• Seller: S. Craig M acDonald
• Location: Sun City West, Arizona
• Mileage: 176,500 Shown
• Chassis #: JM1NB3537X0118173
• Title Status: Clean

With summer on our doorstep, now is the ideal time to park a classic Convertible in your driveway. Few motoring pleasures are better than hitting the road with the sun on your back and the wind in your hair. That opportunity awaits the new owner of this 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata. It is a rock-solid Japanese classic featuring tasteful upgrades to improve its appearance, performance, and occupant comfort. The owner feels the time is right for the Miata to find a new home, listing it exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.

Mazda admits it drew heavily on the iconic Lotus Elan when designing the MX-5, and you only have to compare the pair to see the similarities. The Second Generation, or NB, hit showroom floors for the 1998 model year and remained on sale until 2005. It was marginally larger and heavier than the car it replaced, but its additional engine power and suspension tweaks meant there was no performance loss. This Miata emerged from the factory in 1999, with its original owner electing to cloak its exterior in Highlight Silver Pearl Metallic. The stripe running up the hood and down the decklid adds contrast to a classic that presents extremely well. The paint retains a nice shine, although the seller admits the clearcoat is letting go on the hood. Addressing that problem would be straightforward, involving a panel touch-up rather than a complete vehicle repaint. The panels are straight, with only a couple of minor bumps. I’ve examined the included images carefully and feel that a paintless dent removal company might be able to eliminate the imperfections for a few dollars. The new Black soft-top was installed in 2022. It fits as tight as a drum and features a glass rear window with a defogger. The plastic is in good order, the luggage rack is a practical addition, and the glass is crystal clear. The alloy 15″ KÖNIG Wheels add a sense of purpose, suggesting there might be more to this classic than meets the eye.

Mazda followed the Lotus philosophy when designing the Miata, producing a car with a small engine but a low curb weight to provide surprising performance. This MX-5 features its original 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder powerplant, producing 140hp and 119 ft/lbs of torque. The power feeds to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission with overdrive, with the four-wheel independent suspension and power disc brakes creating a total driving package. This car features the added advantage of power steering to make light work of twisting roads. The official power and torque figures for this classic may be academic because the previous owner performed some upgrades that will improve the engine’s breathing and should unlock extra ponies. It inhales deeply through a cold air intake, with the spent gases exiting via headers and a mandrel-bent exhaust. A shock tower brace tightens the front end, while the suspension upgrades include Tein springs, Koni yellow shocks, and a 1¾” ride-height drop to improve handling. The Yokohama tires have plenty of tread, and the owner replaced the clutch in 2022. The car is in excellent mechanical health, ready to hit the road with the winning bidder behind the wheel.

One area where Mazda deviated from the Lotus philosophy was when it devised its interior creature comforts. This Miata features dual airbags, air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, a Nardi leather-wrapped wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette/CD player. The owner confirms the A/C isn’t blowing cold and will require service. The glovebox door is inoperative, but the remaining features work as they should. There are a few upgrades that help this interior to stand out. The doors feature custom vinyl-clad cards, while the original console has made way for one of 2003 vintage. The seller replaced the carpet and installed new seat covers in 2023. These changes allow the interior to be presented extremely well. The dash hasn’t succumbed to UV rays; there are no signs of crumbling plastic or appreciable wear on surfaces.

When it was released, the Mazda MX-5 Miata created a storm, and it seemed that some motoring organizations deliberately created awards so they could hand the company trophies. It proved that a small two-seat sports car could be engaging, civilized, and feature bulletproof reliability. This 1999 model is a gem with no pressing needs. Addressing its minor cosmetic imperfections would be inexpensive but could happen at the new owner’s leisure. Summer is approaching, and I’m sure this Miata tempts many readers. I won’t blame you if you join the bidding party because this classic promises nothing but fun.

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