1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review

The first Mazda Miata sports car arrived in 1989, causing nearly the same wildly enthusiastic reaction that Volkswagen's New Beetle is generating. People waved, honked horns and asked lots of questions about the tiny roadster.
The Miata brought out the teenager in drivers of all ages, and you had to love it just for that.

Americans have been especially nuts about this petite two-seater because it was a copy of the 1960s British Lotus Elan. Many had owned new or used reasonably priced British sports cars, which included the MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey--all a part of the U.S. automotive landscape for many years.

Unlike the Elan, the rear-wheel-drive Miata was solidly built and dead reliable. More than 450,000 Miatas have been sold to adoring owners. Like the old Beetle, this car runs and runs. You just don't see junked Miatas.

Like the New Beetle, the Miata attracts all age groups, said Alan Childers, manager of product marketing plans for Mazda North American Operations.

The Miata has been refined since its debut, but a new model has been needed for years. One finally has arrived, as a faster, stronger early 1999 model. And it remains the least-expensive sports car with a starting price of $19,770.

The problem was improving the Miata without losing its charming personality. And a key question was if Mazda should keep the car under $20,000 or move it to the high-$20,000 range, where its closest rival, the $29,425 BMW Z3, is put. Other new sports cars such as the $39,700 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 and $41,000 Porsche Boxster are out of reach for those with average incomes.

Fortunately, Mazda priced the 1999 Miata at not much more than the price of its predecessor--despite major improvements. Still, Mazda says most buyers will order one of these option packages: $1,100 Touring Package, which has items such as power windows; $1,900 Sports Package with a sport suspension and wider aluminum wheels; $2,330 Popular Equipment Package with cruise control and power locks; and $3,975 Leather Package with leather upholstery and upscale sound system.

Popular stand-alone options include $900 air conditioning, $550 anti-lock brakes, $300 power steering and a nifty $1,500 detachable hardtop.

Also offered is an $850 four-speed automatic transmission. But most Miata buyers opt for the standard five-speed manual. After all, the Miata is a wind-in-the-face creation that demands a driver shift gears with the short-throw transmission lever, which works with a stiff, short-throw clutch. Fuel economy is an estimated 25 m.p.g. in the city and 29 on highways with the manual and 23 and 28 with the automatic. And 87-octane gas can be used.

The lower 1999 Miata looks more muscular, but strongly resembles its predecessor. The pop-up headlights with their ungainly covers are gone and all body panels are new. The trunk is 42 percent larger, but still is small. After all, this is a only a four-foot-high car that seemingly could fit in a shoebox.

Horsepower of the improved dual-overhead-camshaft 1.8-liter four-cylinder has risen to 140 from 133--thanks to such things as higher compression. The engine is more responsive; lazy drivers can shift directly from first gear to fourth without complaints from the driveline. The Miata zips to 60 m.p.h. in just eight seconds with the manual and provides quick merges into fast traffic and good 65 to 75 m.p.h. passing times. Alas, the exhaust system doesn't sound sporty--it's just noisy. And the engine turns over at an unusually high 3,500 r.p.m. at 65 m.p.h. in fifth gear.

The 2,299-pound car is more rigidly built, although it weighs about the same as the old model. Bumpy roads and rippled pavement elicit some shakes and shudders, but the Miata is impressively solid. The supple all-independent suspension provides the ride of a larger car.

The restyled, generally quiet interior has depowered air bags and easier-to-use heating and ventilation controls. The retro chrome bezels around gauges are gone, but instruments and controls are easily reached. The cockpit is roomy, but the driver's seat should slide back more for tall motorists. The easily lowered top now has a glass rear window with a defroster, and a new wind deflector reduces backdrafts when the top is down.

The lightning-quick power steering feels rather dead and much like manual steering because there's no excessive power assist. Always a definite strong point, handling is better than ever--thanks to a revised chassis. And easily modulated brakes stop the car quickly and surely. The new Miata is a genuine kick at all speeds.

It's hard to improve on a beloved original. Thank goodness Mazda didn't screw this car up.