ND experiences please
Discussion
I’ve had both NA and NB mx5s. Both have succumbed to rust and whilst I’m mechanically able I’m no welder so am put off getting another.
How does an ND compare? I’m 6ft2 and don’t fit in the NC comfortably so not interested in them.
My NA was a 1.6 import and I loved its revvy nature, the NB was a 1.8 and to be honest it didn’t get driven much.
What are people’s experiences of the 1.5vs the 2.0 and even the post 2018 2.0?
Thank you!
How does an ND compare? I’m 6ft2 and don’t fit in the NC comfortably so not interested in them.
My NA was a 1.6 import and I loved its revvy nature, the NB was a 1.8 and to be honest it didn’t get driven much.
What are people’s experiences of the 1.5vs the 2.0 and even the post 2018 2.0?
Thank you!
We went from an NC to an ND.
It is quite tight inside though. Noticeably more so than the NC. I'm only 5'11", don't carry much weight and i'd not want to be getting in if much taller - seat won't go back any further. So best try before you buy.
Don't know about the 1.5 we went 2.0 again, why wouldn't you?? We tried both 2.0s the 160 and the 180 and didn't really notice much difference. The 180 maybe revs a bit smoother in the last 1,000 or so rpm but other than that, with only 3 lbft of torque extra you don't notice any performance difference.
Our car has the recaro seats - a definite improvement over the standard items and worth trying to seek out.
It is quite tight inside though. Noticeably more so than the NC. I'm only 5'11", don't carry much weight and i'd not want to be getting in if much taller - seat won't go back any further. So best try before you buy.
Don't know about the 1.5 we went 2.0 again, why wouldn't you?? We tried both 2.0s the 160 and the 180 and didn't really notice much difference. The 180 maybe revs a bit smoother in the last 1,000 or so rpm but other than that, with only 3 lbft of torque extra you don't notice any performance difference.
Our car has the recaro seats - a definite improvement over the standard items and worth trying to seek out.
Went from an NA to an ND RF.
Just do it. The interior's cheap and the plastic door cards scratch if you breathe on them. But that's to be expected.
I really enjoy driving it. Hard to describe, but the turn in and yay around the driver seems so much more pronounced in the ND than I ever found in the NA. Probably something to do with the lack of scuttle-shake.
If you are buying a pre-facelift ND try to seek out one with the CarPlay / Android Auto upgrade installed. That's well worth it.
My only real disappointment has been the (non-Bose) stereo, but that's not what these are about. I even had it undersealed a couple of weeks ago because I reckon I'll be keeping mine for a while...
Just do it. The interior's cheap and the plastic door cards scratch if you breathe on them. But that's to be expected.
I really enjoy driving it. Hard to describe, but the turn in and yay around the driver seems so much more pronounced in the ND than I ever found in the NA. Probably something to do with the lack of scuttle-shake.
If you are buying a pre-facelift ND try to seek out one with the CarPlay / Android Auto upgrade installed. That's well worth it.
My only real disappointment has been the (non-Bose) stereo, but that's not what these are about. I even had it undersealed a couple of weeks ago because I reckon I'll be keeping mine for a while...
I previously ran a 1.8 NA for a couple of years, and I've had my 2019 2.0 for a year (first service yesterday!) and it's absolutely brilliant. The soft top has more headroom than the RF, and gives you a far more "open car" feeling if you're after that. The engine is great, far better than the boat anchor in the NA/NB, and on top of that I've averaged just over 40mpg over 11,000 miles without trying to drive it efficiently at all. Running costs are tiny, tyres and brakes barely wear. I've seen pics of the underside of 3 year old cars used all year round and they don't appear to suffer from early life rust issues.
Obviously I didn't buy it for straight line speed, but it's also the first MX5 that is actually reasonably quick, particularly up to 100, so you won't be shamed by repmobiles, and the light weight means you can absolutely fly away from a standstill. It was roughly the equal of my 4.2 XJ8 up to all speeds you'd care to do in the UK, which was a surprise, and only really dropped back over 100. My other car is a twin turbo Mercedes V12, so I'm well aware what a properly fast car is like and the MX5 never shames itself.
