Mazda Is Giving Away Its 100th Anniversary Miatas

If you asked us to name the cars we’d like to be gifted this holiday season, the 100th Anniversary Special Edition of the Mazda MX-5 Miata would certainly be on that list. After writing about the release celebrating the automaker’s centennial last spring, and subsequently seeing everyone out joyriding in their top-down Miatas during the COVID summer, we’ve come to the conclusion that this is one of the best bang-for-your-buck limited-edition sports cars of the year.

As it happens, Mazda is also giving away 50 of these cars to 50 lucky Americans this December. But there’s a catch: even though most of us had a tough year and could use a little cheer in the form of a free Miata, the automaker is gifting the vehicles as part of the “Mazda Heroes: Honoring The Human Spirit” campaign, which is choosing recipients who have gone above and beyond for their community during the COVID-19 crisis.

“After receiving powerfully inspiring nominations from across the nation between Oct. 5 – 25, [Mazda North American Operations] selected 50 winners based on their demonstrated selfless acts, creative thinking, and contributions to community,” the company wrote in a press release.

So no, you personally won’t be getting a free 100th Anniversary Miata. But while some people get misty-eyed during the holiday season while listening to children’s choirs sing carols, and others tear up during cheesy Christmas movies, you may be like us and leak out of your eye sockets while watching selfless people get surprise-gifted the preeminent affordable roadster.

If that’s the case, get ready for Niagara Falls, courtesy of videos of the first three winners:

Triana Davis, a 5th grade teacher:

Christie Purviance, an ICU nurse:

Jason Erdreich, a middle school shop teacher:

Is this just some well thought-out marketing? Of course. But if we’re going to be marketed to by a multinational automaker focused on selling as many vehicles as possible, we’d like some deserving people to get free cars in the process.

If you’d like one of these special Miatas yourself, they should be available soon and start at just $32,670, and you can register your interest here.