1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB) 5-Speed Manual Review / Back to Reality

[@shimmytube777]

I am 35 years old. The NB is probably the 10th car that I owned. The NB is the most fun car that I have owned.

[@smhbrayDen]

whats the second most

[@LARSENBISQUITS]

Has been “undervalued” for many years. As was the NA in 2010s. Had no respect from the youth community who were too busy modding EX civics and 240SX’s. I don’t think they are overpriced now. Prices of $10-$15k are totally fair and will help preserve a lot of them by keeping them out of the hands of 16 year olds that will inevitably butcher them with cheap ghastly mods. Same goes for the fabulous MR2s. Although due to much less inventory their prices never dipped as low as Miata’s. Both are top performer’s in their class and IMO unmatched by the portly European offerings. Simplify and add lightness is concept here.

[@matthewganote6165]

Have had my NB1 for three years now. It's my daily driver and it's just an absolute blast to drive. The saying "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast" is exactly what the Miata is all about. Wind it out to red line, go through the gears and your only going 45 mph, but the sensation is you are going much faster. I chose the NB because it was just that much more refined over the NA, but still had all the positives. I would have loved the pop-ups, but what are ya gonna do...

[@lmju21]

i have pop up kkkk - na

[@SpyderWorks]

Glue some on

[@AzPauly]

I have had my '99 for 9 years, has the LSD. 5 spd, cat back, aftermarket SCCA legal roll bar and a few other bits, dirt cheap to register and insure... Has been Civic reliable..couldn't imagine life without it.. it's a bike with doors..

[@ddhsd]

Oh what a fun video I spent a summer in North Carolina in the Mtn West in 2006 with a good friend who had this 99 Miata . He let me drive about half the time and it was so fun on the Blue ridge parkway and all the twisty NC and Georgia roads we could find. This car just made me smile constantly.(Much like Tyler at 2:30 😁)

[@mikeyoung00]

I have an NB2. I prefer its looks over the NA and NC. I prefer the NB's interior over the NA and it has a glass rear window and trunk space that one might even call roomy, if you are coming from an NA. The NB2 has a little more power, and no worries about thrust baring failure. My LS has an OK leather interior and an OK Bose sound system. The LS also comes standard with an lsd, a plus, and larger rims, a plus or minus depending on where you stand on the style vs performance spectrum. Mine is white and has just 36,000 miles on it. By the way, those NB vents are still available and are inexpensive and easy to replace. New ones make a big difference in the ease and smoothness of their operation.

[@Sir-Prizse]

In fact, I'm one of the very few people who find the NB nicer than the NA... and the fact that an NB is 2/3 cheaper for the same condition is just the cherry on top.

[@BillyBlaze7]

On my current NB ive installed rollbar, front sway bar and sway bar brace, coilovers, endlinks, exhaust, strut tower brace, cold air intake, slightly wider wheels and tires, frame rails and butterfly brace, strong arms, silicone hoses, an aluminum skid plate, gates belts all around and a dual core radiator. This fall I will be adding factory aero package and repainting the entire car. My last 99 was a national SCCA champion car, I miss it.

[@tmo2798]

I love the fact he let me know what is supposed to go in my blank switches. Thanks.

[@JackieG8991]

I was extremely lucky to get my daily driving NB1 Miata for $1,800 exactly a month before the random price spike on the Miatas. It also came from a Miata dealership so it was great taken care of. I do admit, I was initially looking for an NA Miata but there wasn’t any non-modded ones around. I don’t regret my purchase though. I hope to grow old with this car and give it to my next of kin or somebody I trust.

[@graham104e]

There are all sorts of reviews of these cars out there and yours is by far the best and most comprehensive. I own an NB 10AE and an NA (Eunos). I agree with everything you say about the NB. I love both of my cars but if I had to keep one it would be the NB. Like you say it has the soul of the NA but the refinements make it a better car and more usable. The NA is now just a fun car for a blat on a sunny day. Thanks for an entertaining video.

