Chassis Code Explained
| Segment | Meaning | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| N | Model series | N — Roadster/MX-5 series designation |
| B | Generation | B — second generation (1998–2005) |
NB replaced the pop-up headlamps with fixed projectors and added a revised chassis; the turbocharged Mazdaspeed MX-5 and MX-5 SP variants are specific to this generation.
Editorial notes
Key Takeaways
The Roadster has run through four generations since 1989 and the recipe hasn't really changed. Small, light, front engine, rear wheel drive, two seats, soft top. The NA is the pop-up headlight original. The NB is the most varied by trim. The NC is the heaviest and the most underrated. The ND is current production and brings the weight back down to where it started.
- Second-generation Roadster launched in Japan in January 1998 — Mazda's own materials say nine years elapsed between the first- and second-generation launches
- Fixed headlights replaced the previous generation's pop-ups; Mazda says they were meant to improve forward visibility, aerodynamics, and weight reduction
- Factory turbo arrived in 2003/2004 — the 1,839cc Roadster Turbo made 172PS (126kW) at 6,000rpm and 209Nm at 5,500rpm, limited to 350 units
- Roadster Coupe (2003) was a fixed-roof, Japan-only special: Type A limited to 200 units, Type E to 150 units
- Only early NB production (built before roughly September 2001) is old enough for US import today — confirm the individual car's manufacture date
Technical Specifications
Every Roadster runs a naturally aspirated four cylinder. The NA uses the 1.6 liter B6 and later the 1.8 liter BP. The NB keeps the BP family and adds two factory turbo specials, the Mazdaspeed MX-5 and the MX-5 SP. The NC moves to the MZR 1.8 and 2.0. The ND runs SkyActiv-G 1.5 and 2.0. The manual gearbox is the right gearbox in every generation.
Engine Options
| Chassis | Engine | Displacement | Power — JDM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NB | BP / BP-T | 1.8L | NA ~140-160 hp; Mazdaspeed 180 hp; MX-5 SP 200 hp | 1.6L BP base also offered on JDM Mazda Roadster |
Transmission Options
| Type | Ratios | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-speed manual | Not cited | NA and NB standard; NC base | Standard transmission across NA/NB; NC base spec |
| 6-speed manual | Not cited | NB special editions (10th Anniversary, Mazdaspeed, MX-5 SP); NC optional; ND | 6-speed manual was special-edition only on NB |
| 4-speed automatic | Not cited | NA and NB optional | Older automatic offered alongside 5MT |
| 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters | Not cited | NB special spec onward; NC option | Paddle-shifter 6-speed auto added on NB |
Livability
- Headroom
- Limited with the top up; comfortable with top down
- Driver and passenger seating only; cabin is small by design
- Rear Seats
- None
- Two-seat configuration across all four generations
- Cargo
- Small trunk; varies slightly by generation
- The Roadster is not a grocery-run car with a passenger aboard
Early builds of this chassis became eligible for US import under the 25-year rule in 2022; later production years become eligible through 2030. Calculate import costs →
Variants & Trims
JDM Roadsters got special editions the export Miata never saw. The NA gave you V-Special, S-Limited, and M-Edition with tan interiors and BBS wheels on some cars. The NB is where it gets interesting with the 10th Anniversary, the Mazdaspeed MX-5, the low-volume MX-5 SP, and the rarer-still Club Sport. Exact production numbers for both aren't independently verified. If you can find a documented one, that's the Roadster to buy.
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| NB (1998-2005) | Mazda Roadster 1.6 / 1.8 | 1.6L B6 / 1.8L BP NA | Fixed headlights, glass rear window, larger anti-roll bars, optional ABS |
| NB (1998-2005) | 10th Anniversary | 1.8L BP NA | 6-speed manual, Bilstein shocks, Torsen LSD, Bose audio, badge of authenticity (3,500 units) |
| NB (1998-2005) | Mazdaspeed MX-5 | 1.8L BP-T turbocharged (RH5 VJ35 turbo) | 180 hp, Bilstein shocks, front-mount intercooler, 6-speed manual |
| NB (1998-2005) | MX-5 SP (Special Performance) | 1.8L BP-T turbocharged (Garrett GT2560R) | 200 hp, JDM-low-volume, sub-6-second 0-100 |
| NB (1998-2005) | Club Sport MX-5 | 1.8L BP NA | Stripped-out lightweight; no A/C, no stereo, no power steering; Torsen LSD; low-volume special edition, exact production count not independently verified |
Should You Buy a Mazda Roadster (Eunos Roadster / MX-5) NB?
