First-generation NA Roadster (1989-1997): Revival of lightweight sports and the “Jinba Ittai” spirit
The first generation Roadster (Eunos Roadster), born in 1989 during the bubble economy, brought the fun of a small open sports car back to the modern age.The development team adopted the concept of “Jinba-Ittai” (joy of driving as if the horse and rider were one) and adopted a full-scale sports car layout with a lightweight body weighing 940 kg, double wishbone suspension front and rear, and a power plant frame that integrates the engine and differential.The new model adopts a full-fledged sports car layout.These innovations aimed to create an “affordable and fun sports car” that offers a pure driving feel that “feels good to drive,” a DNA that has been passed down through the generations to the current ND model.
At the time, safety and emission regulations were being tightened and small open sports cars were in danger of extinction, but the NA Roadster became a worldwide hit as soon as it was launched.It was sold in North America under the name “Mazda MX-5 Miata” and in Europe under the name “Mazda MX-5.” In 1990, car magazines were unanimous in their praise of the car, saying, “You won’t regret buying it.In May 2000, within 10 years of its launch, the MX-5 surpassed 530,000 units in cumulative production and was recognized by Guinness World Records as the “World’s Best Selling Two-Seater Compact Open Sports Car.Production continued to grow, and in April 2016, a commemorative event was held to mark the one millionth car produced.The NA Roadster, which broke new ground as a sports car that was affordable, reliable, and easy to obtain parts for, was truly a “miracle.
Second-generation NB Roadster (1998-2005): Normal evolution and high degree of perfection
The NB Roadster, which appeared in 1998, inherited the basic design of the first generation and refined the details.The headlights became fixed type, and the styling became more muscular with a stronger intonation.The soft-top rear window was changed from vinyl to glass, and the trunk capacity was increased for greater comfort in everyday use.
The 1.6L and 1.8L engines were offered, and the 1.6L engine, which had disappeared in the later stage of NA, was revived; the 1.8L engine also featured a variable intake system and later S-VT (variable valve timing), and a choice of 5-speed MT (1.6L), 6-speed MT (1.8L) or 4-speed AT was available,The lineup responded to a wide range of user needs.Although the basic structure of the chassis was retained from the NA model, the roll center was optimized by reinforcing various parts of the body and changing the suspension geometry, resulting in improved controllability.In short, the NB model has improved rigidity and refinement while maintaining the “nimbleness” of the first generation.
Third-generation NC Roadster (2005-2015): Adaptation to the times and new developments
The NC Roadster, launched in 2005, was the first model to adopt a new basic platform, sharing part of its chassis with the RX-8, and its overall width was increased to 1,720 mm.In Japan, for the first time in the Roadster’s history, it became a 3-number car (with an overall width of over 1,700 mm) to meet stricter collision safety standards and to improve comfortability.In terms of design, the cork-bottle shape between the front and rear wheels, which had been a tradition until the NB, has been eliminated to create a smooth surface structure that takes advantage of the wide tread.
The engine also underwent a generational change, from the conventional B-type series to the new generation “L-type” engine.The displacement is now basically 2.0L in all markets, including Japan.In addition to the newly developed 6-speed MT, 5-speed MT and 6-speed AT are also available for the Japanese version to meet the needs of various users.The tires were expanded to 17 inches as standard, and while the double wishbone front suspension was maintained, the rear suspension was changed to a newly developed multi-link type.
In 2006, the “Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT)” with an electrically retractable hard top was added to the lineup, enabling the roof to be opened and closed in only about 12 to 13 seconds.The late 2000s were said to be a winter period for lightweight open sports cars, and many Japanese convertibles (such as the Toyota MR-S and Honda S2000) were discontinued, but the Roadster was still in production.NC model, which continued to support the genre by adapting to the times.
Fourth-generation ND Roadster (2015-present): Returning to its origins and combining the latest technology
The current ND Roadster, which was introduced in 2015, is an ambitious project in which the development team set the goal of “reviving the sensation of the first-generation NA in the modern age.The vehicle concept has been completely renewed, and Mazda’s new-generation “SkyActiv technology” and the “KODO – Soul of Motion” design theme have been introduced to the Roadster.The new Roadster is more than 100 kg lighter than its predecessor, the NC, and its body size has returned to the compactness of the NA model.
The powertrain is the latest generation direct injection SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine.The initial model for Japan specifications was a 1.5L (straight-4 DOHC, compression ratio 13.0) engine, mated to a 6-speed MT or 6-speed AT.In terms of design, the low nose and sleek, fastback-like silhouette achieved “proportions that make the rider stand out,” and from the time of its launch, it was widely talked about as “a beacon of hope for the modern lightweight sports car.
