Mazda MX-5 Miata (1990 - 1998) Reviews, Pricing & Specs

all you have to do is put the top down,and the smiles never stop,would love to get a new one but no need,this one was free!,if you get the chance to buy one reasonable,do it,you won't be sorry,I worked on this car for 10 yrs before it was given to me,never anything major,just normal maintenance,just goes to show mechanics,be nice to your customers,you never know what will happen!Jan 18, 2012

This car has great maneuverability and is a joy to drive. It makes you feel like you are in a race car. The ride is bumpy and there is little storage space, let alone leg room, but it hugs the road, provides excellent gas mileage and is super easy to maintain. The top is easy enough to work and the response to driver is perfect. I'd absolutely recommend this car to anyone looking for a fun ride.Jan 08, 2012

Performance - out of the box these cars are ready for a great deal of street fun. Older Miatas are plagued with heavier add ons like Power Steering, Air Bag, and Air Conditions. Most of the accessories serve a good purpose and you can still improve handling by getting a coil over kit and sway bars that will make it an instantaneous fun track car. NA engine is weak for muscle car enthusiasts but plenty powerful for sharp cornering. Brakes are great, racing pads and SS lines make them even better. Build Quality - It's a Japanese car, however because Miatas were supposed to be the affordable British roadster, things like the mirrors hood and exhaust shield vibrating are very common. Appearance - Styled to mimic the old Lotus Elan, the Miata looks awesome in every color. Plus the huge market of aftermarket parts makes it very easy to customize and any Miata's appearance. Cost of Ownership - With mid grade gas and averaging 28 mpg, the car is surprisingly economical for something people take to the track. Parts are available, there are a few common mechanical issues that pop up at different mileages but overall, if you keep a Miata properly maintained, it should outlast a lot of newer cars with more ECU guided systems. Fun Factor - It has it.Sep 30, 2011

I enjoy the car, mechanically it hasn't given me hardly any trouble and I've taken it on a 2000 mile road trip. It gets good gas mileage and the power isn't terrible, but isn't anything to brag about either. I would like to upgrade the suspension and replace the top, as they are both getting a little worn after being used for close to 14 years. Altogether though a great little car, corners great and would be an amazing driving experience with some serious money put into the engine (perhaps a supercharger or v8 swap?).Oct 26, 2010

I love my car. She's put a smile on my face every day for the past 5yrs. She's not the fastest but rear wheel drive + skinny tyres = FUN FUN FUN. Amazing build quality, only the clutch has failed in 5 years of hard driving. She's a V-Spec, the highest specced MX-5 they ever made, full leather, I put a Nakamichi Stereo in with speakers in the head rests and a beautiful Nardi steering wheel, the same you'll find in an E-Type. I'll keep her as long as i can...Jan 26, 2010

Its an open convertible like oldtimers as the Lotus Elite, MGA, Morgan and so on but at the same time its a Mazda. Therefore it always start and its never out of order. Being almost 20 years old I just have had to change brakes and exhaust system. At the same time its just fun to drive especially on a curly road in the spring on a sunny day in a forrest. It reacts like a gocart and look forward to a trip in my MiataNov 23, 2008

Although some minivan's could blow my doors off at a traffic light, this wasn't built for straight-line performance - it weighs in at a startling 2200lbs, has a super low CG, double wishbone suspension front and rear, and is rear wheel drive, making it scream through corners as if there were no corners to sweat. Effortless. I found out that I can push this car into corners about 15-20mph faster than I initially thought I could, which is always at LEAST twice the "curve speed limit". A lot of people still tote this to be a girl's car, but I've found that people that say that often tend to look at it differently after taking a tour around it, hearing it, seeing it move. I don't hear many jokes from them after a while - instead, I get asked for a ride or even to borrow the keys! The top is manual, requires only two latches to be unfastened, and can be folded back with one hand from the driver's seat. The engine loves to rev, and winds to a sweet sounding 7200rpm quickly. Gas mileage is generally in the low to high 20's, depending on how often your foot is in the pedal. xD These cars are very simply built; very minimalistic - but very solid. Repairs are limited to those that just tend to be needed after a while on any car - tires, timing belt, tune-up stuff. I've been very pleased with the reliability. All in all, this is one of those cars that if I HAD to sell it, I'd be impatiently waiting for another chance to own one down the road.Sep 02, 2008

I absolutely LOVE this car. I love it so much that I have two of them (the other is my husband's 1990.) She handles well, runs like a dream, and has needed little to no maintenance. I average about 28-29 MPG in the city and 30-32 MPG on the hwy. It's a very fun car to drive! The only downside is that it's SO low to the ground sometimes it takes some effort to get out of the car. :)Aug 20, 2008

Best fun driving car for less than € 5000!! Mine was very early euro spec Mx5: with no power steering,but with a good torsen lsd. Fun,Fun,Fun for more or less 200000kms, with only clutch, gearbox(was only noisy...), and hood replaced. She was always perfect, in summer,or winter,in city center,or on autobahn at 200km/h. If you are young, and love to drive, buy one like mine: 116 ps first series and you'll love her forever!!! My next step is a Lotus Elise s2, just bought 2 months agoJul 30, 2008

Maintenance so far (since Aug 2005), other than oil/filter: (a) new timing belt (standard 120,000 mi service) (b) change of all fluids (they were rather dirty) (c) complete renewal of the A/C system (new condenser, compressor, etc.) (d) replacement of the large and small shift boots (e) removal of rust both rear quarter panels (consequence of living in the rust belt) (f) new clutch & flywheel (not a surprise at 135,000 miles) (g) new fuel pump (h) replaced camshaft position sensor (Note: this is a $600 part! By checking the classified section of miata.net, I luckily bought one (used) for $100) (i) new brakes, new ventilated front discs (j) DRLs, so no need to pop headlightsJul 23, 2008

This is a fine roadster. It is the second roadster I have owned and is by far the best. My first roadster was an Austin Healey Sprite.... The Miata is so much nicer. It is a comforable car that is a true pleasure to drive. The lines on it are very pleasing to the eye. The M edition adds some nice amenities such as ac, power windows and leather seats.Dec 12, 2007