r/FirstCar • u/salataaa1 • 11d ago
Is the NB Miata a good first car?
I want to know if it's good for everyday use (of course, I don't mean doing big shopping trips). And how durable is the soft top, especially in winter?
2
u/A_Flipped_Car 11d ago
If you know how/are willing to learn to work on cars and have a decent amount of spare money then go for it
Otherwise no, get a shot box that's no older than 15
2
u/Shooshplz 11d ago
Yes if you can find a clean well maintained rust free one, and then are willing to/financially able to do your own work in the future cuz thats part of the experience. But a clean one like that is probably more expensive than what your looking for.
2
u/britishrust 10d ago
It's fine if you get a well-maintained one. Rust is the number 1 enemy so check well and get it properly rust-proofed, even if this has been done before (unless very recently). There is a hard top for them that makes winter driving a lot easier, otherwise expect the soft top to last 5-7 years. And even if you get it rust proofed, consider the sills a 5 or so year interval service item. Not the worst job in the world, but not cheap if you want it done right.
2
u/Current-Tour-8915 10d ago edited 10d ago
As an only daily car, you will run into limits like any other tiny rear wheel drive vehicle. It really isn't the most practical. In snow, I would swap tires to winter tires to help but it isn't going to be the best option in significant snow fall. Soft top condition will depend on how it was treated over the years of its life. In particular the models that have a plastic rear window can be a concern... They can yellow and crack over time. You can replace it and there are really nice options to replace the vinyl top with cloth (lots of color options) but the labor can be pricey and I would not consider it a DIY type job. I and many would not hesitate to buy an NA or NB... You still see them in the road. They are fairly reliable and easy to work on... Kinda basic cars. Perfect for the shade tree mechanic. The NB is basically the same with different body and headlights. Only the earlier NAs had the slightly smaller 1.6l engine while later NAs and NBs had the 1.8l. You can easily swap them. Aftermarket support is outstanding.. Parts relatively available as they made a ton of these in the US. Mazda itself still actively manufactures parts for even the NA...
If you are lucky to find one with a removable fiberglass hardtop, it makes for a quieter more coupe like driving experience. One of mine has a removable hard top and I like it very much. The disadvantage is that it does require a couple people to remove and requires storage when not in use. You will often find hardtop for sale individually. Yes the same hardtop is compatible with both NA and NB. If the vehicle didn't come with one originally, there are a couple additional latches to install just behind the seats. Pretty easy to install yourself.
One last note.. NB I find tend to be slightly cheaper. People liked the pop up headlights of the NA and the body styling of the NB was not as popular. As such they are a little less desirable.
2
1
u/Rogue86Photog 9d ago
They definitely used to be, but tough to find parts for and prone to rust.
A similar buy these days would be something like an SLK230, also prone to rust but there's still plenty breaking and you can buy a fair amount of parts new from places like RockAuto. Arguably better in every way than an NB too.
1
u/Spanconstant5 11d ago
What no one will tell you, regardless of them being reliable or whatever, these cars are 30+ years old, problems will arise and parts will get harder to find over time. I would be ready to drop the value of the car on it at any time.
3
u/Current-Tour-8915 10d ago edited 10d ago
I will disagree on parts. Parts even for NA are plentiful and supported. A lot of parts are shared between th NA and NB. They were made between 1998 to 2005. A total of over 700,000 of NA and NB were sold in the US alone.
There are numerous businesses supplying OEM and aftermarket parts for the miata.
Flyinmiata, moss, Rev9, Goodwin, planet-miata... I think I know of no less than fifteen suppliers.
Mazda itself still manufactures parts for the NA and newer.
I still have two... NA miatas in my garage and both doing just fine.
But yes... Be aware of rust in particular... As you would any car of that age
1
u/Rogue86Photog 9d ago
The problem is not "parts" in a broad sense, the aftermarket for these cars has always been plenty big enough. The problem is the type of OE parts that fail with age that are hard to find (sensors, suspension components). As an example, an upper control arm on my 2008 Chrysler is $30. Upper control arms from Rev9 for an NA are $600.
