Regular Car Reviews: 1990 MX5 NA Miata

The Mazda NA Miata MX-5 debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, but it was manufactured inHiroshima, because they've made it their mission to avoid any more bombs. It was conceived as a small roadster, and the first gen featured the 1.6 L straight four with DOHC. It sold 400,000 units from 1989-1997, which is pretty impressive when you consider that small roadsters were on the way out at the end it was released. The Alfa Romeo Spider was in production, but it was the only small roadster produced at a comparable volume, so the MX-5 filled a gaping hole in the market. In the first generation, this was a car for the kind of guy who uses the term “confirmed bachelor” to avoid addressing his sexuality in mixed company. But the Miata would grew to be the pre-cum of bro culture, with later generations serving as the full load. It was derivative of other roadsters, but that was part of its charm. It had a reverence for the classics but also an inflated sense of its own importance. It's the Kanye West of cars.

[slammedsocietyskp]

Idc what the car culture says bout Miatas. They smile.

[jasonsantos]

Jeremy Clarkson loves it.

Jay Leno loves it.

And both of those have driven machines with literally 10 times more horsepower. The Miata is a special machine.

[iamstd]

You made me sit and rethink my life for a minute.

[michaelramsey]

Went to an autocross today. There were three of these things running around. The Mustangs and Subarus might have been faster, but the Miata drivers looked like they were having the most fun.

[Squossifrage]

Correction: at 2:47, you say it sold 40, 000 units from 1989 to 1997. The correct number is 400, 000 units.

[Almighty_cornholio]

I bought a 92 na yesterday.... I don't care how "lame" it makes me look.... This is the most fun I've ever had in a car

[jochem]

At 6:18, seeing that Miata driving... I couldn't help thinking.. Damn, I want one... And then I realized, mine's just outside the door... I'm going for a drive! See ya later, YouTube!

[nanochase]

I find it weird that this is even considered a girls car I've only ever met two Miatas owned by women. The rest are all men everything from a 16 year old student to an ex-cop in his early nineties. This car is as big a sausage fest as any Ferrari. I think insecure men hate this car because it challenges the definition of masculinity. It isn't femininity its closer to gentlemanliness. Which harkens back to the British roots that this Japanese roadster blatantly copies. You'll find far more of the fairer sex behind the wheel of any Camaro or Mustang.

[Bader.mobarak]

I've watched this probably 100 times, but this video is so weird it still feels like it the first time each time

[noicegrey]

Miata: have fun on public roads without getting pulled over. 😁👍🏿

[Hillclimbfan]

I own a 1990 Miata, and I have to say pretty much all about this is true. Lot's of "bro's" disapprove of my feminine car, but I don't care. Driving an MX5 is fun and that is what I care about :D

[noahlaughlin]

am I the only one who thinks this will be a future classic

[originaslpyderxta]

Well done sir.  Way to sum up all of my thoughts and feeling about my car.  Surprisingly in the short time I have owned the car I have had heard the criticism, the arguments of practicality and the hate.  It all goes away every time I get in to go anywhere.

It was a fun day filming this (I wish I had chosen better camera placement for the twisty road we did).

[HoneyBadgerRy]

A stock miata is ok, but whats not ok is a miata with an auto.

[xxmarijaunanaut]

i remember having this discussion with a stranger that was driving beside me in his jet black NA miata. I was in my AW11 MR2 and it was a red light, we both complimented each others cars and he brought up the fact that everyone thinks his car is feminine, but similar cars with "boxier" designs like mine were more "masculine". I told him that cars don't have a gender, dude, they're machines

[thecarexpert]

This must be Matt Farrah's million mile Lexus!

[MrSurrealKarma]

A lowered NA was my first car.
Feminine or not, it was a fucking fun car. Like driving a gokart in traffic.

Basic bro'd out and got a Ford Focus RS Mk2, but there are still things I miss from my old lady.

[kevinpazos]

I did the alignment on my friends miata, done in 15 minutes. It's so simple to work on, I love these little cars.

[oldfrend]

wow. a review of a miata turned into a meditation on my whole approach to driving and car culture and... the world. fuckin love this channel.

[sambassmanstoner]

Is that a hardtop with a sunroof? Interesting.