Getting good at any motorsport requires months of dedicated track time. No matter how careful you are, it is quite likely that you’ll bump into something. That’s a part of the process.
If you’re sick of broken bumpers and bent reinforcement bars, it’s time you get your Miata a set of bash bars.
In this guide, we’ll discuss bash bars and recommend the best one you can buy for your Mazda Miata.
Why You Should Consider a Bash Bar
It’s a pain to keep paying for expensive cosmetic repair; especially when the damage is easily avoidable. Installing bash bars on your Miata will allow some room for error.
Knowing that your Miata will be safe even if you bump into something is a nice feeling to have when practicing motorsport.
Not only will bash bars save you money being spent on frequent repairs, but they’ll also give you more confidence on the track.
Bash Bar Applications
The humble Miata never fails to impress us. It’s incredibly versatile and can be used for all kinds of motorsports.
The most common bash bar installations are seen on Miatas that are used for drifting and off-roading.
Drift Miata
Miatas are a decent option when it comes to cheap drift cars. If you’ve tried drifting a Miata though, you know that it’s not the easiest thing to do. Especially when you compare it with cars like the Nissan 350z.
The lack of power in the Miata makes it difficult to get sideways. But once you get the hang of it, you can go full send.
When you’re learning how to drift, there’s very little room for error. So it’s a great idea to install a set of bash bars. Doing this will allow you to practice without worrying too much.
Lifted Miata
“Miata” and off-roading” are words that you won’t often see in the same sentence. Yet a lot of Miata enthusiasts have pushed the car’s limits and turned it into a very capable off-road machine.
Typically, they’re called “lifted Miatas” or “baja Miatas”. It goes without saying that you’re going to bump into a lot of things when going off-road. Getting a pair of bash bars is a must-have for lifted Miatas.
Bash Bars for your Mazda Miata
All bash bars do the same thing, but it’s the details that make each one of them unique. Some of them fit under your bumper while some require alterations to fit correctly.
You can choose to buy them with or without a license plate mount or a jack point.
Bash bars are most commonly installed on the first two generations of the Mazda Miata. Here’s what we recommend.
Top NA Miata Bash Bars
If done right, your NA Miata can look amazing with a pair of bash bars installed. We love it when aftermarket parts look good and add functionality at the same time.
Check out some of the best bash bars for your NA Miata…
Street Faction Front
Manufacturer: Street Faction
Construction: Mild-Steel
Placement: Front
License Plate Mount: No
Jack Mount: No
Tow Hook Mount: No
Aero Support: Requires Modification
Corner Bracing: No
Street Faction makes some of the cleanest looking bash bars. The design includes a simple horizontal bar that sits neatly under the headlights without obstructing the turn signal indicators.
This powder-coated bash bar is constructed using thick mild-steel tubing which has a high resistance to impact and breakage.
The tubing is bent using a digitally calibrated tube bender to make sure the bash bar doesn’t lose any strength during the manufacturing process.
A few minutes into unboxing this bash bar and you’ll immediately notice how well constructed it is.
Street Faction Rear
Manufacturer: Street Faction
Construction: Mild-Steel
Placement: Rear
License Plate Mount: Optional
Jack Mount: Optional
Tow Hook Mount: Optional
Aero Support: Requires Modification
Corner Bracing: Yes
When you’re on the track, there’s always a risk of getting rear-ended. That said, having a front and rear bash bar is always a good idea if you want to avoid unnecessary damage.
This rear bash bar by Street Faction comes with an optional jack mount which makes it really easy to work on your Miata. You can even install aftermarket bumpers without worrying about this bash bar getting in the way.
Rusting and chipping will never be a problem because of the high-quality powder coating used on this bash bar. We recommend pairing it with the front bash bar by Street Faction for a consistent look.
