Of the entire Miata line, the NB-chassis cars sometimes seem to be left out. Ignored.
They lack the original Miata’s retro touches and didn’t get the refinements found in the later cars. Call it the forgotten middle child–like Jan Brady, Meg Griffin, or the Baldwin brothers not named Alec or Stephen.
Yet this second-generation Miata, basically a facelifted version of the original, still deserves a seat at the table for a few simple reasons: It’s faster than its predecessor yet usually fetches less money.
Is it much faster? Okay, just a few ticks, but faster is faster. Let’s time-travel back to the July 1999 issue of GRM. At the time, the NB Miata had just landed at dealerships, and that issue contains a head-to-head comparo between a fresh-off-the-boat 1999 Miata Sport and a well-developed 1994 Miata R–the autocross-ready packages for each generation. Both cars wore fresh BFGoodrich Comp T/A R1 tires.
Darrin Disimo, who has since won an SCCA national title, handled the driving. Final lap averages: 27.576 seconds for the early car, 27.274 for the newer car. Just think what will happen with more development, we concluded. (And race results show that, in fact, new did replace old.)
Then there’s the price advantage: Hagerty says that a good 1997 Miata is now worth $7300, while a 1999 car in similar condition should bring in $5900. And when you start looking at the top end of the field, the premium for the earlier car grows to nearly $10,000.
Is the NB-chassis Miata really that different from its predecessor? No, not really. On the outside, the popup headlamps were replaced with contemporary fixed units. Sadly, Mazda dropped the chrome door handles. Designers smoothed out the interior a bit, too, and fitted many examples with a cool (and comfortable) three-spoke Nardi steering wheel.
The mechanical bits received a few upgrades, too: bigger brakes, lower rear roll center, stiffer chassis. While displacement remained 1.8 liters, horsepower was bumped from 133 to 140. One more thing that helped acceleration: Mazda replaced the 4.10:1 final drive found in the 1994-’97 cars with the 4.30:1 used from 1990 to ’93. Weight remained right around 2300 pounds.
Mazda produced the NB-chassis Miata through 2005, adding some updates along the way, including the limited turbocharged Mazdaspeed model. Good cars are still out there.
Our Expert
Wesley Saunders
Treasure Coast Miata and Jeeps
treasurecoastmiata.com
(772) 263-3142
On all cars, watch for rust, rust, rust–then expensive rear quarter panel damage. After that, it all can be fixed or replaced at a very reasonable price.
Plan for the slave cylinder to need some attention. This is the weak point, and we only use the Exedy brand (Daiken clutch) as it’s the only one that holds up over time like it should. Consider replacing the master and uncooperative pigtail line with a stainless steel line when doing the replacement.
If the shifter wobbles when in gear, then the nylon bushing needs to be replaced. While doing that, replace the transmission seal and the rubber insulator. Virtually every car we see needs all three.
All the suspension boots we see need to be replaced. The components hold up well, but the torn boots certainly accelerate the wear.
Next is the timing belt: Get a kit with all the seals, and only use Mazda seals and gaskets. Our kit uses only those and Gates parts.
Parts availability is really generally pretty good. Because of the racers, the LSD rear differentials are always hard to find. Window regulators don’t have much support, but we do rebuild them. Mazda does really well in supporting parts for these cars, considering their age. Special model items can be difficult to find.
The best advice is to start with a very good example, as it’s cheaper to spend more on an upfront purchase than to build quality into your car. New paint and convertible tops are expensive considerations, for example.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, mileage isn’t all that important with the 1990–2005 Miata. These cars will run into the 300,000-mile range.
1999 Mazda Miata 10th Anniversary Edition
$7601 via Bring a Trailer
A clean, original example of one of the most desirable NB variants.
Note: the 2001 refresh brought bigger brakes and a number of chassis stiffeners (including changes to the tubs). It also dropped the two-cat CA emissions cars that can be very expensive to deal with in the case of a primary cat failure and picked up 10% more power. Also: functional headlights. It did get a bit heavier.
The first of this generation is known as the NB1. The improved 2001-2005 is an NB2.
I've owned a 2001 sport, which I sold when I bought my 99 sport. Besides the VVT and chassis bracing, a difference between my two cars was that that particular NB2 came with a six speed. I preferred street driving the newer car, but it wasn't as competitive in the E Street autocross class that I compete in, especially with the six speed.
All I know it an NB Miata is the only car I've bought new, and I still have it. (I don't count leases).
One of the best cars I've ever owned. Vs the '95 it replaced, it was a better car in every respect that mattered to me.
NB1 vs NB2 is used in some US based forums. Sometimes you see NBFL (Face Lift) or other bits of alphabet soup I've not managed to decipher. And that's not counting what happens in the UK, where they use Mk1 and Mk2 and lord knows what for the later cars. I think I've come across Mk2.1.
It's not a Mazda designation like the NB chassis code is.
The story is really about the 1999 model vs the 1997 it replaced. Things like the rear end ratio only apply to the five speed cars, as the 6-speed/3.9 also appeared in 1999.
There's a Mazda publication called the "service highlights" that goes into the NB changes in beautiful excruciating detail. But the main thing is that it's not really a new chassis, it's just an update so there is lots of interchange. I just finished driving a 1990 with a 2004 drivetrain :)
The NB is the best looking Miata in my opinion. I like the curves, and am old enough that pop up headlights aren't that special. Not one generation I'd kick out of the garage, though.
If you want to talk about a forgotten Miata I would think that's the (unloved) NC.
It isn't forgotten, magazines like GRM are trying hard to make it the Next Big Thing :) But between that push and the increased recognition of the NA as a true classic, the NB is definitely under-recognized.
wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L) said:The NB is the best looking Miata in my opinion. I like the curves, and am old enough that pop up headlights aren't that special. Not one generation I'd kick out of the garage, though.
I'm old enough that I think sealed-beam lights are superior to any aero lights, though, so NA wins for lighting, if you want to see at night.
If I get another Miata it will likely be an NB. I like the look better than the NA, but all my former Miatas have been NA. I won't test drive and ND because I'm afraid I will buy it. The NC has never been very appealing to me.
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