It’s the best-selling roadster in the world: the Mazda MX-5. The convertible was built well over a million times in total, and the fourth generation of the MX-5 is now available. A very special example is currently for sale in the USA: The 23-year-old MX-5 has an incredible mileage and is in like-new condition!
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Paintwork in elegant “Emerald Green Mica”, shapely 15-inch five-spoke rims and a classic Nardi leather steering wheel; everything in a condition as if the 3.96 meter short Mazda rolled out of the showroom just yesterday. Here, Mazda fans and collectors will have what is probably a unique opportunity to acquire a first-hand MX-5 that is more than 20 years old and in new condition.
Only 2103 kilometers in 23 years
At bringatrailer.com, a 1999 Mazda Miata (that’s what the MX-5 is called in the US) is for sale with an incredible 1307 miles on the odometer. The equivalent of 2103 kilometers in just under 23 years means that the roadster was not driven 100 kilometers per year on average. The condition of the MX-5 is correspondingly untouched. The dark green metallic paint is immaculate and the underbody photos also show that this MX-5 has been little moved.
Nothing was filmed here: The small digital display shows 1307 miles, which is equivalent to 2103 kilometers. The tank is even full.
The model offered is a second generation MX-5. It bears the abbreviation NB and was sold between 1998 and 2005. Compared to the original NA model, the characteristic pop-up headlights have been swapped for normal headlights.
Apart from that, the two generations are visually similar, which is also reflected in the almost identical dimensions. Mazda offered more powerful engines in the NB. Four-cylinder engines with displacements of 1.6 and 1.8 liters remained, which made a maximum of 146 hp in the second-generation MX-5 in Europe.
1.8-liter four-cylinder with 140 hp
Under the hood of the MX-5, painted in Emerald Green Mica, is the 1.8-liter naturally aspirated engine with 140 hp and 162 Nm. As befits a sporty roadster with a curb weight of just over a ton, a crisp five-speed manual transmission takes over the power transmission.
Looks like new: the four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine has just run in with 2103 kilometers.
Rear-wheel drive is a matter of honor with the MX-5. Despite the manageable performance on paper, the lightweight Mazda accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds and has a top speed of over 200 km/h.
Back to the condition of the Mazda: The simple interior with the narrow fabric seats looks like new. You won’t find any damage here – which shouldn’t come as a surprise given the original mileage of 2103 km.
Tidy cockpit: The interior of the Mazda MX-5 is spartan, but clear.
There isn’t much equipment on board, but a purist roadster doesn’t need it. Notable features include air conditioning, a CD radio and the coveted “Sports Package”. This includes a front apron attachment, a spoiler lip for the trunk lid, Bilstein shock absorbers and a Torsen differential.
MX-5 still with the original tires
However, depending on the planned area of application, the new owner still has a few things to do. On the one hand, the soft top is no longer in 1a condition – it already shows clear dents and creases.
MX-5 number two: After the extremely successful original NA model, the second generation of the MX-5 came onto the market in 1998.
On the other hand, a new set of tires is due; At least if the MX-5 is driven in the future, because the original Michelin Pilot SX from 1999 are currently still fitted. Even if the profile is still good, the tires should definitely be replaced due to the age of over 20 years.
Is this MX-5 too good to drive?
Ultimately, as is so often the case with such “time capsules”, the question arises: what happens to this car? The MX-5 with this low mileage is actually too good to drive or in any case too expensive.
Two days before the end of the auction, the highest bid was the equivalent of 13,335 euros (14,000 US dollars). In Germany, the cheapest ready-to-drive MX-5 NB start at around 3000 euros. Self-maintained first-hand copies with a five-digit mileage are already available for around 7000 euros.
This threatens the dark green MX-5 with the sad fate of moving from one collection to another and the (new?) tires standing squarely there. Too bad actually!
