Just replaced my 2004 with an ND. So far I don't miss the MSM - the 100AE I bought is just so nice. I find it so much more comfortable of a car. Thought I'd have the MSM forever but life changes.
I've owned my '04 MSM since 2009 and have 215,000 miles on it. A few simple mods really wake this car up in terms of power, and it's always a pleasure to drive.
These MazdaSpeed Miata’s are great fun, as long as you don’t have to cover long distances on the highway - sixth gear is too short, so you’re revving to near 4,000 rpm at highway speeds!
@@allentoyokawa9068 If you are a japanese brand fanboy.. then you should appreciate the OLD ones as well. Your daddy Toyota & Lexus would not exist if it wasn't for their old iconic cars.. this miata CARRIED and was an example, so the new one can exist.
@@allentoyokawa9068 And it seems like youtube deleted my comment as i can't seem to see.. just so you know: your favorite japanese brands would not exist if it wasn't for their OLD iconic models, so be grateful.
This, and the Mazdaspeed Protege of the same year were excellent cars. Shame they didn't sell many of either. The Mazdaspeed 3 took off very well. But the Protege and this version of the Miata are very tough to find. I remember when they came out, a friend and I went and test drove both. Very fun.
These are gems from Mazda. No other manufacturer can come close to Mazda’s performance, price and reliability. They don’t burn oil either like those roadsters from Honda and BMW.
I had a black 2005 that I sold after a year because at 6’ 3” it just didn’t work for me. I still have dreams about this car and it’s still the most fun driving car I’ve ever owned.
I've had 5 msms. Underrated car. They make 50 wheel hp w the flyin Miata bits and an ecu. Honestly all the hp a Miata could ever need. This Gen has so much steering feel and a chassis you can just slide around all day. It has been more fun than my lotus Elise ever was. Bonus is every old dude lets them go for $10k and you can flip them for 15-23k
I had a 2001 Miata. Great car, but underpowered. I ordered a Jackson Racing supercharger and had Archer Brothers Racing install it. It became a snarling little tiger. Fun to dust off some old Fox Body Mustangs back in the day.
They should have added a turbo way back around 1993 once sales were strong consistently year after year and they knew they had a hit on their hands. Love that they still produce them in modern times after so many competitors quit on the small roadster segment. Sadly, Audi killed the TT and BMW has made the Z4 a bloated large car.
The current generation does 0-60 around 5.7 to 6.0 seconds depending on the test. It has 181hp but in base trim it weighs a little less than the Mazdaspeed tested here. But to your point, yes the current generation is faster 0-60.
@@damontroch4765 only 7.5 pounds of boost. I would have thought that with an intercooler they would have tried 10-12. I am surprised by the somewhat high 0-60. Motorweek isn't know for lightening launchs. this is only 3 hp less than todays miata
I have a 21 ND2. Once the warranty is up I’ll look into turbo or supercharging options. My only concern is the gearbox. As nice as it operates, they don’t seem to hold up.
Instead of trying to go upscale which will never work, Mazda needs to bring back the idea of Mazdaspeed vehicles to emphasize performance and try to recreate the Amati luxury brand(no Ford or economic downturn to get in the way now). Mazda would be better off doing that and not try to be something it can never be.
@sleeksilver plenty of torque just drive above 4k if your trying to have fun. High rev na beats unreliable low rev turbo crap any day miata is still cooler but the engine not so much
@sleeksilver it's whatever you like really i don't like either car tbh ive had a vibe gt that a friend gave me when it needed a ton of work was fun for a while but I like my redblock and whiteblock volvos for smaller engine stuff. Nothing wrong with miata or 2zz though just different animals
@@RabbiJesus I do own a 2 seat roadster (not a track car) that's actually *lighter* than the Mazdaspeed MX-5 shown here. It's brakes are nowhere near as good. My daily driver Mustang GT with 6 pot Brembos up front has much better braking, but it's much more modern (if much heavier ) vehicle. The Mazdaspeed MX-5 was a road/street car. Full interior, stock suspension, street tires, stock brakes, etc. It wouldn't be comparing apples to apples to compare to an legit track car with thousands in aftermarket equipment. My original point was that the 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5 had braking that was at least on par (if not better) than it's contemporaries in it's era. Today, sure there are cars that can outbrake it, but 20 years ago, it was legitimately good for it's price bracket.
Proud owner of a 2005 here.
