Happy Birthday! The Miata Hits The Big 2-0, Is It Still A Legend?

One of the most iconic vehicles on the road today is not a Porsche, Ferrari or some sort of high-end exotica.

It is what you find down the block.

Happy birthday, Mazda Miata! It is officially 20 years old.

Although I have never piloted a Miata, because I don't fit being over six and a half feet tall, it has that mythical status about it. Kind of like the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot.

I have heard countless tales of enthusiasts driving them and being incredibly happy.

Sure, it is not powered by a V12 motor but that is not the essence of the Miata. It's about having a well-balanced, lightweight roadster.

We salute you, Miata.

What do the Spies make of the Miata's birthday? Have any good memories? Care to wish it another healthy 20 years?

Weigh in on the comments below...


Hard to believe, but the Mazda Miata is 20 years old. And Mazda didn't let the birthday pass without a party.

On July 17, parked in the inner courtyard of Mazda R&D in Irvine, Calif., were examples of every significant Miata and MX-5 Miata ever made. There were pristine first-, second- and third-generation cars as well as a number of racing Miatas and a couple of concept cars. The beautiful red Monoposto sat next to the gold, fixed-roof M Coupe, and that one was next to a 1995 M Speedster (the latter reminding us that there have been so many special- edition Miatas that the regular production cars should be worth more than the special editions when these things enter the collector-car market, though that may be unlikely given that most owners don't want to quit driving them).

Miata clubs from all over Southern California came, too, parking their Mazda roadsters in the lot outside R&D and setting up camp for a day of Mazda history. Mazda brought together the original Miata team for the occasion: product planner Bob Hall, designers Mark Jordan and Tom Matano, and engineer Norman Garrett, to name just a few. They all took the stage to relate how the iconic roadster came to be...



[Source: Autoweek]








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LexSucks - 7/20/2010 11:51:51 AM

+8 Boost

The Miata proves that cars don't have to be fast in order to be fun.

Agent00R - 7/20/2010 1:52:26 PM

+1 Boost

Well said!

Agent63 - 7/20/2010 2:35:48 PM

-7 Boost

Here's a statement that will get all the fanboys hating on me. The Miata is a car for those who can't afford an S2K. In fact, I've actually seen Miata's with S2K conversions (That's the truth).

Agent00R - 7/20/2010 2:41:29 PM

+1 Boost

@Agent63

Got any links? Would love to see this...

Agent63 - 7/21/2010 2:28:54 AM

0 Boost

I don't have pictures. I'll look for some. It was like 8 years ago so I'm not sure where I'd be able to find one that's still around. :)

Agent63 - 7/21/2010 2:00:46 PM

0 Boost

Deboost me for what? I actually seen it in person. There just aren't any photos available on the internet. None that I can find at least. The import tuning scene is dead. Forgot most of you kids were too young to know what a 93' GSR was.

thstone - 7/20/2010 12:50:08 PM

+7 Boost

The Miata is the most fun you can have for under $30,0000. Bar none.

Its unfortunate that the enthusiast press does not give the car the credit that it deserves.

thstone - 7/20/2010 12:50:59 PM

+2 Boost

Sorry, $30,000!

Caraficionado - 7/20/2010 1:47:38 PM

+5 Boost

This car is an icon

DaHarder - 7/20/2010 1:53:14 PM

+7 Boost

Miata = Legend... Absolutely!

M35MT - 7/20/2010 2:39:45 PM

+5 Boost

Jay Leno once said that he prefers his Miata's gearbox over those found in his exotics. Bold statement. Just goes to show that sometimes less is more.

Agent00R - 7/20/2010 2:43:22 PM

+5 Boost

Although many people may not agree with Jay Leno, when someone with that much experience in so many different vehicles speaks, you have to admit they have some clout.

1uberaudiR8 - 7/20/2010 5:53:27 PM

+4 Boost

I love that little car. One of the best things ever to come out of Japan. Second only to Godzilla.

freeagent - 7/20/2010 6:21:51 PM

0 Boost

wish they came out with a coupe/hardtop version

thstone - 7/21/2010 1:11:22 PM

+1 Boost

Three piece automatic folding hard top has been available in the US since 2006 (12 sec up or down and keeps 100% of trunk space). This car is often called (incorrectly to many) a "Roadster Coupe".

However, Mazda did show off a true MX-5 Coupe (probably a one-off show car) at the 2009 SEMA show. No one seems to know if a coupe will be offered when the fourth generation model is launched in 2012.

Terry989 - 7/20/2010 8:45:24 PM

+1 Boost

You can already order the car with a retractable hardtop (although I wouldn't given the weight of this option) or you can get a bolt on hardtop. This is a chassis that doesn't really need a hard top for strength. There are many add-ons developed by racers over the years that will allow you to inexpensively stiffen this car up to meet any need (chassis trusses, front fender frog arms, strut tower braces, roll bars, lite weight subframes, etc.)

theoptimisticpessimist - 7/21/2010 9:13:08 PM

+5 Boost

They have to reincarnate Pontiac first.

irishmike - 7/21/2010 9:53:21 PM

+3 Boost

The power hardtop version is only modestly heavier. I had a couple of early Miatas. It's time for another.

getreal - 7/22/2010 4:42:58 PM

+2 Boost

proper car