The Mazda Miata is the best-selling two-seater sports car of all time, and if you’ve ever had the chance to drive one, you understand why. The Miata’s lightweight ethos, near-perfect handling and approachable performance are a legendary combination, no matter which generation you’re referencing. However, there’s one version that stands above the rest: the 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata. And as a whole package, it’s criminally undervalued.
For whatever reason, Mazda only saw fit to make a Mazdaspeed version for the second generation (NB) Miata. But that’s not what makes it so special. Mazda is fairly strict about the power-to-weight balance of the little two-seater in order to give the Miata just the right amount of power while keeping the weight figure as low as possible — it’s what makes it approachable and so damn fantastic to drive. But regardless of how well Mazda’s engineers do their jobs, the main complaint from drivers, year after year, is the Miata’s lack of power.
Well, in 2004, Mazda slapped a turbocharger on the pint-sized 1.8-Liter inline-four engine and boosted the horsepower from 140 to 178 horsepower. It then dialed up the torque from 124 lb-ft to 167 lb-ft. For context, that’s just three horsepower shy of the current MX-5 and the Mazdaspeed only has to worry about moving a scant 2,348 pounds worth of car.
Originally, the Mazdaspeed Miata went for just over $25,000 — this Mazdaspeed, however, is listed for less than $10,000 with one day left on the auction. And it only has 30,000 miles on the clock. No one is saying the Miata is a million-dollar car, but this 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata should be going for a hell of a lot more.
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