The Answer to Everything... continued MX5 NC 3.5
Discussion
Continued from here... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Picked up an NC 3.5 Sport Tech today. It replaces an ND 1.5 and has big (little) boots to fill.
Swapped the cars to free some cash for a house move.
So much more out there in terms of modifications, upgrades and knowledge compared to the ND.
Looking forward to getting to know it.
Picked up an NC 3.5 Sport Tech today. It replaces an ND 1.5 and has big (little) boots to fill.
Swapped the cars to free some cash for a house move.
So much more out there in terms of modifications, upgrades and knowledge compared to the ND.
Looking forward to getting to know it.
They are great cars - I have fond memories of the one I ran for a couple of year when it was new.
MX-5 Glencoe by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MX-5 Glencoe by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Enjoy! They are fantastic little cars. I’ve had mine a couple of weeks and loved being able to tinker with it and make changes.
I haven’t updated my thread yet about this but one thing that I think might be wildly overrated is the brass collar for the gearshift. I fitted one yesterday and so far it seems to have added slop, not tightened up the shift. That fits with it being a looser fit than the original Mazda part.
Anyway, enjoy your step backwards from an ND. It’s a great move!
I haven’t updated my thread yet about this but one thing that I think might be wildly overrated is the brass collar for the gearshift. I fitted one yesterday and so far it seems to have added slop, not tightened up the shift. That fits with it being a looser fit than the original Mazda part.
Anyway, enjoy your step backwards from an ND. It’s a great move!
Watching thread with interest.
I just picked up a MX5 NC2 in Feb to have something in the garage to tinker with and use as a fun winter car. It's a 2009 car with just one owner from new and 32k miles. The focus this year is to get on top of the maintenance and ensure it's running perfectly before the mods start.
Currently up on axle stands for a full 4 stage underside preservation. Then new brakes all round (calipers, discs & pads). Followed by a full fluid refresh, including gearbox, diff, brakes, coolant and of course engine oil. New drop links all round and improved headlight bulbs whilst the bumper is off.
Next year I'll turn my focus to suspension improvements.
I just picked up a MX5 NC2 in Feb to have something in the garage to tinker with and use as a fun winter car. It's a 2009 car with just one owner from new and 32k miles. The focus this year is to get on top of the maintenance and ensure it's running perfectly before the mods start.
Currently up on axle stands for a full 4 stage underside preservation. Then new brakes all round (calipers, discs & pads). Followed by a full fluid refresh, including gearbox, diff, brakes, coolant and of course engine oil. New drop links all round and improved headlight bulbs whilst the bumper is off.
Next year I'll turn my focus to suspension improvements.
Edited by scz4 on Wednesday 14th May 10:54
Read your post in the ND thread, great purchase and good to hear your thoughts on both. People have been sleeping on NC's for a while but they're brilliant cars and the aftermarket is pretty good for them now. I guess the engine is the only unknown with no service history, but that'd only be if it's been ran on anything other than max oil level - if the engine went pop would be a perfect 2.5l swap candidate!
I think for the tinkerer the NC has to be the better platform, look forward to seeing how you get on with it.
I think for the tinkerer the NC has to be the better platform, look forward to seeing how you get on with it.
Certainly a lot of love for the NC!
I'm looking forward to getting the seat lowered. Bracket is on the way from BOFI already.
You definitely feel it's a generation older and it's a heavier car. For those that haven't driven an ND, give one a go. Cracking cars.
First long day with the NC today, drive over to the office in Northampton. Mostly dull A14, tomorrow's trip to Slough will be worse! But I'll ping it down some familiar roads on the way home as I've not yet really had it flowing yet.
Pedals aren't as well placed for heel and toe, likely to get used to that though.
It's got potential.
I'm looking forward to getting the seat lowered. Bracket is on the way from BOFI already.
You definitely feel it's a generation older and it's a heavier car. For those that haven't driven an ND, give one a go. Cracking cars.
First long day with the NC today, drive over to the office in Northampton. Mostly dull A14, tomorrow's trip to Slough will be worse! But I'll ping it down some familiar roads on the way home as I've not yet really had it flowing yet.
Pedals aren't as well placed for heel and toe, likely to get used to that though.
It's got potential.
Joehow said:
Everyone's got one now! Brilliant little things!
Your NC thread was one of the ones that I enjoyed reading over the past year or so.I'd like to get mine on track at some point. Did a corporate day with Mazda when these were current, was a great day on track, skid pan and a little gymkhana.
With Snetterton only 20mins from home it's rude not to!
[quote=Craikeybaby]They are great cars - I have fond memories of the one I ran for a couple of year when it was new.
I enjoy your MR2 thread and after having an MR2 a few years back (there's a thread here somewhere) I thought about getting another but went for the NC as it's a bit newer and I'd not had one before!
I enjoy your MR2 thread and after having an MR2 a few years back (there's a thread here somewhere) I thought about getting another but went for the NC as it's a bit newer and I'd not had one before!
matt21 said:
Very nice, I’ve always avoided these due to hard top assuming they would be problematic / heavy and spoil the drive. Can you get a late NC3 with soft top?
I think you can. I would have preferred one, throwing the roof back isn't a thing with the hardtop but it may have benefits in time!The hardtops apparently have better drainage channel routing to avoid rust I've heard.
Dirknights said:
I enjoy your MR2 thread and after having an MR2 a few years back (there's a thread here somewhere) I thought about getting another but went for the NC as it's a bit newer and I'd not had one before!
Thanks - I read your MR2 thread as I kept following the links back from each new thread you started.I found the NC and the MR2 to be very different takes on the 2 seater sports car, the best way I found to describe it is that the NC is a better car, but the MR2 is a better sports car - I prefer how the MR2 drives, but the NC was easier to live with (and still good to drive). I took the MR2 in to the centre of Birmingham today, and the NC would have been better for that. I would like to try an ND though, not that I can afford one though...
The softtop on the NC is great - 1 catch and throw it straight back. Much easier than either my old NA or the MR2.
Dirknights said:
Your NC thread was one of the ones that I enjoyed reading over the past year or so.
I'd like to get mine on track at some point. Did a corporate day with Mazda when these were current, was a great day on track, skid pan and a little gymkhana.
With Snetterton only 20mins from home it's rude not to!
Excellent, love Snett! Bombhole is a brilliant corner.I'd like to get mine on track at some point. Did a corporate day with Mazda when these were current, was a great day on track, skid pan and a little gymkhana.
With Snetterton only 20mins from home it's rude not to!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff