The NB is the best Miata, and the pop-up crowd is already typing. This is our Miata generations ranked list. We'll walk the full Mazda MX-5 history from the 1986 skunkworks brief to the current ND2, and we won't hedge. The NA owns the soul. The NB2 is where Mazda finally finished the recipe, at a price that still makes sense for a few more years. Here's the ranking, the buy-this-check-first notes for every chassis, and the wheel specs worth screenshotting.
Quick links
- Offline 55: where the Miata came from
- NA Miata (1990-1997): the soul
- NB Miata (1999-2005): why the NB2 is the peak
- NC Miata (2006-2015): the awkward teenager
- ND Miata (2016-present): back home
- Every Miata generation ranked
- Miata wheel fitment by generation
- The NB window is closing
Offline 55: Where the Mazda MX-5 Miata Came From
The Miata started as a project Mazda called Offline 55. The brief was a light, front-engine, rear-drive roadster with near 50:50 balance at a price normal people could pay. Mazda chose rear-wheel drive even though it cost more to build. That decision is the DNA of every generation since. If you've followed our Cayman generations ranking, you'll recognize the pattern: one chassis lands perfectly between raw and refined, and that's the one we crown.
NA Miata (1990-1997): The Soul
Pop-ups, roughly 2,100-2,200 lbs, and steering you feel through your palms. Nobody is arguing the NA isn't the soul. It's the reason half of us know what a Miata is. Early cars run the 1.6L B6 at around 116 hp. From 1994 the 1.8L BP arrives at roughly 128-133 hp depending on year, with the torque the 1.6 always wanted.
The protective note: early 1.6 cars built before roughly mid-1991 carry the short-nose crank. On a car that's been neglected, it can wreck the engine. Hunt a '94-'97 1.8 if you want to drive it instead of babysitting it. Rust and tired soft tops are a given on every NA, so budget for both.
The NA is also the best canvas for period-correct wheels. A refreshed vintage 3-piece set on 4x100 is a whole hunt of its own. If yours needs new outer lips, start with SSR replacement halves. For hardware, the M7x32 Socket Cap Wheel Assembly Bolt Chrome at $21 covers most of the rebuild.
NB Miata (1999-2005): Why the NB2 Is the Peak
The NB1 (1999-2000) dropped the pop-ups and brought a 1.8 at around 140 hp. The 2001-2005 NB2 is where the recipe got finished. It added variable valve timing on the 1.8 (about 142 hp in US trim), a stiffer chassis, a nicer interior, and the same "just find a back road" attitude. You get NA playfulness and none of the excuses. Owners on the UK club forums say the same thing: more power, better stiffness, fewer rust headaches than the NA, and not yet bulky.
Then there's the unicorn. The 2004-2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 was a factory turbo making 178 hp with a 6-speed. Only a few thousand reached the US, and clean ones are already behaving like collectibles.
Check first: rear main seal leaks show up around 100-150k miles. Plan on $500-$1,000 if you're paying for labor. Do the clutch while you're in there.
The NB is also the best chassis for coilovers. The Function and Form Mazda MX-5 NB (98-05) Type 4 Coilovers Kit at $2,180 is the endgame damper move, and there is no endgame. Want the cheap thrill first? Our BRZ/86 intake guide shows how the other light RWD crowd handles budget breathing mods.
NC Miata (2006-2015): The Awkward Teenager
The forum line we can't improve on: "The NC makes a better car, but the NB is a better Miata." The US 2.0L MZR makes about 167 hp. The NC added the retractable hardtop, and the car got bigger and softer. That's exactly why it's undervalued right now. The 2009+ NC2 is the one to target. It got a forged crank and a higher redline on manual cars.
Check first: on '06-'08 cars, ask for oil change records and inspect the coolant expansion tank, which is a known crack point. On PRHT cars, cycle the roof several times and look for leaks at the seals.
The NC transforms on the right suspension. The BC Racing BR-Series Coilovers for 06-15 Mazda MX-5 (N-11-BR) at $1,195 is the honest first step. The Function and Form MX-5 NC Type 4 kit at $2,180 is the upgrade. NC wheel swaps also mean dealing with TPMS, so read our TPMS sensor guide before you order.
ND Miata (2016-Present): Back Home
The ND took the weight back off, landing around 2,300-2,350 lbs depending on trim, and it feels like the original brief again. The 2019+ ND2 revs to 7,500 rpm and makes about 181 hp, up from the ND1's 155.
Check first: early 2016-2018 ND1 manuals don't love hard use, and 4th-gear and bearing failures are well documented on forums. Later cars show some 3-4 synchro complaints, though overall failure rates are low. On 2019+ cars, a phantom P0300 misfire around 4,000 rpm usually traces back to throttle body connectors or battery terminals. Thin paint chips easily, so budget for PPF.
The ND rewards good dampers. The Function and Form MX-5 ND (16+) Type 4 Coilovers Kit at $2,180 is the pick here. For your next set of rubber, our tire speed rating chart keeps you from buying the wrong compound for track days.
Every Miata Generation Ranked, No Apologies
1. NB2 (2001-2005) — the finished recipe at a price that's still sane.
2. NA 1.8 (1994-1997) — the soul, minus the crank gamble.
3. ND2 (2019+) — the best engine any Miata has had.
4. NC (2006-2015) — the better car, the lesser Miata, and the best value.
5. Early ND1 (2016-2018) — great chassis, but the gearbox history knocks it down.
NA prices have already climbed. Buyers are making the same move we saw with the 964 vs 993 debate: once the icon gets expensive, the overlooked generation is next. For the same buy-carefully mindset on another 2000s legend, see our GD STI buyer's guide.
Miata Wheel Fitment by Generation
The NA and NB share a 4x100 bolt pattern. The community-standard square setup is 15x8 in the mid-+20s offset with 205/50R15, lowered on coilovers. It's light, it fills the arches, and it's the reason 15s still own this platform. Browse 15x8 wheels in 4x100 and 205/50R15 tires. The NC and ND move to 5x114.3, so start with 17-inch 5x114.3 wheels and confirm offset against your exact ride height before ordering.
Old-school Miata builders keep coming back to the Work Equip series for period flavor, while the Work Emotion range covers the modern track look. Our tire size chart shows how much sidewall you keep at each diameter. For real builds, browse the vehicle gallery. If your vintage set looks tired, wheel refinishing brings it back.
The Takeaway: The NB Window Is Closing
The NA is the poster. The ND is the best modern engineering. The NB2 is the one that did the job the whole time while everyone argued about headlights. Buy one with records, fix the rear main seal before it becomes a problem, and set it up on coilovers and a light square set of 15s. Then come defend your pick: if you had $12,000 tomorrow, would you buy a clean '96 NA 1.8 or a '03 NB2 and put the leftover money into suspension?