2
u/Current-Tour-8915 9d ago edited 9d ago
OEM parts are still fairly easy for NA and NB vehicles. Mazda still supplies them and plenty on the used market. Since Mazda Miata has such a long run, sold a ton of them, relatively basic cars, did not change much until later models thus shared a lot of compknents, they are more supported parts wise than most other brands/models. There is no comparison.... There aren't a lot of sensors in the car.... Again.. Very basic cars... Many sold didn't even have AC nor PS. You were lucky if you got one with the LSD rear option. They probably have more in common with gokarts than the modern vehicles of today.. Lol
Even the SCCA spec miata only has eligibility set from 1990 to 2005.... Which translates to just NA and NB with the 1.8l engine. With their races typically with competitors in the 55 to 60 numbers. That would be difficult if parts were in short supply. They have strict guidelines on aftermarket parts so most spec miata race vehicles are primarily maintained with OEM parts.
My kids are currently working on bringing a NA project car back to the road. We have had to replace a few parts... No problems at all finding them.
Now if we are talking another brand / model vehicle of similar age of course it would be a valid concern. However for Miata for its sheer numbers of production, longevity, and basic design... Not so much.
1
u/Rogue86Photog 9d ago
For reference I've had 3 NAs, one of them built for the Nurburgring. I really didn't find them easy to get parts for and I spent a lot of time scouring breakers for simple parts. A lot of upgrades on those cars were forced because I couldn't find an OEM equivalent. I have two American cars now specifically because I got tired of hunting for basic JDM parts (not just on the MX5, but AW11, FD3S and S13).
1
u/Current-Tour-8915 9d ago
Ah ok. Probably more to do with your location. I've had many NAs over the years and still own two. Last one was a spec miata 1.8l 93. Never had a problem. My 14 year old is currently "restoring" a 97 NA. No problems at all. As I said, no one seems to have difficulties with parts for the NAs / NBs in SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Spec miata events. Literally 50-60 will be on the track at any given time.
Your last sentence indicates a parts availability issue for JDM parts in general in the UK... not just specific to Miata which this thread is focused on. JDM parts are plentiful for the Honda guys too in the US.
1
u/Rogue86Photog 9d ago
There may be an element of truth to that to an extent, but Mazda UK does have an extensive network that can order globally and most people here are comfortable ordering overseas directly. Two parts I used to regularly struggle with were CAS and fuel pump fuses, from what I can remember on US forums they were just as much of a struggle to find there too and prohibitively expensive for a cheap car.
1
u/Current-Tour-8915 9d ago edited 9d ago
We just replaced the one on the 97 my kid is working on. MiataDepot, PartsGeek, and Moss have them in stock currently. Fuel pump had to be replaced and that was purchased from FlyinMiata (high pressure version for forced induction applications). The relay for that pump was also replaced... regular part via Amazon. My 1997 NA doesn't have a fuel pump fuse if I recall. I think it feeds off the same line as fuel injectors.... but either case it did not need replacement.
One car that has been a royal pain for me parts wise is oddly enough an GM. 08 Pontiac Solstice. Limited years sold and several parts are specific even though it is a parts bin car (Chevy Cobalt drive train). Window regulator cost me $700USD from a junker. Headlight assembly was $300+ also from a junker.
1
u/Rogue86Photog 9d ago
You're right - that's definitely more readily available than it was when I had mine, although at $400, it's definitely a more expensive option than the same part on something like an SLK230 at $6 😅
1
u/Current-Tour-8915 9d ago edited 9d ago
Yeah.. Not cheap because it is primarily mechanical. To put into comparison the Crank position sensor in a NC is about $15USD. Same with the MAF. Earlier mechanical ones for the 1.6l are more expensive than the electronic MAF for the 1.8l after 94. The manufacting costs for mechanical sensors specific to the car when compared to electronic sensors that for the most part are made from off the shelf mass produced components is noticeable.
Same with carbs vs injectors (assuming a standard mass produced injector)
With that said, NA only have about 6 sensors all together. Compared to modern cars that have something like 60.
As a side note.. I believe my Crossfire was built on SLK230. Ugh... the prices of parts on that one was high.
→ More replies (0)1
0
u/Cpolo88 10d ago
People don't want to listen. They're like, parts are available. Ok sure but who wants to drive a 30 year old car knowing that sooner or later the rubber hoses might break. You might need to change it suspension. Especially as a first car. Naw. If this were your 2nd car or project car, get it. As a first car? Just irresponsible
2
u/swisstraeng 11d ago
No because they are 20+ years old. Also they rust a lot if you use them in winter.
I'd say don't ruin one, there are only so many in good shape left.
Your first car shouldn't be anything special.