Late NC vs. ND (vs. seagulls)
Discussion
Hi folks. I have been browsing NDs for a while. Have loved the design since it came out, much preferring it to the NC which I discounted offhand because, well, they're oldish now and I know how MX-5s like to return to the earth.
But then a friend commented that NCs have a bit more space for the driver. And then I noticed that you can get a late NC with an electrically folding hard top.
I live three miles from the sea so the threat of seagull poo seems like it could be a drag with a soft top. Also the car will not live in a garage and will be used all year.
Also it might just be some optimistic pricing but NCs don't seem as cheap as they 'should' be which makes me wonder if there are other reasons they are appreciated over the ND.
Not a huge fan of the new RF design although if it's the best for me I will reconsider. It's not about the look, really, but about having a car I will really enjoy driving and which won't end up being a particular nuisance to own.
Also interested in the driving experience NC vs ND. I am across engines and gearboxes, I will just have to drive some, but ride, handling, steering feel...
But then a friend commented that NCs have a bit more space for the driver. And then I noticed that you can get a late NC with an electrically folding hard top.
I live three miles from the sea so the threat of seagull poo seems like it could be a drag with a soft top. Also the car will not live in a garage and will be used all year.
Also it might just be some optimistic pricing but NCs don't seem as cheap as they 'should' be which makes me wonder if there are other reasons they are appreciated over the ND.
Not a huge fan of the new RF design although if it's the best for me I will reconsider. It's not about the look, really, but about having a car I will really enjoy driving and which won't end up being a particular nuisance to own.
Also interested in the driving experience NC vs ND. I am across engines and gearboxes, I will just have to drive some, but ride, handling, steering feel...
These are my personal feelings rather than someone who works with them.
MK1 - a classic. You would want to be of a mindset to use one daily though. Same as any other classic. It's totally doable but.
MK2 - same platform as MK1, so similar driving experience but it's a bit more civilised. A nice daily while remaining light, small etc.
MK3 - outstanding daily. Bit bigger, bit faster, quite a lot more comfortable, more creature comforts etc. First showing of a folding hard top (useful to you).
Mk4 - best driving. By far. It's tighter. And later nds are quicker. As a driving car a late Nd 2.0 is a good thing, it drives better than a stock NC by a decent margin. Very cramped inside (I'm not a small guy, but I drive an Elise. The Elise is substantially more comfortable than an Nd. More spacious. Obvious entry and exit aren't as easy). Nothing like as practical as an NC.
For me NC was peak mx-5, but thats because of what mx-5 is to me, it should be a cheap, light sports car, that I can take on track on a weekend without fear of life changing financial disaster if something goes wrong, take to work during the week, go and do my weekly shop in, take on holiday and just be a car. I love mk1s but if I want a classic I want a classic classic. I like mk4s they drive so well, but if I want something that drives so well I'll drive a boxster or Elise etc. An mx-5 for me needs to be a jack of all trades and master of none.
But your needs will be different, that's the great thing about them, there's a car for everyone. Personally I love the 124, and had it been based on an NC I would own one now without a doubt but I can't cope with the Nd interior space daily.
NCS don't drive badly by the way. And they definitely aren't slow (avoid the 1.8) but they do sit a bit high and are a bit soft. But a bit of suspension work and they handle great. But also some people like the ride height and softness especially living in the country.
MK1 - a classic. You would want to be of a mindset to use one daily though. Same as any other classic. It's totally doable but.
MK2 - same platform as MK1, so similar driving experience but it's a bit more civilised. A nice daily while remaining light, small etc.
MK3 - outstanding daily. Bit bigger, bit faster, quite a lot more comfortable, more creature comforts etc. First showing of a folding hard top (useful to you).
Mk4 - best driving. By far. It's tighter. And later nds are quicker. As a driving car a late Nd 2.0 is a good thing, it drives better than a stock NC by a decent margin. Very cramped inside (I'm not a small guy, but I drive an Elise. The Elise is substantially more comfortable than an Nd. More spacious. Obvious entry and exit aren't as easy). Nothing like as practical as an NC.
For me NC was peak mx-5, but thats because of what mx-5 is to me, it should be a cheap, light sports car, that I can take on track on a weekend without fear of life changing financial disaster if something goes wrong, take to work during the week, go and do my weekly shop in, take on holiday and just be a car. I love mk1s but if I want a classic I want a classic classic. I like mk4s they drive so well, but if I want something that drives so well I'll drive a boxster or Elise etc. An mx-5 for me needs to be a jack of all trades and master of none.
But your needs will be different, that's the great thing about them, there's a car for everyone. Personally I love the 124, and had it been based on an NC I would own one now without a doubt but I can't cope with the Nd interior space daily.
NCS don't drive badly by the way. And they definitely aren't slow (avoid the 1.8) but they do sit a bit high and are a bit soft. But a bit of suspension work and they handle great. But also some people like the ride height and softness especially living in the country.
I had an NC. Think I probably had it for about 5 years and ran it alongside a couple of other 2 seat convertibles from Porsche and Ferrari. As much as I loved the car and the whole package you get from an MX5 I was never really smitten with the looks. It was fine and it was what it was.
As soon as I saw the ND in Soul Red it was a winner for me. I love the shape and even now think it looks sharp and modern. Personally, I think the RF models look awkward but I can see there must be an appeal for others in the roof mechanism.
I’m 6ft and to be honest, I’d not noticed any difference in the space etc in the cabin.
As soon as I saw the ND in Soul Red it was a winner for me. I love the shape and even now think it looks sharp and modern. Personally, I think the RF models look awkward but I can see there must be an appeal for others in the roof mechanism.
I’m 6ft and to be honest, I’d not noticed any difference in the space etc in the cabin.
