MIATA: NA or NB? I'm thinking NB.

[Jesda]

Ducky is for sale. When I return to the country I'd like to begin shopping for a Miata.

NB seems to have more leg room but less head room due to the higher seat. I'm 5'9" so head room isn't really an issue, and I prefer the NB's Jaguar-influenced styling and larger trunk -- I do travel quite a bit and actually need the space for luggage. NB has a bit more power but that's not essential to me. NB is slightly better on fuel consumption by 2 mpg. The NB's glass rear window is kind of a big deal, and you don't have to mess with a zipper.

The NA's popup headlights are pretty awesome though, and I prefer the look of the NA's interior except for the hideous air bag steering wheel. A pre-96 NA would also exempt me from emissions testing.

PLEASE OPINE.

[Razi]

I think the NA looks better, and has a better interior.
That's all I know.

[frapjap]

NA. Easier and more simple to work on, more available aftermarket, and actually does have more head/leg room than an NB.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

It's easy to add a glass window top to any NA and some of them even are wired for defrosters. As long as you stick to the 1.8 you won't notice the power difference. Make sure to look for ones with the torsen diff..."C" Package 94's and "Popular equipment package" 95-97's came with them/ A good rule of thumb is if it has Cruise Control, you got the good diff. It all comes down to personal preference really, oh and price.

[Bubba1]

NA. Easier and more simple to work on, more available aftermarket, and actually does have more head/leg room than an NB.

I guess much depends on what you're willing to spend, the older NA is cheaper. But given what you plan to use the car for (road trips, not track trips) I'd suggest the bigger, newer one which also gets slightly better gas mileage.

[Mr1der]

find an NB with the Nardi stuff. They had a quite nice steering wheel.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2402580544.html

[Bwana]

My '90 is a great car. You already know this, but there's really no wrong answer.

[King Ranzo]

NA is better IMO. My 6'3" self can fit in and out with no complications. Plus the pop ups make my pen0r hard. I have yet to drive one, but I've heard they're win.

[bigbadberry3]

NA's, just like always look for rust.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Well, you know what I think. NB all the way baby. 6 speed available

[Kompresshun]

NB hands down, that's what I would be looking for if I were in the market for a Miata for sure. Reasonable legroom and even though I love popup headlights, I prefer the look of the NB.

I had two friends with NA's and I drove both of them a few times, it was a tight squeeze for me and that was when I was really skinny... I'm 6'3'' though so it I don't fit well in a lot of smaller roadsters, but I still don't see one being comfortable unless you're pretty short.

[themadscientist]

I like the bigger NBs, but mine must have a rotary swap, sorry.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddoeWfZM ... re=related[/youtube]

[skydragoness]

find an NB with the Nardi stuff. They had a quite nice steering wheel.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2402580544.html

I haven't seen an NB yet that doesn't have a Nardi wheel, also that's a great price for that mileage

[PapaSmurf2k3]

The nardi shift knobs actually kinda suck. They are just plastic on the inside that they force-thread on to the trans at the factory... and the threads strip out super easily. It happened to mine. I replaced it with a knob from a 350z