Used 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata Consumer Reviews
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Favorite Car yet
I bought my Miata in 97. My first Mazda. I researched them completely and my Miata has lived up to the reputation of being fun, quick and most of all reliable. I have never had any problems with it, only performed the normal scheduled work. 96K miles and it still has a lot of life in it! I would recommend these cars to anyone. More than that, I would buy another one in a heartbeat! Super cars!
Miata STO
I'm 57 years old with back sugury and was concerned with being able to drive a performance car. However, when I came across this STO Miata I thought I would give it a try. The deciding factor was the automatic transimission. The car cries out to be a stick, but I have to stay with reality concerning my back. With this in mind, the car has performed past expectations. I am just under 6' and fit just fine. The automatic it is like driving a go cart.
- STO-EDITIONMSRP: $12,9881,447 mi away
- Base ConvertibleMSRP: $11,9501,585 mi away
- Base ConvertibleMSRP: $11,9992,130 mi away
Second Childhood!!
Bought my "97 in 2006. Have had more fun than I thought possible driving this car. Call it my "GrannyMobile." I use non-ethanol gas and get 32-38 mpg. It is my everyday car. Over 200,000 m and still going strong. I will probably keep 'her' until she goes to Mazda heaven. Had professional rollbars installed, gives her more solidity. Uses about 1/2 quart oil monthly, my mechanic can't find out where it is going. Chk. it weekly. Add an airscoop and a windblocker to the windshield, (when the top is down), and it keeps the low floor transm. heat out and my hat on. My granddaughters just love to ride with 'Granny' with the top down. Luv it! Luv it! Luv it!!!! ZOOM>ZOOm>ZOOM
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Excellent 2nd car
This is the most fun-to-drive car that I've ever had the pleasure of driving. Not especially fast, but the chassis dynamics are an excellent compromise between comfort and control. The stock exhaust provides an aural symphony as you run through the gears. To maximize acceleration, you'll need to spin it >4k rpm. Shifting is a "snick-snick" proposition with short, precise throws. Don't expect a limo ride, but it's far from punishing. Handling is excellent - balanced, with moderate roll and good feel through the wheel. Trunk space is limited; it could use a 6th gear; rear-side visibility is limited with the top up; and the car is not quiet. These are the demerits.
Sports car in its purest form
In terms of value for money in the sports car category, the Miata has no equals. It is quite simply a pure sports car. Like the British sports cars of the 70s but with excellent reliability. Other reviews have said it is lacking in performance - I'll bet that they are changing gear at under 4000 rpm. You see the Miata begs to be driven hard, you feel its power rising smoothly all the way to red line at 7000 rpm. You can absolutely throw it around corners, and it stays completely flat. Oh and don't believe it if somebody tells you it's a chick car. Take a look around and you'll see that most SUV drivers are chicks, most Miata drivers are not!