What's a Miata Fastback?
The only Miata Fastback made by Mazda is the hardtop convertible. What does it take to get a solid, sloped roof for the affordable sports car?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The
Mazda
Miata is cool now. While it was pegged as a cheap convertible for hairdressers and retired mothers at its first release, the affordable lightweight roadster has slowly gained legions of fans, many of whom are hardcore car enthusiasts.One group that especially loves the Miata is the amateur body modification community. They love gearing up the lightweight convertible for the race track and swapping components for increased performance and “cool” factor.
They also love doing something to the Miata that Mazda has only dabbled in—turning it into a fastback.
Jerry
scoured the web to learn more about this popular adaptation to the convertible-only sports car.
How to get your hands on a Miata Fastback
Although the automaker created a concept Miata coupe in the ‘90s and offered retractable hardtops starting in 2007, a true Miata fastback is only possible through aftermarket modification.
A fastback is different from a regular coupe in that the rear window tends to be quite large and sits on a slope rather than at a sharp angle like regular coupes. The style was especially popular from the ‘60s to the ‘80s, but went out of style in the following decades.
If you have plenty of autobody skills and experience, turning a Miata into a fastback could be a fun project. But for most drivers, you’ll want to hire a professional to make the changes for you. And expect to spend a pretty penny. The
body kit
alone will cost you roughly $3,000.Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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Other fastbacks on the market today
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A fastback roof adds an elegant curvature to cars that, depending on the model, can make them look expensive. Unsurprisingly, luxury automakers have used this to their advantage. Audi, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, and Tesla all offer models in the style.
But mainstream brands looking to up their game design-wise are in on the trend as well. The Hyundai i30, Kia Optima, and Volkswagen Arteon all have fastback models as well. The Honda Civic is available with a hatchback, though the two-door coupe version was cut in 2020.
When it comes to affordable sports cars though, Mazda has little competition. Toyota and Subaru offer affordable roadsters—the GR86 and BRZ—that come with fastback hatches. The latest Mustang also sports an angled rear window, as does the Chevy Camaro.
Miata Fastback insurance: what’s to know?
MORE: 4 Classic Cars You Shouldn't Modify
If you decide to modify your Mazda Miata into a fastback, make sure you inform your
car insurance
provider of the changes you’ve made to your car. If you don’t, you likely won’t be covered in an accident since the policy won’t reflect the car on the road.Modifications can increase premiums, but you can save by shopping with Jerry. Jerry is a personal insurance broker that lives in your pocket. But don’t worry about buying tiny office furniture, Jerry is an app.
Once you download Jerry, just answer a handful of questions that will take you roughly 45 seconds to complete and you’ll immediately get car insurance quotes for coverage similar to your current plan. Jerry customers save an average of $879 a year.
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