1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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For its second year of production, the Mazda MX-5 Miata was virtually unchanged from the previous year. It was still available only in a Base model, with green added to the exterior option colors of red, white, and blue. In addition, anti-lock brakes were added to the list of options. The MX-5 Miata was powered by a 116-horsepower, 1.6-liter, double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine with multi-port electronic fuel injection. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, while a four-speed automatic was optional. The standard convertible top for the MX-5 Miata was a manually operated soft folding top. A removable hardtop with a glass rear window was also available. Other standard equipment for the MX-5 Miata included bucket seats, power brakes, four-wheel double-wishbone suspension, retractable halogen headlights, a driver's-side airbag, a three-spoke steering wheel, and 14-inch wheels. In addition to anti-lock brakes, optional equipment included air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, aluminum alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler. The MX-5 Miata was a fun car to drive, thanks to its good balance and responsive handling, according to drivers. They also cited its reliability, durability, and economy as positive points. On the negative side, the interior could be cramped and trunk space was limited, drivers noted.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
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by Anonymous
Jul 27, 2024
The car is a fun car to drive. Definitely a weekend toy! Low maintenance. Great on gas and handles very well. A little more HP would have been appreciated. However, its still a great car!Jul 27, 2024
by Donald M
Oct 19, 2021
Good car. Very easy to upgrade and Customize. Sometimes they need some work but other than that, Good CarOct 19, 2021
by Terry S
Aug 02, 2012
Only time it has let me down is when the battery went dead. Had this car for about fifteen years without any other trouble. My first import car and I will never buy another American made car. I have owned a new Chevrolet pick up and even a one year old Corvette, the Miata has blown both away with purchase price, fuel economy, insurance cost, and reliability.Aug 02, 2012
User rating:
by Anonymous
Jul 27, 2024
The car is a fun car to drive. Definitely a weekend toy! Low maintenance. Great on gas and handles very well. A little more HP would have been appreciated. However, its still a great car!Jul 27, 2024
by Donald M
Oct 19, 2021
Good car. Very easy to upgrade and Customize. Sometimes they need some work but other than that, Good CarOct 19, 2021
by Terry S
Aug 02, 2012
Only time it has let me down is when the battery went dead. Had this car for about fifteen years without any other trouble. My first import car and I will never buy another American made car. I have owned a new Chevrolet pick up and even a one year old Corvette, the Miata has blown both away with purchase price, fuel economy, insurance cost, and reliability.Aug 02, 2012
by Anonymous
Nov 16, 2011
The Mazda Miata can still be found with lower mileage for very reasonable cost. We purchased our 1991 SE with hardtop with 49k miles in late 2009 for $7,500 and that included delivery from Florida.
The Miata is so easy to work on and the miata.net community is the most helpful of any car that I know of.Nov 16, 2011
by Anonymous
Sep 26, 2010
This Car is fun, from its handling, to th convertable top. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a toy car to cruise in and maybe would want to put a little money into it. Get it and you will love it!Sep 26, 2010
by David R
Mar 08, 2010
performance - acceleration is good, braking is great, handling is good, top speed is awesome.
Build Quality- No repairs needed, small rust spots behind both doors.
Appearance- Standard look for now.
Cost of ownership- very little
Fun Factor- Fun car to have.Mar 08, 2010
by Ryan W
Feb 11, 2010
its a nice cruising car turns on a dime its not a quick or fast car
but its not slow its pretty much for going for a ride on a nice
sunny day no real problems with it the hard top is nice for
winter too it does ok on gas but i just think its so fun driving it
almost feels like a go-kartFeb 11, 2010
by John A
Nov 10, 2009
i wanted a widebody for it. it wanted a 13b. the top was amazing, 30sec one hand operation. seats were wonderfully supportive and never uncomfortable. the handling was perfect! almost never understeered or oversteered, though both could be induced. the shifter had such a positive feel too.Nov 10, 2009
by Sunny L
Aug 19, 2009
This is a fun car to drive. Not the fastest, but it handles like a gokart. The car is very under powered, but only in this car you can rip second gear through a turn and still have traction. If you are thinking of getting a Miata first thing I recommend you getting is better coilovers. Then you really can drive this car at the limit. Also get some performance up grades such as intake and headers and exhaust. So you can get a little more power out of it. But other than that I love my Miata..Aug 19, 2009
by Nathan K
Aug 11, 2009
Great blance, slow stock, but cheap and easy to get more than you ever could handle. If you like to go off for a drive thru all kinds of roads, this car will thrill youtono end. Light, agile, and fun.Aug 11, 2009
by Alexander L
Jul 10, 2009
Very fun to drive and fuel efficient. Exceptional handling and feel. Reasonably quick. Inexpensive to repair. Nicely weighted steering with good feedback. 4 wheel disc brakes and 4 wheel double wishbone suspension make for excellent handling. Buy a miata. OK?Jul 10, 2009
by David R
Jun 27, 2009
Great nimble car. Not great daily driver. Cheap maintenance, and great build quality, though not hard considering the small amount of parts used in the car. Very fun to drive but lack of power can be very frustrating. two words.Jun 27, 2009
by Tim H
Jan 23, 2009
The Miata in stock form leaves a lot of room for improvement. This Miata is to a point where I cannot complain.
