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:

• 

  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!

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  BRG Miata - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By TaTahn - September 9 - 12:56 pm

  With a few modificatons to the engine and exhaust, this TRUE Sports car can scoot. Have tried to break it loose in corners but the handling is super for a stock roadster. Think I see a 2006 on the horizon, this is one awesome vehicle.

• 

  A Drivers Car - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Josh - September 4 - 11:06 pm

  This is a fantastic car, as long as youre willing to live with limited space. The manual gearbox shifts extremely smoothly, and handles like an extension of your own body. Most importantly, the car is simply fun to drive. It goes out of its way to be a "simple" sports car, not a "dumb" one. Space is limited, but perfectly adequate for two average sized people. The trunk may be small, but is above and beyond any other roadster on the market. The manual transmission makes the center cupholders completely useless, and the side ones are better suited for bottles. Plenty of storage cubbies. If you can deal with the space, and just want to connect with your car, this is a great choice.

• 

  not very practicle - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By jammer - September 2 - 10:00 am

  i cant seem to get where i am going, the car keeps taking me down all these back roads and alternate routes. cant get the car off my mind ,i just want to keep driving, its also getting expensive on gas doing 500 miles a week,am now late for work most days, so the car is not very practicle if you want to do any thing but have fun driving

• 

  Grant Tourer it aint - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Richard - August 19 - 12:04 am

  My prior soft top experience was with my TR8. The Miata GT is certainly more reliable, has more creature comforts, and handles better, but Grand Tourer it aint. Eight hours on the freeway in 100+ weather is not so good, I got leg cramps after 3 hours and the road noise even with the top up precluded conversation. Lack of handy cockpit storage and decent drink holders is a problem on long trips with two people, as is the lack of trunk space. That said, blasting along Angeles Crest in the early morning, or anywhere else, is guaranteed to get me smiling. I bought this car for fun not convenience, and it delivers. Follow-up = still great fun to drive locally. I especially like the 3 second top up or down. Hit a deer but it was still drivable, so pretty stout as well! Repair cost wasnt too bad.

• 

  The car for me! - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Joseph J. Palermo - July 3 - 6:53 pm

• 

  MX5 Sport 6 speed automatic, a zoomer - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Denny - June 17 - 3:16 pm

  We bought the car out of state and drove it 750 miles home. It got a good workout. It rides and drives good. The seats though are a little narrow for a wide bottom person. All the gauges are in a good location. On a long trip the car is not ideal because of its limited space on the interior. There needs to be more room inside it so the seats can recline further back. You never feel like you are in a "little" car when passing and being passed by other vehicles. The Miata feels very substantial. For a daily driver the car is great. It is the best stress reliever from a long day at work. Gas mileage on the interstate is over 32 mpg. The top is easy to raise and lower. The trunk is fairy large.

• 

  The most fun for your dollar!! - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By no3minus - May 21 - 10:00 am

  For my money, there is no more fun per dollar available on earth than the Mazda Miata. I think the best part about this car is its total IMpracticality! With too few horses to get into real trouble, you acutally get to work the gears on this car, and it handles superbly.