Sorry if this information is redundant to sports car fans. I recently got to experience the Mazda Miata for the first time, and there’s just one thing that I can’t get off my mind. It’s just the that Mazda Miata only seems perfect for one type of driver. 

The 2024 Mazda Miata is perfect for short drivers 

When I started my week with a manual 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata a lot of taller folks kept saying they would be jealous if they could fit in it. 

Clown cars are tiny, but typically have four doors to allow more Bozos to fit. The Miata isn’t built for these types of circus activities. 

At 5’1” this wasn’t an issue for me. I can fit in the Miata like a glove. It feels like the perfect, cozy cockpit for me to enjoy. With the top down, my head had a few extra inches of space below the top of the windshield. 

However, passengers around 5’7” were frustrated by its tiny size and complained about entering and exiting the cab. The average height for an American man is 5’9”, so that makes a lot of dudes too tall for the MX-5 Miata. 

That’s fine, other shorter women will enjoy whipping around tight curves for y’all. But some features made me miss the larger CX-5. Do you think Mazda should offer a manual transmission in larger options? At least they have steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. 

Even the tech in the Miata is fun-sized. It has the same layout and rotary dial control as the CX-5, it’s just miniaturized. The trunk only provides 4.59 cubic feet of cargo space. The Toyota Supra offers more passenger and cargo space. 

But sportscars are designed to be fun, not practical, and the 2024 Mazda Miata delivers on that front. It was redesigned for 2024 and the manual transmission gained a limited-slip differential. 

While the firm ride can get bumpy over larger impacts on the road, disruptions are quickly dampened for a smooth performance. It corners well and the tires provide a confident grip around hairpin turns. 

The steering is responsive and the brakes are on point, making the Miata simple and fun. However, the manual transmission does take a little finesse until you get the hang of things. If you’re experienced with manual Miatas, then you won’t have any issues. 

Another bright spot includes the automatic hard top. You simply press one button and the hard top folds out of sight so you can enjoy the Miata as a convertible. I was sad with the Supra because it isn’t a convertible. 

Plus, the tech is intuitive. It only takes a few minutes to master the rotary dial system. It allows you to control your music and other settings while keeping your eyes on the road. The lack of distractions is a positive for the 2024 Mazda Miata, especially with the manual transmission. 

But not everything provided a positive experience with the Mazda MX-5 Miata, so stay tuned for my upcoming article with more in-depth driving impressions.