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I didn’t really tell many people, but it was my birthday a few weeks ago while we were in Irvine, California on a business trip. One of the highlights of the weekend was test driving the 2017 Mazda Miata!
*Many thanks to Miata for loaning me an amazing car! All opinions are mine.* #zoomzoom
2017 Mazda Miata and a Perfect Birthday Weekend in Irvine, CA
One of the things I love most about blogging are the amazing opportunities I get, like driving the fun 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring. Driving this car was a fun blast to the past. When Dan and I lived in Japan at the beginning of our marriage almost twenty years ago, one of my dear girlfriends had a cute little Miata that I took care of for a couple months while she was deployed. {She really had to twist my arm to get me to agree to that!}. I thought it was the perfect car for the gorgeous island weather and really enjoyed driving her car. Our recent weekend in California reaffirmed my first impression of the Mazda Miata from many years ago.
The Miata 2017 is a sporty little roadster, and I do mean little. We had to bend down quite low to get into the car! Once we got in though, there was plenty of room for the two of us. There was not room for our luggage, but there was room for us.
2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata is User Friendly
What I liked best about this little car was how easy everything was. Our phones paired very easily with the car’s bluetooth system, the top was super easy for me to put up and down by myself, and the navigation system was easy to use.
Even Dan was excited to check out this car! He was impressed with the detail package of this upgraded Miata MX-5 and remarked that it was actually quite nice! {This is quite a compliment from my husband}. While Dan liked the way the car looks, I really enjoyed driving the 6 speed manual transmission.
It’s been a long time since I drove a stick but I’m so glad I can. It seems that fewer and fewer people are learning to drive manuals in the US, and I think it’s important that our kids learn how – if only so they can drive fun cars like this and cars in Europe too.
Driving the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata
We drove the Miata all the way to Simi Valley from Irvine on the 405 – with the top down – yet were able to keep an easy conversation. My one recommendation is to slather on the sunscreen and make sure you have hats and hair ties! The California sun is hard on my fair skin!
The drive to Simi Valley was a smooth ride for this small car. We were impressed by good handling and acceleration on the curvy roads in Simi Valley and the car held the road well and had good power at highway speeds too. I had no problem passing slow traffic and keeping up with fast traffic on the busy California freeways. It’s easy to see why Car and Driver named the Miata a 10Best car for the 16th time!
My Favorite Features of the Miata MX-5
Get up and go with 6000 rpm and 155 horsepower
Solid gas mileage – 27 City and 34 Highway
Easy transformation to convertible!
Safety features – anti-lock brakes and front & side airbags
USB Port for convenient phone charging
BOSE audio system with easy Bluetooth connectivity
Heated seats! Love the heated seats. 🙂
Push button start and smart key you don’t have to take out of your pocket
Easy navigation system with 7″ LCD mounted on the dash
Trunk – stayed clean and dust-free and worked for small stuff that didn’t fit up front
A wise friend told me this year on my birthday that getting old is mandatory but growing up is optional. That sentiment rang very true on my most recent birthday! Many thanks to Mazda for letting me drive their fun little 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring. It made my birthday a lot of fun. 🙂
Michelle Marine is the author of How to Raise Chickens for Meat, a long-time green-living enthusiast, and rural Iowa mom of four. She empowers families to grow and eat seasonal, local foods; to reduce their ecological footprint; and to come together through impactful travel.
