Every MX5 generation has its unique character and appeal but if there's one you could describe as under-appreciated it would be the Mk2 or NB. First revealed in 1997, it had the tough job of replacing the iconic original and, inevitably, some of the modernising features like fixed headlights and more conventional door handles were seen as diluting some of the Mk1s more charismatic features. In later life a reputation for corrosion, growing recognition of the Mk1s classic status and increasingly affordable prices for Mk3s have seemingly caught the Mk2 between a rock and a hard place.
Every apparent cloud and all that - this does at least mean Mk2s are now the affordable MX5 of choice for those on a budget and escape the 'fashion tax' and hype inflating prices of Mk1s. All the while offering the same fundamental simplicity and ease of maintenance thanks to their many shared mechanical parts. But the Mk2 is worth celebrating for more than the fact it happens to be the cheapest MX5 you can buy. Check out our Mk2 Buyers Guide Checklist. The way it combines the Mk1 vibe with a more modern feel actually makes it easier to live with if you want a car with a broader range of ability.
Mazda's American design boss Ken Saward bought a Mk1 off the show stand in Chicago 30 years ago while working at Chrysler and loved it so much he joined the company soon after. He still owns that car but is proud of his work styling the Mk2 and remembers the tough brief. "I came in as the new guy and the challenge was 'OK, now we have to do the second-gen'," he recalls. "We started on the project in about 1995 and Tom [Matano, lead designer on the Mk1] obviously trusted my design tastes and put me on the project, partly because I had such a connection with the first-generation car."
It wasn't easy. "I felt a little like the step-parent because obviously the guys who'd designed the original were still working here and the pressure was on not to screw it up!" he laughs. "We had some requirements, so we didn't want to put any more weight in the car and regulations meant we had to lose the pop-up headlights. We did some sketches and clay models and at the time we had the FD RX-7 and wanted to capture some of that in the new MX5." So there you go - if anyone ever criticises the look of the Mk2 just tell them it was inspired by one of the most beautiful Japanese sports cars of all time!
Driving a good one is also a lesson in how the detail improvements result in a car that retains the fundamental appeal of the Mk1 but with a new level of refinement and maturity. The interior feels a huge step up in terms of quality, the six-speed gearbox on iS and Sport versions increases reach and the appearance of items like Bilstein dampers and Torsen differentials on official UK variants is another plus. British market special editions like the Icon, 10th Anniversary and California are also worth hunting down for their unique features and distinctive looks.
Now Let's enjoy 8 pictures of the beautiful Mk2
For more info on the MK2
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