I have an 08 NC in a nearly identical color but my car is the power retractable hard top. It's wonderful. The haters can hate. I will continue to enjoy my NC anyway. :)
The manual NC2/NC3 cars got the forged internals; the automatic NC2/NC3 didn't. Even though the horsepower listed for the NC2 was the same as the horsepower listed for the NC1, in dyno tests the NC2/NC3 had about 6 more horsepower. The 2006 NC1 was 51 lbs heavier than the 2005 NB2 - not a huge gain considering the improved safety, better brakes, stiffer body, and a 25 HP boost in power. The NC is the last Miata with hydraulic steering. If you have a grand touring with a LSD, it has the performance package so the suspension is the same as the club. While the NC didn't come with a spare, the spare from a RX8 will work on the NC and will fit in the trunk. But you need to get a cheap strap/winch to wrap around the flat tire to squeeze it so it will fit back into the trunk. AAA tested a series of cars using regular and premium gas - one of them was a 2015 NC3 Miata. The difference in power and torque from the dyno tests was very, very small. I've been running regular in my NC2 and have never had a problem. Frankly I think it is more important to run top tier gas in them than premium.
This is the best NC review I’ve seen. You’re really an awesome reviewer. You truly know how to detail how you can live with the particular car. I always liked your Dad’s reviews and you’ve really benefited from him. You’re one of the best reviewers on RUclips. Thank you!
I’ve owned a 1990 NA and a 2003 NB both about a year old when purchased. They were my fair weather daily drivers and I had some kind of beater for Pennsylvania winters. Currently I am retired in coastal Delaware which gets very little snow. My “nice” car is a 2019 4Runner, gets about 6000 miles a year. My daily beater is a 2007 NC Grand Touring. I purchased it in 2022 at auction. 270,000 one owner miles. Serviced from new at the dealer. $3500. I’ve put 26,000 more miles on it! Looking forward to it rolling over 300,000 in a few months! Best money ever spent on a vehicle. I wouldn’t hesitate getting a lower mileage, say 150,000 mile, NC in the future.
A couple days ago I flew almost 400 miles to buy a 07 mc sport with only 70k miles. Drove it home the same day, curvy roads the whole way. Super impressive car. Rag top down with the heat on, so fun.
I'm with you here, I am even more weird - I acutally like the NC most. It looks a bit more "settled" and still is tons of fun. I am in my end 40s, so probably exactly the target group you meant.
I started my convertible journey with an '06 S2000. A neighbor had a Miata and I thought going for a ride in one was pointless because of the horsepower difference (240 vs 167). Years later -- the S2000 being long gone at this point -- a friend asked if I'd like to drive his NC Miata and I said sure, why not. For the money, the car was excellent. Linear power across nearly all of the rev range, where the S2000 was either "this is slow" or "wheeee racecar" for 2K RPMs until you have to shift. The VTEC that the S2000 is known for also what makes the car bipolar, where the NC Miata in question was balanced, pretty good all the time, and most importantly, a third the price. It also doesn't hurt that the Miata in the video is the correct color spec for Colorado :-) blue/tan!
@@mediocreman2 I've owned both and I don't agree that the S2k is better in every way. The best car I ever had (outside of my Lotus Elise 111R) was a 2011 BBR 200 MX5. Much better in every way than my S2k
I have a 2006 2.0 NC with soft top and I don't think the car would deserve to hate. It drives so well in curvy roads and even as a heaviest miata the soft top version has 1100kg weight which is not bad at all. The chasis is rigid and the suspension setup is much better than NAs or NBs.
I own a 2011, nc2, prht, mica black with stone leather. 44,000 miles. Love it, it makes me smile every day. Never selling it. John. Great review, I also watch you and your dad. Yes liked and subscribed to both...ha
Reasonable assessment... In many ways, the MX-5 is a 'blank canvas.' Your selection and buying advice towards the end is spot on. Thank you. Also, thank you for NOT promoting the manual transmission (as good as it is) over the 6 speed automatic (6AT). My 2015 NC3 GT 6AT w/PRHT's AT drive-train is better than excellent for around town daily uses and higher speeds (say, < 80mph). Seemingly, Mazda set the AT for 'spirited' manual use on demand, so it's more like 'semi-automatic.' The steering wheel paddle shifters are comfortably positioned to permit power (gear) adjustments to be manually activated like a video game's thumb paddles, or smartphone thumb-typing. Opposite to the MT, the AT has lower gear ratios (1-4) configured for snappy performance (higher rpm) between 0-45mph. Gears 5-6 are set for lower gas consumption while cruising. As a result (as you noted), the MT is LESS peppy at lower speeds (lower rpm) though MORE lively in 5-6 over (higher rpm, say) 45+mph. As I understand things, the AT's most versatile gearing is 3-4 in contrast to the MT's 4-5. Your "Power Retractable Hard Top" (PRHT) vs. soft top observations are reasonable, as well. Soft top models (like yours) are configured to accept an accessory removable hard top shell. The downsides of choosing that route should be obvious. Part of the PRHT's weight gain can be attributed to its steel trunk lid vs the ST's aluminum. For me, the slight added rear weight produces a more settled (stable rear-end?) drive experience. Plus the convenience trade-off of the PRHT and on-looker "WOW" factor make it more than worth it. Great review... Your time and effort is greatly appreciated... Cheers... M 😁
I have the same stormy blue 2.0, LSD soft top, OEM Recaros with Öhlins coilovers, BBR exhaust header and minor mods for 3 years now. What a blast car to drive on mountain passes!!
I owned a NA for about a little over 5 years, and loved every minute of it- in fact I deeply regret moving on to my 2nd TJ Wrangler (that I also loved). I currently own a FC RX-7 convertible, although I have it up for sale. If I go back to a Miata (and there's a strong probability I will), it will most definitely be a NC. Personally, I'd like to find one with a bad engine and do the 2.5 swap, as most of my driving is in and around town and I'd greatly appreciate the low end torque boost provided. Great NC review, Tommy!
