What to look for when buying an NB Miata

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

It's missing a vitally important pedal!

[@benistingray6097]

You forgot one of the worst rust problems. The front frame can rust from the inside, at the height where the upper wishbones are mounted. If you check the car from below you can see up to the upper frame and see if there is rust underneath the frame.

[@JamieWalker-pc6nd]

Yep the “rain rail” and if it’s been painted the chances are they been painted closed. Gotta check them inner sills can believe it’s not on here 10:40

[@porkchopexpress6969]

That’s what took mine. R.i.p loved my nb

[@Lowsidr]

Snagging an 03 today, thanks for the insight, HUGE help!

[@RedlineAutoParts]

Enjoy your new Miata!

[@alexisknows6513]

Well done , 2003 fixed all the problems 99 to 2001 had ! Plus you may have a LSD even if it's not club model . An if you have the cash you can update it to a Mazda Speed (2004 -2005) ....you may want to replace CPS ($40) if yours is not running well at low rpm or pulling a random missfire code.

[@demontrav1918]

Did you buy it? How do you like it?

[@erikanovember9485]

Just bought a garnet red 03 1 of 1752 of this color on parch leather bose. It does have 140k and a 5 speed . But a mechanic got it on trade for work done and already fixed alot issues. We settled at 6400 bucks. But its super nice. And my son is excited to start getting it track ready

[@robcober6811]

Great information, thank you for going through all this. Especially the rolling chassis, that was great to see parts from all those overhead angles.

[@sharpemang]

Wish I would've watched this before picking a MSM -_- the auction said it had a lifter tick. Turned out it was rod knock and it shut down on me after driving it out the parking lot. I did buy a engine from you guys after some research. You guys know your stuff and will only be buying parts from you now. Love your work!!! You guys are rockstars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pietervanderwesthuizen9843]

I own a '99 MX5 and it was great to see the chassis without the body. Nice one!

[@antoineflauder5976]

Its ont the chassis

[@ericsson_motorsports]

The chassis and body are one piece, you're thinking of the PPF (power plant frame) which connects the gearbox to the rear differential. Supposedly it slightly stiffens the car and also improves the feeling of shifting

[@robertlumsden942]

This was excellent. i got a 2002 and love it. has 67,000 miles. it appears to be the base model as i see it in green and not in the other models.

[@audragerleman425]

I have '99 with 65k miles!

[@Alniemi]

I bought my nb 2 years ago and i still liked this video, nicely done! haha

[@thomashimes2413]

How’s it been

[@73alloch]

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and documenting it so well. It makes it so much easier to go and find a proper NB 🙂

[@haydn-db8z]

Aw, man... that was *harsh* at 5:40... :D :D

[@Dyltheboy]

Not the auto 😭😭

[@alexandreplewinski]

Good to know :D thank you! Awesome to see the entire subframe with the engine and everything :D You didn't talk about the trunk tough, what to look for. For exemple, the steel around the licence plate lights rust.

[@RedlineAutoParts]

Thank you! Definitely forgot to mention about that spot on the trunk lid.

[@pete5534]

Lots of information in a short video. Nice job!

[@davejenvey3598]

Anyone else watching this after buying one?

[@adamh7262]

A well thought out and presented video! Thank you very much for taking the time to make this. You Rock!

[@themancuniancandidate2744]

I solved the rust issue with my MX5. I live in Western Australia :-)

[@luisfer296]

Can you tell us what you did please?

[@themancuniancandidate2744]

@@luisfer296 I moved to Western Australia, one of the driest places in the planet

[@luisfer296]

@@themancuniancandidate2744 ohh got it😂

[@twincamuuu]

Trunk likes to rust too and you wont notice it unless you open it and look at the license plate lights

[@kinanalhawat6753]

Thanks god I don't come across many auto miatas. Makes the search much easier.

[@idc0133]

"these cars are plentiful" There's a single NA, a couple of NB's and a couple of ND's for sale in my country:(

[@boktorinator693]

Do you live in north korea or what

[@ticn]

@@boktorinator693 I'm in romania and it's practically the same thing on our websites

[@Paintppa1]

Prices on these cars are going crazy.

[@audragerleman425]

I bought my '99 for 2k.

[@tacoman864]

The only deal breaker is its an automatic

[@deibyfilms3681]

Why can I not find a good manual I just found a nice tooken care of 2003 automatic light just get

[@alexsupertramp4907]

@@deibyfilms3681 manual swapping it lol

[@twrcrew8852]

@@alexsupertramp4907 manual swap in a miata is not like a 240sx... it's a royal PITA. lots of stupid parts you need. and not worth it.

[@leonardclutterbuck3257]

Have you ever driven an AUTOMATIC

[@shanew3293]

I prefer an Auto in the city. I had a manual when I lived in rural area (fun) but the manual is a PITA in the city..

