Review: 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB2) - Affordable Fun

Time stamps:
0:00 Exterior
2:06 Interior
6:45 Initial impressions
8:54 Acceleration
11:07 Handling
16:48 Pricing and sales success
20:23 Final thoughts

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2001 mazda mx-5 miata 2001 mazda miata miata nb

[stevenmendez]

Wow it's so awesome that you're reviewing older cars. More of these please!

[ProAlchemist]

The only thing wrong with the NB is that Mazda doesn't make it anymore

[fortheloveofnoise]

The wood and tan interior adds a classic elegance, I agree. My grandfather and I today picked up a 2002 silver Miata 5 speed base model.

[G.H.A.]

Mate, I fell in love with NB, that I now have 2 of them. A Red 2000 with 90k miles and a Silver 2003 with 34K.
I put some racing stripes on them, some Racing numbers, a few sponsor logos and I can tell you, they are head turners, with people stopping to chat. I love driving them in Europe.
Thanks for the great review.

[ThatWasherNerd]

Loving the personal enthusiast car reviews!

[ItsTheNada]

I have this exact year, model colors. Bone stock when I bought it and the driving experience was amazing. Since then, I’ve added doorbars, rollbars, wheels, tires, upgraded rotors, pads, break lines, racing seats /harness and a Sparco steering wheel and the handling is pretty surgical. Suspension is next after I get more track days and autocross in. Love this car.

[timothymclaren]

Love it. This is exactly the spec I'd be looking for in an NB (even the DMB CD).

[rcmakingtracks]

The smile on your face says it all. I have a 2011 nc2 and i love it. John. In the UK

[williamhstevens]

Love the more unique reviews like this. Well done.

[cdbrown]

There is literally nothing more beautiful than the green Miata

[scottmason]

Love the review! Ive got a turbocharged 1990 and a 1999 emerald green with tan leather interior. Both cars are an absolute blast to drive. I couldnt pass on the 1999 when i found it locally for sale. I only paid $5000 for it with 18000 miles on the odometer and it was garaged most of its life.

[afshars]

This exact spec is the most beautiful Miata ever made. Green on tan with the light wood trim *chefs kiss*

[frederickhaines]

I have a 1999 NB, since new. We’re still enjoying it! Drives WAY better than my 2 series. Thanks for the great review.

[gtobob]

My wife and I bought a low mile '01 in July 2018, LS with sport package. Tan leather interior and 6 speed. I bought it for her because she wanted to learn to drive a manual and go autocrossing. The car we bought just drives wonderfully. The car ended up being too small and slow for her tastes, but I love it and we aren't selling unless someone really makes a great offer.

[aroundomaha]

Excellent choice and beautifully maintained. I was torn between the Miata and a BRZ to autocross and generally putz around. Though I bought a BRZ I still have a Miata on my long-term gotta have one list.

[treeskier]

It would be kind of cool to see a test drive comparison of all 4 generations of the Miata.

[marcpasquinelli]

I've got an '04 with quite a few miles on it, and I do agree with the seating position, definitely feels more like you're sitting ON the car, and it's got quite a few rattles and creaks but overall still a lot of fun :)

[MrSlowestD]

As much as I like the tech & comfort of the ND, I prefer the driving experience of the NC and earlier. People say the NC is bloated compared to the NA/NB, and sure, it is, and if you only want a track car it may not be the ideal choice, but in terms of a daily driver & canyon carver? The NC is that perfect mix of "true miata" and enough of the modern day tech to keep you comfortable. Kinda a sweet spot if you're not purely doing track duty with it.

I think Mazda really hit it out of the park with the ND, given how hard it is to release any sports cars now, given all the regulations they need to meet, think they did a kick-ass job. But if we're JUST talking driving experience in a weekend car, think I'd take this NC instead. Very good car, thanks for the review!

[im_an_alvani]

Man I wish I fit in an NB2 Miata. Great review as always!

[johnmohanmusic]

That is an oil PRESSURE gauge. And I am also pretty sure it's not actually a real gauge. About halfway through the run of the NA Miata, the legitimate oil pressure gauge was replaced with a so-called "gauge" that was really just a glorified Idiot Light. Instead of displaying an accurate graduated read out of the oil pressure, its needle just had two positions - about three quarters of the way up the scale when there was adequate oil pressure, or all the way at the bottom of the scale if the oil pressure dropped below some arbitrary (actual) pressure.