Can the Miata really do it all? Atlanta traffic to slaying the Dragon.

The Tail of the Dragon packs 318 thrilling turns into just 11 miles. Atlanta is clogged with mind-numbing congestion. The current Miata–even a decade after its release–aced both of them.

My adventure started in Atlanta. I’ve fought traffic in just about every major city in the U.S., from L.A. to N.Y. Trust me when I say this: The combat zones of Atlanta are the worst. Interstates crisscross downtown. Traffic comes from every which way. The result? Large-scale pandemonium.

[Miatas at the Gap: Will I fit? Yes, and you will, too.]

Was the Miata comfortable enough for this slog? Yes–even with this 6-foot-4 driver behind the wheel. I often drove with the top up because my eye level fell just about at the top of the windshield, which made things a bit awkward. Do I crouch low to look below or sit up high to look above? So, driving with the top down focused my vision on where it needed to be rather than splitting my attention.

With the top up, no matter your height, you might notice a slight blind spot on the left. I caught a video at the dealer that recommended adjusting your mirrors so you don’t see your own car in your mirror. I could see that helping. This also made me a little more cautious when weaving in and out of heavy traffic.

While my adventure started in Atlanta, the first leg ended in my hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. That’s 216 miles on mostly I-75, or nearly 4 hours in Atlanta time. The seats were surprisingly comfortable yet quite supportive for the long distance. Call it the perfect balance.

The interior features a relatively minimalistic take, which I prefer. Love the big ole knobs for climate control as I frequently adjust them depending on how much sun I get. (What can I say? I must be part lizard, but don’t mistake me for being illuminati.)

As someone who’s had three Mazdas, the interior feels very intuitive, including that controversial knob that controls the infotainment screen. I like the knob since I hate dirty fingerprints on screens, but that’s a weird quirk, I know.

Could I live with the Miata as a daily? Once home in Knoxville, my wife and I cruised around town in one. If I had the 2.5 kids, they’d have to stay home–no place for them to sit.

Travel far with the Miata? For a weekend, even with my prima donna needs (not my wife’s), yes. For a week, that trunk gets awfully small. Likewise, it might not fit a 40-pack of water, but a 24-pack is no problem. The trunk works for small tasks, but it’s not going to support major house renovations. (I think the trunk would hold a chainsaw, though.)

[Historic homes vs. classic cars: They’re more alike than you think]

Other quirks include the cup holder and glove box placement. I learned later that I could move one of those cup holders to where the passenger sits, but it is still a bit awkward to reach, even with my monkey-like arms.

I swap between sunglasses and regular glasses–both are prescription–which I keep typically in the center console. No room there in the Miata, and the actual glove box is right by your shoulder, requiring you to use your left arm to reach it. Besides that, all the controls are placed right where you want them. Overall, the car does well on the street in normal, mundane driving, even if there are a few obstacles to overcome.

The Dragon

Ten years ago, we were one of the first to slay the Dragon with an ND. Now in 2025, the Miata still hasn’t missed a beat. Never did it feel unsettled. Nor did it feel like it wouldn’t turn. If there’s a point-and-shoot car for the Dragon, this is it.

But isn’t 181 horsepower a bit underwhelming? Not when you’re constantly sawing at the wheel, eyes trained on the next apex, with the smell of brakes hanging in the air. I didn’t have any trouble keeping up with traffic, with few exceptions. Most of those exceptions had one of three things in common: either a tricked-out Miata, a motorcycle or a Tennessee Highway Patrol SUV. (And yes, the SUVs have no problem catching the fastest of cars.)

Unfortunately, this Miata came with the six-speed automatic. It didn’t seem as sharp as other automatics on the market, yet it satisfactorily did the deed of moving the car forward and never felt too much out of step when slaying the Dragon.

My only other complaint? The brakes became a tad soft–and not from what you’re thinking. When I got stuck behind a slower car for several miles, I lost some pedal feel from constantly riding the brakes. Nothing too scary, but noticeable to the discerning foot.

Otherwise, I couldn’t imagine another type of vehicle to take on the Dragon. Corvette? Supra? An IMSA LMP? Those choices would be hard-pressed to match the light, nimble Miata that just makes you smile with every turn.

Is It Still the Answer?

We all know the old adage: Miata is the answer. But is it really? I approached this car as a strong skeptic, partially because I’m a contrarian. My few days with the ND Miata may have changed my tune a bit.

It’s a great car for fun roads. Can’t argue against that (and I so want to).

The Miata also turns heads and has great presence. It does so in a different way than its predecessors, but it looks fast. It looks sporty. It looks ready to party, top down, on the road.

Some might say the Miata needs more power, more space and more creature comforts. I’d say you’re right. But it comes at the sacrifice of other things, such as weight, weight and more weight. Remember, the Miata with an automatic is just 2405 pounds. Good luck finding another new car near that.

Plus, it’s a two-seater roadster for under $40K. That’s a rarity these days. What new car would you cross-shop against a Miata? A Corvette? A Porsche? What other new offering provides that two-seater, top-down fun for that amount of money? Nothing.

Is it a reasonable daily driver? Absolutely. However, you’d better have friends, family or some cash to get bigger items home or to hire sitters for the kids and pets.

However, I wouldn’t change a thing. The Miata is exceptionally good at what it was built for and even decent for things other than just driving. Okay, I do wish it was just an inch bigger in all directions inside–selfishly. But for those of average height or less, enjoy the Miata. It’s everything a sports car should be and then some.

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