10 Reasons The Mazda MX-5 Miata Is Special

The Mazda Miata is the best-selling roadster in the world, according to the Guinness World Records. Surprisingly, the Miata, also known as the MX-5, was never the fastest nor the cheapest open-top sports car on the market. It wasn’t the most comfortable either. So, you might ask yourself why this car is so special so that every gearhead should drive one at least once? Well, here are ten reasons for that, and they are randomly ordered. There is no such thing as “the most important” or “the least important” point on this list; it’s the entire car that deserves credit.

Related: This Is What Makes The Mazda Miata NA So Special

10 The Miata Concept

Back in the late ’70s, Bob Hall was a journalist for an American car magazine and asked Kenichi Yamamoto, who was the head of development for Mazda, why no other automaker makes classic British roadsters anymore. In a fortunate twist of life, in 1981, Hall was hired by the Japanese automaker for product planning with Mazda USA. He had more power within the company now and asked Mr. Yamamoto (who was already chairman at Mazda Motors) why they couldn’t make such a roadster. And despite all odds, the Miata was born. It was a long gestation period since the model was launched on the market in 1989. But it was a completely different vehicle than anything Mazda had on its lineup, and, most importantly, at around $14,000 when new, it wasn’t expensive. Even the 2023 MX-5 Miata is affordable for a sports car.

Just like the ’60s British roadsters, the car was light, under 2,200 lbs. The automaker installed a small inline-four engine under the Miata’s hood mated to a five-speed manual. It was a sports car. Yet, it retained the spirit of the glorious roadsters such as MG Midget, Austin-Healey, and Jensen Healey. But unlike those roadsters, it featured pop-up headlights, like the first generation of the Lotus Elan. Thus, the Miata proved that an enthusiast’s dream could become a successful car; this is just one of the ten reasons why this car is so special.

9 The Mazda Miata Is A Pure Roadster

The original idea was sketched on a piece of paper and had little to do with the final design. But the concept was simple: one-third of the vehicle was the engine compartment, one-third was reserved for the cockpit, and the last third was for the storage area of the canvas roof and the trunk. Mazda kept this design concept for all other generations of the Miata but refined it. In addition, it offered a retractable hard-top version and even a unique styling with the latest generation, the ND. The latest model boasts a version with a unique, fastback shape that mostly resembles a targa-top vehicle.

On the car’s third generation, the automaker installed a power-retractable hard top that could vanish behind the seats in a mere 13 seconds. Strangely, that version didn’t look too appealing to the Miata’s fans, so the Japanese automaker dropped this idea, but it didn’t stop trying to enhance the roadster. For the fourth generation of this nameplate, dubbed ND, Mazda introduced the RF (Retractable Fastback) version. It mostly resembles a targa-top, but thanks to the extended side panels behind the doors, the Miata looks like a sports car with a liftback shape. Keeping this clean design, unaltered by useless aerodynamic elements, is another key attribute of this famous roadster.

Related: 10 Japanese Cars That Became Cultural Icons

8 Perfect Weight Distribution Makes This Mazda Fun To Drive

One of the main differences between a sports car and a great handling sports car it’s not their power; it’s their balance. Most automakers could create a 600+ hp monster, but not all of them could make them fast around corners, and even fewer brands could achieve a perfect weight distribution. But Mazda did it with the Miata. By the time it launched the car, it was already an experienced sports car manufacturer. Two generations of the beloved RX-7 and the previous Cosmo and RX-3 served them as test benches.

So, when Tsutomu “Tom” Matano penned the Miata’s first generation, he knew what it had to do. In addition, he had previously worked for BMW and Volvo and had enough time to understand how a car should handle. By placing the engine at the front, pushed back almost behind the front axle, the engineering team moved the gearbox rearward, and that’s how it solved part of the car’s weight distribution. Mazda kept this idea for the following generations of the MX-5 Miata, creating one of the best roadsters on the market, and customers loved it.

7 Fuel-Efficient Engines

Mazda created the Miata as a vehicle for those who needed a car that could provide fun and not be expensive to run. Sure, it had to make some concessions here and there for that, but at the end of the day, the recipe worked. A significant part of the running costs is represented by the fuel usage. While the automaker couldn’t control the fuel price, it could work harder to get better gas mileage for the Miata.

On the latest version of the car, the ND, the 184 hp Skyactive engine got its EPA approval with 26 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. Thanks to these figures, owners could use the Miata daily for their daily weekday trips and on the tracks or B-roads on weekends.

6 Manual Gearbox Is Why Purists Love The Miata

Ever since the first generation of the Miata, the carmaker offered it with manual transmissions. While a four-speed automatic also equipped the car, that was mostly overlooked by the car’s customers, who mostly went for the three-pedal version. They mostly wanted an affordable, open-top vehicle that they could thrash around corners and not sell their kidneys for it. At first, Mazda was cautious and didn’t want to invest too much in the car, so it installed a five-speed manual carried over from the 929/Luce model. But soon, the automaker realized that the car would be a huge success and granted the little roadster with enhanced amenities such as a limited-slip differential and, most importantly, a six-speed manual.

