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

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

Prices are up 4.27% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 214 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

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

Yes — the 4.9/5 user rating points to very strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 8/10. The standout strength is Look and feel at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise how fun it is to drive, its affordable ownership, and its easy maintenance. The overview also frames it as a weekend-friendly sports car that delivers real excitement without asking for a large budget, which fits the recurring owner feedback about value and spirited driving.

With 31.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively while still finding attractive examples.

Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. Review feedback also points to reliable performance, easy maintenance, and a car you can count on for enjoyable ownership.

The expert writeup reinforces that dependability angle by describing it as cheap to own and extremely reliable. It also notes that fuel economy improves meaningfully for this generation, which helps keep day-to-day ownership manageable.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the powertrain and more about finding a well-kept example that hasn’t been neglected or driven hard without proper care.

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

At 61.7% 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 on a roadster that may have seen enthusiastic use. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the car’s equipment and trim-specific features are intact and functioning as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Sport is the simplest version, while the Club adds LED running lights, Mazda Connect, Bose audio with headrest speakers, black cloth seats with red stitching, a front air dam, a rear lip spoiler, larger 17-inch 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 more comfort and convenience equipment, and it is the trim that brings the advanced driver-assistance features.
• Powertrain: The car uses a 155-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a standard 6-speed manual. An automatic with paddle shifters is available, but it gives up some of the more performance-focused hardware.
• Safety package: 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. Those features are not part of the lower trims.
• Infotainment: Mazda Connect uses a 7-inch touchscreen, and the system adds Bluetooth, music streaming, text messaging support, Pandora access, and a second USB port. The tech package also includes an E911 automatic emergency-notification system.
• Fuel efficiency: The car is rated at 27 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. In testing, it returned 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 and most affordable way into the Miata, so it makes sense if you want the core roadster experience and plan to keep costs down.
• Club: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the sportier hardware and equipment that make the Miata feel especially special, including the limited-slip rear differential, Bilstein shocks, larger wheels, and Mazda Connect.
• Grand Touring: Choose this one if you want the most comfort and the full safety package, since it adds the driver-assistance features that are not available on the lower trims.

The safety package is limited to the Grand Touring trim.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 214 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 4.27% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 61.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,717, 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 $19,227 sits slightly above last year's $18,440.

That upward move suggests the market still values this model year’s mix of driving enjoyment and affordability. If you own one in good condition, that demand can help support a stronger resale position than you might expect for a niche sports car.

The relatively tight year-round range also suggests that clean, well-kept examples should remain easier to move than neglected ones. For a future seller, condition and trim desirability will matter a lot.

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?

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata earns a 6/10 safety score from our experts.

Mazda equips the Grand Touring trim with rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive headlights, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Those features help improve everyday awareness, but they are not standard across the lineup.

The safety writeup also notes that the car’s lightweight design can be a disadvantage in a collision with a much larger vehicle. It does not include LATCH anchors, which is another limitation to keep in mind if you need child-seat flexibility.

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:

• 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 61.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 4.27% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The redesigned 2016 model emphasizes value, performance, engineering, and design in a way that makes driving feel special.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $21,021, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $19,227 average.
• It adds the Miata RF retractable hardtop, giving you a more distinctive roof option.

The bottom line: If you want the better value and a more accessible entry price, the 2016 is the smarter buy. If you’re willing to spend more for the retractable hardtop and a more refined feel, the 2017 is the better upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.