[@hiyahandsome]

Tyler in the Trunk always makes me laugh. Superseding the thorough and detailed automotive analysis is the aesthetic of a cinematic auteur, a young Orson Welles, whose "dilemma" made riveting viewing, which is why your videos are head and shoulders above all the others car videos on KZbin. Good common sense, a great sense of humor, encyclopedic knowledge, and the soul of a storyteller make a winning combination. Cheers~

[@jimschissler4180]

I've got a 2000 mx-5 nb that I bought brand new. I love it. The car has no other function than to be a fun sports car. I'm lucky I live north of San Francisco I get to drive Hwy 1. Plenty of curves atop 200-300 cliffs. The car doesn't ever feel like it's going to lose traction and I'm driving to my limits and not the car's Thrilling and Fun

[@TheBishop12]

It has stood the test of time and will continue to hold their value because NA owners part out NB cars for parts/upgrades because they are just so similar. They made like 400k+ NA’s and like 100k or so NBs (and prob less than half of that if you further cut down to 99-00 the closest to NA for parts).

[@chase276]

My buddy actually might go buy this exact miata soon! crazy finding this video

[@Realistick]

That's awesome!

[@chase276]

@@Realistick One worry I have is the power steering. I know it’s probably possible to add it aftermarket but is it super hard to steer without it?

[@tomy3550]

This is my favorite review of yours so far!

[@Realistick]

Thank you, it was a fun one to make!

[@daveg7878]

Agreed 100% with this review. Daily drove a 2002 in snowy New England for eight wonderful years. Great car. Would buy another if I found a good one.

[@DDobs12]

Honestly my favorite gen followed by the current, na, then the bubble butt gen

[@BillyBlaze7]

I have owned three 99 models and a 06 model NC, I currently have a 99. I LOVE the NB's, they are easy to work on, easy to make much much better. First mod I always do is a real functional roll bar, second is always coilovers. I have done a lot of suspension and chassis stiffening mods which make the car planted and tight in the handling department. If you just do those things it makes the car so so much more fun to drive.

[@AngryTurnip78]

Miatas are steadily increasing in value - Four years ago you could buy one in good condition for $3,750 to $4,500. Today the same car would be close to double that. Some early models are selling for as much as $15,000 - $20,000 in the U.S.

[@Realistick]

Yeah, there's another nb in town that is asking 16500, but it seems like the 15k plus cars are outliers, im hoping that they don't become the norm!

[@nickgappmayer5939]

Just bought mine for 9k with only 36k miles. That’s a deal in today’s market. That’s what the car was worth 10 years ago lol

[@nasman7492]

This was like the most detailed car review.I always hated it back in the day but after your vid I may give it a another look.You should now go review every car ever made 😜

[@lolsmol]

I have a 2001 Special Edition and I absolutely love it ❤

[@carlfreiermuth5424]

Great video and yes the NB is awesome.

[@dannyphamous]

Great on point review!

[@Shamil_Kamilski]

I live in Poland and bought NB Miata Miracle edition 5 years ago cheap (around $2,200) in a good shape. Smartest decision of my life so far.

[@cankiroglu4274]

do you still have it?

[@Shamil_Kamilski]

Yes, of course@@cankiroglu4274

[@JMXLloyd]

I just bought a 2001 ls automatic with a hardtop 119,000 miles for 5,000. I’ve driven alot of Miata’s before and the auto is kinda special in its own right.. it’s the first one I’ve driven and it definitely changes the characteristics of the car. I’ll probably be manual swapping either way tho 😂

[@beest_007zach7]

I live locally where you reviewed this car. Brown county has some of the best driving roads in indiana. I really enjoy them.

[@Realistick]

I really do love the roads out there, I don't take many review cars out that far but I had to make an exception for this one!

