I’ve owned an NB, NC, and ND RF. They all hold a special place in my heart. The NB was my first Miata, the ND is the most thrilling, but the NC is the best daily driver. A fantastic car that doesn’t deserve the hate the Miata community gives it.
I track mine and haven't heard a single negative word from anyone about it - especially from anyone who has ridden in it. The consensus is that they are better than the earlier series in many ways, despite the weight penalty. There's plenty of NCs out there lapping and competing in time attack, point to point etc
When I was in the Navy I owned an NC. I had a shipmate who thought it was a girly car and made fun of it. One day after 2nd shift I let him drive it and he fell in love. It put a big smile on his face. People need to get over their obession with big numbers and "masculine" looks and learn to have fun.
Absolutely. I have been driving a ND2 for nearly a year. A friend of mine thought it was way too small for him, which is fair as he is a little too tall to be comfortable. But one week his car was in the shop and he needed to borrow my Miata for a while. He came back saying it was still too small for him but he really understood why I liked it so much.
Had my '06 Miata for 4 years now and I couldn't be happier, it's an absolute driving machine despite the hate! NCs get beaten down because of how they're NOT NBs or NAs - weight, dimensions, number of wheel lugs, number of exhaust tips..... we get it, it's different. But different isn't bad as the NC is more powerful, safer, and more space-efficient than the previous generations, so it's a GREAT Miata and an excellent specimen of mid-2000s car design.
This is by far the most overlooked gen of Miata and I don't know why. It's such a fun little car and I love how the Miata family keeps that same tradition going with every generation.
@@Severytree stupid how people consider that but it was the first gen with a convertible hardtop and it only weighed 10-50kg more than an NB2 while having more power and much better safety and daily drivability. (also unlike the NA/B the NC has actual rust sealing from factory) and the NC2/3 had retuned suspension, stronger gearboxes and forged internals making an amazing base for modifying (hence why you see a lot of NCs with turbo and Supercharger kits) and prices are still pretty good imo P.S also I don't get what Dougs on about, I was a huge miata fan as a kid and started getting into them around 2009/2010 and almost every miata enthusiast liked the smily NC2/NC3 over the "shocked" NC1 face which honestly looked weird as the cars ride height was also too high. and everyone knows the best part of the miata is the "happy" smile. something some fans didn't like about the ND was cause it was a bit too angry
My dad has this EXACT car. From colour to year to spec. He bought it new. He's 79 years old and has put probably less than 2-3k miles on it since. Mostly just sits in his climate controlled garage in Florida. It would have been even more mint for the Doug review lol. When I was a kid he bought a '92 cherry red miata new (in '92), and has been a fan of them ever since. Whomever got that one got quite a time capsule when he sold it as well back sometime around 2010-2012ish cause he only had like 40k miles on that and babied the heck out of it. Basically impossible to find in that generation these days. Kinda wish I had gotten it from him but had a pretty full garage at the time. Anyways, no one cares about what my Dad had and all yada yada internet. Just made me smile seeing his EXACT car show up on here.
The NC is my favorite miata because of the styling though... I love the smiley face and i love the clear tail lights and happy looking headlights instead of angry etc. I don't like that most newer cars are over designed and like angry and mean looking. The NC is a happy car and it makes you happy both from looking at it and from driving it... It's just fun and we have way too little of that now days.
idk how someone into miatas could dislike the NC for the smile, the NA is one of the happiest looking cars on the road and ur mad at the NC for being smiley? silly
@@eeaahh 100% agree. Isn't the whole purpose of the Miata to have a lightweight, tossible sports car that puts a smile on your face? I find it ironic that people didn't like the smiley face...yet this is what the car was supposed to be for. The Miata was never intended to be a true serious sports car but rather a throwback to the light, tossible feeling of the old british roadsters. If someone is buying a Miata because they think its the most serious, hard edged and fastest sports car on the market, they are buying the wrong car (unless you intend to modify them of course). I personally love the smiley face and the styling overall of the NC because it looks like the car doesn't take itself too seriously and is just having a good time. I think the people who got upset at the styling of the NC lost sight of the main reason the Miata exists...to smile and have fun.
