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Enthusiasts regard the Mazda MX-5 Miata as perhaps the best pure driver’s car on the market. Front-mid-engine. Rear-wheel-drive. Lightweight. Sublime handling. You can’t beat it — at least with the budget of a mere mortal. And if you’re ready to plop down the cash on a great used version, it’s your lucky day: a pristine version of one of the most iconic vintage Miatas just popped up for auction on Bring a Trailer.
The car in question is a first-generation 1991 NA Special Edition model with a five-speed manual. It’s one of 4,000 special editions produced wearing British Racing Green paint and a tan leather interior — perhaps a nod to the British roadster segment the Miata both paid tribute to and later revitalized. This one only has 13,000 miles on the odometer, and is up to date with all its services; the timing belt and water pump were replaced just this April.
Power numbers for a first-gen Miata won’t overwhelm. This model’s 1.6-liter plant put out 116 horsepower and 100 lb-ft of torque when new — econobox-level power by modern standards. But Miata people aren’t in it for the raw power; the new Miata only has 181 hp. And the car isn’t perfect; from the listing, it seems as though the radio system needs to be overhauled. But the only sound a true driver who appreciates a vintage Miata requires is that sweet music from the engine.
Bidding is already at $10,000 as of this writing, with six days left on the auction. Expect that to escalate. It’s hard to find any feature more rad than pop-up headlights.
