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:

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  Fantastic Car! - 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Andy Brown - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I debated about buying a 2-seat convertible for many practical reasons, but now that I did, my only regret is that I didnt do it 10 years ago! Ive always loved the look of the Miata, and once I test drove it, I couldnt believe how much fun it was to drive. Not only does it handle like a dream, it is actually very comfortable at highway speeds, which I didnt expect. The trunk is plenty big for any normal cargo needs, but for big things I did keep my old Mazda 626 (still reliable after 124000 miles). In addition, being in a convertible is fantastic-you really experience the world and arent isoloted from it-exilirating.

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  That which we call a Rose. - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Josh Smith - February 26 - 2:10 am

  The Miata is one of those cars people just awe over, you cant help but name it, you want to call her something. The sleek curves give off a sense of class, while the small, but cocky stance says "I want to play". The Miata, in my opinion, is underrated, it has enough power for most people, and enough aftermarket support for the rest of us. A light-weight rear-wheel drive car is just one of those things that any generation could admire. Cruising the interstate with the top down, wind blowing.. You cant resist but feel that youre free.

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  Get the supercharger - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By ithinkthereforeiam - February 25 - 5:46 am

  I highly recommend installing a supercharger on the miata. I purchased a used miata with a supercharger already installed. It feels like Im driving a rocket powered go-cart. Im probably pushing close to 200hp in a 2300lbs car. And to top it off, I get 28mpg with my foot in it all the time.

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  Driving those Hills in San Francisco - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By ericbythebay - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car on Halloween Night! 2nd Miata (traded in 1993)and was very pleased on the upgrades over the years...Very comfortable, but having had MGs and an old Miata felt a lot of the rough/bumpy of the old Sports car was missing...I enjoyed that kind a feeling...The Mazda rumble is missing. More like a whine! Car is more like a cushy compact with the top down. Handles beautifully. Wont win any speed races with the power.

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  Love my Miata - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By W - February 19 - 1:06 pm

  Have driven this car daily for almost 7 years. Only repairs ever needed were the tires and the battery, until just 6 months ago, when the brake pads were replaced. The car still drives like it did when it was new. This is the best engineered, and most reliable car I have ever owned. I just had it repainted, because I plan to keep it for many more years.

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  Best toy car in the world - 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By JJ - February 16 - 11:30 pm

  Bought my white Miata w/140k miles on eBay. Excellent chassis. You wouldnt have a clue as in what a "good handling car" is like, unless you drive a Miata. Very forgiving near limits - gives you plenty of warning before it gives up. The car tries real hard to do whatever you are commanding it to do, and performs very well. Miata is nothing short of purebred sports car, designed from ground up to be impractical in all other aspect other than getting from A to B in the most exhilarating way. Underpowered, but dont afraid to rev it up to 5000+ rpm. The car soars when you push it hard. 27 MPG in abusive driving.

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  Best car ever! - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By miata_coastie - February 12 - 4:51 am

  I bought my 01 LS Miata as my first car. Mine is an LS with a 6-speed which makes it feel even sportier! I bought it as a fun but temporary car until I was able to upgrade to something with more power, but Ive fallen in love. The car is so light that when paired with my summer performance tires I can fly around corners! So far I have an aftermarket intake and exhaust and it sounds AMAZING! For those who want more power there are an endless amount of aftermarket parts for it from the intake and exhaust like I have to turbos and even V-8s! Best car ever! NEVER getting rid of it! FYI if anyones looking for an autocross car, look no further!

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  Grinning From Ear to Ear - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Psychprofessor - February 9 - 12:33 pm

  This is the first car Ive had in living memory that my wife actually wanted to drive whenever she goes anywhere that doesnt require a large trunk. As my son put it, it feels like youre going fast even when youre not. Its just fun to drive no matter what kind of driving youre doing. My first sports car was an MG Midget, which began to disintegrate as I left the dealership. It was great fun to drive, when it would start and it wasnt raining, but living in Baton Rouge that wasnt often. One thing I know about the Miata is that it doesnt leak. Also, it gets surprisingly good gas mileage for the kind of driving that I do. Loads of fun, and I love the design. I even like the grill changes.

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  Mood Elevator - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Omaha Driver - February 9 - 11:50 am

  Take an ordinary day with time in the office, add a business trip or errand, take down the top on the Miata, and presto, instant mini-vacation. What a mood elevator. I bought the car with 100K and have added 36k over three years as my daily driver. I even drove it this winter (not recommended). Throw some sand bags in the trunk, make sure the tires are good, and be careful. Goes fast enough, stops fast, very reliable, depreciates slowly. Only thing that could be better is gas mileage (about 25 in town, 30 on the highway in a very small car). But, its just the car to be in on a nice day.

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  Best Miata Ever! - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By pch1 - February 2 - 7:56 pm

  This car is extremely fun to drive. Grips in the corners and gives you great feedback. Would love if they put a turbo charger on it, but the 4 cyl engine still pulls nicely. I test drove both the manual and auto 6sp. I ended up with the automatic because it shifts quickly at near redline when driving spiritedly, and I do more highway driving and did not want the suspension package that was on most of the 6sp manuals.