The Mazda Miata, or MX-5, is one of the longest-running and most popular convertible roadsters of all time. However, before the Miata exploded into popularity, the Chevrolet Corvette was already a coveted sports car among older drivers. Still, is the average MX-5 driver older than the long-jested-about Corvette owner?

What is the average age of Mazda Miata owners?

The median age for a late model Mazda MX-5 Miata is 62 years. According to J.D. Power, that’s higher than owners of comparable cars. Specifically, the median Miata owner age is 19 years more than the 43-year-old segment average. 

That might seem surprising, but it’s understandable given the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s tenure and popularity. Mazda’s beloved roadster has been around since 1989, and its fun-first design was well-received. Since then, the Miata has evolved over four generations. However, the Mazda model refused to cede its drop-top, sun-soaked demeanor, an attribute that makes it popular with older and retired drivers.

Moreover, the model’s historically budget-friendly starting prices and available manual transmissions have established the diminutive good time machine as a popular weekend and summertime option.  

What age group drives Corvettes?

Like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Chevrolet Corvette’s driver demographics skew to an older crowd. According to a study by the Speed Equipment Manufacturing Association (SEMA), most owners fall into the 58 to 60 and 61 to 63-year-old groups. 

Glossing over the white-New-Balance-and-jorts jokes, 12% of 2009 Chevrolet Corvette (C6) owners are 61 to 63, over twice as much as the 40 to 42 segment. Moreover, J.D. Power says the mean age for a Corvette owner is 61, with an overwhelmingly male demographic at 82%. 

Furthermore, while the Mazda MX-5 Miata ownership experience can be more of an isolated affair, North American Corvette owners often attend model-specific events and clubs. For instance, the National Corvette Museum Annual Michelin Bash in Bowling Green, Kentucky, hosts hundreds if not thousands of Corvettes annually.    

How much is a Mazda MX-5 Miata?

An entry-level 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport starts at around $29,115, just shy of the $30,000 mark. Still, with direct competition like the Toyota GR86 packing hard-top-only construction, the Miata is the most affordable two-seater convertible in the American market.

It makes sense, then, that older or freshly retired drivers would want to trade in their fuel-sipping commuters or work trucks for fun, wallet-friendly Miatas.  

Is owning a Corvette expensive?

The Chevrolet Corvette C8, the latest generation of the Plastic Fantastic’s tenure, starts at around $65,895 for the base 1LT model. However, opting for a higher trim or performance package like the Z51 will increase the price. 

Still, with sub-3.0-second sprints to 60 mph and over 1.0 g on a roadholding course, a C8 Corvette (Z51) is unrivaled at its price point. Moreover, with older drivers paying less for insurance, a 61-year-old could pay around half as much as a 21-year-old owner for coverage, per Bankrate.com.

What do you think about these average ownership ages? Share your thoughts in the comments below!