[@rayrous8229]

The best one on this car I've seen yet. Thanks.

[@mx5love460]

its an automatic, burn it

[@griffcoleman]

Mx5Love swap it...

[@frankhoward7645]

5:42. Spotted a deal breaker. It's an automatic!

[@myshots101]

Nah will work just fine in Los Angeles traffic. Sucks having to shift every two inches of movement.

[@lytheus69]

@@myshots101 if you care about that you're not the market for a miata obviously

[@myshots101]

@@lytheus69 maybe not but I do own a 91 miata and an 85 mr2 and both are manual. It's nice to use the automatic in our traffic though. Specially if you have a long commute. But I know where you're coming from. I've been driving manual since I got my license when I was 16 years old, now in my mid 40s.

[@stoney3694]

Grabbing an 03 today thank you for the information

[@b_gumm]

Dude you did such a good job with this video. Thank you

[@drewsmith8537]

Bought my 99 for $2300 and drove it 3 hours home. Has all of the cosmetic red flags but runs like a gem and is a rust free Florida car

[@mohbounu]

Thanks a lot, you deserve more subs

[@RedlineAutoParts]

Thanks!

[@brianwillson9567]

On a value for money for fun driving , nothing beats a mark two MX5.

[@thommartin309]

changing the pinion seal in the rear end is a fairly easy job, and it is done all the time without having to take the unit apart.

[@rickaland5107]

I had a stroke and still have left paralysis i sold my gorgeous green 01 nb, fun car in fl.damn stroke, get to a crdio once a year

[@rickaland5107]

Mine hd no rust, my mechanic at gulf coast auto checked and gave it a tune just day after purchase, i loved that car, will buy another, but maybe ato if i can not retrain my brain & body

[@SWAGGER1634]

Getting an 01 today for 3,500, just a little bit of rust by the gas cap, but it’s got a new soft top and only 66k on it!

[@Sunny-qo2lt]

That's incredible, to get a 80k mile one will cost me double

[@carlbaldy1085]

You lucky bastard every nb Miata I've seen is 6k or above

[@88Frank]

This is the cleanest miata I've ever seen!

[@cxrchy9501]

Buying a 99 NB tomorrow afternoon! thnx man

[@wojciechwilimowski985]

Excellent material, I'll be sure to come back to this vid when I get around to buying one :) Thanks!

[@relaxed70]

Subbed.... Former Miata owner and about to purchase another. Great vid.

[@mskinetik]

Should also check for rust in the battery compartment. Its worth pulling the battery out of the trunk to look. Rust can be common there.

[@dadmezz4024]

Thank you, will be looking at an 03 soon.

[@benjotyson7183]

This video is really good! thank you al lot for these informations! After this video i wanted to buy me one myself, but unfortunately im to big for the nb. So... I would like so see: what to look for when buying an NC miata. Or A presentation of the driveway, like you did in the comparison of the nd and fiat spider. Im waiting :D

[@RedlineAutoParts]

Something will be in the works for the NC soon ;)

[@benjotyson7183]

@@RedlineAutoParts great! take your time :D

[@crispy_pepperoni]

What a great video

[@wandrfire]

Thanks bud!

[@alexgerling3686]

I'm actually looking to go look at a 2002 mx5 tomorow so thanks for the video, they are offering it for 1400 with a spare hardtop if it's in relitevley good shape I'm gonna try and go for £1100

[@RedlineAutoParts]

Best of luck! Sounds like a good deal, especially with the hardtop.

[@alexgerling3686]

@@RedlineAutoParts I just looked at it, it's in worse shape than I thought but most of the things on the car are getting swapped out at some point gearbox oil was changed about 25000 miles ago and their is some rust in the engine bay and 1 sill, and it's done 130000, Mike's not 77000 think I'll look at one more and then decide. I got him down to £1200

[@michalotron]

3 years later, 2023 and in Poland 'good' mx-5 nb starts from $5k 😔

[@ronntice7562]

THANKS ... excellent job on looking for good Miatas!

[@RedlineAutoParts]

Thanks!

[@BlownMiataGuy]

You forgot to mention inside the engine bay where the subframe bolts onto the front chassis

[@frederick6008]

Great review. Good for any car as well.

[@JustMe-pc2ii]

Great video and information.

[@em1ownerify]

Guys I got a guy with a 2001 Miata 125k miles. Looks clean. He’s asking 6900. What do you guys think? Is that an average cost? (I’m a vw guy) so o really don’t know but really want a nb Miata to build as a second car next to my k04 mk6 gti

[@Evan-eh9dd]

great video hot damn. ALL the info.

