11/10/2023 0 Comments Miata 1990 jdm![]() The primary reason for this is the mainstream lack of understanding of what constitutes a true sports car.Īs we established earlier in this article, many think that a sports car has to be a complete fire-breathing monster (more like a supercar) and the Miata just isn’t that. ![]() The Miata/MX-5 is often denounced as a ‘hairdresser’s car’, or not sporty enough – but why? So why do some still insist that it isn’t? ![]() It’s abundantly clear, therefore, that the Miata is a sports car by every definition of the term. Why Do Some Not Consider The Miata A Sports Car? ![]() We only hope that Mazda continues to make the Miata/MX-5 for many years to come. In fact, it is just about the “last man standing” when it comes to affordable, accessible sports cars in the traditional vein.īack in the 1990s and early 2000s there were more choices like the MG-F, Honda S2000 and Fiat Barchetta, but these have all gone the way of the dodo. Whether you look at the dictionary definition, the traditional definition, or even the modern understanding of what a sports car should be, it’s hard to argue that the Miata is anything but. Lightweight, two seats, removable roof, and a focus on handling and responsiveness. However, it’s critical to remember that the Miata was meant to be what sports cars originally were. It isn’t the Miata’s fault that the perception of what a sports car should be has evolved over time. For example, something like a hot version of an SUV might be considered a sports car by many, when it would definitely not meet the original criteria that the Miata was designed to live up to. Mainstream opinion seems to view a sports car as any sort of quick/performance-oriented car. It’s important to bear in mind that the “modern” meaning of sports car has been somewhat corrupted. In fact, when Bob Hall (who was integral to the development of the MX-5) first approached Mazda back in the late 1970s, he lamented that the “classically-British sports car doesn’t exist any more”. If you know the history of the Miata, then you’ll know that part of the impetus for Mazda to develop such a car came from a desire to resurrect the small, lightweight sports car, which had become less popular as a type of car by the early 1980s. The Lotus Elan convertible was the “reference point” for the original MX-5/Miata – Mazda wanted to resurrect sports cars like the Elan.Īnd guess which little sports car from Mazda took a great deal of inspiration from the Lotus Elan? One of the best examples of a “true” sports car is the original Lotus Elan (although this was also available with a fixed roof). Sufficient power to be exciting, but generally not to an extreme level.Light weight, with a focus on responsive, competent handling.These sports cars had some common themes: In the years following World War 2 (particularly starting from the late 1950s) there was an explosion in the popularity of sports cars, particularly from European manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo and MG: The MGB Roadster is an example of a classic two seat sports car that the MX-5/Miata set out to emulate (and improve upon) Keep this ‘dictionary definition’ in mind as you read the rest of this article. “a low small usually 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy manoeuvrability, and high-speed driving” In order to determine if the Miata truly qualifies as a sports car, we need to understand what a sports car is in the first instance.Īccording to Merriam Webster, a sports car is defined as follows: Conclusion – Is The Miata A Sports Car?.Why Do Some Not Consider The Miata A Sports Car?.
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