Mazda MX5 NB (2003)

[homeforsummer]

Have to say I'm rather envious of your car! Walked into town yesterday in the sun and within the space of a mile about five NAs drove past, all with the roof down. It was like being taunted with Mazdas.

How would/could the NB be a better daily driver?

Basically, as it's a little softer and a little better-equipped.

Yup, I went and bought a older version (and to most people, worse) of the car I already have.

I think you'd struggle to find many people who genuinely think the NA is a worse car than the NB. The original is best as far as MX5s go.

Lift kit?

The price paid for 16" wheels without suspension work. Glad the OP is going to move back down to 15" as anything bigger than that ruins the ride and handling.

 

[Christian_C]

Lift kit?

Nope, they all do that sir
2" - 3" drop as part of the suspension upgrades is on the list.

Haha, go look at my thread and you'll see they all sit that high when they're standard, mine looked simply ridiculous when I first had it with the standard 14" wheels. Even now it still sits with a pretty massive arch gap but that's done in an attempt to keep it useable as a daily.

Be careful when you do drop it though as if you're keeping the standard exhaust you shouldn't have a problem but if you have a silly one that hangs low under the car it's going to scrape everywhere even though the car will still look like it's quite high off the ground.

 

[JB434]

I think you'd struggle to find many people who genuinely think the NA is a worse car than the NB. The original is best as far as MX5s go.

I'm talking about people who aren't car enthusiasts, they see it as a downgrade because it's older.

The price paid for 16" wheels without suspension work. Glad the OP is going to move back down to 15" as anything bigger than that ruins the ride and handling.

I've had a couple of people try and convince me to go to 17"

Be careful when you do drop it though as if you're keeping the standard exhaust you shouldn't have a problem but if you have a silly one that hangs low under the car it's going to scrape everywhere even though the car will still look like it's quite high off the ground.

Standard exhaust, I think the tip is a bit rusted and lets be honest, it doesn't sound that great so I'll probably replace it.

 

[12thgear]

I think you'd struggle to find many people who genuinely think the NA is a worse car than the NB. The original is best as far as MX5s go.

The NA is a worse car, but a better Miata. It was a tough call for me, but I ended up with an NB myself. Better headlights, much better chassis bracing. But heavier, and some say uglier.

 

[194GVan]

Pull up gently on the back of your headlight lids to get them even with the hood. Common issue, supposedly caused by leaving the headlights down when working on the car, then someone inadvertently leans on them pushing them down a little, making them uneven.

 

[homeforsummer]

The NA is a worse car, but a better Miata. It was a tough call for me, but I ended up with an NB myself. Better headlights, much better chassis bracing. But heavier, and some say uglier.

Yeah. I prefer the looks of the NA, and even though it wobbles a bit more, most seem to agree it's a better handler too. And lighter, which is always nice.

As I mentioned a few posts back, the NB is probably a better daily driver, but by choice I'd have the NA every time.