The Mazda MX 5 Miata is a car we absolutely adore. It's a small, simple, lightweight sports car that has been sold since 1989. It, in fact, is the world's best-selling sports car and there are many reasons why it is such a large-scale seller. However, like any car, the MX-5 has its issues and over the past few generations, more and more issues have come along.
The Miata MX-5 has some glaring issues that need to be discussed as there are some valid reasons why we would never buy one, even if we really love the little sports car.
10 We Love The MX-5 Miata: It's A Drivers' Car
The Mazda Mx-5 is a full-on drivers' car. It keeps things tight around corners, and it feels like a go-kart. The MX-5 stems from the roots of the older British sports cars, most particularly the Lotus Elan from the 1960s. The MX-5 though has probably sold more units than all British sports cars combined.
It has such a low center of gravity from the factory thanks to its low suspension. These cars are perfect cars for teen drivers. They're easy to drive fast, and they are also easy to control.
9 We'd Never Buy One: It's Too Slow
The MX-5 has never been considered a powerful car by anyone. It has always looked faster than it actually is. Of course, some people say it's not just about the speed, however, for most people, the lack of power from the MX-5 is just not good enough. The most powerful model currently on sale is the 2.0L which only has 181hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. It achieves a 0-60 time of 6.5 to 7.9 seconds.
The older cars are all slow too. The original 1.6i model from 1989 had only 115hp. While it's a hoot to drive on twisty roads, there's no denying it's one of the slowest sports cars on the market.
8 We Love The MX-5 Miata: The Enthusiast Community
The MX-5 really does have a huge community of enthusiasts, and that's one of the reasons why we sure do love it. All around the world, the MX-5 is loved and there are also many clubs dedicated to the little sports car.
The MX-5 has attracted car enthusiasts from every background and every age group. What's more, plenty of owners have modified their little roadsters.
7 We'd Never Buy One: They Are Impractical
The MX-5 is impractical. Sure, most sports cars are not practical at all. However, unlike most modern sports cars, the new MX-5 still remains just as impractical as it was when it launched in 1989.
Its trunk is too small, the interior is too bare, and it's not the most comfortable of cars. It is nice to have a sports car, but so many newer sports cars offer so much more practicality and a similar driving experience to the Miata, and some of them are ultra-affordable.
6 We Love The MX-5 Miata: They Handle Well
The MX-5 handles amazingly. It's a great track car and while it loses a few seconds in the straights, it gains them back quite easily in the corners. The MX-5 handles the way a sports car should, and it should be used as an example to all car manufacturers out there who want to make a great sports car.
The MX-5 has always been praised for its handling. It handles just so well as it's a nimble frugal little car. It's easy to control and if you want a great handling car for under $20,000 then the MX-5 is a good choice.
5 We'd Never Buy One: It's Tiny
If you're a big person then you will feel uncomfortable in an MX-5. This may not sound like an issue but for a lot of people, the cabin space is just too small. With the roof up it can feel a little tight inside too. Even the new car feels a bit small. If you park the Miata next to any modern truck you will be bursting with laughter.
It would be nice if the MX-5 was a tad bigger, but if it was, would the handling and feeling be affected? The reason Mazda keeps the MX-5 small is so that it feels controllable and easy to drive.
4 We Love The MX-5 Miata: It's Iconic
The MX-5 Miata is such an iconic car. It has sold in the millions and takes the lead as the best-selling sports car ever made. What makes the MX-5 even more special is that it takes after the classic British sports cars by taking their recipe and improving it immensely.
The MX-5 Miata has grown into one of the greatest cars ever made, and it's truly a game-changer from Japan. It's retro but modern. It's a proper no-nonsense sports car that has always been fun.
3 We'd Never Buy One: It's Overrated
The MX-5 is a car that is heavily overrated. Sure, it may be a great car to drive and the original has pop-up headlights, but there are so many things wrong with this car that many people forget. It's a great car, but it's not as good as most car enthusiasts think it is. There are plenty of better sports cars out there for the money.
Let's not forget a new one starts at $26,580 which is similarly priced to the all-new brilliant Ecoboost Ford Mustang. A car that is more practical and faster than the MX-5. In fact, this car has some glaring problems which need to be addressed.
2 We Love The MX-5 Miata: It's Reliable
The MX-5 is a very reliable sports car thanks to its simplicity. It takes the good things from the classic British sports cars, and then it adds reliability to the formula.
MX-5 maintenance is cheap and easy. Due to the engine being so simple, there's not much that can go seriously wrong. On rare occasions when something actually does break, parts and repairs are relatively cheap, making ownership both affordable and a joy.
1 We'd Never Buy One: It's Too Common
To some, this may not sound like an issue at all. The MX5 is common because it's a popular car. Yet for the enthusiast, wouldn't you want something a bit more unique? The MX-5 is just too popular and the newer models feel too modern and appealing to the masses.
Exclusivity is what a car enthusiast wants. We all love to stand out, so why buy the same car everyone else has? You can do so many mods to the MX-5, but it will always still be a Miata. The same thing cannot be said for other cars such as the Suzuki Cappuccino which even in stock form is more interesting than most Miatas, thanks to it being such a rare car.