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Mazda MX-5 Miata

NB · Second gen1998–2005

Lightweight, rear-drive, manual roadster. The blueprint nobody else has the discipline to ship.

6 reviewers · 27 videos · 51 press articles

Generations
NA1989–1997NB1998–2005NC2006–2015ND2016–present
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and daily drivability.

across 6 reviewers

// where reviewers split
Performance
3 say · liveable

"immediately it is a more potent engine than that little 1.6 in the na"

Zygrene · ▶ 8:28
2 say · critical

"140 horsepower 119 pound-feet of torque... there's nothing"

EverydayDriver · ▶ 19:55
Daily drivability
2 say · liveable

"there's a little bit more space in the interior it's a bit more refined"

Zygrene · ▶ 8:06
3 say · critical

"there are no glass windows there are no glass side windows"

ShootingCars · ▶ 5:14
// the categories
// 01

Performance

3.0/56 of 6 reviewerssplit

immediately it is a more potent engine than that little 1.6 in the na

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 8:28

140 horsepower 119 pound-feet of torque... there's nothing

critical · EverydayDriver · ▶ 19:55

the turbo surge isn't huge but it's enough to give you confidence to pass at highway speeds

positive · Regular Car Reviews · ▶ 8:21
// 02

Handling

4.5/56 of 6 reviewersstrong consensus

the steering really came alive. I could really just feel exactly what the front tires are doing.

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 22:05

it's set up to do it from the very beginning

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 20:48

the mazda speed miata can pull almost 1g you know 0.98 in lateral grip thanks to those wider wheels and tires

positive · Regular Car Reviews · ▶ 4:00
// 03

Fun to drive

5.0/56 of 6 reviewersstrong consensus

man is it fun. The fact that I'm not doing a million miles an hour does not affect me at all.

positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 3:26

out of all the cars I've reviewed so far this one is the most confidence inspiring on that stretch of road

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 16:48

these things are just so much fun there it's the best bang for buck over smiles per gallon

positive · TheTopher · ▶ 9:15
// 04

Daily drivability

2.5/56 of 6 reviewerssplit

there are no glass windows there are no glass side windows

critical · ShootingCars · ▶ 5:14

I'm sitting in 6'1. Wish I could sit a little bit lower

critical · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 3:57

there's a little bit more space in the interior it's a bit more refined

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 8:06
// 05

Value

4.5/56 of 6 reviewersconsensus

for any other beginning car Enthusiast out there who wants to get into track days or autocross I know this makes an awesome autocross car as well

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 17:10

they're a little bit cheaper than an mr2 or like an s2000 and arguably just as fun

positive · TheTopher · ▶ 37:36

miata is always the answer

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 18:45
How it stacks up

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

ShootingCars
Posted May 25, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Zygrene
Posted Apr 3, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Regular Car Reviews
Posted May 31, 2021Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
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From the press · 51 articles