Count me as one who never thought much of Miatas. Then I owned one. What a great little car to have a blast driving with. It put a smile on my face just taking it out to do errands. Count me now as a Miata convert!
I learned to drive a manual in one. A friend of mine used to bust my balls about it, but I didn't really care. The car was fun as hell and handled amazingly well. It was obviously not particularly powerful, so you pretty much had to drive it hard to get anything out of it, and therein lies part of its charm.
I always disliked certain kinds of "men" making fun of Miatas. They are such fun and great little track cars. Great to learn your track driving in :) .
@@GTKlopfer Oh I mean, people that make fun of them being "not manly" and other toxic masculine bullshit. On a track power is not as important as handling, especially when you're a beginning driver. Just adding more power is a sure fire way to crash and kill yourself. And the Lotus Exige is another great track car :) . Another car with "Handling over power". :)
Idk why they didn’t think about adding a tire pressure sensor gauge either like come on?! I thought the simple roadster was supposed to have everything?!
The answer to the question is - Miata ! Even in 2023 - this 1996 is still great in light of current generation of cars - simple, size is perfect and authentic driving experience even today!
The M-edition was fully loaded, with all of the comfort and performance features in a range-topping edition, all the better to compete with the BMW Z3 which started around $30k back then.
I will be acquiring one Tomorrow ^_^ I have a red 92 that’s been modded on all fours xD so like it would be interesting too see the difference from what i consumers can cobble up with a 1.6 88-93 compared to what is considered Mazdas best for the NA Miatas (M edition models)
@@DiscoMiata yours is very lively, I’ve been in one similar to yours tho it was a BP4W turbo but in a NA m edition my buddy Rubio would take it out to Miata’s at Laguna Seca and make decent lap times with it, you’ll benefit greatly with ABS and a Turbocharged setup definitely 💯 but yours in comparison to my stock 96 M it’s definitely not the same car anymore haha, and to my 1.6l idk 🤷♂️ I have that 1.6l bias so I just like them, but I digress you have a lovely Miata take care of it!
@@DiscoMiata I’d like too swap my BP4W into my 92 but have been caught up with life, picking up the 96 M is a little teaser of things to come, and that should be doable with your build it looks like, 350whp in a Miata out where I live with twisty roads would be insane haha 😂
Mazda really got everything right with the Miata/MX5. No one has been able to duplicate their success which is funny considering the Miata is Mazda's interpretation of British roadster.
When my grandfather was alive had an '01 Special Edition. It was British Racing green with a tan top, tan leather seats, Nardi wood wheel and shifter, 6 speed, and a Bose AM/FM CD head unit. When he passed away in '04 it was given to my oldest cousin. My cousin left it bone stock but did replace the Bose head unit with one that could play Sirius. I miss riding in that car. Maybe when I'm financially better off and have my own place I'll get one of my own.
I leased one of these back then, mine had the optional hardtop. It was nice, but a little over the top for a Miata. In 2000 I bought a '96 base model and in my opinion it was a better car, even with the lack of a limited slip diff.
Curious… Did you have any problems with the retractable hardtop operation ? Wind noise, leaking, etc…? Also, is that a glove compartment I see on the 96.5 passenger side ? 🔍🤔 Wondering why current generation MX-5’s don’t have a glove compartment. 🤷♂️
I miss my 1990... It had it's issues (none of them mechanical, pretty much all cosmetic), but man that thing drove and sounded great. For my first foray into a sports car, it was a fantastic chassis. 4 corner wishbones, FR layout, close-ratio 5 speed, economical to run and maintain, and really easy to build up and get great times on a track.
miatas are a gateway to getting into RWD sports cars. They can be had for cheap, cheap to maintain, reliable, gas efficient and fun. I now drive a supra but I wouldn't be into driving fun if I didn't make the decision to buy miata out on a whim. I think I would end up being another SUV on the road if it wasn't for my miata
These 1996~ ish models (NA facelift) are the best ones to buy for sure. 1.8L has a lot more punch than the 1.6L. All of them come with Torsen LSD standard, compared with the VLSD in the original NA. Plus the 5 speed manual box was always great to use and arguably better in some respects than the 6 that replaced it
A true sports car in its purest form. No turbos needed, just a well balanced platform. A long mounted, efficient 4 cylinder for ease of maintenance does not hurt either.
I know people hate on the miata, call it a "chick's car" but i like them, especially the second generation It's one of those " drive a slow car fast, is really fun" situations
26+ years later and the price of this car only increased by 5k. With inflation this car would cost about $40k to $46K ($40k pre Covid, $46k Jan '23). Today's Miata is a really good value.
