Mazda MX-5 Miata NA
90-97 · Mazda MX-5 Miata
The original. A 30-year-old car. Buy it with your eyes open.
Scores last updated: June 14, 2026
Score breakdown
Our take
What it really is
The NA is pure sports car: 116-133hp, 2,200 lbs, perfectly balanced front-to-rear. The experience is unlike anything made since. It is also a 25-35 year old car with serious rust potential and a timing belt that cannot be ignored.
Why it's on this list
Buy for the experience, not the practicality. The NA is the purity argument for the Miata. Everything added since has been weight. The 1.8L 1994-1997 cars are the ones worth having.
The honest trade-offs
Many NA examples have been scrapped due to rust. Timing belt (not chain) must be current. Crankshaft pulley keyway failure is documented. Age-related rubber deterioration throughout. Condition variance is enormous.
What to buy and what to avoid
1994-1997 with the 1.8L engine. PPI by a Miata specialist is non-negotiable. Buy dry-climate cars when possible. Rust kills these faster than mechanical wear.
Annual cost of ownership
Key specs
Safety
Rust vulnerability
Serious rust potential on 25-35 year old cars. Many have been scrapped. Miata specialist PPI non-negotiable.
Known issues by mileage
Best and worst years
Best years
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 19971.8L — most power
Reliability data
Repairability
References
Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.
- [1]datasetRepairPal
Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability
- [2]governmentNHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings
- [3]governmentNHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes
- [4]datasetIIHS Safety Ratings
Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status
- [5]governmentEPA Fuel Economy Guide
MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size
- [6]forum threadCarComplaints
Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band
- [7]datasetiSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used
- [8]publicationBankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile
Looking to buy a Mazda MX-5 Miata?
Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.
Modernize this car
CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.
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