Mazda MX-5 NB
Rust above all: sills, rear arches and the double-skinned front chassis rails. The engines are simple; change the timing belt and check the roof drains.
The short answer
- The second MX-5 was built from 1998 to 2005, about 290,000 times, with a 110 PS 1.6 or a 1.8 (sold in Germany as the 1.9) with 140 PS, or 146 PS after the 2001 facelift.
- Rust is the main problem: check the sills, rear arches and especially the double-skinned front chassis rails, which rot from the inside.
- Change the timing belt every 100,000 km or five years, look for a leaking roof and blocked drains, and expect about €5,000 to €14,000 for a good car.
The NB replaced the original MX-5 in 1998. It lost the pop-up headlights but kept the formula: two seats, a soft top, a front-mounted four-cylinder and rear-wheel drive. Mazda built about 290,000 in Hiroshima until the NC took over in 2005 (Goodwood). The body is stiffer than the NA's and about 50 kg heavier. Around the turn of 2000 and 2001 the NB got a facelift with new bumpers and variable valve timing for the 1.8 (Auto Bild, mobile.de). Our photos show a silver facelift car with brown leather and a boot rack, and a rust spot that shows how this car ages.
Engines and specs
| Engine | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 four-cylinder | 110 PS, 134 Nm | manual only (mobile.de) |
| 1.8 (Germany: 1.9) | 140 PS, 162 Nm | 1998–2000, limited-slip differential in Germany |
| 1.8 S-VT (Germany: 1.9) | 146 PS, 168 Nm | from the facelift, limited-slip differential in Germany, six-speed on some versions |
Sources: Goodwood, mobile.de, Auto Bild. German versions sometimes list 139 or 145 PS. The facelifted 1.8 does 0–100 km/h in 8.4 seconds and about 208 km/h (Goodwood). mobile.de gives a kerb weight of 1,035 kg and a 144-litre boot. The most desirable cars combine the 1.8, limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers and six-speed gearbox (Goodwood).
Living with it
The NB is small and light, and that's the point. mobile.de finds that the tail announces itself early and is easy to slide on the throttle, but warns against the "go-kart" cliché: the suspension is soft, the car rolls and dives in fast corners, and the steering isn't as sharp as a modern sports car's. The short gearlever is a joy. Drivers over 1.90 m may find it tight with the roof up, and 144 litres of boot is little for two people's luggage. Ours has a boot rack.
The engines are simple. Both are interference-free, so a snapped timing belt strands you but shouldn't wreck the engine (mobile.de). Specialist insurance for the NB as a modern classic starts at £155 a year with Goodwood in the UK.
Common problems
- Front chassis rails: the biggest risk. They are double-skinned and rot from the inside out, often hidden by undertrays or underseal (Goodwood). Heavy rust here makes the repair much more expensive (mobile.de); the Dutch specialist LucaCarMods charges €1,150 for a chassis rail repair.
- Sills and rear arches: rust starts at the rear of the sill and spreads from the inside; paint blisters mean the metal underneath is already bad (Bofi Racing, mobile.de).
- Boot lid: another known rust spot (Bofi Racing). Our car shows it above the number plate.
- Roof and drains: leaking roofs, blocked drain holes and wet carpets (Goodwood, CarGurus).
- Timing belt: change it every 100,000 km (mobile.de) or every five years (Goodwood).
- Cooling: neglected cooling systems and tired radiators are common (Goodwood), and the top of the radiator can crack (Bofi Racing).
- Underneath: corroded power steering pipes (Bofi Racing), worn bushes and dampers, and seized brake calipers (Goodwood).
- Electrics: sticky electric windows and central locking or immobiliser faults (Goodwood).
Recalls: we found no European recall data in our sources. In the US, 1999 Miatas built between November 1997 and November 1998 were recalled for a sticking non-return valve in the fuel filler pipe (NHTSA 00V032000, via au7o).
The engine will outlast the body. Buy the car with the best chassis rails, not the lowest mileage.
Safety
The NB is a light car from the late 1990s with a simple chassis. We found no Euro NCAP rating for it. Rust in the chassis rails, sills and suspension mounts isn't just cosmetic; it affects how the car behaves in a crash, so get a car with rust underneath checked by a specialist before you buy.
Buying checklist
- Put the car on a lift and inspect the front chassis rails, ideally with the undertray off.
- Check the rear sills, rear arches, floors, jacking points, boot floor and boot lid.
- Ask for photos and invoices if the underside has been undersealed (Goodwood).
- Look for wet carpets and check that the roof drains are clear.
- Ask when the timing belt was last changed.
- Check coolant, oil and the radiator for leaks or emulsion.
- Bounce each corner: a car that keeps bouncing has worn dampers (mobile.de).
- Be wary of cheap coilovers, loud exhausts and undeclared turbo conversions (Goodwood).
Verdict
The MX-5 NB is one of the cheapest ways into a proper rear-wheel-drive roadster, and its engines are tough. Its weak point is rust, so buy on the condition of the chassis rails and sills, then enjoy it. The 1.8 with the limited-slip differential and six-speed gearbox is the one to have if you can find a solid one. For a bigger, more powerful roadster, read our 2003 BMW Z4 guide.
FAQ
Where does the MX-5 NB rust?
Mainly on the front chassis rails, the rear sills and the rear wheel arches. Also check floors, jacking points, the boot floor, boot lid, battery area and suspension mounts (Goodwood, Bofi Racing).
Which engine is better, the 1.6 or the 1.8?
The 1.8 (1.9 in Germany) has 140 or 146 PS and, in many versions, a limited-slip differential and six-speed gearbox. The 1.6 with 110 PS is cheaper but slower. Both are simple and durable.
How often does the timing belt need changing?
mobile.de recommends every 100,000 km, Goodwood every five years. The engines are interference-free, so a broken belt shouldn't destroy the engine, but it will leave you stranded.
What does a good MX-5 NB cost?
Listings we found on mobile.de ranged from about €5,000 for a high-mileage 1.6 to about €14,000 for well-kept special editions. A 2001 1.9 with 145 PS was listed at €10,900. Budget extra for rust repairs.
Based on manufacturer data, buyer's guides and specialist reports, not on our own test drive. Sources: Goodwood buyer's guide, mobile.de used-car tip, Auto Bild, Bofi Racing buyer's guide, CarGurus, LucaCarMods, au7o, mobile.de listings.