I've driven all the generations of the MX5 and the NB Mazdaspeed is my favorite 👍👊
Just replaced my 2004 with an ND. So far I don't miss the MSM - the 100AE I bought is just so nice. I find it so much more comfortable of a car. Thought I'd have the MSM forever but life changes.
@@NFMazdaspeed Very beautiful and nice Mazda MX-5
Retro and modern greatness still going strong to till this day. Go Mazda.
1:41 The only Miata ever with a 6 valve per cylinder engine 😂
I've owned my '04 MSM since 2009 and have 215,000 miles on it. A few simple mods really wake this car up in terms of power, and it's always a pleasure to drive.
This is what being a sports car was all about.
These MazdaSpeed Miata’s are great fun, as long as you don’t have to cover long distances on the highway - sixth gear is too short, so you’re revving to near 4,000 rpm at highway speeds!
Agree, the 6 speed is odd. It has the same effective overdrive as the 5 speed. The 6 speed only gives tighter gear spacing at a shift action penalty.
Easy fix with the 3.6 rear end
And no cruise control from the factory. I took a 3,600 mile road trip and my knee was sore after the 4th hour of driving, everyday.
@@Dungzoo cruise seemed to be a frequent individual option, not usually part of any package.
@@Madskidzzthese deserved the 3.6 or even the 3.9 the other 6spd cars got
Back when engine bays were gorgeous and not covered in plastic
That is a seriously nice looking factory valve cover
@@roddydykes7053 the oil cap is worth serious money
NB is an all around great and under appreciated generation.
The best….
Looks better than the new one.
NOT
Agreed.
@@allentoyokawa9068 If you are a japanese brand fanboy.. then you should appreciate the OLD ones as well. Your daddy Toyota & Lexus would not exist if it wasn't for their old iconic cars.. this miata CARRIED and was an example, so the new one can exist.
@@allentoyokawa9068 And it seems like youtube deleted my comment as i can't seem to see.. just so you know: your favorite japanese brands would not exist if it wasn't for their OLD iconic models, so be grateful.
This, and the Mazdaspeed Protege of the same year were excellent cars. Shame they didn't sell many of either. The Mazdaspeed 3 took off very well. But the Protege and this version of the Miata are very tough to find. I remember when they came out, a friend and I went and test drove both. Very fun.
These are gems from Mazda. No other manufacturer can come close to Mazda’s performance, price and reliability. They don’t burn oil either like those roadsters from Honda and BMW.
I had a black 2005 that I sold after a year because at 6’ 3” it just didn’t work for me. I still have dreams about this car and it’s still the most fun driving car I’ve ever owned.
A shame Mazda nowadays thinks Mazdaspeed is “childish”.
Not kidding, Mazda said that in an interview. Look it up.
They still look cool too! Thats something. ❤
Best rag top design ever.
My friend had one of these, amazing car!
Those were not fast by mordern standards but the driving was absolutely flawless and inspiring.
Thankfully the trunk in the current model is deeper than this one.
Was looking for a used one 10yrs ago; could not find any.
Def can find it now
@@lordmaster5522A MazdaSpeed? Yea right...
Man that radio antenna is crazy long lol.
3:53 John: Sorry, kids. You’ll have opt for the grand touring package if you must have leather seats! LOL
I've had 5 msms. Underrated car. They make 50 wheel hp w the flyin Miata bits and an ecu. Honestly all the hp a Miata could ever need. This Gen has so much steering feel and a chassis you can just slide around all day. It has been more fun than my lotus Elise ever was. Bonus is every old dude lets them go for $10k and you can flip them for 15-23k
Holy crap
@@Tony_miata I have the Lil Enchilada upgrade on mine 👍
i have one with 59k miles i dont know how much to sell it for
I love my '04 Miata.
funny typo saying 24 valves in the description ahah
I had one. It started to rust and I needed something bigger so I sold it. Wish I still had it.
Not sure why they killed MAZDASPED. The MS3, MS6, MS Protege, and MS Miata were all great, but none got a 2nd generation.
There were several generations of ms3
They all blew up
Mazda deprioritized fun over the years, just like many other brands have. Dull cars for a dull generation of buyers.
I had a 2001 Miata. Great car, but underpowered. I ordered a Jackson Racing supercharger and had Archer Brothers Racing install it. It became a snarling little tiger. Fun to dust off some old Fox Body Mustangs back in the day.
Fantastic autox car in the right class.
2 decades later and the Miata still retains its formula.
