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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  Fun going Topless - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By flash9 - June 26 - 1:13 am

  After looking at Miata, S2000, and the MR2. I finally decided if I could find a 2001 Miata SE (British Racing Green) for a fair amount I would buy on as a fun run about car. We have had the car for nearly a year and it has exceeded all expectations.

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  Best MG I ever had - 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By GrandadsFun - June 21 - 5:56 pm

  Okay, Its not an MG - its so much better but has all the things that made the MGB now sitting in the back yard attractive years ago but with added comfort, performance and reliability. Best sports car I ever owned, and there have been many.

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  Sports Car Heaven - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Tim - June 18 - 4:03 am

  The MX-5 has the heart and soul of a pure sports car. It appears and feels like Mazda put 110% into the MX-5. I am completely satisfied with the driving experience. Fit and finish are excellent. Performance is more that satisfactory. Interior comfort is excellent. I have never been so passionate and thrilled with ownership of any automobile. The bang you get for a very reasonable buck is great. Remember this is a sports car, so storage and frills are not the point ... its the driving experience. Before you buy a Porsche, BMW or S2000 go drive the MX-5. Youll have plenty of change left over. And your insurance agent will not reach so deep into your pocket.

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  STO2GO - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By roknrol - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. Ill echo the other review about being careful of the special editions. Its too easy to become so paranoid of getting the car dinged up that youll just keep it in the garage and admire it. However, the car must be driven to truly admire it. I had wanted a true, classic convertible for a long time, but didnt want the maintenance issues of an MG or Triumph. The Miata is the perfect answer.

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  Capability Review - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By The Fudder - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I had a Corvette before buying the Miata and honestly enjoy driving the Miata much more. The only problem is long distance. Cannot sit in the Miata much more than a couple of hours. Great handling on tight curves. Performance a little weak but expected. A fun sports car.

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  Happy that I Got a 2016 Miata instead of a Boxster - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Dale - May 29 - 11:42 am

  I had a Honda S2000 from 2005 through 2012 (great car) and I was looking for another fun, small, light, (fairly) comfortable convertible. The two cars that rose to the top of my wish list were the Miata (I refuse to call it an MX-5) and the Boxster. I went to the 2 day Porsche Sport driving School in Birmingham, Alabama to get a "real" test drive, mostly in a Cayman. I loved the Porsche on the track, but it seemed to be the most fun when driven FAST. Great fun on the track, but I dont spend much time there. I went to the Detroit Auto Show to see the new Miata in the flesh. I fell in love on the spot. PROS: The Miata is fun at any speed. The handling is amazing. The seats are good. The acceleration is acceptable (0-60 in 6 seconds), and the mid-range torque is much stronger than I expected. I have been averaging 36 mpg. A fully equipped GT is half the cost of a low-end Boxster. CONS: You probably wont fit if you are much over 6 tall. The trunk is small, but it does fit two 21" roller carry-on bags and some misc. "stuff" on the sides. It requires premium gas. Ummmm.... Update after 7300 miles: I took a drive from Ohio to Las Vegas. I spent 8 days to drive 3000 miles to get to Vegas, most of it on two lane roads. I then drove 2100 miles in 3 days on the Interstate to get back. The slower paced trip and back roads fit the Miata driving style better, but it was OK on the super slab. The only change to my rating is that it should get 4 or 5 stars for value. Great car, and it gets lots of compliments from onlookers.

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  My second Miata - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Tim - May 25 - 9:50 pm

  This is my second Miata. I got it with only 57,000 miles. Previously I had a bare bones 96 (no A/C, P/W) I loved it. Then I bought a new 05 Mustang GT that had the comfort and the performance (LOVED that one too!). But I had to sell the Mustang unfortunately. So while I was "right sizing" I went back to a Miata. And in San Diego there isnt a more perfect car. If it wasnt for the 300 HP in the Mustang I would have rated the Miata higher in performance. The Miatas handling is perfect. Its buzzy at freeway speeds. I love the way it shifts. Looks better than the new Miatas!

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  Followup - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Alex - May 24 - 3:40 pm

  This is an update from "Be careful what you wish for" below. Mainly I write this Followup to praise the Continental Extreme Contact tires and the positive change they have wrought. I went from the OE Michelin run-flats to a slight wider (215 vs. 205) tire but kept the 45 series aspect ratio. In effect I made the tires a few millimeters taller and a bit wider. But the switch from run- flats has been amazing. The car has a much more comfy ride, with little in absolute performance loss. Light snow traction is great now, important here in CT. I did about 19k last year (33k total) and no mechanical problems. So thumbs up there. Everyone loves the car still, especially my wife.

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  More fun to drive than my former Corvette - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Paul Jay W. - May 21 - 5:39 am

  Traded in my 2006 Corvette for a 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, so that alone should tell you something! More fun to drive, better handling, smoother manual shifting and just more exciting overall. My only issues are with some of the interior design flaws. The CD player is behind the seats rather than in the dashboard by the radio where it belongs. There is no "glove" box even though there is room for one. The GPS outlet is located near the passengers feet where it is not accessible from the drivers seated position; not a problem if you have the navigation system in the "Club" or "GT" trims. The cup holders are located where they can not be easily reached. The sun visors are too small and do not rotate to the sides. The floor mats are very thin and not reinforced where the drivers clutch foot comes into contact with them. Despite these few interior design issues, which may seem petty to many, this car is a blast to drive and I am pleased with my purchase.

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  BEST THERE IS! - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By BC - May 19 - 10:06 pm

  I bought this vehicle to drive both for fun and back and forth to work, and it is truly what I expected. It even loads my golf clubs in the trunk! The only real complaint I have is that somehow it could have a spare tire. I just feel real uneasy going out of town far without a spare, even though they do give you an air pump and sealit material. Overall, I definitely recommend this car and would buy one again sometime once i wear this one out, if that is possible.