Young At Heart: 1990 Mazda Miata MX5

Maybe you were too young to afford a Miata when they were first released.  Perhaps you had the first-gen model long ago and want to relive the experience.  It could be that you are a collector who thinks the original might go up in value and you want a great specimen.  Here is your chance to back to 1990 and make it happen.  Find this 1990 Mazda Miata MX5 in Bellevue, NE for $9,500 via craigslist.

I will spare you the specs of this model.  You are either a Miata lover or you aren't.  The real story here is the 11,781 on the odometer and the seemingly pristine condition of this car.  For some reason, the seller did not even hint at the extremely low mileage in the ad headline.  Perhaps the biggest question about this car is the manner in which these miles were accrued.  Ideally, it received some exercise in each of its 26 years of existence.

Of course, you can find myriad examples of newer, more powerful Miatas out there.  Miata aficionados, however, will tell you that power is not the point of these gems.  They are driver's cars with the traditional lightweight, rear wheel drive formula.  The Miata is a revival of the British sports car.  The biggest difference being that you do not have to be a veteran car mechanic and Zen master to enjoy a Miata.

The original MX5 has aged well and remains very contemporary looking.  It is difficult to believe that this shape is a quarter of a century old.  It seems even stranger still that 26 years before this car rolled off the assembly line you could buy a brand new Triumph Spitfire, MGB or Austin-Healey 3000!

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