As time and technology advance some things just don't get better, one of them is car! That Miata is a better drivers car than nearly everything currently available.
I have a standard 96 5 speed, with options like the hard top but no ABS, airbags, A/C, Auto. I wanted any of the M editions but they were not sold in my country.
I understand the value but it’s so insanely unrealistic for outdated tech. Yeah I own a classic rx7 and e30 but because I don’t value them how the market does I keep ‘em. It’s unreal.
@@AndrewKidd14145 miata are track cars and why there value is high and alot of miatas are second cars so the mileage will be low and they are dam reliable
Anyone know how to get the key fob for the m edition to work? I’ve done the program sequence multiple times and I know the fob is giving signal, but the buttons on the fob don’t do anything outside of the programming sequence
My 94 M Edition is currently snoozing under a layer of snow... The Nardi shift knob shape is annoying in my hand feel for some reason... Ordered an OEM standard one... Just waiting for the snow to melt to go out and play!
The new ones are actually shorter than the original and almost as light despite having all the extra air bags and safety equipment thanks to extensive use of aluminum. The new ones start at only 28K today and are awesome to drive. We have a ‘92 model as well as a 2016, love them both!
3:39 Excellent quality control for $25k in 1996. Digital display in the radio is already cracked and unreadable. Motor week hides this with the CD in the drive.
Idk man. I still don’t get what’s so special about these, besides being old and rare(ish). Just like the Supras of yestermorn. S2000 and GC8 still look as pretty as they did on release, but I only like the looks, not the internals. I think there was another make... but it’s irrelevant 😂
@@setoman1 Stock ist already enough. Actually I keep mine in original shape as much as possible. And add here and there something, that you won`t see at first glance.
I hate these cars, because of those who still drive them. The only ones I still see on the road have been modded and the owners drive like they are compensating with something to prove…
@@tjord When literally the only ones I ever see are driven by boi racers grown old who think the surface roads are a race track, it's a bad image for the car....
I can't say i've ever seen someone drive like an asshole in a MX5. Plenty in Volkswagens, And a Fords, As well as Audis. But most of the aggressive drivers i meet drive any kind of van for some reason. But never a MX5. But besides that, Just because i see people driving a certain car in a certain way, Doesn't really give me any impression about the car itself, But more the drivers. I have no problems with the cars, Just the individual people who drive them.
Count me as one who never thought much of Miatas. Then I owned one. What a great little car to have a blast driving with. It put a smile on my face just taking it out to do errands. Count me now as a Miata convert!
@San Antonio Usual Suspect Exterminator your loss 🤗
@San Antonio Usual Suspect Exterminator lol, so edgy you are.
@San Antonio Usual Suspect Exterminator Yet you're here watching an ancient review on one, keep crying and driving your Chevrolet Cavalier.
@San Antonio Usual Suspect Exterminator who do you know here?
I learned to drive a manual in one. A friend of mine used to bust my balls about it, but I didn't really care. The car was fun as hell and handled amazingly well. It was obviously not particularly powerful, so you pretty much had to drive it hard to get anything out of it, and therein lies part of its charm.
My high school sweethearts parents had this exact car. I shared the link of this video to her and she replied, they still have it over 20 years later!
My first car was a 2001 Silver convertible manual miata. Learned to drive in that car. It was such a fun car, especially for a teenager.
I have this car and love it dearly. Keeping it stock as well.
I always disliked certain kinds of "men" making fun of Miatas. They are such fun and great little track cars. Great to learn your track driving in :) .
They are just great overall, not only for "learners". I've got a Lotus Exige, and still have (and love) my Miata, as a lot of other Lotus owners do.
@@GTKlopfer Oh I mean, people that make fun of them being "not manly" and other toxic masculine bullshit. On a track power is not as important as handling, especially when you're a beginning driver. Just adding more power is a sure fire way to crash and kill yourself.
And the Lotus Exige is another great track car :) . Another car with "Handling over power". :)
Legend has it that Mr Davis has a voltmeter tattoo in an unmentionable place.
Why do I think they'd find gauges lacking in an airliner cockpit?
I noticed that Miata didn’t have a door hinge temperature gauge. lol
Imported cars rarely had volt or oil psi gauges, they just need to accept this
An air quality moisture percentage gauge would be appreciated
Bwahahahahahaha, so true
Idk why they didn’t think about adding a tire pressure sensor gauge either like come on?! I thought the simple roadster was supposed to have everything?!
Miata’s were the ultimate chic car. You couldn’t own one if you didn’t love romcoms.
Beautiful little car. Timeless design. They aren't fast, but they're a lot of fun to drive. Like a big fancy gocart.
