Need some info

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Mazda 5
Now that we paid off our 2012 Mazda5 (Yaaaaay 😆) and I have a place complete with experienced help, I can finally get a project car! I've always loved the 98-05 generation Miata. Didn't fancy the body style after that gen. What I want to know is should I be looking at certain years or are all 8 year models roughly the same? Which engine should I keep an eye for? There's a lot of decent ones for sale around Hickory NC with good miles, including a 10th anniversary, but I can't afford having a car payment at the moment and pooling up the 4-6k asking price isn't an option. I'll most likely have to start with a shell and piece it together over time. Most of the pull-a-part yards here don't have any. I'm hoping to start with a shell with a functional, patchable roof at least, that can roll for ease of trailering, undamaged frame/chassis and minimal or better body damage. I'm prioritizing keeping the interior from the elements while working on it and frame/chassis. If anyone has one that you've pulled what you need from or any advice on where to look in the mid NC area and/or how to price one, it would've greatly appreciated! 🙏
 
First thing to know is there was no 1998 model in the US. Second gen is also called NB and covered 1999 to 2005. NB1 is the '99-00 and NB2 the '01-05. There are differences all around. NB1 engines had some issues with thrust bearing failure, consensus is that it would have happened by now. NB2 engines introduced the VVT which supposedly gives you better area of power under the curve but does require higher octane fuel. NB2 exterior had a mild refresh with different headlights (this also required a change to the bumper cover) and taillights with slightly different colors. Mazda also put on some more chassis bracing on the NB2s. NB1s are lighter than NB2s as a result of the changes, but I would say it's pretty much a wash at the end of the day. For me the choice would come down to what appealed to me from a visible standpoint as well as any upgrades that had been done (why I ended up with the car I did).

There is a Miata recycler in SC that you can find on Facebook. Look for SNS Mazda Parts. He also has complete cars for sale in different stages of completeness.
 
First thing to know is there was no 1998 model in the US. Second gen is also called NB and covered 1999 to 2005. NB1 is the '99-00 and NB2 the '01-05. There are differences all around. NB1 engines had some issues with thrust bearing failure, consensus is that it would have happened by now. NB2 engines introduced the VVT which supposedly gives you better area of power under the curve but does require higher octane fuel. NB2 exterior had a mild refresh with different headlights (this also required a change to the bumper cover) and taillights with slightly different colors. Mazda also put on some more chassis bracing on the NB2s. NB1s are lighter than NB2s as a result of the changes, but I would say it's pretty much a wash at the end of the day. For me the choice would come down to what appealed to me from a visible standpoint as well as any upgrades that had been done (why I ended up with the car I did).

There is a Miata recycler in SC that you can find on Facebook. Look for SNS Mazda Parts. He also has complete cars for sale in different stages of completeness.
Awesome! Thank you for the info, especially the differences of NB1 and NB2. Very happy to know there's a miata specialist a few hours away. I'll make a new post in the MX-5 when there's a development and I take that first step ^_^. Gonna try to make videos and document the whole thing, from first leap to running and road ready!
 
@Somiedrol Great question and thanks for posting it! Be sure to keep us updated and start a project thread when you're ready...If you haven't already, check out @chiefmg Miata project updates in the "What did you do to your Miata today?" thread...
Also big thanks to @chiefmg for the helpful post! (y)
 
@Somiedrol Great question and thanks for posting it! Be sure to keep us updated and start a project thread when you're ready...If you haven't already, check out @chiefmg Miata project updates in the "What did you do to your Miata today?" thread...
Also big thanks to @chiefmg for the helpful post! (y)
Thank you Antoine ^_^ I'll keep an eye on his posts and if I get stuck on something I know who to ask, chiefmg seems like a busybody with his Miata lol he's doing a lot with it. It's going to be a while before I can take that first leap, currently helping my father-in-law with his custom built 1980 Mercury Capri street legal drag car. We're very close to having it on the road. Motors running good, jus a few more tweaks, clean up the wiring, and get the seats back in. His Pinto is the next drag car project so I'm probably gonna have to balance building my Miata while we work on the Pinto. I've located SNS Miata, they're only an hour and a half away. I'm super stoked they're so close. I will be in contact with them within the next week to see what it takes to get started, big thanks to @chiefmg for the awesome info and big thanks to you @Antoine for running an awesome forum!
 
Glad I could help. There is a ton of information on the web about Miatas, I just covered the tip of the iceberg. Most folks in the community are helpful and more than ready to share their knowledge.
 
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