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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  Miata MX-5 GT with PRHT - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Tony - April 3 - 10:36 am

  I only have a little over 100 miles on the car but so far I can tell you this is a true sports car. The handling is right in tune with a car of this type. Power and torque is there when you need it even with the auto transmission and paddle shifters. The ride quality is what you would expect from any good sports car. Firm! I had a 3 Series BMW before the MX-5 and it will give the BMW a run for its money in every way for about $9 grand less.

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  Texas Review - 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Sheryl Remick - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most fun youll ever have!

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  Topless Delight - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By BG - March 24 - 10:46 pm

  This is a car made to be driven with the top down. I even drive it topless in cold weather as long as it is a nice sunny day. If it gets chilly I turn on the heater. Put the top up and the car suddenly feels cramped and confined. The Miata handles great and accelerates surprising fast. It also brakes quickly to a stop in a pinch. I am using the Miata to teach my teenagers to drive a 5 speed and it is well suited for that due to its size and easy clutch. I find that the car is at its best on the winding backroads at speeds where you can take in the scenery and enjoy the outdoors. I am not crazy about driving it topless above 70 mph as the wind and noise pick up significantly.

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  Madza Special Editon - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Special Editon - March 19 - 11:50 pm

  The Car is underpowered, needs at least 150hp. Car looks good, handles excellent and gas mileage. A good buy for the money.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Portac - March 14 - 5:20 am

  Weve had our MX-5 for a couple of weeks now. We love it! This is a great car for the money.

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  MX-5 experience - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By mx5 sport - March 12 - 10:23 am

  I like the Miata for its sporty feeling and it is fun to drive. It is the roughest riding car Ive ever owned and definitely wouldnt want to drive it on a long trip. This car is like its glued to the road which is good for handling but not for ride comfort. It rides like it doesnt have springs much like a Go-Kart. The road noise inside car is quite loud also. Power wise it has no problem for get up and go. Miata is probably the best bang for the buck as far as little sports cars go. When driving in heavy rain you better slow way down as this car will get scary as it will hydroplane easily.

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  Great Fun - 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Greg Bottini - March 10 - 12:33 am

  While giving a friend a ride, I decided to turn around. As I hit the brake, we came up to a gravel side road with lots of sand and gravel on the highway. I expected a slide but to my amazment we got a smooth rapid deceleration. This car holds the road like it is magnetized. Ive seldom gotten less than 30 miles to the gallon reguardless of city or highway driving.

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  Took the Miata over the New Porsche Boxster - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By David A. Myers - March 8 - 10:56 am

  I owned a used 1999 Boxster that I had for 10 years and was looking for a newer 2-seat convertible replacement. i was looking at the new Boxster and Audi TT, but didnt really want to shell out $50K-$60K for a new car. And even the used ones were fairly pricey. I owned a 1992 Mazda Miata that I absolutely loved but had to trade it in when we started a family. I wasnt all that impressed with the 2015 Mazda Miata, it was nice but didnt come close to the Audi or Porsche in styling. But then I started to research the new 2016 Miata and became very interested as I saw the concepts and pricing. Was very disappointed when it didnt show up at the 2016 Baltimore Car Show. When it finally hit the showrooms in the Baltimore area I immediately went to take a look. But all the cars on the lots were pre-orders so I was unable to drive one. I really liked the looks of the car but I needed to get behind the wheel and take a spin. Finally my wife and I got to take one for a test drive. My wife is a Boxster lover so I figured it was going to be a tough sell. But we both fell in love with it immediately after test driving it. We love the look and feel of the Boxster but the Miata has far more of the "fun-factor". Its simply a blast to drive. You really feel one with the road and the acceleration is more than adequate for this little car. At 63" its a little cramped for me compared to the Porsche but I dont mind at all. I find myself trying to find every excuse to drive this car. "Honey, were out of milk. Im driving to the store (as I just chug down a 1/2 gallon of the white stuff)". We took it on a 180 mile trip to the beach and I felt very comfortable the entire trip down and back. We bought two nice size, color matching, soft bags that held more than enough for a few days away and they fit perfectly in the trunk. More so than the Porsche, you can take the top down, keep the windows up, put on the heat and stay comfortable in the cockpit all of the way down to 45 degrees or so. We have had a very mild December in Baltimore this year so we have had plenty of top-down fun with this little car. Hands down the best 2-seat convertible on the market for the money!!!

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  Just got it, love it already - 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By LemmiwinksGT - March 6 - 10:16 am

  The ride isnt harsh with the factory upgraded suspension kit and it corners like crazy. Acceleration is brisk and it seems even more so when youre sitting so low to the ground. The engine and exhaust have a nice sound and the car begs to be revved. I absolutely love this car. The hard top is reasonably quiet and adds to the security of the car while parked. The 2009 / 2010 models no longer have a crazy wheel gap like the 2006-2008s and the front end styling is much more to my taste. The stability control isnt intrusive, the headlights are very good, especially the high beams, and visibility with the top up isnt horrible if you fix your mirrors correctly. To sum this up, drive one.

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  Lovin it! - 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Miata Fan - February 26 - 9:50 pm

  Wonderful little car. When you get this car, youre not just getting a vehicle to get from point A to B. Youre getting a lifestyle. Youre getting other friends (Miata fanatics) on the road. Youre getting looks from girls. Youre getting an "in" to a worldwide base of Miata enthusiasts. Youre getting exhilaration on your morning commute (I cant tell you how many coworkers complain about the drive to work...but never me!). Mazda has the right to put "pure fun" in the official list of features.