Overview & Reviews

When the Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted for 1990, this snazzy little convertible was an instant hit. Marking a revival of the affordable sports car in a stripped-down roadster format popularized by British automakers in the 1950s and '60s, the MX-5 Miata brought reliability and modern engineering to the concept. Buyers lined up outside Mazda dealerships and gladly paid well over sticker price for the fetching new Miata.

Though the initial mania has long since faded, the Mazda MX-5 Miata continues to be a very popular convertible. Today's third-generation car continues the trend. It still changes direction like a go-kart, communicates the character of the road clearly to the driver and accelerates with an inspiring growl from its inline-4 engine. If you're in the market for an affordable sports car that provides plenty of top-down, open-road thrills, we highly recommend putting a new or used Mazda Miata on your list.

Current Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a two-seat convertible powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine good for 167 horsepower. Depending on trim level, you'll find this power routed to the rear wheels through a five- or six-speed manual transmission or an available six-speed automatic. With the automatic, engine output drops to 158 hp.

The Miata is available in three trims: Sport, Club and Grand Touring. The lightly equipped Sport is aimed at enthusiasts on a budget, while the Club trim's added performance upgrades (strut tower brace, high-performance tires) and styling tweaks kick the Miata character up another notch. The Grand Touring is downright luxurious with its automatic climate control, leather upholstery and heated seats.

Customers who like the idea of combining open-air exhilaration with fixed-roof refinement can order a Miata with a power-operated retractable hardtop. The "PRHT" might seem to run counter to the Miata's less-is-more philosophy, but its simple design adds just 70 pounds to the car's curb weight and transforms top-up motoring into a much quieter, more weatherproof experience.

For more than two decades, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has been one of the purest forms of automotive fun, and the latest edition is no different. While we'd probably stick with a lightly equipped version for duty as a weekend toy, the many luxury features and roomier cabin of the latest generation make the Miata a more plausible choice for daily driving duties.

Used Mazda MX-5 Miata Models
The current third-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata dates back to 2006 when it was completely redesigned. A stiffer, more sophisticated chassis, a more powerful engine, a roomier interior and greater interior refinement were key improvements. A change in SAE testing methodology the following year reduced the horsepower rating to 166 from the initial rating of 170, but there is no functional difference. Initially, the lineup consisted of six trim levels: Club Spec, Base, Touring, Sport, Grand Touring and Third-Generation Limited Edition. For 2007, equipment was reshuffled into four trims -- SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring -- and the power-retractable hardtop (PRHT) also arrived that year.

A Special Edition model in Icy Blue paint was offered for 2008. That year also saw a 5-hp drop for cars with the automatic transmission. The following year the Miata received a mild refresh with tweaked exterior styling, engine revisions for a bit more power and fuel economy, a more aggressive suspension and some new convenience features. For '10, the PRHT was discontinued in Sport trim, and the value-oriented SV trim (available from 2007-'09) was dropped. Special editions continued to be offered and were essentially loaded Grand Touring PRHT models sporting unique colors and trim.

Right up through 2011, stability control was only available on the Grand Touring and then only as an option. For 2012 that safety technology became standard equipment across the board.

The second-generation MX-5 Miata was in production from 1999-2005. This Miata was the same size as the original MX-5, so while the cockpit was more cramped, the car felt much livelier and more responsive to drive, though its cornering limits were much lower and its ride was much worse. The addition of a glass rear window to the cloth convertible top made visibility better (the old plastic window would become cloudy from sunlight, requiring replacement).

This second-generation Mazda Miata was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 140 hp and 119 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission was standard and a four-speed automatic was optional. As before, base models were sparsely equipped, but items like leather upholstery and Bose audio were available on upper trims. In its second year, a streamlined model lineup including the Miata and Miata LS with three simplified option packages was introduced, while a Miata Special Edition with a six-speed manual debuted. For 2001, the adoption of variable valve timing bumped output to 142 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque, while the Special Edition's six-speed manual became optional on the Miata LS. For '04 a turbocharged Mazdaspeed model arrived featuring a 178-hp turbocharged engine, high-performance suspension and unique exterior styling enhancements.

The original, first-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata of 1990 offered a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 116 hp and 100 lb-ft of torque matched with a five-speed manual transmission. Just three colors were initially available: red, white and blue. Detail improvements saw the Miata through its first several years, with revised option packages, more power from a 128-hp 1.8-liter engine introduced for '94, and ultimately even luxuriously appointed M-editions (special paint colors, a tan convertible top, tan leather interior and 15-inch BBS wheels). Competition-minded individuals might want to focus on the Miata R-Package introduced for 1994, which turned the Miata into a race-ready street machine with drivetrain and suspension modifications. The final year for this first-generation model was 1997 (there was no 1998 MX-5 Miata).