The answer to the question is - Miata ! Even in 2023 - this 1996 is still great in light of current generation of cars - simple, size is perfect and authentic driving experience even today!
$25,000 back in 1997?
WOW! 🙀
The M-edition was fully loaded, with all of the comfort and performance features in a range-topping edition, all the better to compete with the BMW Z3 which started around $30k back then.
I am happy with my 96 M edition. 😊
I will be acquiring one Tomorrow ^_^ I have a red 92 that’s been modded on all fours xD so like it would be interesting too see the difference from what i consumers can cobble up with a 1.6 88-93 compared to what is considered Mazdas best for the NA Miatas (M edition models)
Compare my miata to yours
@@DiscoMiata yours is very lively, I’ve been in one similar to yours tho it was a BP4W turbo but in a NA m edition my buddy Rubio would take it out to Miata’s at Laguna Seca and make decent lap times with it, you’ll benefit greatly with ABS and a Turbocharged setup definitely 💯 but yours in comparison to my stock 96 M it’s definitely not the same car anymore haha, and to my 1.6l idk 🤷♂️ I have that 1.6l bias so I just like them, but I digress you have a lovely Miata take care of it!
@@spacecassette2108 I have a BP4w head that’s built that I’m ready to put on soon, aiming for 350@22psi
@@DiscoMiata I’d like too swap my BP4W into my 92 but have been caught up with life, picking up the 96 M is a little teaser of things to come, and that should be doable with your build it looks like, 350whp in a Miata out where I live with twisty roads would be insane haha 😂
Mazda really got everything right with the Miata/MX5. No one has been able to duplicate their success which is funny considering the Miata is Mazda's interpretation of British roadster.
When my grandfather was alive had an '01 Special Edition. It was British Racing green with a tan top, tan leather seats, Nardi wood wheel and shifter, 6 speed, and a Bose AM/FM CD head unit. When he passed away in '04 it was given to my oldest cousin. My cousin left it bone stock but did replace the Bose head unit with one that could play Sirius. I miss riding in that car. Maybe when I'm financially better off and have my own place I'll get one of my own.
I leased one of these back then, mine had the optional hardtop. It was nice, but a little over the top for a Miata. In 2000 I bought a '96 base model and in my opinion it was a better car, even with the lack of a limited slip diff.
Curious… Did you have any problems with the retractable hardtop operation ? Wind noise, leaking, etc…?
Also, is that a glove compartment I see on the 96.5 passenger side ? 🔍🤔
Wondering why current generation MX-5’s don’t have a glove compartment. 🤷♂️
@@ScottALaFollette there was no power retractable hardtop until 2007
I miss my 1990... It had it's issues (none of them mechanical, pretty much all cosmetic), but man that thing drove and sounded great.
For my first foray into a sports car, it was a fantastic chassis. 4 corner wishbones, FR layout, close-ratio 5 speed, economical to run and maintain, and really easy to build up and get great times on a track.
Trap speed of 91 mph with only 133 hp is really impressive.
That’s what I’m saying
miatas are a gateway to getting into RWD sports cars. They can be had for cheap, cheap to maintain, reliable, gas efficient and fun. I now drive a supra but I wouldn't be into driving fun if I didn't make the decision to buy miata out on a whim. I think I would end up being another SUV on the road if it wasn't for my miata
I’ve heard it said that the Miata feels like a smaller, less powerful Viper.
These 1996~ ish models (NA facelift) are the best ones to buy for sure.
1.8L has a lot more punch than the 1.6L. All of them come with Torsen LSD standard, compared with the VLSD in the original NA. Plus the 5 speed manual box was always great to use and arguably better in some respects than the 6 that replaced it
A true sports car in its purest form. No turbos needed, just a well balanced platform. A long mounted, efficient 4 cylinder for ease of maintenance does not hurt either.
So happy with my ‘07 - Best car I could’ve asked for 😊
Love my 04 Miata! It always makes me happy to drive.
Still the best car for the money out there.
I’m on my 4th! Currently a 95M Merlot and a 94R.
I’ve owned two, and I want another one.
dont be greedy
I know people hate on the miata, call it a "chick's car" but i like them, especially the second generation
It's one of those " drive a slow car fast, is really fun" situations
Well, When I drive a Miata, Chicks like it.
love my 94 M-edition! she's a money pit but worth it
26+ years later and the price of this car only increased by 5k. With inflation this car would cost about $40k to $46K ($40k pre Covid, $46k Jan '23). Today's Miata is a really good value.
