Sticking to its small, lightweight, front-engine, rear-wheel drive and formula, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has had massive success over the last two decades despite not changing much. After making its debut in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show, it first sold as a 1990 model. Because it launched at a period when Americans were used to cars having "real" names instead of model numbers like MX-5; the Miata moniker was added (for the North American market only). Translated from Old High German, Miata means "prize" or "reward." But Mazda has unsuccessfully attempted to make people drop the "Miata" name and stick with the muscular-sounding MX-5 to remove the stigma it was a "girl's car".

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So far, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has been through four generations from NA to ND and managed to steal the hearts of many from business people to weekend drivers and car-lovin', rubber burnin' gearheads. Its immense success can be attributed to its affordability, reduced operational complexities, stylish design (an open-top option for enthusiasts), how well it drives, and its poised handling — for sure, it feels like a gift from Mazda to buyers. The first gen (N.A.) Mazda MX-5 is the one loved by many, but no car is perfect, which also applies to Miatas.

Being the world's best-selling two-seater sports car with a stellar reputation has made the slogan "Miata is always the answer" very popular. However, here are 10 things Miata owners will never tell you.

10 It Can Be A Difficult Car To Get In And Out Of

Blue-Mazda-Miata-1
Via:YouTube

It's a small two-seat sports car that sits quite low (ground clearance of around 5.3 inches) with a roofline that barely reaches past the waist. Getting in and out of any Mazda MX-5 Miata requires yoga-like levels of fitness. With the roof up, this is not just a problem for tall people; it's for almost everyone. A J.D power study had this among the 5 least favorite things owners found with their MX-5 Miatas.

2018 Mazda MX5 Miata On The Road
Mazda

And since it's not a one-time thing, Drive.com suggests that those with back issues try to experience the get-in get-out process before buying the Miata MX-5.

9 Soft-Top Miatas Are Not Suitable For Driving In The Cold

White 2016 Mazda MX5 Miata
Via: NetCarShow

Miatas are not meant for low-temperature areas; they're made to be glorious in the summer. Most Miata owners won't tell you they keep other cars as their winter beaters, as the Miata MX-5 is a terrible winter commuter. Its soft-top has gaps that still allows freezing air inside, making the interior cold, especially for the first morning drive.

2016 Mazda MX5 Miata
Via: NetCarShow.Com

Miata purists like to argue that the cabin is small and gets comfortable fast because of Miata's good heating system; however, it takes around over 10 minutes for that to happen. Those going for short drives don't enjoy the benefits much in the dead of winter.

8 The Fragile Top Necessitates Selective Car Washing

Silver Mazda MX5 Miata Hardtop
Via: Hemmings

The Miata, like many other convertibles, has a delicate top. This rules out automated car wash, because the top can't withstand the high pressure, as Phmazda advises. In addition to this, it is also selective to the detergent type. Only a detergent that is synthetic neutral is opted for over alcohol or bleach.

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Mazda MX5 Miata Hardtop
Via: YouTube

Frequent cleaning of the top and checking for particles is also necessary, as the accumulation of dirt will reduce the fabric's quality. In short, just keeping a Miata clean is a regular thing that requires more time and extra care than most cars in its budget.

7 Its Convertible Mechanism And Small Rear Window Limits Rear Visibility

Mazda MX-5 Miata
Via-J D Power

Driving the Miata requires heightened situational awareness when merging or changing lanes on the highway and backing out of slanted parking, as rear visibility is poor. The problem stems from its small-size rear window, electric retractable roof, and two buttresses that sit high above the headrest, creating blindspots.

Mazda MX-5 Miata
Via-Miata Forum

Buyers who like adding cool mods like style or diagonal roll bars for safety make the middle-rear visibility worse even with a rearview mirror available (forum.miata.net).

