New Car Review of the 2004 Mazda Miata MX5 Sports Car.

Description: Sports Car
Base MSRP Range: $18,895 - $22,895
Invoice Price Range: $17,430 - $21,111

Mazda's midget roadster, still the ultimate affordable sports car, has the perfect weight balance which sets up that Miata magic of predictable vehicle control for a driver.

For 2004 it continues in two editions -- Miata and Miata LS -- both with revised 16-inch alloy wheels mounted with 205/45R16 V-rated tires. Miata's engine, a twin-cam 1.8-liter four-in-line, produces 142 hp. An optional suspension package specifies Bilstein shocks and a Torsen limited-slip.

Miata LS stocks leather seats in either black or parchment, plus power door locks and a Bose audio kit, with a six-disc CD changer optional along with a six-speed manual transmission. Base Miata provides stock items like power steering, power windows and power mirrors, air conditioning, foglamps and an audio system with CD deck.