The time has come to bid farewell to my 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, affectionately nicknamed “Stormtrooper.” After a year of enjoyable ownership, it’s moving on to a new home with my aunt, who was captivated by its charm. This transition provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on my experiences with the NC generation Miata, and why the 06 Mazda Miata MX-5 deserves a serious look for anyone seeking a fun and engaging roadster.
Let me preface this by admitting my initial skepticism towards the NC Miata. As someone deeply entrenched in the NA and NB generations, the NC was always the “different” Miata in my eyes. I acquired Stormy primarily for parts development, particularly to create custom gauges for NC owners. However, spending a year behind the wheel of this 06 Mazda Miata MX-5 completely transformed my perspective.
Sunset drive in a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, marking the end of an era for this beloved roadster.
Inside the 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5: A Modern Take on a Classic
The interior of the 06 Mazda Miata MX-5 became my primary focus, undergoing the most significant modifications and receiving the bulk of my attention. It’s a space that pleasantly surprised me. Mazda successfully blended modern design with subtle nods to the original NA Miata’s flat dashboard aesthetic. The cabin feels appropriately sized – spacious enough for comfort without losing the intimate, cockpit-like feel that defines a Miata. It’s genuinely a delightful environment to spend time in.
Driver's cockpit view of a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, highlighting the retro-modern interior design.
Spacious passenger side interior of a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, showcasing comfortable legroom for a roadster.
While largely commendable, the interior isn’t without minor quirks. The door-mounted cupholders are a point of contention for some, and I will admit, it took me a couple of months to adjust and avoid bumping my knee against them. However, the sheer practicality of having four cupholders in a Miata is undeniably useful. Driving around town with my daughter, all four were frequently in use – a feature previous generation Miata owners could only dream of.
Cupholders: A- (slight protrusion of the door cupholder is the only drawback)
The leather seats in my Grand Touring 06 Mazda Miata MX-5 are notably firm. Very firm. They offer minimal cushioning, and you feel every road imperfection. Having sampled other NC Miatas, I found the cloth seats to be considerably softer and more forgiving over bumps. The leather, while firm, does provide excellent lateral support, holding you securely in place during spirited driving. However, the trade-off is a less comfortable ride on rough surfaces.
NC Leather Seats: B- (Excellent grip, but harsh on bumpy roads)
Close-up of the precise 6-speed shifter in a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, praised for its tight and enjoyable gear changes.
Despite clocking 165,000 miles, Stormy’s original clutch still provided ample grip. The shifter retains the signature Miata precision – tight, direct, and satisfying to use. The 6-speed manual transmission is a true highlight of the 06 Mazda Miata MX-5. The close-ratio gearbox enhances the car’s responsiveness and makes every drive engaging, even if it took a short adjustment period to fully master.
NC 6 Speed Transmission: A+
Being a Grand Touring model, my 06 Mazda Miata MX-5 came equipped with all the bells and whistles Mazda offered in 2006, including traction control. While present, the traction control system was… adequate. It wasn’t as refined or unobtrusive as the system in my 2008 Mazda 3. In the Miata, it was noticeably more aggressive, often intervening prematurely and curbing the fun even in moderately spirited cornering. Consequently, I frequently opted to disable it.
Traction Control: C
In stark contrast, the ABS system in the 06 Mazda Miata MX-5 is exceptional. While I consider myself proficient in threshold braking, the NC’s ABS computer consistently demonstrated a slight edge. It operates seamlessly, intervening only when genuinely necessary to prevent wheel lockup without feeling intrusive or hampering the driving experience.
ABS: A+
Instrument cluster of a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, featuring a classic 5-gauge layout despite design limitations for customization.
As a gauge designer, I have a somewhat critical perspective on the NC Miata’s gauge cluster. Having worked extensively with the highly customizable NA and NB clusters, the NC’s design feels comparatively restrictive. The abundance of warning lights limits the available space and design freedom significantly. Features like range extension and zero-point rotation, commonplace in earlier Miatas, are absent in the NC.
However, despite these limitations from a customization standpoint, the stock gauge cluster of the 06 Mazda Miata MX-5 is undeniably attractive in its factory configuration. The 5-gauge layout is visually balanced, and the individual gauge lenses contribute to a premium feel. It’s a good looking cluster, even if my design-centric critiques might suggest otherwise. There’s still enough scope to create appealing aftermarket designs, albeit within tighter constraints than previous generations.
NC Gauges: C+/B-
Unique mid-level air vent in a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, providing targeted climate control for enhanced comfort.
My absolute favorite interior feature of the 06 Mazda Miata MX-5 is arguably its most understated – the mid-level air vents. Positioned to direct airflow towards your torso and knees, these vents occupy a sweet spot between the face-level dash vents and the footwell vents. Activated in “top-down-hands” and “top-down-feet” climate control modes, these vents are a revelation.
