1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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After nearly 10 years in production, the Mazda MX-5 Miata received a redesign in 1999. The two-seat convertible's styling was freshened up, with new flush headlights replacing the previous year's flip-up lights. However, the basic shape, size, handling, and sportiness of the MX-5 Miata changed little, which was good news for fans of the roadster. In addition to fresh styling, the MX-5 Miata received a small bump in power. Its 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine produced 140 horsepower, up 7 horsepower from the previous year. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, while a four-speed automatic was optional. A CD player was added to the list of standard features for the Base model of the MX-5 Miata. Other standard features included a manually operated soft top, power brakes, dual front airbags, remote fuel and trunk releases, and 14-inch wheels. Options included air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, and leather seats. A racing-oriented Sports Package was also optional. A special 10th Anniversary Edition included power windows, power door locks, cruise control, alloy wheels, a premium Bose audio system, a rear spoiler, and leather seats as standard equipment. Overall, drivers reported very few mechanical problems with their MX-5 Miatas, and cited the roadster's tight suspension, responsive handling, reliability, and build quality as among its positive points. On the downside, some noted a lack of room in the compartment, and other drivers expressed a desire for a bit more power in their Miatas.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
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by Eddy C
Mar 31, 2020
Drives like a crazy go kart unlike any other Mar 31, 2020
by Nathan M
Sep 09, 2014
I live and work in the city and have enjoyed having this as my only car. Manual transmission is a must.
I suppose my next car will probably be a little more practical, but I've managed to fit (on separate occasions) $300 worth of Costco goodies, a set of (4) wheels & tires, and myself and a passenger with enough luggage for a 4-day trip. Hard to imagine a better fun-to-drive value-for-money proposition.
Get a Borla dual exhaust. You'll thank me later.Sep 09, 2014
by Ray R
May 02, 2014
Enjoyed the warm nights driving through the city, the sounds, smells everything. Nothing like a roadster, enjoyed it for three summers. Bucket list is slowly being crossed off. New York doesn't have alot of great summer nights so the ones that we have must be enjoyed.May 02, 2014
User rating:
by Eddy C
Mar 31, 2020
Drives like a crazy go kart unlike any other Mar 31, 2020
by Nathan M
Sep 09, 2014
I live and work in the city and have enjoyed having this as my only car. Manual transmission is a must.
I suppose my next car will probably be a little more practical, but I've managed to fit (on separate occasions) $300 worth of Costco goodies, a set of (4) wheels & tires, and myself and a passenger with enough luggage for a 4-day trip. Hard to imagine a better fun-to-drive value-for-money proposition.
Get a Borla dual exhaust. You'll thank me later.Sep 09, 2014
by Ray R
May 02, 2014
Enjoyed the warm nights driving through the city, the sounds, smells everything. Nothing like a roadster, enjoyed it for three summers. Bucket list is slowly being crossed off. New York doesn't have alot of great summer nights so the ones that we have must be enjoyed.May 02, 2014
by Charles C
Jul 21, 2013
The A/C is week, but still strong enough to affect acceleration. Otherwise, I love it. It's cheap to own, fun to drive, and the top goes down, or up, before the traffic light turns green. I need a new set of tires, but I've been having too much fun sliding around corners. Maybe I change them soon.Jul 21, 2013
by Anonymous
Oct 15, 2012
