How Mazda made the Miata

The Mazda Miata came to exist out of a desire to re envision the classic British Roadster. A top down, fun, sporty convertible, and arguably the greatest sports car of all time

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Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."

[robertwantin]

Loved the video. I was a Product Specialist (resident gearhead) for Mazda's ad agency for 13 years, and worked on the launch of the NB and NC - your use of the footage from the '99 launch spot brought back some fond memories. I moved to California to work on the business and while out there owned an NB and then an NC - more very fond memories. Sensational cars, regardless of what the knuckledraggers think. The problem with your video is I think I need another one now.

[veronicagee]

I'm a life-long gearhead and I had a '91 Miata for a number of years. It was by far the most fun car I've ever owned. I sold it when I was buying a house three years ago and I've regretted that decision ever since. And anyone who thinks it's just a "girl's car" has never driven one.

[thomaspparham]

I was a reluctant Miata owner, having grown up building muscle cars. Nevertheless, my dad always had a convertible, and he had some sporting iron, including an XK-140 (roadster), a MkII, a TR-3, and ultimately, in his 80's, a Miata NB - with a 5-speed. I suggested it, he loved it, and as time went on, he didn't want to drive anymore, but enjoyed motoring, and we spent his final years taking regular drives with me at the wheel of his BRG NB, top down. After Dad passed, I thought I would let the "Yatter" go, but circumstances arose that made keeping it as a "city car" sensible. Once I started driving it regularly, and not just "borrowing my dad's car", I started to really appreciate it, rebuilding the shifter, enhancing the suspension, fitting uprated wheels and tires and the like, teaching my sons to drive in it. Alas, one day I drove it a bit too enthusiastically and put it into a mid-air flat spin - a truly "Flyin' Miata"! Saddened as I was about killing my dad's last sport car, I was eager to replace it - having been bitten by the roadster bug - and lucky I was to purchase a nearly flawless Mazdaspeed Miata. I drove it enthusiastically for 5 years - I found that the LSD helped to keep it better pointed in the intended direction - until one night, I walked outside a party to find that it had been totaled while parked - by another Miata! Heartbroken but undaunted, I came to the realization that only another Miata would do, and while I did test drive a new ND, the very next day I purchased another Mazdaspeed, this one even more flawless than the last, and which I consider, with its (uprated) stiffer suspension and turbocharged mill, more dynamic and exhilarating than the ND. And so it is today, 18 years since Dad drove home with his NB, I hope to always have (one of these) perpetual grin makers in the driveway. Thank you for a great article, I thoroughly enjoyed it - Jinba Ittai, indeed!

[DIY-Mechanic]

Mazda is known for driver-car connection at its best. Their cars are some of the most synced I drove. as someone who's driving a lot on 81' RX-7 FB, I can really tell the shifting, pedals, and steering (even though it's not powered) is on point.
Also, I'm inviting you to check a video I uploaded lately about a Turbocharged NB we got here in Israel with 250HP. (also I got some vids about the RX-7... but that's for another day :) )
also, great video overall, thanks for the knowledge, I didn't knew most of those stuff.

[alsdock]

Unfortunately I've yet to experience the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation miata. However I purchased my 1st miata, the ND-2 in 2020 just after COVID interupted our way of life. It's been a relief ever since. Absolutely love it!
Great video by the way.

[cartillect]

Fascinating how the Miata has carried the torch of the classic British sports car into modern times while integrating Mazda's unique philosophy of 'jinba itai'. The part about the Miata’s development, particularly its weight management and handling that mimics old roadsters was very interesting. I wish the Miata influenced more cars today, the lightweight sports car is something we may lose in the age of electrification. Curious if anyone knows of any newer sports cars with a similar formula today?

[hinesypoomusic]

I’ve had a my ‘90 NA for about 5 years now and man the connection and feel of the car is unbeatable. I’m a car salesman and anytime I drive a different sports car on the lot I drive the Miata afterward to compare. Great video man!

[nolahahnshouse]

You know.. some people actually say that the Miata is more of an American car than Japanese as crazy as that sounds.

[Aleiza_]

Imo, the Miata is an expression of a more pure sportscar. Handling, snappy throttle response, communicative steering and suspension. It's not about being the fastest... it's about being fun.

[Blueymaniac]

I can tell you, side curtains are one of the most annoying things I've ever used on my cars. Much prefer the roll up windows in my '74 Midget!

[bugeyesprite]

Love your videos, keep up the great work! My current "stable" includes a GR86, 67 big Healey, 60 TR3A, two Bugeye Sprites (one is a vintage race car), and of course a 97 M Edition Miata bought new. I've owned several other Healeys, Sprites, Triumphs, MGs, and Porsches over the years and will probably always keep the Miata. As the saying goes, Miata Is Always The Answer. 😊

[OdyTypeR]

MX-5
Is
Always
The
Answer

Zoom-zoom🥰

[P_RO_]

Call them what you will, but the Miata perfected the 'sports car' which the British industry tried to build but never quite did.The thing which most set the Miata apart was you didn't need to constantly fix, adjust, and maintain everythibng; all you had to do is drive and enjoy. Another point was that it's shared parts were less of a compromise than the British cars. And it was as cheap as it was fun. Fast-forward to today and it's not the same; it's gotten plumper and plusher and pricey having moved away from it's roots but it's still best-in-class and to get more you have to spend a lot more money.

[daikolirae]

Ive watched a load of your videos, idk why i wasn’t subscribed. You are easily my favorite car-history channel

[barbazzz]

If 57 Americans decide to buy your car, you're basically set. Pure gold 😂

[kevinconville]

As a lifelong motorcyclist and sport bike guy in the 90s, I bought a 2nd gen Miata when they first came out in 1999. The deletion of the pop up headlights and the addition of a glass rear window (w/ defroster) was what it took. It also had the 1.8l motor which had more power. What a car! I wore the stock Michelin Pilots out in less than 5k and really should have been replaced at 3k. I drove the snot out of that thing and it performed brilliantly. I would get it up on 3 wheels in the canyons and yet it always felt predictable. Better brakes and 20 more HP and I think it would have been THE perfect sports car.

[rmyers]

As an NC owner of over a decade now, I absolutely agree. The Miata felt like a natural from the moment I drove it off the lot. I've since learned that the NC is considered "the big Miata" but I'll defend it. I still feel deeply connected to the road and appreciate its creature comforts and reliability and how it was a well-thought out piece of engineering in every aspect. It's an absolute joy to drive and does exactly what I ask of it.

[jamestascroft]

I own, and daily drive a 1997 Mazda Miata STO.
I often find myself next to my friends helping them with issues on their newer cars, despite my own car having zero problems consistently.
The car is an absolute trooper on road trips, being able to keep up with much newer cars in significantly adverse Canadian weather, holding speeds of over 140kph.
The car gives you a true sense of control while also not having any true driving aids (other than abs) and I can truly understand how it feels like you have a bond with the car while you are driving.
I will forever say that the Miata 5 speed man tran is the best transmission ever made, although i do find it strange that the exhaust hanger is mounted to the bellhousing of the fkn transmission for some reason.
I genuinely believe that buying that car is the best purchase i have ever made.

[sugar]

Great video! I have an ND and it is the first car I've had that I am planning to keep forever. It always puts a smile on my face.

[UncleJoeLITE]

Thanks from Australia, noticing MX5 was COTY here in Australia. We 'got it'. Cheers.
_ps: having owned/maintained a MkIII MIdget, then a B [our friend, Lucas, Prince of Darkness & SUs lol], the MX5 looked like what the MGB's successor should've been. There are no cheap MX5s here, unlike there btw._