The sensation of warm air gently flowing around your knees and midsection on a chilly morning is pure bliss. It’s an incredibly effective and comforting feature, especially with the top up – which, surprisingly, was how Stormy spent most of its time. The same vents are equally enjoyable with the air conditioning running in warmer weather. These body-level vents are simply outstanding.
I genuinely wish every car I owned had this feature.
Mid-level Vents: A+++
Exterior and Suspension: Transforming the NC Miata’s Stance
Moving to the exterior of the 06 Mazda Miata MX-5, we encounter what were initially my least favorite aspects of the NC generation – the bodywork. Prior to owning one, I found the NC’s styling, particularly the clear taillights and relatively high ride height, somewhat bland and “soap-like.”
Rear view of a modified 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, showcasing red taillights and a lowered stance, transforming its appearance.
However, a few carefully chosen modifications completely altered my perception. Applying red paint to the taillights and installing a new suspension system dramatically transformed Stormy into a proper Miata in my eyes.
With these subtle tweaks, the 06 Mazda Miata MX-5 shed its perceived awkwardness and adopted a more aggressive and balanced stance. It no longer appeared tall, ungainly, or overly rounded. Minor visual adjustments made a world of difference in cleaning up the overall aesthetic.
Bodywork: C- in stock form, B+ with minor modifications.
Stylish FD RX-7 wheels on a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, enhancing its sporty look and stance.
The addition of 16″ FD RX-7 wheels paired with chunkier tires further enhanced Stormy’s appearance. These wheels became one of my favorite visual elements. The Porsche Platinum paint finish had a remarkable glow, maintaining its appeal even when coated in dirt and brake dust.
Stormy’s Megan Racing suspension, while not top-of-the-line, represented a significant improvement over the factory setup. It provided a respectable ride quality while lowering the car by a couple of inches. Paired with the softer cloth seats (had my model been equipped with them), the ride comfort would likely have been even more agreeable.
Wheels and Suspension: A-, arguably surpassing an A+ rating in terms of visual and handling improvement.
The Finishing Touch: Blacked-Out Windshield Frame
Black vinyl wrap applied to the windshield frame of a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, creating a sporty contrasting look.
Close-up detail of the black vinyl wrapped windshield frame on a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, showing a clean and professional finish.
Extreme close-up of the black vinyl windshield frame wrap on a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5, demonstrating the seamless application.
One final, un-blogged modification I undertook was wrapping the windshield frame in black vinyl. Inspired by the contrasting window frames seen on many convertibles, like the Honda S2000 and certain ND Miata models (specifically the Club edition NC), I felt Stormy deserved this detail.
Using a roll of Oracal 970 gloss black wrapping vinyl, I meticulously wrapped the entire windshield frame. After a couple of initial attempts, I achieved a wrinkle-free, seamless finish. The process took around 3 hours in total, with the majority of the time spent refining my technique.
This vinyl wrap, applied roughly six months prior to writing, has proven remarkably durable, showing no signs of wear. The Oracal 970 vinyl is rated for 5 years or more, suggesting long-lasting visual enhancement.
Final Verdict: The 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5 is Undeniably a Miata
To summarize my experience with the 06 Mazda Miata MX-5 in a single sentence:
The NC is unequivocally a Miata.
It’s not oversized, it’s not dull, and it’s certainly not the automotive misstep that some die-hard NA enthusiasts have portrayed it to be. The NC, and specifically the 06 Mazda Miata MX-5, is a fantastic car brimming with character and spirit. It embodies the core Miata ethos.
Stormy, my 06 Mazda Miata MX-5, is a Miata through and through, and I will genuinely miss it.
This little roadster was perhaps the most resourceful project car I’ve ever built. It didn’t require expensive or rare components to shine. Stormy was a joyful and engaging driver, adored by my daughter and wife alike. It possessed a distinct personality and consistently brought smiles to everyone fortunate enough to experience it.
The Stormtrooper, my 2006 Miata MX-5, was a wonderful car – a superb roadster, convertible, and Miata. It wasn’t flawless, but what truly enjoyable car is? Sometimes, imperfections contribute to a vehicle’s overall charm and make it greater than the sum of its parts.
2006 Mazda Miata MX-5: A (An excellent all-rounder)
I wholeheartedly recommend a 2006-2015 MX-5 to anyone seeking an affordable and fun car. They represent exceptional value on the used car market currently. I struggle to find any compelling reason not to suggest owning one, even if only for a few years of pure driving pleasure. For more insights into my time with this NC Miata, you can explore the Stormtrooper category on this blog.
Thank you for the memories, Stormy. Mission accomplished. Well done, little Trooper.
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