1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Consumer Reviews

STILL RUNNING STRONG AT 175k MILES!

Written by: Roll Tide!! on 12/04/2008

Vehicle

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2 Dr MX-5 Convertible

Review

My Miata has been a "blast" to drive! I drive an average of 900 miles a week! The Miata has NEVER let me down! No engine work or transmission work! Change the oil and filter every two weeks at approx. 2000 miles. Super car!!

Favorite Features

Handling, quality of build, reliability!

Suggested Improvements

NONE

Report inappropriate post

10th anniv. worth the extra $

Written by: Oakley1337 on 05/20/2008

Vehicle

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2 Dr MX-5 10TH Anniv. Convertible

Review

Last year I bought the 1999 mx5 10th ann. The car had 68k and was in excellent cond. I drive the car quite hard and find the power band somewhat disappointing, however I do admit red-line shifts are very satisfying, at around 7k rpms,(typical for many import sports cars). Little acceleration in 6th, toping out somewhere around 125mph. Shifting quickly into 6th can be sketchy, since reverse is just a click away. Car has an awesome feel and ride... very stiff and sporty. Sound from stock exhaust is respectable. Seats are leather with blue suede inserts that are difficult to maintain, but look very cool. Winter driving is a death wish, however the hard top keeps you warm and looks amazing.

Favorite Features

Exterior look is superior to many other vehicles and demands attention. Very short stick makes shifting very quick and precise. Car corners like a champ, in part thanks to stock sports suspension, which is lower and firmer than the regular mx5. Love all the special edition extras!

Suggested Improvements

The ONLY cup holders are in the center glove box right behind the stick, making shifting annoying. Steering column is not adjustable. Carbon fiber trim is imitation. Although gearbox has 6 speeds, car whines at freeway speeds; 3500+rpm at 65mph. The 6th gear really does nothing for performance.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

I Miss My Miata

Written by: Jordan on 04/22/2008

Vehicle

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2 Dr MX-5 Convertible

Review

I bought my '99 Miata in 2006 with 50,000 miles. It ran like a top and I had no major problems in the two years I owned it. The steering in these cars is phenomenal. You point the wheel where you want the car to go and it goes. Pedal placement is perfect and makes heel-toes extremely simple. Transmission is a little crunchy at higher revs, but the actual shifter feels very nice. Every gear seems to click into place. Gas mileage is decent and if I concentrated on it I could consistently get over 30 mpg. However, this car is so fun to drive it's really hard to keep the revs low and gas mileage high. I'd say my average was 25mpg. Overall it's a great car and I regret selling mine every day.

Favorite Features

Steering. Suspension. Looks. Transmission. Convertible top is very easy to put up and down. Decent gas mileage. Pedal placement.

Suggested Improvements

Although roadsters like the Miata aren't made for drag racing and it will blow the doors off pretty much any car in a slalom, it could use some more power. Cheap interior. No cup holders. Cloth seats are uncomfortable and don't grip your body during cornering. Stock paint fades and chips easily.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Be careful of the one that you buy

Written by: Cute Car on 10/20/2007

Vehicle

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2 Dr MX-5 10TH Anniv. Convertible

Review

I had a 99 Miata. The car was beautiful!! I thought I could tell from the details that the car was taken care of, no scratches, no dent, seats good condition, and ran well - I was wrong!! This car within 3 months of ownership I had a lot of problems. I know that there are bad vehicles in every making, I think that I got one of them. For those willing to try this car it will be fun to drive. I do suggest the manual tranmission it just makes it even more fun to drive. Mixed feeling on this ride. I will never purchase another though.

Favorite Features

6 spd manual transmission, bose system, and interior features beautiful.

