The Mazda MX-5 Miata was born in 1989 (in 1990 model in the US) and has gone through four generations. So that definitely prompts the question at the top of this post, “What’s the best Miata?” Well, we have the answer, but it can get a little more complicated depending on what you’re looking for. So take a look below to find you the perfect road mate.
Best and fastest Miata: 2019+ Mazda MX-5
If you’ve read our previous newsletter, you can see this is coming. The fourth generation Miata everything of Miata is better than anything before. We will call specifically The refreshed version is more powerful (sometimes called ND2). With 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, it makes more power than any previous Miata thanks to the extra revs (among other upgrades). It is lighter in weight than its predecessor and almost no more than the second generation, despite having modern safety features and technologies. Speaking of which, it has the best tech of any Miata with things like CarPlay (it’s not a big if we’re honest). It’s even the most efficient and features a Miata RF retractable roof style for those who want a coupe shape or a little more isolation from the elements. But if you decide to get one Mazda MX-5 Miata RFOur recommendation is choose manual transmission instead of optional automatic transmission.
Read more: Mazda MX-5 Miata 2022 test track | Old dog, new donkey
But it’s not just numbers. It’s a combination of those numbers with the fact that the ND still has all the traits the Miata has been known for. It is light and can be tossed. Translators click from one slot to another with ease. It doesn’t have too many tires, so you can take part in rear-drive races at safe and legal speeds. And it manages to be sporty with no punishment in everyday driving.
Runner-up in 2019 MX-5 was a pre-refresh model from 2016 to 2018. What knocks it down is that it doesn’t have as much performance as the engine and peak power drops to 155 horses. But the good news is that almost everything else is equally good. And even the engine remains essentially as powerful as the updated engine until it hits the lower red line. That way, you won’t miss much. But if you maybeThe ND 2019 and newer brings a little more to the table.
Read more: 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata suspension deep dives
The most practical Miata: Mazda MX-5 2006-2015
Yes, practicality may seem like a silly thing to discuss with someone who rarely travels, but sometimes you want your toy to still do things like get to work and grocery shopping or you want to use it. use it at length. road trip. When it comes to a Miata you can really live with, it’s hard to beat third generation (NC).
One of the highlights of NC is simply space. It’s the largest (and heaviest) Miata, and that means it has the widest and furthest interior space. If you’re a big or tall person, the best odds to match the Miata are with the NC. It also has a maximum cargo space of 5.3 cubic feet.
Read more: Mazda Miata 2006-2015 | Used car spotlight
And while it is the heaviest, it’s not really heavy. None of them weighed more than 2,600 pounds. And until the 2019 Miata, the NC is the most powerful naturally aspirated model with around 160 hp, depending on year and transmission. That engine is still fun to spin, and the transmission is excellent, arguably even better than the one in the ND.
The NC also has the first retractable hardtop Miata variant. So you can pair the most spacious and comfortable Miata with the flair of a solid roof. And unlike the ND, the NC hardtop actually lowers its entire roof. It doesn’t even encroach on the trunk space. So you get full practicality, sophistication and fun top down.
Practical Best Miata: What You Have
The reality of the situation is that there are basically no bad Miatas. All very happy. The best you can get is which in reasonable condition for a reasonable price. Perhaps the most affordable Miatas available today are the second-generation NB and early NC models. The NB is a very attractive car as it is very similar to the original model, but with more power, a bit more cargo and passenger space, and a stiffer chassis. And while it doesn’t have the lovely pop-up headlights, it does have more space under the hood and no cranky headlight mechanism. The NB is also available with the factory’s only turbocharged Miata variant, the Mazdaspeed Miata. If you can find a good one among them, buy one.
Read more: 1990-1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata | Used car spotlight
NA is of course a favorite of many Miata buyers because of the aforementioned lights. It’s also the lightest model, and you never forget the first one. Ideally, you’ll want one of the 1994-1997 models, which has a more powerful and easier-to-modify 1.8-liter four-cylinder. But version 1.6 will still be very interesting and it can easily be replaced by version 1.8 later.
In addition, the Miata is a great starting point if you are looking to modify a car. There is a large amount after-sales to enhance the look, sound and performance of the small roadster. There are turbochargers and superchargers for every generation, so you can get more power just the way you want it. The engines are happy with the extra power, as is the powertrain, so you’re unlikely to break anything seriously unless you’re doing some really custom stuff. And if you mess anything up, parts are cheap and easily available. Your author can really talk about this, as he has a turbocharged NB parked in his garage. So the best Miata is the one that you can put in your garage and build yourself.
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