Why the NA Miata Still Holds Up in 2024

The Mazda Miata is turning 35 this year, and to the surprise of many, this unassuming lightweight roadster is still going strong. While countless sports cars, roadsters, and convertibles have come and gone, the original NA Miata has remained an icon of affordable driving fun. Even as the market has shifted toward SUVs and crossovers, and modern automotive technology has introduced more screens and driver aids than ever before, the classic first-generation Miata endures. In an era when many enthusiasts gravitate toward high horsepower and elaborate driving modes, the NA Miata’s simplistic charm still resonates in 2024.

Breaking Ground

Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, the once-thriving British roadster scene had all but faded away. Iconic names like Triumph and MG disappeared, leaving a conspicuous void in the market for small, affordable sports cars. Against this backdrop, Mazda took a calculated risk by creating a compact rear-drive roadster that channeled the classic British spirit but offered Japanese reliability. The result was the 1989 debut of the NA Miata, often recognized as the car that singlehandedly revived the lightweight roadster segment. When it launched at just $13,800 (roughly $35,000 in today’s money), the Miata proved that a fun, reliable, no-frills sports car could still succeed with modern buyers.

Simplicity = Good Design

From the outset, Mazda’s engineers and designers focused on a few essential principles: keep the car light, maintain a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, and ensure the driver could operate the soft-top without leaving the seat. The result was a roadster that weighed a hair above 2,000 pounds and handled with a balance few cars could match. A naturally aspirated, rev-happy four-cylinder sat up front, sending power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission so crisp it became a standard by which others would be measured. The cabin remained free of unnecessary electronics or elaborate driver aids, distilling the experience down to a direct connection between man and machine.

Driving the NA Today

Fast-forward to 2024, and sliding into the driver’s seat of a well-preserved NA Miata still yields a sense of occasion. The interior is small and simple, dominated by the essential analog gauges and a short-throw manual shifter. For taller drivers, headroom can be tight with the top up, but lowering the roof transforms the experience. Even in cold or damp weather, owners frequently discover that flipping the roof back and cranking the heat can be surprisingly comfortable, and undeniably fun. The key revelation is that you don’t need triple-digit speeds to enjoy the NA Miata’s dynamic sweet spot. At 30 or 40 miles per hour, the sense of speed and engagement still delivers a thrill, making grocery runs or Sunday cruises feel special.

Why It Still Resonates

Much of the car’s staying power comes from its singular focus on the driving experience. Technology has marched on in most modern vehicles, offering advanced infotainment, driver-assist systems, and automated transmissions that operate with lightning efficiency. While these innovations certainly have their place, they can dilute the visceral quality of driving. The NA Miata, by contrast, doesn’t care about setting record lap times or achieving digital perfection. It’s about wind in your hair, razor-sharp steering feedback, and rev-matched downshifts, all at modest, street-friendly speeds. This devotion to simplicity has made each generation of Miata, up to the current ND, carry the torch of the original formula: a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat roadster meant to put a smile on your face every time you take the wheel.

Community, Culture, and Longevity

Another crucial factor in the NA Miata’s continued relevance is the enthusiastic and widespread community supporting it. From Reddit threads packed with tips to local club meets and track events, Miata owners share knowledge, spare parts, and camaraderie. This network ensures that even high-mileage or slightly battered NA Miatas can be restored and rejuvenated with relative ease. Affordability remains a strong point, too, while prices have risen for pristine examples, parts and repairs remain more accessible than for many other classic sports cars. Rust protection and the occasional mechanical refresh are the main hurdles for a decades-old model, but most NA owners happily tackle these as part of the ownership adventure.

Practical Considerations in 2024

Safety features and interior accommodations in the NA Miata naturally lag behind the modern car world, given its early ‘90s roots. There are minimal airbags, limited space, and no contemporary driver aids. If you’re used to large sedans or SUVs with expansive crumple zones and collision-avoidance tech, the Miata’s compact frame might feel exposed. Yet for many buyers, that’s part of the appeal. It offers an analog experience at a time when vehicles are increasingly digital. And while some might dismiss it as an “impractical” second car, the Miata’s relatively simple mechanics, reasonable fuel economy, and small footprint often make it a surprisingly good everyday companion, provided you’re comfortable packing light and keeping an eye out for taller vehicles in traffic.

Enduring Charm

Ultimately, the NA Miata’s greatest achievement lies in prioritizing the joy of driving above all else. From the moment it launched, it championed the idea that a sports car can be exciting without an eye-watering price tag or excessive horsepower. In 2024, that idea is more relevant than ever, especially in a landscape full of large EVs and tech-laden crossovers. The NA Miata’s analog nature, mechanical, tactile, and charming, reminds us that connection with the road is still possible, even if the rest of the automotive world is changing.

The first-generation Miata’s staying power reflects an enduring formula: light weight, rear-drive balance, a straightforward manual transmission, and a simple drop-top design. Thirty-five years since its debut, the NA Miata feels as fresh and engaging as ever, offering a timeless rebuttal to the notion that modern cars must be heavy or overcomplicated to succeed. Whether you’re a prospective buyer, a weekend tinkerer, or simply an admirer of automotive history, it’s hard to argue with the little roadster’s legacy. In an era where complexity and sophistication often dominate, the NA Miata stands as a beacon of unfiltered fun, proving it’s still “the king of affordable roadsters” even in 2024.