On Hardtop Miatas - a Blogpost

Often, in the automotive community, you’ll hear talks of hardtop Miatas - “If Mazda put a roof on the MX5, they’d sell trillions” “if you want a hardtop Miata, just get an FT-86, RX7, etc”, which is usually followed by “just install one/get an RF”.

But the problem with the RF and the plastic hardtops is that they aren’t proper, static roofs - they’re detachable/retractable, and thus not as rigid. And the alternatives are too big and heavy.

However Mazda did, in fact, make genuine Hardtop MX5s -

that’s where the NA and NB come in.

Beginning in 1992, Mazda started playing around with the idea of a Miata Coupe, when the designers sent a clay model to some higher ups at the company.

Nothing came of that. However, in 1996, Mazda executives decided that they wanted an interesting automobile to show off at the New York Auto Show - and thus the Mazda Miata M Roadster Coupe was born.

The idea behind it was to take the roadster and turn it into a stiffer, more well-rounded GT car: improving aerodynamics, storage space, and cabin noise.

It was effectively the same car as the stock NA Miata underneath, with the same 1.8 liter inline 4. There were, however, a few small changes - modified headlights, new wheels and tires, a new exhaust, and modified pedals and shifters.

Despite the car being more of a concept and not a full-on production car, reviewers praised its stiffness and overall driving feel, saying: “The difference is felt during turn-in, where the coupe chassis exhibits remarkable rigidity, making the car sensitive to the slightest steering inputs. Also, body roll is virtually unnoticeable” (1996, Road and Track, Sam Mitani).

The Mazda Miata M Roadster Coupe was ultimately scrapped, with only one example currently existing today.

Then there’s the NB.

7 years later, in 2003, Mazda started producing a number of Japan market exclusive, hardtop Miatas. Developed in conjunction with Mazda E&T (Engineering and Technology), these examples had a genuine, integrated steel roof, unlike the M Roadster Coupe.

They were a number of different types:

Base and Type S:

These were essentially just standard NB MX5s with a roof, which added around 10kg (22 lbs) in the process.

The base was 1.6, whereas the Type S had the 1.8.

Both had options of either the 4 speed auto or 5 speed manual.

The Type S is worth around 38,000 USD today.

There were 53 of the base, while the Type S had 63 examples produced.

These came with bilstein shocks and a front strut tower brace.

Colors were: red, white, and silver.

Type E:

These came with a 4 speed auto and a detuned 154 hp 1.8 liter engine.

Around 23 were made.

The Type E had a new front bumper and a couple other cosmetic differences.

They were meant to have a focus on elegance and luxury, over speed and fun.

Type A

This model, like the Type E, had a new bumper, as well as a ducktail rear, modified fender, modified foglights, and modified headlights.

These came solely with the 1.8 liter engine and the 6 speed manual.

Like the Type S, these came with bilstein shocks and a front strut tower brace.

Around 40 of these were made.

Colors were: red or yellow.

Importing these cars is not an entirely easy task.

Import laws in certain parts of Europe and perhaps Canada may allow this. And allegedly, a Denmark owner was able to purchase and import one.

In the US, you might be able to import one due to the similarity between it and the roadster MX5.

Honestly though, it may just be easier to move to Japan. Or hell, just fabricate and weld a new steel roof - probably cheaper as well.

Then there’s also this guy, the Monocraft MM1. I can’t seem to find much info on it but it’s based off of the MX5, and is a coupe - as you can tell.

Personal take:

To me, the NB Miata Roadster Coupe, particularly the Type S, is the best iteration of the MX5. And for a couple of reasons:

For one, it adds that extra feel that a lot of people, such as Chris Harris, long for in the roadster. The added stiffness means better overall handling and less body roll, which means that you can push it further and get something different, something more out of it, rather than just the same response of body roll and a little oversteer.

I know it sounds like I’m making this up as I go along, but if you look at Chris Harris’s review of the MX5, you’ll hear this same complaint, and if you’ve ever driven it I’m sure you can relate.

Another advantage is that it becomes a better platform for mods, like the RX7.

People hate the cliche of “a good platform” oftentimes, but it’s always a valid aspect in my opinion. And for a lot of people, the MX5 is just that - a good platform. May I reiterate - like the RX7 or FT86 - the addition of a static roof would vastly improve its quality and capability as a platform, by allowing you to add more power and torque without the chassis flex the MX5 is so famous for. Sure, a regular LS MX5 is great, but imagine it with a proper roof!

And ultimately, while I know I’m beating a dead horse here, I really do think that a mass production, static roof Miata would be a fantastic idea - for us as car enthusiasts, for “regular” car buyers, and for Mazda.

For regular car buyers, you have the advantages I’ve already stated, in addition to improved looks. For we car enthusiasts, you could say the same thing.

For Mazda - although I’m obviously not an economics expert or Mazda executive - I think it would have advantages on the business side of things. If you look at the MGB - basically the 60s version of the MX5 - there’s a hardtop and a roadster, and both were wildly successful. Today, the hardtop is very well respected relative to the roadster, likely more so than it was in the 60s. This also reigns true for the old Alfa Romeo Giulia and Giulietta. Then there’s also the FT-86, which brings me to my next point:

In the current day, it’s a brilliant, but untapped niche.

You do have the FT-86, but that has two useless rear seats, and weighs around 1,270 kg (2,800 pounds) compared to around 1,000 kg (2,300 pounds) of the current gen Miata.

To me, a tiny, two seat, hardtop GT/sports car is a fantastic compromise, and is the primary reason I like the MGB GT so much. Ultimately, I think it’s time for another one.

To once again quote Sam Mitani of Road and Track: “So, the big question is: Will Mazda build it? Company officials say that judging by the public’s reaction so far, it’s a strong possibility. I think it would be a gamble worth taking, especially because the Miata M Coupe is an equally stunning, more practical version of the MX-5 roadster.”