I love the fender flares! I think they make the NC look more aggressive compared to the NA and the NB. I had an NB and I now have an NC. I like having a little bit more room and I feel much safer when I drive it. It is still a blast to drive and is an excellent fun true sports car!
feel safer is an understatement.... i never took my NB past 100, but my NC has sat at its 130 top speed for minutes, while feeling more stable than the NB. truly a massive step up.
The NC styling *is* objectively poor, but that was a conscious decision by Miata to establish a familial cohesion between it and the (even worse!) styling of it's big brother, the RX-8. Thankfully, the design team in the Miata division were able to dial back the RX-8 influence to a level that was at least tolerable, if not as appealing as either its NA or NB predecessors. Moral of the story: if it ain't broke, don't 'fix" it!
For anyone wondering, the PRHTs are very reliable. Occasionally it needs a small bolt tightened and some lube, but otherwise, they just run, regardless of the year made.
My 2010 has 240,000km on it. I've put the top up and down almost every single day, one time I had locktite the tension screw, but it's never had an issue since. Even in the winter.
@@stfu7203people will argue that the NC suspension is more grown and less "raw" compared to old ones. The multilink helps in every way, the rear end is always planted SOLID, be it 50mph or 120mph. Amazing steering feel as well.
I didn't know anything about this car before watching this video. But I do know what a Miata MX-5 looks like. And I have to say, I am a fan of this car! I love the fender flares, chin splitter, and "smiley face" grill. Just looks like a larger surface area for cooling to me! Keep up the great work, Doug.
The last year of the NC was 2015, not 2014. Secondly, the 2006 NC weighed about 50 lbs more than the 2005 NB. Considering the NC's safety additions, added horsepower, and a significant improvement in chassis stiffness it was worth it. And the PRHT retracts completely so it doesn't leave a blind spot when open like the ND RF. It's also about 40 lbs lighter than the RF top.
I bought an NC in 2006, the year they came out. After adding a roll bar and lighter exhaust we spent many happy laps together. While fun on-track I also took trips cross country to visit favorite roads in the Rockies, the Ozarks, and on and around the Tail of the Dragon (back when it was still fun). It was a rock-solid car with a bulletproof engine and trans. I drive faster and heavier cars today but still miss that Nordic Green ragtop. Good times. BTW, the 2006 died offer a removable hard top option but I didn't order it.
I love the look, it looks like a fun lightweight car, which it kind of is. It doesn't try and look like it has 9999Kg of down force, it doesn't look Heavy, it looks like you could toss it around without issue. I've always wanted a Miata because it doesn't look over done, you could park it anywhere and most people wouldn't know it's special.
Well NC were available until 2015.Your example car was missing the divider on the certer console behind the shifter that let's you use it as two cup holders. The slot behind the sun visor was intended to be used as a toll ticket holder, so it doesn't fly away during open top highway trips. Also is worth mentioning the NC Miata has the roomiest interior of all Miatas, even though all 4 generations of Miatas have about the same Wheelbase. Part of the reason is heavier than the previous two generations is that os was developed in parallel with the RX8... Many of the parts are interchangeable or an easy upgrade for the Miata.
@@Jfre2 I guess, you never put front and rear Sway bars into your NC, or upgrades the front wheel bearings to the more HD RX8 units, or replaced the rear NC spindles and axles with the RX8 auto matic ones to prevent a catastrophic failure on the track, nor upgraded the front brakes to RX8 units... All those are plug and play upgrades thanks to platform sharing. Not to mention most if not all suspension control arms are interchangeable as well
@@Jfre2 Same as putting an early lightweight non-airbag a NA dashboard on an NB... Performance advantage because of the lost weight... "Substitutable but not the same" of course its not the same; who wants to make their car worse than the way they came?
