Why shouldn't I buy an NC Miata?

[Jesda]

I'm driving a 93 NA 1.6. Top is okay (my hilariously installed vinyl sheet is holding up unusually well), engine and trans are fine. No funny smells, no fluid leaks, no weird behavior, no rust. It has a pretty darn nice sound system with a Sony Mobile ES tape deck, Pioneer door speakers, and aftermarket headrest speakers.

It's pretty spartan though. I believe has the "B" package which includes power mirrors, headrest speakers, dual interior lights, and AC (which still works GREAT).

However, the more I look at the NC, the more I like it. The promise of a slicker shifter, more comfortable seats, an additional 5mpg on the highway, and a quieter top-up highway ride might be worth 8-12 grand (my NA is worth about 3 grand).

Thoughts?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Get a later model NC if you do go for one. The more significant interior flaws (like those effing cup holders RIGHT WHERE YOUR KNEE GOES) were corrected. CUP HOLDERS IN A MIATA.
I think the interior update concided with the smily-face facelift in 2008, so I'd look for '08 or newer.

Also: folding hardtop or clothtop? I know it's blasphemy and the folding top is heavier, but something about it is really appealing. I love the idea of a REAL winter-friendly roof and wind in your hair from the same tiny car.

Really, though, if you're looking at a NEW NC, the correct answer is: wait for an ND.

[Kompresshun]

I would absolutely never sell my NA under any circumstances, for many reasons. I may even add another Miata to the fleet later down the road, but i'll still keep this one. The things you mentioned about it being spartan are some of the many reasons I love mine - because it's simple. Everything is easy to replace, easy to deal with, and usually cheap to repair.

Now with that being said, if I were in your position I would highly consider an NC to be my primary vehicle. They're much more refined and even though they're heavier, they are much easier to live with and honestly I really love the looks of them. Especially with a few tasteful mods to them. Oh and Cosworth makes go fast goodies for them. How can you not love that?

The reason I can live with mine so easily is that I can choose when I want to drive it, so if I walk outside and the weather conditions aren't to my liking, or I just don't feel like driving it for whatever reason I can hop in something else. If it were my daily driver, then it would have not worked for me at all. It's too small, doesn't have enough seats, isn't very practical for most trips, and the list goes on.

So I can't see any reason not to buy one if you're willing to spend the money and you're ready to step up from the NA. The only other course of action I can see is to take the cash you are considering spending on an NC and buy something more practical to drive daily, then keep the NA.

[nissangirl74]

an NC is a lot more your style, IMO. Considering the ND will be out soon, you'd probably get a smoking deal on one because the dealers will be trying to clear their lots.

[Jesda]

I just dont know if an NC is worth $5000-$10000 more to upgrade.

I guess this is the problem owners of old pickup trucks run into -- if the old workhorse does the job, do the bells and whistles justify the large expense of a newer one?

5-10 grand buys a very nice used Q45, an Eldorado ETC, a Jeep, or a Cadillac CTS. I guess this is why so many low-mileage NA Miatas exist. Few people use them for regular commutes.

I actually enjoy mine as a commuter car and grocery getter. It's longer trips where my back starts to ache a bit and the harsher ride gets a bit old.

[Kompresshun]

I think you just answered your own question then. Buy a daily driver and keep the Miata. You bought very carefully and probably bought one of the most perfect examples of the early NA. It's a 93 so you don't have to worry about crankshaft nose issues, the car looks to be in great shape, and it seems like it was well cared for.

If it bothers you on long trips, then I don't know that an NC is going to erase that. It might improve the situation, but I still don't know that it'll be what you're looking for.

Seriously, the best way to own a Miata is to not have it be your primary transportation. Mine has been so easy to live with and so easy to work on that I never have regretted my decision a single time.

[OriginalWheelman]

Get a later model NC if you do go for one. The more significant interior flaws (like those effing cup holders RIGHT WHERE YOUR KNEE GOES) were corrected. CUP HOLDERS IN A MIATA.

This is one of the things I like about my NC. Here is my list of reasons why you SHOULD by an NC.

