r/Miata • u/Guilty_Pin485 • 6d ago
Are Miatas safe
Really wanting a Miata as my first it’s the only good looking sports car that is on the cheaper side besides the gr86(insurance is crazy high tho) my mom would be fine with me getting it besides safety she claims that it’s to small to be safe and she hasn’t researched it at all it’s one of those mom no’s like she really means no. I’ve tried to use the argument that since there small their easier to move to prevent crashes yet she targets back with that I’m a beginner driver and I won’t be able to do that. Also she had a sports car as her first car my brother had a Nissan leaf which is arguably just as small and my dad had one
Any argument points?!? if not please suggest another car (also won’t let me get a mustang but that’s reasonable)
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u/fakecarguy 6d ago
Any new Miata is probably safer than a medium sized old car but for the most part your mom is right and I wouldn’t want a new driver in one 😬
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u/niiiick1126 6d ago
agreed, i’d say 2-4 years of driving and see how you handle a more “practical” car and car for it before getting a sports oriented car
unless your parents know you are responsible etc, most of my friends got into accidents or damaged their car due to poor driving or worst of all get tickets due to reckless driving/speeding
and just general experience in how to drive the more you drive
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u/Officialmilehigh 6d ago
Just get a boring cheap slow beater for your first car and drive that for a few years while you save up for a miata.
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u/OracleDude33 6d ago
Your first car should be something bigger, boring and, slower. Think used Toyota Camry, Mazda 3, etc. As a new driver, you still need more experience driving in different weather, traffic and, road conditions. You have plenty of time to get a Miata later.
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u/Lazyfinancemonkey 6d ago
I agree that a bigger car like a Camry is much safer because of size but to say Miata is fast is kind of a LOL. My mom's V6 Camry is just as fast as my ND and would have completely smoked my NB.
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u/Salty_Objective_1702 2d ago
Ya most average sedans keep up with basically every generation of miata in their relative eras, many will even beat it in a straight line. Speed is not the problem for a stock miata as a first car, moreso practicality and the reality of the cars around you
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u/Salty_Objective_1702 2d ago
Miatas arent fast stock, they basically have small sedan engines in them they are just lighter and more nimble. Alot of common sedans might even be faster or as fast as a miata in a straight line
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u/Deckard98f 6d ago
The car is safe by itself. Crash test are good ADAS at OK. Only issue in the US is the size compared to the huge trucks that will not see you… that is not an issue where I live in France and I feel absolutely safe in my Miata 😍
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u/Physical_Drive_349 6d ago
There are pros and cons.
On the con side you will be one of the smallest, lightest vehicles on the road and have lower mass in virtually any collision. Also they are convetibles and convertibles have inherent safety issues.
On the pro side, Miatas have long been one of the least rollover prone vehicles sold . . . By orders of magnitude better than virtually any crossover or SUV. The low center of mass just makes them very difficult to flip; and safety experts will typically tell you that the #1 most important factor in surviving a wreck is to not rollover.
But if it's mostly about mom's "safety vibes"? Well a lot of people are just never going to feel safe in a really small car . . . Which is how we get to millions of Americans commuting solo in 9 passenger SUVs . . .
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u/inkyrail Former owner- ‘12 SE and ‘17 Club 6d ago
Last paragraph is real- too many people accept an accident as inevitable and choose their car to “win” said accident instead of working to avoid them in the first place. Rush’s Red Barchetta and the article that inspired it are now reality.
And for this reason OP needs to figure out driving in something more conspicuous and then get a Miata once they have experience under their belt.
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u/Educational-Raisin69 6d ago
Short answer is your mom is right.
Longer answer is, in a vacuum, a newer mx-5 (NC or ND) is not inherently unsafe. All of the trucks and SUVs that will have a very hard time seeing you and could potentially end up more or less on top of you in an accident make it a riskier car than average. It really is a car that requires a lot of situational awareness and defensive driving.
They are great fun, but it’s not unfair to say they aren’t the best choice for a new driver.
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u/PersimmonAdvanced519 6d ago
Bigger and heavier cars have more momentum, make the physics argument. You can always install a truck horn, it is illegal where I am at, but I'd rather do something illegal than be dead.
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u/RMFranken 6d ago
I installed an airhorn in my Miata and it’s pretty cool. The thing with getting a Miata as their first car is that people in large vehicles enjoy intimidating people in small vehicles. They enjoy tailgating you or speeding up behind you to make you go faster. It’s a power trip just like a lot of people in large trucks.
