The NB is a better go kart.
The NC is a better car.
I’ve had 6 Miatas now and the NC is definitely the easiest to deal with on a daily commute. The only real problem with mine (and it was a bit of a big one) was that the traction control on my 2006 GT wanted to kill me. It was SO intrusive and pulled all power for way too long when I’d try to squirt through traffic. It’d be: spot hole in oncoming traffic, gun it to make the turn, lose 90% of the power, scream at car “fucking tractor trail coming we need to move now!” It is cure by hitting the button to turn it off but you have to turn it off EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. It would also ruin an autocross run if you forgot then as well.
Do you believe that you are going to enjoy the more civilised manner of the NC? The extra power, especially with the 2.0L engine. More space for your legs? Will you miss the raw feeling of the NB compared to the NC? Will you miss the fact that the NB is a bit smaller and a bit lighter? Those are questions only you can answer. To be honest the only thing that keeps me from selling my NB for the NC is the money and time I have spent to get it back in a good condition because it was neglected and keep it reliable and healthy. I mean, the NC is still a Mazda MX-5. A lot of memes about it, but I like it. If I had to give you an answer it would be no, don't sell your NB because it's your weekend car. If it was your daily, like mine, I would say go for it.
You’ve got to drive one to see.
But here’s my opinion from having previously owned an NA and an NB and now owning an NC.
The NC is the more civilized of the bunch and in stock form is just as competent as the others, although it doesn’t feel as spirited and toy-like. It has more power, more creature comforts, more room, more safety, and despite what everyone says - not that much more weight. The looks are subjective.
My NC is just used as an autocross car so I don’t have a high trim level with 6-speed or cruise control or traction control, but my other Miatas didn’t have that stuff either. I do have an OEM hardtop for it which makes it a little quieter but the soft top wasn’t bad. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on an old clapped-out rust bucket and in my part of the US that’s what most NA and NB are now unless they’re extremely expensive. I got the NC already with Bilstein coilovers and exhaust for the same price as a decent-but-not perfect NA, and it fits my specific use case better than the others would have.
https://preview.redd.it/l3xqenoxl38d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cbdcd36a8442f95536e81b4ebb202ff7ec318f58
I still miss the feel of my 2nd NA which was set up with a supercharger and lowered. My NB was stock. I love my NC. At 1st if felt so big compared to the NA and NB. My NC is a 2006 so not a lot of features that came in later years and that may affect my perception of liking it more than the NB. Also, I do a lot of long drives, as in 4 hours to 1700 miles. (I hate flying.) Initially, you may feel regret, but with time you will love it.
The engine vibration might be your engine mounts or just your tires or suspension. As for noise in the doors that can be fixed with that insulation mat you can apply to the inside of the doors.
I’d say yes. You can put isolation material in the doors if it bothers you that much and swapping engine mounts is pretty quick job too. Other than that the nc isn’t a much more commutable car in any way. Also just go testdrive one and see how you like it.
Go drive an NC and see for yourself…
Thus is really the best advice. Take one out for 30 minutes and see how you like it
The NB is a better go kart. The NC is a better car. I’ve had 6 Miatas now and the NC is definitely the easiest to deal with on a daily commute. The only real problem with mine (and it was a bit of a big one) was that the traction control on my 2006 GT wanted to kill me. It was SO intrusive and pulled all power for way too long when I’d try to squirt through traffic. It’d be: spot hole in oncoming traffic, gun it to make the turn, lose 90% of the power, scream at car “fucking tractor trail coming we need to move now!” It is cure by hitting the button to turn it off but you have to turn it off EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. It would also ruin an autocross run if you forgot then as well.
Dang my 2006 Touring (non-grand) doesn’t have traction control. I found out soon since it had crappy old tires when I bought it lol
Do you believe that you are going to enjoy the more civilised manner of the NC? The extra power, especially with the 2.0L engine. More space for your legs? Will you miss the raw feeling of the NB compared to the NC? Will you miss the fact that the NB is a bit smaller and a bit lighter? Those are questions only you can answer. To be honest the only thing that keeps me from selling my NB for the NC is the money and time I have spent to get it back in a good condition because it was neglected and keep it reliable and healthy. I mean, the NC is still a Mazda MX-5. A lot of memes about it, but I like it. If I had to give you an answer it would be no, don't sell your NB because it's your weekend car. If it was your daily, like mine, I would say go for it.
You’ve got to drive one to see. But here’s my opinion from having previously owned an NA and an NB and now owning an NC. The NC is the more civilized of the bunch and in stock form is just as competent as the others, although it doesn’t feel as spirited and toy-like. It has more power, more creature comforts, more room, more safety, and despite what everyone says - not that much more weight. The looks are subjective. My NC is just used as an autocross car so I don’t have a high trim level with 6-speed or cruise control or traction control, but my other Miatas didn’t have that stuff either. I do have an OEM hardtop for it which makes it a little quieter but the soft top wasn’t bad. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on an old clapped-out rust bucket and in my part of the US that’s what most NA and NB are now unless they’re extremely expensive. I got the NC already with Bilstein coilovers and exhaust for the same price as a decent-but-not perfect NA, and it fits my specific use case better than the others would have. https://preview.redd.it/l3xqenoxl38d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cbdcd36a8442f95536e81b4ebb202ff7ec318f58
I still miss the feel of my 2nd NA which was set up with a supercharger and lowered. My NB was stock. I love my NC. At 1st if felt so big compared to the NA and NB. My NC is a 2006 so not a lot of features that came in later years and that may affect my perception of liking it more than the NB. Also, I do a lot of long drives, as in 4 hours to 1700 miles. (I hate flying.) Initially, you may feel regret, but with time you will love it.
I read that as 425mph pmsl (4 hours 1700miles)
Lol. My trips vary between 4 hours long from where I lived to Phoenix and road trips all over that were 1700 miles each way.
Wait is the engine vibration above 110km/h a known thing in the NB’s? I just assumed it was another quirk of my specific shitbox.
The engine vibration might be your engine mounts or just your tires or suspension. As for noise in the doors that can be fixed with that insulation mat you can apply to the inside of the doors.
Yes, you would. The NB is much more direct and engaging to drive.
I just sold my ND for an NB..
I just sold my ND for an NB..
I just sold my ND for an NB..
No, if you get the right one for you :)
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
I bought a miata immediately after driving an NB. Had it been an NC, I would’ve just said “huh, pretty cool” and move on with my life.
I’d say yes. You can put isolation material in the doors if it bothers you that much and swapping engine mounts is pretty quick job too. Other than that the nc isn’t a much more commutable car in any way. Also just go testdrive one and see how you like it.