Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
22 -23 City / 28 HWY
Horsepower
142
Seats
2
Front angle view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Patricia L
That it is a convertible, it is fast & quiet, it has an MP3 player and it is dark blue.
It's a convertible & goes fast! It has a smooth ride. For a convertible, it's amazingly quiet.
accountCircle Brad E
It's fun to drive because it handles so well. It takes corners better than most other cars.
The Miata is very fun to drive. Put the top down and take some curvy roads. Also, it is very reliable. I haven't had any mechanical problems with it.
accountCircle Mandy M
Mazda miata is a great car.
The car is great value for a sports car. Although old, the mileage is really great. All Mazda Miatas do well on mileage. It is reliable. It can be a little daunting driving on the highway because the car is so tiny. You can hear the wind hitting the roof of the car. There is not a auxiliary but it is easy to install one. The roof is cloth because it is a convertible. It is a great car all around, if you love driving.
accountCircle ASC
Fun To Drive!
I was lucky to buy a red 2002, one owner vehicle. I have had it 10 years! Drive it for fun with less than 70k miles now. Tires and new battery only. Love driving to car and will keep it until it begins to give me trouble...knock on wood, I will have it to enjoy a few more yeats!!
accountCircle William B
I changed the exhaust to an aftermarket one.
Great car, never gave me any problems. Simple maintenance checkups. Overall 10/10 car that will give you lots of happiness.
accountCircle Ahsan A. Akmal
I think that my Miata beats it!
Yes! I love it! This having said that I owned a Mustang, the very first year (1964) that they came on the market!
accountCircle Stephen T
Miatas: the little toy car that can!
First of all, I love convertible. Miatas get written off as being 'toy cars' and some ways they are, but I find them to be sturdy reliable, excellent on gas, zippy, great turning radius, easy and inexpensive to maintain and repair, and they look great on the road.
accountCircle Christian F
My tiny little Mazda baby
Love the soft top, and the way that the vehicle handles. The 50/50 weight ratio makes it eat corners for breakfast, and the gas mileage is fantastic. I love being able to drop the top whenever I want, and being able to still carry a decent amount in the trunk. That being said, I would like a little more interior space.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Melinda D
They don't make them like this anymore. It will be hard to buy another car.
I have had minor problems with the past couple of years (battery, transmission, and belts) that are more due to age than any failings of the car manufacturer. It was very reliable when it was fairly used. The bucket seat are fairly comfortable.

Mazda MX-5 Miata Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
Cloth
142 HP 25-25 MPG 2 Seats
car
LS
142 HP 25-25 MPG 2 Seats
car
SE
142 HP 26-26 MPG 2 Seats
Photos may not match model

2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata Owner Reviews

4.70
10 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 80%
4 stars 10%
3 stars 10%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Patricia L on January 25, 2021
That it is a convertible, it is fast & quiet, it has an MP3 player and it is dark blue.
It's a convertible & goes fast! It has a smooth ride. For a convertible, it's amazingly quiet.
accountCircle Ahsan A. Akmal on October 5, 2020
I think that my Miata beats it!
Yes! I love it! This having said that I owned a Mustang, the very first year (1964) that they came on the market!

Ranks #2 Sports Cars by Owners

The 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata has an average owner rating of 4.70 out of 5 which ranks it #2 of 10 other Sports Cars.

1
car
5
2
car
4.7
3
car
4.67

Ranks #3 Sports Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata has a combined MPG of 30 which ranks it #3 of 10 other Sports Cars.

1
Tie
car
33 MPG
1
Tie
car
36 MPG
3
Tie
car
28 MPG

Is The 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata A Good Car?

Fantastic car! Purchased from a dealer on EBAY in 2007. Never a problem except new tires. Love it, convertible plus I have the hard top also.
Valerie P.

How Reliable Is The 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Yes, it is dependable! Only replaced the tires. Drove from the NW Oregon Coast all the way down Hwy, One to Monterey, CA and back. No problems!
Marg G.

Is The 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata A Good Value?

I paid $18k. I thought it was a great deal. The car was only driven by the dealership owner and had low mileage.
TIffany W.

Related Articles for 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata

From the Vehicle History blog

car
Best Mazda Miata Year

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Not Rated

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test
(Not Tested)
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety