Why the NB MX-5 (Pre-Facelift) deserves more love

Yes, I own a Mazda MX-5 NB (, and as any Miata owner, I am obliged to explain why my generation is good and the best. I am not going to argue that the NB is the best, as no one generation is the best. However, I’ve started to notice that the NB (MK2) is actually not very liked by the Miata Enthusiasts, and I’m just thinking to myself, “Why?”. So that’s why I am ranting here, because I can’t be bothered doing homework and I would rather write a post defending my car. Here is why the NB Miata deserves to be loved more.

The first thing to note is that everyone says the NA (MK1) beats the NB because it is “More light” and “More pure”. Fair enough. However, the NB had things that made it more of a Miata than the MK1 itself. First off, it was possible to get a 6-Speed from the factory for the first time, which mean’t that you could experience the notchy gear-changes even more as the gear ratios were smaller. The 1.8 also accelerated more quickly than the NA models, and although that isn’t what you love a Miata for, it certainly made it feel more beefy. It was also a lot easier to get an LSD as an option on your car, as well as Bilstein Shocks. Before, the LSD was only offered on Special Editions or as an option in some markets. With the NB, it was a lot easier to get the LSD, 6-Speed and Bilsteins through the RS Model or the 10th Anniversary Edition. The NB also had Airbags as standard and Anti-Lock Brakes, which is good if you like you or your car to still be alive. When it comes to styling however, it really is up to you. Yes the pop-ups are cool, but at the end of the day, they are just another thing that can go wrong and they did die out for a reason (But they are still very cool). The NB luckily shares its chassis with the NA, and its just the the styling and some interior components that were changed. Personally, I think the NB (Pre-Facelift) looks very good and similar to the NA. The problem with the Facelift NB is that Mazda started to realise it was becoming a chick car, so they made it look more aggressive. While the facelift is far more loved, I think the Pre-Facelift looks better because it looks more cutesy than the upgraded one, much like the NA, and that is what made the NA cool, is that it was a chick car or underdog-car.

The next thing to note is actually quite important, and that is the market value of the Pre-Facelift NB. Right now (In NZ), a decent, non-rusted Base NA MX-5 is the same price as the equivalent NB MX-5 in RS form. Unfortunately, the truth is that the NA Miata is going up in price, as the fan-base of the car is increasing and the number of MK1’s are decreasing due to rust etc. It is important to note what made the MX-5 so popular in the first place, and that is how cheap it is. It is so hard to find a good NA MX-5 nowadays, and when you do, you can get a NB for the same money but with better safety, better gearbox, better Diff, better engine and better handling (Arguable). I know that market prices differ from country to country, and even though both the first generations are still quite cheap, you definitely get more bang for your buck with the NB. I know that if you really want one, price isn’t usually an issue, but it’s what kicked the S2000, Z3 and TT in the shadow of the MX-5.

The last thing to note is that at the end of the day, the NB is still a Miata, and isn’t that what matters? I really don’t see why some people compare different Miatas and say why there’s is better, as no Miata is the best. The NA is the best at being a simple roadster, as it is light and very cool, but it suffers from boot space and age. The NB is good at being the ‘best of both worlds’, as it is not only a reskined NA with a bit of weight, but it also added better safety features, so you could live to drive another day. The NC is the best at being the car that is ‘Easiest to live with’ as it is more modern that the first two, as the most space out of all and has a PRHT. The ND is similar to the NB, as it has all the benefits of the NA and NC with very little of the negatives. I think it is important to note that all MX-5s are good, and instead of trying to have a war against our own, we should appreciate the cars for what they are, a family. Because when you ask which MX-5 is the best, the answer is always going to be “Miata”

(This was my first post and it probably doesn’t make much sense, but I had nothing else better to do, so I might as well stand up for the little guy)