The Roadster gives you a lot for not much money and asks for very little back. It's cheap to buy, cheap to run, and easy to work on. What you give up is space, big factory power, and any real weather protection. That trade has been the same Roadster trade since 1989.
Why You'll Love It
- Coupe and turbo variants unique to this generation Mazda's own materials say that for the second-generation NB-type Roadster, Mazda explored diverse possibilities by offering a coupe and a turbo-powered model.
- Factory turbo: 172PS and a 20%+ torque gain Mazda's December 2003 press release for the limited-edition Roadster Turbo lists 172PS (126kW) at 6,000rpm and 209Nm at 5,500rpm, and says torque was increased by over 20 percent compared with the base model.
- 10th Anniversary special edition Mazda's own materials say that in 1999, a year after the second generation went on sale, it produced a special edition Roadster with global specifications in a limited quantity of 7,500 units to commemorate the model's 10th anniversary.
Why You Might Not
- Special editions are numerically scarce Mazda's own press releases capped the Roadster Turbo at 350 units, the Mazdaspeed Roadster at 200 units, and the Roadster Coupe at 200 (Type A) and 150 (Type E) units — confirm which variant, if any, an individual car actually is.
- ‘Mazdaspeed Roadster’ and ‘Roadster Turbo’ are different, non-overlapping models Mazda's May 2001 release describes the Mazdaspeed Roadster's 1.8-liter engine and 6-speed manual transmission without describing a turbocharger; the turbocharged Roadster Turbo followed as a separate, later (2003/2004) limited edition.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Buyers assuming any ‘Mazdaspeed’-badged NB is turbocharged — Mazda's 2001 press release describes that specific model's engine without mentioning a turbocharger
- Buyers who haven't confirmed which limited-edition variant (Coupe Type A/E, Mazdaspeed Roadster, or Roadster Turbo) a car actually is, given how few of each Mazda built
- Buyers seeking a US-importable NB without first confirming the individual car's manufacture date against the 25-year age condition in 49 CFR 591.5(i)(1)
Differences between JDM & USDM
Every NB special edition sourced here was a Japan-market release sold through Mazda's Japanese dealer networks — Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers, except the Mazdaspeed Roadster, which Mazda Anfini and selected Mazda dealers handled: the 200-unit (Type A) and 150-unit (Type E) Roadster Coupe (2003), the 200-unit naturally aspirated Mazdaspeed Roadster (2001), and the 350-unit factory-turbocharged Roadster Turbo (2003/2004, 172PS/209Nm from a 1,839cc engine). None of these releases describe an export-market equivalent. Confirm which of these Japan-only variants, if any, an individual import actually is before comparing it to an export-market NB. Mazda's 1997/98 annual report, describing the then-new second-generation Roadster, lists a 1.6-liter or 1.8-liter engine, with only the 1.8 offered in North America.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Walk this list with the seller, not in front of them. The Critical items mean walking away if there's no paperwork. The High items can usually be priced into the deal. A short test drive and ten minutes under the car will tell you most of what you need to know.
Critical Priority
High Priority
Generation History
NB Mazda Roadster (1998-2005)
- Fixed headlights replace NA pop-ups (pedestrian-safety regulation)
- Styling cues from RX-7 FD on fender and bumper
- Glass rear window, optional ABS, larger anti-roll bars
- Same B6 / BP engine family with addition of factory turbocharged Mazdaspeed and MX-5 SP variants
- Special editions: 10th Anniversary (3,500 units), Mazdaspeed, MX-5 SP, Club Sport
Market Data
JDM Roadsters got special editions the export Miata never saw. The NA gave you V-Special, S-Limited, and M-Edition with tan interiors and BBS wheels on some cars. The NB is where it gets interesting with the 10th Anniversary, the Mazdaspeed MX-5, the low-volume MX-5 SP, and the rarer-still Club Sport. Exact production numbers for both aren't independently verified. If you can find a documented one, that's the Roadster to buy.
Production Numbers & Rarity
| Generation | Years | Total Built | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NB | 1998-2005 | approximately 320,000 | Approximately 320,000 built |
Rarest variant: Roadster Coupe Type E — Mazda's October 2003 press release limited production to 150 units, the smallest of the generation's documented special-edition runs (Type A: 200; Mazdaspeed Roadster: 200; Roadster Turbo: 350).
