After looking at the Honda S2000 (which frightened my wife), Mini
Cooper, and 350 Z (didn't consider a Z4 because I think that it's too
damned ugly), I bought a 2006 MX-5. I didn't consider the Solstice
because of no storage space with the top down and when I see one, the
first word that pops in my head is "Fiero" (synonymous with "bucket of
bolts"). In my opinion, the MX-5 has the best bang for the buck.

Mine is a Sport model with the handling package, galaxy gray with black
cloth interior and black top, 6-speed. It does not have the Bose stereo.
At first, I wanted blue, but all my other cars are blue. Both shades of
red look good. White kind of hides the lines of the car.

If I had to do it differently, I might have bought the run-flat tires
with the tire pressure monitor (there's no spare, which is kind of scary
except for the roadside service included with the car).

I believe with the GT you get the keyless ignition system and an alarm
system, which may discourage theft. You also get leather seats, which I
am not convinced is better than cloth for a convertible.

You also get electronic nannies that prevent slides and such, but I
don't think it's worth it to have them. The chrome windshield frame
doesn't (I think) add anything to the car for me.

I rarely play the radio in my car, so the upgraded audio makes little
difference to me, but you might prefer the better sound quality.

There's some metal trim in the GT interior that kind of spruces it up a
bit, but that's not really necessary. It is, after all, a sports
car/driving tool, not a boulevard cruiser.

Many malign the door cup holders. I use it for my sunglasses and it
doesn't bother me.

Except for automatic transmission (which defeats the purpose of the car,
in my opinion), the rest of the options are cosmetic and you can add
them later through the after market if you want to.

By the way, don't get discouraged if you think the shifter it balky at
first. Mine loosened up quite nicely after about 1500 miles and now it
is a joy.

Good luck, and I am sure that you will enjoy whatever MX-5 you purchase.
It's the most fun car to drive that I've ever owned.

I have a white GT.  White prevents the pronounced contours from becoming
too offensive, in my opinion, but so does red if a white Miata is too
fast for you.

I am happy with the car, but I do have a couple of gripes.  Number one
is the handbrake position.  Why do I need to dig my fingers in the knees
of a passenger to secure the car?  What was Mazda thinking?  The second
gripe is that compared to the M1/M2 Miatas, there is a definite hint of
"SUV" about the new one.  The fact that it is bigger and higher, those
steering wheel buttons, all those cupholders, and other "convenience"
features such as auto-window down, the radio box that is called the key,
the door locks (on a convertible??), etcetera, all tend to detract from
the image of a true sports car to me.

Then again, maybe my ideas of sports cars are colored by the fact that I
am not rich enough to drive the really expensive sports cars. :)

I have the suspension package, and I believe there is lots of griping
on miata.net about the springs being to soft and the shocks being too
soft.  I think this is true but the fact is that I am *much* faster in
autocross in my 2006 than in my lowered, *supercharged* 1996 with R-springs
in rear, Koni shocks all over, and much stiffer antiroll bars.  And in
my new Miata I am in C-Stock rather than Street-Mod!  :))

While the car does have a lot of lateral motion, the shocks, however soft,
seem to take the brunt out of it before it comes to hunt me.  The car is
quite forgiving of coming in a bit too fast too, unlike my 1996.

I am impressed with the Michelin Pilot Precede(?) tires, though I do not
think they will last me very long.

I am also getting ready to admit that the steering wheel is a lot better
than the M1 "cookie box" design, buttons or not.  It no longer really
bothers me, and I do like that it is adjustable.

The trunk is smaller than the one on my 1996, even while it does *not* have
a spare tire in it (the car comes with a tire-repair kit instead), and the
trunk lid design makes getting anything big in it difficult.  However, I
believe this was intentional: by reducing the opening, Mazda should have
been able to increase stiffness a lot.  They did really work on getting a
stiffer, very light car:
http:://www.dommelen.net/miata/other/102305/index.htm

The Bose sound system is good.  I am not going to argue with audiophiles
about the detailed balancing of every frequency, but simply note that the
sound is much more audible and understandable above wind and engine noise.
And I believe it would be considered of very good quality by any reasonable
person even sitting in the car at rest with the engine off.