[@bitbat9]

Just picked up a 1999 NB1 same color as the one in the video. 88k miles on it

[@roddydykes7053]

Man the NB1 has such sweet styling. Just needs the center console, seats, engine and 6-speed out of the NB2

[@FarmerDan842]

As the original owner of an NB1 purchased in May 1998, I agree on the sweet styling and the need for a 6-speed. The NB2 seat headrests were too tall and didn't look right. The center console was fine in the NB1, but who cares about cup holders in a Miata. The VVT engine in the NB2 only added 2 or 3 hp, while being heavier and more complex. I prefer my NB1.

[@Chader9]

What a thorough and informative review! Loved the 0-60 "dilema" bit as well, great humor. I got a 2004 NB2 Base model with the Bilstien & LSD package back in 2020 and just love it. FUN is the short and simple way to describe this and I suspect most other Miata's. Probably can't go wrong with any of them and it's a matter of taste and priorities leading to what might be 'best' for each driver. Definitely subscribing for more.

[@majjegaming5927]

Hot take but I want an nb over an na love pop ups but the nb looks sooooo good

[@djkenny1202]

This is great! Lol. I’m considering selling my 2000 Cabrio for one. The power is actually damn close, though! 😆 MR2 tempting, too. 99-2000 no need for premium fuel.

[@alvaromartinez34]

where did u adquire that cool black n white design for speed control center?it isn´t the original, but I love it. feels more sporty

[@mnal5gex]

Have one. I love it. 18 years later. It’s my baby

[@TimNiro]

Hi mine is a 2000 looks identacle whats the differernts

[@zach12s]

When the salesman lets you take a test ride during COVID.

[@tness72]

Have a 1998 NB 1.6 with 60k miles. my third NB ,

[@3frogsontop890]

Why does nobody ever do the nb2

[@3frogsontop890]

When its the better miata

[@Chader9]

Some have done so. Likely just a matter of what is within reach for any given reviewer. Considering the age of the car, couple with the fact that sales figure for each generation start strong only to finish weak, there are less actual quantities of the later 2nd half cars for any generation. Despite that, there are some NB2 related vids if you search. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGq7fqV3mtulZpI

[@Chader9]

Another with NB2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZbVh3SOjpyfo5o

[@Chader9]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHmah2WsiN55o6c

[@Chader9]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n36vh2l8nr2SZq8

[@Shaheer4771]

I was lucky to get this car as my first car for $5850

[@LARSENBISQUITS]

Those are 14” wheels

[@Realistick]

Perhaps, I'll have to double check because they offered 15s on some packs and they looked very similar.

[@miguelgomes4300]

Indeed they are. The spokes on the 15's are longer and slimmer.

[@mr.butterworth]

@@Realistick those are definitely the standard 14” wheels. I’ve heard they lend the car a little more of an old school tail slip dynamic.

[@Melville21]

I have a 1997 NA with 29K on it. I'm in Indianapolis. Let me know.

[@Realistick]

Will do! Shoot me an email at [e-mail] and I'll reach out when I get back to the US and my usual schedule.

[@Jeremy-kg1zr]

People always mention that the NC has a little more power and is more sorted, handling wise, when stock. They always fail to mention the major downside - You have to look at the thing every time you go to drive it. 😬

[@damilolaakanni]

ND, NC, NB, then NA. Looks wise, IMO.

[@roddydykes7053]

NC is definitely last in looks

[@kyritix2380]

Why do Americans pay so much for cars? You can get a decent one in the uk for £2k

[@collinwall5169]

Supply and demand? As it is with anything that is sold

[@merlyn2121]

Goodbye radiator

[@curtis4994]

hit legs bro

[@fitchyyboi]

Like you can even squat a plate

[@tmo2798]

144 hp. You got it wrong the WHOLE TIME. After edits. 144. 144. 144. Mine was only rated for 140. But... 144 144 144. Clean your bifocals.

[@Realistick]

www.motortrend.com/reviews/1999-mazda-miata-review/ www.edmunds.com/mazda/mx-5-miata/1999/features-specs/ www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15142268/1999-mazda-mx-5-miata-road-test-review/