A Trip Down Memory Lane
by Ron Carmichael
On a recent visit to Hendrick Stevenson Mazda for service, I ran across an article in the Mazda USA publication Driver’s Side. It was a reprint of an article from the September 1989 Issue of Car and Driver magazine entitled “Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Return of the Honest Sports Car.” It describes the magazine’s first road test of the newly introduced Mazda Miata. I think the 1989 description of driving the 1990 Miata still applies to today’s MX-5, some 34 years later, as the original characteristics continue in today’s Miata. The websites below include other articles of the first road test of the 1990 Miata as well as a history and evolution of all Miatas. I encourage our members to read these articles. It’s a wonderful and educational trip down Miata memory lane. While the design and performance specifications have changed over the years, the thrill that comes with driving a Miata remains the same. As you may be aware, Mazda has announced that the “fifth” generation of the Miata arriving in 2025-26 will be an “electrified” MX-5. At this point Mazda has not announced what “electrified” means. Will it be a traditional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or full electric vehicle (EV)? Regardless of what powers the 2026 “electrified” Miata, let’s hope the thrill and joy of the Miata that was born in the 1990 model and described in the articles below, continue.
Car and Driver site:
Tested: 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata Brings Pure Driving Joy
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15141519/1990-mazda-mx-5-miata-archived-test-review/
A Quick History of Mazda’s MX-5 Miata, from 1989 to Today
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g26111823/mazda-mx-5-miata-history/
Mazda’s site:
Mazda’s Drivers Life (not limited to Miatas)
Changing Car Batteries
Changing a car battery is simple, right? Not so fast. How to change the car battery in your Miata. by Ron Carmichael I think we have all installed a new car battery during our lifetimes. It was a simple operation which called for unhooking the battery terminals, removing the old battery, installing a new one…
Tech Column – by Ken Schiess
I spent a few minutes chatting with Mike at National Speed today. I was wondering if they do Miatas and what one might do to improve performance without forsaking drivability (quiet, fuel mileage etc). He was amazingly patient explaining to me that tuning, while not cheap, was one answer to my question. For models NC…
Tech Column – by Ken Schiess
As we approach Tech Day it seemed appropriate to write about some of the challenges one could encounter with the NC model. First is the top. As the NC’s age, (the newest now 5 years old and the oldest 15) tops begin to reach end of life, especially if they have been exposed to the…