Overview & Reviews

The 2009 Mazda Miata gets a few updates this year. The exterior receives a mild face-lift (a more aggressive grille, headlights and taillights), and the engine gets a one-horsepower bump along with slightly improved fuel mileage. The Miata's features list has also expanded. Highlights include an auxiliary input jack and two more speakers for the base audio system, an auto-dimming mirror for the Touring trim and automatic climate control for the Grand Touring version. Finally, the Special Edition model has been dropped.

• Huge fun factor, precise steering and handling, low base price, choice of soft-top or retractable hardtop configurations, economical to operate.

• Still snug for bigger folks, lacks high-performance engine option, stability control only available on the top trim level.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 23.00

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  Great Car - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By MiataFever - October 18 - 6:10 pm

  This is a great car. It exhibits the critical balance between performance, style and comfort, while maintaining a true sports car feel. This car invites you to drive it - it is so much at home on a winding road with the top down - it delivers just what the car was designed to do - a oneness with the road and a fun factor that is off scale. The 6 speed transmission is a joy, the audio system sounds great, the top up / down operation is effortless and the car has great visual appeal. Test drive one - you will love it!

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  2009 MX5 - Driven 40k in the last 1 1/2 - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By saintaug1 - June 15 - 3:11 pm

  Researched a bunch of different roasters. Drove the 350Z, Boxers, S2000 and bought a 2009 with 7k on it. A compelling factor was the PRHT which works perfectly. I just sold my Triumph motorcyce (much to my wifes delight) and I tell you, this little car is ALMOST as fun to drive. I did do a 180 spin in rain, so be cautious in wet conditions. I too would love to have about 50 more hp but you have to know how to squeeze the power out of it, mainly by shifting at higher rpms. I think the build quality is better than a couple used boxers I drove...really tight. The Honda S2000 used car prices were I think, over priced, the BMW I would hate to have to repair, as would be the Boxer. Fun!

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  Buy a real sports car not this one - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Made a big mistake - May 26 - 7:03 pm

  Have owned real sports cars (vetts, S2000, porsches) downsized to this, with such great reviews got this thought my wife would also like it, terrible ride not even closed to the handling of an S2000. I not talking about raw power, but handling, how can anyone call this a sports car WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT will sell as soon as I can. If you want to save a few dollars buy a used S2000 or Boxster you will be driving a real sports car.

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  09 sky vs 09 phrt mx5 - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Redprhtlady - April 26 - 4:06 am

  Bought my first convertible in aug of 08 which was a Saturn sky, hated it! Now I have a 09 phrt mx5, love it! I have a trunk and I can put the top up & down in 12 seconds. The skys top was very hard to get down if you are a woman. The sky is a sharp looking car, but in my opinion my miata is the bomb! Sky rated a 5. Mx5 rated 10+ with me!

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  The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Top Down - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Steven Huneycutt, MD - October 16 - 3:18 am

  It never has needed any repairs, ever. Most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. Just dont have enough room in my garage to keep it.

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  Often misjudged for what it is - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By dancetracks - August 19 - 5:23 pm

  Anyone who has driven a Miata will come away with a smile. But often someone will come along and bash the car comparing it to cars costing $10K more (S2000) or twice as much (Boxter). It is unrealistic to expect Porsche performance at the Miatas selling price of around $25k (sport model). The MX-5 really sits by itself in the marketplace of low-price performance convertibles. Drive one. If you come away with a smile, then buy it and let the fun begin. I cant stop thinking about the next time Ill drive the car.

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  apotheosis of a dream - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By woodyas - April 15 - 11:53 pm

  Bottom line: this car is in undeniably fun to drive. Top down, wind in the hair, and a pure feeling of freedom. Hell, why was I not doing this years ago? Not sure about every convertible out there, but this sure seems like the best damn one out there. And how do you beat the price--or the numerous accolades the Miata has one. To be succinct: I love this car!

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  If it was more fun it would be illegal - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Dreamgineer - March 30 - 11:13 am

  In a word this car is FUN! and you cant beat the price or the fuel economy 25MPG (Measured over a year). It drives like a dream, its fun to watch people look at the car and smile, its fun to take corners at high speed, its fun to listen to the great stereo with the top down and the wind in your hair while singing at the top of your voice. Zoom-Zoom!

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  Love it - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Pat - March 24 - 11:36 am

  I too had a 2007 PHT Miata, when I saw the 2009s I thought ok don’t know about the smiley face look but I will go look at one. Well I went to the dealer and test drove one and wow big improvement over my 2007, tighter suspension, the seats are great, the stereo with MP3, Bluetooth, seat adjuster, my husband fit in it and more, I loved it. My husband has an S2000 and mustang and he loved this car too, it may not be as fast or sporty as his, but then it was not made to compete with those cars in that class, but I find it more fun then his, this car was made for pure fun and enjoyment and that is what it is. I have it now for 3 weeks and that smiley face is now on my face everyday.

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  Grinning From Ear to Ear - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Psychprofessor - February 9 - 12:33 pm

  This is the first car Ive had in living memory that my wife actually wanted to drive whenever she goes anywhere that doesnt require a large trunk. As my son put it, it feels like youre going fast even when youre not. Its just fun to drive no matter what kind of driving youre doing. My first sports car was an MG Midget, which began to disintegrate as I left the dealership. It was great fun to drive, when it would start and it wasnt raining, but living in Baton Rouge that wasnt often. One thing I know about the Miata is that it doesnt leak. Also, it gets surprisingly good gas mileage for the kind of driving that I do. Loads of fun, and I love the design. I even like the grill changes.