1. I got $6,000 off mine because it was the showroom model and everyone is waiting for the new one. There are never discounts on new Miatas.
2. Power Hard Top. Nuf said. The ND is rumored not to have a PRH, but may have a fixed roof coupe. Nothing like rolling off the highway and at the first light taking the top down. I have no trouble getting this top up and down at red lights. Oh, and an actual glass rear window is nice. Also, no flapping noise on the highway with the roof up.
3. It's got the prestige of a new car, the appeal of a classic, and all the modern electronics that make life nice. Our GT has a 6 disc changer, heated leather, rear window defroster, etc.
4. The NC has a LOT of traction stock. It's light car with wide tires comparable to it's width. It's easy to launch and fling around. The suspension was deigned for the wider tires so it keep camber properly as they move, unlike older models with aftermarket suspensions.
6. Factory Bilsteins.
5. You can retire the NA and use it for a track car. I'd love to do that myself. Have and NA racecar. The NA is the 'pure' track Miata. The NC is a good street Miata.

[Bubba1]

I think you just answered your own question then. Buy a daily driver and keep the Miata.

.

This^. If the zoom-zoom you have now satisfies your passion for zoom-zooms and is in good shape, then there's really no reason to spend the extra money for a newer one. Putting on my "Fraudian" hat for moment, Aside from Ducky, it always seemed to me you get an itch to replace your vehicles before something bad happens. I say resist the urge and enjoy the hell out of what you have, especially with spring/summer just around the corner, where the car is at its best. But if you feel compelled to get another vehicle, I suggest ADD a winter beater, something a little more practical. Miata's are fun but not all that great in snow without snow tires, plus they hold very little.

As far as which is the best gen Miata. That's purely subjective as each has it virtues and drawbacks. It also depends on how you plan to use it. I've driven every gen, and I like them all. But If it were for just for commuting, I'd lean toward a newer one as they're a little bigger and more comfortable. If it was purely a track toy or weekend fun car, I'd lean toward an early one as they're less complicated.

[frapjap]

I say resist the urge and enjoy the hell out of what you have, especially with spring/summer just around the corner, where the car is at its best. But if you feel compelled to get another vehicle, I suggest ADD a winter beater, something a little more practical. Miata's are fun but not all that great in snow without, plus they hold very little.

I think you just answered your own question then. Buy a daily driver and keep the Miata. You bought very carefully and probably bought one of the most perfect examples of the early NA. It's a 93 so you don't have to worry about crankshaft nose issues, the car looks to be in great shape, and it seems like it was well cared for.

If it bothers you on long trips, then I don't know that an NC is going to erase that. It might improve the situation, but I still don't know that it'll be what you're looking for.

Seriously, the best way to own a Miata is to not have it be your primary transportation. Mine has been so easy to live with and so easy to work on that I never have regretted my decision a single time.

These guys answered it best. However, I do think an NC would be a fine commuter- especially the PRHT models. I see them all time time up here in all seasons, even during the snowy months. They usually have snow tires on them though.

I've only driven one NC and it wasn't for an extended period of time (less than 45 minutes), but did find it much more comfortable than my NA in regards to the lower back support. The only thing that I really disliked was the tall doors. Even though I'm somewhat tall at 6', I couldn't comfortably hang my arm over the side of the door while cruising around. Just a minor tick pros and cons list.

But I digress, if it were me in your current position and I only wanted the maintenance and trouble of one car, and it had to do it all, the NC has a great reliability record, is newer (though still simple), and will still put the same smile on your face.

Is it worth the upgrade over the NA? Possibly, but the same pros of the NC still apply to your NA- reliable, simple to fix, and the joys of driving. But there is something to say about a newer vehicle, especially if you were going to keep it for an extended period of time.
If I were to do it all over again and turbo my NA or buy a newer NC- or even a Mazdaspeed Miata- I would purchase one of the latter. They're newer, safer, and still provide the same enjoyment of motoring.

[OriginalWheelman]

I drove the NC around downtown last week with the top down. In 3 miles 8 hipster girls smiled at me.

[Jesda]

Getting closer to pulling the trigger on an NC. I assume the engine is still belt-driven?

