UPDATE – What’s that old saying? If you don’t succeed, try, try again? This 30,000-mile “all original” first-year 1990 Mazda Miata is listed again for sale and looking for a new owner. The asking price has been lowered $2,400 to $14,000 and it can be found here on craigslist in Libertyville, Illinois. Here is the original listing that I wrote from July 4, 2026. Will the second time around for this well-preserved little two-seater be the charm? Thanks to Tony Primo for the tip!
FROM 7/4/2026 – I remember the buzz that the Miata caused when it was introduced 37 years ago. It was hailed as a throwback to the lightweight, two-seater British roadsters of the 1950’s and ’60’s, but without the oil leaks, reliability issues, and the finicky Lucas “Prince of Darkness” electrical systems. (Some car owners with Lucas electrical systems even coined the motto, “Get home before dark.”) With virtually no comparable models in production when introduced in the fall of 1989, the Miata was the king of the hill and hit a home run here in the States. Demand for the inexpensive sports car ($13,800 MSRP) was so strong that dealers put customers on a pre-order waiting list (and usually marked them up $5,000 – $6,000 over MSRP). Here’s a first-year, first-generation 1990 Miata time capsule for your consideration. You’ll find it garaged in Libertyville, Illinois (fitting since I’m writing this on July 4th) and listed for sale for $16,400. Thanks, Rocco B., for spotting this well-preserved Miata.
For model year 1990, a total of 57,972 Miata’s were produced for the North American market. This is one of the 12,420 units ordered in Crystal White and the paint looks great as does the rest of the exterior. Mazda was smart in having the Lotus Elan serve as the design inspiration. I read where the pop-up headlights, grille opening, door handles, tail lamps, engine appearance, and even the center console layout were based on the classic Lotus Elan. The black convertible top looks good, though the seller says the rear window is a little cloudy. The tires are in good shape and it’s also wearing the alloy wheels that helps to accentuate the sporty nature of this two-seater.
Inside, this Miata is just as impressive at its clean exterior. I’m not seeing any major wear and tear and dash and instrument panel look near perfect. This Miata was ordered with Option Package A which included alloy wheels, power steering, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an AM/FM radio with cassette player. The optional air conditioning unit works and has a new compressor.
Under the hood is the Miata’s 1.6-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine. It generates 116 horsepower @ 6,500 RPM and the odometer reads 30,094 original miles. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels. The seller states that the roadster has a new timing belt, new rear brakes, fresh fluids, and a new SS exhaust (but the original is intact). I was impressed how Mazda revived the idea of a small, lightweight, fun-to-drive sports car that had the spirit of the MGB, Triumph Spitfire, and Fiat Spider, but was now more refined and reliable. What do you think of this magnificent Miata?
Wonderful car, but still way to over priced. Maybe half that would sell. Hasn’t the seller heard, things are tough out there on the street, deciding on an over priced weekend car and food for children and little Snoopy, or this? Face it, the generations that still have money (old goats) probably already have one, not in the market for another. Put it up for a no reserve auction and be satisfied for what you get. Big bucks or not, either way it is gone from your life. Should have sold it before Novemeber 2024 when the sun shone brighter, the bluebirds sang, and people didn’t walk through life with dread and for some, regret.
I hear you but it would be a lot of smiles per gallon. And probably not crazy priced for the mileage. Well, at least not totally crazy. Maybe a little nutty
I’m an old goat with some money and I don’t have one of these yet. I’ve been buying up old corvettes but I’ll get around to these just as soon as I figure out how to screw the widows and orphans so I can swing the $14K asking price.
It would be cheaper to commute to work with than a crew cab, 4×4 pickup.
At 6.50 a gallon? Only if you live around the corner. Plus, what is your payment on the truck monstrasity? Sell that, eat the loss, buy this, even at the crazy ask you will be ahead. Plus, girls like guys who drive these, ask my son.
“Miata is always the answer.” Well, maybe not ALWAYS. For a no frills, no options, no color (lol) ’90 it might be a little over-priced. And… Do your research: Some early 1990-91 Miata engines had some issues (specifically with VINs lower than 209447). I’d prefer a NB model with the 1.8L.
You don’t have to switch to an NB to get the 1.8L. The NA8 designation indicates first series with the 1.8 four.
Our 95M is a tasty treat on a twisty street.
I just want the seats for my TR6….
I got to test drive one of these from the Mazda media fleet when they first came out…only difference was the color, their fleet cars were red with black interior.
Loaded up my bag and the dog (a golden retriever) and headed north from the big city to the hills of northern CT and Southern MA. As a long time MG owner and racer this car was a relavation to me. It did everything the MGs did only better and more reliably. At one point of my weekend ownership I got into a spirited run with a Porsche 911. The car more than held it’s own.
I would have bought one right then and there if there were some way to put a feminine companion in the passenger seat along with my 75lb dog…it was just a little too small, but what a lovely driver.
These cars have been very popular, but the cars getting the most love are those that are fully optioned with hardtops…particularly popular with racers. They now qualify for vintage status and we see a lot of them out there running with older MGs, TRs, etc. Even as race cars they seem to require little upkeep…just add gas and go have fun. I think the suggestion of selling this on one of those online auctions with no reserve would get him more of what he wants…but I find it hard to believe he’s going to get north of $9K for this with it needing a new top…likely new tires and without the hardtop. Also, you can get a lot more car with the early Porsche Boxters and they can be found at the same asking price. Yes, they require more care and feeding, but they will increase with value over time and the Miata’s won’t. Still, I wouldn’t mind having this bit of history in my garage and my old dog still there to go for rides with.
I don’t know about NA Miatas not increasing in value, as I’ve been watching the prices for clean, low mileage and highly optioned examples rise steadily over recent years… Will they keep pace with Porsche Boxsters?… maybe not, but they’re rising… I do agree the ask for this particular one is questionable.
If you ever want to see a lot of Miata,go to the SCCA Runoffs.
I went 2 different years to the Runoffs at Virginia International Raceway
& was a little confused at how many different classes these run in,and
the classes just don’t make any sense – used to be that you knew what
class most cars were in.
Stainless steel exhaust is a mistake. Lasts longer, but always, always, always much noisier. Not an improvement.
Is this the one Jesse had a few years back?
Two months ago we bought one for the equivalent of US$9,000. It is a 1994, so larger engine, with 58,000 miles. Owned by the original owner until a year ago (and he kept every invoice etc from new), new paint. Young guy bought it last summer, stored it in the winter and decided he needed something more practical. It drives more or less like new
One thing to think about are tires – ours looked like new but are date coded 14 years ago! 14″ are standard, and are almost impossible to find in Canada. It was about US$2k for aftermarket 15″ wheels and Yokos, and it worked out great.
best,
bt