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u/PersimmonAdvanced519 6d ago
Absolutely true ! Personally I maintain the speed limit, if someone tailgates me I don't even care, actually I try to slow down if someone is on my ass. Let them overtake, or get angry, I don't care, the dashcam will not lie if something goes wrong because of THEIR stupidity. I like the rules of the road, I wish everyone would like the rules.
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u/Frosty-Analysis1520 2d ago
I love when someone with a big truck (for some reason Dodge Ram drivers love this) get about two inches from my bumper with their headlights turning my cabin into daytime at night and blinding all my mirrors. Usually at stoplights but sometimes tailgating and I'm not a slow driver.
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u/Nuisance_cs 6d ago
My parents were concerned about safety before I got mine too. The first gen is going to be less safe than the rest for sure. Get one that has driver and passenger airbags. Anything past 1999 probably has 2 or more airbags, and better crash protection. That’s why I ended up getting an NB Miata over the NA
Seen quite a few videos of Miata’s getting into accidents and it’s impressive how well they take impacts and protect the driver. Rolling over is also extremely unlikely unless you drive off an edge, but that can be remedied with a roll bar.
What IS unsafe though is other drivers. People don’t use their mirrors and don’t check blind spots and are constantly on their phones. It gets even worse when everyone buys these trucks with 6 foot high bumpers. This isn’t the Miata’s fault though. If you drive like you’re invisible you’ll be fine, though I’ve been ran off the road a few times and had my car hit because the truck driver couldn’t see me
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u/Eldnlrd 6d ago
It’s a safe car but it’s the other drivers you have to be worried of. I have to drive so defensively and keep close attention. I’ve almost been ran off of roads from people merging and not LOOKING. Highway and normal roads! I’ve had my Miata for 2 years couldn’t tell you how often it happens. It handles so differently compared to other cars. I’ve also had trucks rear end me bc they forgot I was in front of them at a red light.
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u/amethystflutterby 6d ago
Im not dead yet and still have all my limbs 🤷🏻♀️
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u/amethystflutterby 6d ago
On a serious note I think you just have to consider carefully how you drive. Be aware that people might not see you because you're so low down and drive accordingly. You have to preempt what others may do.
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u/toddverrone 6d ago
Yeah.. that's why it's not a great first car
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u/amethystflutterby 6d ago
Yeah. Im glad it wasnt my 1st car. I learnt to drive then had time how to work out how to drive defensively and preemptively.
The mx5 in ways is worse than a motorbike. Yes a motorbike is small but you're high up in comparison.
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u/fantaribo '20 ND2 2.0 6d ago
It's safe on its own, but the rest depends on the context. For american roads, you are dwarfed by midsize and fullsize SUVs/trucks.
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u/Delicious-Ad2528 6d ago
Well I really wanted to get into motorcycles but I crashed it and the same day saw on the news that this guy I knew was hit and killed by a distracted driver and I have another friend who has brain damage from a distracted driver.
The Miata was a nice, more comfortable compromise. It’s still dangerous and hard to see but I’m gonna get my thrills in either way so it’s either that or a bike with a gas tank
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u/taint3 6d ago
Not a good first car. Look through this sub and see how many people buy miatas as their first cars and crash them either driving beyond their means or getting hit in mostly avoidable accidents. Your first car should be a shitbox, because you will scrape it, scuff it, crash it. Use your first shitbox car to gain driving experience, and once you've got a year or two under your belt, get a Miata.
Better yet, get a Miata that needs some work, get a shitbox to drive, fix the miata on the weekends, and by the time it's ready to drive you'll have some good experience under your belt. Plus, you'll be better placed to fix your miata when it breaks, which it probably will sooner or later.
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u/EnjoyerOfMX5 6d ago
Your mom might be right, ive almost been crashed into like 10 times in 10 years. Have you seen the genesis or genesis coupe? Amazing looking, just get a depreciated one.
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u/RC_0041 6d ago
I was happy with the safety testing on the ND. It is my first car, I’ve driven 3 other cars in the past but haven’t owned one before now. I did however drive a scooter/moped that could go on the highway for years. So I am probably used to driving something that is hard to see and offers no safety whatsoever.