User Reviews:

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  Great Car - 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Skinsfan7 - November 29 - 10:00 am

  I just got this car, I have had it 2 weeks the best to drive and the coolest car I have ever had!

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  Enjoy my Miata - 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Glenn - November 19 - 11:20 am

  I enjoy my Miata very much. I used to drive short distances to work and it was my primary car but since I do heavy interstate driving now I have purchased a larger car ... feel safer when trucks and SUVs are racing by. Love to drive it to the beach with the top down. Excellent quality, have never had any problems with it. Plan to keep it for many years. From an enjoyment, reliability point of view I rate it highly. My only concern was driving the Miata in heavy, fast-moving traffic from a "feeling safe" point of view. You dont get the respect that a larger car demands from other drivers on the highway when driving a smaller car.

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  Wow - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By DasHand - November 13 - 10:03 pm

  I use this as my daily driver and commute before rush hour. The car is so much fun to drive and the mileage is a real plus. 36.9 mpg on my last road trip with the a/c on (top up). I even got 31 mpg on a high speed run (85-90 mph)… amazing!! The six speed gearbox is so amazing that I don’t mind getting caught by red lights… it gives me another opportunity to go through those gears!! Acceleration is exceptional if you really get on the gas, but still really good if you just go through the gears. With the top down, the day’s worries just float away. There is a surprising amount of space in the trunk. Interior space is ok for me at 6ft tall.

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  The real zoom zoom! - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By larryd1972 - November 5 - 10:06 am

  This car has very good driving characteristics. Fun to drive, great cornering abilities. Affordable and aggressive new body style. Everyday car or weekends, whatever - this car is a blast.

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  Return to Fun - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Joe B - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Among others, I have owned and driven a Sprite, Healy 3000, MGCGT (MGB with Healy engine), 79 Supra, ‘88 Supra, (which cornered like it was glued to the ground). None surpassed the fun of the Mazda. Only my Healy was as enjoyable. This car is a true sports car in every sense. I drive it daily, and even at 59 I still enjoy the thrill. Top up or down, the drive is a joy. Top down in the evenings is my favorite here in Austin TX. If you gotta drive, might as well enjoy it.

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  fun car - 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By steveh - October 20 - 10:00 am

  great preformance and fun for the bucks

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  02 Yellow Miata - 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Melissa - October 9 - 3:26 pm

  Buying this car was one of the best things Ive ever done for myself.

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  Better than a Sky or Solstice! - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By MikeW1956 - October 4 - 9:46 am

  I just bought my used 2006 GT a few weeks ago with only 22K miles on it. Ive driven a number of two-seater convertibles, mostly Honda del Sols and one Toyota MR2 Spyder. The Miata definitely feels like more car -- the leather seats seem solid and luxurious, and I love the dashboard layout, redundant layout controls, remote entry, carpeting and cloth top. The trunk is practical, although not as large as the del Sols. The only real drawback so far has been the gas mileage. My del Sol averaged 32-33 mpg in mostly city driving; first two fill-ups with the Miata have shown 24.9 and 25.9 (the second with about 50% freeway driving). Thats in line with published figures, but is still not great.

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  fun toy - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By noname - September 17 - 1:06 pm

  Ive had this car for 3 years since it was new and it is the best toy I ever owned. Close to worthless for long interstate drives since its noisy and uncomfy for long sitting periods. However for pure fun on curvy mountain roads with the top down, it can make your day. No complaints whatsoever, but the car is not a BMW. I think of it as a go kart with a great sound system. I would not have this as my only car; cant even use it to go grocery shopping and forget out of town for 2 trips with the limited luggage space unless you pack lightly. But it is a great car for what it is.

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  two for the road - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Bill West - September 13 - 4:16 pm

  This is the 3rd Miata weve owned & the best. Weve had all 3 body types from pop-up headlights to this current model. We traded a 03 Cobra in for this car and though I miss the full power of the Cobra, I really havent looked back. A little bigger inside for the legs & plenty of extra storage.The interior is nicely laid out, easy to reach just about anything yet gives me room to myself. Plenty of get up and go. We opted for the automatic this time with paddle shifters, this is more fun than a just about anything you could drive. Zoom-Zoom.