Nah man PRHT all the way, super reliable. My 08 Grand Touring PRHT has 136,000 miles on it (paid 11k for it in 2023), no problems at all. Just give it a couple drops of oil and grease every couple years, there are illustrated guides out there of the points to hit. Also if you want to upgrade to full Carplay, it's pretty easy and Crutchfield sells whole sets that include the fascia.
@@kayhanyegenoglu I use Honda ShinEtsu grease for the seals. It's expensive, but a little goes a long way. I think a tube would last 3 if not 4 years. It's supposed to keep seals soft and supple, I just put a little on my finger and rub along all the seals. If you start the top procedure and shut the key off part way you can stop the process midway though. For the exposed gears, I just use regular old gun grease, I just smear a little with my fingers. For the pivot points I use standard 3 in 1 oil, mostly because of the ease of application. I figure a little oil is better than no oil at all. Cheers.
I love the little jack jack comment! I had one for 6 years as some vehicle and want another as a second car! I never got tired driving it! I put 79,000 miles on it! Drove it from Nashville tn to south beach miami. Fun car!
As a car guy I would check the power band of that engine. No need to rev that high (unless you need those last rpm on a track) if it doesn't make any more power up there.
I currently own a 2019 ND2, but I've owned one of each generation. I drove a 2011NC for over 11 years, and really liked it, and would recommend an NC to anyone.
A few years ago, a friend of mine, who I worked with bought a NC3. We live in Phoenix, Az. We had a 4-month job contract that was in Telluride, Co. All of our construction equipment was already there, but we had to get ourselves out there. I had serious doubts about taking her car. Would our luggage fit? Would I fit? (I’m 6’tall). I had visions of getting a Charley horse and not being able to stretch out…. That car was comfortable and fun to drive. I’m a “big truck” guy, but I have to admit, I really enjoyed the twisty roads around Telluride! I think I want one. My Autocross car is a twin-turbo Trans-Am, but that little thing could probably hang with it!
Lots of people say that people say the NC is the worst Miata. But no one actually says that the NC is the worst Miata, at least they haven’t in the past 15 years.
Being an older gent, I have to say that I agree with everything you have said. We love touring around Europe in our NC and have done a few long trips….we looked at upgrading to an ND but felt it was just too small. So we bought a second very low mileage NC in 2016 and moth balled it against the day our current NC dies.
I think you can swap the motor out with a 2.5 from a ford fusion. Maybe even a 2.7 Ecoboost if you can find an updated block. 2.5 fusion engine is the cheapest and most direct swap.
I had a NA and an NC. I live in Canada and sold my 2006 in 2012 for 13,000.00. I just bought another NC last month - very clean and paid 13,000.00. Love this car!!!!!!
Totally agree. I just bought a '14 GT 6 speed prht with 50k miles and I'm loving it. I test drove a new one just for fun (wasn't gonna spend over 30k on it), and I like this NC better for the reasons you mentioned. And I'm not a very large guy - I just like the level of tech and comfort it gives at the price point. Swapped the head unit for a Sony so I have Carplay and that was a great mod. Enjoy and thanks for the vid 🙂
Was in the market for an additional car as we have a 3rd driver coming soon. Have an Odyssey and a RAV4. So I decided a fun not so practical car would be the choice. And an NC Miata is what I came up with. But isn’t what I bought. Just a few grand more than I could swing. So I bought something less practical a Saturn Sky Redline. Been a fun 4 months. Enjoy Tommy. You made the right choice. Love your videos. Find a Sky or Solstice to make a video with🙏
I've owned a 97 NA 1.8L 5spd with the LSD and now a 2010 NC2 6spd PRHT with grand touring and sport packages. The NC is for sure a bit less go-kart feeling but overall feels superior to the NA in every other way. I've owned many fast cars and the Miata is just the most fun overall. I love the smile front ends and the hard top NC's actually have a sort of exotic look to them. It turns heads everywhere and I always get asked what kind of car it is. As a v8 guy, the Miata's all make some great noises and are just a blast.
Hi from the UK , what a brilliant RUclips. I have just got me a NC3.5 with 28000miles 2012 . You just give me the brilliant news With this RUclips thanks my friend .
I have an NC2 PRHT I bought new in 2011 by then in my country ( Australia ) the soft top was no longer available in the NC and didn’t become available again until the ND in 2015. Maybe I’m just lucky but my PRHT has never given me any trouble in the 13 years I’ve owned it . I recently bought a new ND3 RF with the idea that I would eventually sell the NC. However as much as I love the ND3 and it being beautiful to drive and handle so well I still love my old school NC an think it will stay in the family for some time yet.
❤Well let me say first of all you do a wonderful review, in my opinion of a wonderful car. I agree with you 100% the NC is the best of all MX5’s built. All of the generations are wonderful cars. My 09 MX5 just turned 10 thousand miles it is in show room condition all original except for new tires. Copper red with a tan top and tan leather interior, 6 speed manual grand touring. It is showroom new and still turns heads and gets compliments. I love the smile and anyone who has driven this car will smile too. One reason miata sales are so low in 2023 and 24 is the fact that people don’t want 2 seat roadsters anymore and the price is getting too steep. Add that fact that they are just too small. I own and have owned much more powerful cars but after it’s all said and done my mx5 is still in my opinion an outstanding car. Fun to drive and the right size for me. Mazda must strike a happy medium with the next Mx5 a little bigger would not hurt and not changing what soul of what a two seat roadster should be. Let’s hope Mazda does not stop making them but sales this year and last do not encourage me that these little roadsters will be around in the future. ZOOM ZOOM 😊. PS The RF is not a roadster it’s a targa and not for me but still a great car.
