Faults:

Mild lifter tick from the dealer using the wrong oil.

General Comments:

I would like to start out by saying that I used to not like the Miata. I thought they were cute little novelty roadsters for girls to take to the nail salon. Boy was I wrong!

After driving several MX-5's or Miatas, I ended up buying my Red 94 Na (1st gen), and with the Torsen LSD in the back and the 5 speed manual, this car is nothing short of one of the best handling cars I have ever driven. I now understand why this is one of the most popular amateur race cars ever built. The steering is quick and very communicative, body roll is minimal, oversteer is easily tamed, understeer is almost nonexistent, and the seats are very good for aggressive driving.

This car only has 130 HP @ 6500 RPM; it is not by any means a muscle car. 0-60 takes around 8 seconds, but you would never know it. Because of its size and weight (less than 2,200 lbs) it feels much faster than it actually is. Despite this, at no time do/did I feel that this little guy is underpowered.

In short, if you are looking to buy a sports car for between 2 and 6 thousand dollars, buy one of these!

Faults:

I have three Miatas; 1990, 1993, 1994, I am very impressed, as you can tell by having three of them.

The 1994 is awesome; it handles like my 1979 Trans Am. You can handle 25 mph corners at 50-60 mph with no problems. I love these cars.

I have had no major problems. The 1990 has 195,000 miles on it, and runs like a top.

The 1993, I rescued from two teenage boys who had a lot of fun with it. I mainly bought it for the hardtop. It has 205,000 hard miles on it.

I love my 1994, it is my baby. A fun little car, with plenty of power and good gas mileage; I get 40 to 45 MPG, no joke.

I will most likely drive it until it needs a new motor, and put one in. Or maybe get a newer one if I can get a good deal.

I test drove a 2012 Miata and it was awesome, but the gas mileage was horrid, compared to mine.

General Comments:

I am very impressed with these little cars.

I traveled 600 miles to get my last one, and would do it again, if I could find another one that was reasonable.

They are a very fun and sporty little car.

Faults:

Nothing under my ownership. It's been great, but I've only had it for a bit. But it's my second Miata, fourth Mazda, and I'm sure it will last forever.

General Comments:

The car is in every sense a go cart. Handling is superb, suspension sophisticated and stiff, torsen LSD is incredible, never slips up, 5 speed transmission has great short throws and very positive engagement. 1.8l is reasonable in terms of power, feels faster then it actually is. Gas mileage is excellent, I average 31-32 mixed, which is better then 95% of cars out there.

Sadly, the car is hindered by a very rough and noisy ride. Even the slightest road imperfects can upset the chassis, and with the top down there is noticeable cowl shake. The car also suffers the chronic 65 mph vibration that is common with NA models.

My 95 was also noticeably quicker (94 horsepower was actually lower than printed and fixed in 95)

Great weekend smooth road car, but I'd look into an NB model if you can, I'm getting a 2001.