Need a little guidance, which of two cars to buy.

Hey guys,

I'm not sure which section to put this in but I'm about to buy a new car and I wouldn't mind some help from the pros on here. I've done a ton of research and I've found two similar cars for sale. I'm looking to buy an NB Miata, and I want a white one. So I found two of them. I'm sure there are some Miata experts on here who might be able to point out something I've overlooked and say for certain one is far better.

I know the engine on the NB2 is better with the VVT but the NB1 has far fewer miles. They are both old so I know there will be a bit of age related replacements needed. I believe both are the base trim so neither has the LSD, the NB2 has a better interior from what I've read. Neither is close to me so flying and driving home or arranging transport truck are my options.

Let me know if anyone has an opinion on either. Thanks!

Bjorn

2000 NB1 with ~37k for $7500 with hideous wheels

https://www.patmoorequalitycars.com/vehicle-details/2000-mazda-mx-5-miata-convertible-b4d997692f64304480511681d454b1f2

or

2002 NB2 with ~80k for $6600

https://www.fitzmall.com/Inventory/Detail/JM1NB353820232675/USED-2002-Mazda-MX-5%20Miata

IMHO you need to make sure whatever Miata you choose has LSD.  I'd keep looking.

I would go with the NB1. Less miles. I prefer the NB1 motor, the NB2 engine can develop some valvetrain troubles with lots of high RPM usage. Plus, at least in my mind, the NB1 looks better than the NB2, less fussy styling.

The most important question is this, what are your plans for the car? Remember, those plans may change, too.

I paid $5,500 for my first Miata, spent about $6,000 on it, and sold it for $5400 a year later, after realizing what I wanted was different.

Wow quick replies! Thanks! 

Yes, I know the LSD is an important part but from my reading there is not an NB in white that came with one. I can add one after.

I am leaning towards the NB1 with lower miles.

Plans for the car: Auto-x and track days! I used to have a heavily modded Civic but it was my only car and was starting to give me a headache after an hour of driving. (EDIT: it was louder inside the car than out.) The next step with that car was going to be a $5k+ turbo setup and I realized I should just buy a different car. So I sold the Civic and bought a reliable DD and now I'm car shopping.

I was also making a bi-annual trip to the Tail of the Dragon and surrounding roads. Caught a nasty ticket and decided I need a track car for track days. Plus, im planning on dumping money into it, step by step as I progress in driving skill of course. I'm a track noob and I'm planning on taking some lessons.

I was considering a newer ND RF but I'd rather buy a cheaper car and use the money for track sessions and instruction.

The NB2 claims it has a torsen diff.  I'm curious as to why it's listed as a handyman special.

Neither seems to be a great deal, is there nothing closer to home for you?

Yes, I emailed them about that. The guy said it had a few things that made it not retail ready. I suspect cleaning and a quick hit by the lot detailer. The NB2 possibly has an LSD but no guarantee. There was a package option on those year cars but the base typically didn't come with it. The NB definitely does not but the NB2 maybe does, but for comparison I am assuming the NB2 does not have it. The door sticker is the only way to tell at this point or a finned diff cover. Hopefully the salesman comes through  on a pic of either of those.

There are closer cars but not an NB in white with less than 100k miles. I'm probably being too picky on such old cars but, eh, I want white! hahaha.

I understand.

White is my favorite color for most cars, but it's not an absolute requirement. There's not a lot of white NBs out there.

You could miss some really good deals by making that an absolute requirement. Miatas look good in any color!

Have you done any track days? I wanted to do both autocross and track days, so I bought a Miata with modifications like a race seat, harness, roll bar, Momo wheel, which moved it to a class in autocross where it was totally non competitive.

Then I decided to concentrate on autocross. It was cheaper to sell it at a loss and buy one that was already fully modified to the rules for ES, than it would have been to try modify it enough to be competitive in STR. 

In reply to Bjorn 1349 :

FYI the 2003 Club Sport came in white with an LSD, but they're pretty rare. 

NickD said:

I would go with the NB1. Less miles. I prefer the NB1 motor, the NB2 engine can develop some valvetrain troubles with lots of high RPM usage. Plus, at least in my mind, the NB1 looks better than the NB2, less fussy styling.

I can't remember reading anything about this. The VVT engine is typically preferred since it adds a bunch of midrange.

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. I'm waiting on both dealers to get back to me with OTD prices and purchase orders. I also have a bid in on a 2019 ND RF that has 200 miles on it. If they accept at $22k I might be in that car instead. Waiting to see who gets back to me on a holiday weekend.

Regardless, the answer here is Miata.

With one in WA and one in FL you may be able to find other options around the US. I'm local if you want someone to look at the one with ugly wheels.

I thought I would be recommending the NB1 because I love the clean lines of that version without the appearance package.  I’d go NB2 because it doesn’t have all the extra body work. 

In reply to Bjorn 1349 :

I'm close to the one at FitzMall if you need local eyes.

In reply to glueguy (Forum Supporter) :

My man! That would be fantastic if you really don't mind! 

I'm honestly leaning more towards that one. They've been more responsive to email/calls.

In reply to Bjorn 1349 :

Sent you pm

In reply to Bjorn 1349 :

I'm answering your question differently than you would expect. You should seriously consider this Miata. It's listed by a long time forum member, so you know the car is solid and represented truthfully.  Plus it's Beautiful with a ton of well done upgrades:

dherr's Miata

In reply to Indy "Nub" Guy :

I love my NB but if you're prepared to spend that much, I'd probably get the NC.

NC with the suspension upgraded. Very nice. Don't know if the Sport has a limited slip, though.

Thanks for the heads up on the NC but I am after an NB. The NC just doesn't do it for me. Prices on the NB's have come up a ton unless you get one that is just thrashed. I see a lot of the SE cars for $9-10k with lower miles. Seems like $6-7-8K for any LS or base trim anymore. 

Maybe im looking in the wrong place but I check a couple of the Miata forums, cargurus, cars.com, autotrader, and craigslist. Seems to be about the same on all of them. Oh well. 

If I can't get my hands on either of these two cars I'm giving up on the NB. I traveled out of state to look at two prior to this round. One was listed and confirmed manual and was an auto. Bleh. And the other had major issues once I got there.

If these fall through I'm just buying a Fiata.