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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  Deleted my "Bucket List"! - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Vaughn - March 13 - 5:23 pm

  Dont think this little roadster wont be exciting to drive with only 155 horses under the hood. Ive been driving the Grand Touring version since August and I really hate pulling it into the garage for the night. The short throw, six speed manual shift is so sweet. My daily commute is 12 miles of country roads ( speed limits 35 to 55 ) which puts the tach between 1500 & 2200. Im getting 38 to 42 mpg, not 28 to 34 as suggested on the sticker! My only freeway run was the hour and a half drive coming home from the dealership at 80 mph. Only got 36 mpg on that trip. Ill take it back to the dealer for its first free oil change but I definitely wont use the freeway, (no fun in that!) Coffee drinkers will be dissappointed with either of the cup holder positions as you and a passenger will be banging your knees on them (if holders are installed on either side of the front center console) and if the holders are at the rear of center console, reaching for your cup will be a little awkward. Trust me, you wont feel the need for caffeine when your slide behind the wheel! The glove compartment is between the seat backs (right above the cup holders) so dont be reaching for any items while driving. There arent any door pockets for storage either. The trunk can hold 4 or 5 bags of groceries (but not your golf clubs). If the lack of storage positions bothers you, ... take your spouses car but dont be surprised if they wont give yours back! Final analysis ... Ive deleted my "Bucket List" ... Dont need it! Im having too much fun driving my Miata!

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  Fun to Drive, But More to Consider in Buying - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Dr. James Poyak - March 12 - 6:01 pm

  Its a fun car to drive. Im 5 10" and if you are taller than me, this probably isnt the car for you. Its definitely tight quarters, which is OK when the top is down, but feels a little claustrophobic with the top up. Im still trying to learn how to manage the command control selections. It isnt logical compared to our Honda or Hyundai. The technology is pretty basic when compared with other cars we have owned in recent years. But if you are looking purely for a sports car that is fun to drive when the top is down, this is probably it. Just be aware of the limitations in the above mentioned areas and be sure to take one out for a test drive and only after you have finished driving, try to negotiate the instrument cluster and command control.

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  I love this car! - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Sher - March 12 - 10:00 am

  I had never considered a car to be fun before. This car is amazing. Having a bad day? Just climb in, drop the top and all is right with the world.

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  Love Mazda Style - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Texas Chick - March 9 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Miata. I loved the first one (a 95), but this SE is even better. Im constantly complimented on its looks and Ive been very impressed with the way it grips the curvy mountain roads here.

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  I love my car but - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By MERCAT - February 27 - 11:50 pm

  After several years of owning it the hard top wont retract. I think its an electrical problem and I will be taking it in but wondered if anyone here had the same experience. I pop open the dealie between the shades, put it in neutral and push the button. It just beeps at me. Nothing happens.

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  Seriously good car - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By MrCowGod - February 23 - 10:00 am

  Awesome. Thats all I can say. Lots-o-low end torque to make a performance car drivable in the city. Loads of fun, to say the least, in quick turning mountain roads and the short shift is a beautiful thing.

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  Built for the Sierras - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By QwikLee - February 19 - 12:20 am

  My wife and I live about an hour from the Sierra Nevada mountains on the California side. Whenever we want to take a Sunday drive, we hop in the Miata and spend a wonderful day winding through the foothills and mountains with the top down. What a way to enjoy the outdoors!

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  Looking for many miles of motoring fun - 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By ms1070 - February 8 - 1:36 pm

  This is my third Miata and it is by far the best. I had an Audi A4 cabrio for 7 years prior to this car so Im still making the adjustment back to a smaller car. I am looking forward to less maintenance cost with the Miata. My requirement when looking this time was a retractable hardtop. I looked at the EOS but my experience with expensive German maintenance and less than reliable reviews on the EOS brought me back to the Miata. The handling and weight distribution are beyond compare in a car of this price. The fit and finish is comparable to the Audi. The interior layout is much better than my previous Miatas.

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  Mazada got me again! - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Chris - February 3 - 4:47 am

  If you are interested in a fun car to drive that gives you confidence and pure joy, this is the one for you. I found what great cars Mazda was making when we purchased a 2016 CX-5 GT. My 2009 Corvette was just not getting driven as much as it should. Kind of hard to open up 430 HP around Denver except 0-70. But this car gets used more and is more fun to drive. Great feeling of control. The GT version does not have differential rear end but Im not cranking or sliding the corners either. I find the exterior looks great and the interior feels like high end materials. Dont miss my Vette at all, though it was pretty repair free car.

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  Fun, fun fun! - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Glenn Zanotti - February 2 - 2:46 pm

  I drive a lot of sports cars in my job, and although the Miata is not all that fast, it pegs the needle on the fun gauge. This is my second one. Its light weight and excellent suspension design make it a great ride in the twisties. Add the availability of hundreds of inexpensive aftermarket upgrades, and you can tailor your Miata for everything from daily driver to track-day monster. I use mine as a weekend fun car, not a daily driver. The other big plus is the reliability and easy maintenance of a Miata. They are so simple. Simplicity means there isnt much to go wrong, and when something does go wrong, you can often fix it yourself rather easily.