MX5 NB varients

[Rig30mechanic]

Hi!
I have a 2004 NB. My question is about the “8A” or “8B” suffix.
I assume the NB8B is the upgraded NB but how is this determined or verified.
I have sent someone refer to the 6 speed NB as a “8C”.
I desire knowledge.
Paul

[Mr Morlock]

8a 8b are just made up names. The VIN describes the cars. Look at P1 P2 etc. Mazda Aust spares normally ask for the VIN so that they can id correct part nbrs for a model

[hks_kansei]

As Mr Morlock said, the official Mazda designation is JMONB30P1/2/3
The P1/2/3 designating the model of NB.

The NB8A/B/C names are an unofficial designation, but used far more often outside of Mazda.

The NB obviously is the chassis code.
8 designated the car as an 1.8 litre engine (not so much an issue here is aus, where we only got the 1.8, but in Japan and Europe there were 1.6 versions available)
The A/B/C determine the body style.

A being the P1 from 1998 to early 2000
B being the P2 facelift model from 2000 to about 2002
C being the P3, a very, very minor update of the B. 2003 until model end. (When I say minor, it's literally just stuff like a few new colors of paint, different wheels, and a new warning light on the dash for low fuel, hardly worth a new model code as far as I'm concerned, but someone at Mazda thought it deserved one)

[Regie]

NB8C also had OBD2 functionality

[93_Clubman]

There was also a JM0NB30P4... revision which applied to the 2004-5 ADM MX5 SE (turbo) as well as the 2004 ADM MX5 (non-turbo), which is possibly what OP has.
Additionally, the JDM MX5 NB8 (1998-2004) is sometimes referred to as an NB8C.

Australian delivered MX5 VIN numbers:
Model-Eng--Build date range-VIN number range
MX5-1.6-B6-3/89-8/92----JM0NA306100100001-200000
MX5-1.6-B6-8/92-9/93----JM0NA306200200001-210000
MX5-1.8-BP-9/93-12/94--JM0NA30P300100001-200000
MX5-1.8-BP-12/94-12/95-JM0NA30P400100001-200000
MX5-1.8-BP-1/96-11/97---JM0NA30P500100001-200000
MX5-1.8-BP-1/98-9/00----JM0NB30P100100001-200000
MX5-1.8-BP-8/00-8/02----JM0NB30P200200001-300000
MX5-1.8-BP-9/02-10/03---JM0NB30P300300001-400000
MX5-1.8-BP-9/03-12/04---JM0NB30P400400001-?-production ceased 12/04, but some complied in '05, ie SE
MX5-2.0----7/05-?/0?------JM0NC30F100100001-?
MX5-2.0----?/0?-?/1?------JM0NC...
MX5-2.0----?/1?-?/1?------JM0NC...
MX5-1.5----?/15-?/?--------JM0ND2EA6...
MX5-2.0----?/15-?/?--------JM0ND...

Where for an NA8:
J-Japan
M-MAzda
0-Car
NA-Model
30
P
3-model revision number
0
0-Hiroshima
1.....-car build number

[Rig30mechanic]

I really appreciate the collected wisdom available for those who ask.
Thank you so much.
Cheers

[Rig30mechanic]

My Vin Number is:
JM0NB30P400400191
This would mean that , colloquially, mine is recognised as a NB8C
Cheers
Paul

[hks_kansei]

Correct, although I have seen some people (granted, very few) refer to the really late ones as NB8D

Not that it matters though, since the whole NB range from late 2000 until the end were 99% the same anyway. (Apart from the turbos)

[beavis]

According to this: http://beavismotorsport.com/guides-tech/VIN-decoder/

Your car is this:

Year: 2003-2005
Country: Australia
Model: NB-FL
Drive: Rear Wheel Drive
Body: 2 door roadster soft top
Engine: 1.8L
Trans: 6 speed manual
Plant: Hiroshima
Serial: 400191

You'll probably find your car is the latest of the NBs with ODB2 connector in front of the drivers right knee.

[kiezon]

As Mr Morlock said, the official Mazda designation is JMONB30P1/2/3
The P1/2/3 designating the model of NB.

The NB8A/B/C names are an unofficial designation, but used far more often outside of Mazda.

The NB obviously is the chassis code.
8 designated the car as an 1.8 litre engine (not so much an issue here is aus, where we only got the 1.8, but in Japan and Europe there were 1.6 versions available)
The A/B/C determine the body style.

A being the P1 from 1998 to early 2000
B being the P2 facelift model from 2000 to about 2002
C being the P3, a very, very minor update of the B. 2003 until model end. (When I say minor, it's literally just stuff like a few new colors of paint, different wheels, and a new warning light on the dash for low fuel, hardly worth a new model code as far as I'm concerned, but someone at Mazda thought it deserved one)

Someone tried convincing me my 2003 model wasnt an NB8C because I didn't have an auto driver's window and the standard NB series 2 wheels. Build is in June or July too. Also, I was pleasantly surprised when my low fuel light came on the first time as I was under the impression that the NBs didn't have them.