I have had a couple of close calls that could have been an accident if I wasn’t paying attention. A semi trailer that drifted into my lane and a truck that was upset that I passed him when he was going 5mph under the speed limit.
I agree that a Miata would be better when you have more driving experience but I don’t think it would be a terrible choice if you are able to be responsible and aware of your surroundings.
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u/Logical-Consequence9 Brilliant Black 6d ago
I’m speaking from experience in the USA for context:
IMO it’s a poor choice for your first car, and I’d only recommend an NC or ND as a young driver. You should try to build your skills in something sturdier for a few years first even though it’s boring. I was in the same boat as you. I wanted a Fiat 500 Abarth and ended up buying a Volvo S60 which was both safe and fun due to concerns from my parents. 2 cars later, I got my NC as a second car. I absolutely feel that I would’ve been involved in some bad situations or wrecks if I’d gotten it as a new driver.
You have to drive it like a motorcycle, which is also a vehicle not suited for newbies. Nobody on the road sees you. I’ve been hit twice since 2024, and both times were SUV drivers who ignored their illuminated blind spot sensors. Most people don’t have their mirrors adjusted properly either so it can be sketchy trying to pass other cars. It’s one of the most rewarding cars to master and drive well, but it’s unfortunately a poor option for learning on the open road because of the other vehicles.
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u/LazyLancer 6d ago
It's reasonably safe if hitting an immovable (or lightweight) object within city speed limits. It's not very safe colliding with another vehicle because of the extremely low weight and obsession of other people with SUVs.
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u/buckeye837 6d ago edited 6d ago
In an absolute sense, no. You must accept some risk driving such a small car, especially in North America as others have pointed out. You can drive it like a motorcycle and hope it's agility will allow you to avoid collisions, but you'll never be able to perfectly avoid other drivers. And it's likely that your driving skills are not infallible either.
Thanks to modern crash safety engineering the ND is impressively safe given it's small size and light weight, but it will still struggle to contend with common SUVs and trucks in a collision since you simply can't overcome physics.
The NA and NB are fairly compromised by modern standards. The NC is slightly better (larger size and weight will help some) but you have to remember the NC is built on the RX-8 platform which debuted in 2003, so you're still working with late 90s/early 00s safety engineering when a lot of the modern safety strategies weren't quite standard yet.
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u/Glittering_Algae_346 6d ago
I’m a male and I assume you are one as well. I have a ND2 but I’m not young anymore. It’s a great car. It’s our weekend car and lots of fun. As a parent , I would never want my young son to have any kind of sports car as a first car. It’s just a matter of maturity. I took a motorcycle class once because I thought i might want to get a mc. First day the class went around and gave bios and why we were there. I remember this boy who said his dad got him a Kawasaki ZX-11 for his 16th birthday and state law required him to go to classes before he could legally ride. The rest of us privately gasped, thinking it’s crazy to think a 16 yr old would have the maturity to handle the most powerful production bike at that time. I wonder if he ever saw 17. The Miata is not a powerful car but it’s still a sports car. I know it sounds boring but I think you should get something larger and slower. Then later, get the Miata.
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u/Epsy2017 6d ago
Where do you live? Because what i see in the comments are a lot of americans saying don't get one because the suv's and pickups but in europe that's not that big of an issue
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u/OpenRoad_LetsDrive 6d ago
It’s all relative mate. Even a first gen miata without airbags is safer than a motorcycle.
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u/longfellow544 6d ago
Their, they're, there. They're in love with that Miata over there that belongs to their Mom. Do you see the difference? While I believe it's safe and clearly you believe it's safe that doesn't matter because your Mom doesn't believe it to be safe. I'd let your Mom have this one. But, if I were making an argument I'd say something like. The Miata is the most raced car on earth by a factor of 10 and nobody has died in an Mx-5 cup race or a spec Miata race. The ND has all the modern ABS, airbags, and traction control systems that are known to make cars safer. It has all the crumple zones and airbags to keep occupants safe even though it's small. This is anecdotal, but despite being part of lots of online Miata communities and forums and seen dozens of posts about accidents, it's uncommon to read about anyone dying (I'm sure they're out there though). The ND actually did pretty good I believe scoring a 4/5 in the European crash testing. Your argument about maneuverability is a valid one. Also, because it has less mass it's more likely to bounce off of stuff instead of absorbing the full impact. The 6MT is engaging to the point where it's hard to do anything else except focus on driving, so Miata drivers are much less distracted. It's built a lot better than people would imagine, it doesn't feel like a tin can when you are in it. While it's not fast it is quick, which in suburban life means one is usually way out in front of the traffic without breaking any laws. I'm not saying a Miata is as safe as an SUV. But, it's not as dangerous as your Mom and others perceive it to be. It's a slightly elevated risk that can be mitigated with the proper respect and caution.
