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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  The best Miata yet! - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Brandon - December 7 - 11:16 am

  So much fun to drive and one of the best cars with the top down. Great looks inside and out. Comfy seats and bigger than the previous Miatas. Race car steering, race car transmission and race car suspension. Suspension turns in sharp while the wheels stick like super glue. Flick the steering wheel and you dive into the apex with barely any turns on the wheel and the whole car talks to you. Great exhaust note. Great gas mileage. I owned a Evo 8 and currently own a 350Z and a Lotus Elise an this is probably the best deal when it comes to handling. And has become my new weekend car and ever daily driver.

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  Excellent - 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By stevegru - December 5 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. Handling is fantastic. I enjoy driving to work every day.

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  Miata... a blast for the bucks - 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Bill - December 3 - 9:50 pm

  Ive owned other roadsters, but the Miata is a blast for the bucks. After driving a Triumph Spitfire and an MGB, the Miata is like a high dollar exotic sports car. It will get up and go if you know how to drive it (keep your rpms up, kind of like driving a small displacement sports bike). The motor is smooth and Ive never been in a car that connects you to the road like this one! No complaints, best toy Ive ever had. Ive been walking around smiling and humming the "zoom, zoom, zoom" song since the day I bought it. Its an absolute blast.

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  Love it! - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Marie - December 3 - 8:36 pm

  I just purchased this sportscar two days ago and I love it. I owned an old 1600 Honda roadstar in college and its great to be back in one again. I love it and hope to continue driving it for the next 5-10 years. Im a young and very attractive professional and I dont know too much about sportscars, but Ive have received numerous compliments on the street and on the highway in this car and the ride with the top down is fantastic! I live in southern california the highway commute is a blast! I wish someone had told me about Miata years ago!

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  Transformation in the Tires - 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Manny - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Most of the reviews cover the important tech issues. I love my car but from day one I assumed that the rough and relatively noisy ride was related to the "sport type tuning" of the cars suspension - and I would just have to live with it. How wrong I was. This was the only thing about the car I did not truly enjoy - it was very noisy - road noise that was magnified by any road imperfections. Living in NY, I knew I had to replace the stock 17" Summer Tires (potenza) with an all weather tire. This weekend (October 2010) I put on a set of Conti Extreme Contact DSW and wow, what a difference. The car was transformed - it is now composed and a pleasure at any speed and road surface.

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  Excellent Roadster! - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Destry - October 31 - 10:40 pm

  I love everything about my car. Its fun to drive and handles awesome. A great roadster for the price!

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  4 months of ownership - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Wink - October 25 - 10:20 pm

  Ive had the car for about 4 months now. It is a solid built car. When I hit a bump I may feel it but the car doesnt rattle or make any unpleasant sounds you might hear in a cheaply built car. The top is a snap to put down and back up again without getting out of the drivers seat. It handles like a dream, very responsive. What I dont like is a couple of things. One, the cup holders in the door are in the way. When I raise my left leg up my knee rests against the cup holder and its uncomfortable. Second, I cant find a comfortable position with the seat. I have to have the seat back as far as it will go to keep my right leg from being uncomfortable. Then I am sittin straight up.

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  No Problems Ever - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By pinhigh1 - October 24 - 7:40 pm

  I purchased my 99 Miata used with about 21,000 miles 4.5 years ago. I have had no mechanical problems and am just now replacing the original soft top. It is a blast to drive even though it has just 4 cylinders. It is a best buy in my book! (Just make sure your golf bag fits in the trunk first).

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  McGruber was a wise man - 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By prosthodontist - October 15 - 12:37 pm

  Had the car for 3 months now and after getting over with the shortcomings of a small convertible, I can say that I love to drive this car so much that I am no longer interested in driving any other car except the Porsche Cayman/Boxster. One of the best performance bang for your bucks deals out there!

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  I Love my car!!!!!!!!! - 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By RDLundy - October 9 - 7:43 am

  Her name is Whitney and she is beauty! I have loved her from the first time I saw her! She is fun to drive and just my size! For years my sisters (All drive large cars) have questioned my decision not to buy another cars. 1. Theres no need! Whitney provides everything I want in a car. 2. Gas is too damn high! I get 27 miles to the gallon! 3. When we all get together, my car is left at home. Only two seats so not good for carpools or designated driving! 4. NO CAR PAYMENT FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS! Need I say more?