In a world of tech-laden SUVs and turbocharged everything, there’s one little roadster that’s been quietly, and joyfully, doing its own thing for the past decade in the Philippines: the Mazda MX-5 ND.
There’s a reason you can’t pass an MX-5 without smiling. It’s more than just a sports car. It’s a feeling. A lifestyle. The energy it gives off makes you realize that “Life’s too short not to have fun”. And above all, it’s also the beating heart of one of the most tight-knit car communities you’ll ever meet.
The Philippines Fell Hard for the Miata
Over the past decade, 1,563 NDs have found their way to Filipino garages — split evenly between the classic soft top and the sleek retractable fastback. 2023? Best sales year ever. 2025? Already on pace to top that. But honestly, the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
When Mazda launched the ND in 2015, they brought with it Jinba-Ittai which means “horse and rider as one.” The steering talks to you. The gearbox makes you want to find excuses to shift. The balance is so perfect that whether you’re on a Sunday coffee run or at full speed on a track day, the car feels like it was built just for you. And that was the magic factor, enough to make the Philippines the biggest MX-5 market in Asia outside of Japan.
Always In Its Prime
Mazda has a way of keeping the MX-5 exciting year after year. Rolling out head-turners like the 30th, 35th, and 100th Anniversary models, plus homegrown favorites such as the Miata Club of the Philippines 25th Anniversary and the Miata Cup 23rd Anniversary editions.
But the MX-5 gets better and even more fun. It now hugs corners better, feels smoother through curves, and gives that extra bit of control when the road gets exciting. Add its perfectly balanced body and 2.0-liter engine (manual if you want to be hands-on, automatic if you just want to relax) and you’ve got the recipe for pure top-down joy.
Where the Drive Meets the Tribe
Here’s the thing: the MX-5 isn’t just special because of what it does on the road. It’s special because of what it does off it. You can probably ask anyone who owns an MX-5 and they’ll tell you that they bought the car, but they stayed for the people. Club fun runs, race events, Sunday drives, charity runs – all of these have kept the Miata family tight. As Steven Tan, President of Mazda Philippines, puts it:
“The success of the MX-5 is thanks to the unparalleled performance that brings fun and joy to owners, whether in the city or on the race track.”
All Miata owners have been brought together by a two-seater that somehow feels like it has room for everyone. And more.
10 Years, 10/10 Vibes
If you were at Santa Elena Golf and Country Club last August 10, you might’ve done a double take. It looked like Mazda had set up a showroom, but it was actually the MX-5 ND 10th Anniversary Meet.
NDs rolled in solo or in convoy, all with pride – from track beasts, spotless daily drivers, and rare editions that turned heads. Guests enjoyed a mix of laid-back brunch fare and artisanal coffee as they laugh like it’s been years since their last drive together.
As the convoy rolled out of Sta. Elena, the ND’s magic clearly hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s only gotten stronger. If I were to rate the ND, 10/10 for how quickly it could bring people together.
The Soul Of The Drive
Ten years in, the MX-5 hasn’t aged, it just collected more stories. At the end of the day, the MX-5 isn’t just about horsepower, perfect weight balance, or cornering like a dream but rather the early morning meetups, roadside coffee stops, and drives that turn strangers into lifelong friends. Proof that the best drives aren’t measured in kilometers, but in the smiles and unforgettable memories. And the only thing better than hearing those stories…is being the one to tell them.
So here’s to the next chapter! To more roads, more smiles, more stories.
