Mazda MX-5 NC: To buy or not to buy?

[TNurburgring]

Hey,

I am considering a MX-5 NC, but I would like to hear some general opinions on them. I read some very good things about them, but most of it was on Miata forums, so they may be biased.

Thanks in advance!

[matpilch]

I'm an NC owner so my opinion may be a bit biased, but I'll give it a go anyway.

I've mine for 4 years now, have done nearly 40k km (25k miles) and quite a few trackdays.
It's been faultless, good on the fuel (30-33mpg), parts are cheap - basically, all the stuff you hear about mx-5s, it's here. People report some rust on the bootlid, but I've had none.

However, it needs suspension mods to cure its boat-like behaviour. Rx-8 sway bars and Eibach springs together with Bilstein B6 is a no-brainer.

[TNurburgring]

It's good to heat that NCs are indeed so cheap to run.

[The Turbonator]

I'm also thinking of buying one and had a great response on my thread I created :

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[ricotansky]

I had a 1.8 MK3 for over three years and 34k and ruddy bloody loved it. Cheap as chips to run, surprisingly practical 99% of the time, never went wrong and was great fun to drive despite only being the 1.8. I miss it.

[pdrake007]

Another definite yes vote from me. 2006 2.0l owner for 3 years, clocked up 40k miles (used as a 50 mile commuter) averaging 37mpg. Big enough to do your weekly shopping and with a boot bag strapped to the boot I've had many trips away including camping in the thing.
Prices will be good right now, snap one up before the sunshine comes back!

Edited by pdrake007 on Tuesday 17th February 11:02

[SteveSteveson]

I have had my NC for 3 years now. 2008 car with £70k miles on it. I love it. It has not put a foot wrong. The only issues have been user related. One set of front role bar links (wearable part), one new wheel (pothole) and some sealant on a leak where the windscreen had not been properly sealed when replaced.

Other than that cheap to run. Fuel use is not amazing, but not awful. Servicing is dirt cheap (Same price as my old 1.2 clio). Parts are nothing (£90 for new front bads and a new headlight bulb inc fitting the other day). Also they have a timing chain so no big belts service at some point.

Personally I don't think they need the suspension messing about with like some people claim. Good tyres and a getting proper 4 wheel geo done makes a world of difference. Yes, getting the suspension changed to a WIM setup or the like will make a further difference, but just good rubber and the wheels pointing the right way is enough (Most people don't bother and they go out quite fast. They often come out of the factory wrong apparently)

[TNurburgring]

Thanks for all the reactions!

This really helps to get a better view on the car.

[rfn]

I had a Mk3 for 2.5 years then a Mk3.5 for 2.5 years (and covered 80k between them).
Would own another, at the drop of a hat!
Do it

[renmure]

I have had mine for 2 years now and walk past a lot of nice cars in the garage to take the wee MX5 out. It makes every journey a little bit more enjoyable that it would be in most other cars.

[Pints]

I've the 1.8 and put 20,000 on the clock in the first year running it as my daily. When I moved to a company car I couldn't bear parting with it, so it gets SORNed in the winter and brought out to play on Fridays and weekends during the summer.

Colleagues always know when I've used the MX-5 for the commute because it always puts me in a good mood.

[TNurburgring]

It sounds like there are no negatives about the NC as a fun car... Now I just want to buy one as soon as possible!

[TNurburgring]

Another question... Dies anyone had rust on there NC or is rust only a problem on the NA and NB?

[Mr. Potato Head]

I think you need to budget for springs with a Mk3*.
At first I thought I'd made a terrible mistake buying a Mk3 and that I should have found that unicorn Mk1 I always wanted, but a set of springs solved that for me.

Edit: *not tried a 3.5 on

Edited by Mr. Potato Head on Tuesday 17th February 10:39

[TimLambert7]

TNurburgring said:

Another question... Dies anyone had rust on there NC or is rust only a problem on the NA and NB?

Rust still a problem but not to same extent.

Mine had surface corrosion on most of the underside, easily treated with a waxoyl and dinitrol treatment (£220).

I also had corrosion on the underside of the bootlid and some very light bubbling on the OSR wheel arch - on an 8 year old car!

[DaveEssex]

Bought HID's a 2000cc tin-top MX5 new in November 2007, so already into its 8th year. It has been and still is rust free. A great little rollerskate, good for her daily use and has done me proud on blasts down to Le Mans etc in that time. Really hasn't cost us a bean over-and-above normal consumables. Looks good as well in a red quite close to Ferrari Rosso. Paint looks like new.

[TNurburgring]

Thanks guys, I will look at rust when I buy a MX-5.

Mr. Potato Head said:

I think you need to budget for springs with a Mk3*.
At first I thought I'd made a terrible mistake buying a Mk3 and that I should have found that unicorn Mk1 I always wanted, but a set of springs solved that for me.

Edit: *not tried a 3.5 on

Edited by Mr. Potato Head on Tuesday 17th February 10:39

Yeah, I will install a Eibach Pro-kit.

[TheJimi]

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but have you considered an S2000?

It'll be budget depending tho, you're more likely to get a nice MX5 for the same money that would scrape you into the bottom of the S2K market.

If you've got a healthy budget though, I'd be looking at a good S2k.

[pdrake007]

TheJimi said:

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but have you considered an S2000?

I think it all depends on what you want the car for as I've heard the S2K's require a bit more effort to drive and can throw you out quite easily, but if you want one for the thrill of driving then it could be a good consideration

[ecsrobin]

TheJimi said:

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but have you considered an S2000?

It'll be budget depending tho, you're more likely to get a nice MX5 for the same money that would scrape you into the bottom of the S2K market.

If you've got a healthy budget though, I'd be looking at a good S2k.

Don't encourage the op we've already had a thread on mx5 v Z4, RX8's and are MX5's girly. Now we will have a thread should I buy an S2000. Give it a week and he'll be back at school.