I have an ND2 (after owning an NA for nine years) and I owned a Mazdaspeed Miata. And I had the pleasure of owning an RX-8 for 13+ years and, as you undoubtedly know, your NC is based on the RC-8’s wonderful platform. So though I personally never had one, count me amongst the fans of the underrated NC Miata!
Call me crazy but for me in terms of styling, it’s NA -> NC -> ND -> NB, in this order. I’m considering the NC recently. I love the pop up headlights on NA’s but I love ABS more. You get all the modern driving refinement on NC’s and yet it’s so much cheaper than ND’s.
I love that blue color. I had copper Red metallic in a 2011 Grand Touring 6 speed Auto.and wish I had that beautiful blue color you were showcasing here. BTW mine was a retractable hardtop which was cool. It really was!
I owned a 2007 NC Miata. Loved the clean lines. I was stopped on the freeway because of an accident ahead and a full sized pickup truck ran into the rear of my Miata at appx. 35mph. Wasted my rear bumper, but didn't even crack the taillights. I drove it the rest of the way home. The pickup didn't fair as well. His radiator was into the fan and his airbags had gone off. My Miata spent a week in the body shop and when I got it back you couldn't even tell. BTW, I don't fit in an NA or NB. My eyes are even with the windshield header, so I can't see. Not a problem in the NC. BTW, my Miata was the "old man" version, a Grand Touring.
Ex owner of an NB2 here. At 6' even height, that car fit me like a glove, and i loved it for that. However many people, particularly Americans, do not mentally feel comfortable unless they can stretch out in a car. I've driven with people much shorter than me that couldn't STAND how tight it was for them. So, if you think anything less than a big ol' Cadillac cramps your style, get the NC. But If you'd like a Miata you can slip on like a glove, making you one with the machine and road, try on an NA, NB or ND. That said, if you decide on the ND, seek out an ND2. The ND1's only flaw is a lazy engine. That was corrected in the ND2.
I need a ND for track, and a NC for roat trips and a NA for winking at car meets, and an NB for driving to work, and a seccond of any of them to LS swap for the drag strip. I think thats a solid garage... ya... I definitely wont have people telling me I have a miata problem if I do this.
My son has a friend the neighborhood over that has 2 NCs one with a cage, JCW Mini, and last I went by the garage was open and had an Elise inside. NC is my favorite Miata. I’m sure I’ll own one someday. For now I’ll enjoy my Sky RL for drop top fun.
I have an 07 GT. With intake and header/exhaust the NC1 is plenty engaging. 125k, and I don't baby it. Did a front wheel bearing about 45k miles and it's been otherwise flawless. Don't be afraid of the NC1. And the 2.5 swap is extremely reasonable when the day comes...
The Mazda 2-litres from the FS and the FP through the various LFs, those engines are a little slow to get started but just before you hit 3000 rpm the torque curve becomes very active. My old FS in a Protege with the bullet-proof 5-speed manual was a nice lil' engine. I took that thing 76k to almost 200k in 8 years. 35+ on the highway was a nice benefit as well.
As an owner from new of an NA1, an NB2, an NC1, an NC2, and now an ND2, I have a soft spot for the NA1/2, and will likely pick up another just to own it again. And I am VERY happy with the ND2 AFTER I modified it significantly. It is likely my all time favorite, but probably not until I significantly modified it. The NC2/3s, however, are really great cars even before modifying them. All Miatas are significantly improved by swapping springs, dampers, and sway bars, but the NC2/3s were pretty great right out of the box. I think they’ve always been weirdly underrated. I think possibly because the NC1 was a significant departure from the NBs and Mazdaspeed versions. But for those of you not familiar with the brand, don’t underestimate the performance of an NC2 or 3, modified or not. From my experience, nearly indestructible with just basic care. Cheap to repair (compared to other sports cars), and mods are professionally all sorted out for you. Otherwise you can easily mess up these cars that are much more carefully sorted out by the Mazda engineers than some people seem to think.
@kgm5330 Care to share what modifications you chose for the ND2? I'm reluctant to mess mine up, I love everything about the ride but just want some reduced body roll in some cornering situations (common sentiment, I know). What are your thoughts on that?
Great take on the NC! I have had both an 08 nc in the same color (best miata color ever made) and a soul red crystal nd and I preferred the nc a lot more. The nd is an amazing car but the engine and transmission just did not feel as engaging. The nd also looks too angry, miatas are supposed to be silly happy cars.
It would be interesting to see you guys drive one that has been LS swapped. There was a company that used to do the conversion. There's another company that does it to the new ones and they look pretty exciting. I remember having one of those stock Miatas for sale at the dealership i used to work at. it was in excellent condition with low miles. No one wanted it. No one even looked at it. It was the only convertible we had except for a Corvette. Someone came in and said they wanted a convertible which most people don't seem to want these days. I pointed out the Corvette and he said that was expensive for him. I then pointed out the Miata. His exact words were, "No thanks, I like girls." That made my day. A few weeks later some very strange old guy wanted to buy it but he was one of those guys that kept trading in cars every 6 months to a point where he couldn't afford a used Miata that we were more than willing to drop the price on. I drove it once and I'll admit it drove better than I thought but I was not impressed. Ironically, a crappy smart car parked next to it got way more attention. I actually kind of liked driving the smart car but that's only because it was so small, it fit on the sidewalk so I drove it down the sidewalk. everyone was waving and laughing. We also had a mini cooper. That thing was junk and honestly didn't handle well at all. Especially for a small car. By the way, it would be fun to see you compare a Miata to a Pontiac Solstice or a Saturn Sky. Everyone is LS swapping them now which has made the car a lot more popular than when it was new.
I bought a 2007 power retractable hardtop about two years ago and it had 9000 miles on it. I love that little car. Only thing is I wish it had a limited slip differential. And unfortunately for me I have been on a Corvette C8 waiting list and my ticket was pulled so I got rid of that car and got me a C8 which I also love. But I do miss Taking that thing for back road cruising with the top down.
