2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Increases in Price, Power
There’s a half-joke among automotive enthusiasts that the answer to any car-choice question is always “Miata.” The recently introduced Mazda Miata with a retractable fastback RF gets similar updates to the traditional soft-top convertible version for 2019, including a slightly increased price: Club models now start at $33,240 with a six-speed manual transmission and $33,840 with a six-speed automatic, both increasing by $435. Grand Touring models of the MX-5 Miata increase $585 to $34,230 with the manual and $35,305 with the auto. All Mazda MX-5 Miata prices include an $895 destination fee.
Related: 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata: 3 Things You Need to Know
The biggest news for this Mazda, however, is the increase in power from the Miata’s engine. Its SkyActiv 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes the same 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque as the convertible — a 17 percent horsepower increase from previous model years. Additional new features include a required-by-law standard backup camera across all trims and, for the first time, a standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Some MX-5 engineers purportedly resisted this change because of the added weight and only relented after steel parts in the steering column were replaced with aluminum to offset the increase.
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Newly available options packages on the MX-5 Miata RF include a GT-S Package, available on Grand Touring models with the six-speed manual, adding a front-shock tower brace, a limited-slip rear differential and Bilstein dampers for an extra $750. MX-5 Miata club models can now be equipped with Brembo brakes and BBS Miata wheels for $3,770; bump that up to $4,670 and Mazda will throw in Recaro bucket seats along with the MX-5’s brake and wheel updates. The Recaros can’t be had on their own, and both the brake/wheel and brake/wheel/seat upgrades are only available on Mazda Miata models equipped with a manual transmission.
You may have noticed that no factory performance options are available for automatic-transmission-equipped models. Take the not at all subtle hint and get the manual if you’re able.
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