2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review
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Used MX-5 Miata for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Fun to drive, excellent steering and handling, glass rear window.
Cons
- Small trunk, drones during freeway trips, over $20,000 MSRP base price.
What’s new
For 2001, the Miata receives a host of minor changes. Horsepower has been increased, and a six-speed manual transmission is now optional on the Miata LS. Both the exterior and interior have been updated and there are four new exterior colors. Regular Miatas now have 15-inch wheels as standard equipment, while both the Miata LS and cars equipped with the optional suspension package get 16-inch wheels. Safety and security are improved via seatbelt pre-tensioners, improved ABS, an engine immobilizer, an internal trunk release and optional keyless remote (standard on Miata LS).
Edmunds says
As much fun as you can have while driving with your pants on.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.59 per gallon for premium unleaded in Michigan.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Michigan
$253/mo for MX-5 Miata Base
MX-5 Miata Base
vs
$182/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Financially, it certainly pays to buy in bulk. To own a big-and-bad Ford Excursion, you'll have to pay only about $5 per pound (based on MSRP for a base model). To own a lithe 2001 Mazda Miata, you'll have to pay close to $9 per pound. But hey, sometimes you just have to pay more to get the good stuff. While it seems strange to pay over $20,000 for a Miata, the price is still considerably less than those asked for roadsters like the BMW Z3, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Porsche Boxster, and Honda S2000. And while the Miata might not be able to match these cars' absolute performance numbers, it certainly equals or exceeds them with regard to the intangibles.
The Miata is about simplicity in design and operation. It's about having fun behind the wheel. It's about feeling free and young on warm summer nights. Not a serious car, the Miata, but that's part of its charm.
For 2001, the Miata receives its most thorough updating since its redesign in 1999. The exterior gains new headlights, a restyled front bumper and fascia, a new five-point air inlet, and an improved boot cover. Mazda has added variable valve timing to the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, bumping horsepower to 155 at 7,000 rpm and torque to 125 foot-pounds at 5,000 rpm. The six-speed manual transmission, previously available only on a couple of special limited edition models, is now an option on the Miata LS. Equipped with the six-speed transmission, a 2001 Miata LS should be the fastest Miata ever.
Though the Miata's trunk is miniscule when compared to what can be crammed into the latest SUVs, it can handle daily commuting or weekend getaways. The shifter moves with quick and short precision and all of the switchgear is easy to reach and use. For 2001, the interior features new white-faced gauges with chrome rings, new seats, new interior materials, revised positions for the cupholder and power door-lock switch, and a new modular audio system.
Droning trips on American interstates are not the Miata's forte. But with a lowered top and an open road, the Miata has few equals. The engine is perfectly matched to the suspension and steering, making the car a joy to pilot on curving roads. When equipped with the suspension package (which includes items like a Torsen limited-slip differential and upgraded shock absorbers), the Miata's performance envelope is wider, but some fun is lost in not being able to adjust the tail easily via the throttle.
In our opinion, you can utilize 90 percent of the Miata's abilities under normal driving conditions, while a Porsche Boxster driver is lucky to experience 60 percent of that car's potential most of the time. Toyota will give the '01 Miata some tough competition with its new MR2 Spyder, but that won't change the fact that the Miata continues to be one of the best roadsters available today.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
5 star(86%)
4 star(14%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
50 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Buy 2, they're small
nigel, 11/17/2010
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
If you are now looking at these reviews, chances are you are considering buying a used miata. Here is my advice. Buy it! Fantastic reliability, exceptional handling, beautiful to behold. Average mpg 30. What's not to like?
5 out of 5 stars
Best car ever!
miata_coastie, 09/08/2013
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
I bought my 01 LS Miata as my first car. Mine is an LS with a 6-speed which makes it feel even sportier! I bought it as a fun but temporary car until I was able to upgrade to something with more power, but I've fallen in love. The car is so light that when paired with my summer performance tires I can fly around corners! So far I have an aftermarket intake and exhaust and it sounds … AMAZING! For those who want more power there are an endless amount of aftermarket parts for it from the intake and exhaust like I have to turbo's and even V-8's! Best car ever! NEVER getting rid of it! FYI if anyone's looking for an autocross car, look no further!
4.63 out of 5 stars
Buy 2, they're small
runsincircles, 09/27/2010
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Like other reviewers on this post, I love this car. I had a 1991 Miata and loved it and cried the day I sold it. 16 years later I found a pristine BRG SE with a matching hardtop and bought it on the spot. The dealership had it inside with the new Miatas, so I had a chance to compare them visually. I was truly disappointed with the 2009 Miata's interior..cheap plastic and the long … strip of fake chrome over the glove box didn't ring my bell. I compared it to my 2001 interior, nothing can touch the beauty of the wood steering wheel, gear shift knob and tan leather seats. Handling is superb and the 6 speed tranny is a joy to shift (Amsoil gear shift oil eliminated my 3rd gear crunch.)
4.63 out of 5 stars
My first vehicle purchased
ihanson, 03/04/2013
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
I flew across country (MN to AZ) to pick up my silver 2001 LS with 17" rims, chrome style bar and leather interior, and most importantly a rust free body.
I drove it the 2,000 miles home in February with no issues and it has been a champ back here since then.
I had been looking at something fun to drive that didn't need to be that practical since I have a '97 Buick with 200k+ miles … that's still running strong to fill in as my winter car.
This Miata will take the pressure off the Regal and is WAY more fun to drive.
I regularly go on rides purely for pleasure, and blasting the tunes from an iPod through a tape adapter works just fine for those jaunts.
2001 MX-5 Miata Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,180 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $253/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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