Just a great little sports car. Does it all - bulletproof and a heaping helping of fun. With the manual shift you get to enjoy the real purpose of rowing the gears yourself.
Caution, at about 3 minutes as you go through the rpm range, the temperature guage is headed right and fast. That thing is getting hot really quickly.please check that particular car cooling system
I REALLY love the looks of the ND Miatas. But at 6ft 3in, they are just too tight for me. So I ended up getting a '23 BRZ, which I really love. The NC's looks have grown on me a bit over the years (I hated them when they came out), but they still aren't a car that I love the looks of. I have never sat in one, would be interesting to see if I fit better (Sounds like I would).
I looked at the NC when I was first getting into the Miata. Until I discovered that the NA and NB were more along the lines of what I was looking for, which was true to the original formula.
NC2/3 is the best miata regardless of what the haters (aka na and nb owners) say. It's faster, roomier, stiffer and can just do more stuff better. Remember, the nc is essentially an RX8 underneath, so the car is overbuilt for its weight. Thats why they are so reliable and work so well.
lol, just watched another Tommy video (cheap jeep bs cheap Land Rover) and he can’t stop talking about the Kardashians! 😂. But seriously, love your thoughts and reviews! 👍🏼
Can you imagine hating on a car cuz the earlier model had pop-up headlights and this one didn't? Failure prone, leaky, electrical mess pop-up headlights? What a little ripper. I agree, looks like a legit roadster.
I have a 1990 NA that was imported from Canada that has no power anything. No ac, abs, power steering, airbags or cruise, it’s does have wind up windows and cruise would be very welcome on long drives. It’s as close to a go cart as you can get. It’s untouched other than a flying Miata 1.5 suspension kit and a Robinson canvas top. When it comes to Miata’s, buy what you love and drive it in good health.
167hp from a N/A i4 is not bad, IMO. Volkswagen's N/A 2.0 made 115hp at the same period by comparison. TBF, the VW engine was an ancient one by 2010, having been in production since 1993 at the latest.
Absolute not the worst, its has the best package. Its only needs new frontbumper (more sporty) and bit more Horse Power & it will be the best Miata. I got the NA, but it is now to classic for on the road.
There is a company called "Monster Miata" that sells conversion kits to install a V8 and create a modern Cobra. The Mazda Miata lends itself nicely to the torture of a torque monster V8 transplant. The overall structure of the car is more than strong enough to handle the wrenching stress of 400 ft.lbs. From "clutch dumping" to auto crossing and track events, the V8 Miata accepts unrelenting abuse. Driving to the racetrack, flogging the car, and feeling confident it will hold together, speaks well for the conversion.
We still don't have an EV roadster or even a convertible of any kind. Mazda should have been the one do it and they would have had the entire market for many years.
It looks like the space ship in the movie heavy metal I had 96 Miata that thing would not die I don't think it had any tranny fluid in it cuz all the tranny cooler line was crimped off I never changed the oil or antifreeze just replaced the clutch and it was good in the snow
NC, imo is the best looking Miata. I like the ND, but it doesn't look like a Miata. The Fiat 124 Spider (based on the Miata) is more Miata looking and i believe should have been a better design for the ND.
Car & Driver Top 10 Cars eight times, which is more than any other generation. BTW, its barely the "biggest" Miata. The "hate" is overblown and now the car is gettting its due thanks to RUclipsrs.
![[#2024MAMA] BIGBANG (빅뱅) - 뱅뱅뱅 (BANG BANG BANG) + FANTASTIC BABY | Mnet 241123 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EQsYfiPR9uM/mqdefault.jpg)
I have an 08 NC in a nearly identical color but my car is the power retractable hard top. It's wonderful. The haters can hate. I will continue to enjoy my NC anyway. :)
I also had an 08 NC - never could understand this "worst" assessment. Wonderful car! Will be getting another one as soon as I can.
as an NA owner, I would LOVE an NC!
Notice, the NC owners are not the ones hating on it, haha... I love mine!
Me too. Love my 08 PRHT. It's foibles, of which there are very few, are easily rectified by the extensive aftermarket.
You are a lucky man. 😎👍👍
The manual NC2/NC3 cars got the forged internals; the automatic NC2/NC3 didn't. Even though the horsepower listed for the NC2 was the same as the horsepower listed for the NC1, in dyno tests the NC2/NC3 had about 6 more horsepower. The 2006 NC1 was 51 lbs heavier than the 2005 NB2 - not a huge gain considering the improved safety, better brakes, stiffer body, and a 25 HP boost in power. The NC is the last Miata with hydraulic steering.
If you have a grand touring with a LSD, it has the performance package so the suspension is the same as the club.
While the NC didn't come with a spare, the spare from a RX8 will work on the NC and will fit in the trunk. But you need to get a cheap strap/winch to wrap around the flat tire to squeeze it so it will fit back into the trunk.
AAA tested a series of cars using regular and premium gas - one of them was a 2015 NC3 Miata. The difference in power and torque from the dyno tests was very, very small. I've been running regular in my NC2 and have never had a problem. Frankly I think it is more important to run top tier gas in them than premium.
This is the best NC review I’ve seen. You’re really an awesome reviewer. You truly know how to detail how you can live with the particular car. I always liked your Dad’s reviews and you’ve really benefited from him. You’re one of the best reviewers on RUclips. Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words!
I’ve owned a 1990 NA and a 2003 NB both about a year old when purchased. They were my fair weather daily drivers and I had some kind of beater for Pennsylvania winters.
Currently I am retired in coastal Delaware which gets very little snow. My “nice” car is a 2019 4Runner, gets about 6000 miles a year. My daily beater is a 2007 NC Grand Touring. I purchased it in 2022 at auction. 270,000 one owner miles. Serviced from new at the dealer. $3500. I’ve put 26,000 more miles on it! Looking forward to it rolling over 300,000 in a few months! Best money ever spent on a vehicle. I wouldn’t hesitate getting a lower mileage, say 150,000 mile, NC in the future.
