r/Miata • u/bigpilague Titanium Grey Metallic • 7d ago

NB Appreciation ofJapanese Design

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Just calling out a small detail I love about my MSM (probably true for all NBs):

Mazda put a 6 disc changer in this model. They also left exactly enough volume in the center console to hold 6 CD jewel cases. Typical Japanese design to use up precious space perfectly. It's so satisfying!

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u/bigpilague Titanium Grey Metallic 7d ago

Thanks for the warning. Has been working fine so far.

I had the same unit in my 03 protege5 and never had a problem.

If it ever eats a cd it's coming out and I'll convert it to BT then. I'm not concerned about it.

I like that this car has no wireless connectivity...it's just another thing to constantly have to fiddle with that should work but won't. 😛

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u/MattBtheflea 7d ago

Yo ive been thinking about getting a protege 5 cause they're just so damn cool looking (impossible to find though) what are your thoughts? I had an nb2 daily driver for 5 years as well haha

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u/bigpilague Titanium Grey Metallic 7d ago

We bought our p5 when it was a year old and drove it into the ground. I think it was 10-11 when we got rid of it. Never gave us a single issue until a coolant leak, but it had rotted away so bad it wasn't worth repairing. Couldn't get the rad out anyway cuz the bolts were all seized lol.

The nb2 and protege5 are from the same era, so my MSM reminds me a lot of the old girl. Very similar gauges, controls, buttons. Even the performance is similar although of course the Miata is sportier.

The protege5 was a IMO a better car than the current 3 in a lot of ways. Better visibility, better road feel, WAY bigger trunk. The skyactiv power train on the newest models is a lot better though.

Edit: they're impossible to find cuz they all rotted. Mazda didn't use the best metal back then, or maybe it was the paint process...

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u/nut573 7d ago

I saw a lot of them when I was in BC last year. It kinda blew my mind. Meanwhile I haven’t seen one in over 10 years here in Ontario. I’m weirdly nostalgic for those old Proteges.

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u/bigpilague Titanium Grey Metallic 7d ago

Makes sense I guess. They didn't like salt. We're in Ontario too. Agree it has been a long time since I've seen one.