Drift Armor Rear
Manufacturer: Drift Armor
Construction: DOM Roll Cage Tubing
Placement: Rear
License Plate Mount: No
Jack Mount: Yes
Tow Hook Mount: Yes
Aero Support: Yes (fits under the bumper)
Corner Bracing: Yes
Drift Armor is a popular name in the drift community. These American made rear bash bars are constructed with thick roll cage tubing for optimum crash protection.
The installation doesn’t require a lot of skills; anyone can do it. The laser-cut mounting brackets bolt right on without the need of modifications. You can choose to keep the bash bar concealed under the rear bumper.
This bash bar comes unpainted; which is good manufacturing move as it helps keep the price down. You can paint the bar however you like and choose a shade that complements your Miata’s color scheme.
True Focus Fabrication Rear
Manufacturer: True Focus Fabrication
Construction: Mild-Steel
Placement: Rear
License Plate Mount: No
Jack Mount: Yes
Tow Hook Mount: Yes
Aero Support: Modification Required
Corner Bracing: Yes
Mild steel is a popular material for the construction of bash bars. It is also commonly used for making crumple zones.
It’s strong enough to resist damage but is designed to bend under heavy impact. If it were too rigid, the impact would damage the car.
The crew at True Focus Fabrication have used this property of mild steel to their advantage.
The installation is easy, but fitting an aftermarket bumper may require some modification depending on the style and shape. Its raw steel finish adds a lot of character to your Miata’s overall look.
NB Miata Bash Bars
The NB Miata is just as modification-friendly as its iconic predecessor. Though the Miata motorsport scene is dominated by NAs, the NB isn’t too far behind.
Aftermarket part manufacturers are just as receptive when it comes to the NB and make some great products. Here are some of the best bash bars you can buy for your 1999 – 2005 Mazda Miata.
Street Faction Front
Manufacturer: Street Faction
Construction: Mild-Steel
Placement: Front
License Plate Mount: No
Jack Mount: No
Tow Hook Mount: No
Aero Support: Modification Required
Corner Bracing: No
Street Faction makes some of the most aesthetically appealing bash bars you’ll find for your Miata. They’re designed by an aerospace welder which explains the ultra-clean build quality.
This bar is a direct replacement for the stock crash beam and bolts on to the OEM location using factory hardware.
It’s designed with weight saving in mind. Though it’s steel, it weighs a lot less than most other bash bars you’ll find for your NB Miata.
Zerek Fabrication Rear
Manufacturer: Zerek Fabrication
Construction: Mild-Steel
Placement: Rear
License Plate Mount: No
Jack Mount: No
Tow Hook Mount: No
Aero Support: Requires Modification
Corner Bracing: No
The rear bash bar by Zerek Fabrication is very similar to the one by Street Faction and is cheaper too. The best part about this minimal design is that it can be easily fitted under your stock bumper.
If you’re not a fan of bulky rear bash bars like the ones by Drift Armor and True Focus Fabrication, this is your best option.
Pair it with the front bash bar by Zerek Fabrication to complete your Miata’s look.
The Best Miata Bash Bar: Our Verdict
The Best Front Bash Bar for NA Miatas: Street Faction
Street Faction makes some of the simplest bash bars you can buy for your NA Miata. We really like that it fits perfectly, without obstructing any of the lights.
Our Favourite Rear Bash Bar for NA Miatas: Drift Armor
The bash bar by Drift Armor feels extremely solid and would be our top choice for NA Miatas being used for drifting.
The Best Front Bash Bar for NB Miatas: Street Faction
We love how clean and minimal Street Faction bash bars are. The design is not busy at all and is effective at the same time.
Our Favourite Rear Bash Bar for NB Miatas: Zerek Fabrication
You must have guessed by now that we like sleek and simple designs. A combination of aesthetics and usability is what we prefer, and that’s exactly what you get with Zerek Fabrication bash bars.
Finding these new isn’t always as easy as you might think. If they’re not in stock, check out your favorite online car forums to see if you can find one used.
What do you plan on doing with your Miata after installing bash bars? Do you know of any that should’ve made this list?
Leave us a comment below!