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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Underrated - 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
By iron_city_ap - November 14 - 4:36 amThis car is very underrated. I never really understood it, untill I took mine for a test drive. It just goes. Its not the fastest, not the sleekest, not the most expensive, not the most exotic but none of that matters in this little bad boy. Its alot like driving a big go-kart, only more fun.
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Just Purchased 2007 MX-5 PRHT - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
By ntouched - October 25 - 12:56 pmExcellent in every way. Comfortable, quick and fun to drive. Beautiful Car!
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Fun! - 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata
By MiataOwnerSince93 - October 25 - 10:00 amOutstanding handling and fun.
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This my second one and I will get a thir - 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata
By PhilPhil55 - October 21 - 10:00 amThis a great car...more fun under 60 mph than any car I have ever driven which includes the Audi GT Coup...Porsche 944....BMW735iL...MB CLK320. The car can turn on a dime,keep its traction [except in very cold weather] and gets compliments anywhere I go.The price is a home run but the fun is too much to put into words.
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My Fun MX5 - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
By Stephen J. Miller - October 20 - 11:23 pmWe have four cars. We own a 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE, a 2006 Lexus GS300, a 2007 Lexus ES350 and the 2006 Mazda MX5. We bought this car recently as a "want" car, not a "need" car.At our stage of life, we wanted one car for pure fun. We looked at the Solstace and the Sky, but chose the Mazda based on writeups and past history of the superceded Miata. And, is it F U N ! We adore this car! I have been driving for 54 years, have owned 58 cars, and I have been a car afficiando since I was a little kid. I get all the car mags, so I have a very strong opinion about cars, and I and my wife Love this MX5! Sincerely, SZteve Miller
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A Very Fun Car - BUT? - 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata
By P Mac - October 11 - 9:13 amIve own alot of Mazdas. They all have been very good to me. I also own a lot of cars in general. I purchase a NEW 2017 MX5 RF for my 18 Year old son as a Graduation Gift. Yes he is spoiled. Mazda did a good job keeping true to its roots. The RF Model grabs a lot of attention. Layout is great, design is great. No way will you fit if your over 6 , or if you are on the heavy side, you will not fit. You have to be 150 - 180lbs max at around 58 to enjoy the comfort. For my son, its perfect. My only con, and again its nothing new about this car,......The Power. my wife has a Mazda cx5 with the 2.5 Skyactiv and it has good torque, it moves the cx5 along great. The 2.0 in the Mx5 to me feels just like my 116HP 1992 miata I had. 200HP would be PERFECT! Overall it was well engineered and boy can you push it through turns. Out of five stars, I give it four. bump up the HP and it will receive a FIVE STARS.................another bullet proof Miata/MX5 that will run for the next 20years. Oh and dont let the Dealer sucker you into a 900.00 Nav sim card, I order one from eBay @ 125.00, it works GREAT!!!
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99 Silver Bullet - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
By vpilot - October 8 - 10:00 amAmazing fun and performance for a stock vehicle with a low price. It offers more than I expected.
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FUN! - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
By Gab - October 3 - 4:43 pmI got my Miata after wanting to get a roadster again. I had Jags, MGs and Triumphs back in 1966-1967. I have not been disappointed. Still look back when I park it! What fun!!!!!
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Best Miata Ever - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
By FL_owner - September 21 - 10:00 amI cant imagine more fun for the money, and the hard top is a nice feature. Its not an SC430 or an SLK, but if you want a classic roadster in the vein of an MG or Fiat Spyder with rock solid reliability and low cost of ownership, along with some measure of practicality like a usable trunk and excellent fuel economy, theres simply no better car on the market.
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My 3rd and easily best MX-5 - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
By Mike - September 21 - 5:53 amIve owned a 96, 99 and now an 06 MX-5. This is without a doubt the best of the three. Traded in my year-young Mazda 6s after just one test drive. The most marked improvements are the increased power, more muscular exterior and superb interior quality. Flicking through the short-throw 6-speed MT is addicting. The engine is much more willing with the increased HP. It now actually feels fast. The previous MX-5 always sounded like it was working really hard, but not producing much in the way of acceleration. That has changed with this model. Hopefully reliability will be as good as the previous models. A fantastic car.