Suggested Improvements

Make the coil pack and the convertible top better. Very expensive to replace coil packs (250 ea.). Dealerships cannot tell you which one is going bad and top 1200 to replace by professional.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

I just love this thing

Written by: Fred on 07/20/2007

Vehicle

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2 Dr MX-5 Convertible

Review

I bought this used car with 55k miles for the fun, and it has delivered in spades. It's also surprisingly practical. Decent mileage (27 MPG in normal driving and 30 MPG hwy at 70 MPH), absolutely reliable, comfortable for this 5'11" 62 year-old. I find that I can transport most anything I want to with a little imagination. I've added a roll bar and so can even carry lumber in good weather. Overall, it's the easiest automotive smile I've encountered, is relatively inexpensive to purchase and earns its keep as well.

Favorite Features

The handling, hands down. Comfort is surprisingly good for me. The convertible top. Economy of operation and ease of maintenance. Did I mention handling?

Suggested Improvements

The roll bar has added stiffness and, one hopes, safety - I'd add one to the option list. Otherwise, I'm happy.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Simply Amazing!

Written by: Antonio Banderas on 11/01/2006

Vehicle

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2 Dr MX-5 Convertible

Review

Wow! What am amazing car! Amazing performance for a 4-cylinder, and surprisingly roomy on the inside. Bose audio is great, and the hardtop was included as well. Plenty of style, plenty of fun, and plenty of saved gas money in your wallet. A great choice if you are in dire need for some serious fun, but can't spring for that $50,000 convertible.

Favorite Features

Bose audio, slick shifter, ridiculously easy soft-top operation, great body styling, good quality materials, fuel economy, amazing 4 cylinder performance, true "roadster style and presence."

Suggested Improvements

Maybe a 6th gear just to see how fast it can really go.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Fun, fun fun!

Written by: Glenn Zanotti on 08/23/2006

Vehicle

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2 Dr MX-5 Convertible

Review

I drive a lot of sports cars in my job, and although the Miata is not all that fast, it pegs the needle on the fun gauge. This is my second one. Its light weight and excellent suspension design make it a great ride in the twisties. Add the availability of hundreds of inexpensive aftermarket upgrades, and you can tailor your Miata for everything from daily driver to track-day monster. I use mine as a weekend fun car, not a daily driver. The other big plus is the reliability and easy maintenance of a Miata. They are so simple. Simplicity means there isn't much to go wrong, and when something does go wrong, you can often fix it yourself rather easily.

Favorite Features

Excellent and precise handling.

Suggested Improvements

Even with the Bose system, the audio is pointless with the top down at more than about 40 mph.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

A very fun car

Written by: helenTex on 07/31/2006

Vehicle

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2 Dr MX-5 Convertible

Review

I have had this car for 7 years and absolutely love it! The car is nimble and incredibly responsive-the car takes curves wonderfully. The top is easy to lower - I have taken the top down while sitting at a long red light. Unlatch and drop it behind you. The gas mileage is good. I get up to 33 mph on highway driving. It is a roadster and sounds/feels like one. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a fun, no frills car that is intended for driving enjoyment. When I bought it, the differences between the Miata and the (then) Z3 didn't justify the $18K difference in price. I am glad I went with the Miata. Fully loaded with all options it was only $24K,

Favorite Features

Overall look, the fact that the HP is great for its weight, locking glove compartment.

Suggested Improvements

None.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Love my Miata

Written by: W on 04/29/2006

Vehicle

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2 Dr MX-5 Convertible

Review

Have driven this car daily for almost 7 years. Only repairs ever needed were the tires and the battery, until just 6 months ago, when the brake pads were replaced. The car still drives like it did when it was new. This is the best engineered, and most reliable car I have ever owned. I just had it repainted, because I plan to keep it for many more years.

Favorite Features

FUN TO DRIVE. Handles VERY well.

Suggested Improvements

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

I LOVE my Miata even after ...

Written by: njrthompson on 03/18/2006

Vehicle

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2 Dr MX-5 10TH Anniv. Convertible

Review

All these years. My husband brought the 10th anniversary Miata home. I fell in love immediately. I still get a thrill driving it. I have never needed any maintenance other than tires and oil changes. I will keep this car forever.

Favorite Features

Leather seats might be my favorite feature or the hard top or the attention I get every where I take it. It's really hard to pick one favorite.

Suggested Improvements

Heated seats.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post