1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata consumer reviews

The handling of the NA Miata is almost unparalleled. I wanted to love this car, but daily driving it made that near impossible. It was easily one of the most delusional and masochistic ideas I've ever had and yet it will most likely remain one of the highlights of my life. Struggling to deal with the lack of cargo space, constantly leaking soft top, and spontaneously combusting coil packs led to me truly appreciating this car for what it really is; a weekend car. Daily driving an NA Miata is truly an insane idea, and caused me to spend more money on aspirin then car parts, but it truly is worth more then the sum of its parts, and because of that, I will never forget my little Miata that couldn't.

March 2017, just purchased 1997 MX-5 M edition in excellent condition, automatic, British Racing Green with 69K miles. Had a 1995 m edition 10+ years ago and know how great the cars are. I am looking forward to taking my 97 back to the Dragons Tail Hwy 129 in North Carolina from Florida.

I tell all my pals, my Miata, is my Triumph Spitfire...that works!!!! She is my weekend girlfriend, and its ok with the misses!! I keep it stock except for plug wires and a racing clutch. Run on synthetic 5-30 and put a MG/ Triumph luggage rack on it, looks great!! Hard to find AC or heating parts but living in LA, so what!!! Gear range is perfect, 3000 to 3500 RPM shift and next gear picks right up. Or tach out, and its pure fun!!! Suggest, good aggressive tires and oil change every 3000 miles. Get one!!! See you on the " twisty s Have Fun!!!!"

First convertible I have owned. Bought the car in TN and drove it to TX. It was every thing that was advertised. The car drives really well and I enjoy it a lot.

Got this car with the intentions of being a commuter car. As a single guy, I didn't need much and loved that it had pop up lights and convertible! I went with an older miata 1st generation but newer 1997 with the 1.8 engine and I loved it as soon as I turned the key. This is a very impractical car for a big family but for me it was perfect, everything about it screams FUN. the RWD and 5 speed layout is everything I could ever want. Since it's a small car, you doubt it is fast but it brings you up to speed when you really need it and it's very cheap to maintain and VERY VERY reliable. If you take good care of it with regular maintenance it will bring you years of reliability and smiles when you drive. The MPG is excellent and the balance is everything you could ever want. The handling is superb and you will be able to pull some stunts off that you could not in your regular everyday car. You never look uncool in the car and everyone responds to the car with random compliments, smiles, and waves from strangers. It seems like everywhere I go, I at least make someone smile which makes me want to drive it even more! This is one of the cars that will stay running forever because I would never think of trading this in, I would rather add an extra car than ever think about getting rid of my little miata!

I wanted an automatic found this car in Sacramento, CA. without Cars.com I would not have found the car I wanted in the area close to our home state :-)

My 97 Miata has 265,000 miles on it. I bought it used at 70,000 miles. It just keeps on going. I totally recommend this car. Low maintenance.

1997 Mazda Miata Mx5 is one fantastic sports car. My wife and I purchased this car as a weekend driver. It only has 53,000 original miles on it. Performance and handling are great. Excellent excelleration in all 5 gears. We would buy another one in a heart beat.

This car is not perfect, but it is amazing. The top qualities seem an impossible combination: Incredibly fun and entertaining to drive, incredibly reliable and durable, and rock-bottom overall ownership costs. This is not a "chick car". This is a serious driver's car for any driver who appreciates that driving is not about drag racing between traffic lights. Handling is amazing but requires care at the limit. The car is also incredibly maneuverable and handy around town, although it really shines on winding roads (or on the race track). All the controls are finely tuned and balanced for proper feel and great feedback. Engine and exhaust sound are wonderful, and the short throw gearshift feels almost like in a formula Ford race car. It is very rare that a car turns out so good that it makes you grin every time you drive it. Only gripes are cowl and steering column shake on bad roads, high senstivitiy to wheel imbalance around 60-70 mph, wind and wind noise at freeway speeds with the top down, and cloth seat upholstry wears through prematurely around the edges. Being rear wheel drive and soft-top it is definitely not a winter car in the snow belt. 1997 is the last year of the 1st generation (with the pop-up headlights). Unlike some other cars of similar vintage, the Miata pop-ups are dead-reliable -you will not find a lazy-eye Miata. Interior is highly functional and ergonomics are great. Timing belt should be replaced around 100K, but if it pops you will get stranded but no engine damage will occur, and replacement is less than 1/2 the cost vs. on any German car. Even corrosion resistance seems good - we have two 1997 midwest-driven examples with absolutely no rust. The bottom line: This car is in a class of one - there is nothing like it. There may be a few sports cars which could be considered better at 2 or 3 times the price, but they are nowhere near 2 or 3 times better.

I have had three Miatas. I realy like the features on the M-Series. Color, chrome wheels, headrest speakers, interior emblems etc.