NA vs. NB Miata's Compared!

Struggling to decide between buying an 1st gen NA Miata or a 2nd gen NB? In this video we compare and contrast both models and cover the pro's and con's of each!

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[CashedOutCars]

As a loving owner of my NA for 5.5 years, my next one would be an NB, it's a better all around car, just less hyped! A heads up though, later NB diffs are NOT necessarily better than a 1.8 NA or early NBs, lots of people actually consider it a downgrade. They went to a different LSD diff that's more prone to failure for later NB2s and is a bit more finicky. It does have some benefits over a torsen, but for some people a torsen would do better. For most people the difference wouldn't matter though. Regardless, I'll be in NB gang soon!

[Miatayo]

Price in the US are crazy low. Here in France, a regular NA without rust is sold around 8000€ / 10 000 USD

[jeanboy]

I've had both and ...nb pretty much has everything the NA lacked

[FusterIsBased]

It seems like NA prices are getting crazy nowadays. I've been seeing them for 5k in average condition, 7-8k for slightly above average with a hardtop.

[catsaur]

Love the NB platform, imo I like the body lines more so than the NA as well. With NA prices seemingly much higher than just a year ago (although NB's are still getting higher), I'm picking the NB.

[mtsixspeed]

$2500?! Try finding a decent one in the northeast for under $7k now. Prices are way up.

[edventures]

I've never been a fan of the NB. I'm currently on my 3rd NA and they're just so fun to drive plus they're cute af. If I ever go NB it'll be for a mazdaspeed but I'll try to keep my NA as well. Love the content man keep them coming

[TheBishop]

All you need to really know (imo):

NA
90-91 w/VIN 209446 or less: short nose crank- do not buy unless mechanically inclined
90-93: 1.6L (slower but higher revving-lighter flywheel-slight oversteer, louder)
94-97: 1.8L marginally more power uses more fuel, heavier
•Easy mode: just buy any Special M-Edition and call it a day

NB
99-00: Famed BP4W= good resale, round headlights and fried egg tails
01-03: BP-Z3 VVTI, Sharper eyes and clear tails
04-05: BPT-vsimilar to BP4W, Mazdaspeed Turbo
•Easy mode: just buy any Special Edition and call it a day, but if you got the coin, MSM for collectibility/future classic it makes everyone’s Top 10 Miatas of all time lists.

[old_con]

Great comprehensive guide to the two models Alex especially as you have personally owned them both. As always your vids are improving each upload, well done we are really enjoying them all.👍🏽😎

[CruiseControl]

I driven every gen Miata and whichever you buy you will enjoy. For me I bought an nb1 intentionally over an nb2, main reasons being weight and I did not want the vvt engine. I love the Miata car culture and I grew up with cars, my dad was a stock car race driver, my first car was a 79 280zx with my second being a 76 280z. Now I’m 42, I’m an automotive journalist and I’ve driven well over 1, 000 cars and my Miata is my benchmark and my reset. Short list of things I love, the 5 speed manual is near perfect, the clutch, the hydraulic steering feel, the lightweight and overall feeling I get while driving it. Things like 0-60 and 1/4 miles time used to matter to me when I was 16 but now I couldn’t care less. Great video

[mikefannon]

I got my 2001 NB three years ago for $5800 with less than 6000 mi. - no rust. Have spent some $ on a new clutch and 6000 mi. maintenance. Like new now.
I had a Spitfire back in 1970. The Miata is a similar driving experience but with reliability and twice as much power. Lots of fun for this old man!

[pattylynnbrown]

Alex, I am so glad I found you! I love your videos I have seen so far. I love the NA, especially the pop up lights. Today, You helped me narrow my search to 94-97 year models. Thank you for your comparison video.

[oskykun]

I am very happy I have a NA Miata, because I got it for good money, but NB's are also awesome, and would buy an NB, if I was not lucky back then

[pete]

I own an NB, but certainly appreciate all four generations.
When it comes to interior design, my least favourite of the three is the NC with its hard plastics, and (to me) cheap looking gauge cluster. This is by no means a dealbreaker - I really like the NC Club…
I believe they’ve all got their merits, and deserve to be driven & enjoyed.
Haters - shut your mouth, and drop the top. Have fun!

[efrenpizano]

I've had 2 NB's and 5 NA's. It does come down to individual preferences and I agree with Alex that you can't go wrong either way. In retrospect, for racing (assuming it's stock) I'd go with the NB, but for all-around driver's satisfaction I'd go with an NA8. NB's feel a little more solid on the road, but not much. I found myself either wanting more power out of it, or trying different shocks. I loved my white 2000 MX-5 with a manual. The aftermarket "muffler" that came with it was too loud for me. But the power is decent on those NB's. I recently stumbled on the best of both worlds and it seems like a good compromise. A 1997 in Montego Blue Mica Miata with a 1.8, muffler deleted. It's not too loud, the power is just right, and I have no complaints with it other than minor cosmetic issues. My second favorite would actually be the 1.6. It just nails it on that classic Miata feel we've come to know and love: being a tossable, rev-happy, little roadster.

[Forenzikproductions]

Tiktok and IG idiots have raised the prices on these cars. I hate people.

[BokBarber]

Where do you live where average condition NAs are still $2500-$3500? In the midwest, anything below $5k and with minimal rust is a rarity.

[thecommentingcommentor]

Here in Germany NA prices have gone up a lot. However if you factor in the frame rails repair, which all NBs need due to saulty roads in the winter they cost about the same

[MrZootalores]

Alex good info, I have an M edition 1995 i bought in 2019 & a 2000 M edition a month later.$4000 each.i rotate these daily drivers & store them in nov.I like the NA gear ratio on these bumpy, twisty back roads in Maine.Those high pop-up headlights show 300 ft on the hi-beam: a super night racer. I drive the NB alot too, the NB is smoother driving on bumpy roads & i use it if i'm driving down the Interstate.It isn't the woods night racer like the NA, the gearing is off for narrow dangerous roads, but the NB is alot of fun in bigger(well lite) wider roads & i love the way it looks too!

[hebrewsvs]

Oh, i wish those prices were still true today, at least 2 yrs after this video was made😢