[@GameFlife]

Spot on man

[@dgcmusi]

Great video .....very well done 👍 got a ton of information

[@RedlineAutoParts]

Thank you, good to hear!

[@austins.8442]

Great video!! Keep it up 💪

[@gttyn]

thanx for the explanation

[@tormenta2254]

Very well made video. Informative and easy to follow.

[@RedlineAutoParts]

Thank you!

[@Fifteenminuteadventures]

its tough to find these cars in decent shape for less than $9k now

[@Auto.Anorak]

Some great advice! Thank you!

[@RigoStar1931]

Great tips!

[@krishnamcallister2071]

Lol, ever time I'm online browsing Miatas... I'll scroll photos and the moment I see a stupid auto trans... instantly close the ad... and move on.

[@duckyman1755]

Buying an auto miata should be a sin

[@estevanperezz]

@@duckyman1755they are cheaper

[@TimS-i4v]

Totally disagree. Have owned numerous stick Miatas and other vehicles. I had a auto BMW auto that would smoke any of them plus I had the clutch worked on numerous times but never on the automatic

[@krishnamcallister2071]

@user-sg3xd4dj1p fair enough. That's just my opinion, I enjoy rowing through gears.

[@JamieWalker-pc6nd]

@@duckyman1755unless… You just swap the gearbox for $200 and get yourself a cheap miata that you know ain’t been abused 😉

[@blinderb1032]

Great info!!!

[@puddingbroodjuh]

i'm watching this after i bought one

[@Ravennevarr]

Thinking buying one with a broken engine or trans, easy to fit in a storage unit.

[@AnthonyDibiaseIdeas]

Please, please do this excellent analysis for the NC 2.

[@Oskier94]

I paid 300£ for my NB, fixed the sills, replaced clutch, soft top, cambelt, wheels and some other things so around 1300£ - damn these cars are expensive in the US

[@2seater_mx5]

Oskier Gazowanykoń im scared of getting a cheap one that is probably kinda easy to repair... any words on that? i guess its worth it if i can get one dirt cheap but still idk...

[@Oskier94]

@@2seater_mx5 all depends what's wrong with it really. Rust is easy and cheap fix if you're not afraid to try doing it yourself and have a few days just to spend on repairing it and that's the most common thing that makes them cheap, the other things are holed soft top, worn clutch, bad gearbox or just mileage. Mine had 120k on the clock so I replaced the cambelt and all fluids straight away including diff oil and gearbox oil and that costed me around 300£, the rest is kind of not that urgent and you could leave it till the last month before mot depends how well you want to threat your car.

[@murray6188]

id consider that cheap

[@ImmortalHeretic]

Its still super cheap what you got there. Here in Poland nb miatas in good condition are starting around 6$, but people are earning few times less money than in states or uk. However Mg F is decent alternative, its less known car and ppl are scared of fancy pneumatic suspension so you can buy mint one for around 3k$

[@signorpaldoni]

You should see how much they cost in Italy...i ve been searching for a good nb all this past year. Medium price is 6000 euro ( i don t know the exact exchange rate with gbp but...you can see its a shit price )...

[@daviewavie112]

Excellent video.

[@deanmurphy7307]

Imagine buying a brand new MX-5 but you choose the automatic option. Why even bother?

[@lewisdavis1491]

women

[@Shaheer4771]

@@lewisdavis1491 fax 🤣

[@b_gumm]

Amazing video. Thank you so much

[@pauloisidoro2]

Some people saying if you keep the roof drainage clear the rear w

[@audragerleman425]

I got a '99 for 2k & spent $500 on aesthetics. Seller didnt know what she had.

[@jeffarcher400]

I have the code for a gross air leak and it's not the gas cap. Tried the vacuum test on the switch and smoked it with no success. The charcoal canister is stinky but airtight. The check engine light stays off for a few days if you reset it. Runs fine but stumbles when cold. Needs a good first warmup. Any advice is appreciated 👍.

[@nickw2140]

A new top professionally installed costs well over $1,500. Not sure where the $500-800 range came from. Buying a new Robbins top runs $500-900 then you have to install yourself

[@80a7x]

What a great review!!! I have become recently interested in these vehicles, as well as the idea of assembling an exocet car, I'd love to hear what your thoughts on either getting a donor car, vs buying the underside , basically what you had from Minute 11 onwards . I was checking out your store, would you happen to sell such an option? Thank you.

[@lownb8656]

Buying an 02 this wek

[@senthilkrishna2091]

thank you

[@thommartin309]

The U-Joints are replaceable, but best to have a shop do the work.

