Cars You Should Know: Mazda Miata

All year long, the Cars You Should Know campaign has been showcasing the specific makes and models that are most often quoted here at Hagerty. It’s important to remember, though, it’s not always the age or type of vehicle that makes it a good fit for a specialty policy. It’s as much about how the vehicle is treated, taken care of and driven.

We’ve made it to December, the final month of our Cars You Should Know campaign. Thanks for coming along on this year-long ride with us. We hope you have learned a thing or two about the specific makes and models enthusiasts are loving right now—and about the general trends and shifts we’re seeing in the specialty insurance space.

For our last installment of Cars You Should Know, we’re ending the year strong, focusing on just one car: The Mazda MX-5 Miata.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the most popular sports car in the world, with more than 1 million sold since its launch in 1989. Here at Hagerty, it comes in at number 13 on our list of most-quoted models from 2024.

Introduced in 1989, it offered a new take on the fun and affordable roadster, a type that was so popular in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. The success of the Miata sparked a retro-roadster wave in the 1990s, with competition from BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lotus, Toyota, Honda, and GM. The Mazda MX-5 Miata has outlived nearly all of them.

Quote trends

• Across the four Miata generations (NA, NB, NC and ND), 72% of Hagerty quotes in 2024 came from Gen X and younger enthusiasts (people born after 1964), which is younger than the overall 64% share for all enthusiast vehicles.
• If you look at who’s buying what across all generations of the Miata, you see a U shape. The NA has the most youth appeal, with a 78% Gen X and younger share, the NB has a 67% share, the NC a 57% share, and the ND a 73% share.
• And for the first time in CYSK history, we have a Gen Z-specific stat to share: The NA is the most popular generation quoted by Gen Z (people born 1997-2010).

Valuation fast facts

• Most valuable Miata: The 1996-1997 model, condition 1 value (best in the world), is the most valuable Miata in the price guide at $41,700. (Although there are numerous special editions and option packages that can increase that value.)
• Accelerating at auction: In 2020, fewer than 300 Miatas were offered at auction, and while 90% sold, total sales just exceeded $3 million (average price $13,000). A short four years later, in 2024, nearly 900 Miatas were offered at auction, of which 90% sold, and total sales exceeded $12 million (average price $15,700).

Remember, Hagerty is in the business of protecting the cars the people love. The fun cars, the special cars, the vintage and classic cars, as well as the modern collector cars. These are not your everyday cars, they’re special and they need special coverage. So, when you work with someone who has a car they love—even if it’s not one of the cars we’ve discussed here in CYSK—make sure you’re offering protection they, and their car, deserve.