Anyone Owned an ND Miata?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I gotta say, this looks pretty damn good. Goodwin Racing project RF with a supercharger, 200 HP with some other goodies.

[speeder]

I could take a picture of any $8.00 car in that parking spot w those filters and it would look pimp. Just sayin’.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

It's funny, a 2016 GT with Performance Pack and Recaros also did cross my mind. But that's $25k+ and more miles. I had several of the previous generation Mustang GT500 and a few Stage 3 Roush cars, they were a blast but seriously in need of a good suspension and well bolstered seats. I might go drive one.

I personally don't like the look of the Fiat, and it would always bother me that it's just a poser Miata with an unreliable engine.



Just thought I'd toss that out there. The $100k+ longhood 911s are now so revered, but the Miata is "slow".

I have a supercharged NA. I'm pretty sure an ND would keep up with an SC with no problem to 100. Plus it is going to be geared better, and it is a well balanced car.

I have a fair number of cars. I take the Miata out a lot. They are just fun cars, and super reliable. Super Reliable.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I gotta say, this looks pretty damn good. Goodwin Racing project RF with a supercharger, 200 HP with some other goodies.

These are fairly bad ass cars. If you like sports cars, and don't have a weird thing about image, they can really rip.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by legion

I'd get an NC myself. I hate the way the ND looks. I was seriously considering a FIAT 128 Spyder (which is the same frame as the ND) because it looks way better until I realized it came with a FIAT engine.

I ended up with a 2016 Mustang GT instead. I thought I'd take one for a test drive just to get the idea out of my head that it might be a decent car with the independent rear. The power is addictive and it handles better than my old well-setup 944 Turbo.

Well done. The GT is on my short list.

I never had a problem with how the 951 handled, but the boost would come on in ways that made it much less of a driver's car.

[nota]

mazdaspeed factory turbo likely to be the it car like a 67 911s of the mx5's

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by speeder

I could take a picture of any $8.00 car in that parking spot w those filters and it wouldn’t look pimp. Just sayin’.

Have you seen one in person? They are quite striking, and from the rear 3/4 view look very much like a Cayman. But I'm working on my cosmetology cert, so I'm biased.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Have you seen one in person? They are quite striking, and from the rear 3/4 view look very much like a Cayman. But I'm working on my cosmetology cert, so I'm biased.

I actually have seen one parked on the street and it caught my eye, great rear.

[gtc]

A buddy of mine has one. Too slow and too much body roll, in my opinion.
There are turbo and supercharger kits, and aftermarket sway bars that can fix this, though.

[gtc]

There is also this:
https://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/ND.php

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I gotta say, this looks pretty damn good. Goodwin Racing project RF with a supercharger, 200 HP with some other goodies.

Saw one on the road...

[Eric at Pelican Parts]

I got to drive my friend's ND RF which was prototyping a few goodies a good while back. I did like it. Didn't care about the slowness... because Miata. It didn't feel as cramped as a NB to me, which was a plus. I had no issues with feeling the car was small. The retractable hard top was pretty cool, but having to hold the open/close button for a lifetime to open/retract the top was a pain. Visibility from it wasn't too great either. I'd be much happier with the regular Miata, and wouldn't mind daily driving it. Just beware of people in cars near you... sometimes they don't pay attention or see you... I almost got into two accidents due to careless drivers trying to speed around in heavy traffic.


Going off topic, since I see a lot of guys here have previous gen Miatas:

I've never cared for or drove a NC because I dislike that generation's looks the most. NB's feel the most cramped to me, as my elbows were constantly rubbing against the door panels. I love pretty much everything about the NA's, but they definitely have to be modified. I've driven a few running mid 300 whp and those felt pretty scary. Rotrex ones actually felt pretty good powerwise. I'm actually pretty surprised with the value of NA's going up, and I can no longer find a nice clean one for 3K in socal.

I really regret letting go of my Montego Blue NA.... basically stock besides NB brakes, Hard Dog roll bar, Racing Beat exhaust, TE37's, and Flyin Miata coilovers. This was the perfect cruiser! I'll see if I can dig up some pictures later.

[Tobra]

They put too soft a suspension on all the Miatas, body roll so you get a sense of speed I guess is the story there. Did not like the NC much, though they say it is a superior car to mine. Did not care for the S2000 either, so maybe I am the wrong guy to ask.

I don't care for the looks of, or a lot of the features on the latest one, some of which do not lend themselves to removal. I have been very happy with my Mazdaspeed Miata. Fairly basic car with pretty excellent driving dynamics. I am just the perfect size for it, fits like a glove.

If you are a big guy, you may not fit in it very well.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've sat in an ND convertible with the top down and actually felt really comfortable, very driver oriented cockpit and nicely styled. I'm 6'1" 190 lbs, and I like little cars. I liked the way my dad's NC drove but I really don't care for the styling inside or out. I also like the fact that the ND is smaller and lighter, their obsession with weight loss really reminds me of the FD RX7 development effort. Like going from a 5-lug hub on the NC to a 4-lug on the ND, the little stuff adds up. The ND is lighter than the Alfa 4C despite being half the price and not using any exotic composite materials.

[Kraftwerk]

I have a '99 NB, bought used with 39,000 mi. The car cost less than my 911 SC suspension, parts are cheap. It's fun and I don't worry about it at all, pretty wild what it can do on the road. Kinda wish I bought a Boxster sometimes for the mid engine-ness and general Porsche solidity, otherwise, I think, in general any MX-5 is a good deal.

[VillaRicaGA911]

I race a 1999 NB in SCCA Spec Miata, if you want a fun car you don't have to worry about a lot of maintenance on this is it. We flat out hammer on these things at the track and they just keep ticking along, as a street fun car they should last a long time. Yes they have body roll, even with how we set them up to race. You learn how to drive, go fast in one of these at the track you can drive anything. I would consider a later NB (2004) with VVT motor, more low end grunt more fun on the street. The earlier NB have to be higher in the RPM to make motor happy.

[cantdrv55]

I’m partial to my NA. Pop up headlights, lightweight, the best shifter I’ve ever had and can’t beat the price. Picked up this go kart with 107,000 miles for only $2700. I can’t justify spending more on a newer Miata when Mazda still uses the NA as their gold standard.

[ZOO]

I am seriously considering selling my 1990 NA and my E46 M3 to buy a 2019 ND. Simplify, and add lightness . I also did a 30 minute stint in an ND Miata Cup car. It was sublime.

I figure another 5 grand should make it a terrific track car — roll bar, suspension, and wheels and tires.

[Tobra]

Don't even need to buy wheels if you get the package with wheels and brakes

There is a removable hard top for the ND/Fiata out now too

[onewhippedpuppy]

The Club model also includes Bilsteins and a LSD, get the optional BBS, Recaro, and Brembo option package and you are pretty set.