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)
Tech Column by Ken Schiess
In March of 2017, I was complaining about a vibration between 45 and 55 mph. I had put the wheels on the balancing machine during tech day and discovered that two of the wheels appeared to be out of round or slightly bent. I proceeded to have them straightened by Stevenson Mazda (thanks Howard) –…
Tech Column – Ken Schiess
In March of 2017 I was complaining about a vibration between 45 and 55 mph. I had put the wheels on the balancing machine during tech day and discovered that two of the wheels appeared to be out of round or slightly bent. I proceeded to have them straightened, by Stevenson Mazda (thanks Howard) –…
The Mazda Miata Gets a Carbon Fiber Removable Hardtop by Justin T. Westbrook
Taken from 12/18 Jalopnick News: The 2019 Mazda Miata was, of course, one of the best cars we drove this year. To celebrate this illustrious win, Mazda showed off a new carbon fiber removable hardtop at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. Just kidding, Mazda doesn’t care about us. But they do care about choices, and…