuel chart. EPA-estimated 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 24 mpg in combined driving for the five-speed manual. On the contrary, the six-speed manual makes it only one mile expensive, and so does the automatic. 

Apparently, we have some great numbers in this segment, but from other brands. The Mini Cooper Convertible gets ahead of the Miata this time, producing a combined economy of 30 MPG as estimated. At the same time, the muscular Mustang rides along with the MX-5 at 24 MPG combined, but with a substantially bigger fuel tank. All vehicles use premium unleaded fuel.

Inside, the Miata feels basic but cheerful, with exactly the layout you'd expect for a classic sports car. Large, round gauges greet the driver front and center, and a short shift knob sits in easy reach. Chrome and silver accents have added a little more to the cabin look in recent years.

The manual convertible top's operation is as simple as it gets -- push a button, pull a lever, and toss the top over your shoulder. Dropping the top takes only a few seconds, and raising it is just as easy. One of the biggest drawbacks for small convertibles is a lack of trunk space, and the Miata is no exception. The 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space is barely enough for a weekend getaway.

After sitting behind the wheel of a 2011 Mazda Miata, you'll get the feeling that you're wearing the car, rather than sitting in it. The fit is snug for average-sized adults, but not cramped. Taller drivers, however, have found that the seat runs out of rearward travel, although there are loads more room than in previous-generation Miatas. As always, this Miata features simple, legible gauges along with well-placed, user-friendly controls. With practice, some longer- and stronger-limbed drivers can raise the roof without even leaving the seat. Major interior features include-

• Standard air conditioning
• Standard leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Standard cloth upholstery
• Optional leather seats
• Optional heated seats
• Optional steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls

2011 Mazda MX-5 Infotainment:

Mazda’s infotainment is everything but intuitive. The brand has clearly cut the costs here, as observed from the limited number of functionalities that adorn not just the base Sport variant, but also the top-spec Grand Touring trim. Starting below, the MX-5 comes standard with a six-speaker system that is only good enough for AM/FM, CD, and auxiliary input. The Touring trim adds a six-CD changer and steering wheel-mounted controls, while the Grand Touring equips the Bose premium sound system. On the minus side, features like navigation, Bluetooth, voice recognition remain absent. Few key infotainment features include-

• 6-Speaker Audio
• AM/Fm
• Satellite Radio
• Optional Six-Disk Changer
• Optional Bose Premium Sound System

Not much has changed with respect to the 2011 Mazda MX-5's appearance, and that's a good thing. I mean, you could probably not miss the MX-5 for any other car on the road. While its proportions remain classic, the MX-5 Miata has evolved over the course of its two-plus decades.

Short overhangs front and rear combine with a widened track to create a very athletic presence. We prefer the more traditional profile provided by the soft top, but unlike some hardtop convertibles, the Miata’s Power Retractable Hardtop (PRHT) supplies few (if any) negatives. 

A couple of years ago, the Miata got a more aggressive front end and a revised rear bumper, along with new lightweight 16- and 17-inch wheels. Overall it keeps with a very classic roadster appearance, featuring a long hood, short cockpit-like cabin, and rear decklid. While most hardtops end up sacrificing some of the beauty or proportions and in a sense ruin the design, the hardtop edition is good-looking too in the case of MX-5 Miata. Major exterior highlights of the convertible are-

• Manual soft-top
• Standard 16-inch wheels
• Optional 17-inch wheels
• Optional power-retractable hardtop
• Optional high-intensity-discharge headlights

The 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata hasn't been crash-tested by either of the major agencies, which leaves a gaping hole for those concerned about occupant protection. Feature-wise, the Miata has just enough to satisfy most shoppers, but it lacks some items, depending on the trim level. Anti-lock brakes, along with seat-mounted side airbags, are on the standard-equipment list. But electronic stability control, which is a necessity in today's world, still isn't standard on all models. Make sure you do get an MX-5 with it. Major safety features include-

• Standard side-impact airbags
• Standard antilock disc brakes
• Optional electronic stability system with traction control
• Anti-lock Brakes
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

TheMX-5 Miata has been a game-changer for Mazda in the United States thanks to its tiny but on-point proportions and an extraordinary penchant for briskness. People have loved the Miata for its elegant and sharp contours, and of course, the punchy little powertrain that makes the car break through the wind with ease. Overall, there are only a couple of downsides to this car, and those are inside the cabin. As long as they do not bother you, my friend, you will never get bored with the Mazda MX-5.