The Luxurious Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted at the 1989 Chicago Motor Show. The Mazda Miata had three redesigns within 30 years of its existence. Mazda has sold more than a million Miata’s, while 400,000 of them are sold between 1989 and 1998. That makes the NA the most popular of all four generations of MX-5.
Between Japan and the American design option, Mazda picks the American. This becomes the production of MX-5 Miata. Mazda Miata is a typical British classic sports car layout with rear-wheel drive, and an engine in front.
In the beginning, Mazda Miata was designed in only three colors: white, blue, and red. And later, it expanded the colors to a striking sunburst yellow, starlight mica (blue) paint, and Montego blue mica. Blazing yellow mica and titanium gray metallic colors was the special edition for 2002.
Miata MX-5 engine upgraded from a 116-hp 1.6-liter in 1990 to 181-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in 2019!
In this article, you’ll read a brief history of Mazda Miata!
Mazda Miata Debuts in 1989
The first NA generation Miata is released as a 1990 model and it reminds of the Lotus Elan from the ‘60s, only remodeled for the ‘90s.
The MX-5 Miata has a five-speed manual transmission. It’s a lightweight sports car, the center console is narrow, the footwells are spacious, and the armrests are thin and stuck to the flat door panels.
Mazda Miata’s MX-5 Special Editions
In 1991, MX-5 Miata released the first special edition–a British Racing Green edition. Just 4000 of these so-called BRG Miatas are made for the U.S.
Mazda’s MX-5 Miata special limited edition for 1993 had red leather, a neat set of BBS aluminum wheels, and the Mazda Sensory Sound System (a hi-fi audio system).
And in 1994 Mazda upgrades the Miata by bringing more safety items within the car, such as passenger-side airbags to the roadster and anti-intrusion beams in the doors. Also, Miata gets a new 1.8-liter four-banger making 128 horsepower.
Between 1994 and 1995, MX-5 Miata brings to the market its M Edition that has Montego Blue Mica paint. The second M Edition comes with the Merlot Mica paint and a fancier audio system.
Mazda ups the MX-5 Miata’s horsepower for 1996, this time to 133 ponies. The 1.8-liter four also switches from OBD-I to OBD-II controls, the computer standard still used industrywide.
The Second-Generation MX-5 Miata Arrives in 1999
MX-5 Miata second-generation, code-named NB, arrives with new bodywork and a fresh interior design. The MX-5 body is curvier and more significant in appearance. Headlights are fixed and wide-eyed. The engine updates to the 1.8-liter and 140-hp.
The special edition comes only in sapphire blue mica with eye-catching polished wheels and an aggressive body kit. The interior is also flashy, with a two-tone blue-black color scheme. The 10th Anniversary Miata model is with a six-speed manual transmission, stainless-steel door sill plates, a Bose audio system and a Nardi three-spoke steering wheel.
Three special-edition MX-5 Miata’s are made for 2003: the Club Sport edition (the racing cars; only 50 cars made), the Special Edition (the blue model), and the Shinsen Version (the gray model). None of these three Miata editions has air-conditioning, a radio, or power steering.
3rd Generation of NC Miata from 2005 to 2015
The third-generation NC Miata gives MX-5 a more bulky and aggressive style. The 2.0-liter engine develops 170-hp controlled by a choice of five or six-speed manuals. The weight was up to approximately 2,500 pounds.
The Fourth-Generation ND MX-5 Miata in 2016
With the fourth generation, ND-coded Miata is made smaller and lighter. While previous Miata’s ranged between functional and cute, ND Miata looks aggressive and expensive.
In 2019 the Miata is colored with a zesty racing orange, both exterior and interior accents, with 17-inch wheels. Only 500 Miata’s were produced for the U.S. market and immediately sold out.
Mazda Miata Coilovers Upgrading
The coilovers are the perfect solution for improving the suspension on Mazda Miata. You’ll spend a bit more money but it’s worth getting the best suspension solution for your Miata.
Coilovers are especially crucial for drivers who consider going down the high-powered forced induction route with Miata.
The coilovers allows for an improved suspension system by offering a single piece, made of a spring wrapped around a shock absorber that helps with so-called “damping” or shock absorption impact on the road.
Some of the best Mazda Miata coilovers are:
- Yonaka SPEC 2 Coilovers (for performance amongst value; compatible with NA and NB MX5 generations);
- BC Racing’s BR kit (best coilovers for NA Miata generation);
- Tein Flex Z Coilovers (best for street driving; compatible with NA and NB MX5 generations);
- Ohlin’s Road & Track Coilover kit (when money’s no limit coilovers; compatible with NA and NB MX5 generations);
- Miata BC Racing BR Series Kit (one of the top options in the intermediate range of MX5 coilover options; compatible with NA and NB MX5 generations).
Choosing the right coilovers will help you achieve a range of adjustability while riding your Mazda Miata.
Mazda Miata Evolution
Mazda Miata MX-5 evolved from being a lightweight sports car to a more aggressive and expensively looking modern-day car.
Miata is with no doubt one of the best two-seater roadsters ever made. In its fourth generation, the Miata remains one of the finest driver’s cars money can buy.