I had a young lad in a Mercedes C220d coupe eventually catch up with me a couple of months ago and wind down the window to ask what engine it had because "it do go like f
k" 
I've found mine runs smoother and pulls harder on super unleaded, which isn't a big surprise given the high compression ratio. Honestly, they're absolutely superb and an early 1.5 can be an absolute bargain - I'd have one over the slightly disappointing 155bhp 2.0 they fitted up to the 2019 model year. The "infotainment" system is crap but you can buy a CarPlay kit to fit to any of them or the dealer will fit one for ~£300. I put the Mazda/Eibach lowering springs on mine and the lowered roll and improved handling are worth the small ride quality penalty (it rides remarkably well for what it is). Over winter I put mine on a set of OEM 16" wheels that I picked up for £100, and a set of winter tyres, and the lower unsprung weight and rotational intertia made the car feel even better, and the lower grip levels vs the Bridgestone Potenzas made for a lot of fun sliding around.
They do feel light and a bit tinny, and it rattles and buzzes in a way that would be totally unacceptable in any other brand new car too, but that's why it weighs 1050KG. I think the interior looks great, is well trimmed, and decent quality for a car than was £18k - £24k new, particularly with the sand leather.
I could talk about the car all day, I really think Mazda absolutely aced it with the ND2 and (certainly until the big price hike for 2020) they're excellent value new and used. I'm only 5'7 but I'm powerfully built (of pies) and fit just fine. If you're 6' or above you'll definitely want to try one for fit though.
Obviously I didn't buy it for straight line speed, but it's also the first MX5 that is actually reasonably quick, particularly up to 100, so you won't be shamed by repmobiles, and the light weight means you can absolutely fly away from a standstill. It was roughly the equal of my 4.2 XJ8 up to all speeds you'd care to do in the UK, which was a surprise, and only really dropped back over 100. My other car is a twin turbo Mercedes V12, so I'm well aware what a properly fast car is like and the MX5 never shames itself.
I had a young lad in a Mercedes C220d coupe eventually catch up with me a couple of months ago and wind down the window to ask what engine it had because "it do go like f
k" I've found mine runs smoother and pulls harder on super unleaded, which isn't a big surprise given the high compression ratio. Honestly, they're absolutely superb and an early 1.5 can be an absolute bargain - I'd have one over the slightly disappointing 155bhp 2.0 they fitted up to the 2019 model year. The "infotainment" system is crap but you can buy a CarPlay kit to fit to any of them or the dealer will fit one for ~£300. I put the Mazda/Eibach lowering springs on mine and the lowered roll and improved handling are worth the small ride quality penalty (it rides remarkably well for what it is). Over winter I put mine on a set of OEM 16" wheels that I picked up for £100, and a set of winter tyres, and the lower unsprung weight and rotational intertia made the car feel even better, and the lower grip levels vs the Bridgestone Potenzas made for a lot of fun sliding around.
They do feel light and a bit tinny, and it rattles and buzzes in a way that would be totally unacceptable in any other brand new car too, but that's why it weighs 1050KG. I think the interior looks great, is well trimmed, and decent quality for a car than was £18k - £24k new, particularly with the sand leather.
I could talk about the car all day, I really think Mazda absolutely aced it with the ND2 and (certainly until the big price hike for 2020) they're excellent value new and used. I'm only 5'7 but I'm powerfully built (of pies) and fit just fine. If you're 6' or above you'll definitely want to try one for fit though.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 2nd September 15:03
Well this arvo I spied an RF locally at a forecourt and I went and had a sit in it. It’s useful that I have no hair as I just fitted in it with the roof up so I’m pleased to note the floppy tops have more headroom as I’m not as interested in the RF!
Thanks for the offer of a play, I’m near Scarborough but the outlaws live in Sheffield so I may take you up!
Thanks for the offer of a play, I’m near Scarborough but the outlaws live in Sheffield so I may take you up!
I came to an ND from a Seven and 3 years on I am still enjoying it . It is far quicker than I expected , the packaging is brilliant , the driving position spot on and my 2 litre Sport Nav won't do less than 40 mpg. It''s been to circuits all over England -I scribble about motor sport - and the 200mile trips home from Anglesey , Thruxton or Brands have been easy after a long day. Top down , R6 Music on the radio - sorted. Two minuses - rubbish, feel free steering and roly poly suspension. Latter remedied with Mazda fitted lowered springs, but I am stuck wih the former.
I hate big cars - all that wasted space - but do try before you buy as the cabin is snug .I am a well padded 5-11 and I wouldnt want to be taller or wider .
I hate big cars - all that wasted space - but do try before you buy as the cabin is snug .I am a well padded 5-11 and I wouldnt want to be taller or wider .
coppice said:
I came to an ND from a Seven and 3 years on I am still enjoying it . It is far quicker than I expected , the packaging is brilliant , the driving position spot on and my 2 litre Sport Nav won't do less than 40 mpg. It''s been to circuits all over England -I scribble about motor sport - and the 200mile trips home from Anglesey , Thruxton or Brands have been easy after a long day. Top down , R6 Music on the radio - sorted. Two minuses - rubbish, feel free steering and roly poly suspension. Latter remedied with Mazda fitted lowered springs, but I am stuck wih the former.
I hate big cars - all that wasted space - but do try before you buy as the cabin is snug .I am a well padded 5-11 and I wouldnt want to be taller or wider .
Worth pointing out that me and a friend drove two days up and two days back from the East Midlands up to the Isle of Lewis via Ullapool last month. Epic road trip for which the Mazda was perfect. Great fun up in the Highlands. 1,500 mile trip and the car just soaked it up.I hate big cars - all that wasted space - but do try before you buy as the cabin is snug .I am a well padded 5-11 and I wouldnt want to be taller or wider .
We had a week's worth of kit with us which fitted, but only just. You do have to stick to the essentials. But, again, that's part of the ethos...
I'm a tad over 6ft and we had an NC Roadster Coupe for almost 9 years. Yesterday I had the opportunity to drive an ND RF for a few miles.
I felt the ND has more leg-room (initially I had the seat much further back than I thought would be possible compared to the NC) and has more room available for big feet to operate pedals.
I felt the ND has more leg-room (initially I had the seat much further back than I thought would be possible compared to the NC) and has more room available for big feet to operate pedals.
I’m 6’ 3’’ and still fit in but it is tight with the hood up. Love mine, shame the wife has stolen it off me and I rarely get to drive it any more!
I went for the 1.5. It is a sweet engine and the lower mass means it handles very well. It is not fast. If you want fast go for the 2.0. I came from an NA and so it felt fast enough for me. I have just had first service and had apple play fitted as the stock nav is hopeless.
Great cars, this is my 4th and will probably always have one in the family. The ND is the most grown up by far imho. Not quite as much fun as a well sorted NA but not far off and the best all rounder by a country mile.
I went for the 1.5. It is a sweet engine and the lower mass means it handles very well. It is not fast. If you want fast go for the 2.0. I came from an NA and so it felt fast enough for me. I have just had first service and had apple play fitted as the stock nav is hopeless.
Great cars, this is my 4th and will probably always have one in the family. The ND is the most grown up by far imho. Not quite as much fun as a well sorted NA but not far off and the best all rounder by a country mile.
andy97 said:
coppice said:
Two minuses - rubbish, feel free steering and roly poly suspension. Latter remedied with Mazda fitted lowered springs, but I am stuck wih the former.
.
Crikey. That’s two pretty big minuses for what is supposed to be a sports car!.
The roly poly suspension setup is deliberate, and is loads of fun if you want a laugh without going to fast. I paid £300 odd for the dealer to fit the Mazda lowering springs and it still rolls enough to give you good feedback but isn't quite as OTT.
andy97 said:
Crikey. That’s two pretty big minuses for what is supposed to be a sports car!
As said , roly ploy is easy to sort . Steering ? I can't remember the last time I drove a car with steering I liked that didn't have a Caterham badge. Sadly I can't report on first hand experience of recent Lotus, Porsches, A110s etc so I dare say some EPAS cars feel better - assuming they all have it now ? Highly recommend the ND2. I convinced my other half she needed one as I have a MK3 audi TT but also wanted the MX-5 30AE, and boy do I regret it.... because its more fun in one drive than a whole month of Audi driving and I don't get to drive it all the time!
ND2 is actually fairly quick (which is pretty much the only stock MX5 you can say that about) ~6.5s 0-60.
Main negatives are as said before, rolly suspension (lowering springs + better anti-roll bars will solve) and the steering is not so feelsome and a bit light for me. I'm 6ft 1, average build and fit in quite comfortably, but wouldn't want to be too much taller.
My 6ft 7 friend found the experience quite uncomfortable, with hard-top decapitation possible.
ND2 is actually fairly quick (which is pretty much the only stock MX5 you can say that about) ~6.5s 0-60.
Main negatives are as said before, rolly suspension (lowering springs + better anti-roll bars will solve) and the steering is not so feelsome and a bit light for me. I'm 6ft 1, average build and fit in quite comfortably, but wouldn't want to be too much taller.
My 6ft 7 friend found the experience quite uncomfortable, with hard-top decapitation possible.
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