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:

• 

  Lots of Great Used Miatas on the Road - 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By funpig - January 7 - 7:53 pm

  When I was younger, I owned a Triumph and was recently considering buying a restored one for kicks. In the end, common sense won and I bought a six year old 02 Miata with about 45,000 km. Best decision, I ever made. Truly a fun, fun car to drive. Reminds me of the old British sports cars, but with updated power, engineering and reliability. You really do feel like part of the car when you drive. The engine is not big, but it has great torque. The power is in the right places when you shift and you get a great sense of acceleration and speed throughout every gear. You control the Miata; the car does not control you.

• 

  Fantastic car... zoom zoom - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By fantasticcar - January 2 - 3:00 am

  Before buying our car, I read a lot of reviews here on Edmunds of people saying how wonderful their MX-5s were. These reviews helped me in deciding to get the true-red Miata MX-5 Grand Touring with splash guards and chrome fuel door over the competition. Weve had our car about 10 days now and I can truly say this is the most fun car I have ever owned. The engineers at Mazda definitely got it right. Its obvious theyve been doing this for 18 years. The cars lines are very sexy and pleasing to the eye and the performance will really get your heart beating. Now the only problem I face is arguing with my wife over who gets to drive the car today.

• 

  waaay too much fun! - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By cc - December 27 - 4:13 am

  I keep asking myself, how cool is this? Hard day at work? No prob. Hit the button, the roof opens and all the cares of the day float away in the breeze. Bad hair day? Great excuse. Mid life crisis? This is better than psychotherapy and botox combined! When I say my prayers at night I thank god for my little blue dream in the driveway - and I cant wait to wake up and drive! Thank you Mazda.

• 

  Go Miata! - 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By miataboy2003 - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The mazda miata is a great little sports car with great pick up and is the most fun to drive car on the road! the only thing I see wrong is the gas milage!

• 

  light heavyweight - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Zenith - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Being an owner of a very powerful and fast,very low mileage Nissan 300ZXtt, I can tell you with certainty that the Miata Shinsen is just as much fun. I also own a WRX, and the Mazda is more fun (though obviously less practical)

• 

  Golf clubs - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By alfbc - December 19 - 12:43 pm

  Just took possession of MX-5 PRHT auto GT and loving it so far. Packing golf clubs in trunk needs a little work. Clubs longer than a six iron have to be removed from bag before getting it into trunk. Need to remove tire jack cover in order to get the driver inside the trunk. Traded in my Mazda 6 so there is no comparison with my new toy. I can now easily get into the parking stall in my condo.

• 

  liked Miata so much, I now sell them - 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By miatadude - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my first Miata in 1992 and loved it so much, I decided to get into the business in 94 and sell them. Im now the sales manager and OWN my 4th Miata personally. No finer bang for the buck anywhere - and it comes with a huge family (Miata clubs all over the country.)

• 

  The most fun car I have ever driven! - 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Tyler Gaudioso - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I worked as a valet parker for a year and a half, and Ive driven anything you can think of. Ferrari. Porsche. Aston Martin. Mercedes. BMW. Name it. The bottom line? The Miata is more fun to drive. I wanted one for 2 years before finally finding the perfect car. Ive had it for 6 months now, and everything is working as it has since I bought it. Crisp handling, that x-factor oneness you feel, powerful braking. The Miata has them all and then some.

• 

  Let a little Zoom Zoom change your life! - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Colberto - December 2 - 12:03 pm

  I own two cars now, Miata and an Acura TL. One practical, one fun. One for the brain, one for the heart. And in terms of sheer fun and sun, the Mazda Miata delivers. The PRHT is outstanding. Light, fast, easy and most importantly, no loss of trunk space..AMAZING! The interior is well designed..yes the door mounted cup holders are needed if you have the manual transmission! It has just the right amount of power to weight ratio to make it fun...great gearing provides fun accelerations, the low center of gravity lets you enjoy tight turns. And the exterior styling still turns heads and makes you smile. So go out there and put some zoom zoom back in your life, youll thank me later.

• 

  So far so good - 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Daiquiri27 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had my new Blazing Yellow Special Edition Miata for a month, but so far so good. Its quite the headturner. I also bought the detachable hard-top and it really completes the look. People are constantly asking me "What kind of car is that?" Or one fellow said, "Thats the best-looking Miata Ive ever seen." Thats nice to hear!