Discussion
Just had a look on Wiki and Parkers and they make it look very confusing.
Can anyone tell me what MK3's had an LSD?
And wiki talks about 5 and 6 speed manuals. Which cars have the 6 speeder?
Lastly, I know the ~2008 facelift for the NC3.5 and 3.75 changed the visuals a little and apparently stronger internals. Were there any other major changes?
Last up. I've driven a new ND 2.0 with the LSD and Bilsteins, would a 2.0 litre NC be a disappointment by comparison? I really loved the ND, but out of my price range. However I hadn't realised NC's had dropped so much.
Can anyone tell me what MK3's had an LSD?
And wiki talks about 5 and 6 speed manuals. Which cars have the 6 speeder?
Lastly, I know the ~2008 facelift for the NC3.5 and 3.75 changed the visuals a little and apparently stronger internals. Were there any other major changes?
Last up. I've driven a new ND 2.0 with the LSD and Bilsteins, would a 2.0 litre NC be a disappointment by comparison? I really loved the ND, but out of my price range. However I hadn't realised NC's had dropped so much.
300bhp/ton said:
Just had a look on Wiki and Parkers and they make it look very confusing.
Can anyone tell me what MK3's had an LSD?
And wiki talks about 5 and 6 speed manuals. Which cars have the 6 speeder?
Lastly, I know the ~2008 facelift for the NC3.5 and 3.75 changed the visuals a little and apparently stronger internals. Were there any other major changes?
Last up. I've driven a new ND 2.0 with the LSD and Bilsteins, would a 2.0 litre NC be a disappointment by comparison? I really loved the ND, but out of my price range. However I hadn't realised NC's had dropped so much.
Good questions. I thought the facelift to the 3.5 was 2009 though? If you are getting the 2 litre after this time then they all have an open LSD apart from the auto. They also get the Bilsteins.Can anyone tell me what MK3's had an LSD?
And wiki talks about 5 and 6 speed manuals. Which cars have the 6 speeder?
Lastly, I know the ~2008 facelift for the NC3.5 and 3.75 changed the visuals a little and apparently stronger internals. Were there any other major changes?
Last up. I've driven a new ND 2.0 with the LSD and Bilsteins, would a 2.0 litre NC be a disappointment by comparison? I really loved the ND, but out of my price range. However I hadn't realised NC's had dropped so much.
Compared to the ND the NC has old fashioned hydraulic steering rather than EPAS so I would imagine in that respect at least it's better.
It might be worthwhile looking for a car with the fabric soft top rather than the electric hard roof which weighs more and puts the c of g up more than likely.
I leave it to bigger MX5 brains to comment more fully or give corrections
300bhp/ton said:
And wiki talks about 5 and 6 speed manuals. Which cars have the 6 speeder?
Lastly, I know the ~2008 facelift for the NC3.5 and 3.75 changed the visuals a little and apparently stronger internals. Were there any other major changes?
Only the Sport models, or sport-derived special editions came with 6-speed boxes. Personally, I still prefer the 5-speed, but own a 6, because I wanted the extra features (cruise, climate control, fog lights, leather seats).Lastly, I know the ~2008 facelift for the NC3.5 and 3.75 changed the visuals a little and apparently stronger internals. Were there any other major changes?
Mk3.5 did come in during late 2009, not 2008. You get a slightly different suspension position and height-adjustable seats (there are a few late Mk3 with these on). Cruise control was then available (sport only IIRC). They changed the BOSE stereo model.
As to how it handles, I haven't driven the Mk4. Those (with experience) that have say that the mk4 is as good as mk1, and much better than a mk3.
What are your requirements/goals? If you want a cheap fun handling roadster, then a Mk1 or Mk2 might be better. If you want a fun motorway mile-eater, then the Mk3 will be better than the Mk1/2.
I bought mine to be an all-weather/all-season daily car and long-distance car, so I went for the newer shape and teh retractable hard-top. But I've got other vehicles for out-and-out fun.
