Used 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata for Sale nearCarthage, IL

Is the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata a good car?

The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata earns a 7.5/10 expert rating, and the standout strength is Performance at 10/10. It’s a rear-wheel-drive, two-seat convertible built for driving fun where it counts, especially in the corners, and it rewards you with precise handling. The trade-offs are clear: minimal cargo space, a cramped interior, and technology that can be frustrating to use. It also may leave you wanting more straight-line power. Even so, the Miata’s stylish design and fun-to-drive personality make it distinctive, and 38.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata reliable?

The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata is presented as a simple, back-to-basics sports car, and that simplicity is part of its appeal for long-term ownership. Its 2.0-liter engine, six-speed manual, and rear-wheel-drive layout keep the formula straightforward, while the expert summary emphasizes that it stays true to the lightweight roadster recipe that made the nameplate famous. The cost-effectiveness notes also point to a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and three-year/36,000-mile limited coverage, which helps support ownership confidence. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about complexity and more about living with a small, tightly packaged sports car that can be demanding if you expect everyday practicality.

What should I look for when buying a used 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a car that may have been driven hard. Focus on overall condition, signs of curb rash or track use, and whether the cabin and controls show the wear you’d expect from a small sports car. Because the Miata is so driver-focused, it’s worth paying close attention to how the suspension, steering, and top mechanism feel in real use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes Sport, Club, Grand Touring, RF, and 35th Anniversary Edition. The base trims are the most stripped-down, while the Grand Touring adds a more upscale cabin with black leather seating, and the RF brings the retractable hard top. If you want the most focused setup, the Club is the sportiest model, and the optional Brembo BBS Recaro package adds stronger brakes and snug Recaro seats.
• Powertrain: Every MX-5 uses a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual are standard, while a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters is limited to the Grand Touring trim.
• Safety package: Every trim gets lane-departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and cruise control. The Grand Touring adds automatic high beams and traffic sign recognition. Top trims with the automatic transmission also get adaptive cruise control and a distance and speed alert.
• Infotainment: The cabin uses an 8.8-inch screen controlled by a rotary dial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and wireless smartphone integration is included on Club and Grand Touring trims. The screen also functions as a touchscreen when those apps are running.
• Fuel efficiency: The Miata is rated at 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. In testing, it returned 28 mpg.

Which 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata trim should I buy?

The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata is offered in 5 trim levels: Sport, Club, Grand Touring, RF, and 35th Anniversary Edition.

Here’s the short version:

• Sport: This is the simplest way into the Miata formula, and it suits you if you want the lightest, most straightforward roadster experience without extra frills.
• Club: This is the best-value trim if you want the Miata’s sporty character dialed up. It adds the more aggressive setup that makes the car especially appealing to driving enthusiasts, and it’s the trim to target if you want the most focused version without jumping to the priciest models.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want the most comfort and convenience in the standard soft-top lineup. It adds a more upscale interior with leather seating and brings extra safety and tech features.
• RF: Pick this if you want the retractable hard top and the more distinctive fastback look. It’s the right choice if style and roof flexibility matter more than keeping the price as low as possible.
• 35th Anniversary Edition: This is the special-edition choice for shoppers who want something more exclusive, but it’s best viewed as a niche pick rather than the value play.

The Grand Touring trim adds automatic high beams and traffic sign recognition, and automatic-transmission top trims also get adaptive cruise control and a distance and speed alert.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you have room to shop carefully rather than rush.

• Deal availability: 38.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 429 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.7% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata safe?

The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata has not been rated by either NHTSA or IIHS.

It earns a 5/10 safety score from our experts.

Every trim gets lane-departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and cruise control. The Grand Touring trim adds automatic high beams and traffic sign recognition, while top trims with the automatic transmission also get adaptive cruise control and a distance and speed alert. Mazda also includes dual front airbags, side impact airbags, and door beams.

Should I buy a 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2025 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2025 if:

• 38.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It keeps the Miata’s core appeal centered on precise handling and pure driving fun.

Consider the 2024 if:

• It adds new steering, a reworked limited-slip rear differential, and a more updated infotainment setup.

The bottom line: If you want the current Miata’s classic roadster formula and you value the strongest market availability, the 2025 is the cleaner choice. If you’re shopping more for features and want a slightly more updated feel, the 2024 is worth a look, especially if you find a better price on a well-kept example.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.