1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata Base 5MT
All photo credits
- Photo: 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata in Mariner Blue, front left, 2025-09-07 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata M Edition, front left, 09-30-2023 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Mazda MX-5 en Dalhem 02 by Bene Riobó, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata, rear left, 06-08-2024 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Mazda Miata NA custom interior by TKOIII, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata Base 5MT is a 116-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 convertible with a 5-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $14,069 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.
It makes 116 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 100 lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpm, spinning to a 7,200 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).
The MX-5 Miata measures 155.4 inches long on a 89.2-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Convertible |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $14,069 ($34,984 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 1.6L DOHC 16-valve I4 (B6-ZE), iron block / aluminum head |
| Displacement | 1.6 L |
| Horsepower | 116 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 100 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm |
| Redline | 7,200 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 16-valve |
| Bore and Stroke | 78 x 83.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.4:1 |
| Injection Type | Multi-port electronic fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| 1st Gear | 3.14 (36 mph **) |
| 2nd Gear | 1.89 (60 mph **) |
| 3rd Gear | 1.33 (85 mph **) |
| 4th Gear | 1 (113 mph **) |
| 5th Gear | 0.81 (140 mph **) |
| Final Drive | 4.3 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 22 MPG |
| Highway | 28 MPG |
| Combined | 24 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent double wishbone, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | Independent double wishbone, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | Yes |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | Yes |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Ventilated disc |
| Rear Brake Disc | Solid disc |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 14 in |
| Wheels Rear | 14 in |
| Tires Front | 185/60HR14 |
| Tires Rear | 185/60HR14 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 155.4 in |
| Width | 65.9 in |
| Height | 48.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 89.2 in |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 37.1 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.7 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 50.4 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata Base 5MT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
No recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1990 Mazda MX-5 MIATA.
28 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1990 Mazda MX-5 MIATA
Owner Complaints
28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Mazda MX-5 MIATA (4 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Hydraulic | 2 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1990 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.