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 21 through 30 of 32.00

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  Love My Miata - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By RPE - September 3 - 12:26 pm

  I have only owned my little red Miata for 3 weeks...but I love to drive the car with the top down. It is a blast. I also have a 79 MGB..but this car hugs the road, the curves unlike the MGB. It has 128,000 miles on it..but motor sounds great. The get-up-and go is much faster that my 10 Corolla automatic. We have had several hot days in April and have been able to drive it, top down. Cant wait until Summertime. Will have to sell the MGB..that was the deal with my wife..but, oh well...I have owned it for 20 years..and I guess it is time to pass it on! A buddy of mine at work just bought an 03.....drive one...youll buy one!!!

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  Sports car in its purest form - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Applan - June 19 - 5:40 am

  In terms of value for money in the sports car category, the Miata has no equals. It is quite simply a pure sports car. Like the British sports cars of the 70s but with excellent reliability. Other reviews have said it is lacking in performance - Ill bet that they are changing gear at under 4000 rpm. You see the Miata begs to be driven hard, you feel its power rising smoothly all the way to red line at 7000 rpm. You can absolutely throw it around corners, and it stays completely flat. Oh and dont believe it if somebody tells you its a chick car. Take a look around and youll see that most SUV drivers are chicks, most Miata drivers are not!

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  Fine Balance - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Stuart - March 27 - 5:43 pm

  Owned for a bit over two years and love the car. Outstanding reliability. Finely balanced ride/handling trade off. You feel the road, but its not punishing. A bit on the noisy side even with the hardtop. Without the hardtop, visibility is so-so to the right and left rear. The hardtop also significantly stiffens the structure. As a result, I leave mine on all of the time. The engine is adequate from a power standpoint, and is responsive to throttle inputs, revving quickly. The stock exhaust strikes a perfect balance of tone and sound level- its an audio delight. Shift action is excellent although if not careful, a rushed 2-3 shift may bypass 3rd and snick into 5th. Excellent car.

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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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  Fun to drive - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By billy bronco - July 14 - 12:56 am

  This car is a ball to drive. Its like a high power go-kart. I know the younger crowd thinks it’s a girlie car but take one for a ride and you will be convinced otherwise. I’m 53 and wish I bought one a long time a go. Sticks to the road like glue, plenty of power. You feel like your going 100 miles an hour at 60 because youre so low to the ground. I don’t use mine as a daily driver; kinda tough because its so small, but it can be done. My wife loves being the passenger and lately has been taking her friends out cruising! I do my own work and it is built like a little tank, indestructible and cleverly done at that. Mine is a 97 with 94K miles and runs like new, zoom zoom!

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  Miata STO - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By rhino1776 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Im 57 years old with back sugury and was concerned with being able to drive a performance car. However, when I came across this STO Miata I thought I would give it a try. The deciding factor was the automatic transimission. The car cries out to be a stick, but I have to stay with reality concerning my back. With this in mind, the car has performed past expectations. I am just under 6 and fit just fine. The automatic it is like driving a go cart.

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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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  Excellent car! - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By amrsn - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I got this car last year, I’ve always wanted it, and it’s even more than what I expected. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had while driving and its a decent performer too. 8.x sec 0-60 not bad. One of the best things is that there are tons of aftermarket parts.

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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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  3 year love affair - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Kiko J - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought my used Miata 3 years ago and decided not to sell it when I moved from Florida to Michigan. In the snow I had my share of little problems but dringin top-down during spring/summer makes up for it and more. The Miata is an amazing car. Not only is it reliable but has a great design, I like the old box more than the new one but the new one still is cool. No problems except a failure with both the master and slave cylinder with the total cost being $400. For 3 years it aint bad. I am torn between the RX-8 and the Mazdaspeed Miata for my next car; but I can say that Mazda delivers more performance for your buck than any other car manufacturer.