I’ll be honest—I was probably a little dumb with some extra cash I had sitting around and decided to scratch the itch for a more in-depth project car. Part of it was wanting to relive the glory days of my old NB2 Miata, which was my first car, but this time I wanted to do things differently and actually build the car I always pictured in my head.
I found this NB1 in Stockton, CA. The second I saw it, something about it just clicked, and I knew I had to bring it home. Looking back, I think a big part of that was being older and finally feeling like I had the knowledge, patience, and resources to take on a project that I simply wasn’t ready for with my first Miata.
I knew it needed work, but I definitely underestimated just how much. Clutch, water pump, timing belt, leaks, fluids, hoses, sensors, little things that turned into bigger things—you name it. It was an old, neglected car that was going to be finicky, and I ended up learning a lot by tackling it myself in the driveway with friends, while also knowing when to swallow my pride and take it to a shop when something was beyond what I could reasonably do.
If there’s one thing I wish I knew before buying it, it’s that the purchase price is only the beginning with a 20+ year old car. I knew I was buying a project, but I didn’t fully understand the amount of time, money, patience, and random surprises that come with bringing an old Miata back to where you actually want it. I also learned pretty quickly that registration fees and all the little forgotten costs can absolutely sneak up on you—definitely something I should’ve researched better beforehand LOL.
But honestly, I don’t regret it. The car has become less about simply owning another Miata and more about finally getting the chance to build the NB I always wanted. It’s been frustrating, expensive, and occasionally stupid, but every time I fix something or add another piece to the vision, it feels a little more like my Miata.
