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 perfect convertible - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Baz - July 6 - 7:00 am

  Great car, needs only two more inches of leg room, not enough to fully extend the arms. Quality is on par with my old Audi and better that the Mercedes 350SLK I recently sold. Good but not great value for money, I bought it for the hard top which is a great compromise. The only issue is the short gearing which might bother some, at 75 MPH, the engine is running at over 3,500 RPM which might be bothersome but I have gotten used to it. Great looking car for reasonable money, the only other car that are this much fun will easily cost an extra 20-30,000 dollar. The 6 speed manual transmission is a bit notchy, it has improved slightly with time, and the gas mileage is quite reasonable.

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  Therapy - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By KMB@NS - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This is a car that is just plain fun. If you do not enjoy driving this vehicle, there is no hope for you. You may never want to put the roof up, even when the cold weather arrives.

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  2000 Base with convenience pkg - 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By T Square - July 4 - 2:00 am

  You have to feel this car to believe it. If you need an abundance of straight-line acceleration, a Detroit V-8 may be a better choice, but when the road starts to twist, this car shines. No other vehicle has steering with as much feedback as a Miata. The gearshift feels like using a bolt-action rifle. The top is weathertight, reliability is excellent.

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  Great Car - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By MissileMax - July 3 - 7:23 pm

  This is my second Miata, and will have a Miata until the day I die. No other car delivers the driving experience the Miata does. It is a rush to drive, but is friendly enough to use everyday. The top can be opened and closed in mere seconds from inside the vehicle, and the trunk is large (and stays large with the top down!). Maintenance is easy, and the reliability canÂ’t be beat. The Miata maneuvers like it is thought controlled, simply think it and the car responds elegantly. I have driving many sports cars, and love most of them, but none compare to the Miata.

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  Hidden gem - 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Michael Cleveland - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car from my in-laws who were having a baby and ditched the car for a station wagon. I never imagined myself owning a Miata. After one week of test driving, it had me hooked and I bought it enthusiastically. You cant find a comparable car in this price range. It has plenty of pick-up and hugs the curves like its on rails. Havent regretted my decision for a second.

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  Why not - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miat - June 28 - 5:23 pm

  Wanted something stylish and fun. It is all that and then some. My husband and I run to see who will get to the Miata first. Style and the retractable top makes it own statement. Not used to so much fast response, takes a second then you think, why not, no one is around. Blast to drive, great jaw dropper on many faces when that top retracts. Looks good, drives great, just a great car.

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  99 Miata - 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Miata_man - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a new Miata 3 years ago and, overall, I love the car. Its a blast to drive and handles very well. I understand that they added a six speed transmission, which it badly needs. Some minor issues with the car would be loss of power when the air conditioner is on and a rattle that occurs sometimes in the gear shift. Things that should be expected with this car are a small trunk and a lot of road noise at high speeds.

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  Fun to drive little roadster - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Michael - June 25 - 6:46 am

  I have the 6 speed sport shift automatic and it makes you feel like you have a stick manual without the clutch. Also steering wheel shift paddles are fun to operate but takes some getting used to. Excellent handling and breaking.

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  Miata - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By JLArm - June 24 - 10:00 am

  A great and fun car. After I bought this I sold my motorcycle.

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  Woo Hoo - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Kay & Gene - June 16 - 9:53 pm

  We decided it was time to have some fun in our lives. Drove the Sky, Solstice, S2000. Nothing compared with the style, handling and amenities. Besides its got a hard top, duh! We got out of a Lincoln Town Car for this fantastic ride!!!