Hi. Can someone explain what NA and NB means? I know the MK1 is refered to as NA and the MK2 as NB but what does it mean?
I presume I have a MK2 but what is the difference between that and a MK2.5? I have looked up MX5 history but it doen’t suggest any changes on the MK2 
Also, I am now wishing I’d gone for a MK1… love those pop-up lights 
Don’t get me wrong, I may have a future classic but you can’t beat the ultra retro look of the MK1. Can anyone make me feel better about this? 
It come from the chassis number. 
NA = MK1
NB=MK2 + MK2.5
NC=MK3 + MK3.5
The .5s have some changes but remain mostly the same car. The JC is a MK2.
There is probably a list of the changes from the 2 to the 2.5 around somewhere, and will include. Front lights, mouth shape, seats, engine tweaks, etc
The JC is a limited edition of 500 (I think) and special in its own right.
I sometimes think that I want a MK1, but cannot justify having two cars let alone such smiler ones, and would miss the refinements of the later MKs. Be happy with what you have.
Thanks Mark, I feel better now
“The grass is always greener on the other side. Neighbour’s got a new car that you wanna drive”
Yeah, you are right about the JC but in fact it’s even more special! It’s one of 400! They only made 100 Platinum ones and only 400 black ones. I sometimes think the MK2 has an even classier look at the front, more sporty and retro even without the pop-up light! I think I’d have to have both a Mk1 and a MK2…if I had the finances of course! Love them both really!
Thank you for clearing up my 2 and 2.5 and NA, NB confusion. I take it I would not be able to instantly recognise a 2.5 as the differences a subtle?
I have never been sure about the looks of a MK3… just think the MK2 and MK1 are more sleek and agile looking.
The above is a MK2 and below a MK2.5
Most MK2s did not have the fog lights, and as you can see they stick out on the MK2 but in on the 2.5.
Next look at the lights the 2.5s have three distinct lenses.
The difference in the mouth shape can be seen if you look carefully.
Each to there own I love my MK3, particularly its folding hard top.
I see! Not a lot of difference. Yes, the MK2’s mouth is more oval than the MK2.5
My neighbour said I should have a grille in mine, it must have fallen off, but I don’t think so 
I do not recall if Mr Conran added a grill or not, the basic model does not come with a grill. A lot of owners add one to protect the radiator otherwise there is nothing to stop anything flicked up going in the mouth and making an expensive hole.
I think then I will add a grill.
Hi, these links may help
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/p/320/504.aspx#504
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MX-5
MK 2
MK 2.5
Other quick way is have a look at the instrument cluster, the MK2.5 dials are white.
Regards,
David.
Cheers David.
hi benboy, regarding a grill, a couple of years ago,we had an mx meeting at wells next the sea, in norfolk, after the usual fish and chips do, we started heading home, after a couple of miles into the 90 odd miles jurney home, a pheasant ran across our path, wife said, O NO did you run it over, i said no dear, of course not, but at the same time i thought how could i not have hit it, got home,parked up, next mourning i went to the mx, and there rammed up the grill, our ka-phut pheasant, never did tell the wife,
ps it could have been a half house-brick,
Only to illustrate… mk3.5 (and some added bling), mk2.5 with Zunsport grill,
Lowered mk3 and standard unlowered mk3
At least you had something for dinner!
I could take a trip up to Buxton and hopefully get a whole sheep rammed in there!
ponders on that thought…
I put a matte black grill on my mk 2, its subtle but reassuring knowing that it’s there! 
was about 26 quid from mx5 parts, make sure you have a decent length extender for a socket set though, as i almost scuffed my front lip using a short bar! it really is 2 bolts and its on, 5 mins and peace of mind. cant really quibble about the cost.
Cheers Paul. I’ll take a look at that one. Matt black sounds good for the JC 
I’ve had 7 cars with pop-up lights. Such a shame you can’t build a car with them these days.
It is fun driving around at night with the lights sticking up like clowns feet in front of you, but pop-ups are heavier, more expensive, less areodynamic and significantly more likely to disembowel careless pedestrians. Totally worth it though.
haha!
I didn’t know you couldn’t use them any more on new cars! 
That would explain why they’ve gone on the MX5. I do like the slightly curvier look to the MK2’s bonnet and headlight cluster so I suppose it is not a bad replacement.
Pop-up headlights aid evolution. If they can’t see a car with it’s lights on they shouldn’t be in the road, and they certainly shouldn’t be breeding.
Brilliant!
!
Bought the grill from MX5 parts. Not a 5min job for me though! Tried a 10mm spanner… no joy. Bought a socket wrench and 10mm socket…no joy as you say you need an extension/long bar due to the lip of the mouth. Could not find an extension to buy anywhere so I invested in a small basic socket set (excludes wrench) that contained an extension. Got home and found out the set does not fit my wrench which has a small connector. Tried the 10mm socket for size and realised the two bolts have rusted so much that there is no way the socket can grip onto anything! The hexagonal sides are all mashed up. Although I’ve added to my very poor tool collection, I’ve spent a fortune today! and still no grill fitted! Any ideas as to what to do?