Car Model History

Second generation · NB · 1999–2005

2001Mazda MX-5 Miata

A refined evolution of the NA on the same basic platform, dropping the pop-up headlights for fixed units. The factory-turbocharged Mazdaspeed MX-5 (2004–2005) was the only turbocharged MX-5.

Second generation · NB

2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata, NB second generation — roadster, front three-quarter view

Photo: “2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata, front left, 07-09-2023.jpg” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
1offered1.8L BP inline-four with variable valve timing
Top output
142hp1.8L BP inline-four with variable valve timing

Body stylesSoft-top roadster

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 2001 MX-5 Miata

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

6factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory body style, trim, transmission, launch, and cited anniversary-edition combinations represented by Mazda's exact-year pricing and press records. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from Mazda — 2001 MX-5 Miata U.S. brochure archive, Miata.net — U.S. special-edition and model-year archive.

6versions shown
Two-door soft-top roadster

MX-5 Miata Miata — 5-speed manual

Body
Two-door soft-top roadster
Engine
1.8L BP-Z3 inline-four with variable valve timing (142 hp)
Gearbox
5-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door soft-top roadster

MX-5 Miata Miata — 4-speed automatic

Body
Two-door soft-top roadster
Engine
1.8L BP-Z3 inline-four with variable valve timing (142 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door soft-top roadster

MX-5 Miata LS — 5-speed manual

Body
Two-door soft-top roadster
Engine
1.8L BP-Z3 inline-four with variable valve timing (142 hp)
Gearbox
5-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door soft-top roadster

MX-5 Miata LS — 4-speed automatic

Body
Two-door soft-top roadster
Engine
1.8L BP-Z3 inline-four with variable valve timing (142 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door soft-top roadster

MX-5 Miata LS — 6-speed manual

Body
Two-door soft-top roadster
Engine
1.8L BP-Z3 inline-four with variable valve timing (142 hp)
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door soft-top roadster

MX-5 Miata Special Edition — 6-speed manual

Body
Two-door soft-top roadster
Engine
1.8L BP-Z3 inline-four with variable valve timing (142 hp)
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 2001 model year

Overview

The 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata belongs to the NB generation. A facelift revised the front and rear styling, and variable valve timing accompanied a 142-hp rating. A six-speed manual was available on upper trims. It retained the line's front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat-roadster layout.

Specifications

Engines
  • 1.8L BP inline-four with variable valve timing142 hp
Transmissions
5-speed manual, 6-speed manual (selected trims), 4-speed automatic
Body styles
Soft-top roadster

Year over year

What changed

  • A facelift revised the front and rear styling, and variable valve timing accompanied a 142-hp rating.
  • A six-speed manual was available on upper trims.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • 2001 is part of the NB chapter of the world's best-selling two-seat roadster line.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Inspect the front frame rails and rocker panels for corrosion, check the cooling system, and verify service history; turbo Mazdaspeed cars require additional intake and boost-system inspection.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 2001 MX-5 Miata on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
5
Factory intervals
4
Fitment-scoped
5
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2001 · 1.8L BP inline-four · United States · The intervals are scoped to the cited naturally aspirated U.S. configuration; Mazdaspeed turbo and configuration-specific requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km / 6 months · Normal service; whichever comes first.

    Source: Mazda — 2001 MX-5 Miata factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Maintenance > Service Intervals > Normal Service — recurring 7,500-mile rows · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2001 · 1.8L BP inline-four · United States · The intervals are scoped to the cited naturally aspirated U.S. configuration; Mazdaspeed turbo and configuration-specific requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: Mazda — 2001 MX-5 Miata factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Maintenance > Service Intervals > Normal Service — 30,000-mile replacement row · checked

  • Engine air-filter element

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2001 · 1.8L BP inline-four · United States · The intervals are scoped to the cited naturally aspirated U.S. configuration; Mazdaspeed turbo and configuration-specific requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval; inspect or clean at the intervening schedule rows.

    Source: Mazda — 2001 MX-5 Miata factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Maintenance > Service Intervals > Normal Service — 30,000-mile replacement row · checked

  • Camshaft timing belt

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2001 · 1.8L BP inline-four · United States · The intervals are scoped to the cited naturally aspirated U.S. configuration; Mazdaspeed turbo and configuration-specific requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 60,000 mi / 96,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: Mazda — 2001 MX-5 Miata factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Maintenance > Service Intervals > Normal Service — 60,000-mile replacement row · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Baldwin B1400

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish a service interval.

    Applies to: 2001 · 1.8L BP · United States · Baldwin's exact Miata 1.8L application; confirm the engine and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 384, Mazda 2001 Miata row — Lube — B1400 · checked

    Verified ordering references

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Sources

  1. Wikipedia — "Mazda MX-5 (NB)"
  2. Wikipedia — "Mazda MX-5"
  3. Mazda USA — Celebrating the MX-5 Miata

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