Mazda is a car company that pretty much often always succeed in producing truly great vehicles. This reputation is so trustworthy that most people sometimes find it hard to name one bad Mazda. However, one of the automaker's best vehicles, hands down, is the Miata. And if you ask most fans of the iconic roadster, they’ll say that the NA generation is the best. In case you didn’t know, the NA distinction simply means that it’s the first generation of the Mazda Miata. This generation lasted from 1989 until 1997.
The Mazda Miata first entered the market for the 1990 model year. Now, car enthusiasts consider this first model revolutionary because it helped change the idea of a sports car. Instead of using exotic technology, the automaker used a rotary engine and an extremely lightweight body. Though roadsters existed before the Mazda Miata, many car fans give it credit for bringing this genre of rides to the forefront.
In many ways, the Miata improved as the generations passed. The car became more modern and therefore more approachable to a general car buying audience. However, many capabilities of the first generation make it a vehicle that people simply love to drive.
The Mazda Miata NA is special, and here are some reasons why.
Engine And Performance Of The First Generation Mazda Miata Makes It A Thrill
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The Mazda Miata is an exciting car. One of its best aspects is that it’s a swift little ride that’s super fun to drive. The 1990 Mazda Miata has a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine under its hood. The car has a maximum output of 116 horsepower at 6500 rpm and a torque of 100 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm. The Mazda Miata NA is a rear-wheel-drive car, and the automaker sold it with a standard 5-speed manual transmission. However, there was also the option for an automatic.
As far as performance is concerned, almost everyone knows that the Mazda Miata is a fast car. Some may be surprised, given its petite size, but it’s truly a thrill. This car is like a little rocket. According to reports, the 1989 Mazda Miata accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in only 8.5 seconds. It can go a quarter mile in 17.1 seconds. Sure, there are faster cars out there, but few are as enthralling as the Miata. Of course, later models and generations of the roadster were faster, but they didn’t have the same raw flare as the first.
The Mazda Miata NA Has Pop Up Headlights
While the Mazda Miata has primarily retained its signature look from the NA generation, there are some significant changes to its appearance. For one, the first generation Mazda Miata had retractable headlights, otherwise known as pop-ups. Many Miata owners consider this a valuable feature of the ride as Mazda made it easy to control, even if it wasn't the most technologically advanced. However, although people loved the pop-up headlights for the Miata, the automaker later removed them from the car. The decision was made because this style of headlights was considered a hazard for pedestrians.
Of course, the Miata wasn't the only vehicle to axe the once popular pop-up headlights. Automakers generally ditched them because it would have been too expensive to make them safe. Besides this, pop-ups were generally an '80s and early 1990s novelty, so consumers would have moved on from them anyway. However, the fact that retractable headlights are unique to the Mazda Miata NA makes this a pretty special vehicle because it captures a specific moment in auto history. People should also know that the Mazda Miata NA is the most bare-bones of all the models. While this level of simplicity isn’t for everyone, it makes the car special because it places the driver’s attention on the experience rather than the features.
The Mazda Miata NA Is Super Reliable
One of the most important aspects of any vehicle is its reliability. Luckily, the Mazda Miata NA is a vehicle people consider to be one of the most reliable vehicles of its time. This does not mean the iconic roadster is without problems. It means the car typically has a longer life than many competitors. In particular, most of the era's most famous European sports cars. People should note that while the Mazda Miata NA is special, pretty much all models of the vehicle have excellent reliability ratings. According to Car Parts, the Miata has a 4.0 out of 5.0 rating in the category.
For interested buyers, the Mazda Miata NA’s average price is around $11,334. Like many classic rides, the original Mazda Miata is experiencing an increase in market value. However, it’s still possible to find an affordable Mazda Miata NA, but this may not always be the case. The Mazda Miata NA is a car that has aged like fine wine. Sure, it’s a pretty simple car. However, it’s also one of the most fun cars you could ever drive. The Mazda Miata NA is genuinely special, which is reflected in its market value.