1:26 John: Plus an M Edition logo on the tachometer, part of a clear analoge gauge cluster that lacks only a voltage readout. LOL
I never met a Miata I didn't like
Beauitful the Miata
As time and technology advance some things just don't get better, one of them is
car!
That Miata is a better drivers car than nearly everything currently available.
Nice, the good old days
I have a standard 96 5 speed, with options like the hard top but no ABS, airbags, A/C, Auto. I wanted any of the M editions but they were not sold in my country.
Didn't know colen Powell did reviews for motorweek .
That’s former art director, Reggie Blackstone sitting in the Miata
Was that Gus Fring before he got the Volvo wagon?
I just bought one a NB2
*27 years later and a low mileage M edition is still worth about the same on BaT.
The same could be said for any low mileage NA (first gen) Miata.
27 years
I understand the value but it’s so insanely unrealistic for outdated tech. Yeah I own a classic rx7 and e30 but because I don’t value them how the market does I keep ‘em. It’s unreal.
@@AndrewKidd14145 miata are track cars and why there value is high and alot of miatas are second cars so the mileage will be low and they are dam reliable
I just got a 96 m editon with 98k miles, what would you value it at?
Oh the woody knob.....go M
holy smokes that's about 46,000 in todays dollars
I Loved my 1990 Miata.
Not a bad lil machine, but the price point is on the high side. Alot of other alternatives at the time.
Anyone know how to get the key fob for the m edition to work? I’ve done the program sequence multiple times and I know the fob is giving signal, but the buttons on the fob don’t do anything outside of the programming sequence
My 94 M Edition is currently snoozing under a layer of snow... The Nardi shift knob shape is annoying in my hand feel for some reason... Ordered an OEM standard one... Just waiting for the snow to melt to go out and play!
Too bad about the silly ellipses habit.
@@gavinvalentino6002 Need the ol' white ball on the Hurst shifter on my 71 Corvette...lol
$25000 in 1996!!! SHEESH!!!
Esse é um carro mais maravilhoso a cor azul chama tenção
Back when the Miata was still tiny.
The new ones are actually shorter than the original and almost as light despite having all the extra air bags and safety equipment thanks to extensive use of aluminum. The new ones start at only 28K today and are awesome to drive. We have a ‘92 model as well as a 2016, love them both!
@@bobreno4042 it’s crazy how little the Miata’s formula has changed
Muito da hora é sensacional 😀😁👍
Fantastic
Good ol Miatas. Slow cars that feel fast.
This is the same one I own
Can't see a Mazda millenia no where there's plenty of these out here most of them hacked to the gill but OK lol
Most I see have the ghetto Honda treatment and sound like a misfiring lawn mower…
The girl I dated in highschool had a white Miata.
day 3 of asking for a 2002 BMW Z4 review :)
3:39 Excellent quality control for $25k in 1996. Digital display in the radio is already cracked and unreadable. Motor week hides this with the CD in the drive.
That's not a crack. That's the UV film and the camera's UV interfering with each other.
Sensacional 😁👍
1:22- Nardy?
Fun fact: every miata comes with it's own numbers matching purse 👛.
Yeah they hold their value.
*its
Insecurity is unattractive
Idk man. I still don’t get what’s so special about these, besides being old and rare(ish). Just like the Supras of yestermorn. S2000 and GC8 still look as pretty as they did on release, but I only like the looks, not the internals. I think there was another make... but it’s irrelevant 😂
Drive one.
The Honda Del Sol was nicer- in my opinion, in this class of vehicle...
@@lifeofjoyandcreation Stock or modified?
@@setoman1 Stock ist already enough. Actually I keep mine in original shape as much as possible. And add here and there something, that you won`t see at first glance.
@@lifeofjoyandcreation What about the engine?
I wish they would have got rid of this car and kept the RX-7
I hate these cars, because of those who still drive them. The only ones I still see on the road have been modded and the owners drive like they are compensating with something to prove…
"I hate fun"
@@tjord dealing with wreck less driving isn’t fun for normal adults..
Okay I'd wager you hate the inconsiderate more than you hate these cars, in that case.
@@tjord When literally the only ones I ever see are driven by boi racers grown old who think the surface roads are a race track, it's a bad image for the car....
I can't say i've ever seen someone drive like an asshole in a MX5.
Plenty in Volkswagens, And a Fords, As well as Audis. But most of the aggressive drivers i meet drive any kind of van for some reason. But never a MX5.
But besides that, Just because i see people driving a certain car in a certain way, Doesn't really give me any impression about the car itself, But more the drivers.
I have no problems with the cars, Just the individual people who drive them.
These were made to be swapped. Check out my v6 swap m edition @MISSIONMIATA