Here’s why the owner of this sports car doesn’t drive much.
Revisiting the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
This viewer shared his 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. She said she bought it new as a birthday present to herself. She also named the car “Lola”.
Fox – 13 News
- The least frequently driven cars are affordable sports cars that are loved by many car enthusiasts.
- Mazda’s affordable sports car is impractical for drivers who need cabin space, cargo space, and good traction.
Some drivers average more than 14,489 miles per year on their vehicles, while others rack up less than half that amount in a 12-month period. Some car owners rarely drive their cars for various reasons, such as depreciation or owning multiple cars.
A study by iSeeCars.com, an automotive search engine and research site, found that owners of the iconic yet affordable sports car model drive their cars less than 5,100 miles a year. Here’s what you need to know:
According to iSeeCars.com, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is the least frequently driven car
According to a study conducted by iSeeCars.com, Mazda MX-5 Miata owners only drive an average of 5,073 miles per year. The study’s methodology included one million used car odometer readings. The MX-5 Miata is followed by the GMC Hummer EV, MINI Hardtop EV, and Mazda MX-30 EV on a list compiled by the same automotive research company of cars that have been used infrequently for three years or more.
There’s no clear reason why Mazda MX-5 Miata owners rarely drive their cars, but some of the sports car’s specifications and its history help paint a clearer picture. Rob Report One of the greatest sports cars of all time, the Miata and its owners may be more complicated than you think.
Why is the Mazda Miata the best-selling roadster?
The Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. This sports car weighed just over 2,000 pounds and featured an open top. Japanese automaker Mazda debuted the second-generation MX-5 Miata NB at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show.
Just a few years later, the Miata was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s best-selling convertible two-seater sports car. According to a Forbes car review, the car is “in a class of its own” because it’s affordable, fun, and reliable.
Is Mazda Miata a good car?
Despite its title as the least driven used car, the Mazda Miata is a great car, according to iSeeCars.com. Edmunds reviews praise its driving dynamics, fuel economy, and easy-to-use manual soft top. The MX-5 is also one of the most affordable new sports car models money can buy.
Prices for the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata start at $29,530. There are four trim levels.
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Trim
- MX-5 Miata Sport ($29,530)
- MX-5 Miata Club ($33,030)
- MX-5 Miata Grand Touring ($34,840)
- MX-5 Miata 35th Anniversary Edition ($36,250)
Mazda’s small sports car is equipped with a standard six-speed manual transmission. Only the Grand Touring trim has an automatic transmission option. The MX-5 Miata is powered by a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. While this may not seem like a lot of power, keep in mind that the MX-5 Miata has a maximum curb weight of just 2,428 pounds.
The Miata gets 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway, making it one of the most efficient sports cars on the market. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert are standard. Upper trim levels, like the Grand Touring, come with nicer features like heated leather-trimmed seats, a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Why the Mazda MX-5 Miata may be your least driven car
While the MX-5 Miata offers plenty of value as a sports car, this little car isn’t the best daily driver in terms of cabin and cargo space. Rear-wheel drive is also standard. According to major tire manufacturer Pirelli, rear-wheel drive cars are “difficult to drive on snow and ice”.
According to a 2020 New York Times article, small SUVs have surpassed cars in terms of practicality. Another reason Miata owners don’t drive their cars often is depreciation. “As a car’s mileage increases, its value decreases,” says Progressive. The MX-5 may be the least driven car, but its status as the world’s best-selling roadster means it’s no less appealing.
Lowest mileage used cars according to iSeeCars.com
Besides the Mazda MX-5 Miata, iSeeCars’ list of least driven used cars includes several other vehicles. Each model averages less than 9,000 miles per year.
Least driven 3 year old vehicle
- GMC Hummer EV (Average Miles: 5,205)
- MINI Hardtop 2 Door EV (Average Miles: 6,726)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEV (Average Miles: 7,039)
- Ford Mustang (Average Miles: 7,142)
- Ford F-150 Lightning (Average Miles: 7,877)
- Volkswagen Golf R (Average Miles: 7,990)
- Volkswagen ID.4 (Average miles driven: 8,053)
- Ford Ecosport (average miles driven: 8,140)
- Subaru WRX (average miles driven: 8,181)
- Subaru BRZ (Average Miles: 8,395)
Four out of ten used cars with the lowest mileage are EVs, so limited mileage may be contributing to the low average annual mileage. Some of the models listed are sports cars or sports car-adjacent models similar to the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
