The Miata

The 1980s were not only marked by corny television, but by the arrival of Japanese cars as a mainstream choice instead of a quirky alternative too. Japanese gems of the 1980s were the first to primarily rely on virtues of reliability, frugality, and efficiency. Bob Hall, an automotive journalist who loved Mazda, saw a deeply untapped well of people with minimal incomes who wanted something sporty and fun, but for a more reasonable price. He sent a proposal to Mazdas head of design and got the wheels turning on what was to eventually be the Miata (AKA the MX-5).

Mazda used a design credo across the four generations of the MX-5's development: the phrase Jinba ittai, which translates into English as "rider and horse as one body ". This phrase was roughly translated into car mechanic speak to be relayed into five core design requirements:

-The car would be as compact and as light as possible while meeting global safety requirements.

-The cockpit would comfortably accommodate two full-stature occupants with no wasted space.

-The basic layout would continue with the original's front-midship rear-drive configuration with the engine positioned ahead of the driver but behind the front axle for 50:50 weight distribution.

-All four wheels would be attached by wishbone or multi-link suspension systems to maximize tire performance, road grip, and dynamic stability.

-And that a power-plant frame would provide a solid connection between the engine and rear-mounted differential to sharpen throttle response.

The result was an adorable sports car that was swift enough to glide around winding roads and exhilarate while speeding down a freeway. Being reasonably priced was one of the initial reasons this car was brought to fruition, so the price was as unbelievable as the ride.

Mazda held customer clinics to not only gauge the publics interest in the Miata but also to see how much people would be willing to pay for it. The goal was to sell for at least $8,800, just enough to justify the project and turn a justifiable profit (profit being one of the last things they were going for). Interestingly enough, most people pinned the Miata be be sold at $20,000! The Miata ended up being released with a mid-ranged sticker price of $13,800, a pleasant surprise to Bob Hall and Mazdas designers behind the project.

On top of that, initial sales goals were around 20,000 units per year in the US, but demand was much higher than projected. Mazda sold closer to 40,000 Miatas annually in the cars formative years. Mazda's customer clinics also showed that the Miata had approval ratings a politician would kill for—85 to 90 percent of the participants liked the roadster, numbers that greatly exceeded what automakers normally expect to from such studies.

The Miata is now the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history. By April of 2016, over one million MX-5s had been built and sold around the world. The head designer of the Miata agrees that it’s one of his best creations, and he says he loves to see smiling faces behind the wheel as he drives down the curvy roads of Southern California. This enduring gem is still as abound and adored as ever, and our inventory here at Lujack Mazda may just have yours!