[@stephenperry7887]

"None of this is a deal breaker just a price bargaining point"

[@thedandy6765]

i can get a 1999 nb 1.8 for 1350 euro the only there are only 2 minor things that need fixing which totals to 100 euro orso and a new softop to be sure and those are 300 is it worth the 1350 or should i try tro got lower

[@stephenperry7887]

@@thedandy6765 hell if I know, I was just making fun of the person who made this video to be honest, also I have no concept of valuation of a "euro" be it that I am an uncultured American

[@NatiiixLP]

I was gonna say it's in an amazing condition, but there seems to be something terribly wrong with the transmission.

[@RedlineAutoParts]

😂

[@sauldelatorre6172]

Just got an 02 ls 115k with Tupperware. Slight corner damage. Not a deal breaker for me. Specially at $1600.

[@RedlineAutoParts]

Sounds like a good deal!

[@thedandy6765]

i can get a 1999 nb 1.8 for 1350 euro the only there are only 2 minor things that need fixing which totals to 100 euro orso and a new softop to be sure and those are 300 is it worth the 1350 or should i try tro got lower

[@moek8526]

Do you have a video on what to check on a manual transmission for a miata??

[@pawpatina]

What to look for when buying an NB Miata? Flip-up headlights.

[@saber0089]

I didn't know a steel hood existed. Are they OEM or some aftermarket part?

[@RedlineAutoParts]

They are aftermarket. Cheaper than the OEM aluminum one, so some people choose to go that route when repairing one.

[@dgriffin6074]

What years did the Miata come with white face gauges?

[@RedlineAutoParts]

From 2001-2005 they had they came with the white faced gauges. Also, a 2000 Special Edition also came with them.

[@dgriffin6074]

@@RedlineAutoParts Thanks. BTW, are there white face gauge clusters/instruments available for later models?

[@RedlineAutoParts]

@@dgriffin6074 For all other Miata generations there weren't any offered from the factory. Usually people get nice aftermarket gauge faces for those from places like RevLimiter

[@RetroJaysFTW]

9:52 the pan underneath on the Miata I bought shows some old what appears to be oil residue, what part exactly do I need to be buying to fix that if it happens again? Googling "NB Miata Oil Seal" didnt really help lol. I'm hopeless at car repair.

[@RedlineAutoParts]

If the leak is in the front area of the oil pan it's usually coming from the front crank seal. Very common for those to leak on these engines. It's usually replaced as part of the timing belt / water pump / front engine service. With the timing belt components off, you have access to that seal along with the two front camshaft seals up top.

[@gianlucamelis9417]

how much does an NB with 130k miles goes in USA for?

[@salocin911]

looking at a 2001 manual with 85k SE british racing green nardo. he wants 4500 but i think it's a bit high... nice example with me tires... thoughts?

[@RedlineAutoParts]

That actually sounds like it might be a good deal, given the mileage and if it's a Special Edition.

[@xpoint9629]

Any parts for Mazdaspeed 2004?

[@ianrossman3209]

Ayyyeee I bought that trunk it’s on my NB

[@sw201444]

What color is the car in the video? Looks close to my midnight blue but that was only 99-00 in the NB

[@RedlineAutoParts]

This car was Midnight Blue Mica, looks like that color was available up until the 2003 model year actually.

[@shiftintohigh5564]

👍👍👍👍 Good intel. Red rear anti sway Bacar...Einke?? 👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@LedSledJoe]

I thought you were going to say big first problem: automatic.

[@vencent8329]

we like to see 2013 shelby gt500

[@assamass]

I had no idea those comes in automatic... In the EU I haven't seen one.

[@GoodBlokeOutdoors]

Chassis Rails are prone to rotting !

[@masonhales]

You forgot to mention it was an automatic, an immediate dealbreaker

[@mhh3]

Would the 2l engine from the ND fit in the NB?

[@RedlineAutoParts]

I’m sure you can make it fit, but it would be about as much work and expense as swapping in something much more powerful from another manufacturer.

[@chucky29949]

Better off with a k-swap tbh

[@picoroa3535]

Found an mx-5 that’s only $4000-5000 although it apparently has rust on the side of the fuel tank and has some water damage although still starts..worth it?

[@carlosaguirre9643]

What year and how many miles? I'm looking at a 2000 with 74k miles asking 7500...

[@lewisfoster4584]

First thing to look out for: Automatic

[@elior77]

why nails ?

[@mdavid626]

What? Did the Miata came with automatic transmission?

[@joemilleriv]

Me watching this after I just bought an nb miata👁️👄👁️

[@instantbeansoup]

How to inspect a car before buying Step1: *drop the drivetrain*

[@jensmuller7514]

No one complaining about automatic transmission? I think this is a no deal item.

[@TimS-i4v]

84000 miles on a 20 + year old car is good.

[@roddydykes7053]

7:09 Dude. All that effort looking around inspecting it and it’s a goddamn automatic? Instant pass right there on any sports car