The Solstice and Sky have come up in searches but the build quality issues (though I assume most have been mended by now), very limited cargo capacity, and more complex top are turnoffs. But man, the styling!

[Bubba1]

Getting closer to pulling the trigger on an NC. I assume the engine is still belt-driven?

The Solstice and Sky have come up in searches but the build quality issues (though I assume most have been mended by now), very limited cargo capacity, and more complex top are turnoffs. But man, the styling!

Solstices front ends only looks okay if your state does not require front license plates.

[RicerX]

My Mom had a 2008 Solstice (non GXP). It looked awesome, but ended up being a bucket of garbage before the lease was up. 18k miles at lease turn-in and the camshaft bearings were going bad, on top of every single cupholder inside the car being broken, the top chewing itself up, and the rear speakers heavily distorting (could have been user influenced, knowing my mom). Obviously the mechanical stuff would have been covered under warranty, but the quality just wasn't there in the beginning. She even had leather interior, which was a substantial upgrade from the base offering, but I would get back into my 2004 Sentra Spec V and feel like I was in an Infiniti after driving her car for a weekend while she was out of town. That says a lot.

Mechanically, I have heard the GXP is a completely different animal - especially the transmission. The base Solstice falls flat on its face on a shift to 4th gear... almost as if someone just removed a 4th gear from a 6 speed transmission. The gap is that bad.

Miata all day. Or Z roadster

[Ace2cool]

Why shouldn't I buy an NC Miata?

Because of overpriced dealers.

[Jesda]

I picked the worst time of year to look for a roadster. Every hot deal sells within 48 hours. I'm expanding my search to TX, the great lakes, the great plains, the midwest, some of the east coast, and the south.


What I'm hoping for is one that's mismarketed (manuals advertised as auto) or very plain (silver base models with 5-speeds, smaller wheels, and no cruise). There's a 33k one, silver, in Indiana that I emailed on.

[OriginalWheelman]

Dealer down the street from me has 7. Probably because it is still raining like a b**** in the Northwest. Expect that to change in a few weeks. Also, no sales tax in Oregon.

http://www.royalmooremazda.com/new-inve ... onvertible

[Ace2cool]

Those are ND's.

[Jesda]

Theyre definitely NCs and that liquid silver is HOT.

[numbnuts240]

Theyre definitely NCs and that liquid silver is HOT.

idk why it looks different from the others, but it is definitely the best looking one for sure.

[RicerX]

Theyre definitely NCs and that liquid silver is HOT.

idk why it looks different from the others, but it is definitely the best looking one for sure.

Close second being the white club edition, but I absolutely agree. That silver does great things for that car.

[Ace2cool]

Wait, I thought NC's were 2014 and below? I just saw the year.... Was it like a half-year thing or something?

[Jesda]

NA = 90-97
NB = 99-05
NC = 06-15

NC got a facelift in 09.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I think you should just sack up and be a man in your NA.

POP-UPS BRO, POP EFFIN UPS!!!

[MinisterofDOOM]

I think you should just sack up and be a man in your NA.

POP-UPS BRO, POP EFFIN UPS!!!

If they're good enough for the 456, they're good enough for anything!

[Jesda]

Deal confirmed. Deposit made.

I'm heading to Nashville on Thursday to pick up this, the car that Aaron looked over and test drove for me:
http://www.nelsonmazdahh.com/used-cars- ... ble-14030p

I'm not fond of silver but it was the best bang for the buck within 1000 miles. My only option requirements were cruise control, power windows, and a manual.

[numbnuts240]

i'm not huge on silver cars, myself, but nice pick up. hope she treats you well.

[nissangirl74]

Congrats on the new ride. Are you keeping the NA?

[Ace2cool]

Hey, you even got rear glass defroster. Bonus points y0.

[Jesda]

NA is being sold and the timing is perfect with spring and tax time.

I'm paying leftover business debts and a credit card. Car loan is cheaper to owe on and its so cheap I can probably pay it off in a year-ish.

[Jesda]

Hey, you even got rear glass defroster. Bonus points y0.

Thank god. I'm going to need that up north.