Mazda MX-5 NB 1.8 VVT
The second-generation Mazda MX-5 (NB) refined everything that made the original NA a sensation. The design was more contemporary — gone were the pop-up headlights (regulations and pedestrian safety killed those), replaced by fixed projector units in a slightly more muscular body. Under the skin, the chassis was stiffer, the suspension geometry revised, and the 1.8-litre engine received variable valve timing (VVT) for improved torque and a more flexible power delivery. The result was a car that felt more grown-up than the NA without losing the essential Miata magic: a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive roadster with perfect 50:50 weight distribution and a manual convertible top that could be operated with one hand. The NB also received a six-speed gearbox option, Bilstein dampers, and a torsen limited-slip differential on sport versions. Mazda built approximately 289,000 NB MX-5s — fewer than the NA but still making it the world's best-selling sports car. The NB's slightly heavier but better-built construction and improved engines make it a sweet spot for enthusiasts: more robust than the NA, lighter than the NC, and still pure in its analog driving experience.
Less rust-prone than NA but still check sills, rear arches, and subframes. VVT 1.8 is the engine to have. Six-speed gearbox preferred. Torsen LSD adds handling fun. Soft top condition critical. Avoid turbo models for reliability. Exceptional value for money.
289,000 NB MX-5s built (1998-2005). 1.6 and 1.8 engines. Mazdaspeed/Sport model with turbo (178 hp) available in some markets. Multiple special editions. Held Guinness record for best-selling two-seat sports car.