In the realm of automotive enthusiasm, few cars command universal respect like the Mazda Miata. My journey with these cars began in 2018 when I acquired my first Miata for a mere $1,000, a figure reminiscent of the pre-pandemic era when the joy of car ownership was delightfully accessible to the budget-conscious enthusiast.

The 1999 NB Miata, naturally aspirated and bursting with potential, was my initiation into what I would describe as a playful driving experience. Learning its dynamics across varying conditions in snow, rain, and dry asphalt was not just educational but exhilarating. Despite a rather ambitious experiment with an eBay turbo kit that prematurely ended its tenure, the car left a mark on my automotive soul.

From a $1,000 NB to a Mazdaspeed Miata

Transitioning to a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, I encountered a vehicle that, despite its ‘Swiss-cheese-like’ frame, offered a new canvas for creativity. Modifications like eBay fenders, a Paco 3″ Lift Kit, and JDM Bilstein struts imported directly from Japan transformed it into a pothole-conquering, oversized-wheel-wearing spectacle that generated smiles and laughs in equal measure. This venture into the realms of both NA and NB chassis stretched my palate, driving me to collect most every color variant of this delightful machine. I have enjoyed naturally aspirated, turbo, and supercharged variants, (all the 1.8L Engine).

Why the Mazda Miata still matters

But the Miata’s significance extends beyond personal story. In the broader automotive world, it represents accessible performance in an ecosystem increasingly dominated by technology filled, expensive alternatives. Its appeal highlights a desire for simpler, more engaging driving experience.

The allure of the Miata, in my experience, lies not just in its affordability nor ease of modification (both qualities well-documented in countless forums and videos) but also in its predictability and reliability as a source of pure, unadulterated driving joy. 

Why I’d buy 10 more

As I look back on my journey with these Miatas, I am reminded of the truths they reinforce about the automotive passion: it’s not the price tag that defines enjoyment but the connection between driver and machine. The Miata, with its humble yet spirited design, continues to facilitate this connection with its analog feel and design.

In an age where the automotive world faces with the transition to electrification and autonomy, the Mazda Miata stands as a reminder of the value of driving. The road ahead is uncertain, but one thing remains clear: the Mazda Miata, in most its iterations, will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who cherish the joy of driving. And so, as the market continues to evolve, my eyes will remain peeled for the next great Miata deal, ready to embark on another chapter of this forever rewarding journey. It is for these reasons I would not hesitate to double down on my investment in joy, community, and automotive purity by acquiring ten more Miatas…if not more.

What 10 Miatas taught me about buying one

• Start with a cheap NA or NB. A $1,000 1999 NB was the entry point here, and the first-generation (NA) and second-generation (NB) cars remain the most accessible and the easiest to modify.
• The 1.8L engine takes abuse well. Naturally aspirated, turbocharged and supercharged examples all ran on the same 1.8L, and the reliability held up across all three.
• Check the frame on a Mazdaspeed. The 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata is the one to want, but rust can leave the frame “Swiss-cheese-like.” Inspect before you pay.
• Skip the bargain turbo kit. An eBay turbo kit ended the first car’s life early. Budget mods are part of the fun; budget forced induction is not.
• Buy for the drive, not the spec sheet. The appeal is predictability, analog feel and the connection between driver and machine, qualities that are getting rarer as cars go electric and autonomous.