Mazda is celebrating the Miata’s 35th birthday with a special edition variant of the popular little sports car. Although supplies are extremely limited, the limited edition MX5 perfectly captures the Miata’s core spirit. It looks good, is likely to drive exceptionally well, and is priced so that the average person could buy one.
Here are a few more details on what makes Mazda’s latest limited creation worth it, along with a reason why you may not be able to get your hands on one even if you can easily afford it.
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The 35th Anniversary Miata is very well-specced
In terms of performance, the limited-run Mazda sits on striking 17-inch rims with an asymmetric limited-slip differential, shock tower bracing, and sport-tuned Bilstein dampers.
When it comes to tech and comfort features, the 35th Anniversary Edition is pretty much on par with the Miata’s “Grand Touring” trim. This means you can expect heated seats, Bose audio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as Amazon’s Alexa built into the vehicle.
You get an almost exclusive paint job on the limited edition Miata
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The 35th anniversary Miata’s standout feature might just be its stunning paint job. Previously exclusive to the CX-90, the rich “Artisan Red” finish now graces this special edition. Crafted using Mazda’s three-layer Takuminuri paint process, it delivers a deep, metallic sheen that gleams beautifully in sunlight.
The exterior paint elements are integrated into the interior trim, allowing drivers to appreciate the beautiful color from within. There are other distinctive style features, like embossed 35th Anniversary headrests and a beige soft top, that tie everything together perfectly.
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The price point is very competitive, but the run is pretty limited
Dave McQuilling/Autoblog
Limited editions of cars can be obscenely priced, but given their relative exclusivity, most people tend to be okay with that. Mazda doesn’t seem to have gotten this memo, as the Miata 35th Anniversary Edition has a shockingly attractive MSRP of $36,250. That’s just under $2,000 more than the “Grand Touring” trim currently available for Mazda’s little sports car and less than $7,000 above the base trim.
Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a numbers game. Only 300 35th Anniversary Edition Miatas are coming to the United States, which means you’ll likely struggle to get your hands on one even if you can comfortably afford it. Mazda says those interested in the limited-run vehicle should chat with their local dealers and take it from there.
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Final thoughts
Dave McQuilling/Autoblog
The 35th Anniversary Miata looks beautiful, its specs are competitive, and the price point is such that buying one is within budget for the vast majority of people. If you’re looking for a new Miata or just a fun, cheap third car in general, you’d need a pretty good reason not to go for this one.
That reason will likely be its extremely limited run. Despite being Mazda’s biggest market by a long way, the U.S. is getting a mere 300 vehicles, which is only a handful more than are set to sell in Canada. So, despite the low price point, you may still need to win Mazda’s lottery before you get your hands on one anyway.
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