Mazda Miata Bug Eyed Version
In North America, the Mazda Miata MX-5 (NA) was known as the Miata. Its first generation of Mazda MX-5s was built from 1989 until 1997.
The MX-5 sparked a newfound interest in roadsters by drawing inspiration from postwar British sports vehicles. The Mazda MX-5 has been a popular vehicle and a consistent winner of industry honors since its debut.
A debut for the MX-5 was made during the 1989 Chicago Motor Show in February. Release dates for Canada and the United States were May 1989, with Japan following in September 1989 and Europe in 1990. Moreover, a hardtop body style was available. The automobile was not sold under the Mazda name in Japan; rather, it was called the Eunos Roadster.
Mazda Miata MX-5 (NA)
No, the Mazda Miata is not the quickest car available. Nonetheless, its lightweight and agile handling make it a pleasure to pilot. Not the comfiest vehicle if you happen to be above six feet tall.
Nonetheless, Miatas are low-priced and relatively dependable in the subcompact convertible market. The Miata is second only to the BMW Z3 when it comes to crashworthiness among small sports cars.
The Firebird, Mustang convertible, 3000GT, and Camaro are all heavier vehicles from the same era that it outclasses. Among compact cars, Honda, Mazda, and Toyota are three of the most dependable and attractive. Despite this, the Miata is often cited as the best value in terms of driving enjoyment.
Not once on the side of the road have I seen a Miata with the hood up. But, the Miata falls a little short when it comes to practicality. As there are just two occupants, the trunk is naturally rather small. Yet the 1999 Mazda Miata gets 22 MPG on the highway, which is excellent for a car of its vintage.
Mazda Miata Generations
Each new period brings its own set of advantages. The NC didn’t alter much throughout the course of the run beyond a few cosmetic tweaks here and there.
No of the model year, driving a Miata is a delight due to the car’s compact size, low weight, and agile handling. The Miata is also a great car to learn how to drive a manual gearbox in because of its low entry price and high level of driver acceptance.
The original models may be purchased for cheap. The NA1 is an excellent option for daily transportation. The 1.6-liter engine may appear underpowered, though.
Many people consider the NA2 to be the quintessential Miata because of its timeless pop-up headlights. The NB series maintains the vintage look and feel while providing a bit more power and updated style.
But there will be no more intrusive pop-ups. I can’t decide if that’s a good or negative thing. Decide for yourself.
In the NC series, features like the retractable power roof and increased cabin room begin to become standard. They continue to deliver respectable efficiency and maneuverability.
Yet, the ND versions are more costly because of their increased innovation and sophistication. Throughout time, Miatas have grown in size and weight, but the newest iteration has shrunk in both regards while still receiving a power boost.
The Miata is a popular choice among mechanics since it is simple to maintain, affordable, and dependable. In a nutshell, there is no superior generation. Personal preference is the deciding factor at this moment.
Mazda Miata As a Sports Car
Mazda was influenced by the legendary roadsters of the 1960s, including the Alfa Romeo, Morgan, Lotus Elan, and Austin-Healey.
You’d be surprised at how much fun you can have behind the wheel of this small vehicle. It has a lot of power and is easy to drive. The MX-5 (NA) is so well-established in the sport compact market that some consider it a classic.
Being so lightweight, it’s an ideal tuner’s project vehicle. It only takes a few simple upgrades to transform it into a tire-smoking monster. The fact that it has rear-wheel drive makes it ideal for drifting. In terms of affordability and ease of use, it’s a no-brainer for entry-level racers.
Mazda Miata as Girl’s Car
When it was first released, the Miata was labeled as the “girl’s car.” Women, who initially saw the Maita as a novelty, eventually became its primary market.
Things were one way before, but not now. Almost no one is purchasing it at the moment, and the ones who are are the people who most value its performance. These days, young males are the typical drivers of first-generation Miatas.
Third-generation Miata drivers, on the other hand, tend to be older males with more disposable income who are aware that the first-generation Miatas are more entertaining but who value the additional space and comfort provided by the third-generation models. Due to this, fewer women are seen behind the wheel of Miatas.
The 1990 Mazda Miata
The Miata NA’s two-seat interior is cozy, but it’s not exactly spacious. There isn’t much room in the trunk for two persons with soft-sided luggage, and tall people may find their heads clear the windscreen header.
With the NA generation, the Miata gained some weight in order to comply with new safety regulations. It weighed in at over 2,300 kg. The stopping power was also improved, thanks to the bigger front discs.
There is very little room for passengers’ legs and arms on the center console. Nonetheless, the footwells are generously sized. There isn’t much room in the trunk for two persons with soft-sided luggage, and tall people may find their heads clear the windscreen header.
In the middle of the NA generation, the Miata had to add weight to meet new safety standards. It weighed in at around 2,300 pounds. The stopping power was also improved, thanks to the bigger front discs.
Power windows and aluminum wheels were announced as available extras when the MX-5 Miata was first shown to the public. Even by modern standards, the Miata was incredibly light. Red, blue, and the subsequent addition of shiny silver were the only options at first.
Conclusion
When it originally came out, the Miata was quite simple. Both a detachable roof (only available in red) and a viscous limited-slip differential were available as extras. As a result, Miata’s starting price of $13,800 was rather reasonable.
As a class, the Miata NA and its successors are competent compact cars. The early versions offer remarkable value for the money, and their shortcomings are minor and more related to comfort than performance. The Miata is a fantastic option if you’re searching for a sporty coupe.