The car lacks room for just about anything but it doesn't matter. My wife and I only drive it on sunny days here in Oregon which are few and far between but getting out on the mountain roads is what this car is all about. The wind,sun and fun is what we are after. There are plenty of better sports cars out there I'm sure but I'm happy with this one. I love this car, can ya tell?Oct 15, 2012
by Richard W
Oct 26, 2011
No finer car to have fun with. You can get the top down most any time of the year,
only rain is a pain. One passenger seat means never having to drive the mother in-
law. Not that I have one.Oct 26, 2011
by Paul F
Oct 21, 2010
Performance-wise, the Miata has a rather small 1.8L engine, but because of the weight of the car, the little amount of power is enough to make the car fun to drive. Originally modeled after the Lotus Elan, the MX-5 has a pretty basic but stylish design. Despite the stereotype that comes with driving one of these cars, I bet the Miata could kill a lot of other vehicles on back roads. Oct 21, 2010
by Richard B
Jun 23, 2010
This car handles amazingly for the price. From the factory they perform flawlessly. With very little modifications to the suspension and drive train you can have yourself a great little track car that is fun to drive around and cheap to maintain.Jun 23, 2010
by Chris K
Apr 26, 2010
Take a look at the picture... That's what this car is all about. The car ain't fast in a straight line, but it sure is fast in the corners--that is, because you don't have to slow down. BTW, Miata's are great at out-braking pretty much anything.Apr 26, 2010
by Per P
Feb 20, 2010
Astonishing handling! This car goes exactly where you want it
to go! Acceleration almost doesn't matter when it has such a
perfect handling, even though the acceleration wasn't too bad
either. A quite cheap car to buy, drive and own compared to
opponents.Feb 20, 2010
by Jamie T
Dec 20, 2009
I Love everthing! there is nothing like a rear wheel drive lightwieght sports car spinkled with all the right bits! I now own a Mk1 and a Mk2 very happily, if they made a 4 seater it would the only car we own!Dec 20, 2009
by Don T
Dec 05, 2009
This is my next Spec Miata road racer, it will have a full roll cage, Spec Miata racing suspension, removable steering wheel, racing wheels and tires, no cheater stuff just good clean fun Spec Miata fun, only one seat so you can't come for a ride with meDec 05, 2009
by Joseph A
Oct 26, 2009
Doesn't really have any torque to speak of but its handling is amazing. on a scale of one to ten its Fun Factor is an 11. However with its stiff ride and load cabin on highway drives this car could get old as a daily driver.Oct 26, 2009
by Joel S
Sep 21, 2009
Absolutely wonderful little sports car! Not the out right
fastest car, but few can match it in the turns. It has
classic roadster styling with a simple functional
interior. On top of all this, it's as reliable as the
universe and gets good milage. About the most fun
car period! :)Sep 21, 2009
by Kevin M
Aug 07, 2009
Great milage and handling. Not much straight away speed though but corners VERY well. I average 30 MPG with the 1.8L stock motor. A turbo would be nice but still a pricey upgrade for a daily driver. Maybe sometime in the next couple of years.Aug 07, 2009
by Sam T
Jan 27, 2009
This is a really fun car to drive. Very quick in the
corners and handles like its on rails (even on all
season tires in 10 degree weather). Its also very
easy to control when you get a little sideways. It
gets off the line quick, tho the 0-60 is not that
amazing (7.9secs), and stops on a dime. The seats
are comfortable and hold you in place nicely while
doing some spirited driving.
The inside is easy to navigate and all controls are
within arms reach. The space can be a bit cramped
for a tall person. I'm 6'2" and just fit in with the
roof up. My head does tend to bump the top
occasionally but its worth that for the experience
you get driving a car like this. I just put the top
down (yes even in the winter. its down right now in
fact and its 25 degrees outside)
The gas mileage is low for a small 1.8L engine, i
get 27 combined city and highway (with the
occasional spin up the revs for a few mins). But this
car is a sports car, tuned to perform, not to sip gas
like a prius.
