The Mazda Miata MX-5 enjoys a cult-like following around the world today, something that only a few enthusiasts could have predicted when the Japanese automaker introduced it at the Chicago Motor Show in 1989. The Miata's popularity lies in its driving quality, suitable for every age and class, even as sports cars grow ever lighter, punchier, and faster as decades elapse.

Although the MX-5 is a popular budget convertible, providing an affordable-yet stylish ride perfect for cloudless warm summer afternoons, you might still wonder if the car can actually last many summers. The answer might surprise you despite what you may have heard or read about the Miata. As you’ll soon find out in this article, the MX-5 is as reliable as it is durable, according to the automotive research firm iSee Cars.

The data analyzed more than 15.8 million cars sold in 2019 and found that the MX-5 Miata could last 200,000 miles in a survey of car brands with the highest percentage of cars that reached 200,000 miles. So, if you're looking to buy a Miata – used or new, keep reading to judge for yourself if the car is actually well-prepared for the road ahead or not.

Related: This Is What Makes The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata So Special

Have You Met The Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Mazda mx-5_sport
Via Mazda

The Miata is so popular that one might just assume that almost everyone must have owned or driven one at some point over its three decades of production, and still counting. But despite the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s recognition as the World’s best-selling 2-seat convertible sports car in history, there are seven billion people on earth compared to the reported one million plus MX-5s sold globally as of 2016. This means a rather goodly chunk of the world’s population might need an introduction.

So, the Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight 2-door, 2-passenger convertible roadster powered by a front mid-engine RWD drivetrain. It’s known as “Eunos” in its home country, Japan, and the Miata or MX-5 in North America, with the MX-5 meaning Mazda eXperimental Project - Number 5. MX-5 owners are most familiar with its fun-to-drive quality, and that's because the model's inception and development got founded on the Japanese phrase, "Jinba Ittai," meaning "oneness of horse and rider."

The car’s reputation for lightweight and compact dimensions precedes it, but Miatas also have a reputation for packing modern vehicular technologies in its somewhat minimalist design. For many septuagenarians, the MX-5 reminds them of the 1950s and '60s Italian and British roadsters, which makes a lot of sense, especially considering that Mazda developed the Miata using the 1960s Lotus Élan as a design benchmark.

Why Some People Underrate The Miata

2022-mazda mx5 miata
Via Mazda

Well, it goes with the territory, but nearly every owner will tell you the MX-5 is an overall fantastic car with excellent reliability. People that underrate or ridicule the car do so because of its curvy, almost feminine profile. If you've been paying attention, we bet you've heard people (including automotive writers, unfortunately) label the MX-5 a chic car. But is this reality? According to Mazda, 66% of MX-5 owners are men, which is even higher than the average for automobiles overall.

But do the critics actually own a Miata, and does every sports car have to look aggressive? This aspect of the MX-5 is particularly evident with the 1.6-liter inline-4 first generation that looked so small and had no power (116 horsepower) to boast of as the pantheon of convertible roadsters.

Even so, the 1st-gen Miata was an amazing car despite its shortcomings in terms of size and power output. It made up for those shortcomings by delivering amazing handling that some owners fondly remember as a go-kart driving feel. More so, a small turbo or a supercharger easily turned the MX-5 into a speed machine to humiliate cars three times its price. The turbocharged 1st-gen Miata made 230 horsepower. Go figure. It fits right there between a daily driver and a serious sports car.

Related: HotCars Best Japanese Sports Car Of 2021: Mazda MX-5 Miata

Should You Buy A Mazda MX-5 Miata?

2022-mazda-mx-5-miata
via Mazda

Frankly, we think it's more about the male ego than anything else. As mentioned earlier, some automotive enthusiasts erroneously believe that only muscular-looking, fire-breathing sports cars can cut it, forgetting that the MX-5 may be small, but lightweight and impressively agile. If a vehicle’s reliability hinges on its aggressive profile, then the Mercedes-AMG GT shouldn’t be anywhere near the USwitch scoresheet of the least reliable supercars. The AMG GT scored 4.1, below the industry average of 4.5.

Notably, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has long enjoyed an above-average reliability rating, with some model years ranking higher than others. For example, RepairPal gave the 2021 model year a 4 out of 5 reliability rating, placing it 8th out of 21 for subcompact cars, while J.D.Power scored the 2019 model 73 out of 100. The exit door, in other words, the resale value is another concern people have when shopping for a new or used car. The good news is that the Miata has a good resale value, depreciating just 37% in five years, according to CarEdge.

What else do you need to know? Every 4th-gen MX-5 (since 2014) gets powered by a 2.0-liter inline-4. The 2016 – 2018 models produced 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, while the 2019 – 2022 models got updated to 181 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm with a redline at 7,500 rpm.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, with an available 6-speed automatic delivering power to the rear wheels. No, it’s not the nimblest sport convertible you can buy, but you can hardly beat the Jinba Ittai ethos of the engine and transmission. Remember, it's better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

Related: Why Every Gearhead Should Drive A 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Has A Perfect Reliability Rating

Red 2022-mazda-mx-5-miata parked
Via Mazda

Finally, we're happy to inform you that the latest MX-5 Miata is looking at a perfect reliability rating as usual. Quoting Consumer Reports: “We expect the 2022 MX-5 Miata will be much more reliable than the average new car. CR based this prediction on data from 2019 and 2020 models.”

A perfect reliability rating for the Miata won't surprise you if you've been hanging around the CarComplaints website much. The site gets fewer complaints against the Miata across all models. The best part is perhaps the car's low, selling price point, with customers paying below $27,000 for a new Miata and around $31,000 to upgrade to the GT version.