4 Star Reviews for Mazda MX-5 Miata

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.76/5 Average
830 Total Reviews
Model Overview:

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:

Showing 1 through 10 of 830.00
  • Nothing like a go-kart on steroids - 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    By -

    My baby, my first car. And what more can I say that hasnt been said. If youre a young male owner many people will criticize you for maintaining possession of the car, but do not heed their words. Most stock cars dont corner like a Miata, and with such little weight the car is very nimble. Ive had this car for just over 3 years now, and it wont be my last, but I do plan on keeping my baby for awhile, because its so much fun to drive, especially in sunny Florida. And though the RX-7 and others are better at it, drifting in this car is still lots of fun, at sponsored Drift Days. One downside is that it is a pain to work on, and at least mine breaks down often, but it is 13+ y.o

  • Love this car! - 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    By -

    This was my first Miata. It was a mid-life crisis car and it proved all I wanted it to be! Excellent performance and a fun car to drive. Mine with the auto only gets about 21/26 mpg. It isnt as frugal as I thought. The top is the original factory top and is still in good condition. I am impressed with the reliability. It is a solid car in every respect.

  • the convertible to drive - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    By -

    i had my miata for 2 years and i love it even more each time i drive it it does not have alot of power but with a couple of upgrades u can have a fun fast car i recomen this car to anyone that likes convertibles enjoy ZOOM ZOOM

  • Believe what you hear...its fun - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    By -

    One word: FUN. Everyone says it but its true. Bought used with 29K miles and after 10K more miles I can say that Ive had zero problems. I drove it from VA to Maine with a passenger & luggage and loved every mile. Using the top takes mere seconds. Fun & practical daily driver too w/ excellent turning radius & good ride quality. Lots of little cubbies for smaller things. Maintenance: cheap so far. Of course with most any small roadster youll run into storage issues. For example, I cant fit my golf bag in the trunk without removing the longer clubs. Performance: Nothing earth-shattering - just FUN. Its relatively diminuitive size and mass make it very maneuverable and acceleration is brisk.

  • Fun! Fun! Fun! - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    By -

    This car is a blast to drive, period! Its light, responsive, quick, and boy, does it corner! I test drove 4 on 3 occasions trying to decide which model. I got the GT PRHT in silver w/ black leather. Not my first choice by far in the beginning, but became my favorite by the end. Personally, the tan interior which was my 1st choice, kept looking cheaper the more I saw it. The black looks sharp and richer although it gets hot fast. I replaced a Ford Expedition with this, and good riddance! Im done with big cars. If I need one, Ill rent it. I have so much fun driving the MX-5. Top up, down, tight, no room to move inside, noisy, bouncy, its all good! Its even a bit throaty on the exhaust!

  • My 3300 miles in an MX-5 PRHT GT - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    By -

    Well as the title say, I have driven 3300 miles now. The car has been flawless, I took it back to the dealer to have the advanced keyless remote reprogrammed to lock the car if I move more than 2 feet from the car. The remote stays in my pocket and works great. The retractable hardtop has been flawless and is a work of art. The trunk is larger than my old S2000 and while the MX-5 would loose a race to the more powerful S2000, it is just as fun to drive. The 17 inch wheels look great and the brakes work very well. My only complaint is the Bose 6cd/mp3 radio does not display RDS data or scroll the mp3 titles. Other than that the car has been every thing I expected.

  • Zoom Zoom On - 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    By -

    Had a blast with the car from when I picked it up this summer till I tucked it away from the harsh New England winter. Patiently waiting for the Spring. Never drove anything with such a solid and flat handling stance. Since designed from ground up as a convertible, body flex is less than many other convertibles.

  • Sweet, With Caveats - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    By -

    Purchased partly in reponse to a regretful sale of a 1999 Miata. This is a huge upgrade to the second generation Miata. They are completely different vehicles; we purchased this after reviewing competitive offerings from GM and BMW.

  • Great to Drive, Poor Quality Interior - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    By -

    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!

  • 2006 Miata, 6 Speed Automatic - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    By -

    Ive owned a Miata since 1992. The 2006 is the best ever with a few minor issues. I got the 6 speed automatic -- it works fine in both full and manual automatic but loses some performance to the manual transmission (no surprise). Fit and finish is perfect. AM radio reception is poor -- lots of static; havent taken it in yet. Fun to drive and looks great. Driver seat is too low for me. Excellent on the highway with the top down and wind buffer in use. 25 mpg on first two tanks of mixed driving. Excellent dealer car knowledge and service.

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