Hello from Rehoboth!
A couple days ago I flew almost 400 miles to buy a 07 mc sport with only 70k miles. Drove it home the same day, curvy roads the whole way. Super impressive car. Rag top down with the heat on, so fun.
I'm with you here, I am even more weird - I acutally like the NC most. It looks a bit more "settled" and still is tons of fun. I am in my end 40s, so probably exactly the target group you meant.
I started my convertible journey with an '06 S2000. A neighbor had a Miata and I thought going for a ride in one was pointless because of the horsepower difference (240 vs 167). Years later -- the S2000 being long gone at this point -- a friend asked if I'd like to drive his NC Miata and I said sure, why not.
For the money, the car was excellent. Linear power across nearly all of the rev range, where the S2000 was either "this is slow" or "wheeee racecar" for 2K RPMs until you have to shift. The VTEC that the S2000 is known for also what makes the car bipolar, where the NC Miata in question was balanced, pretty good all the time, and most importantly, a third the price.
It also doesn't hurt that the Miata in the video is the correct color spec for Colorado :-) blue/tan!
The S2000 is the better sports car in every way, but the Miata is the better entry level, user-friendly car.
@@mediocreman2 I've owned both and I don't agree that the S2k is better in every way. The best car I ever had (outside of my Lotus Elise 111R) was a 2011 BBR 200 MX5. Much better in every way than my S2k
I have a 2006 2.0 NC with soft top and I don't think the car would deserve to hate. It drives so well in curvy roads and even as a heaviest miata the soft top version has 1100kg weight which is not bad at all. The chasis is rigid and the suspension setup is much better than NAs or NBs.
I own a 2011, nc2, prht, mica black with stone leather. 44,000 miles. Love it, it makes me smile every day. Never selling it. John. Great review, I also watch you and your dad. Yes liked and subscribed to both...ha
Reasonable assessment... In many ways, the MX-5 is a 'blank canvas.' Your selection and buying advice towards the end is spot on. Thank you.
Also, thank you for NOT promoting the manual transmission (as good as it is) over the 6 speed automatic (6AT). My 2015 NC3 GT 6AT w/PRHT's AT drive-train is better than excellent for around town daily uses and higher speeds (say, < 80mph). Seemingly, Mazda set the AT for 'spirited' manual use on demand, so it's more like 'semi-automatic.' The steering wheel paddle shifters are comfortably positioned to permit power (gear) adjustments to be manually activated like a video game's thumb paddles, or smartphone thumb-typing. Opposite to the MT, the AT has lower gear ratios (1-4) configured for snappy performance (higher rpm) between 0-45mph. Gears 5-6 are set for lower gas consumption while cruising. As a result (as you noted), the MT is LESS peppy at lower speeds (lower rpm) though MORE lively in 5-6 over (higher rpm, say) 45+mph. As I understand things, the AT's most versatile gearing is 3-4 in contrast to the MT's 4-5.
Your "Power Retractable Hard Top" (PRHT) vs. soft top observations are reasonable, as well. Soft top models (like yours) are configured to accept an accessory removable hard top shell. The downsides of choosing that route should be obvious. Part of the PRHT's weight gain can be attributed to its steel trunk lid vs the ST's aluminum. For me, the slight added rear weight produces a more settled (stable rear-end?) drive experience. Plus the convenience trade-off of the PRHT and on-looker "WOW" factor make it more than worth it.
Great review... Your time and effort is greatly appreciated... Cheers... M 😁
I have the same stormy blue 2.0, LSD soft top, OEM Recaros with Öhlins coilovers, BBR exhaust header and minor mods for 3 years now. What a blast car to drive on mountain passes!!
I owned a NA for about a little over 5 years, and loved every minute of it- in fact I deeply regret moving on to my 2nd TJ Wrangler (that I also loved). I currently own a FC RX-7 convertible, although I have it up for sale. If I go back to a Miata (and there's a strong probability I will), it will most definitely be a NC. Personally, I'd like to find one with a bad engine and do the 2.5 swap, as most of my driving is in and around town and I'd greatly appreciate the low end torque boost provided. Great NC review, Tommy!
Nah man PRHT all the way, super reliable. My 08 Grand Touring PRHT has 136,000 miles on it (paid 11k for it in 2023), no problems at all. Just give it a couple drops of oil and grease every couple years, there are illustrated guides out there of the points to hit. Also if you want to upgrade to full Carplay, it's pretty easy and Crutchfield sells whole sets that include the fascia.
Love my 08 PRHT. I lube the seals and all pivot points on the top annually. Overkill? Probably, but I love it. It only takes an hour tops.
@@button-jeffwhat product do you use?
@@kayhanyegenoglu I use Honda ShinEtsu grease for the seals. It's expensive, but a little goes a long way. I think a tube would last 3 if not 4 years. It's supposed to keep seals soft and supple, I just put a little on my finger and rub along all the seals. If you start the top procedure and shut the key off part way you can stop the process midway though. For the exposed gears, I just use regular old gun grease, I just smear a little with my fingers. For the pivot points I use standard 3 in 1 oil, mostly because of the ease of application. I figure a little oil is better than no oil at all. Cheers.
@@button-jeff thanks Jeff. I’ll look up 3-1 oil for the pivot points. Cheers.
I want to HATE the Miata... tried for years ... but can not... and now wish I bought one when used ones were $5k.
I love the little jack jack comment! I had one for 6 years as some vehicle and want another as a second car! I never got tired driving it! I put 79,000 miles on it! Drove it from Nashville tn to south beach miami. Fun car!
Former NA and NB2 owner here, and 1000% the NC 2/3 is the best one for the dollar right now.
Replace that coolant tank!!!!!!!! One of the known failure points of the NC and will destroy your engine if not taken care of
We have one of these! It is easily the most reliable car I’ve ever owned. Still looks and drives like it’s brand new.
