NA or NB. Healthy budget, which one?
Discussion
Hi Folks,
Having decided against an XK 'vert i'm once again looking for drop top fun. Out of the NA and NB, I prefer the A because, well, pop-ups and it's overall dinkiness!!! The NC, 3.5 or 3.75 also seem well rated. Just not a fan of the ND, probably too new looking for me. It's to be a fun 3rd car which i'll look to modify, budget for purchase is up to 15k if needed but can't decide between the 2.
I know it's a vague question but honestly value the input. Thinking A for lightness and C for more tuneability.
Look forward to the comments.
Cheers guys, Chaz
Having decided against an XK 'vert i'm once again looking for drop top fun. Out of the NA and NB, I prefer the A because, well, pop-ups and it's overall dinkiness!!! The NC, 3.5 or 3.75 also seem well rated. Just not a fan of the ND, probably too new looking for me. It's to be a fun 3rd car which i'll look to modify, budget for purchase is up to 15k if needed but can't decide between the 2.
I know it's a vague question but honestly value the input. Thinking A for lightness and C for more tuneability.
Look forward to the comments.
Cheers guys, Chaz
NB is the only generation of MX-5 I have not own
because I could not fit in. Funny thing that I am from the same country, should be a tailor fit
15K would get you a very decent NA with enough money for any mod
I believe NA generally have more aftermarket parts for modification, at least NA was more popular back in my days
Personally rating NA=ND>NC>NB, NC feel heavy and big
I found the NA more playful (Engine easily rev up, very good steering response) than the NC, but less comfortable for long journey
because I could not fit in. Funny thing that I am from the same country, should be a tailor fit
15K would get you a very decent NA with enough money for any mod
I believe NA generally have more aftermarket parts for modification, at least NA was more popular back in my days
Personally rating NA=ND>NC>NB, NC feel heavy and big
I found the NA more playful (Engine easily rev up, very good steering response) than the NC, but less comfortable for long journey
Edited by kurokawa on Thursday 11th November 17:37
Oh, they feel very different car
I have the NA6,
Pros:
playful, engine love to rev up, very good steering feel, light weight so it feel quick, retro style never get old and I believe more aftermarket mod parts
Cons: Noisy especially on motorway, seat not very comfortable in long journey, takes time to find one in decent condition, the plastic window on the soft top is terrible, swap for a glass one and you will find dropping the top become an hassle, rust
the NC I have is 3.5
Pros:
Engine very refine compare to NA, loads of torque at low end, overall feel more solid and very obvious quality improvement, last gen of MX-5 with hydraulic steering (the electric on ND feel "filtered"), telescopic steering adjustment + better seat adjustment, the most comfortable MX-5 I have driven (better seat + hard top)
Cons:
heavy, 2.0 is not very rev happy, feel slightly lacking of power, first gen zoom zoom interior look dated now, rust (yes still a problem especially on wheel arch)
15k should get a decent 3.5 with enough left over for good mod even power upgrade, not too sure about 3.75
NA or NC really come down to what you want the car for,
NA is raw, playful and full of aftermarket mod, perfect for weekend, track day toy
NC if you are not too keen in heavy mod, "oven ready" fun car that will be able to drive daily and still able to give it a blast on weekend
I have the NA6,
Pros:
playful, engine love to rev up, very good steering feel, light weight so it feel quick, retro style never get old and I believe more aftermarket mod parts
Cons: Noisy especially on motorway, seat not very comfortable in long journey, takes time to find one in decent condition, the plastic window on the soft top is terrible, swap for a glass one and you will find dropping the top become an hassle, rust
the NC I have is 3.5
Pros:
Engine very refine compare to NA, loads of torque at low end, overall feel more solid and very obvious quality improvement, last gen of MX-5 with hydraulic steering (the electric on ND feel "filtered"), telescopic steering adjustment + better seat adjustment, the most comfortable MX-5 I have driven (better seat + hard top)
Cons:
heavy, 2.0 is not very rev happy, feel slightly lacking of power, first gen zoom zoom interior look dated now, rust (yes still a problem especially on wheel arch)
15k should get a decent 3.5 with enough left over for good mod even power upgrade, not too sure about 3.75
NA or NC really come down to what you want the car for,
NA is raw, playful and full of aftermarket mod, perfect for weekend, track day toy
NC if you are not too keen in heavy mod, "oven ready" fun car that will be able to drive daily and still able to give it a blast on weekend
Ive had 3 NAs and my dad had an NC - the NC felt just like a mundane modernish car, it did nothing to excite me at all, whereas the NAs always made me smile on even the shortest journey. Lower it a little bit, induction kit and a decent catback and its unbeatable fun for the money.
And popups are the greatest thing on any car ever.
And popups are the greatest thing on any car ever.
- 
100% agree with jimsupersix. NA every time if you want to put a smile on your face and appreciate how they got the driver experience so right. I have owned 3 NA's, a 1.8 Dakar, 1.8 track car and now a 1.6 turbo track car. My Wife also had an NC 3.5 after the Dakar (which my Son ran for another 3 years as his daily). We both never really got on with ithe NC and when the chance came to buy back her old Dakar we jumped at the chance and she still loves it today.
Buy a decent NA, put Meister R's on it and have it properly set up and it will give so much pleasure without the need for big HP or licence losing performance. If you take it on track the satisfaction of reeling in much quicker cars, especially in the wet can't be beaten.
Buy a decent NA, put Meister R's on it and have it properly set up and it will give so much pleasure without the need for big HP or licence losing performance. If you take it on track the satisfaction of reeling in much quicker cars, especially in the wet can't be beaten.
Chazdad said:
Having had quite a few mk1s and a few mk2s.
And currently owning a mk1 rs limited
I think a well set up mk2 will drive better than a mk1.
Especially a mk2 rs.
But for fun and desirability a mk1 will always win.
Depending on your budget id look for a ltd run eunos
Rs , rltd, vr ltd etc
Not my dad are you... 😄And currently owning a mk1 rs limited
I think a well set up mk2 will drive better than a mk1.
Especially a mk2 rs.
But for fun and desirability a mk1 will always win.
Depending on your budget id look for a ltd run eunos
Rs , rltd, vr ltd etc
Chazdad said:
Having had quite a few mk1s and a few mk2s.
And currently owning a mk1 rs limited
I think a well set up mk2 will drive better than a mk1.
Especially a mk2 rs.
But for fun and desirability a mk1 will always win.
Depending on your budget id look for a ltd run eunos
Rs , rltd, vr ltd etc
In all seriousness I am looking at the RS or similar, none that take my fancy as yetAnd currently owning a mk1 rs limited
I think a well set up mk2 will drive better than a mk1.
Especially a mk2 rs.
But for fun and desirability a mk1 will always win.
Depending on your budget id look for a ltd run eunos
Rs , rltd, vr ltd etc
Chazdad said:
chazwozza said:
In all seriousness I am looking at the RS or similar, none that take my fancy as yet
Ive actually got a mk1 rs
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