Thank you!! I have owned 6 Miatas - 1 NA, 1 MSM, 1 ND... and 3 NC PRHTs. I keep coming back to the NC because it is the most practical, the PRHT is amazing, my wife doesn't hate how cramped it is, and it performs very well. People always call these things a BOAT and I always respond that it is because it stands for BEST OF ALL TIME!! ❤❤
Just picked up a driver's example PRHT NC2 from 2011 with the LSD, aftermarket Koni shocks, Michelin PS all-seasons, and aftermarket sway bars, all for $15K. Best shifter and clutch I've ever driven, and handling that will make you cackle. It's my only car, and it's brilliant. These cars will ruin other cars for you. Starting in 2009, the NC2 came with a host of upgrades alongside the facelift, including updates to the suspension and (perhaps most significantly) the engine. Suspension on NC1s wasn't always uniform from the factory, and ride height could vary -- Mazda locked that down on the NC2s. The engine itself received forged internals and upgrades to provide a higher redline and more power under the curve, and the fuel cutoff itself hits at around 7,800 RPM, about 500 RPM later than the indicated redline on the tach. These MZR engines are incredibly stout and rev-happy, and they sound excellent above 7,000 -- you'll want to zing it up there all the time, and you can because engine loves it and the gearing is so short. Overall, these are great, affordable sports cars from the modern era but before the grand digitalization of driving. No touch screens, no EPAS, no brake-by-wire, all mechanical noise and feel while still being modern and usable every day. And because they're not all that quick (though they feel like lightning compared to an NA or NB), you can use the car properly without going "lose-your-license" fast.
The pre-facelift NC is a perfect reinterpretation of the NA. More muscular with the wheel arches; front- and backlights similar to the NA. The late NC facelifts in flashy colours like red or green are very refreshing; too. Timeless. Many thanks to Mazda for this affordable fun cars!!
There were 3 NC generations and you are absolutely right about the NC1. Personally I still think the NC3 looks best but the NC1 is without a doubt a modernized NA. The NC2 is kind of lost in the middle.
The Clubsport NC Miata was such a fun car to drive. It handled SOOO well. I worked for Mazda at the time and had one as a demo. Even at 6' 3", it was still comfortable to drive. I have wanted to buy another one ever since.
I've had an NC for a long time, put 100k miles on it, most reliable car I've ever owned. Glad you covered it finally. Also note, the center storage IS cup holders, this car must be missing the little divider insert that turns it into 2 cup holder sections (notice the little slots).
I know you've explained why you don't cover classic cars, but this video reminded me of my father's 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable...and it made me think how amazing your videos would be, pointing out the quirks & features of classic cars! Please consider special classic car editions now & then on your channel. Guarantee your views would jump even higher! p.s. The '57 Retractables are an amazing engineering feat, and among the most gorgeous cars ever made!
I could not be happier, owning an NC miata. Such a wonderful car. I might never sell it 😊 I have always wondered when Doug would do a review of it.. I lost hope but here it is 😮.
I traded my Miata for a Lexus is250 for practical purposes and have missed the NC every single day. I didn’t have a garage at the time, it rains and the car was a cloth top. I have a garage now, and want to get an NC and keep it forever.
@timmyy24 the soft tops can stay out in the rain perfectly fine, just remember to check the roof drains to make sure they aren't clogged and check the trunk for leaks It also wouldn't hurt to air it out once in a while or use a small portable dehumidifier
Thanks, Doug! I would say that the NC Club is far superior in every way to the NA and NB, including looks. The under pinnings are over engineered, as they come from the RX-8. The horsepower to weight ratio is superior to NA and NB. I own an NC3. Coilovers, header, midpipe exhaust and tune, makes it pretty quick. Also, the lowered suspension makes it look pretty snazzy- in fact, I think it's gorgeous.
Yes!! I've been wondering if you would get to the NC soon! I purchased my NC in February. I drove it home, in an Ontario winter, with the top down and as my first car with a stick. I love it so much. I bought it with 39,000km and felt like I got a great deal on it. It's this exact spec that you're reviewing. I just recently came back from a 10,400km road trip in my NC. I taught my girlfriend how to drive stick just before we left. We drove from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada to Calgary Alberta. We then drove to a bunch of national parks in the US. Glacier, arches, Zion, Yellowstone, grand Canyon... It was an absolute blast and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. My favorite car I've ever owned and have no plans of getting rid of it. Currently at 56k and I don't even have the opportunity to daily drive it 😂
I've had an NC for 4 years now, and it's still such an amazing car. I had only suspension mods and the hard top. It handles so well and I feel so in control, it is my daily and my fun time car. When it comes to the broad appeal of it it IS cute! Yet also 100% serious fun 😊 so I don't see myself ever selling it
This generation was a great car. My father had an 07’ grand touring and specs on paper don’t do justice. Handling and power delivery is so much fun and very predictable. It’s not incredibly fast in a straight line, however, the driving experience makes this a blast to drive. One cool accomplishment of the NC, is that it could complete a slalom faster than a Mustang GT, despite the huge difference in power.
