1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The first generation Miata is considered by many to be one of the best production sports cars produced in the last 50 years. And it is certainly one of the most affordable. While it does not have an abundance of raw power, it certainly has enough in a power-to-weight ratio to make for an all-around enjoyable experience. Very responsive handling and convertible top, in a classically styled package make this car just what it was meant to be - FUN!Nov 20, 2012

Light, small wheelbase allows for a quick and nible, easy to corner vehicle, never has major problems, only common problems are the weather striping around the door. Both interior and exterior are amazingly designed and cost of maintnance is really cheap. Best feature of the car is the fun factor, i have never met a person who owned a miata and said "when you drive a miata, you experience a drive that no other person who will understand unless you have driven one with no limits". Apr 07, 2012

The performance in my car has been modified and it runs quite well compared to stock. The build quality on the car is quite good and it makes for easy quick mods that can really spruce up the fun level that it provides. The cars appearance reminds some of early '60s British roadsters, but to me it looks like a really small 4cyl convertible. Cost of ownership is extremely low, and even a car like mine that has been pretty seriously modified still hasn't given me an extra expenses over standard random maintenance. All Miatas are quite fun to drive, and with another 100hp, they are even more fun.Jul 07, 2010

Love the overall looks. Most people dislike the flip up headlights, but that is my favorite parts of the car. The car handles quite well, and since its RWD, you can't go wrong there. There are quite a few rattles on the interior that I need to address, but it has gone through 100,000 miles without no major issues, just replacing the slave cylinder for the clutch.Nov 03, 2009

Like everything about this car. Zoom, zoom performance, fun to drive, cheap to keep. Ignore the envious name callers who say this is just a chic car. Excellent value for the money as a used vehicle. Worst things are the radio antenna quit going up and down. Falken tires don't seem to last as long as they say even on a car this light. But maybe it's because of the way I drive it. Worst gas mileage about 28, high about 32 for me.Aug 17, 2009

I bought this car a year before my first kid was born, and I really enjoyed it. I had the "R-package" which was made in limited numbers an intended for those who planned to track it (I did only once or twice). I even kept it a couple years after my first child was born. Since I had the mainatenance manual, it was easy enough (although a little nerve-wracking) to take out the passenger airbag and leave it in the basement, but it left a pretty ugly gaping hole on the dash. I'll describe the performance as sporty. Good handling and better acceleration than the femily sedan, but you'd have to tap into the huge aftermarket to make it a screamer or a slot-car handler. The reliability was typical Japanese - never an issue. And even out-of-the-box, it was a pretty good setup. I had an accident that damaged two wheels, and I took the opportunity to replace the 15-inch stock alloys with some 16-inch OZ Racing wheels that looked fantastic, and were nice and stiff, but I was amazed at how much more than the stock wheels they weighed, which did not do much for the unsprung weight. Appearance-wise, I liked it. I ordered it in black, as I always do, to avoid it looking too "cute" as Miata's from that era are prone to. The R-package added a lip spoiler and air dam, which also helped it look a little more aggressive (and I think it may have been a tad lower on the Bilsteins). With the OZ wheels and when it was clean, it did not look half bad, or girly. It was cheap to own and maintain. I was spoiled by the gas mileage that my later sports cars could not match (save the lightweight Elise). Looking back on it and forward to buying my teens cars in a couple years, I'm thinking a used Miata might be a good car for them. It's fun enough and would be good to teach them some performance driving, and with only one other seat, the peer pressure to do something stupid should be reduced.Aug 09, 2009

This is the most fun car that I've ever owned. Ok, it lacks guts. Stomp on the peddle and yawn. But going around a corner? Nothing can beat it. You're just glued to road. Wanna do a 270 degree onramp at 65? No problem. If you can stay in the seat, the car will do it. An amazing suspension. I had the P package in Montego Blue with upgraded sway bars fore and aft.Feb 21, 2009

I absolutely LOVE this car. I love it so much that I have two of them (the other is my husband's 1990.) She handles well, runs like a dream, and has needed little to no maintenance. I average about 28-29 MPG in the city and 30-32 MPG on the hwy. It's a very fun car to drive! The only downside is that it's SO low to the ground sometimes it takes some effort to get out of the car. :)Aug 20, 2008

If you don't need more than two seats this is a truly fun car. I had the R model, so the ride was firm, bordering on harsh. But it was a good trade off. The top is one other makers should copy for it's simplicity and ease of use. The so called tonneau cover was a pain but you should use it to protect the top from the sun. If you live where it is cold, consider getting the hard top with the rear defroster. You will be more comfortable. Mar 15, 2008

Corners like a sports car should, so well balanced it will keep you out of trouble as a beginner and also still reward the more experienced driver. So much grip that I've stopped in the space of half a mini roundabout from 30mph! Wheel geometry is fully adjustable on all MX-5's so you can tune the handling to suit. Mine has done 114,000 miles and still revs and goes like a new car.Jan 13, 2008

This is the last pure sports car left in the world. It has the charm and feel of the old British roadsters of the 1960s, but none of the drawbacks. It has one of the silkiest gearboxes I've ever used, and the Torsen limited slip differential is solid and easily controllable. It even handles well in the snow. It's suspension is firm, yet comfortable. You can hold the engine at redline all day, it will only hurt the fuel economy. Easily one of the best cars in history.Dec 09, 2007