Used 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata cost?

Prices are up 4.06% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 259 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata a good car?

Yes — the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata earns a 4.9/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Look and feel at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its fun, affordable character, easy maintenance, reliable performance, and overall value. The overview also frames it as a true enthusiast car that still feels accessible, especially if you want a weekend car or a compact roadster for spirited solo driving.

With 37.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop carefully while targeting strong value.

Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to reliable performance, easy maintenance, and strong overall value, which are exactly the kinds of traits you want in a used sports car. The expert evaluation also describes it as extremely reliable and cheap to own, reinforcing the idea that it should be a dependable choice if it has been cared for properly.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the model’s reputation and more about how hard it was driven and maintained.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

At 64.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle-history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been modified or driven as a weekend toy. Pay close attention to signs of wear from spirited use, since this model is often bought for fun rather than commuting. It also helps to confirm that the car’s equipment matches the trim level you’re considering, because some desirable features are reserved for higher trims.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Sport is the simplest version, while the Club adds LED running lights, Mazda Connect, a Bose premium audio system with headrest speakers, a front air dam, a rear lip spoiler, gloss black seat back bar trim, 17-inch aluminum wheels, a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, a limited-slip rear differential, a shock tower brace, and induction sound enhancement. The Grand Touring adds the most comfort and convenience features, including rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive headlights, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
• Powertrain: The car uses a 155-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox, and the automatic is available with paddle shifters. The lighter chassis, front-midship layout, and limited-slip rear differential help it feel especially balanced and responsive.
• Safety package: The Grand Touring trim includes rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive headlights, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Those features are not mentioned for the lower trims.
• Infotainment: Mazda Connect brings a 7-inch touchscreen, center-console controls, Bluetooth with music streaming, a USB port, text messaging support, Pandora access, and an E911 automatic emergency-notification system. The Club and Grand Touring trims get this setup, along with a Bose premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The car is rated at 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, with an estimate of 30 mpg combined. In expert testing, it averaged 28.3 mpg.

Which 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata trim should I buy?

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is offered in 3 trim levels: Sport, Club, Grand Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the simplest way into the Miata experience, so it makes sense if you care most about the core roadster formula and want to keep the price down.
• Club: This is the best-value trim if you want the Miata to feel more special, because it adds the sportier hardware and the richer feature set that make the car shine.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want the most comfort and the most safety tech, since it adds the driver-assistance features that are not mentioned on the lower trims.

The Grand Touring trim is the one with the added safety package.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 37.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 259 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 4.06% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 64.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,709, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata's resale value?

The current average of $18,725 sits slightly above last year's $17,995.

That upward move suggests the market has been willing to pay a bit more for this model year, which is a positive sign if you plan to sell later. The year-round range also shows that values can move meaningfully depending on condition, mileage, and equipment, so a clean, well-kept example should hold up better than a rough one.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata safe?

It earns a 6/10 safety score from our experts.

The safety content emphasizes a more robust underlying structure, with chassis flex and cowl shake described as barely detectable. It also notes that the Grand Touring trim gets rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive headlights, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.

A key caveat is that the car is very light, so it may not fare as well as heavier vehicles in a serious collision. It also does not have LATCH anchors.

Should I buy a 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 37.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 64.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 4.06% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The redesigned model emphasizes value, performance, engineering, and design while keeping the driving experience central.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $20,783, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $18,725 average.
• It adds the Miata RF retractable fastback option.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of price, enthusiast appeal, and broad market availability, the 2016 is the better starting point. If you’re willing to spend more for the retractable fastback option and a slightly newer model year, the 2017 is worth a look.

How does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata compare to the 2016 Ford Mustang?

Our experts score the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata 8/10 and the 2016 Ford Mustang 7.5/10. The Miata is the lighter, more efficiency-minded roadster, while the Mustang brings much more power and a broader muscle-car personality. If you want a car that prioritizes balance, affordability, and top-down fun, the Miata is the sharper choice. If you want stronger straight-line performance and a larger used-car pool, the Mustang has the advantage.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.