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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  Best all around sports car - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Dannie - April 28 - 8:03 am

  Outstanding performance, ride, and looks. Smooth clutch and transmission! Plenty of power. Handling is outstanding. I drove the others (competition); none can match it for value, fun, or handling. Build quality far superior to low-end competition and as good or better than the high-end. The interior is beautiful and well made. I looked at and drove many of the competition and always came back to the MX-5 Miata. My first tank of gas produced 29.754 MPG. My second tank produced 30.1 MPG! I am working on the third. Everything works as advertised. The top is a work-of-art! It greatly enhances the overall look of the car. I have no problem with the cup holders - THEY HOLD CUPS!

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  Motoring, indeed. Top down 2 seater with style! - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By SHNOOL - April 26 - 9:14 pm

  If you wanted a comfortable roadster, with great road feel, snappy handling, this is it. I am a pretty hard convertible buyer to please, Ive owned a 1994 Mercury Capri (which was a stylish 40mpg fun car), a 2005 supercharged Mini Cooper S Convertible with the John Cooper Works package (hard to beat performance), and I also had a 1971 Lemans Sport convertible (classic american muscle). A co-worker brought in his 2016 black Miata Sport into work. This being his 2nd Miata (he had the NC prior) he asked, no, begged me to drive his new 2016 Miata Sport. OK, Ill admit it, I was like how could 155hp be FUN after all my MINI had 207hp and weighed in only slightly more than this! Ok, I was wrong, dead wrong. I bought my white 2016 last week. This car is a BLAST. Its not techy (although the bluetooth is flawless). Every other control is just RIGHT. Controls are non-distracting, easy to use without looking (dials with tactile feel and easy to use). But you are looking at this car for the driving experience, and for that its just flawless. Do yourself a favor, drive one. Stop reading reviews, and just drive it.

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  bset value - 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By JD - April 18 - 9:26 pm

  If your looking for fun but are on a buget, buy a miata! Its like going on vacation everytime you get in! It is truely a FUN car! The car handles like its on rails! Once you drive, youll understand Mazdaa slogan zoom-zoom!

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  Great to Drive, Poor Quality Interior - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Eddie - April 11 - 7:46 am

  I love this car! Plenty of power, great handling. Love the looks both inside and out. No problems, all maintenance has been very affordable, great dealer has been doing the maintenance for me. One flaw - very very very low quality plastics in the interior. The plastics scratch very very easily. In taking my laptop out of the passenger seat, it scratched the dash, also Ive been putting my cell phone on the console near the power outlet and it too is scratched, just from being there. Im hoping the company has a recall and they fix this - until then, its the biggest bummer on such a FUN FUN FUN car!

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  Be careful what you wish for - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Alex - March 30 - 4:20 am

  Great handler with good power. Communicates well in corners and inspires confidence to push on. It has enough power to make pushing on fun. But beware, this is not a quiet ride. Engine speed at 70 mph is 3500rpm. The exhaust is loud at that rpm. Road noise comes through the wheel wells, and the tires throw up little pebbles which create noise. The car is low so egress and entry are difficult. Once inside a six footer will fit, but this is no Caddy (duh). Fuel economy is 25- 27 in mixed driving on any grade of gas-not great. Lastly, OEM Michelin Pilot Preceda are great in wet/dry, but useless in any light snow

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  Nice fun car to drive. - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By CrazyGuy - March 22 - 9:50 am

  I just picked up this 10th anniversary edition Miata with 100,000 miles on it. The car still runs and idles like new. No vibration at all. The paint is in very good condition. I love 6 speed manual tranny and dual tone interior design. Leather and suede buckets seats. The handling is excellent. RWD. I love this car. A nice Christmas present for myself

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  Replaced My 95 - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By jv - March 13 - 12:20 pm

  After 11 years of constant fun it was time to upgrade. Ive been waiting anxiously for the 2006 and Im not disappointed. Much faster, much better ride, quieter, and just as solid. I love the new roof design, although I worry that the front panel will fade differently than the rest of the roof. But, since the roof is only up when it is raining, I doubt that it will ever show. We love the car so much, my wife is trading her Mercedes SLK 320 for another Miata (I cant bring myself to call it an MX5) as soon as she can find the color (Copper Red) that she wants.

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  Still the best - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By azwildcat - March 11 - 9:33 pm

  This is my third Miata and it is still the best bang for the buck! Great styling and even better handling.

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  BEST SPORTCAR MADE $ FOR $ - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By george mitchell - March 8 - 1:58 am

  I am a retired auto mechanic so I inspected the used Miata before I bought it .The woman I bought it from is 72 years old and she was having problems getting in and out of the car .It was time to let it go .It had only 38,000 miles on it and was never driven in the winter time . It was spotless inside and out .I put a set of new Perelli tires on it since I noticed a bubble on one of the tires . It runs great and it is a joy to drive . If you are planning to buy one used please know your limitations and get it inspected by a Mazda mechanic .Find a shop that specializes in Masda cars ,pay them to inspect it thoroghly .If you buy the car, this shop can service it for you .Under no circumstances buy the car without having it inspected by a certified mechanic, not your husband, or boyfriend .Money spent on the inspection will be the best money you will ever spend ! Make sure they check the tires for tread wear and bubbles on the inner and outer side walls .I hope the post helps someone with their purchase . George Mitchell

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  Simply Too Much Fun - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By RW - February 26 - 6:33 am

  This is actually my second Miata (I had a 2003) and while I loved the 2nd generation, the improvements to the third are fantastic. The car is just a blast to drive - feels much more rigid and refined than the 2nd-gen, while maintaining the cars signature dynamics. The additional room (Im 61") was more than welcome, and more power is always a good thing as well. It splits commuting duty with a motorcycle - and is as close an equivalent to a four-wheel bike as youre going to find for this price. It is just impossible to have a bad day behind the wheel. Do NOT test drive unless you are completely prepared to buy, because theres a really good chance after a spin youll be signing papers.