Despite naysayers, I like the interior.  It is a lot less spartan/depressing
than the standard M1/M2 interiors.  The leather seats give me good lateral
support, and I have the CG lock when needed.  :)

I thought the seats in the base Miatas too hard for long trips, and too
unsupportive, and that and the need for cruise control pretty much forced
me to the GT package.  The suspension package was a no brainer to me,
despite the criticism on miata.net.

Somebody else tried the traction control package and found the car to be
lethargic until it was turned off.  If the computer is constantly braking
a wheel or two, you are not going to go very fast.  Gee.  :)  And my idea
of a keyless entry system on a convertible is to leave the doors unlocked,
not stupid gizmos.

I did get the polished aluminum fuel tank lid, of course.  One can never have
enough shiny parts on a white Miata.  :)

Let me know if you have any specific questions
Leon

I bought an '06 last month, approximately on the 15th anniversary of
purchasing my '91 which I drove constantly. Comparisons between the the
two cars are probably pointless so I won't even try.

My new MX-5 is a "true red" sport with the suspension package and CD
changer. I've since added the splash guards and the cargo net. The
latter is amazingly useful since, despite the tiny trunk, anything
carried which does not entirely fill it is subject to a violent beating
given my driving habits. The CD changer was justified not by the
changing but by its ability to play MP3 CDs which are the only decent
way I've found to listen to books which serve to preserve my remaining
sanity on long trips.

My vehicle is not even decently broken in and some of my instincts are
still attuned to the old '91 but I can find no real faults in it. The
handling is beautiful with the Michelin tires (likely any bought now
won't have them since Mazda has changed suppliers) but I anticipate that
virtually any performance tire will yield similar results. Power is
great although given my long-term use of a '91 Miata my expectations are
probably skewed. The MX-5 can't be knocked as an economy vehicle since
on my one long trip so far it managed 34-35mpg cruising at 70-75 on the
interstate. Sadly my driving habits and heavy right foot keep the local
consumption at ~25mpg.

I did have a problem crop up yesterday morning -- a check engine light.
Diagnostics showed a P0300 code which indicates "random misfire". The
service techs said that Mazda has put out a new set of software for the
 computer and they re-flashed mine. But I will definitely be watching
that from now on.

Despite the return to making car payments for the first time in 12 years
I don't regret the purchase a bit and would surely do it again.

I have a Winning Blue GT with the premium and suspension packages.

I sold an '01 Miata LS to buy this car.

I like almost everything about it. The increased torque, the looks, the
interior, the new folding top (which I can put down or up with one hand in about
three seconds).

The only thing I don't (didn't actually) like was the 4x4 look. The brochure
photos showed a lower-to-the-ground car. The way they come from the factory,
there's a huge gap between the tires and the fender. Looks like someone put a
lift kit on it. But I bought the MazdaSpeed springs (about $410 installed, plus
another $70 for a performance alignment) and I'm a happy camper.

As for the brake lever, I don't think much about it. My '02 S2000 and '03
Corvette both had the lever on the passenger side, so I guess I'm just used to
it.

Two years ago I traded my 1994 in for the 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, test drove the 2006 couple of weeks ago (6speed with suspension package). Found the car too soft, the speed handles a lot better.  Even with the larger engine the 06 pales behind the speed's HP 178@6000 rpm vs 06's 170 @ 6700 rpm and torque 166 lb-ft@4500 rpm vs 06's 140 @ 5000 rpm (that's 18.5% more torque). They say the in the 06 your can raise or lower the roof with one hand while seated. But I think most guys that have had a Miata longer than two years can do that with any of them. As for looks what's with the cheesy plastic strip across the dash?(one season of cleaning pollen and dust off it'll start showing scratches. And personally the front of the hood ending where it does makes it look washing machine lid. On the plus side the 06 can come with cruise control.

Sorry for ranting but I had expected better from the 3yrs of hype.