NB Miata
After more than 20 years, even the best vehicles begin to show their age—especially in the interior. While the NB Miata’s exterior remains sleek and iconic, the interior does start to feel a bit dated, lacking the modern conveniences and comfort features drivers expect today. As a Miata owner, you probably love the raw driving experience it offers but might wish for a few upgrades to improve both comfort and style inside the cabin.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best interior upgrades you can make to transform your NB Miata. From improving visibility with upgraded lighting to making the seats more comfortable and modernizing the outdated radio, we’ll walk you through five key areas where you can breathe new life into your Miata’s interior. Whether you’re a seasoned car modder or just starting out, these upgrades will help you enjoy your Miata more every time you get behind the wheel.
One of the biggest weak points of the NB Miata’s interior is its lighting—or lack thereof. The factory-installed interior lights are dim and poorly positioned, making it difficult to see inside the car, especially during nighttime drives. With just a couple of small lights near the driver and passenger, the cabin feels dark and cramped. Fortunately, this is an easy fix.
The first and most straightforward upgrade is swapping out the stock incandescent bulbs for modern LED replacements. LED bulbs are not only brighter, but they’re also more energy-efficient and last longer. This simple change can dramatically brighten up your Miata’s cabin, making it feel more open and welcoming. LED lighting also gives off a cleaner, more modern glow, enhancing both visibility and the overall aesthetic of the interior.
For those looking to take their lighting upgrades a step further, consider adding footwell lighting under the dash. This mod not only improves visibility but also adds a stylish touch, giving your Miata a more contemporary feel. You can even install additional lighting around the sun visors or under the doors, providing both practical benefits and a high-end look that will make your car feel more refined.
While the NB Miata’s factory seats are functional, they’re not exactly known for their comfort—especially on longer drives. The stock seats lack sufficient bolstering, which can make spirited driving less enjoyable as they fail to hold you securely in place during sharp turns. Additionally, taller drivers might find the seating position a bit cramped, and the seats can feel too firm after hours on the road. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to upgrade the seats to better suit your needs.
For those who enjoy track days or more aggressive driving, race seats like the Sparco Sprint Fives are a fantastic option. These seats provide enhanced lateral support, ensuring you stay planted during hard cornering. However, it’s important to note that race seats are designed more for performance than comfort, which might make them less ideal for everyday driving.
If you’re looking for a way to improve comfort without completely replacing the seats, consider performing a “foamectomy.” This simple mod involves removing some of the seat’s foam to lower the seating position, giving you more headroom and making the bolsters more effective. This is especially beneficial for taller drivers or those who want a more tailored seating fit without sacrificing the original seat design.
For drivers who prioritize comfort and aesthetics, upgrading to leather seat covers is a great choice. Leather not only provides a more luxurious feel but also improves the overall look of the interior. Leather seat covers are an ideal option for those who want to retain the factory seat structure while enhancing comfort and adding a touch of class.
The factory radio in the NB Miata, while functional in its time, feels outdated by today’s standards. It lacks essential features like Bluetooth, AUX, and USB connectivity, making it difficult for modern drivers to stream music, make hands-free calls, or charge devices while on the go. Fortunately, upgrading the Miata’s audio system is a relatively easy and affordable way to bring the car into the 21st century.
One of the best options is to install a 7-inch touchscreen head unit. This upgrade provides Bluetooth and USB functionality, allowing you to connect your phone for music streaming, hands-free calling, and charging. A touchscreen head unit modernizes the interior, giving it a more high-tech feel while making daily driving more convenient. It’s also a great way to add GPS navigation or Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to your Miata, making long road trips or daily commutes much more enjoyable.
The good news is that upgrading the radio is a fairly simple DIY project, especially if you have a radio adapter kit. Many Miata enthusiasts enjoy the hands-on aspect of working on their cars, and upgrading the head unit is a satisfying project that can be completed in just a few hours. Not only does this mod improve the usability of your car, but it also adds a sleek, modern element that complements other interior upgrades.
When it comes to enhancing the look and feel of your Miata’s interior, sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference. One often-overlooked upgrade is replacing the worn-out stock shift boot with a more premium material, such as leather or Alcantara. Not only does a new shift boot improve the tactile experience of shifting gears, but it also elevates the overall aesthetic of the cabin. You can even opt for custom colors to match other interior elements and give your car a more cohesive, personalized look.
In addition to the shift boot, other small details can significantly enhance the cabin’s appearance. Custom floor mats, for example, are a great way to add a personal touch without making any permanent modifications. You can choose mats that match your desired color scheme or even have them embroidered with a logo or custom design. Another popular interior mod is the center console delete, which gives the Miata a cleaner, more minimalist look—perfect for drivers who want a track-inspired, performance-focused interior.
While these mods may seem minor compared to replacing seats or upgrading the radio, they play an essential role in creating a cohesive interior design. Attention to detail matters, and upgrading small elements like the shift boot or floor mats can make your Miata’s cabin feel more polished and put-together. These upgrades offer a simple yet effective way to personalize your car and make it feel uniquely yours.
The stock four-spoke steering wheel in the NB Miata works just fine, but it feels a little outdated compared to today’s sporty designs. For drivers looking to add a more aggressive, performance-oriented touch to their interior, upgrading the steering wheel is a popular mod. There are two main routes you can take: swapping in a later-model NB steering wheel or going full aftermarket.
A common and straightforward upgrade is swapping the four-spoke steering wheel for the later NB Miata’s three-spoke version. This upgrade not only modernizes the interior’s appearance but also retains the car’s airbag, an important safety feature. For those who prefer a more OEM look while still refreshing the interior, this option is ideal.
For those seeking a more aggressive, race-inspired feel, an aftermarket steering wheel is the way to go. A classic three-spoke design can give your Miata a more focused, motorsport vibe, but it often comes with the trade-off of losing the airbag. This is something to consider carefully, especially if safety is a priority for you. Whichever option you choose, upgrading the steering wheel adds a fresh, personalized touch to your Miata’s interior and enhances the driving experience.
Upgrading the interior of your NB Miata is about more than just improving its looks—it’s about enhancing your driving experience. Whether you’re upgrading for comfort, performance, or aesthetic reasons, each modification serves a practical purpose while adding personal flair to your car. From brighter, more efficient LED lighting to modern audio systems and more comfortable seats, these upgrades help transform your Miata’s interior into a space that’s not only functional but also stylish and enjoyable to be in.
By carefully selecting mods that align with your needs and preferences, you can create an interior that feels uniquely yours while still honoring the Miata’s classic charm. Whether you’re preparing for track days, long road trips, or daily commutes, these upgrades strike the perfect balance between style and functionality, making your NB Miata an even more enjoyable companion on the road.
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