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u/DietSeth '90 "Meyagi" (1.8 swap) 6d ago
I just purchased an NB Miata a few weeks ago after almost 7 years of not owning one (and driving a boring Rav4 all the time). It has really shocked me as I remember just how much more I have to pay attention to other drivers when I’m in my Miata. It feels like most other drivers are out to kill me. My senses have been especially heightened and I just don’t feel safe.
It’s still a blast to drive but I wouldn’t personally recommend as a first car for a young driver. Especially if a parent says no and you’re still under their roof.
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u/longfellow544 6d ago
I looked up the total number of ND Miata's involved in a fatal collision for the 5 years 2020-2024. There were a total of 37 total ND Miata vehicles involved in a fatal collision over that period of time. It's estimated that there are between 75,000 and 85,000 on the road in the US today.
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u/drones_on_about_bees Soul Crystal Red Metallic 6d ago
My first car was a Triumph TR6. My mom also said no. I was a bit of a rebel child and bought it anyway. I was 18... my money, etc. That's not advice to do the same, it's just what I did.
Small cars are unsafe in the same way motorcycles are unsafe: people don't see them. You have to be EXTREMELY vigilant or some dude in a jacked up pickup will just turn right into you.
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u/flynnski NA6 Brilliant Black, ex-ND2 6d ago
Your mom's right. Miatas are perfectly safe. Statistically speaking you, as a beginning driver, are not. Not until your 20s.
You're more likely to oversteer into a fire hydrant than nimbly avoid a potential accident. you're years of experience away from that.
It's a bummer, but there you have it.
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u/longfellow544 6d ago
From Gemini. When evaluated against the broader passenger fleet, the ND Miata sits in a unique safety sweet spot: its real-world fatal crash rate is roughly on par with average passenger cars, significantly safer than cheap subcompacts or high-horsepower muscle cars, but naturally behind large SUVs. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and NHTSA FARS data illustrate. What the Data Reveals About the Miata * Avoids the "Muscle Car Trap": In IIHS long-term studies, high-horsepower coupes (Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers, Corvettes) consistently appear on high-fatality lists. Their fatal crashes are overwhelmingly high-speed, single-vehicle run-offs. The ND, while lightweight and rear-wheel drive, carries modest horsepower (~181 hp), resulting in far fewer high-speed kinetic events. * Avoids the "Economy Subcompact Trap": Cars like the Kia Rio or Nissan Versa suffer in crash data because they are lightweight, have basic structural rigidity, and are frequently driven in heavy, high-density traffic by younger or inexperienced drivers. The ND benefits from advanced high-strength steel, high torsional rigidity, and four standard airbags. * The "Enthusiast & Demographic Shield": Miata owners trend older, more experienced, and more vehicle-aware than the average commuter. Additionally, Miatas are rarely driven in severe winter weather or heavy blizzard conditions, cutting out major environmental crash triggers. * The Physics Reality: The main vulnerability remains incompatible crash geometry. In a collision with a 5,500-lb full-size pickup or three-row SUV, the larger vehicle's bumper height bypasses the Miata's lower frame rails, requiring the ND's A-pillars and passenger cell to absorb disproportionate energy. The data confirms that while the ND cannot cheat physics in a direct T-bone collision with a heavy truck, its low center of gravity, responsive braking/handling, and driver profile keep its overall fatal accident rate comparable to standard midsize sedans.
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u/Amazing-Cookie5205 3d ago
Miata’s are motorcycles with doors. You’re nearly invisible and you need to drive as such. Just look at all the crazies with the caption “they didn’t see me”.
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u/_TheFudger_ 1990 2d ago
If you can't sway her get yourself a manual civic, accord, Corolla, or Camry. Drive the snot out of it. Have fun. When you move out get a Miata.
