In spite of an invasion of two-seat sports cars from other manufacturers, the Mazda Miata remains the benchmark. It offers truly outstanding, classic sports car handling. Rear-wheel drive and light weight make the most of its twin-cam four-cylinder engine. Amenities are traditional elegantly designed sports car: simple and functional.
It isn't the most powerful, or the most luxurious. It isn't the most exotic or the most sophisticated. But in terms of an affordable roadster, which is what the original British sports cars were, the Miata is near perfection. And, following the classic sports car definition, in a pinch it can be raced. It is the best-selling two-seat roadster of all time, according to Guinness World Records; more than 500,000 have been sold worldwide, half of them in North America.
For 2001, Mazda has increased horsepower, enlarged the brakes, stiffened the chassis, and upgraded the interior, making this the best Miata of all time.