Performance & Drivetrain
Despite being a legend among car lovers, all it took to power the 2,116-pound Miata in 1990 was a 1.6-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine that produced 116 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque.
Of course, this was at the same time the V-8-powered Ford Mustang GT->ke428 had 225 horsepower, and the 1989 Ferrari 348 TB - rated at 300. Just like all subsequent Miatas, including the ND, the manual transmission added an immense level of driver satisfaction.
Driving Impressions
To be honest, my seat time in this time capsule of a Roadster, lasted less than four miles and 30 minutes, but I truly got to feel Mazda’s are (translated to “horse and rider as one”) philosophy first hand. Driving the Miata, I definitely felt like part of the car, and that’s not just because I felt like my head was part of the windshield (since my head was taller than the windshield frame) and my arm was pretty much all I had for side-impact protection.
The small size and low center of gravity made it feel like you were riding an inch off the ground, and all of the controls were so close that the cabin seems to wrap around the driver.
Mazda MX5 Miata Price
Looking as fresh as the day Mazda built it, this classic Miata rocked the iconic Mariner Blue paint job, which is a color that came from the blue California license plates. The “please do not touch” stickers on the doors showed this car is well traveled on the auto show circuit, but even so, it was hard to get over the pristine condition that this car was in.
One of my favorite parts of the NA Miata (aside from the pop-up headlights, of course) is the cool metal pull-style door handles, while the unblemished 14-inch wheels looked perfect on this pint-sized roadster. Mazda even used the NA’s engine bay as a source of inspiration for the ND, going out of its way to create the aluminum valve cover – that is actually heavier and more expensive – to tie the under-hood look of the NA and ND together.
Available Colors on the Gen-1 Miata Include:
- Mariner Blue
- Laguna Blue
- Montego Blue
- Twilight Blue
- Classic Red
- Mica Merlot
- Silver Stone Metallic
- Crystal White
- Chase White
- Sunburst Yellow
- British Racing Green
- Brilliant Black
To Sum It Up
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Inside, it was remarkable to see just how basic cars were 32 years ago. Forget high-end modern-day gadgetry, because that's totally missing the point. Options on the NA included air conditioning, as Mazda was doing everything in its power to make the Miata as simple and light as possible. The manual folding top and 1980s-era materials like the vinyl sheet acting as a door panel were just a sign of the times, but one of the coolest weight-saving items visible on the NA was the drilled gas pedal.
The small cabin was surprisingly comfortable, but you probably can’t say the same for safety, as the seats in this car had single-piece seat backs with adjustable headrests that stopped below my neck. For its price and purpose, though, the interior of the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata was as good as it got back then.
The shift-lever throw required little effort or movement to perform upshifts and downshifts, and the clutch travel was equally short, further adding to the car’s quick-fire shifting abilities. The few turns I encountered along my truncated drive route only helped prove that the direct steering feel in this car should be standard on all sports cars. Curse you, electric power steering!
What Look For When Buying A Used Mazda MX5 Miata NA
Now considering these early Miata's close to three decades old now, finding a decent example with low miles isn't going to be easy. Having said that, if you are sold on the idea of getting into an early Miata, you've got to keep an eye out for a few things. While the powertrain on the NA is fairly robust, rust was and is a major issue with any old car and the MX5 from this era is no exception.
Also, Miata's are a common sight on any track day and so it won't be a bad idea to check if the example you're looking at got abused at the track. Finally, look for signs of water leaks in the cabin, if you're considering a convertible. Check out a more in-depth guide by our friends over at Hagerty on what to look for when buying a used first-generation Mazda Miata.
Mazda MX5 Miata Price
Brand new, the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata cost $13,800, which works out to $31,282 (inflation-adjusted) in today's money. This was fantastic value back in the day and that is something that continues to stay true to this day, be it with older generations or with the latest gen Miata.
Up until a few years ago, you could get your hands on a decent example with sensible miles for around $10,000. But with more and more people realizing just how special and fun to drive these little sports cars really are, and with a shrinking market, you can expect prices for these early MX5 Miatas to go up. It is a classic case of demand vs supply. According to Classic.com the average sale price, over the past five years, for a first-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata is $11,267.
An interesting bit of trivia – once told to me by Bob Hall – is the fact that Mazda had originally planned to sell the roadster for $8,800, but after customer clinics showed an expected price closer to $20,000, Mazda finally settled on the higher price. And Mazda still had a hard time keeping up with demand.
To Sum It Up
Sadly, I wasn’t able to take the NA out on any of the twisty roads I had enjoyed with the ND, but my limited time with the car gave me a new level of appreciation for the Miata and Miata enthusiasts. I also now get why the Miata NA is still desirable to this day. According to Mazda, the early Miatas took about nine seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph, and while that was even slow for its day, you don’t need speed to enjoy the Miata. There’s just no spoiling the fun in this car.