Used 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata for Sale nearPhiladelphia, PA

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

Prices are up 3.15% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 217 listings available, which gives you some room to compare condition and equipment before you buy.

If you find a listing below $16,712.84, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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

Yes — the 4.9/5 user rating points to 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 and affordable it is, along with its easy maintenance and reliable performance. The overview also frames it as a great fit for spirited driving, especially if you want a weekend car or a simple single-driver sports car that still feels accessible.

With 28.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, you can still find value if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata reliable?

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

User feedback highlights reliable performance, easy maintenance, and overall value, while the expert evaluation describes it as cheap to own and extremely reliable. The cost-effectiveness commentary also reinforces that it is rated as cheap to own and extremely reliable.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about mechanical reputation and more about finding a car that has been cared for properly, since condition and prior use matter a lot in a lightweight sports car.

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

At 64.1% 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 driven hard or modified. Focus on signs of wear that matter most in a small roadster: suspension condition, tire wear, brake condition, and evidence of neglected maintenance. Because the cabin is compact and the car is often bought for enthusiast use, overall condition can vary a lot from one listing to the next.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Sport is the simplest version, while the Club adds LED running lights, Mazda Connect, Bose audio, black cloth seats with red accent stitching, 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 comfort and convenience features plus the safety technology, so the base trim leaves out a lot of desirable equipment.
• Powertrain: The car uses a 155-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, and the standard 6-speed manual is the setup that best preserves the car’s character. The automatic is available, but it gives up the upgraded rear differential and some of the sharper driving 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 on the lower trims.
• Infotainment: Mazda Connect brings a 7-inch touchscreen, plus Bluetooth, USB connectivity, text messaging support, Pandora access, and an additional USB port. Wireless smartphone integration and over-the-air capability are not mentioned.
• Fuel efficiency: The car is rated at 27 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, and the expert drive 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 entry point, so it makes sense if you want the purest, least expensive way into the car. You give up a lot of the convenience, audio, and chassis upgrades found higher up the range, so it suits you best if price matters more than features.
• Club: This is the best-value trim if you want the Miata’s enthusiast character to feel fully unlocked. It adds the sportier hardware and equipment that make the car more rewarding to drive, including the limited-slip rear differential and Bilstein suspension, along with Mazda Connect and Bose audio.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want the most complete version of the car, especially for daily livability and safety equipment. It adds the driver-assistance features and the more upscale convenience content, making it the right pick if you want the most well-rounded Miata.

The safety technology is only on the Grand Touring trim, so if those features matter to you, that trim is the one to target.

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

Act selectively, because this is still a seller’s market even though there are some decent opportunities if you move quickly.

• Deal availability: 28.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 217 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.15% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 64.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,712.84, 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 $19,026 sits slightly above last year's $18,444.

That upward move suggests the market still values this model year’s mix of fun and affordability. For a future seller, that’s a helpful sign because steady demand can support pricing when your car is clean, well maintained, and documented. The strongest resale outcomes will likely go to examples with lower wear, desirable equipment, and no accident history.

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.

Mazda says the car’s structure is more robust than before, with chassis flex and cowl shake barely detectable. The safety content 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.

There is a notable caveat: the car is very light, and the safety commentary points out that it would be at a disadvantage in a collision with a typical SUV. It also does not have LATCH anchors, so child-seat installation relies on the automatic locking retractor seat belts.

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:

• 28.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 64.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.15% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The redesign sharpens the car’s balance, adds more modern tech, and keeps the lightweight roadster formula intact.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $21,278, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $19,026 average.
• It adds a retractable hardtop option that broadens body-style choice.

The bottom line: If you want the better value play, the 2016 is the smarter buy because it combines strong owner satisfaction, a lower average price, and a still-fresh redesign. If you’re willing to spend more for a different roof option and a slightly more refined package, the 2017 is worth a look. For most price-sensitive buyers, though, the 2016 is the better starting point.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.