6 Not An Enjoyable Ride For Tall Drivers

Red 2020 Mazda Mx5 Miata
Via: Mazda USA

The RF Miata is not a good car for tall people, unless they plan to just drive it all the time with the roof down. It is only 48.8 inches in height. The soft-top Miata is marginally better in headroom but by only about half an inch.

Tall drivers will still experience an uncomfortable squeeze with the roof up, and getting their feet under the steering wheel will be a problem (turo.com). It's not a completely undrivable car for tall people, though, but they should note that the Miata RF version will only be enjoyable only on short under one-hour jaunts.

5 It's A Loud Car On The Highway

2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Via:Mazda USA

Complaints on forum.miata.net show drivers still experience uncomfortable noise inside the Miata cabin. Even the RF version (Retractable Roof) is still nothing close to the quiet of a coupe with its hardtop-up. It's just marginally quieter than the soft-top version, as Road and Track found out in their dissection of what's wrong with the Mazda Miata RF. Hard-top retracted, the noise problem and wind buffeting becomes worse — very tiring and annoying on long rides.

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2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible
Via: Mazda USA

The soft-top version is worse as sharp whistling wind noises, unpleasant road noises, and traffic sounds from nearby cars easily get in with its top on. Both are caused by the Miata's less-insulated soft-top and the small gaps between its bodywork and the convertible roof.

4 A ‘Pack Light’ Kind Of A Car

Mazda Miata MX5 Trunk
Via: IL Motorsport.de

With very few interior storage compartments (no glove compartment or door pockets) and a tiny trunk, the Miata is somewhat impractical for a couple — especially if they don't pack light. According to jalopnik.com, the trunk with a measly 4.5 cu ft of space can't take more than a short weekend's worth of luggage for two people. Hence, Miatas require only carrying the bare essentials and getting creative with the packing.

Mazda Miata MX5 Trunk Filled
Via: Autoblog.Com

Car and Driver even points out that the impracticality is worsened by not having folding rear seats — like other cars in the light and sporty segment, such as the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. Inside, it only has two cup holders and a lockable storage compartment behind the seats.

3 Has Substandard Power For Its Segment

Mazda Miata
Via Mazda UK

While it has agile handling, rides well, and is fun to drive, the Miata doesn't pack a lot of power. Under the nose of the standard 2021 Miata MX-5 is a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, making only 180 hp and 151 pound-feet of torque.

Mazda Miata
Via Mazda UK

This Miata's power figures only improved from 155hp in 2019 and are weak by modern standards. Many hardcore Miata fans will always claim it's ultra-light, and it doesn't need more power, but extra horses have never been a bad thing. Truth be told, the Miata lags far behind other two-seater sports cars in its segment with bigger horsepower and torque figures.

2 NA And NB Miatas Are Susceptible To Rust

Road and Track and TopMiata rank rust as the biggest issue with Miatas. Notably, this issue is more common in first (NA) and second gen (NB) Miatas in snowbelt states — it shouldn't make all MX-5s be considered rust-buckets. Miatas are highly susceptible to rust because water from the exterior top has to go through interior drainage rails. When they clog up, rust problems start.

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A Mazda Mx5 Miata Rust
Via: Reddit

Common rust areas include fender arches, rocker panels (structural problem), and around the trunk lid (where water gets trapped sometimes). Front frame rail rusting is only an issue in 'NB' generation Miatas.

1 Uncomfortable Inside

Mazda Miata RF
Via Mazda USA

The Miata's cabin is tight and cramped, only accommodating two adults, who won't find it very comfortable. According to J.D. Power data, driving comfort is the least favorite thing for MX-5 Miatas owners. For old Miatas, the lack of a telescoping steering wheel until 2019 didn't help to alleviate the distress for drivers.

Mazda Miata RF
Via Mazda USA

Comfort is not better on the passenger side, as the seat can't be reclined, and there's very limited knee and legroom — not surprising for a car that's only 3.9 meters long. No matter how happy owners seem in their Miata, they'll never tell you they mostly get out with their limbs cracking.