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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  Still Smiling - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By G Feltis - February 11 - 11:00 am

  This is one fun car. Looked for several months before purchasing a used Special Edition with 53K miles. This is one of many Mazdas I have purchased. Great handling, good brakes, this car begs to be driven enthusiastically. The six speed is great, shifts smoothly and precisely and keeps the rpms below 4000 at 75 mph. I will go out of my way to take a twisty set of roads, this car is easy to push hard in the corners. It takes a set and with smooth power application will drift progressively,and when pushed hard will break lose in the rear. If this Mazda lasts as long as my 91 truck I will be smiling for years to come.

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  Midlife crisis pacifier - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By dacvulcan - January 31 - 10:56 am

  Test drove a Sky and S2000 but the MX-5 felt more like a classic roadster. It is very responsive and has totally replaced the "need for speed" that my motorcycle satisfied. It is real nice on a Saturday cruise to have A/C, heat, music, and a top when it starts to rain. I am going back over my favorite motorcycling routes and enjoying them more than ever.

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  Gorgeous car - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By mannym - January 29 - 10:00 am

  I rarely hear comments on the looks of the new Miata. It really is a gorgeous car to look at. As for performance, it takes more driving skill than a Corvette, wich is fine with me.

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  Still love my miata! - 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Vegas Resident - January 27 - 6:43 am

  Here it is 8 years later and I still love my car. It has only 50,000 miles and lots of love. In that time I have had only a few minor repairs. One was to replace the master and slave cylinder for the clutch system and finally am putting in a new radiator. But what to expect when your summers are 115 degrees with no rain day in and day out. It still purrs like a kitten and I finally had my first brake pad replacement. All other parts still original and no major problems. In fact I think the NB is the best of the miata runs. It gained the necessary curves that made it so sweet. The NC lost some of those curves which was sad and got some fenders that were more RX in looks.

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  Big smile car - 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By eric - January 25 - 5:36 am

  I think this is the most fun car I ever had. Anyone looking for a big trip to smile city will love it. Obviously if you have a family it could only be a second or (toy) car. But single folks will find no problem filling up that second seat. I can only compare it to a go kart I had as a kid. Wishing I could ride that kart all over the place. Now I can and I can put the top up when it rains. MPG is great. Now if I can keep it away from my kids. They can get their own toy. Drive one... you will be hooked

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  Indy is reliable - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By conemaugh - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Indy was purchased on the 4th of July and I havent stopped smiling from the first day I drove it off the dealers lot. I did add a German horn to replace the tin sounding original equipment horn and recently replaced the interior mirror witn an electronic dimming mirror that displays current temperature and driving direction. Otherwise, Indy is original equipment. In summary, for the money, the Mazda Miata is a best buy and is as much fun to drive as any sports car three to four times its price.

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  excellence in design - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By linda wenker - January 24 - 10:00 am

  we have owned ours for over a year...superb automobile

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  Bad computer - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By oldfartfighter - January 15 - 10:00 am

  I love the car, but, my wife will not ride with me any more, the damn car (computer) takes a crap if you park next to or close to overhead power lines. do not trust the car any more, last week we went for a ride to view fall leaves and stopped at a road side tavern for a brew, went to car , it would not allow the "key" to start, after much frustration and calling a tow truck operator, my wife looked at the manual and found that overhead power lines could cause a problem, enlisted some cowboys from tavern and pushed the car about 6 away from the overhead powerline, walah, it started. now will not venture any further than to town 2 miles do not trust the SOB

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  New to mazda - 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By APERIL - January 10 - 11:43 am

  This is my first mazda...I was a loyal honda owner until now! This has to be the most fun car i have ever owned! It is fantastic to drive and i have had absolutely no mechanical problems at all! It may be small but if youre looking for a big car you wouldnt be looking at the mx-5 to begin with! Try one and youll fall in love!

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  The Right Choice - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By John - January 9 - 3:00 am

  We purchased the our Hunter Green PRHT new in March 2009 and we could not be happier. The exterior design is exciting, the interior is clean but not overwhelming and the driving characteristics are just plain fun. Handling is precise and she can turn on a dime and acceleration for a vehicle this size is more than adequate.