Is Miata always the answer? Is affordable, rear-wheel drive fun, with an excellent power-to-weight ratio, and borderline non-existent cost of ownership your idea of the perfect car? If you’re still thinking it over, let’s sweeten the pot: Lightweight, RWD, and a set of forged Motegi MF416 Battle V wheels… We’re getting there.
Rich’s 2000 Miata is a classic NB formula we know well—coilover suspension, exhaust, racing seats, and a hardtop. It’s an approachable, affordable car that’s fun in stock form and ultra-capable with an extra dose of power and handling mods. The NB Miata has always been an interesting platform, sandwiched between an iconic predecessor and a worthy successor. It’s not quite in the "drift tax" bracket like the NA Miata (cough, pop-up headlights, cough), and not quite as refined as the NC Miata (specifically the NC2, because let’s be real: there isn’t a lot of love for the NC1). The NB exists in its own timeline in the Miata multiverse.
The NB still retains most of the iconic Miata formula. It’s small, rev-happy, and has a sleek and almost as lovable face as the NA. It’s a car that still yearns for classic wheel design and lightweight performance, a wheel that harkens back to 90s tuner culture but is timeless enough to stand out among modern builds. So, it only makes sense that Rich came to Motegi Racing to meet all the necessary criteria.
We build the Motegi MF416 Battle V with fitment variability in mind. Its functional concave profile not only gives it an aggressive demeanor but is built to accommodate a huge list of big brake kits—from OE applications to spicy aftermarket stoppers.
“5-spoke is always a classic design. I wanted to get a white wheel to give it that little motorsport vibe, with the polished lip. I went with a 15x9” +23mm just so I can run a wider tire. I’m running Falken Azenis RT660 tires; I wanted to fill the wheel well and give it that flush look,” says Rich.
Each Motegi Forged Series wheel is built entirely to your specs. Choose from 15” to 19” diameter options, along with custom bolt patterns, widths, and offsets to perfectly suit your vehicle. At Motegi, we take performance seriously. That’s why each Motegi forged wheel is designed to exceed a variety of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and real-world testing criteria, including corner load, impact testing, and radial durability.