I've got a 2007 2.0 Sport that came with the 6 speed box. Not tried the 5 speed to compare to be fair but I love it. Also has the heated leather seats and fog lights and climate control - which basically means I can drive it around with the roof off in the winter and not get cold. Mine came with the Bose sound system as well but I rarely have that on if I'm hooning about with the roof off to be honest... Actually unless its peeing down with rain, I never have the hood up. I love open top driving.
Flip Martian said:
I've got a 2007 2.0 Sport that came with the 6 speed box. Not tried the 5 speed to compare
The 6-speed gets a slightly higher top-speed in 2nd. 2nd is too low for a roundabout, and 3rd is too high. The 5-speed 2nd sits much better.In both cases, I spent most of my time in 3 gears: 1st, 2nd & top. Used top-2 for fast country lanes.
TBH, the ratios aren't quote right on either box. If I had to choose, I'd go with a 5, as it's more difficult (but still possible) to hit the wrong gear. Either are still better than most cars.
I'd like to try a '5 with a proper sequential box though.
The 3.5 engine has a forged crank and other forged internals witch makes for a stronger engine and that's from 2009 onwards I have a MK3 but have gone down the turbo route so I swapped my MK3 engine for a low mileage mk3.5 engine before having the turbo fitted and now putting out over 300 hp, to improve handling spend £600.00 on a set of gaz fully adjustable coilovers and it will transform the car, so it won't just be a motorway muncher but seriously good fun in the bends and will be much better than a mk1 or mk2 any day
Russell
Russell
Just had an open day at Mazda UK & drove 3 cars one of which was a ND 2L Sport. My "toy" is a NC 2L Sport PRHT.
We quite liked the ND, downers for us were smaller boot opening, the boot itself was deeper than our NC but not much bigger & the lid is smaller. Lack of glovebox, real pain when touring. Not sure about the big screen on the dash, like what it does not keen on its appearance. Otherwise found the driving experience pretty similar. Steering a tad sharper on the ND but that maybe tyre difference. Didn't feel any quicker over the 11 miles test circuit.
We quite liked the ND, downers for us were smaller boot opening, the boot itself was deeper than our NC but not much bigger & the lid is smaller. Lack of glovebox, real pain when touring. Not sure about the big screen on the dash, like what it does not keen on its appearance. Otherwise found the driving experience pretty similar. Steering a tad sharper on the ND but that maybe tyre difference. Didn't feel any quicker over the 11 miles test circuit.
I know this thread's a few weeks old, so sorry in advance.
As far as the LSD goes in the UK all 2.0 models came with an LSD. The 5 speed was in the non Sport 2.0's. If you fancy modifying the car, the 6 speed with the 5 speed ratios is supposed to be great fun! Coilovers and a manifold will transform the car, you really need to drive one with those modifications done.
I hope to drive an ND soon, I do prefer the looks of the ND, but I did see a group test between all generations and resulting in the NC on top.
As far as the LSD goes in the UK all 2.0 models came with an LSD. The 5 speed was in the non Sport 2.0's. If you fancy modifying the car, the 6 speed with the 5 speed ratios is supposed to be great fun! Coilovers and a manifold will transform the car, you really need to drive one with those modifications done.
I hope to drive an ND soon, I do prefer the looks of the ND, but I did see a group test between all generations and resulting in the NC on top.
RussNC said:
I hope to drive an ND soon, I do prefer the looks of the ND, but I did see a group test between all generations and resulting in the NC on top.
You haven't got a link to that, have you? Sounds interesting. Must admit I prefer the looks of the ND. I did however see a Mk 2 yesterday in that green which ISN'T BRG (cough) and it was stunning.Flip Martian said:
You haven't got a link to that, have you? Sounds interesting. Must admit I prefer the looks of the ND. I did however see a Mk 2 yesterday in that green which ISN'T BRG (cough) and it was stunning.
Sorry for the slow replyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6HFEaZi5mI
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