Full suspension work makes it handle like it should (in my eyes). The garrett turbo makes the car perform great. I have driven stock Miatas, and while they are fun, they just lack too much. I like knowing that my car hangs with V8s'. It is honestly like a go-kart on steroids.Jan 23, 2009
by Anonymous
Jul 27, 2008
This is one of the British Racing Green Special
Edition Miatas. 1991 was the first time a Special
Edition (or later "Limited Edition") Miata was offered.
The initial buzz over the Miata had finally worn off
and this was Mazda's way of keeping the
excitement going.
While not an overly powerful car, the early Miata is a
very satisfying and fun car to drive. Very
mechanical and reassuring. You are not isolated
from the workings of the vehicle, you are included
in them. It's great fun and definitely a driver's car.
Jul 27, 2008
by Steven G
Jul 20, 2008
This is the most fun car to drive I have ever owned. It is bettere than the two Corvettes, I have had. Better handling, and better build quality. I like the older Miata because the are light, rugged, simple and easy too modify.
My Honda CRX was almost has much fun, but not a convertible.
Jul 20, 2008
by Matthew J
Jul 10, 2008
Performance: Acceleration is moderate. On par with a typical V6 sedan from the 90's. Braking and hanlding are superb.
Build Quality: It has some rattles and cowl shake. Overall pretty solid though. Repair side, it has been excellent.
Apperance: It could use some masculinity.
Cost of Ownership. Expensive to buy (relatively speaking) but cheap to operate. Low maintenance and around 38-40mpg on premium. Around 34mpg on 87 octane. (Ignition timing advance when running premium)
Fun Factor: The #1 reason to buy. It's not that fast but incredibly fun to drive. (It's handles like a go cart)Jul 10, 2008
by Norman R
May 14, 2008
1.8 swap from 97, 6 speed and 3.90 differential swap from '01, turbo front mount intercooler, 550cc injectors, walbro fuel pump, megasqurit standalone, tokico springs and shocks, tanabe exhaust, 12lbs of boost, custom carbon fiber hood, flush mount headlights and trunk, racing seats, 4 point harness, that car is bad ass, very fast, handles great!May 14, 2008
by Ray S
Feb 05, 2008
Such a fun car. Owned it for almost 8 years. It broke but that was probably due to heavy abuse. It left me stranded once when the belts decided to shred 2 hours from home but equipped with a 10mm and 13mm wrench it was fixed easily with a stop at an auto parts store. Feb 05, 2008
by James B
Jan 26, 2008
owned a 91 bbr turbo. 150bhp and weighed 1ton = big funJan 26, 2008
by Paul K
Jan 13, 2008
built like a real sports car and handles like oneJan 13, 2008
by Toru T
Jan 12, 2008
The car still retains many of the features which made it the classic sports car it is today!
The whole theme of the car is to maintain the classic looks but with the added punch of much more modern components.
These include improvements of handling through eiback sports suspension all round including pi brace bars at the front.
The engine is highly modified with a Garrett T28 turbo and uprated ignition system.
Car pushes about 165 Bhp with a 0 - 60 time of about 7sec. Its not blistering but really is usable power and great fun to drive.
Jan 12, 2008
by Geoff M
Jan 11, 2008
What a surprise to drive, lots of fun Jan 11, 2008
by Richard D
Nov 25, 2007
Purchased for $3500, I've installed a '94 1.8L, Tokico adjustable shocks, a
Momo steering wheel and a Hard Dog Roll Bar. I've removed the carpet,
stereo, power steering, windshield washers, air conditioning, air bag and
trunk liner. Nov 25, 2007
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata Pricing
Original MSRP
$15,869 to $19,599Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Driver side front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Roof
Convertible roof: hard top
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Driver side front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Roof
Convertible roof: hard top
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
