Anyone Owned an ND Miata?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Curious what a bunch of Porsche guys think. I'm in simplify life mode and considering what I can get as a daily driver for about $20k that's fun but won't require regular repairs. I need to go drive one, been putting it off due to the joy of dealing with car salesmen.

[recycled sixtie]

When I was shopping for a Miata three years ago I looked at and sat in a ND Miata. I ended up buying a 2013 NC Miata instead. I found the ND was small inside and the trunk was even smaller than the NC's.

I intentionally did not take one for a test drive as I knew I would like it even though the engine is smaller than the NC. Apparently next year's ND has 27 more hp so the current ones are a relative bargain. My 2013 NC was two years old when I bought it and got it for $10k can less than list price.

2016 ND's have a chance of a faulty manual transmission so they can sell for quite a discount now. 2017 ND's have an improved transmission.

[recycled sixtie]

I should add Matt that miata net has an ND section and an off topic section but is called car talk . Many ex Porsche owners and owners there too.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks! My dad had an NC that I really liked, and the ND seems like more/less of everything great about the cars. I really like the RF models but it's hard to find a used one at a discount.

[legion]

For the non Miata knowledgeable, what is and NC and an ND?

[aschen]

No but its gotta be a great car, the 27hp increase was unexpected such a huge boost for the car

My only gripe is they can get pretty expensive for one when optioned as I would like. FRC looks amazing. The msrp was in the 30s when I was playing with the numbers. Does 20k buy a pretty nice one?

The other side is a nice ND is like 8k and could be Supercharged and improved suspension for another 7k. Its a lot heavier but that would make for a fun car with less investment.

[onewhippedpuppy]

ND is the current model, NC is the previous one.

You can get a nice, low miles 2017 convertible Club model with the BBS wheels, aero kit, and Brembo brakes for $20k. Pretty easy to find a brand new one for $25k after discounts, which is also tempting.

[speeder]

Looks wise, that NC is by far the best, IMO. I’d love to drive one some time but I don’t have my cosmetology license.

[berettafan]

Had a '90 NA for a while. Autocrossed it and learned to really appreciate the engineering of the car. Cousin in Fla has a NC and it's really a great looking car. I just like them overall.

[wayner]

Used to have an NC

[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.

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by legion

well-setup 944 Turbo.

DING DING DING

everybody drink!

[Tobra]

Buy something used

These are inexpensive cars that are frequently weekend toys, you can pick up a low mile one that is a few years old for a song

[vash]

if anyone on this forum would have owned one it would be "onewhippedpuppy"

oh wait..damn.

[VincentVega]

Originally Posted by speeder

Looks wise, that NC is by far the best, IMO. I’d love to drive one some time but I don’t have my cosmetology license.

I dont have the license either but I'd have one if I fit. I might be the only one to prefer the current one, just too small to be comfy everyday.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by vash

if anyone on this forum would have owned one it would be "onewhippedpuppy"

oh wait..damn.

What can I say, I’m comfortable with my masculinity.

[look 171]

I had an NA. Neutral handling. Let off the gas and the tail will happily come right back in line during a turn. They all handle pretty much the same, the newer ones are not as raw (not close to long hood or SC raw) as the later cars. Fun are but slow off the line. The newest one I drove was an NC. fun little cars. I like the look of the ND better. There were a couple of them on display by Mazda at Laguna Race Way when I was up there last time at Rennsport

[onewhippedpuppy]

ND is 2,400 lbs and 155 HP, not far off of a longhood 911 in terms of performance.

[look 171]

Matt, performance is about the same, but the NC will drive so much nicer and handle better too just because its a much newer car. But you already knew that from driving your relative's

[onewhippedpuppy]

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.

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.

Originally Posted by look 171

Matt, performance is about the same, but the NC will drive so much nicer and handle better too just because its a much newer car. But you already knew that from driving your relative's

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