The car got bigger as it went from NA to NB then NC. They then decided to get back to the original and so the ND was very similar size (and weight) to the NA. This must have lost them some of the bigger/taller customers who wanted one but just wouldnt fit.
Personally, I wouldn't mind if it was 100kg heavier and a bit bigger (more cabin storage).
Personally, I wouldn't mind if it was 100kg heavier and a bit bigger (more cabin storage).
Nickp82 said:
I do think the more generous cabin space and proper (ie fully retractable) electric top are the main contributors to NCs holding their money quite well. I love the look of the ND RF but it just doesn t deliver the full roof-down experience .
I had an NC2 PRHT Sport Tech 2L until Mrs TR7V8 totalled it. The extra space was welcome especially when touring and I drove the ND1 and didn't think it offered anything better than my NC2.wildoliver said:
These are my personal feelings rather than someone who works with them.
MK1 - a classic. You would want to be of a mindset to use one daily though. Same as any other classic. It's totally doable but.
MK2 - same platform as MK1, so similar driving experience but it's a bit more civilised. A nice daily while remaining light, small etc.
MK3 - outstanding daily. Bit bigger, bit faster, quite a lot more comfortable, more creature comforts etc. First showing of a folding hard top (useful to you).
Mk4 - best driving. By far. It's tighter. And later nds are quicker. As a driving car a late Nd 2.0 is a good thing, it drives better than a stock NC by a decent margin. Very cramped inside (I'm not a small guy, but I drive an Elise. The Elise is substantially more comfortable than an Nd. More spacious. Obvious entry and exit aren't as easy). Nothing like as practical as an NC.
For me NC was peak mx-5, but thats because of what mx-5 is to me, it should be a cheap, light sports car, that I can take on track on a weekend without fear of life changing financial disaster if something goes wrong, take to work during the week, go and do my weekly shop in, take on holiday and just be a car. I love mk1s but if I want a classic I want a classic classic. I like mk4s they drive so well, but if I want something that drives so well I'll drive a boxster or Elise etc. An mx-5 for me needs to be a jack of all trades and master of none.
But your needs will be different, that's the great thing about them, there's a car for everyone. Personally I love the 124, and had it been based on an NC I would own one now without a doubt but I can't cope with the Nd interior space daily.
NCS don't drive badly by the way. And they definitely aren't slow (avoid the 1.8) but they do sit a bit high and are a bit soft. But a bit of suspension work and they handle great. But also some people like the ride height and softness especially living in the country.
MK1 - a classic. You would want to be of a mindset to use one daily though. Same as any other classic. It's totally doable but.
MK2 - same platform as MK1, so similar driving experience but it's a bit more civilised. A nice daily while remaining light, small etc.
MK3 - outstanding daily. Bit bigger, bit faster, quite a lot more comfortable, more creature comforts etc. First showing of a folding hard top (useful to you).
Mk4 - best driving. By far. It's tighter. And later nds are quicker. As a driving car a late Nd 2.0 is a good thing, it drives better than a stock NC by a decent margin. Very cramped inside (I'm not a small guy, but I drive an Elise. The Elise is substantially more comfortable than an Nd. More spacious. Obvious entry and exit aren't as easy). Nothing like as practical as an NC.
For me NC was peak mx-5, but thats because of what mx-5 is to me, it should be a cheap, light sports car, that I can take on track on a weekend without fear of life changing financial disaster if something goes wrong, take to work during the week, go and do my weekly shop in, take on holiday and just be a car. I love mk1s but if I want a classic I want a classic classic. I like mk4s they drive so well, but if I want something that drives so well I'll drive a boxster or Elise etc. An mx-5 for me needs to be a jack of all trades and master of none.
But your needs will be different, that's the great thing about them, there's a car for everyone. Personally I love the 124, and had it been based on an NC I would own one now without a doubt but I can't cope with the Nd interior space daily.
NCS don't drive badly by the way. And they definitely aren't slow (avoid the 1.8) but they do sit a bit high and are a bit soft. But a bit of suspension work and they handle great. But also some people like the ride height and softness especially living in the country.
Johnnybee said:
I've owned an RF and never found the roof down experience to be a problem. The rear window also drops so you've only got the metalwork remaining behind you. The RF also looks much much better than the standard ND with the roof up IMO
As someone who has owned 4 MX5s, and currently owns an ND2 RF, both of these comments are spot on. Removing the rear wind blocker helps considerably to make the RF feel more open too. It's really an overstated issue by soft top owners IMHO.My last was modded NC with BBR Super 200, Eibachs, upgraded brake pads etc, my current ND2 which is mostly standard IMO does actually drive even better than that despite the mods to the NC. Your mileage may vary of course.
Hustle_ said:
TameRacingDriver said:
my current ND2 which is mostly standard IMO does actually drive even better than that despite the mods to the NC.
Thanks. Would you be able to expand on this please? The car itself feels lighter on the road, it seems to rotate in a slightly nicer way, it rides much better on country roads - I think the Eibachs were just a little too harsh IMO, there is a bit more body roll but I find that the car communicates the limits better as a result. The steering slightly lacks weight and feedback in comparison, however it gains in accuracy and responsiveness. I find I can drive it noticeably faster from A-B than I could with my NC. The NC was great don't get me wrong, but I think the ND steps it up a notch. Obviously YMMV!
Edit: Oh I forgot, the chassis is much more rigid.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Friday 5th June 17:33
Jap90s said:
Is that worth at least 2x the price, is the question
That is a very fair point to be fair, although, when I was looking at late NC PRHTs before I got my ND2, I was quite surprised that the NCs were often a bit more money than I was expecting. I'd say my ND2 was around 50% more than a good NC3.75 PRHT rather than over double.Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff