25 Years of Miata - Jay Leno's Garage

25 Years of Miata. Bob Hall and Tom Matano tell Jay about the creation and evolution of Mazda's iconic sports car in celebration of its 25th year in production.

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25 Years of Miata - Jay Leno's Garage

Jay Leno's Garage

[BladedAngel]

"this is costing us less than expected' so instead of pocketing the cash, Mazda actually told the engineers to put the rest of the budget into more technology for an even better product? Now That's Love!

[JuanAdam]

This is a relevant, personal story:

I bought a Miata the year they came out in 1989. They were very hard to find and wildly popular. (I got mine on a fluke drive---paid sticker price, too.)

I was showing off my new car to a friend one late weekday morning, driving on Sunset Boulevard with the top down, when a vintage white Jaguar convertible of some kind starts catching up to us. The cars gets right alongside us, and behind the wheel of the Jag is Jay Leno. He's checking out my Miata! He smiles and yells out, "Hey, how do you like that car?"

I had no idea that he went on to be a fan of the Miata.

Guys like to put the car down, but those are people who never drove a Miata. I kept the car for ten years and loved it every single time I drove it. Never once had a problem with it.

[dansneyd]

"gearbox is nice" understatement of the year

[stumpy]

That must be the best feeling in the world to see someone driving the car you designed with a smile on their face

[DriverM]

The first time you drive one is the first time you understand. It's not about competing with other drivers for attention or speed. Its not about 'dropping an LS1' in it. It's about having fun with a car that fits like a glove, is soooo sweet to drive and doesn't shout 'look at me, look at me'. Brings a big smile to my face every time I drive along a twisty scenic road, just me and the car. Nothing else.

[styx]

Love the Miata, wonderful little car. Whoever says it's a girl's car either hasn't driven it or are insecure in their masculinity.

[luisx]

i drove a miata for the first time today. im buying one next week.

[soapbxprod]

My dad passed away in Morro Bay CA in 2004 and willed to me his 1995 Miata. I still have her, and will be buried in her. Of all the cool cars I've owned- 1955 Austin Healey BN1, 1963 Avanti, and 1962 Fuelie Vette, my darling Miata is the best. We love each other.

[VenomSnakee]

If you make fun of the Miata you obviously know nothing about cars

[XXXXXXXXXX]

I'm 18 and this car is a dream. It's not one of those ridiculous FWD-hatchbacks but a little RWD sportscar...
A shame we lost all the British sportscars in the 70s / 80s, but at least this one keeps the rain out :D

[mathewman]

i don't care what anyone says. Mazda MX-5 is the most brilliant car that has been ever created. it's simple, classic, and very fun to drive. it has absolutely no flaws.

[djzyx]

my dad just bought my sister her first car, we are surprising her with a RED 1992 mazda miata from USA imported to Canada... i can't wait to see the smile on her face. It's her dream car since she was 5 years old.

[Ranar]

I'm an Industrial Design student at AAU learning under Tom and I got to get a ride from him in his personal Miata. That was a pretty cool feeling. 

[rlpuckettfla]

I first saw the Miata at the Chicago Autoshow in Feb 1988, fell in love with it. Brought home a factory brochure (very limited in supply), Went to my local dealer the next week, they knew nothing about the Miata. On several occasions I attempted to place an order, but no pricing was available, but finally in May of 1988 I found a saleswoman who would accept my order she wrote it up at 'factory list price). The demand was incredible, the dealers were getting up to $5000 over factory list, mine was finally delievered Oct 5, 1989 a Red Package B. I still have it, drove it across the country on old route 66, up the Pacific Coast Highway, raced with the SCCA for 5 years, averaged between 22 to 26 events a year, now have 165K on the clock, still runs flawlessly. I now live in SW Florida where I am able to drive it almost every day with the top down and the sweet sound of the exhaust in my ears. I go to the Sebring International Racetrack twice each year and drive 'track touring laps' during the HSR lunchtime. I love my Miata !

[catjudo]

As I write this in 2021 my light blue NB2 Miata is sitting in the driveway. Today I had the top replaced for the first time, and with every change I make I drive home or drive around town and back just as happy as I can be with this car. It's twenty years old now; my father bought it new and I bought it from him six years ago. I know it's entire ownership history and it's been one of the most reliable cars I've owned, but it's also the most fun. I've never had a car that made me this content. Nothing else has, for me, ever come close.

[ellomirza]

Too short. When I wake up tomorrow there had better be a 25 minute part 2 uploaded.

[orcishkek]

College student and a proud owner of my 97 Miata. Yes I do get the "girly car" comments BUT I've yet to encounter a female classmate who denied my offer to give her a ride home once she saw my miata ;)

[malcolmbenn]

I've owned 2 Triumph Spitfires, a Corvette and a Miata and the Miata is the one I'll never sell. I have a 1991 BRG Miata LE that I've owned since 1991 and it really captures the small sports car feel and after 30+ years it's still as reliable as when I bought it.

[TheBTRGarage]

I've owned two 1999 Mazda Miata's and I have to say, they are the most fun cars I have ever driven and raced. Watching this video makes me wish I had not sold my last one just a few weeks ago :(

[youtubasoarus]

I think what a lot of people miss about these cars is their directness and feeling. The Japanese cars made in the 90's really seemed to integrate the driver into the whole experience. Todays cars seem to focus entirely on the car doing its thing, and the Driver is more a long for the ride. It's been pretty much all down hill these days which is really sad.

If you don't believe or understand what I mean, go drive a Japanese car from the 90's and you'll see what I mean. They might not have the most power (unless you're talking Skyline, Evo or Supra) but they have a connectedness with the driver that I haven't been able to find in modern cars.