The Generation Game: Mazda MX-5

[Liquid]

The Generation Game: Mazda MX-5

The MX-5.
The Roadster.
The Miata.

1989-1997 Mazda MX-5 (NA)

Bodystyles: 2-door convertible
Engines: 1.6L I4, 2.0L I4 (C-Spec)
Drivetrain: RWD
Length: 3.95m / 155.5in
Weight: 1,002kg / 2,210lbs

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1998-2004 Mazda MX-5 (NB)

Bodystyles: 2-door convertible, 2-door coupe
Engines: 1.6L I4, 1.8L I4, 1.8L turbocharged I4 (Mazdaspeed)
Drivetrain: RWD
Length: 3.94m / 155in
Weight: 1,065kg / 2,348lbs

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2005-2015 Mazda MX-5 (NC)

Bodystyles: 2-door convertible
Engines: 1.8L I4, 2.0L I4
Drivetrain: RWD
Length: 4m / 158in
Weight: ~1,130kg / 2,491lbs

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2016-present Mazda MX-5 (ND)

Bodystyles: 2-door convertible
Engines: 1.5L I4, 2.0L I4
Drivetrain: RWD
Length: 3.91m / 154in
Weight: ~1,000kg / 2,204lbs

 

[TheCracker]

It’s got to be the NA really. I mean, they’re all great, they all follow the path the original took without deviating other than modernising only as much as was necessary. As much as that’s in no way a bad thing, it also makes choosing the first a no brainier as the others didn’t really add anything new to the table (and probably rightly so as it was a spot on concept from conception).

 

[MatskiMonk]

 

[Liquid]

The first cool car I ever remember seeing was my uncle's green NA MX-5 in the 1990s. I think it's aged spectacularly well and is one of the most important cars ever made.

 

[Downhill Dino]

The last two were very tough, couldn't put a vote down, this one is a lot more definitive. NA all the way.

 

[Roo]

Pop up headlights. That's all.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

This one's hard because I think all 4 have their own merits. I went with ND though just because I think it has the best roof and the best engine.

 

[05XR8]

Nearly bought an NA a different points in my life. A black NA from a dodgy used car lot(it had cracking tan leather interior and the headrest speakers didn’t function). The other a red NA in Connecticut from a helicopter pilot. He fitted 17” Kosei five spokes. I didn’t like that, but undeniably such a joy to drive.

Only steered an NB around a block here in Australia. It had a tight fitting racing bucket specified for the 60yo/65kg owner. Really cool standard gauge cluster.

I liked the NC because the ease and neatness of the folding the soft top. Fell in love with the Racing Concept at the NY Auto Show.

ND(1.5) brings back that lightness of the original and looks more aggressive than the cars before. A flat & wide look that is attractive.
Was never a fan of the radio position.

Overall, I’d go with NA as the best, but I’d buy the ND.

 

[Venom800tt]

ND, because it is the most fun out of the box, that and IMO looks the best. I may or may not be a little biased to it since I own one lol...

 

[Liquid]

Honourable mention to the ND-based Fiat 124 Spider. Looks better than the MX-5 that it's based on.

 

[CTznOfTime]

My order

1) ND3 / ND2 (my head says)
2) NA for the popup (my heart says)
3) NC for the hardtop (practical choice)
4) NB is still a very good choice ! (Still not a wrong answer, still the answer to every question)

 

[Centroid]

This is tricky one. The NA has a purity of design the others lack. The NC has the best stance and some lovely details. The ND is impressive for being as light as the original despite having modern crash protection standards.

I think the ND gets the nod over the NA for the engineering, but the NA was such a successful reinterpretation of the classic British roadster I would have voted for it if I could have had 2 votes.

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

My heart says NA, but really, there's never been a bad one, or even one that I have any issues with.

 

[wfooshee]

I'm an NB owner, so there! The NB has some upgrades over the NA in the power department, some of that by variable intake valve timing in 2001, and I actually prefer the headlights out there for all to see instead of having to retract. I also prefer the look of the NB dash over the NA.

One thing about Mazdas in general, including the Miata, that I simply cannot stand, is the front end styling when they went to that ****-eating-grin grill design. Not only are they ugly, they're mostly filled with black plastic, so what's the point? On the Miata, those started on the 2009 model, and they've been there ever since. Despicable, and butt-ugly! And yes, as Liquid points out above, the Fiat looks WAY better!

 

[CTznOfTime]

I'm an NB owner, so there! The NB has some upgrades over the NA in the power department, some of that by variable intake valve timing in 2001, and I actually prefer the headlights out there for all to see instead of having to retract. I also prefer the look of the NB dash over the NA.

One thing about Mazdas in general, including the Miata, that I simply cannot stand, is the front end styling when they went to that ****-eating-grin grill design. Not only are they ugly, they're mostly filled with black plastic, so what's the point? On the Miata, those started on the 2009 model, and they've been there ever since. Despicable, and butt-ugly! And yes, as Liquid points out above, the Fiat looks WAY better!

I guess our opinions differ

Mazda design has been getting better and better since they left Ford's grip.

Right now I would even say that Mazda design is the best among Japanese cars...

Love the front end look of the Modern Mazda

 

[05XR8]

This is for the NC owner members. Had the least votes, but more enthusiasts are leaning to the model.

Nobuteru Taniguchi and Manabu Orido test drive the NC Roadster! A GT driver's NC for some drift fun? NOPRO, a long-established NC Roadster shop, gives guidance on the NC Roadster's strengths, weaknesses, and tuning possibilities!

This episode of Car Prime is a special feature on the NC Roadster! Taniguchi and Orido are currently obsessed with the NC Roadster! Taniguchi's engine blew after only two drifts, and Orido also acquired the NC to use as a practice car for park training, but this is almost their first time seriously tuning a Roadster. Therefore, we invited NOPRO (Nogami Project), a shop synonymous with the NC Roadster, which also participates in Super Taikyu and has a wealth of know-how on Roadsters and Demios, to discuss the NC Roadster's appeal, weaknesses, and tuning points! This episode is a textbook for anyone considering owning an NC or struggling with tuning options! Don't miss it!

 

[TheCracker]

This is for the NC owner members. Had the least votes, but more enthusiasts are leaning to the model.

Old enough to buy cheaply, new enough to be useable without needing loads of work to just keep it running.