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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  great car - 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By hall - November 7 - 10:00 am

  fun car to drive, great economy for the dollas spent

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  The best selling sports car, EVER! - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Robert Wadman - November 4 - 9:55 am

  Itll get good mileage but, if youre like me, you wont let it. Youll have your foot to the firewall at every stoplight and want to power through every corner. Unfortunately, I recently was forced to sell the car. Because of leg and back problems it became too difficult to get in and out of. I still stand by my rating and was thnking about getting a newer model when my back problems cancelled that thought.

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  Fantastic and fun car - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Joe goeke - November 2 - 4:50 pm

  Top is super easy to put up and down on a whim. Handling is un matched especially for this price. Super practical around town, im getting 34 mpg average.

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  O.K., But...... - 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By mikehs2 - October 30 - 8:08 pm

  Remember this car was designed by the Japanese to imitate the experience of the MG. The MG was designed for the very winding roads of back woods England, 35-45 M.P.H. They totally hit the mark,if you drive a lot on very windy country roads, or just drive around town to Safeway and Starbucks. However, if you are on the freeway at all, this is not an "Autobahn" car. At 60 M.P.H. the R.P.M.s are 3,500+. It has 5 speeds. So, on any normal vehicle the R.P.M. should be about 1,800. Realistically, with the right gear ratio, this car could get 45-50 M.P.G at 60. Watch out for the plastic radiator. It will fail between 120K-130K.

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  Best car Ive owned so far. - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By nando - October 30 - 2:00 am

  This is the most amazing car Ive ever owned. It is fun to drive, looks great, and is just the right size. Ill be the first to admit that they could have made the car slightly longer and given us a little more leg room and a slightly bigger trunk. However, aside from minor things, this car is just about perfect. I think the car is powerful enough to deliver great performance. It is a little engine, debatably under-powered, but it does pack a great punch. Unfortunately you have to rev the engine pretty high to get that power.

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  Fun in the Sun - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Doug - October 22 - 7:00 pm

  I bought this car for a daily driver one year ago with 100k miles. Now Im at 115K and the only expenses have been a tuneup, new tires, and oil changes. It handles great, is fun to drive with the top down, and gets 25-30 m.p.g. Though small, it is solidly built. My son borrowed it for his Jr.-Sr. Prom, so my three kids (two teenagers and one married) like it too and occasionally ask to borrow it.

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  High Priced Tin Can. - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Ewok - October 11 - 8:53 am

  My back cant handle much of this car. After an hour or so I believe Id feel better if I was on a medieval torture rack. Would that it took that long to get tired of the racket this car makes. Took it in for service to deal with the rattle, squeak, and squeal from the dash. The service people were really nice but unfortunately the problem is still there. So if you like paying 20,000 for a tin can this is the car for you.

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  First time Mazda driver. - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By gonegolfin - October 2 - 11:43 am

  I bought the MX-5 GT 6-speed at the end of March 2006. It is the True Red color and I have lost track of how many people have stopped me to ask questions about the car and in some cases asked if they could drive it. Obviously, my answer was no. The car has been exactly as described and lived up to all the pre-launch euphoria. Its impossible to overstate the "fun" factor of driving this car top-down. Outstanding!

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  Finally! - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By rwantin - September 26 - 10:00 am

  My patience has been rewarded - I grew up in Michigan, and now live in So. Cal. A lifelong motorcyclist, it was here that I could finally get what I consider to be the finest 4-wheeled equivalent of a bike - a Miata! Grins from ear-to-ear, sensational handling, bulletproof reliability, and at a price that still cant be touched in this segment (sorry, I have never warmed up to the looks of the MR2). I now have a pleasant dilemma in the garage: Bike or car? This is indeed a classic roadster in the purest of (all) senses. Do yourself a favor - dismiss what anyone else thinks, and take one for a spin. You will not regret it.

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  2008 MX-5 - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Fred Strom - September 24 - 2:53 pm

  We love our 2008 Grand Touring PHRT. It is fun to drive, comfortable, feels very solid in build and design. We love having tilt steering and being able to increase the height of the drivers seat. Has much more power than our 97. Love the color of our Copper Red Mica but the seats (tan) dont seem to go with the outside color. Also love the option of using automatic or shifting through the paddles on the steering wheel.