Despite the small 115 hp engine that powered the vehicle, even the NA Miata was fun to drive. But starting with the 1994 model year, the automaker started to provide more powerful versions when it introduced slightly larger, 1.8-liter powerplants. For the ND, the Japanese manufacturer installed a 181 hp naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter engine paired to a six-speed manual, although an automatic version was also available but less desirable by those who tried to get the most out of this nimble roadster.

Related: What We Love About The First-Generation Mazda MX-5 Miata

5 Soft Or Removable Hard Top

All the Miata generations offered the option of a manual soft top. Yet, in the 2000s, Mazda started to provide the car with a retractable hard top. But mostly, that was futile since the driver could cover the vehicle in less than 15 seconds, only by stretching their arm toward the back and simply pulling the roof up. Nevertheless, the automaker provided a removable hard top fitted with a rear window defroster, useful for wintertime. Unlike many other roadsters, who mostly spent their winters in heated garages, the Miata’s owners drove them even on snowy days, especially if they knew how to handle them on slippery roads. For some, that was even more fun.

By keeping things simple, it gave confidence to its customers that nothing could go wrong with their canvas roofs. Or, if they were afraid of having a cloth above their heads, they could get the hard tops as well. Moreover, even those fitted with retractable hard-tops were kept light, under 2,600 lbs, just 80 lbs more than its rag-top sibling. For the Japanese market, Mazda also offered a fixed hard-top version.

4 Cockpit For Two

Regardless of any car’s performance or handling, if the cabin is cramped or uncomfortable, that car won’t sell. But the Miata was not like that. True, the NA was not exactly suitable for people over six feet tall, but Mazda fixed that by starting with the car’s second generation that came in 1998. Since it built the roadster with a low seating position and a tall transmission tunnel between occupants, the automaker had to find ways to comply with regulations and still provide comfort.

Over the years, the automaker had to add more safety features for the vehicle while still keeping old, compulsory items installed. That’s why you’ll find the 12-volt outlet in the passenger area, next to their feet. The center console houses the controls for the infotainment and the gear stick. Yet, it’s not very important that the car doesn’t provide fixed cup holders. After all, who’d want to keep their coffee mug filled in a car that goes fast around corners? Because that’s precisely what the Miata could provide and other roadsters not: fun at low speeds for two.

3 Peppy Engines Made The Mazda Miata A Pocket Rocket

Right from the start, the Miata offered customers just inline-four engines. Still, the former 1.6-liter units were upgraded over the years. In 2005, the automaker introduced the 2.0-liter version, which remained the largest displacement powerplant available. These 170+ hp units provided fun for its customers.

But that wasn’t all. Thanks to the Skyactive technology of the latest versions, they were also rev-happy. Thus, those who are enjoying pitch notes emitted by a four-banger can hear them screaming at 7,000 rpm. And it’s not just the sound that pleases the drivers. Thanks to a zero to sixty time in less than six seconds, the Miata can give some satisfaction.

2 Amazing Chassis

But the most fun for the Miata owners is not achieved in straight-line accelerations; it’s the racetrack that pleases them at most. No wonder it’s one of the most raced vehicles in the U.S. Sure, maybe it’s not a record holder, but the car it’s a fun provider. With its independent suspension in all corners and tons of aftermarket upgrades, almost anyone can get a Miata on the track. Moreover, if they don’t want or can’t buy a race-ready vehicle, they can rent them for pennies, compared to other, more powerful sports cars.

Apart from the weight distribution, the low center of gravity and the quick steering response makes this little roadster a pleasure on the track. It’s also nimble enough to keep up with much more powerful vehicles on a winding road. Last but not least, it’s great for drifting, especially if it’s tuned for that.

Related: This Is What Makes The Mazda MX-5 Miata So Reliable

1 Reliability Factor: The Mazda Miata Lasts A Lifetime

One of the problems met by sports car owners is the high maintenance costs. Even an oil change can put a dent in the family’s budget. But not the Miata. It’s running costs are on par with most other cars from the compact segment, or maybe even lower. Tires are inexpensive, brakes are affordable, and there are few things that can go wrong with the car. There were just a few sports cars in history that could’ve been driven on a daily basis and on a budget.

In addition, insurance is not scary, either, and if a tie rod or a bushing suddenly decides to quit its job, a replacement one doesn’t cost a fortune. And this is something that most other sports cars can’t achieve. Last but not least, with a proper maintenance, a Miata can last decades before it might need some expensive parts.

So, if you’re wondering if the Miata is a good car, then the answer is a decisive yes! It’s not expensive to buy, either. You might find older versions for less than a couple of thousands, but the good ones will require somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on the model, year, and upgrades. Because yes, most of the Miatas are modified by their owners. Moreover, you can even find electric ones.