Faults:

When I purchased it the roof clips were not working well so the seller replaced them with new ones.

The ignition pack needed replacing at around 32,000km.

After difficult warm starting I had the cam sensor and crank angle sensor replaced (34,000km) and it has been fine since.

General Comments:

It drives really well. It is not a fast car, but I have yet to challenge it on cornering ... it seems to stick to the road like glue. The range of available 14 inch tyres is very limited so I have quite basic Japanese brand summer tyres on it that seem to be OK in the winter too (dry roads only) ... thus I don't take it out on snow or ice. I am nevertheless tempted to get another set of wheels with winter tyres (if I can find them!).

The 1.6 engine needs to be revved to get power, but I must say I wouldn't mind a bit more zippy acceleration. Still, the car was clearly designed for small bendy country roads, which are in large quantities where I live.

I drive with the top down all seasons, but it has come in handy during the odd sudden thunderstorm. The vinyl top is very stiff in cold weather and is starting to show its age; I will undoubtedly change it sometime soon for a cloth one.

The mechanics at the local Mazda service garage are very enthusiastic about the car as it is the best condition one they have seen, both mechanically and cosmetically.

Given its low kilometres and general appearance, I have been given large offers for it, which of course I refuse.

I had originally looked for an NA model with flip up headlights, but they are generally in poor condition and the only plus they have is ... the headlights, everything else is negative. The NB1 drives a lot better.

Best wishes from the central mountain area of Honshu.

Faults:

Door let in a lot of water one rainy day.

Clutch part needed replacing because of 1st gear shudder.

Coil and plugs replaced when car would not restart when warm.

General Comments:

Now that I have had my free repairs it is going well.

The clutch worried me during first month, but the dealer was great and fixed clutch.

The NR is a LTD edition of 500 here in Japan. Wooden steering wheel, leather seats, plum color, cream roof.

It has been well looked after by 2 previous Japanese owners; I am British.

It is all I wanted in my first sports car.