Best thing I bought
White background gages = race car.
wow I didn’t know ANY Miatas had a factory turbo in any generation
Just this one, only in ‘04 and ‘05. Seen a few for sale and they’re crazy money these days. Like not far off Honda S2000 money
@ as soon as you say crazy money I immediately thought of the Honda S 2000 because I see those going in the high 20s to low 30s on the market
They should have added a turbo way back around 1993 once sales were strong consistently year after year and they knew they had a hit on their hands. Love that they still produce them in modern times after so many competitors quit on the small roadster segment. Sadly, Audi killed the TT and BMW has made the Z4 a bloated large car.
24 valve l4, hmm, yeah /s
Known as a pretty solid engine
that adds up to 6 valves per cylinder, lol. Good ear!
Was Third gear grind acceptable in 2004? 😕
This engine was at its peak at mazda 323 gtr
Dang, 7.1 seconds to 60, doesn’t the modern Miata have the exact same weight to power ratio but goes to 60 in 5 seconds?
The current generation does 0-60 around 5.7 to 6.0 seconds depending on the test. It has 181hp but in base trim it weighs a little less than the Mazdaspeed tested here. But to your point, yes the current generation is faster 0-60.
Why doesn't it have more Torque? 99%of boosted engines usually have more Torque than HP. 166 seems weak having a 1.8 16v Turbo
@@damontroch4765 only 7.5 pounds of boost. I would have thought that with an intercooler they would have tried 10-12. I am surprised by the somewhat high 0-60. Motorweek isn't know for lightening launchs. this is only 3 hp less than todays miata
back when 'sport compact car' was thick...
Nice.
26 grand can't even get you a base model with cloth seats and tiny wheels / no LSD these days!
$43444 in 2024 dollars. Inflation is thing.
If Mazda had only turbo charged the ND2/ND3 engine.
I knew a guy that turbo'd his, it was significantly faster than my modded wrx.
I have a 21 ND2. Once the warranty is up I’ll look into turbo or supercharging options. My only concern is the gearbox. As nice as it operates, they don’t seem to hold up.
There has to be upgraded gear sets out there.
sweet
Instead of trying to go upscale which will never work, Mazda needs to bring back the idea of Mazdaspeed vehicles to emphasize performance and try to recreate the Amati luxury brand(no Ford or economic downturn to get in the way now). Mazda would be better off doing that and not try to be something it can never be.
Even though I love my 2001 MRS, I long for 2004-2013 MX5 NB, and it got a boot/trunk where my MRS only has 2 small cabina behind the seats.
NB was 99-05 NC was 06-15. Personally I prefer my MRS, though I do leave the spare at home for extra cargo space
Meanwhile the toyota 2zz in the vibe made 180hp na no boost from same displacement
It also was peaky with zero torque.
@sleeksilver plenty of torque just drive above 4k if your trying to have fun. High rev na beats unreliable low rev turbo crap any day miata is still cooler but the engine not so much
For cruising and daily driving, torque is better. Staying above 4k is fun but gets old fast. Depends on what you are doing with the car.
@@98lincolnmarkviii it had no torque unless you were in lift. My best friend had a Corolla XR-S and it was a DOG before it hit lift.
@sleeksilver it's whatever you like really i don't like either car tbh ive had a vibe gt that a friend gave me when it needed a ton of work was fun for a while but I like my redblock and whiteblock volvos for smaller engine stuff. Nothing wrong with miata or 2zz though just different animals
Complaining about trunk space is lame…..
That braking is abysmal for something that tiny.
113 feet from 60 MPH in 2004 was better than average, better than the WRX STi, and only 1 foot more than a 911 S.
@ for something that light? Do you even own a track car? Those numbers are trash.
@@RabbiJesus I do own a 2 seat roadster (not a track car) that's actually *lighter* than the Mazdaspeed MX-5 shown here. It's brakes are nowhere near as good. My daily driver Mustang GT with 6 pot Brembos up front has much better braking, but it's much more modern (if much heavier ) vehicle. The Mazdaspeed MX-5 was a road/street car. Full interior, stock suspension, street tires, stock brakes, etc. It wouldn't be comparing apples to apples to compare to an legit track car with thousands in aftermarket equipment. My original point was that the 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5 had braking that was at least on par (if not better) than it's contemporaries in it's era. Today, sure there are cars that can outbrake it, but 20 years ago, it was legitimately good for it's price bracket.