Known for razor-sharp handling and pure driving joy, Mazda’s Miata tapped into the market answered by British roadsters of the 1940s to 1970s. Like many cars, the Miata has gained weight and power over the years, a topic specifically discussed at YourSydneyMate, but they’ve stayed true to their original vision. This 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata in Karns City, Pennsylvania hails from the iconic first-generation of Mazda’s drop-top, already becoming a collectible modern classic.
The low-slung cockpit wears charcoal interior typical of 1990s sporty cars. Despite the bulky early airbag, the first-gen Miata’s leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel invites spirited driving, as does the stubby shifter. A generation of drivers who accepted understeering FWD econoboxes with transverse engines and rod or cable-shifted manual transmissions immediately praised the RWD Miata’s balanced handling and direct-shifted driving experience.
The 116 HP 1.6L inline four’s twin overhead cam cover demanded a subtle hood bump to maintain the sloped front. This one seems well-kept indeed, and with just under 100,000 miles on the clock, another 100k might be left. Designed as a fun, economical handler, the Miata made the most of the 1.6 thanks to svelte proportions and barely one-ton curb weight. I logged some Miata miles wheeling my Mother’s 2006 specimen. She always admired the wire-wheeled MG TD and, in retirement, picked the Miata as the modern equivalent: a nimble drop-top two-seater, except with air conditioning, ABS, and traction control.
Behind the convertible boot the trunk offers enough room for two passengers to enjoy a weekend getaway or a longer vacation with prudent packing. Sleepy bidding here on eBay has only two bidders wrestling above $3000 without meeting the seller’s Reserve. Mazda injected its cars with the Soul of Life as detailed in CarsAndHorsepower’s Story of Mazda, spending countless hours refining the placement and operation of turn signal levers, switches, and other tactile elements making their operations intuitive and their feel satisfying and “right.” If you want a satisfying entry-level classic and wrenching on a vintage muscle car isn’t your thing, this two-seater might be the perfect blend of old and new.
I could be wrong, but appears to me this little guy had a previous encounter with a solid object up front, and while matching silver is never easy, this match wasn’t made in heaven. To me, it would call for more investigation before bidding.
That being said, the rest of the car overall looks very good, and these MX-5’s are jewels, not just one of the best executed sports cars I ever owned, and not just one of the best values, but one of the best ‘things’ I ever owned.
I have a silver ’91 new, no electric windows or cruise control but got limited slip. 130k miles now.
Bullet-proof reliability and huge driving fun. Replaced the stock muffler with a Borla and the top with a Duetto with rear glass window to perfect it.
Looks and sounds as good as it runs.
I always liked these, but at 99k it’s problems may yet be starting. Mazda not exactly legendary for reliability the same way Toyota and Honda are. These are fun though.
Mazda – ditto on not as reliable as Honda or Toyota and the replacement parts much more expensive.
Where do you two get your information?
It appears you know very little about Mazdas. Also, 99k is nothing.
Props to the great Toyota and Honda brands, and I agree about most of the Mazda line, but I think you might be off a bit when it comes to the Miata. Likely one of, if not the best, of the Mazda bunch. With only decent care they are on par with those other makes. Very reliable and durable, I believe partly due to their simplicity.
Some parts might be nominally more expensive, but Toyota ain’t exactly low cost either.
I think you both are wrong and have never owned a Mazda.
They are a much smaller independent company that made parts for Ford for years.
The 90 does have a crankshaft problem that was fixed for 91. If that has been taken care of on this car then it is good for at least another 100k.
Dead wrong. My current daily in a 2012 mazda 5, 6-speed manual with 230k on it and not even an oil leak. I’ve had aazda with over 300k.
My 94 R Edition Miata runs perfectly with over 140k.
Meanwhile we have Honda transmission issues and Toyota oil leaks.
The Mazda Miata MX5 is a very reliable car and it is not unusual to find them running well even as they approach 200,000 miles.
Back in 2008 I was shopping for a car to tow behind our motor home at the volunteers of America car dealership there was one of these with 98,000 miles for $2,000 and A 1996 Ford Aspire with 11,000 original miles for $1,800 bucks after a lot of thought on how much damage the car might get I settled on the Aspire it lasted us 10years and 75k miles on the odometer before we gave it to our daughter because she needed a car but I’ve always kinda kicked myself for not getting the Mazda but I’m not sure it would have stood up to the stresses of being dragged behind the RV
I assume that you know that the Aspire was all Kia. The only thing Ford about it was the emblem.
Yes, I chose the Aspire mostly because of the weight and the miles. At 1900 lbs I could two it in all 50 states where the miata was over 2000 lbs so I would be required to have a brake buddy system.
These are a joy to toss around. Our 95M has only 44k on the clock and I don’t use it enough, but boyoboy, when it gets out, it satisfies! And knock on oaken cranium, it has been super-dependable.
Miata Is Always The Answer. I recently sold my ’99 Miata (first year of the NB) with 160k on it. Some careful modifications done by the PO made it nothing but cheap and easy thrills. Bang for the buck you can’t do better than a Miata, especially the early versions (NA and NB) that were more about the drive than the comforts.
No Miata is about the comforts! After we got my wife her ‘11 Grand Touring she said
“ My car is loud and has a rough ride. I like it.”
My kind of gal!
I have a 1992 that I have owned for 23 years and now has 285K miles and still runs great with only regular maintenance, these cars are bullet proof and the most fun you can have with your clothes on!
When I sell or trade my 69 Cutlass these are on my short list. Something with a manual, maybe a 4×4 or a small car.
Though these have a reputation as a womans car :)
Yeah, a girl’s car. Not. I’ll bet the pickup truck drivers who castigate don’t know how to drive a stick.
It’s funny, on “car sites” I often hear a Miata is a “girl’s car”, yet in the real world I’ve seen maybe 2 female Miata drivers. And I’ve seen a LOT of Miata drivers. Not really sure where that comes from.
I’ve had a ’90 with 270K km, ’93 with 230K km and currently a ’91 BRG with only 130K km. Having owned Honda (CVCC and 2 Accords) I’d say the Miatas were hands down more reliable, dependable, easier to repair and durable.
196k on my red 1994, zero problems. Change timing belt every 80k, I did put a new radiator in it last year, was cheaper than repairing the pinhole leak. Front & rear plastic has faded some. No more than it gets driven, I should sell it to someone that will drive it and appreciate it.
(Tow) stupid auto correct
I had one of the two press fleet Miatas available at the time and wrote a comparison between the Miata and the Lotus Elan for a Motor Trend. I’ve republished it on my website.
I bought a 1990 Miata almost 10 years ago and now use it as my daily driver when it’s not salt weather. I’ve made some minor enhancements, though nothing for more power because what’s the point, refurbished it as an ongoing project (new top with a glass rear window, wider gas pedal for easier heel-and-toe, clay barred it). And I put on clearlens side marker lights (strongly recommended for white cars), and a dual note Italian airhor ( no more meep-meep though now I want excuses to use it). The airbag module has expired and can’t be replaced, so it’s due for extraction.
But mostly I drive it and enjoy the winding roads around here while going about my day-to-day. It’s not my midlife crisis car. It’s my play with it while I still can car.
This one looks nice. I don’t like silver cars but this one looks good. That one deserves a better price.