At the end of 2016, a new derivative model, the Roadster RF (Retractable Fastback), was added to the ND model lineup.Equipped with an electric hardtop and a sleek coupe-like roofline, this model attracted a great deal of attention in Japan and abroad upon its announcement.The roof opening and closing mechanism has been further refined from the previous generation RHT, with a unique structure that electrically retracts the center portion of the roof, combining the advantages of both an open car and a coupe.The Roadster RF is quiet and unaffected by the driving wind, making it popular among users who are interested in long-distance touring, and has developed a new segment of Roadster fans.
Light and Shadow of Derivative Models: Coupe and RF Today
Finally, let’s take a look at the “Roadster Coupe (based on the NB model)” and “Roadster RF (derived from the ND model),” two limited/derivative models that are unique among Roadsters, and their attention and presence in the used market.
Ultra-rare car, Roadster Coupe (based on NB model)
The Roadster Coupe was exhibited as a reference model at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show and went on limited sale in October of the same year.Although based on the NB Roadster, it was a two-door coupe body with a fixed roof, and was developed and produced by Mazda E&T, Mazda’s special purpose vehicle division.The total production volume of the four models was a mere 179 units, making it an extremely rare model.The price at the time of new production ranged from 2,350,000 to 3,100,000 yen, depending on the grade, but currently the used car market is paying a premium over the new car price due to its rarity.The number of cars in circulation is extremely small, and even used car information websites do not always have them in stock.
New semi-open roadster, Roadster RF (ND derivative)
On the other hand, the Roadster RF, which has been in the lineup since the ND model, was introduced as a mass-production model in contrast to the Roadster Coupe, and is currently available in large numbers on the used market.RF (Retractable Fastback) is a targa-top-like model with an electric hard top, as mentioned earlier, and was released in winter 2016The rear part of the roof is a fastback coupe.The rear part of the roof is shaped like a fastback coupe, but the central roof can be retracted at the touch of a switch to create a sense of openness, a “nice-to-have” concept that was well received.In terms of practical use, it also has advantages not found in soft tops, such as improved body rigidity, security, and quietness, and has gained new fans as a “roadster that is easy to use on a daily basis.
Since the Roadster RF is not a limited edition model, there are a relatively abundant number of used cars on the market.Looking at the used car market, about 700 units have been traded in the past year, with the main range being between 2.2 and 3.2 million yen.
Miata” Culture Spreading Abroad: Reasons and Words of Wisdom
The Roadster (Miata) has established its own car lifestyle culture not only in Japan but also overseas.Especially in the U.S., the largest market for the Miata, it has won overwhelming support as an “affordable and fun sports car.When the Miata was first launched, the American automotive media was full of praise for the Miata, and many enthusiasts chose the Miata as the “first sports car of their lives.As a result, the Miata became so popular that it was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the “best-selling sports car in the world,” and its existence became so common that a joke was born: “When in doubt, just say Miata.In fact, the famous internet slang phrase “Miata Is Always The Answer” is said to have taken root overnight.This is proof that the Roadster has become synonymous with inexpensive, reliable, and enjoyable sports cars for everyone.
The MX-5 (Roadster) is very much loved in the UK.The UK was once the home of the small-displacement sports car, and after the decline of its own manufacturers such as MG and Triumph, the MX-5 was hailed as the heir to its soul.Many British roadster enthusiasts of yesteryear said that the Miata perfectly captured the spirit of the lightweights we once loved, while others joked that “a sports car that doesn’t break down too much is just plain bad taste.In general, however, the prevailing opinion is positive: “It’s great to take the risk (breakdowns) out of romance (fun),” and the MX-5 is loved by men and women of all ages in the UK.In fact, MX-5 owners’ clubs in the UK and other European countries are very active, with large meetings and touring events held on a regular basis.For example, in 2019, owners from around the world gathered at the MX-5 30th Anniversary event in Laguna Seca, USA, where they performed making the alphabet “MX-5” and the number “25” (commemorating the 25th anniversary) with their prized roadsters.In this way, the Roadster/Miata is a universal symbol of the “happy car life” and has many celebrity enthusiasts.The late actor Paul Newman drove a racing Miata, and former F1 champion Jenson Button is known to have driven an NB model in his private life.The reason why the Roadster continues to be loved in so many countries is simply because “pure enjoyment that does not betray a love of cars” is recognized as a universal value.
Contribution to grassroots motorsports: one-make races and expansion of entry users
Another great value that the Roadster has created is that it has created “a ground where anyone can easily enjoy motorsports.The Roadster’s low price and easy handling make it ideal as an entry-level machine for Sunday races, gymkhanas, and circuit runs, and it supports grassroots motorsports around the world.