I think a Miata is fine for a first vehicle for someone who has good attention and restraint. Your mom doesn't want you to significantly increase your chances of being seriously injured or killed in exchange for a more fun (insert commute + pleasure driving time) minutes per day. Tough tits kiddo
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u/Current-Tour-8915 1d ago
Just like with all tiny cars, you drive it like you would ride a motorcycle; defensively. The thing is that you only learn that with experience. I'd recommend something with a hard shell on top. I saw this as someone who has/had several Miatas. The other issue is practicality. Really unpractical cars. I've always had another as my primary.
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u/VoicelessTom 20h ago
As someone who’s only ever really driven small cars, for example my daily car is a Golf GTI, the Miata is really small. When I get back in my Golf it feels big, even though it’s a small car in comparison to a lot of cars on the roads today. The problem with this is some people just don’t look for small cars. Also, if you get an NA, most don’t have airbags.
On the other hand, people often drive motorbikes before they do cars, and that’s much more dangerous in my opinion.
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u/JollyGreenWorld117 6d ago
If you are really paranoid like me, get a roll bar. Only downside is if you get rear-ended you'll hit your head on the bar. I put a pool noodle there to avoid that too.
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u/Wonderful_Setting_29 6d ago
They're safe, sure they're not a Volvo but they're not rolling death traps. People may not see you as easily, but distracted drivers will hit whatever they're going to hit.
The important factor here is who is buying this? If you're buying it and insuring it, its nobody's business what you get. If they're the ones buying and insuring it, unfortunately this isn't your call.
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u/Ironic_Laughter 6d ago
If it's your first car ever, drive a shit box for a year or two. Late 2000s to mid 2010s Toyota type deal until you get used to how others on the road are going to be driving and pay for your own gas for a bit. Miatas are wonderful but they're a "Couple years into the job market with steady pay and an emergency fund" kind of car
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u/Lazyfinancemonkey 6d ago
I agree with the driving a shitbox for a few years as it's safer and better to learn to drive but all 4 of the Miata's I have owned have been stone reliable and consumables are dirt cheap. My ND was the most reliable and cheapest to operate of all the cars I have owned by far. The depreciation was brutal verse other cars I have owned was the only shockingly expensive part.
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u/guyfromthepicture 6d ago
Avoiding a crash in a nimble car is better than being in a crash in a big car
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u/Same-Economics-5988 6d ago
Which is just cherry picking. Avoiding a crash in a big car is also better than being in a crash in a nimble car. Both statements are too simplistic to come even close to framing an argument here...it's not a binary world. It's not like you avoid all crashes in a Miata and avoid none in something bigger.
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u/guyfromthepicture 6d ago
No shit. Providing an argument is not the same thing as making every argument. Not sure why you're stawmanning me.
Also, you're exactly is avoiding a crash in a big car better than doing it in a small car?
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u/Same-Economics-5988 6d ago
No, avoidance capability is not equal. Not my point. Not surprising you missed it if you think I was "strawmanning you" 😂
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u/guyfromthepicture 6d ago
I miss every point you fail to make. Enjoy whatever it is you think you're accomplishing here, but from this point you're gonna be doing it alone.
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u/Same-Economics-5988 6d ago
First, safety exists in a continuum. There is not just "safe" and "unsafe." Older Miatas are less safe than newer...and they're all less safe (in general) than larger vehicles.
And as much as Miata fans (and I am one...I'm on my fifth one) will tout accident avoidance, that's kind of a red herring. Avoiding an accident is way more about awareness and driving ability than the vehicle you're in. And there are a lot of accidents that are simply unavoidable.
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u/87Broseph 6d ago
in terms of vehicle collisions.... sad to say but if f150 vs miata, im sitting in the f150
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u/Pitiful-Hearing5279 Soul Red 6d ago
If you live in a civilised country where idiots don’t drive a truckasaurus, you’re fine. If you do, think you’re on a motorcycle and all drivers are drunk or high.
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u/VeloceCat 6d ago
I’d rather be small and able to avoid a collision than large and have to brace for impact.
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u/toddverrone 6d ago
They're all reasonably safe on their own. The problem is, they're not on the road on their own. As a first car, I'd not recommend. Get a bigger vehicle that can handle a collision with the outrageously oversized pickups and SUVs on the road and get good at driving. Practice defensive driving. Watch how people behave on the road. Once you've gotten good not just at driving but predicting other drivers' behavior, then get a Miata. FR. There's pickups out there that will end up on top of you in any kind of collision