If you get deep enough into the weeds of almost any car, you find out there are special editions and variations that set certain models apart from others. Right now, I’m currently helping a client bring a W113 Pagoda to market that we’ve been analyzing with the help of marque experts to assess whether it is an early production model. Why? Because some collectors value that status so much they might actually pay a bit extra for it. In the case of the beautiful Mariner Blue 1990 Mazda Miata shown here on craigslist, this is believed to be on the earliest NA models produced based on its month and year of assembly. The seller is asking $22,500, and thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J for the tip.
The first run of production started at the first half of 1989 for the 1990 model year. There is some speculation that Mazda considered the earliest cars so-called “Launch Editions” which offered limited colors and specific options, but that’s never been officially declared by the company itself. There is no disputing, however, that Mariner Blue is a color reserved for the first three years of production, so finding one in pristine condition like this is a find in and of itself. The seller notes that this particular Miata is a true base spec, down to the steel wheels, but it came with air conditioning and he’s replaced the cheap plastic window with a glass unit as part of a new top assembly.
NA Miatas really don’t change much car to car, so it’s hard to get excited by the famously hard-wearing interiors. Even well-used Miatas still look pretty decent inside. The combination of entirely manual features, including steering, with optional air conditioning gives this NA an extra layer of intrigue, but it could also be due to the first doctor owner, who owned the car from new until 2023, wanted the purest experience possible without having to sweat for the privilege. The dashboard rarely cracks in these roadsters despite lots of time spent with the top down, so no surprise that this one is holding up well.
What’s surprising is that for all the data the seller mentions (including that he has another Miata at home), there’s no mention of the timing belt job being done. This is essential for not blowing up your Miata, as these are interference engines. In 1990, the 1.6-liter inline-4 produced 116 horsepower and 100 lb-ft of torque. Not a particularly stirring amount of power, but more than enough for road test editors then and now to compare the Miata to the classic Lotus Elan. The seller’s car is one of those Miatas you can enjoy without fearing you’ll damage a high-end piece of trim, such as in an M Edition, while still enjoying the rarity of an early model in a great color.
Affordable fun for enthusiasts. Rwd and manuals aren’t widely available anymore 😢
You can get these early Miatas all day long for 7-10k with fewer than 75,000 miles on them. I doubt this “pedigree” is going to triple the value.
I’ve driven a lot of Miatas and they have all been fun, but the early ones have the most character. I’m not sure about the price, but I like the color and the condition. NA prices continue to go up, so if you really want an early car, it might be worth it.
IMHO, they were a bit underpowered at first, but there’s plenty of aftermarket support to correct that nowadays. Have at it!
I’ve owned many of these early 1990’s cars and always wished I’d kept them but circumstances changed and the miles go up. This appears to be an excellent example to put away and see what happens with the pricing but as someone said you can pick these cars up today in the $7-10 range. At the end of the day it’s still a “Miata” and not sure where it’s going to go.
There are affordable because they made quite a few, and they were second cars for people, much like Corvettes tended to be. So you see a lot of them with pretty low mileage.
Personally, I wouldn’t want a cream puff Miata. I would want something nice but that I could also autocross and have fun with without feeling like I was trashing a historic masterpiece made in May 1989 or whatever.
The lower miles adds a little, but the NA6 loses a little to the NA8, and a lot to the M-edition. Still, it’s a great color but make an offer and see where the seller’s floor is.
I don’t see the increased value of the M editions. I suppose some like the fancy doo-dads but it is an inexpensive sports car after all not a Cadillac Eldorado.
In a car like a Miata base models are the best models. Love the steel wheels (so much so I put them on my R edition and hung the alloys on the wall).
These are meant to be cheap and lively sports cars and the base models best represent that ethos. They make great platforms for modification and roll up windows and cloth seats give that no-nonsense vibe to the fullest.
The price for this one is a bit optimistic, but some people value the first, last, limited, or special versions of cars enough to pay up for them. For me, it’s all about driving them.
These are best in Black, I had a 1994 “M” and it was awesome!
Back in 2007 i was shopping for a car to tow behind our motorhome i went to the volunteers of America car lot in Everett WA. they had one of these with 95K miles on it for $1900 bucks and a 1996 Ford Aspire with 11K miles on it for $1700 i chose to get the Aspire because i knew the king of damage that was going to happen to the car getting dragged behind a motorhome and i couldn’t bring myself to put this fun little toy through that. on the odometer anyway the Aspire lasted us to 75k miles with zero problems we then gave it to our adult daughter who needed a car at the time, and it lasted her several years even teaching her kids to drive a manual before she upgraded to a jeep. I would love to have this but i think its overpriced.
My wife and I have. 1992 Miata’s with 47,00 and change on it. They are a good little car. The only problem with them is you need the jaws of life in order to get out of the thing.
You know the Aspire was a Kia with Ford badges, as was the Festiva.
Yes it even said Kia on the door tag
“There’s no mention of the timing belt job being done. This is essential for not blowing up your Miata, as these are interference engines” this is INCORRECT, they are Non-interference. a broken timing belt will only leave you stranded, no damage to engine. I have a 97 and it is a blast.
Absolutely correct, they are NON interference engines, and when changing the belt do the water pump while in there… the bigger danger to these engines is the “cursed water plug”, actual name water outlet sealing cap, breaking… its a little 10 dollar rubber water plug at the rear of the engine by the firewall below the Crank Angle Sensor… if it degrades over time (and it will) and splits or punctures you’ll instantly be overheating and damaging your engine…AND they are a pain in the ass to change unless you have small hands… Google “cursed water plug” and see what I mean
I am the owner of 1990 Mariner Blue NA Miata made 167 units before this car (#105531). Your comment about this car having an interference engine surprised me. I’ve been told by several knowledgeable mechanics that these cars have non-interference engines. My car has the A package, which includes power steering and the leather wrapped steering wheel. They are great sports cars to own and there is a strong support group through the Miata Clubs.
The problem with the 1990 model was the front crank snout. It was almost impossible to get the torque right when you changed the timing belt.
This was fixed in 91, bigger snout.
No sane person will pay the 55% upcharge the second owner/flipper is asking. The good doctor probably sold it for 5K after he got his two and a half decades out of it. Clean car, lovely color. That’s it.