1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Five-Speed
Video Gallery
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Five-Speed Driving POV
Description
The Mazda Miata moved much of the enthusiast community near to tears when it was introduced in the fall of 1989 for the ’90 model year. Prior to that, few thought we would ever see a British roadster re-imagined as a competent and dependable yet utterly charming automobile.
Miata seemingly came out of nowhere, and suddenly it was everywhere you looked. Known globally as the MX-5, the Miata reinvented a vehicle segment in ways that its contemporaries — like the Toyota MR2, the Australian Mercury Capri, and even the Pontiac Fiero — never could. And, perhaps more importantly, it thrived.
By 1999, the hidden headlights of earlier Miatas were gone, which not only changed the look of the front end but shaved 12 pounds without the pop-up mechanism. "Shoulders" appeared over the tires, along with a little flare at the top of the tail. Car and Driver magazine wrote of the car: "(It's) where zing meets zest and makes whoopee." Many enthusiasts wholeheartedly agreed, as 17,738 MX-5 Miatas were sold in the U.S. that year.
Highlights
Finished in Highlight Silver Metallic paint over black/tan interior with tan leather bucket seats
Powered by a 1.8-liter, DOHC inline-four engine rated at 140 horsepower
Desirable five-speed manual transmission
Clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report
Features
Maintenance and upgrades under current ownership:
New alternator
New Falken Azenis RT615K+ 205/50R15 tires
Four-wheel alignment
Oil change
Timing belt replaced under previous ownership
Wilwood front disc brakes
Power brakes, steering, and windows
Dual air bags
Air conditioning
Bose AM/FM/Cassette/CD stereo
Dash instrumentation: 140 mph speedometer and odometer, 8000 rpm tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature
10-spoke alloy wheels
Known Imperfections
Minor whining noise at 1000 rpm and 3500 rpm
Small tear in the soft top, about 4 inches on the right side
Noise from the right rear suspension on bumps (potentially bad bushing)
Paint is touched up on the hood (about 1 inch)
Included
Miata embroidered carpet floor mats
Ownership History
According to the accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report, this 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata was leased new on 22 July 1999 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and purchased three years later in August 2002 with 11,263 miles on the odometer. It changed hands three times, all in Michigan, before going to a California buyer in September 2023. “The car has been a joy to own. It's spent a lot of time in the canyons, and it's an awesome driver's car. I bought it from a local collector who, like me, was impressed with the originality and honesty of the car.”