As a car guy I would check the power band of that engine. No need to rev that high (unless you need those last rpm on a track) if it doesn't make any more power up there.
2010 MX5 NC sport+ edition 6 speed 68k original owner.....it is by far the best mx5. Longer, wider and most comfortable. 100% pure FUN.
I currently own a 2019 ND2, but I've owned one of each generation. I drove a 2011NC for over 11 years, and really liked it, and would recommend an NC to anyone.
A few years ago, a friend of mine, who I worked with bought a NC3. We live in Phoenix, Az. We had a 4-month job contract that was in Telluride, Co. All of our construction equipment was already there, but we had to get ourselves out there. I had serious doubts about taking her car. Would our luggage fit? Would I fit? (I’m 6’tall). I had visions of getting a Charley horse and not being able to stretch out…. That car was comfortable and fun to drive. I’m a “big truck” guy, but I have to admit, I really enjoyed the twisty roads around Telluride! I think I want one. My Autocross car is a twin-turbo Trans-Am, but that little thing could probably hang with it!
Lots of people say that people say the NC is the worst Miata. But no one actually says that the NC is the worst Miata, at least they haven’t in the past 15 years.
Being an older gent, I have to say that I agree with everything you have said. We love touring around Europe in our NC and have done a few long trips….we looked at upgrading to an ND but felt it was just too small. So we bought a second very low mileage NC in 2016 and moth balled it against the day our current NC dies.
I think you can swap the motor out with a 2.5 from a ford fusion. Maybe even a 2.7 Ecoboost if you can find an updated block. 2.5 fusion engine is the cheapest and most direct swap.
The electric connector at the top front of the engine at 2.15 is the VVT solenoid which it does have.
I had a NA and an NC. I live in Canada and sold my 2006 in 2012 for 13,000.00. I just bought another NC last month - very clean and paid 13,000.00. Love this car!!!!!!
Totally agree. I just bought a '14 GT 6 speed prht with 50k miles and I'm loving it. I test drove a new one just for fun (wasn't gonna spend over 30k on it), and I like this NC better for the reasons you mentioned. And I'm not a very large guy - I just like the level of tech and comfort it gives at the price point. Swapped the head unit for a Sony so I have Carplay and that was a great mod. Enjoy and thanks for the vid 🙂
Was in the market for an additional car as we have a 3rd driver coming soon. Have an Odyssey and a RAV4. So I decided a fun not so practical car would be the choice. And an NC Miata is what I came up with. But isn’t what I bought. Just a few grand more than I could swing. So I bought something less practical a Saturn Sky Redline. Been a fun 4 months. Enjoy Tommy. You made the right choice. Love your videos. Find a Sky or Solstice to make a video with🙏
I've owned a 97 NA 1.8L 5spd with the LSD and now a 2010 NC2 6spd PRHT with grand touring and sport packages. The NC is for sure a bit less go-kart feeling but overall feels superior to the NA in every other way. I've owned many fast cars and the Miata is just the most fun overall. I love the smile front ends and the hard top NC's actually have a sort of exotic look to them. It turns heads everywhere and I always get asked what kind of car it is. As a v8 guy, the Miata's all make some great noises and are just a blast.
Hi from the UK , what a brilliant RUclips.
I have just got me a NC3.5 with 28000miles 2012 . You just give me the brilliant news
With this RUclips thanks my friend .
I have an NC2 PRHT I bought new in 2011 by then in my country ( Australia ) the soft top was no longer available in the NC and didn’t become available again until the ND in 2015. Maybe I’m just lucky but my PRHT has never given me any trouble in the 13 years I’ve owned it .
I recently bought a new ND3 RF with the idea that I would eventually sell the NC. However as much as I love the ND3 and it being beautiful to drive and handle so well I still love my old school NC an think it will stay in the family for some time yet.
❤Well let me say first of all you do a wonderful review, in my opinion of a wonderful car. I agree with you 100% the NC is the best of all MX5’s built. All of the generations are wonderful cars. My 09 MX5 just turned 10 thousand miles it is in show room condition all original except for new tires. Copper red with a tan top and tan leather interior, 6 speed manual grand touring. It is showroom new and still turns heads and gets compliments. I love the smile and anyone who has driven this car will smile too. One reason miata sales are so low in 2023 and 24 is the fact that people don’t want 2 seat roadsters anymore and the price is getting too steep. Add that fact that they are just too small. I own and have owned much more powerful cars but after it’s all said and done my mx5 is still in my opinion an outstanding car. Fun to drive and the right size for me. Mazda must strike a happy medium with the next Mx5 a little bigger would not hurt and not changing what soul of what a two seat roadster should be. Let’s hope Mazda does not stop making them but sales this year and last do not encourage me that these little roadsters will be around in the future. ZOOM ZOOM 😊. PS The RF is not a roadster it’s a targa and not for me but still a great car.
I have an ND2 (after owning an NA for nine years) and I owned a Mazdaspeed Miata. And I had the pleasure of owning an RX-8 for 13+ years and, as you undoubtedly know, your NC is based on the RC-8’s wonderful platform.
So though I personally never had one, count me amongst the fans of the underrated NC Miata!
Call me crazy but for me in terms of styling, it’s NA -> NC -> ND -> NB, in this order. I’m considering the NC recently. I love the pop up headlights on NA’s but I love ABS more. You get all the modern driving refinement on NC’s and yet it’s so much cheaper than ND’s.
I love that blue color. I had copper Red metallic in a 2011 Grand Touring 6 speed Auto.and wish I had that beautiful blue color you were showcasing here. BTW mine was a retractable hardtop which was cool. It really was!
