The only thing wrong with the Miata is that the folks at Mazda keep trying to change the name to MX-5, which sounds like the name for a laser printer. They can try, but purists will always call it the Miata. This little Japanese car has become a classic in its own lifetime, with a huge fan base feeding off the Miata lore.
The Mazda Miata is the spiritual successor to the great British two-seaters such as the Austin-Healey, Triumph Spitfire and the Lotus Elan. The Elan is especially important in the Miata story because when Mazda engineers were designing the Miata, they reverse-engineered the Lotus as part of their research.
The classic British two-seater was born to drive fast on the island’s narrow, winding country roads. Although some, such as the Jaguar XK-120 and E-Type, were powerful, most two-seaters had smaller engines. Their design philosophy was driving pleasure, so the classic two-seater would be low-slung, lightweight, front-engined and rear-wheel drive. The driver sat close to the road and was exposed to the slipstream most of the time.
American servicemen returning from Britain after World War II brought back some of these cars, and they became popular in the United States. With the demise of the British car industry, Mazda saw a gap in the market and created the Miata to fill this gap.
Mazda Miata Overview
The Mazda Miata has been around for more than 35 years, and in that time there have been four generations, starting with the launch model in 1990. Global sales figures are difficult to track, but in 2016 sales surpassed 1,000,000 units.
There are several reasons for this popularity. The Miata was created to fill the gap in the small two-seater market, but instead of becoming a Japanese Triumph or Lotus, the Miata created its own niche.
Good luck with the launch
The launch model NA was an immediate success. It was as good to drive as any classic British two-seater, but it was better built and more reliable. It ticked all the boxes that made the OG models great, but eliminated the flaws that fans had come to live with.
Mazda stuck to the ethos of two-seat motoring. They would tinker and improve over time over a generation, but without diminishing the features that fans loved. The only slight wobble in this great car was the third-generation NC, which some purists consider too big and heavy for a Miata, but which brought another dimension to the Miata that appealed to a specific set of fans.
Miata Awards
Because so many Miatas were made, used examples are not particularly expensive, although well-preserved examples retain their value. There are some rare and very expensive Miatas, such as the NB Coupe and NB Turbo, whose limited production runs were further disrupted by a factory fire in 2004, or the NA-R with performance components. The current generation Spirit Racing Roadster 12-R, of which only 200 were made, is impossible to buy.
Which Miata is right for you?
Most Miata fans will be more than happy with any of the four generations if the price/quality is right for them. Although there are differences between the generations, the essence of the Miata is a car with character, a two-seater, front-engine, rear-wheel drive car that is well made, has great handling and good power.
The Miata is essentially a driver’s car. You can get an automatic transmission, but most have a stick shift, as the gods of driving have ordained. It looks good, sounds great and commands friendly attention in a way that an overpriced, pretentious Ferrari can’t.
If you had to walk onto a sales floor with every generation of Miata for sale, which would you choose? The answer probably lies with the buyer and what they would most want from a car like this. The only way to do this is to discuss the four generations, including their strengths and weaknesses, and let you decide which one works for you.
Miata NA: 1990 to 1997
The essential two-seater
The first generation Miata comes closest to the ideal of the British two-seater. They are simple in design and function, and very light in tribute to the Lotus ideal. This is the kind of car that makes the driver happy, not fast, not loud, but pure driving pleasure. The old-fashioned pop-up headlights add to the fun.
The early NA Miata came with a 1.6-liter I4 engine that made 116 horsepower, which doesn’t sound like much in today’s terms, but gets the job done, and plenty for such a light car. From ’94 to ’97 the engine was upgraded to a 1.8-liter that produced 128 horsepower. Both engines are simple enough to work on at home. The 1.8-liter provides a little more punch, but not enough to make it a decisive factor in choosing an NA Miata.
Some things to consider
The very first models of the NA had a rather wobbly chassis, to which several modifications were made over the years to add brackets. This strengthened the chassis, but added weight to a very light car. Rust can also be a problem, but can usually be remedied.
The ’90 and ’91 models had a problem with the crankshaft that could be expensive to repair, so it would be worth having this checked before buying. You may find some cheap and nasty aftermarket suspension and braking components, but this shouldn’t be a disqualifying factor as there are plenty of affordable, good quality aftermarket parts available these days.
Miata NB: 1999 to 2005
Making good better
There was no 1998 Miata in the US, so an odd start date for the NB. The NB Miata looks different from the NA model, with fixed headlights, a different cabin and a more rounded body, but it is essentially the same car, improved.
The suspension was improved slightly, the wobbly chassis problem was solved and a new, more efficient cylinder head was added. The 1.8-liter engine now produced 140 hp, which was increased to 142 hp in 2001. The transmission ratios were also adjusted, and all this contributed to the driving pleasure of this car. A very scarce variant of the NB is the Mazdaspeed Miata with turbo and 178 hp.
Some Miata purists consider the NA to be the only worthy model, but the NB still fit squarely within the design philosophy that guided this car’s creation. The NB is also the last generation to adhere to this ideal.
Things to consider
Since it is essentially the same car except for the crankshaft problems of the very early NAs, the same rust and aftermarket issues are worth looking out for. Collectors are also starting to focus on the NB more than before, so prices are going up.
Miata NC: 2006 to 2015
Bigger, faster, different
The NC Miata was initially derided by purists. It was bigger, heavier and more powerful than the first two generations, and at one point it even had a roof! The NC was designed from the ground up. It lost some of the qualities that made the Miata such a hit to begin with, but added some refined comfort that was missing from the earlier hardcore cars.
The engine grew to 2.0 liters and 170 hp, while the wheelbase was extended by 2.5 inches and the width by 1.5 inches. This extra size not only provided a better ride, but also allowed taller drivers to stretch out a bit. Buyers had the choice of a five- or six-speed transmission, or an automatic that worked because of the extra power.
In 2007, the Power Retractable Hard Top roof became an option, with a hard roof that folded into the trunk at the push of a button. This really got the hardcore soft top crowd going, but proved to be a popular addition to the National Championship.
Things to consider
Early models have completely depreciated and are gaining in value as collector cars, while more recent models are still depreciating, which is a factor buyers should consider in their purchasing decision. As with any older car, rust can be an issue, but the most important thing to check is that the folding mechanism on the versions with that roof works properly.
Miata ND: 2016 to present
Back to basics
Despite the growing love for the NC, someone at Mazda brought down the hammer and returned to the original concept. The ND weighed less, with a shorter wheelbase and overall length.
Most surprising, and virtually unknown at the turn of the generation of cars, was that the ND’s engine produced less horsepower than the NC’s. At 155 hp it was 15 hp less than the previous models, but because it is lighter, performance has not suffered as much.
The ND returned to the roots of the earlier models, with surprising body roll, great handling and good, rather than great, power. One feature it adopted from NC was the option for a retractable roof, now called the Retractable Fastback.
Things to consider
The ND is on a different depreciation curve than the older models, so keep that in mind. There have been reports of problems with the manual transmission, and this should be checked before purchasing. Paint chipping can easily become an issue, so keep that in mind, and if you buy an ND, consider applying a protective clear coat.
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