NB8A vs. NB8B as daily driver car - Fair price difference

[Clan]

It seems my quest in finding a suitable MX5 will continue for a while, so here I am starting another thread... I'm reminding everyone that I'm looking for a stock car which will be used as daily drive, so the comfort features, added safety, reliability etc. would be welcomed in this comparison. So, not really interested in which one is quicker around corners...

It is clear for me that "B" has an edge over "A" in this field. However, I found that many NB8A sellers try to position their cars on the same level as those with NB8Bs.

Therefore, I'd appreciate if you can try to put a value on the "extras" a 2000-2002 NB8B has over an 1998-2000 NB8A, assuming both cars are on the same technical level. What do you think is a fair price to pay for these? $1-2-3,000 more?

Many thanks!

[hks_kansei]

Depends what you prefer, really.
NB8B got different seats, foglights, diff bumper, 6 speed gearbox, minor power increase, low fuel light, bigger brakes, bigger wheels.

So, how much do you prefer the wheels and foglights? $1,000?, $3,000?

[CQYD]

since you are not interested in the performance side of the upgrades then the value to you of a "B" over an "A" should be minimal, say $500-1000, but I think a performance enthusiast would place $1500-2000 just for the mechanicals.

You could always "Tell'em they're dreaming"

[Lokiel]

:
I'm reminding everyone that I'm looking for a stock car which will be used as daily drive, so the comfort features, added safety, reliability etc. would be welcomed in this comparison. So, not really interested in which one is quicker around corners...
:
!

The 1998-2000 NB8A seats are generally regarded as the worst seats in the NA/NB range so if you want comfort, the 2000-2002 NB8B/C seats are for you.

2000-2002 NB8B/C has a bit more poke with its added VVT but more weight too.

The 1998-2000 NB8A came in Emerald Green which isn't available on NB8B/Cs - love that colour with bronze rims.

As far as reliability goes, I think you're splitting hairs between the NB8A and NB8B/C.

[hks_kansei]

The 1998-2000 NB8A seats are generally regarded as the worst seats in the NA/NB range so if you want comfort, the 2000-2002 NB8B/C seats are for you.

I still suggest each buyer has a seat in them.

The stock seats in my NB8A were fine, not great, but ok.
I can't stand NB8B seats, always get a backache.

[Clan]

since you are not interested in the performance side of the upgrades then the value to you of a "B" over an "A" should be minimal, say $500-1000, but I think a performance enthusiast would place $1500-2000 just for the mechanicals.

Well, I'm ready to pay the "upgrade package" difference for an NB8B, for safety, performance or looks features. The problem I have is with the NB8A sellers, which tend to minimize the importance of these upgrades, placing their cars into the same price territory as NB8Bs...

That's why I'm trying to gather as much opinions as I can here, keeping subjective inputs aside ("Mine is better!"). So, feel free to chime in and let me know what price would you put on these added features.

[hks_kansei]

The main bits are:

ABS
Bigger brakes
6 speed box

To buy a 6 speed box separately is about $1k last I looked, brakes a few hundred, ABS whatever the solenoids and computer cost.
So let's say all up, $3,000 difference.


BUT, I really think you're better off bargaining on age and condition than stuff like that.
Once a seller has it in his head that his car is the best "buy my car for $15k, you don't need ABS or 6 gears!" he won't listen otherwise.

Biggest difference you can try for is the ABS, since it's not really able to be retrofitted. And you can make up some story about "nah, price is too high, the wife/daughter/son will drive it every now and then and for a similar price I can get the safer car"

[Vat]

There's another factor in play there in that NB8A's will generally, being a few years older, have more kilometres on them than 8Bs and 8Cs. You're right in what you say, though, I noticed when looking around that NB8A sellers were inclined to try their luck with prices up with the 8B/8Cs when of similar mileage. You've got other elements there as well, like having had the second major service done, some have had engines, clutches done and so on.

I think many less 'car' type sellers just see them as the same car and don't think about the mechanical differences when putting them up for sale - it's possibly a bit of a reverse thing where many of the buyers in this market are more car savvy than the sellers.

I think CKYD's pretty close with his numbers - thinking on the car I bought, if the equivalent NB with those features mentioned was available with everything else the same, I'd probably put a $1500-2000 premium on the second car for them when considering value.

[Lokiel]

The 5-speed is supposedly "nicer" than the 6-speed transmission. There's a couple of guys on the mazda-speed.com forum, including Jeff Goji who's president of one of the Texas MX5 car clubs, that switched to the 5-speed gearbox and love it.

[A.Chen89]

Had both; six speed in an 8b is nice. If it's just for daily driver I wouldn't worry about the brakes/abs.

Best bit about an 8b for daily driving is the remote central locking/boot unlock.

[Hot Rodders]

Best way to decide is to take a test drive in both and then see which one you prefer. Either one will not disappoint you.

[CQYD]

Cant blame an NB8A owner trying to score a few $$ more from someone not clued up on the differences. I'd do the same.

Personally I'd be trying to get a NB8B by comparing early NB8A prices and downplaying the upgrades as an extra feature not valuable to me. Comparing same condition cars, I'd pay up to $1000 more just because of the age difference and the mechanicals.

At the end of the day its all up to your negotiation skills.

I'd target female, middle aged, hairdressers who bought the car because it looks cute.

[Mr Morlock]

at least $2000 maybe more.

[hejira]

I've owned both now and I think the condition & kms of the used NB are more important deciding factors to a buyer than whether its an NB8A or an NB8B.

In terms of the power difference; I can't tell the difference. The NB8B only has a few more HP because its heavier than the NB8A.
Things like remote keyless entry in the NB8B don't matter because you can have an aftermarket equivalent installed on an NB8A, very cheap.

The major differences that matter are that the gearbox in the NB8A is better, and the NB8B has ABS. If you must have one of those things then that is the only reason to be looking at one and not the other.

For me I did want to have the better gear box, but the condition of the car is what made me pick the NB8A I have now.

[AntHarmer]

There are a couple of NB8As that have the six-speed box and ABS. The 10AE being one of them


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