As one of the most celebrated cars of all time, the Mazda MX-5 Miata naturally received a huge range of limited and special edition models to commemorate the much loved roadster. These models came equipped with some new and upgraded interior features, some unique paint schemes, and some even had mechanical upgrades and extra power.
The MX-5 sports car's philosophy of low weight and exceptional handling is still maintained through these models, of course. Below are the 10 ultimate Mazda MX-5 Miata models.
10 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata Coupe
One of the most unique versions of the famous MX-5 is the Coupe, launched in 2003. The benefit of a solid roof is structural rigidity, improved handling, and an overall lighter frame. However, the thought of an MX-5 as a coupé seems to go against everything the MX-5 is about, given that it's possibly the most celebrated roadster of all time.
Nevertheless, the coupé still looks excellent with its new rear trunk and rear window design, due to the new roof, and the top of the line S model came with a 1.8-liter, 158 hp engine, a little more than your standard 1.8-liter MX-5.
9 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Sport
2003 seemed to be a good year for the MX-5, given this more traditional, yet still impressive Club Sport model from the same year.
Although the MX-5 is seen relatively frequently on our roads, this model we see here is one of only 50 ever made, making it rarer than a McLaren F1. The special edition Club Sport model sees features like air conditioning, power steering, and the radio completely removed in order to save some all important weight for racing. Of the 50 made, 25 were created with hardtops and the others as soft tops, like the one seen here.
8 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 10th Anniversary Edition
Special edition Anniversary models of the MX-5 have appeared fairly frequently over recent years and back in 1999, we saw the 10th Anniversary Edition.
It featured a subtle and tasteful Sapphire Blue Mica paint scheme, a few 10th Anniversary badges, 10th Anniversary floor mats, and a high-quality Bose sound system among other things. The most interesting 'feature' is the gift set which includes a miniature model of the car, a unique key ring, and his-and-hers Seiko watches. Elsewhere, the car performed as admirably as any other MX-5 that came before, no surprise there.
7 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club
One of the more modern special edition MX-5s is the Club model from 2013. Just like the Club Sport model from 2003, this model is given a few sporty touches over your regular MX-5 with an eye-catching red and black color scheme throughout, especially with those black wheels and black decal detailing on the doors.
The Club model comes with a 2.0-liter, 167 hp engine which provides just enough power to combine perfectly with the low weight for a planted and grippy driving experience. The 2013 MX-5 Club is fun to drive and easy to live with, just as an MX-5 should be.
6 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata 20th Anniversary Edition
As a celebration of the world's best-selling roadster, in 2010, we saw the launch of the MX-5s 20th Anniversary model. Interestingly, this MX-5 is based on the standard and most basic model from the same year, the 1.8 SE Convertible.
Some extra features you get on the limited edition Anniversary model are 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with silver finish, front fog lights, a few chrome touches, some Anniversary badging, and Anniversary floor mats of course. Naturally, like most other MX-5 models, simplicity and a pure driving experience were key, which is perhaps why they chose the entry-level model as a base.
5 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary
For its 25th birthday, the MX-5s third gen models left with this fitting limited edition version from 2014. In a complete U-turn from Mazda's philosophy with the 20th Anniversary model, this special edition used the range topping 2.0-liter Sport model as a base. Limited to only 1000 variants, the 25th Anniversary MX-5 is given a unique red metallic paint scheme, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a few black touches like the 2013 Club edition.
One unique feature given to this model is a 6.1-inch Alpine touchscreen system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, as well as a DVD player. This helped improve the model's somewhat dated interior, given that this was one of the last models from this generation of the MX-5.
4 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata GT Jota
One of the more unique MX-5 models of all time has to be the GT Jota from 2013. Jota is a British motorsport company who've worked with the likes of Nissan and Porsche in GT racing in the past. This model naturally has a bit more oomph than other MX-5s.
Based on the same era 2.0-liter Sport Tech model, the Jota is given a few carbon fiber touches, including a large rear diffuser, 17-icnh alloy wheels, and lowered Öhlins suspension. With 203 hp, the Jota is one of the more powerful MX-5s ever and its sports nature is evident too inside with appropriately fitted Recaro leather seats.
3 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary Edition
As ever, when a commemorative birthday rolled around for the MX-5, Mazda saw fit to create this 30th Anniversary model for the current gen MX-5 in 2019. Mazda too hoped that their customers like the striking orange paint scheme, as it's the only color the car is available in.
With 3000 available worldwide, the 30th Anniversary MX-5 is rare and to commemorate its birthday, the MX-5 is given unique 17-inch lightweight forged aluminum alloy wheels from RAYS, Alcantara Recaro sports seats, a bit more orange coloring, and a Bose sound system. Powering the MX-5 is an updated version of the previous gen 2.0-liter engine, this time coming with 181 hp.
2 2002 Special Edition Mazda MX-5 Miata
For the 2002 Special Edition MX-5, customers were given a few options to customize their car somewhat. First, there were choices between two exclusive paint schemes, Titanium Gray Metallic on the exterior with saddle brown leather seats or Blazing Yellow Mica with black leather seats and silver stitching.
This model also came with an iconic 1.8-liter 142 hp inline-four engine, used by MX-5s of the past, providing enough power to excite whilst maintaining a low enough weight for zippy, nimble handling, a classic MX-5. Inside you'll see Special Edition badges and a Bose six-disc CD changer as the standout feature.
1 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata
Finally, we have one of the most special MX-5 models ever produced. The beauty of this car is that it's the only MX-5 to ever come fitted with a turbocharger from the factory. This meant an additional 36 or so hp over the non-turbocharged MX-5 of the same year, and a 1.5 second faster 0-60 mph time.
It's surprising that Mazda have never returned to making a turbocharged model MX-5 since, given that this model was so highly regarded. Elsewhere, the Mazdaspeed MX-5 is relatively unassuming and near identical to the same generation MX-5s from that period.
Sources: The Truth About Cars, Car Buzz, Car and Driver, Automotive Rhythms, Mazda Press, Car Magazine, Auto Express, Forbes, Autoblog, Drivingline