This Is How The Mazda Miata Changed The Automotive Scenery Forever
Every so often, a car comes along that redefines the class. The Mazda Miata is one such car. This little, unassuming roadster cheerfully injected some much-needed simplicity into the sports car market.
Mazda has produced over one million Miatas. Such is the legendary model’s popularity, and the company as also developed and refined the model multiple times since its introduction in 1989. Whether you’re looking for your first sports car, a weekend car, or something ripe for modification, you can’t go wrong with the Miata. It’s brimming with pure, light-hearted fun.
The Mazda Miata Reminded Us What A Sports Car Should Be
Mazda knows a thing or two about building sports cars. In the late ’80s and early ’90s, we received absolute gems like the FC and FD RX-7s, and in the motorsport world, we got to experience the howl of the legendary Le Mans-winning 787B. Among these, Mazda released the Miata, and in some ways, it has been the most influential of them all.
Some of the Miata’s success is down to how single-minded the design was. ‘Jinba ittai’ is a Japanese phrase that describes the unity between a horse and its rider. This was the core of the Miata’s design and its purity shines through. Mazda drew inspiration from classic British sports cars, particularly the Lotus Élan. Manufacturers moved away from small, lightweight sports cars through the late 1970s and early 1980s, and so the Mazda Miata served as a welcome reminder of just how good this style of car can be.
Off the back of the Miata, there was a roadster renaissance. Alfa Romeo came along with the Spider and Porsche released the Boxster. There was also the MG MGF, Lotus Elise, Mercedes-Benz SLK and Honda S2000. It’s worth considering that perhaps none of these cars would have come to be if it wasn’t for the popularity of the Miata.
The Mazda Miata Is The Perfect Example Of Good Things Coming In Small Packages
Taking a closer look at the Mazda Miata, it’s a remarkably simple recipe. That’s not to say it isn’t cleverly designed. It’s a very well-engineered car with a clear focus on the driving experience. The Miata has a front-engine rear-wheel drive layout, a manual transmission, two seats and not a lot else. On the early models, there aren’t any driver aids like anti-lock brakes, nor is there much technology at all. No electric windows or cruise control. Coming in at around 2,100 lbs, this is a lightweight machine with the sole intention of driving.
Under the hood, there was the option of a 1.6-liter or 1.8-liter motor, putting out 116 hp and 129 hp respectively. Due to the low curb weight, this is plenty of power to have some fun. You can drive the Miata hard without really getting into trouble and the handling is the stuff of dreams. With perfect 50:50 weight distribution and independent suspension on all four corners, the Miata loves cornering. The feel through the seat and steering wheel is so direct that you can tell exactly how the car is responding to the road. You can really sense the ‘jinba ittai’ nature of the Miata, and forging this connection between driver and car is addictive and truly rewarding.
The Aftermarket Scene Loves The Mazda Miata
The Mazda Miata also serves as the ideal base car for modification. You can do almost anything to it. From an aesthetic standpoint, there are many routes to take. If having a race car on the road is your thing, there are countless aero options for lips, splitters, side skirts and rear wings. You can easily strip out the interior, fit a roll cage and some bucket seats. Miatas look amazing lowered on aftermarket suspension with wide wheels and sticky tires. If you prefer the clean and ‘stanced’ look, the Miata is also ideal. Its smooth, subtle lines, especially with the hard top, really lend themselves to that style. You can view the Miata as a blank canvas to express your taste exactly as you please.
From a performance standpoint, there are a plethora of modification options. The standard engines respond well to turbocharging or supercharging, and this will release a lot more power. If that’s not enough, there is just room to squeeze an LS motor in. Although it may upset the weight distribution (and a few purists!), having a massive V8 turns the Miata into a true pocket rocket. As they say, there’s no replacement for displacement!
A wonderful car in stock form, the Mazda Miata is capable of anything with a few modifications. Owners have used them in lots of different motorsport disciplines, from circuit racing to drag racing, autocross and even rallying. It really can do it all!
The Miata Developed Through Multiple Generations And The Latest Might Be The Best One Yet
Since the first-generation NA model, the Miata has returned with the NB, NC and ND models. Mazda has stayed true to their design philosophy, with each iteration being brilliant driver’s cars. The NB was a slightly modernized version of the raw NA, whereas the NC was completely new. It was slightly heavier but incorporated plenty more safety features and was still full of soul.
With the ND, it seems Mazda has aced it in creating a modern version of the classic NA. Building a car today involves a lot of safety and environmental restrictions, but they haven’t let this get in the way of producing arguably the best sports car on the road, and one that is a true successor to the mighty NA Miata.
Sources: Mazda, Hagerty, Changing Lanes