In Japan, there is a JAF-approved one-make race series called “Roadster Party Race” that started in 2002.This is a series of races in which contestants compete using the NR-A, a dedicated motorsports grade of the Roadster, in vehicles with public road registration plates.Although officially sanctioned, these races have gained popularity due to the ease of participating with a vehicle that has undergone vehicle inspection, and have been held continuously through the 2020s.The Roadster Party Race is said to be the longest running one-make race in Japan, with annual series races held at Tsukuba Circuit and Fuji Speedway. 54 Roadsters have filled the grid at some events, and the popularity of the series has led to it being featured in the automotive media as a “traditional race.The series is so successful that it has been featured in the automotive media as a “traditional race.In addition, the “Roadster Cup,” a grass-race sponsored by local clubs, is held in various locations, and the numbered Roadster race has long been popular as a category of the Fuji Champion Race.
There is a huge racing scene for roadsters overseas as well.The most famous of these is the American “Spec Miata,” a clubman race contested by cars with minimal modifications to the Roadster (NA/NB models).The popularity of Spec Miata has exploded due to its affordability and the fun of close competition, and it has grown to become the most attended club race category in the U.S. It consistently boasts the largest number of entries in major organization races such as SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) and NASA (National Automobile Sports Association), and it is the “most popular amateur class in the U.S.”.class and has been called “America’s most popular amateur racing series.In fact, the 2024 SCCA National Championship Runoffs had a record 88 entries in the Spec Miata class, and the competition was so fierce that only the top 72 cars with the best qualifying times were allowed to compete in the final.Thus, the Roadster has become the “best choice for people who want to start racing” all over the world, and many professional drivers have come from the Roadster Cup.With its low cost, low breakdown rate, and abundant tuning information, the Roadster is truly a cornerstone of grassroots motorsports culture.
Increasing Property Values of the First-Generation NA Roadster and Comparison with Competitors
The first-generation NA Roadster debuted more than 30 years ago, but in recent years its used car value has slowly begun to soar.The NA, once the “classic inexpensive and fun used sports car,” has seen its price rise as the number of good condition NAs dwindles and demand from collectors increases.In North America, for example, a low-mileage NA in excellent condition has reportedly fetched more than $30,000 (about 4 million yen) on auction sites, in some cases exceeding the price of a new MX-5.According to a study by insurance giant Hagerty, the NA Roadster’s highest-rated condition vehicle (the so-called “Concours” level) will be priced in the neighborhood of $32,000 in 2021, and “the first Miata is no longer ‘affordable.The price of the highest-rated condition vehicle (the so-called “Concours” level) will be in the neighborhood of $32,000 in 2021.However, there is a joking analysis that “if you don’t look too hard, you can still buy a beat-up Miata for around $1,500 (several hundred thousand yen),” and compared to other Japanese sports cars from the 1980s and 1990s, the Miata is “still a relatively affordable classic.The car is still a “relatively affordable classic” compared to other Japanese sports cars of the 1980s and 1990s.
The NA Roadster’s market price increase is also remarkable in Japan.According to some data, the average bid price for NA models at vendor auctions as of 2024 is approximately 1,410,000 yen, and even the median price has reached 1,370,000 yen.The average mileage is approximately 90,000 km, but it is not unusual for one-owner, low-mileage, top-quality vehicles to be offered in excess of 2 million yen, and some are circulating at a premium over the price of new vehicles (around 1.8 million yen) at the time of their launch.Mazda itself launched the “NA Roadster Restoration Service” in Japan in 2017 in response to such excitement.This is a fee-based service that restores the user’s NA to like-new condition at Mazda’s headquarters. The service includes body repair and repainting, interior refreshment, and engine overhaul.The cost of this service is not inexpensive, at approximately 5 million yen, but the number of applications for the service indicates that more and more owners are interested in preserving their first-generation Roadster as a “classic car with asset value.
The NA Roadster’s market price increase is also remarkable in Japan.According to some data, the average bid price for NA models at vendor auctions as of 2024 is approximately 1,410,000 yen, and even the median price has reached 1,370,000 yen.The average mileage is approximately 90,000 km, but it is not unusual for one-owner, low-mileage, top-quality vehicles to be offered in excess of 2 million yen, and some are circulating at a premium over the price of new vehicles (around 1.8 million yen) at the time of their launch.Mazda itself launched the “NA Roadster Restoration Service” in Japan in 2017 in response to such excitement.This is a fee-based service that restores the user’s NA to like-new condition at Mazda’s headquarters. The service includes body repair and repainting, interior refreshment, and engine overhaul.The cost of this service is not inexpensive, at approximately 5 million yen, but the number of applications for the service indicates that more and more owners are interested in preserving their first-generation Roadster as a “classic car with asset value.
