2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review
Fuel Economy
22 - 23 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
As much automotive fun as you can have for less than $25,000.
Pros
Fun to drive, excellent steering and handling, glass rear window.
Cons
Small trunk, drones during freeway trips, tight cabin.
What's New for 2002
The addition of an optional in-dash six-CD changer, a perimeter theft alarm (on models with remote keyless entry) and a standard trunk light. LS versions get a revised stereo and speed-sensitive volume control. Later in the year, a new Special Edition trim debuts.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Lots of Great Used Miatas on the Road
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
When I was younger, I owned a Triumph and was recently considering buying a restored one for kicks. In the end, common sense won and I bought a six year old '02 Miata with about 45,000 km. Best decision, I ever made. Truly a fun, fun car to drive. Reminds me of the old British sports cars, but with updated power, engineering and reliability. You really do feel like part of the car when you drive. The engine is not big, but it has great torque. The power is in the right places when you shift and you get a great sense of acceleration and speed throughout every gear. You control the Miata; the car does not control you.
Favorite Features
Fantastic torquey engine. Sports suspension option with Bilstein shocks, rigid support and bigger disk brakes highly recommended. Great timeless and stylish exterior body and interior. Great reputation for reliability. Fantastic value for price and good on gas.
Suggested Improvements
Possible clutch shudder and notchy gear shifting when cold, goes away when warmed up (or rev higher before pop clutch). Not so sure if it is a defect as much as just part of the character of the car. Keep the second vehicle for more passengers and capacity, poor weather and practicality
Summer Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata SE 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Review
Sold a 62 T-Bird and wanted an affordable used convertible as replacement. Tan interior and manual transmission were only requirements and purpose was for a summer car and not as a daily driver. Was not a Miata fan to start with and bought one from a friend mainly because I knew it was reliable and well taken care of. Also liked the fact that it was British Racing Green and a Special Edition fully loaded. Paid half the price I expected to pay for my original choices of z4 or boxster with same age/mileage. So far, so good. Comfort above what I expected. Acceptable motor/wind noise. Fun to drive. No rattles. Look and feel very solid.
Favorite Features
Beautiful looks. Good compromise of classic roadster philosophy versus modern design and comfort. Fit and quality finish of interior. Nice design of dash instrumentation. Easy use of convertible top. Expected reliability.
Suggested Improvements
Less power loss when A/C is on. A 5th or 6th gear that should act as a real overdrive and bring down more the RPM when using them. A little more horsepower. A real back wind deflector than the basically useless one installed. Windshield a bit higher or seat a little lower for 6 ft people.
HS Grad. Present
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata SE 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Review
I got this car for graduation, and I loved it. I have come to find that people either love it or hate it/think it's adorable or think it's a joke. Driving it with the top down makes all of the comments disappear. Also, not having to drive passengers a lot (because you can't fit ALL of your friends in) saves you gas...when you are already not putting in as much as they are in the first place!
Favorite Features
Convertible. Reliability. MPG! Orange interior lights.
Suggested Improvements
Larger design. Dent resistant side doors.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Frank's Silver Miata
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Not my daily driver, a joy to drive. Can't help smiling when I'm in her and prideful when I look back at her when I walk away after a satisfying run in the sun. Even with the top up, it's fun to drive. I feel a real connection with the road and have a hard time parking her when it's time to face the real world. Never a problem. Not a powerful car but a powerful fun car.
Favorite Features
Good looking inside and out. Great finish and fit.
Suggested Improvements
Can't think of any.
True Love
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata SE 2dr Roadster (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Review
I am not a car person and have never cared much about what car I drove. It was strictly functional. This yellow Miata changed that. After 4 years it is still an absolute blast to drive and people still comment about what a cool car it is. I drive it all year round with a hard top for the winter months. It looks cool like that too. My husband loves to drive it too. It is most fun on windy mountain roads. We go out driving on weekends just for the pleasure of driving it.
Favorite Features
The gold-metallic-flecked-yellow color is stunning in the sun. The way it handles responsively is a close second.
Suggested Improvements
Automatic headlight turn-off. If you forget to turn off the lights you will need a jump after about one hour.
2 out 3 people found this review helpful
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