I love every MX-5. Best car models ever made in my opinion. The NC has a special place in my heart not because it's the best one but because the Mazda engineers had to build it on the platform of the much bigger RX-8. Back then Ford had the controlling majority for Mazda and they restricted the funds for the 3rd generation MX-5 so the engineers had to design this car on a strict budget which is a tremendous achievement. The NC may be the worst MX-5 but it's still better than any other small roadster from any brand of the past 30+ years. Btw: I'm so happy Ford sold their shares on Mazda which makes it pretty much an independent car manufacturer. Since then the quality, design, and appeal of the brand is much much higher than before.
Hi Doug Greetings from the UK. I dont comment often but this deserves a huge shout out and a brilliant review/car it is. Sometimes a car crops up and you can get emotional at the same time. My late Mum had 4 MX5 in total and the blasts we had up and down the country were epic. We had an 2008 NC and we loved it. Thankyou Doug for this video and bringing back fond memories of the good times we had in our car.
Thank you for sharing this, I have an NA and NB and my NA is really special because I had planned to drive it on my wedding day but my FIL surprised us with a nice old school Chevy so my late father followed us from the church to the reception driving my miata. He was a big fella and I still remember the sight of him driving it. I hope to fully restore it someday.
@@aarona3111 Thats a really nice story and a wonderful day it must of been for you to see your father driving your Miata. Cars to some people are just tools but to some they are treasured. I hope you do restore it and relive those good times mate.
I got my grandfather's 2006 NC last year. 200,000 miles! Got the windshield replaced recently and the Safelite guy was amazed at how well it still runs. Just realized the coolant reservoir is cracked and spent $150 on a metal one, which is the only mechanical trouble I've had. Small, easy to park, good on gas, simple mechanisms (esp. the soft top, which I love), still keeps up on the highway and most importantly, everyone who sees it smiles. I love it.
The coolant expansion tank is a very common point of failure - seems to be the case in many cars these days. Anyone tracking their NC would be wise to pre-emptively replace it with an alloy tank, which is a simple DIY job. Mine failed the FIRST time I took it on track.
I just got an NC2! I have the absolute base model, 5 speed soft top with no traction control. I didn't even know cars made in 2009 were allowed to be sold without traction control. I absolutely love it, my face matches the grill whenever I'm driving it!
Had a 2008 NC . Had it out of factory repainted in dark-grey , original sidesskirts , other spoiler front and back , 4 excausts , and some metal trim all original Mazda , wooden handbrake and 6 speedknop also in wood. Softtop . Still my best car ever in terms of handling and steering .
I have been looking for one, and despite the length of time NC's were in production, they're not that easy to find - at least not how I want one (manual, for starters and preferably Club). Now everyone will be rushing out to scoop up the few I might have had my eyes on at some point. Thanks a lot Doug!
lol, no. you're good. there isn't going to be a surge of people buying NCs because Demuro got paid to make a video about one that's going to auction. 14-15 NCs are not rare cars.
@@5464-n1q lol yeah. The weird thing is although it was kinda meant tongue-in-cheek (Doug style!), I really didn’t see many when I was looking. In a few weeks I saw ONE club within 150 miles, and that includes DC. Maybe bad timing. I’ll be looking again soon
NC is very nice. Its an improved and modernized NA + NB Miata and there's nothing to hate about that. I think its also the best looking of the original bunch.
Great video! As a 2012 model owner I have to add some things: It actually has 4 cupholders, as the center console compartment has a removable divider to hold cups. The shown car had it not installed, but you can see the place it's supposed to go. Right next to it is a little compartment for a pen, which is a very quirky feature imo. As for the clutch I have to disagree, it is quite stiff, but has a wide bitepoint. You really have to get used to that. But if you do, oh man. Also, heads up to all miata owners, but especially NC: never get aftermarket oxygen sensors! Only OEM, otherwise the car runs like sh*t and throws power train codes.
