Mazda’s MX-5 - the first generation of this most well-known of sports cars is now over 30 years old, with the cheapest examples offering an accessible way into sports car ownership with no drama and nothing to distract you from the fun.

Incredibly, in over 33 years since its inception, the MX-5 line, now in its fourth generation or ‘ND’, has stayed true to its philosophy and ethos, with the cars staying relatively simple and unobstructed – for now – from electric drive trains or SUV-styled makeovers like the Mustang Mach-E.

It’s long been talked about, appreciated, and compared with literally everything else in and out of the sports car universe; so, what do you get with an MK1 MX-5, and how much will it cost you?

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The Mazda MX-5 Still Ticks All The Boxes

Mazda MX-5 NA in red, front-quarter view
Via: AutoTrader Classics

When it was conceived, this car was to bring back the classic British sports car policy of having a compact, lightweight, and stylish car like the MGB – although that was getting old by the end of the '80s – with a drop-top and adequate power sent to the rear wheels.

This is somewhat at odds with other sports car categories such as the heavy muscle car with its big engine, or high-performance supercars. With 115 hp and only 100 lb-ft of torque, this car wasn’t going to be a racer.

But that was missing the point, classic sports cars like the MGs used low-weight (the MX-5 was around 2,100 lbs) and a well-sorted chassis to provide thrills at low speed – without the spills.

This first-generation NA MX-5 arguably still looks fresh today, even if pop-up lights are now so retro, making you an instant star everywhere you go, due to a multitude of people recognizing your car model.

Indeed, this car has aged much better than many others on the outside, including its bigger sister the MX-6 and the smaller MX-3, which never managed to get a piece of the MX-5’s success, and for good reason, too.

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Mazda’s NA MX-5 Is Worth Getting Now Before They Become Expensive

Mazda MX-5 NA interior
Via: AutoTrader Classics

It’s what you don’t get in the MX-5 that is important – with nothing else to spoil the experience.

There was gradually a ramping-up of standard equipment in these convertibles, but from the beginning, the order form was easy to digest, with power steering, leather steering wheel, limited-slip differential, and stereo being the only things to worry about.

Over time, cruise control, electric windows, and even a leather-wrapped gear stick were on offer, while the suspension and rigidity of the car was also significantly improved.

Eventually, the engine was upgraded to the 1.8-liter with 128 hp, but this first car made do with the 115 hp 1.6-liter, which was good for 0-60 mph in the 8-second range.

Searching for a 1989 Miata is relatively easy, though the first entry on ClassicCars is a red 1991 car in Texas, with under 10,000 miles for a whopping $15,000 asking price.

They aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, possibly due to rust, accidents, and mechanical failure – on Auto Trader Classics there are 14 examples currently being displayed.

With an average price ranging from $10,000 to $14,000, the cars listed in the ‘premium’ section have mileage ranging from 65,000 to 100,000 miles, which is actually pretty good for the year of the car and the relative bullet-proofness of its Japanese engine.

A particularly clean red example, for $14,000 with 85,000 miles in Arizona, comes with the hardtop and a detailed condition description that looks reassuring.

To lay out less cash and just get driving, our pick would be the $6,250 red Miata on the same website – also in Arizona – which has around 150,000 miles, but apparently has had some recent maintenance done, and would only need an investigation of a minor oil leak.