Overview & Reviews

Mazda adds a Touring Package to the options list, consisting of alloy wheels, power steering, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power mirrors, power windows and door map pockets. Midyear a new M-Edition debuts, sporting Marina Green paint and chromed alloy wheels. Summertime brings the limited-production STO-Edition, of which 1,500 were produced.

• Sheer joy to drive, perfect weight distribution, zingy engine, excellent HVAC system, perfect communication from suspension and steering, forgiving at-the-limit handling

• Space inside is tight, rear window is plastic rather than glass, no passenger airbag cutoff switch, teensy trunk

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 32.00

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  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

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  A great car - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By EddieJ - December 19 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Miata, and I still love it everytime I see it and get it for a drive. Build quality went down from my first (a 1990), but I may be nitpicking. Ive driven alot of of other sports cars, but not many compare, because the Miata is so light and communicative. You dont need fancy electronics to get you out of trouble the miata tells you, and the car has the ability to get you out of trouble. Only when you start getting into the 50K+ range do you get something comparable, but still those drive so dryly and clinically. It just doesnt seem to be an experience.

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  Keeps On Tickin - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By damdelion12 - July 18 - 3:46 am

  This vehicle requires gasoline & synthetic oil & thats about all - I dont even wash it/last wash job was April 06. Four sets of tires. Two sets of brakes - 235,000 miles and going strong. Oh, my back windshield plastic yellowed up.

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  A Fun Car - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Daddyvet - August 16 - 10:00 am

  Car was 4 years old when I bought it. It had 5248 miles showing on the odomenter...I believe to be correct. Being 68 years old it is my boyhood dream come true. I have put 4500 miles on it in 1 year. Have had absolutely no problems with it. with my bad knees, I have a little trouble getting in and out of it. But if I didnt have that trouble it wouldnt be a sports car, would it? Hope you can have one also!

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  Big Time Fun - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By cwardlaw - July 22 - 2:00 am

  When you buy a Miata, avoid the special editions. Why? See, youll fall in love with the car, and when you own a special edition, every little scratch, nick and ding sends you over the edge. Youll end up storing the car rather than driving it. Get a regular Miata with cloth seats and drive the hell out of it. It can take abuse with a smile.

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  The little red engine that could - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By imanah - January 22 - 2:00 am

  it is my primary car and has been very good to me. Things I have learned; 1. Having it as a primary car in the Northeast is not so safe or practical. I reccomend having an alternative in the winter due to its low weight. 2. A Nice audio system and a plastic window is an invitation to have your car broken into with anything from a razor to a houshold knife. 3. People think you are rich if you have a miata, as if it was a porch :)

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  classic design - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By a.bledsoe - August 17 - 10:00 am

  the miata is a truly fun car to drive,own,and operate.if handling is your strong point this is your car.

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  Excellent 2nd car - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Stuart - August 14 - 3:30 am

  This is the most fun-to-drive car that Ive ever had the pleasure of driving. Not especially fast, but the chassis dynamics are an excellent compromise between comfort and control. The stock exhaust provides an aural symphony as you run through the gears. To maximize acceleration, youll need to spin it >4k rpm. Shifting is a "snick-snick" proposition with short, precise throws. Dont expect a limo ride, but its far from punishing. Handling is excellent - balanced, with moderate roll and good feel through the wheel. Trunk space is limited; it could use a 6th gear; rear-side visibility is limited with the top up; and the car is not quiet. These are the demerits.