I owned a 2007 NC Miata. Loved the clean lines. I was stopped on the freeway because of an accident ahead and a full sized pickup truck ran into the rear of my Miata at appx. 35mph. Wasted my rear bumper, but didn't even crack the taillights. I drove it the rest of the way home. The pickup didn't fair as well. His radiator was into the fan and his airbags had gone off. My Miata spent a week in the body shop and when I got it back you couldn't even tell. BTW, I don't fit in an NA or NB. My eyes are even with the windshield header, so I can't see. Not a problem in the NC. BTW, my Miata was the "old man" version, a Grand Touring.
I’ve had 4 Mx-5’s a 1994-1998-2005-2016. Loved all of them but overall the 2016 was my favourite. It’s modern but has a lot of MK.1 about it. 😊
Ex owner of an NB2 here. At 6' even height, that car fit me like a glove, and i loved it for that. However many people, particularly Americans, do not mentally feel comfortable unless they can stretch out in a car. I've driven with people much shorter than me that couldn't STAND how tight it was for them. So, if you think anything less than a big ol' Cadillac cramps your style, get the NC. But If you'd like a Miata you can slip on like a glove, making you one with the machine and road, try on an NA, NB or ND. That said, if you decide on the ND, seek out an ND2. The ND1's only flaw is a lazy engine. That was corrected in the ND2.
I need a ND for track, and a NC for roat trips and a NA for winking at car meets, and an NB for driving to work, and a seccond of any of them to LS swap for the drag strip.
I think thats a solid garage... ya... I definitely wont have people telling me I have a miata problem if I do this.
My son has a friend the neighborhood over that has 2 NCs one with a cage, JCW Mini, and last I went by the garage was open and had an Elise inside. NC is my favorite Miata. I’m sure I’ll own one someday. For now I’ll enjoy my Sky RL for drop top fun.
14 white club 6spd with removable hard top. The car is so much fun with bolt ons, tune, coilovers and tires.
I have an 07 GT. With intake and header/exhaust the NC1 is plenty engaging. 125k, and I don't baby it. Did a front wheel bearing about 45k miles and it's been otherwise flawless. Don't be afraid of the NC1.
And the 2.5 swap is extremely reasonable when the day comes...
The Mazda 2-litres from the FS and the FP through the various LFs, those engines are a little slow to get started but just before you hit 3000 rpm the torque curve becomes very active. My old FS in a Protege with the bullet-proof 5-speed manual was a nice lil' engine. I took that thing 76k to almost 200k in 8 years. 35+ on the highway was a nice benefit as well.
As an owner from new of an NA1, an NB2, an NC1, an NC2, and now an ND2, I have a soft spot for the NA1/2, and will likely pick up another just to own it again. And I am VERY happy with the ND2 AFTER I modified it significantly. It is likely my all time favorite, but probably not until I significantly modified it.
The NC2/3s, however, are really great cars even before modifying them. All Miatas are significantly improved by swapping springs, dampers, and sway bars, but the NC2/3s were pretty great right out of the box.
I think they’ve always been weirdly underrated. I think possibly because the NC1 was a significant departure from the NBs and Mazdaspeed versions. But for those of you not familiar with the brand, don’t underestimate the performance of an NC2 or 3, modified or not. From my experience, nearly indestructible with just basic care. Cheap to repair (compared to other sports cars), and mods are professionally all sorted out for you. Otherwise you can easily mess up these cars that are much more carefully sorted out by the Mazda engineers than some people seem to think.
@kgm5330 Care to share what modifications you chose for the ND2? I'm reluctant to mess mine up, I love everything about the ride but just want some reduced body roll in some cornering situations (common sentiment, I know). What are your thoughts on that?
Owned em all🎉
65 in 3 weeks-settled on a mint 13’ prht nc.
Nb hands down🚀🚀
Ive got an 06 with a 2.5 motor swapped in with stage 1 cams. An absolute riot of a car.
Great take on the NC! I have had both an 08 nc in the same color (best miata color ever made) and a soul red crystal nd and I preferred the nc a lot more. The nd is an amazing car but the engine and transmission just did not feel as engaging. The nd also looks too angry, miatas are supposed to be silly happy cars.
I daily my 2014 Club and it is such a fun car to drive. Granted, mine is not stock, but it was once.
It would be interesting to see you guys drive one that has been LS swapped. There was a company that used to do the conversion. There's another company that does it to the new ones and they look pretty exciting. I remember having one of those stock Miatas for sale at the dealership i used to work at. it was in excellent condition with low miles. No one wanted it. No one even looked at it. It was the only convertible we had except for a Corvette. Someone came in and said they wanted a convertible which most people don't seem to want these days. I pointed out the Corvette and he said that was expensive for him. I then pointed out the Miata. His exact words were, "No thanks, I like girls." That made my day. A few weeks later some very strange old guy wanted to buy it but he was one of those guys that kept trading in cars every 6 months to a point where he couldn't afford a used Miata that we were more than willing to drop the price on. I drove it once and I'll admit it drove better than I thought but I was not impressed. Ironically, a crappy smart car parked next to it got way more attention. I actually kind of liked driving the smart car but that's only because it was so small, it fit on the sidewalk so I drove it down the sidewalk. everyone was waving and laughing. We also had a mini cooper. That thing was junk and honestly didn't handle well at all. Especially for a small car. By the way, it would be fun to see you compare a Miata to a Pontiac Solstice or a Saturn Sky. Everyone is LS swapping them now which has made the car a lot more popular than when it was new.
They did drive a V8 miata in an earlier video.
Being 6’6” tall, I can fit in the NC. The others not so much.
I had 2 na’s and the only reason i prefer them is nostalgia and the pop up headlights, but in reality i agree the nc is the best all around miata
The wife has a red '13 Club edition with a black power retractable hardtop. That car is literally the most fun you can have with a top down.
I bought a 2007 power retractable hardtop about two years ago and it had 9000 miles on it. I love that little car. Only thing is I wish it had a limited slip differential. And unfortunately for me I have been on a Corvette C8 waiting list and my ticket was pulled so I got rid of that car and got me a C8 which I also love. But I do miss Taking that thing for back road cruising with the top down.