Latest Roadster Generation Market Report
1. Introduction
From the first generation NA to the current ND, the Roadster has been loved for over 35 years.
Good Loop has independently counted approximately 3,600 vehicles traded at auctions nationwide over the past year.Here we present a compact overview of the market for each generation and the “key points to buy”.
Generation | Number of vehicles (approx) | Average price | Median price | Average mileage |
---|---|---|---|---|
NA (1989-97) | 100 | 1,410,000 yen | 1,370,000 yen | 8,9000 km |
NB (1998-05) | 200 | 600,000 yen | 530,000 yen | 9,3000 km |
NC (2005-15) | 600 | 840,000 yen | 750,000 yen | 7,8000 km |
ND (2015-) | 2,000 | 1,900,000 yen | 1,910,000 yen | 3,9000 km |
ND RF (2016-) | 700 | 2,230,000 yen | 2,180,000 yen | 3,4000 km |
2. Highlights by generation
■ NA(1989-1997)
- Collector demand rises year after year.
- 1.6 L < 1.8 L: mean +14%.
- 5-speed manual transmission with low mileage + limited color and interior marked 2 to 3 million yen.
- ATs are stable in the bottom price range (¥800,000-1,100,000).
Aim: Highly original 1.8 L V Special.
■ NB(1998-2005)
- Affordable prices and still plenty of balls.
- The RS (6MT, 1.8ℓ) is stable at around 1 million yen.
- AT/over 100,000 km starts at 300,000 yen.
Target: RS and SP 6MT vehicles with mileage of 80,000 km or less.
■ NC(2005-2015)
- Polarized by roof shape.
- Soft top: 400,000-900,000 yen
- Electric RHT: 800,000-1,400,000 yen
- The average price of 6MT is 380,000 yen higher than that of AT.
Aim: RS_RHT 6MT + stock BBS wheels (expected to increase in value in the future).
■ ND(2015-)
- The price difference is approximately 400,000-600,000 yen depending on the grade (S series/NR-A/990S).
- Early models are trending down to around $1.6 million due to an increase in volume, while 990s are strengthening.
Target: NR-A/990S low-mileage vehicles. - RF: approx. 220,000-3,200,000 yen, 6MT: +200,000 yen more than AT
Target: RS 6MT
3. Summary – purchasing guidelines
Purpose | Recommended Generation | Price Range* | Focus Points |
---|---|---|---|
Collection / Property | NA 1.8 L Limited Edition | 2,000,000-3,500,000 yen | Originality and mileage under 50,000 km |
Weekend hobby + future price increase | NB RS 6MT | 800,000-1,200,000 yen | Vehicle history, underbody rust, and originality |
Focus on cost performance and daily use | NB AT/NC AT | 300,000-700,000 yen | Maintenance history, good engine |
Current model with latest equipment | ND 2.0 L Soft Top | 1,700,000-2,600,000 yen | No accident history |
*Price is an estimate of the bidding market.Please contact us for details as there are individual differences.
Conclusion: The Roadster Weaves a Never-Ending Story
For four generations, the Mazda Roadster (MX-5 / Miata) has been an “affordable sports car that anyone can enjoy,” a concept that has become an achievement in automotive history in and of itself.While each generation has evolved to meet the needs of the times, the core concept of “lightweight sports fun” has remained unchanged, and this is the reason why it is loved by fans around the world.The lightweight open-road trend revived by the Roadster has influenced rival companies, and many followers (e.g., Toyota MR-S, BMW Z3/Z4, Honda S2000, etc.) have been born since the 1990s.In the end, however, it was the Roadster that “remained until the end,” setting a milestone with a cumulative production volume of over 1.2 million units, a record that continues to be broken even today.
In recent years, the first-generation NA model has been reevaluated as a classic car, and the Roadster is doubly attractive both as a new car and as a used car.The current situation, in which restored NAs fetch high prices, while used versions of the latest NDs are available at bargain prices, shows the depth of the Roadster’s appeal.The beauty of the Roadster culture is that it can be enjoyed in different ways by men and women of all ages, from young people who are new to the Roadster to veterans who have revived the NAs of yesteryear and are loving them.
It has been more than 35 years since the miracle of “the restoration of lightweight sports cars” in 1989.The Roadster will continue to symbolize the happy relationship between people and cars in garages, under the sky, and on race tracks around the world.The story is not over yet.The Roadster is a car that will always be “the answer for car lovers of all ages.
We own roadsters as R&D vehicles and can discuss detailed specifications and tuning for each model.Please feel free to contact us for the latest used market prices.We can offer you a car that suits your taste and budget.