Interesting to know about the ability to put a cupholder divider in the centre console! I've got a NB8B and the cupholders in the centre console are a little in the way for manual shifting. I am happy to live with the compromise but can understand why others would have complained. So for the NC they put the cupholders in the doors (but only to fit a certain size) and so the centre console compromise is still there.
One thing I might mention is, I own an NC Miata from 2008 and there's actually even more storage with a small compartment similar in size to the one between the seats behind each seat! I'm not sure if that exists on the PRHT model but I have it on my soft top miata.
And also the big map pocket in the back of the passenger seat - that's the other secret storage. I do think that the ND could at least have fitted in some door storage of there wasn't room for a glove box
Just got a 2006 NC Miata, wife's choice but I'm enjoying it, it's a million smiles per mile, it's really fun to drive! 2006 GT so it has the LSD, Bilsteins, and 6spd.
I'm in England and daily an NC3.2 2009 in top spec with the lecky roof, full black interior with heated leather and (okayish) Bose sound system. I wanted the top spec due to driving at least 75% of my daily commute on the motorway so the 2.0l lump with 6 speed means 3000rpms @ 70mph. Without the air con running I get 280-310 miles (driving style dependant) from a full tank before the fuel light comes on and the light supposedly comes on when you have used 40ltrs from you 50ltr tank. This is using Tesco E5 99 octane petrol which is currently £1.51 per litre. It's not the most fun to get in and out of which creates wear on the driver seat bolster. It's crap for storage / luggage but we knew that beforehand right! Corrosion is a constant issue with these cars so they prefer warm dry climates, not my UK climate but again we know what we are signing up for. These cars are incredible fun on twisty country roads hitting turns 10mph faster than you should be and every day driving which is monotonous in most cars is fun and zippy in these however, they are warm and comfortable if you are commuting during colder months. Just don't drive too fast in cold / wet conditions because the nature of the car means the threat of the rear kicking out on you is always looming and I'm currently running Pirelli PZeros. Super cheap fun reliable motoring all in all and if the underwhelming 158bhp from the 2.0 isn't enough there is a company called BBR here in the UK who can bring it up to 225bhp with basic old school tuning, no forced induction involved. I won't want another sports car until I'm ready to take on a 911 as a 2nd car in the future. I'm a 37yr old straight bloke for reference, anyone calling these hairdresser's cars don't know about motoring at all and women do love these whenever you take them out! Buy one and enjoy.
Plus I love how basically every model of the Miata family has the same tradition going with a slow car by modern standards, but a thrill to drive overall.
I personally think this generation of the Miata until now does not get enough of the love it deserves (yeah ik it looks weird). Thanks for the review Doug!
When I bought my NC sport back in 2013, it took me less than 30 mins to sign the paperwork and drive off with brand new Dolphin Grey NC. It was just that easy. This is how it begin, went tot the dealer, saw the car in the show room, I sat in, took it for test drive for 10 mins and 30 mins later. I am the new owner.
A few additional things…the club trim level was offered for three model years (13, 14, 15), and a similar trim option (the special edition) was offered for a few years prior. The PRHT DOES reduce storage space, just not trunk space specifically. It eliminates the storage cubbies behind the seats that the soft top enjoys. And the soft top NC’s had a lighter, aluminum trunk lid, while the PRHT required a steel one.
I like all MX5’s. The only model I drove was the current generation but I drove both the soft top and retractable fastback both with the 1.5 engine. Fantastic fun car to drive. I own a GT86 but if I was buying a convertible in this segment it’d be a ND 2.0 MX5 Retractable fastback.
I have owned a 2008 NC for 9 years and have driven an NA and NB, all are terrific little cars that live for twisty backroads and tolerate super highway use. Compared to my previous rides, which include a Scirocco, 16 v GTI, two Toyota Supras, and a Mustang GT, this car has been the most fun on a back road for me. Closer to riding my motorcycle than driving a more sophisticated automobile, not that the other cars were not also a hoot in their own way but the Miata is just more like being in a large go-kart!
Wow, as a big fan of the NC miata I have been wanting Doug to make this video for a while now. I bought one a few years ago and have enjoyed my time with it.
Loved mine (2007 GT 6m) for 10 years and 100K+ miles with basically zero issues(a thermostat was the only non wear item I ever had to replace). Would still be loving it today if it hadn't been totaled by another driver running a stop sign. I prefer it over the ND because the steering feel is better. The engine character is better and there isn't a stupid screen sticking out of the dash. The only thing I thought would have made it better was better seats.
I’m on my second NC2 (2012) after wearing out my 2010-absolutely love them and will continue to drive NC2s until I can no longer find a nice PRHT/6-speed. Paired with a RoadsterSport2 cat-back exhaust, it’s fantastic.
Any fix for the stiff 6 speed manual when cold / first 5-10 minutes of driving? 2nd is clunky and can soft lock you out on first attempt to shift. 3rd gear needs extra force to shift into and down into... this clears up after a good 10 mins of driving.. I've put redline in and no change at all from stock tranny fluid. Only about 45k miles on the car... 😞
@@absoluteclownworldHmm, I haven’t experienced that on either but I do live in Florida where it doesn’t get very cold. Check the forums and you’ll see where most guys SWEAR by Motorcraft XT-M5-QS synthetic fluid-you may give it a shot next.
@@absoluteclownworld I have an NC3.2 (2009) 6 speed and have the same issue here in the UK. I'm yet to service the gearbox to see if it helps but these boxes are known for this. It's handy to let the car warm up for 3-5 mins before driving but sometimes you just have to go so then, especially on cold days I just granny shift, expecting 2nd and 3rd to catch slightly on their way into position. When there is too much resistance I simply go back into neutral push the clutch in and out and gently push in into gear so as not to wear out the gear forks / selector. It's a gripe but a minor one, the box will still last forever unless you beat on it hard. My car has only done 40k miles, I got it at 33k and it was no different then. Quirks!
@MuscleBandit thanks for the reply guys 😀 yeah I've been all over the forums, and people either say normal or not normal ( guessing some boxes are better than others ). I'll try the ford juice next change and see if any better but I don't think it will do anything imo. Guess I just have a tight tolerance box
I LOVE the smile! The Miata might be a sports car, but it's about having fun! The NC looks like it's happy to be there, for the same reason that the NA does! I almost want one of these as my first car now...
The center console comes with a removeable plastic insert that separates it into cupholders. Since it's removeable it's also easy to lose, which is probably what happened to the one being reviewed.
I own a 2010 NC with 295,000 miles on it. They're great cars, especially if you take care of them. Worth noting that the NC2+NC3 have forged internals with the manual transmission and revised trans forks.
I had a 2008 which I believe is the NC1. I prefer the styling of the NC1 personally. I didn’t like the smile, but I liked the over the top flairs for such a small car.
I am 6 feet tall. I sold my Mustang a few months ago. I was looking for a Miata but when I tried out the NA and NB models were too cramped inside. I bought a 2010 NC with the retractable hardtop and I love it.
13:00 interesting, I own a 2014 NC and it has cup holders in the middle compartment. It's more like an insert for the compartment, but its definitely designed to hold cups. 14:24 you could definitely get the NC with quite a large touchscreen navigation system, even in the base model
A few additional things…the club trim level was offered for three model years (13, 14, 15), and a similar trim option (the special edition) was offered for a few years prior. The PRHT DOES reduce storage space, just not trunk space specifically. It eliminates the storage cubbies behind the seats that the soft top enjoys. And the soft top NC’s had a lighter, aluminum trunk lid, while the PRHT required a steel one. The 2011 facelift not only changed the front fascia and interior but it also brought about new engine internals and thus a higher redline (~7400 rpm)
Great review of one of my favorite Miatas. I was looking for an NC when I came across a great deal on a pristine NA, and I've never regretted it for an instant. Even when I do get an NC someday, I'll probably never get rid of my Classic Red 1990 NA. My dream spec would probably be a silver NC3 PRHT in the Grand Touring trim with the Premium and Suspension Packages, and the roof wrapped in black to look kind of like a Club. The only things I could nitpick about the video is that the last year of the NC was actually 2015 (not 2014) and that the Club has the same size wheels as the Grand Touring (but bigger than the Sport). But overall, a great review!
Speaking on 2500 lbs being heavy, in the late 90s/early 2000s I built an 89 EF hatch (88-91 Civic). I pulled out ALL the factory wiring, carpets, headliner, doorpanels, an trimmed excess bracketry. No heater or any stock gauges. Reinstalled a gutted CRX dash with Autometer gauges, individual switch panel, 12 circuit universal wiring harness, Momo fiberglass driver seat, JAZ plastic passenger seat, carbon hood, lexan windows on rear quarters, rear hatch abd driver side, Formula style carbon mirror, FiberImages carbon fiber hood, high compression D16A6 SOHC non vtec with Gude Gorilla cam, locked out mechanical distributor from UKDM D14 carbed SOHC, TWM intake manifold, dual Weber DCOE45 carburetors, Bisimoto header with Dynomax buller emptying under the car, Odyssey PC680 battery, JimFab tubular front cross member, 95A steel engine mounts, EG 1/2 width rad, no bumper supports, ported A6 head, manual CRX steering rack & crossmember, 12 gallon fuel cell in hatch and all Aerquip fuel lines--all stock fuel lines were removed, no windshield wipers, brackets, linkages or motor, HF aluminum rear brake drums. The car weighed about 1675 lbs. and had 170 whp at 7500 rpm. It was VIOLENT. It wasn't super fast by todays standards (probably an upper 12 second 1/4 mile) but if you drove it or rode in it, you were convinced it was going to kill you. It was so loud--it was like a 4 wheel motorcycle--the engine would come on the cam at 4800 rpm and the Webers went from a gurgle to a SCREAM! It was was BY FAR the funnest car I've ever owned and probably the most entertaining car I've ever been in in sheer overkill. Recently I had a very modified Chevy SS sedan (2017)--that was pretty fast (high 10 second 1/4 NA) and handled well but at 4000 lbs, I just never connected with it. Light cars do everything better! I now daily a 2018 FK8 Type R with some lighter parts (15 lb titanium exhaust system, 14 lb lithium battery, rear wiper delete, 18" x 9.5" wheels and 265/35ZR18 tires that are about 5 lbs lighter per corner, titanium bolts throughout the car) and at 2980 lbs is about the limit IMO of what a fun car should weigh and is a good compromise in terms of weight and street safety and usability.
The NC is not my favorite Miata, but I can tell that it's actually a really good car. I still prefer the NB, but the NC is also a cool little sports car
I own one of these so I was super excited to watch your video! One quirk you missed that is worth mentioning is that if you double press the unlock button on the key, you can put both windows down!
The centre cupholder is missing at 11:55. There is a removable divider that slips between the bumps in the centre of this compartment that holds 2x coffee cups nicely.
I had a 2007 NC 1.8, in Belgium. compared to the usual diesel sedan everyone was driving over there, it still felt like a fast car. I took it to a fabulous road trip through Switzerland and Tuscany for 2 weeks, it was the perfect companion and a blast over these roads. I had to sell it when I moved to the US less than a year after I got it and always regretted it. My family situation changed (kids) and a Miata was no longer in the cards. I had several cars 3x more powerful than my old NC, none made me smile as much
I have 2005 NC the actual year they came out. It’s galaxy grey with tan soft top. I’ve been using it as a daily since 2016 and I’m still in love with this little thing.
Having had two PRHTs and one soft top NC, the hardtop didn't do **anything** to make it quieter in the cockpit. There's a second set of cupholders that weren't shown with this car, and that's in the center sliding console. There's an insert that came with the car that drops into the compartment to hold two cups. It's a terrible design but it existed. I always pulled it out and put it in the toolbox. I probably have three of them in the collection of leftover parts from cars I've owned over they years.
@@ghuldorgrey Probably people who want to have a water bottle or soda close at hand. Who drives with an open cup? I've never known anyone to take a drink into a car without a lid or cap.
The earlier NCs had door-mounted cup holders that I found intruded into my clutch leg, at least when I drove one at the Mazda Zoom Zoom event. Love this car overall, and this Club Manual PRHT is the perfect version. Amazing car. It's my favorite of the four generations.