Overall i would recommend this to anyone who
wants to move fast on the backroads and/or cruise on the
highway. This car can be
beaten like a honda and it won't break. I got mine
with 63k miles on it and i'm expecting it to last to
200k+. I've seen plenty for sale over 200k miles,
and still for a pretty good price.Jan 27, 2009
by David A
Nov 22, 2008
Dollar for Dollar, the Miata is the best performing, most neutral handling, mechanically reliable sports car on the road today. Paying homage to sports car heritage, like the MGA's and Austin Healey's of the late 50's and early sixties, it is a DOHC 1.8 liter front-engine, limited-slip rear wheel drive, light-weight two seater sports car. It's perfect for weekend jaunts to the Russian River and Sonoma coast, or Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur. Mine is a fine example of the first year of the Miata's second generation. It's triple black; exterior, interior and top. Cloth seats which are cooler and less slippery in the twisties. It's a "weekend car" with low milage, and it's stored in a dry wharehouse under a cover. I hope it lasts forever.Nov 22, 2008
by Targe L
Oct 25, 2008
This is the best sports car ive ever owned. Its not
blazingly fast, but it handles amazingly, and is a blast
to drive. It gets good milage, and has a huge
aftermarket following. It was cheap to buy, and cheap
to insure, and ive never had any problems with it. Im
6'2" and i fit fine.Oct 25, 2008
by Peter V
Oct 02, 2008
World most selled open two seater sports car. One of the most reliable cars ever made. Fun to drive, predictable handling. Cheap to buy, cheap maintenance.
Nowadays I only drive the car top down. Still love my Evolution Orange, best buy ever....
Only a MX-5 owner knows what I feel every time I step into that car.Oct 02, 2008
by Yan J
Aug 25, 2008
good paint color for this special model, more appealing style of the NB generation miatas. excellent handling, 6speed, MPG, low maintaince, fun to drive.
rather cheap feel interior, rattles, brakes could be better, soft paint. seats arent as comfortable, high rev on freeways.
overall its an awesome car to have, just wish my was in better exterior condition.Aug 25, 2008
by Rasmus P
Aug 05, 2008
The best affordable car to own I've ever had. Fun to drive and amazing looks.
It may lack horsepowers, but with a quite light frame is is REALLY fun to drive - and quick too..
I've never experienced any quality issues even though I've driven it all year around (in Scandinavia)Aug 05, 2008
by Maurice D
Jul 02, 2008
This is my second Miata (first one was a 1991 British Racing Green with tan leather interior). This one is the dark blue metallic with tan leather interior and tan convertible top. Miatas are amazing cars to drive and they are one of the most reliable cars on the road.
I never get tired from getting the "thumbs up" and hearing "Nice Car" from people on the street.Jul 02, 2008
by Hassane B
Jun 03, 2008
It made me feel like I'm 18 yrs old. That's a brut roadster with barely few electronics. No ABS, no Traction Control. All is mechanical and when behind its wheel, it's you who decides how to drive and what to do. It has a great exterior design (I added those 17 inch chrome wheels with high performance Michelins). From the inside, it's cosy and everything is within reach. I changed the steering wheel and put a new Pioneer sound system. It handles great and has good performance. It slides whenever you want and as much as you want. It's the car and I would never replace, except for an Aston Martin V8 Vantage but I don't have the nomey for that now or... ever ;)Jun 03, 2008
by Robin B
Apr 14, 2008
Great car. Fun to drive and just great to take a trip in on a sunny day. In this model I have a glass rear window, worth having over the plastic one. I'm quite tall and fit in the car fine, although I enjoy the electric windows in this car as space is a little tight for the wind up ones with my legs. I have not had problems fitting stuff in my car which I use every day. I always look forward to driving this car, even just to work and back, it's great.Apr 14, 2008
by Steve W
Mar 14, 2008
Totally impractical little car but so much fun to drive, saying that I can fit a weeks shopping in the boot/cabin! But what this car is all about is roof down sunny day cruising......although if you 'feel the need for speed' just give it some revs and you'll soon be blatting along at a fair old pace!Mar 14, 2008
by Nicola M
Jan 14, 2008
On the small side but what do you expect for a 2 seat convertible. Awesome handling, interior and looksJan 14, 2008
by Marta U
Jan 11, 2008
Fun little car. Fast! 5 speed manual. And its a convertable and has a BOSE sound system., leather interior. My boyfriend and I share cars, we'll be keepin this one for awhile.Jan 11, 2008
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Pricing
Original MSRP
$20,220 to $27,325Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Convertible roof: hard top
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Front Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Spring Type: coil springs
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Convertible roof: hard top
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