How It Compares
Among lightweight Japanese roadsters, the Roadster is the cheapest to buy, the easiest to fix, and the one with the most aftermarket. The S2000 has more power. The MR2 has the more exotic layout. The Roadster wins on reliability, parts, and the size of the community behind it.
| Feature | NB | Toyota MR2 (SW20) | Honda S2000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layout | FR, 2-seat, convertible | MR, 2-seat, T-top / coupe | FR, 2-seat, convertible / coupe |
| Engine layout | Inline-4 NA (B6/BP/MZR/SkyActiv-G) | Inline-4 NA or turbo | Inline-4 NA high-revving (F20C/F22C) |
| Curb weight | ~2,300 lb (NA/NB) | Heavier mid-engine package | ~2,800 lb |
| Stock power | ~100-200 hp factory range | ~200-245 hp on turbo SW20 | 240+ hp on AP1/AP2 |
| Roof | Soft top / hardtop / PRHT / RF | T-top or coupe (no convertible factory) | Soft top throughout |
| Reputation | Highly reliable, project-friendly | Reliable; mid-engine adds complexity | Reliable; high-rpm engine demands care |
| Production span | 1989-present (4 generations) | 1989-1999 (SW20 only) | 1999-2009 (single generation) |
| JDM-only specials | V-Special, S-Limited, MX-5 SP, Club Sport, NR-A | G-Limited, GT-S, Bilstein editions | Type S / Type V (JDM-only) |
Comparable Alternatives
If the Roadster isn't the right car, the Honda S2000 is the natural step up with more power and more weight. The Toyota MR2 is the mid engine alternative. If you want something smaller and stranger, the Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino are kei convertibles that scratch the same itch.
Suzuki Cappuccino
Kei FR roadster — turbo three-cylinder, removable roof panels
Nissan 350Z
Larger FR sports car with more power and convertible variant
The Buyer's Read
Start with the launch story: Mazda's own materials say it took nine years for Mazda to launch the second-generation Roadster, which launched in Japan in January 1998, ahead of overseas markets, with fixed headlights Mazda describes as improving forward visibility, aerodynamics, and weight reduction.
Then identify the variant. This generation carries several genuinely rare, Japan-only special editions: a 7,500-unit global 10th Anniversary edition (1999), a 200-unit naturally aspirated Mazdaspeed Roadster (May 2001), a Roadster Coupe limited to 200 (Type A) or 150 (Type E) units (October 2003), and a 350-unit factory-turbocharged Roadster Turbo (announced December 2003, on sale February 2004) making 172PS (126kW) at 6,000rpm and 209Nm at 5,500rpm. The 2001 Mazdaspeed Roadster and the later Roadster Turbo are not the same model — confirm which one, if either, a listed car actually is.
For a US import, the 25-year age condition in 49 CFR 591.5(i)(1) is measured from the individual car's manufacture date, not the model year — since the NB launched in January 1998 and was replaced by the third-generation car in August 2005, only cars built before roughly September 2001 clear that condition today. Confirm current import, EPA, and state requirements for the specific car. Browse what's currently available across the NB range.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did the second-generation Roadster launch?
- Mazda's own materials say it launched in Japan in January 1998, ahead of overseas markets, nine years after the original's launch.
- Was every NB Mazdaspeed model turbocharged?
- No — Mazda's May 2001 press release describes the limited-edition Mazdaspeed Roadster's 1.8-liter engine and 6-speed manual without mentioning a turbocharger. The factory-turbo Roadster Turbo followed as a separate 2003/2004 limited edition making 172PS (126kW) and 209Nm.
- How rare are the NB's special editions?
- Mazda's press releases limited the Roadster Coupe to 200 (Type A) and 150 (Type E) units, the Mazdaspeed Roadster to 200 units, and the Roadster Turbo to 350 units.
- Can I import an NB into the US today?
- Only if the individual car was built before roughly September 2001 — the 25-year age condition in 49 CFR 591.5(i)(1) is measured from manufacture date, and the NB was on sale until the third-generation car replaced it in August 2005. Confirm current import, EPA, and state requirements for the specific car.
Sources & References
Sources (9)
- Eunos Roadster (Mazda Miata) — JDMBUYSELL source article — JDMBUYSELL Verified
- Mazda MX-5 — Wikipedia — Wikipedia Verified
- Eunos Roadster — Wikipedia — Wikipedia Verified
- Mazda MX-5 Miata — Car and Driver model page — Car and Driver Verified
- Mazda Miata — MotorTrend model archive — MotorTrend Verified
- Mazda MX-5 Miata — current Mazda USA model page — Mazda North America Verified
- Mazda MZR engine — Wikipedia — Wikipedia Verified
- SkyActiv Technology — Wikipedia — Wikipedia Verified
- Best-selling sports car — Guinness World Records — Guinness World Records Verified
Sources last verified: