NC or ND

[nigelj77]

I've been considering an mx5 NC as a weekend toy, I've driven a few (most have been bad examples) and am now wondering whether to push the boat out to an ND.

Either would be 2.0 Sport but having not tried the ND I'm wondering how they compare?

My only concern with the NC is they're not that fast where the ND on paper is a bit quicker.

My daily is an Audi S3 but I do like a soft top toy.

Thanks in advance.

Nigel

[RobaBarker]

I can't speak from personal experience, but my understanding is that the ND is the better bet.

The NC is often criticised for being a bit heavy and comfort-focused, while the ND is seen as being closer to the original concept, in terms of lightness and direct handling.

If it were me, I'd test drive both and see which you prefer, but as a weekend toy I suspect the ND will win it.

[nigelj77]

That does sound like the story I've heard.

My only criticism of the NC is the engine doesn't feel that eager, I'm wondering if the ND feels better.

There is an ND at a local garage, I hope to try it this weekend.

[DanGPR]

The NC can be easily rectified for <£1000, getting an extra 30bhp and freer at the top end.

I would think the difference in price between an NC and an ND of similar spec would be rather large? If you can afford the newer car then it's probably nicer, but the NC makes for a very entertaining drive with a few quid spent in the right places. 1100kg and 190bhp put it up there with an Elise or an E30 M3 in terms of pace. A decent alignment and some springs or coilovers also makes a significant difference, people are usually quite surprised with how good my one feels/goes.

The ND looks nicer, is lighter and probably responds just as well to modifications, I think the NC cabin is slightly roomier if you're a biggboi.

[nigelj77]

Yes, I've looked into that, I take it you mean exhaust manifold and remap, that would be top of my list.

I'd also heard the ND cabin is more of a squeeze, I'll have to see how well I fit.

Yes, there is a big financial difference and depreciation on a £14K ND will hurt a lot more than on a £4-5K NC

I've booked a test drive of an ND this Friday so will update as an when.

Cheers,

Nigel

[CousinDupree]

As stock, there is a big difference between them. I've not really enjoyed the MK3 and MK3.5 2ltr models I drove, which was a shame as I loved my M2.5 and earlier MX5s. Poorly damped, very high, not great traction, no real feel in the steering. Also quite a delay in the throttle.

An ND is much more like it and back to some of the form of the earlier models. No doubt a modded NC would be great, sadly I haven't driven one.

Watch out for corrosion on NCs, plenty have already been written off as scrap. Quite why Mazda let this happen (even on their hatch / saloon range) is beyond me.

[psykx]

DanGPR said:

The NC can be easily rectified for <£1000, getting an extra 30bhp and freer at the top end.

Could you be specific? I've just bought an NC

[SmilerFTM]

psykx said:

Could you be specific? I've just bought an NC

Not sure where he gets <1k from. You need a 4-1 decat manifold and a remap to get circa 22/25bhp extra and those combined cost more than 1k. The remap alone costs a canny wedge as you need the ecutek license.
The NC chassis is the best out of the 4 MX-5 models, especially if you want to go fast as it can handle higher speeds better than the others including the ND. Is it more fun is another question altogether.
You'd also want to spend around 1k on new coilovers with a good alignment on the NC as well to make the most of the chassis, MiesterR are well liked.

Edited by SmilerFTM on Saturday 13th April 08:17

[SmilerFTM]

nigelj77 said:

I've been considering an mx5 NC as a weekend toy, I've driven a few (most have been bad examples) and am now wondering whether to push the boat out to an ND.

Either would be 2.0 Sport but having not tried the ND I'm wondering how they compare?

My only concern with the NC is they're not that fast where the ND on paper is a bit quicker.

My daily is an Audi S3 but I do like a soft top toy.

Thanks in advance.

Nigel

If you can afford an ND, get a cheap NC, go to Blink (or Corten Miller) and get them to put new coilovers on it, a 4-1 manifold and the Corten-Miller supercharger. You'll end up with a car faster than a Boxster S

[DanGPR]

SmilerFTM said:

Not sure where he gets <1k from. You need a 4-1 decat manifold and a remap to get circa 22/25bhp extra and those combined cost more than 1k. The remap alone costs a canny wedge as you need the ecutek license.
The NC chassis is the best out of the 4 MX-5 models, especially if you want to go fast as it can handle higher speeds better than the others including the ND. Is it more fun is another question altogether.
You'd also want to spend around 1k on new coilovers with a good alignment on the NC as well to make the most of the chassis, MiesterR are well liked.

Edited by SmilerFTM on Saturday 13th April 08:17

The IL Motorsport decat manifold is 395 quid, the remap from Skuzzle is £480 inc the licence. This got me 160whp or 185-190 at the fly.
Some springs and an alignment will get you 9/10s of the way there.

Granted my car does have coilovers on it.

[nigelj77]

Well I think an update is in order.

On Friday gone I planned to drive an ND at a local dealer to see if it justified the extra cost then on deciding not head to look at what looked like a lovely NC fairly locally.

I drove the ND and was so impressed left a deposit on it and never bothered to look at the NC.

I'm not sure when I'm picking it up but I'm looking forward to it

[coppice]

I like mine , which replaced a Seven, so it feels vast . Especially as I am 5-11 and not narrow. My 2ltr Sport Nav is quicker than I expected, refuses to use fuel , is comfy for 300 mile + days and the hood is brilliant. Great as a 'sports tourer' but not really a pukka sports car in my book .Roly poly cornering about to be reduced by lowered springs and the only thing then which will irritate on every trip is the utterly godawful steering - no feel , no feedback and a slippery , narrow rimmed steering wheel the size of a bus's .

[CousinDupree]

coppice said:

I like mine , which replaced a Seven, so it feels vast . Especially as I am 5-11 and not narrow. My 2ltr Sport Nav is quicker than I expected, refuses to use fuel , is comfy for 300 mile + days and the hood is brilliant. Great as a 'sports tourer' but not really a pukka sports car in my book .Roly poly cornering about to be reduced by lowered springs and the only thing then which will irritate on every trip is the utterly godawful steering - no feel , no feedback and a slippery , narrow rimmed steering wheel the size of a bus's .

I understand where you are coming from with the steering feel. If you're not used to EPAS, the lack of feel is a bit of a shock. But compared to the 'actively introduced' feedback on 991 / 718S, it's quite a bit better. Coming from a manual rack is a different world again.

It's a pukka sports car in any book, but not a bare bones all manual lightweight like a seven clone. A friend has a Caterham and GT86 and really enjoys them both. Sure, nothing like the involvement from the Toyota, but it still has a wonderful balance and is great fun in isolation.

OP, congrats on the purchase. Enjoy the ND! You'll love it.

[nigelj77]

Thanks Cousin Depree.

I have to say I didn't find the steering that much of a problem.

I thought in general the car just felt more lively than the NCs I've driven.

Still waiting on delivery date from the garage, would have been nice for Easter but doesn't look likely.

[coppice]

CousinDupree said:

I understand where you are coming from with the steering feel. If you're not used to EPAS, the lack of feel is a bit of a shock. But compared to the 'actively introduced' feedback on 991 / 718S, it's quite a bit better. Coming from a manual rack is a different world again.

It's a pukka sports car in any book, but not a bare bones all manual lightweight like a seven clone. A friend has a Caterham and GT86 and really enjoys them both. Sure, nothing like the involvement from the Toyota, but it still has a wonderful balance and is great fun in isolation.

OP, congrats on the purchase. Enjoy the ND! You'll love it.

I think even by EPAS standards of cars I know (sadly , I am a stranger to 991 and 718 driving ) it is still dire. A Focus's steering feels like a single seater's in comparison and even my wife;s badass Toyota Yaris 1.3 does too...

[Nick67]

nigelj77 said:

Thanks Cousin Depree.

I have to say I didn't find the steering that much of a problem.

I thought in general the car just felt more lively than the NCs I've driven.

Still waiting on delivery date from the garage, would have been nice for Easter but doesn't look likely.

What model did you order?

I've gone for a 2ltr Sport Nav, but was not ready in time for Easter so have the loan of their demo 1.5RF.

Have noticed that it needs dropping down to 5 to get the most out of it on the autbahns!!!!!

Hope the 2ltr has more torque so no requirement to do that

[nigelj77]

2.0 sport nav also, I had a long test drive and it seemed to go well, I didn't do much sitting on the motorway but it seemed relatively torquey.

I've not picked mine up yet, mine's not new so it's going through the workshop which Easter break is slowing down.

I'm tempted to tell them I won't collect it until may as I'm paying a months tax for a few days :-/

[Nick67]

nigelj77 said:

2.0 sport nav also, I had a long test drive and it seemed to go well, I didn't do much sitting on the motorway but it seemed relatively torquey.

I've not picked mine up yet, mine's not new so it's going through the workshop which Easter break is slowing down.

I'm tempted to tell them I won't collect it until may as I'm paying a months tax for a few days :-/

Makes sense to delay for a couple of days.

Having driven the RF for a number of mixed miles I think I will prefer the convertible

Was there a big difference in price between new and pre owned!!!

[nigelj77]

The one I went for is 2016, 19k miles, I paid £13399 for it after a bit of negotiation.

Seemed a reasonable price and the worst of the depreciation I hope is out of the way....

[Nick67]

That does seem like a good deal.

I'm collecting mine Tuesday after returning from Germany, just hope the weather still holds as we have had 26deg here.