For roadster lovers, Mazda’s Miata is (still) the answer
By the late ’80s, the traditional roadster had become an endangered species. MG, Triumph, and Fiat exited the U.S. market earlier in the decade, so for those in need of a two-seat, top-down experience, Alfa Romeo’s outdated Spider was it. Enter the first-generation Mazda Miata (chassis code “NA”). It debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show with smart styling reminiscent of the Lotus Elan, featuring a double-wishbone suspension, Japanese reliability, and a low price. It was a smash hit, and Mazda moved over 50,000 of them in the first year of production.
Mazda made a few changes during the NA Miata’s eight-year life span. Early cars came with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder outputting 115 horsepower. For 1994, the Miata gained a more powerful 1.8-liter engine, dual airbags, and an optional Torsen limited-slip differential. Throughout the NA’s production run, Mazda offered several special editions with exclusive paint and unique interiors—’91 British Racing Green, ’92 Sunburst Yellow, ’93 Limited Edition. These editions tend to command a premium over standard models.
The Miata was never a fast car, but neither were its British and Italian forebears. You’ll lose a drag race to anything this side of a Geo Metro, but you won’t care, as the Miata offers a level of interactivity that is hard to find in most modern cars. It doesn’t take long to get intimately familiar with the pinpoint shifter atop Miata’s five-speed gearbox, and keeping the engine in its happy place above 3500 rpm is a joy. The pedal placement, too, allows for easy heel-toe downshifts.
It’s a manic little thing, with steering that constantly badgers you about every minute change of road surface and just how much stick the skinny tires have left. The stock suspension is compliant and not overly stiff, but you will feel every pothole and expansion joint. A Mercedes SL this is not. However, an NA Miata is a willing dance partner when the road gets twisty.
The reliability of a Miata makes ownership trivial compared with keeping a fussy British roadster. Hagerty content manager Joe DeMatio owns this ’95 Miata, and it has seen over 200,000 miles with minimal upkeep. The cars are not without their problems, however. Early 1.6-liter engines can have issues with the crankshaft keyway. The convertible top drains can get clogged and cause the sills in front of the rear wheel arches to rust. Other areas, such as the front fenders, are liable to succumb to the tin worm, as Mazda had not figured out rust protection yet. Replacing the convertible top is an expensive, time-consuming process, so if you cannot find an NA Miata with a working top, budget accordingly.
More than 215,000 NA Miatas were sold here, so they—and their parts—are easy to find. And one of the best aspects of Miata ownership is the community that has formed around these cars. Any issue, maintenance procedure, or modification has been well documented online and thus Miatas are shade-tree-mechanic friendly. Any upgrade you can imagine is available for the NA Miata, from V-8 swaps to off-road lift kits. DeMatio’s example is equipped with BBS wheels, originally offered on the ’95 M Edition. If you’re looking at a modified example, inspect the workmanship closely and familiarize yourself with trusted aftermarket parts sources, because many of these cars have been used, abused, and poorly customized.
For those who want the classic roadster experience without the dubious reliability and build quality of roadsters of yore, a first-generation Miata is tough to beat.
1995 Mazda Miata
Engine: 1.8-liter DOHC I-4
Power: 128 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 110 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Weight: 2293 lb
0–60 mph: 8.8 sec
Top speed 80 mph
Price when new: $16,825
Hagerty #3-condition (Good) value: $8300–$12,200
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This article first appeared in Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Click here to subscribe and join the club.
The car magazines of the day all said the Pontiac Solstice was a better car.
That’s what Pontiac paid them to say…
B^)
6′ 1″ and have had 9 Miatas over the years. I do wish they had a little more leg room, but I take it all in stride! (Pun intended)! I’ll have a Miata until the day I leave this earth.
Currently ’99 Chameleon w/polished cold side Whipple, ’19 30AE
I’ve owned a ’90 NA for nearly a quarter century now and will continue to until I die. The magic of the Miata is that it delivered exactly what was promised: A well-enginered affordable roadster in the spirit of the ’60s British cars without the constant headaches of British car ownership.
Yeah, the straight-line power snobs will snub you, but you won’t care. This is the best fun for the dollar driving proposition out there.
My 91 has 30,000 miles green special order car with beige interior. Its s dream to drive, more fun than its garage mate a 97 Jag xk8 in with same colors .
Back in 1993 I had the opportunity to buy a yellow Miata for $3000. I could afford it.
But the Vice Director of my workplace was also interested, so I let him buy it.
I slightly regret not buying it, but life works out anyway.
Have 2006 MX5, 188k. Best car we have ever owned. This roadster has flawlessly taken us to just about every state in the union. Nothing like doing Yellowstone with the top down.
I have a stock ‘91 NA that is has about 112K miles. My wife and I bought it new in ‘91. We love driving the car and my 6’1” frame fits in the car reasonably well. Our problem is that the older we get, the more difficult it is to get in/out.
I know that an all-aluminum hood was used on early Miatas (including ours) to achieve an ideal weight distribution. I was wondering if they still do this on later models. Just curious.
Bought my ’93 Miata used 20 years ago with ~115K miles on it from an enthusiast that loved it and was reluctantly selling it because he lost his job. I wanted a modern equivalent to the Triumphs, MG’s, Fiats and Alfas I drove back in the ’70’s and ’80’s. All I can say is WOW, I’m so happy I bought it. It’s not particularly fast, nor does it handle exceptionally well. But it is more than adequate in both regards. I ALWAYS drive it with the top down – ALWAYS, unless it’s pouring rain, or much below 40 degrees. The former owner added a very nice (not too loud) after market exhaust that really adds to the fun of working the exquisite, precise feeling shifter. It sounds like a finely tuned British roadster from the ’60’s. In fact, I never use the radio. The car now has nearly 190K miles on it. It’s very reliable, inexpensive to maintain and really, really fun to drive. Everywhere I go, Miata enthusiasts wave. While I’ve owned and still own this car, I also owned a ’93 (3rd gen) RX-7 that I bought new and ’99 Ferrari Maranello that I bought used. Both were exceptional cars in every regard, but unfortunately I had to sell them. However, all is not lost, I still have the Miata that brings a smile to my face every time I drive it and in many ways it is just as fun, or more fun in some ways than either of the other two cars. I’m 6′ and although my wife says I look too tall for it when she sees me drive off on one of my many long 100 mile joy rides into the countryside, it feels just right to me. I highly recommend owning one of these!
As the happy owner of a 1995 M Edition and a 2003 Shinsen edition, I really enjoyed this article. My ’03 is my autocrosser while the ’95 is a garage queen for pleasure cruising and road trips. My wife and I love being able to block out the world while we explore and sight-see together. Miata drives are like micro-vacations for us. We also enjoy group drives and social events with our local Miata club.
It’s a bit of a family affair for us–our three 20-something sons all have NA Miatas of their own and my dad has an NB!
More fun than the 911 I had for ten years. and at LEGAL speeds. Grea little buggy. My Emerald Green ’99 I my true auto love. Every time I drove my 911 by the Porsche dealer in my 911 I got a bill or $50 just for driving by. MX-5: chair, more fun.
I see all of the comments about ways to make the car fit my 6’4” body with size 13 shoes. My answer is the Miata isn’t the answer. When I can’t even comfortably test drive the car or drive it home without major modifications first, it isn’t the right car. Mazda isn’t even trying to sell me a Miata.
There are other answers.