[miatapasta]

I've done some looking around for threads like this, but the only real comprehensive one is over on a VW forum and only a few chiming in actually own Miatas. So here's the dilemma: I love my NA, but I'm looking for something a little less rough around the edges, and I wanna stick to Miatas. So of course the next thing is the NB. Here's my situation:

-21 year old college kid workin' minimum wage. :fp: XD
-Looking to compete in auto-x once a month and use the car as a DD as well.
-I could save up a grand or two, let my NA go for somewhere around 4k and grab a nice 99-00 model.

My knowledge on the NB is pretty limited, so could any NB owners chime in? What's the cost maintenance wise vs the NA? Overall, satisfaction wise, which one would you go for? Thanks a ton in advance.

 

[mk2tmr2]

The NB is basically an NA with a body kit and slightly less chincy interior. It's by and large the same car, though. If you know the NA, you pretty much know the NB.

My NB was rougher around the edges than my NA is. But it was on a worse suspension and made twice the power. So it just felt more.....modified.

My suggestion: Keep your NA and put that couple of grand into it to make it more smooth around the edges. Save yourself the headache of changing cars.

 

[Oggie50]

Go for an NB with LSD if you can. More power and looks alot better than NA's ~No offense NA owners. lol

 

[(Adam)]

Phantom I say this from experience. I first had an NA, base model but it was fun as hell. Felt great everytime I drove it. Down the road I got this current NB. Its got all the bells and whistles but to me, its missing the feel. The feel of the road and all. It just feels like another car, boring compared to my "rough" NA.

 

[jaredef]

My suggestion: Keep your NA and put that couple of grand into it to make it more smooth around the edges. Save yourself the headache of changing cars.

This!

 

[RedemPhex]

buy an NB dude. The NB is an NA+1. Hell the I have heard a similarly packaged 99 model year was lighter than 96-97.

 

[drftbot]

with the extra $$ you'll save from getting the NA than the NB you can put in that amount into the NA to Equal the NB plus you save the extra 230lb plus what ever other weight you wanna take out from it and if you get a 95 or older you dont have to deal with the obd2. my 2cents.

 

[Quinn]

The NB has a better chassis, revised rear suspension geometry, higher compression, and a better cylinder head. The difference between a stock NB and a stock NA is substantial

 

[phillyb™]

i loved my nb.
but i love my na more.
granted my na has an nb engine. thanks steve!

 

[miatapasta]

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice. I have a lot of sentimental value wrapped up into this car (being my first car I bought & worked on with my own money), but it seems lately it's been one big headache. First the clutch goes out, then an electrical grounding issue that would cut the car off and leave me stranded....even little annoyances like the headlights currently stuck in the up position and the speedo cable rattling like a bag of marbles (anybody know how to fix these by the way? PM me please)

However, I think that once I get a decent coat of paint and a nice set of wheels I won't even be considering the NB anymore. Besides, I test drove an NB the other day (granted it had stock shocks and mismatched 16" boat anchor wheels). The old saying is true...the NB is a better car, but the NA is the better Miata.



On the other side of the coin though.....the NB being newer would make sense to be more reliable. That and the additional power would be really nice.

 

[concealer404]

I test drove quite a few NAs, because they're what i WANTED to want.

I think they look better, there's more little things readily available for them. (I wanted to order the Rev9 catalog. ALL of it.)

They just... left me cold.

I drove a base 99. I was hooked. Felt SO much better. Handled better. Interior was better. Shifter felt better. Brakes were better. Faster.

I still want an NA... but i made the right choice with my NB.

 

[neofreak]

You already have an NA, there is no reason to get a NB. Get some chassis bracing and you're good. Get the sport brakes if you have a 1.6. You're most of the way there then.

I started with a 2002, then went to a 2004 Mazdaspeed. Had five NAs after that.

Besides, if you get a NB, you really should get a NB2 over NB1.

 

[RedemPhex]

You already have an NA, there is no reason to get a NB. Get some chassis bracing and you're good. Get the sport brakes if you have a 1.6. You're most of the way there then.

I started with a 2002, then went to a 2004 Mazdaspeed. Had five NAs after that.

Besides, if you get a NB, you really should get a NB2 over NB1.

thats oddly weird to suggest. Unless you just like the NB2 front end over the NB1, the NB1 is lighter, makes more power, has a better flowing head, more available cams if you decide to go the NA way, lower compression if you decide to go the FI way, and is much cheaper than an NB2.

 

[Justinb928]

Replace speed-o cable.

 

[RedemPhex]

btw, did I mention the NB2 front end conversion is easy?

 

[clos561]

I've done some looking around for threads like this, but the only real comprehensive one is over on a VW forum and only a few chiming in actually own Miatas. So here's the dilemma: I love my NA, but I'm looking for something a little less rough around the edges, and I wanna stick to Miatas. So of course the next thing is the NB. Here's my situation:

-21 year old college kid workin' minimum wage. :fp: XD
-Looking to compete in auto-x once a month and use the car as a DD as well.
-I could save up a grand or two, let my NA go for somewhere around 4k and grab a nice 99-00 model.

My knowledge on the NB is pretty limited, so could any NB owners chime in? What's the cost maintenance wise vs the NA? Overall, satisfaction wise, which one would you go for? Thanks a ton in advance.

1. You are in college
2. You are broke
3. Save the headache of selling na then finding a nb at good price. Then you have to think about what you will drive untill you find one. Get new insurance. Pay for new title. Tax on purchase. Penis penis penis. Vagina vagina vagina.

Maintanence is probably same cost. Since you already own your car you know whats wrong and what youve worked on. New used car can be a double edge sword.

 

[AkaZero]

Keep the NA. Flip up lights are superior.

 

[matthew inked]

I'd keep the na and fix it. Pre 96 is so easy no emissions or obd2 worrys

 

[piano]

 

[artcentermiata]

I lol'ed HARD ^

truth be said, if i could go back and re-enter the miata community, i wouldve gone Na

there is just so much more character and potential in the 1st generations more mechanical and barren exterior.

the Nb's hips and curves seem to keep the car at a soft level, no matter how hard you try to change the styling

Na in my opinion is a kart, the Nb is the sports roadster