Just a great little sports car. Does it all - bulletproof and a heaping helping of fun. With the manual shift you get to enjoy the real purpose of rowing the gears yourself.
Caution, at about 3 minutes as you go through the rpm range, the temperature guage is headed right and fast. That thing is getting hot really quickly.please check that particular car cooling system
thats an oil pressure guage
I loved my NC1, it was raw feel and fast revving engine. I went to The ND and they are nothing alike.
I REALLY love the looks of the ND Miatas. But at 6ft 3in, they are just too tight for me. So I ended up getting a '23 BRZ, which I really love. The NC's looks have grown on me a bit over the years (I hated them when they came out), but they still aren't a car that I love the looks of. I have never sat in one, would be interesting to see if I fit better (Sounds like I would).
Picking mine up next weekend and I can’t wait!! 2.5 engine swapping it!
Thanks for your video, it's just what my tiny little life *needed* to see!
🙏🦉
I watched several yrs back, when a test show rated Miata as the best sports car. And it was against international brands, Ferrari, Porsche, etc.
I looked at the NC when I was first getting into the Miata. Until I discovered that the NA and NB were more along the lines of what I was looking for, which was true to the original formula.
The NC3 lowered, with some tupperware aero underneath and power hard top looks good.
Un-modded examples are certain future classics. All six that remain. Great review.
I have the NB 04 Mazdaspeed (MX5 SE in Australia) highly modified, best car ever owned!
The people who hate on the NC are the people who’ve never driven one
NC2/3 is the best miata regardless of what the haters (aka na and nb owners) say. It's faster, roomier, stiffer and can just do more stuff better.
Remember, the nc is essentially an RX8 underneath, so the car is overbuilt for its weight. Thats why they are so reliable and work so well.
lol, just watched another Tommy video (cheap jeep bs cheap Land Rover) and he can’t stop talking about the Kardashians! 😂. But seriously, love your thoughts and reviews! 👍🏼
I like the NA and ND.
Timely, I go to pick up an nc2 this weekend!
I have a 2010 NC GT and I love it... I am looking for a clean NA in BRG to add to the garage.
NC is my favorite and I think it’s aged beautifully. It’s also the most muscular looking as well.
Can you imagine hating on a car cuz the earlier model had pop-up headlights and this one didn't? Failure prone, leaky, electrical mess pop-up headlights? What a little ripper. I agree, looks like a legit roadster.
Love the sound zoom zoom!
I started looking for an NC, but ended up with BMW 128 convertible:)
I have a 1990 NA that was imported from Canada that has no power anything. No ac, abs, power steering, airbags or cruise, it’s does have wind up windows and cruise would be very welcome on long drives. It’s as close to a go cart as you can get. It’s untouched other than a flying Miata 1.5 suspension kit and a Robinson canvas top. When it comes to Miata’s, buy what you love and drive it in good health.
I’d love to see you do a similar review of an old Elan.
One car TFL Classic could possibly find Nissan Pulsar & Honda Del Sol Toyota MR2 where the cars that would compete with Mazda MX5
Saturn Sky Pontiac Solstice as well
as i get older im starting to think i need a miata ...
You and me both. 53 years old and pretty sure there is one of these in my future.
Is it normal for the oil pressure gauge to climb like that at higher revs?
I always love the smile that every gen of Miata have.😊
That's my favorite Miata model!
The NC is my favorite. I prefer a little bigger car. And to be honest, its still not a very big car.
You can find many very low mileage ND's in AZ as there generally someone's second or third car. A lot of car for around $15k
167hp from a N/A i4 is not bad, IMO. Volkswagen's N/A 2.0 made 115hp at the same period by comparison. TBF, the VW engine was an ancient one by 2010, having been in production since 1993 at the latest.
Absolute not the worst, its has the best package. Its only needs new frontbumper (more sporty) and bit more Horse Power & it will be the best Miata.
I got the NA, but it is now to classic for on the road.
There is a company called "Monster Miata" that sells conversion kits to install a V8 and create a modern Cobra. The Mazda Miata lends itself nicely to the torture of a torque monster V8 transplant. The overall structure of the car is more than strong enough to handle the wrenching stress of 400 ft.lbs. From "clutch dumping" to auto crossing and track events, the V8 Miata accepts unrelenting abuse. Driving to the racetrack, flogging the car, and feeling confident it will hold together, speaks well for the conversion.
We still don't have an EV roadster or even a convertible of any kind. Mazda should have been the one do it and they would have had the entire market for many years.
What year and trim version is yours?
You are right: The smile is really happy. I like the wheel flares. Sexy.
It looks like the space ship in the movie heavy metal I had 96 Miata that thing would not die I don't think it had any tranny fluid in it cuz all the tranny cooler line was crimped off I never changed the oil or antifreeze just replaced the clutch and it was good in the snow
Buy the one you love. That’s the point of a Miata. If you care what other people think, buy a Prius or something that looks expensive.
At 6'3", the NC is the only gen Miata I can fit in.
Same!
NC, imo is the best looking Miata. I like the ND, but it doesn't look like a Miata. The Fiat 124 Spider (based on the Miata) is more Miata looking and i believe should have been a better design for the ND.
This old man likes his ND-derived Fiat 124 Spider.
I’m gonna be that guy that has at least one of each gen…
I really enjoy for NC3 Club.
10:23 Please don't drift the NC towards a dump truck again, lol. :) Good review!
Car & Driver Top 10 Cars eight times, which is more than any other generation. BTW, its barely the "biggest" Miata. The "hate" is overblown and now the car is gettting its due thanks to RUclipsrs.
The NC seems to be the best value. Ahoy! ⛵
Even the background soundtrack is from 2010
In my humble opinion, the na and nd are the superior cars! Not that nb and nc are bad just not as good.
After driving EVs, I find it impossible to get any enjoyment out of these kinds of vehicles. They're just gutless wonders.