Loved the video! We now have a Doug video with the NA, Doug videos with the ND1 and ND1, and now a Doug video with an NC. Now we just need an NB video from Doug to finish the family, though I think having one video with a normal NB and one with the turbo Mazdaspeed Miata is warranted, given how different the two are. And if he's doing more miata videos, maybe 30AE and 100AE?
Worth noting for owners: There is a switch in the trunk, between the taiights that disables the power trunk release. I imagine for parking with the roof down. It is easy to accidentally flip this switch with luggage. So if you think your power trunk release is inop, check this switch.
i only realised this the other day, i saw the switch, flicked it, shut the boot and it wasnt responding to any button presses, freaked out and realised theres a keyhole
The only Miata i owned (and still currently own) is a 2017 ND RF, and it's my daily. I freaking love this car, but i got to say i'm a little bit jealous of all the extra storage the NC has over the ND. It is for sur making it a better daily, no doubt. And about the styling, even if the ND (and especially the RF) is on top for me, i always loved the NC. The front-end is a little quircky, but i love those fender flares, and the rear end is beautiful.
I almost bought one of these earlier this year but bought an SLK55 instead for the same price. I still would have went with the NC, though, if it hadn't been bought before I could get to it. These have always been great cars and the wiser members of the Miata community have always recognized that. Especially these days, when NA's and NB's can be overpriced and rapidly aging. I don't mind that I got a V8 roadster with more than twice the power of the Miata, but even the NC is such a focused car that you can't ignore its charm, would have also been an amazing experience, I'm sure.
@@Craycrayallday For sure. Having a manual would have also been the main reason to go for the NC. The SLK is actually not bad to own as long as someone has serviced the hydraulic roof already. If not, yeah it's crazy expensive.
SLK 55 is an awesome vehicle. Unlike the crappy Ford derived and bearing eating engines of the NC, the good old M113 v8 will not grenade itself. Also you can Manual Swap it with some Crossfire bits if you want a unique V8 manual roadster made from granite. So ignore the nay sayers above. You made a great decision. Jeremy Clarkson had one for a reason.
@@STRGHTSXBNZ Oh yeah, the SLK has been great so far, puts on a smile on my face each time I drive it, which is all I care about. I'm not here for the nay sayers, just to say how the NC is a great roadster too.
Theres storage bins behind each seat and also seatback pockets. Theres a clip in attachment for the center console bin that makes it into 2 cupholders although I never use mine because it interferes with shifting.
Fact Check: On my 2015 NC, the center compartment does have cup holders, there is supposed to be a little double crescent looking plastic divider thingie that snaps into those tabs that you see so you can have 2 cups in that little cubbie. Not sure why you would want to however. The little crescent divider thing was removeable so I am sure that the prior owner lost it.
To add: that compartment is not very useful as storage because (at least on my '07) the locking mechanism is inexplicably huge and protrudes halfway into the depression. OK for some coins and small (flat) items but definitely more use as a cupholder than actual storage
I have a 2013 Club PRHT with basically the reverse color scheme as this (black with red accents) with the "aero" package or whatever Mazda calls it. I bought it 2.5 years ago with 19.8k miles on it. I daily drive it and love every moment. Also, the center console is missing the cup holder attachment in this video. Mine has center cup holders.
I had an '06 Miata as my daily driver for 13 years, until my husband convinced me to trade it. That was a huge mistake. I miss that car daily and my husband is lucky I kept him after that!
As a drivers car, the NC2/3 is the best Miata ever made. Suspension is much better than an NA/NB and has numerous advantages over the ND. Hydraulic steering, more soulful motor when you approach redline, stronger trans, way better aftermarket, more predictable at the limit.
Love ya Doug but 2015 was the last year of the NC3…its also true that the center console has a removable plastic piece that turns it into cup holders . That said I LOVE my NC2 PRHT. Its superior in every way to my NB1
I started with the OG 1990 NA with hard and soft top. My dream car. I was 16 when it came out. Moved to a place with some topology changes, and lost some Zoom, Zoom. Found a 2008 Sport PRHT, red, manual, with around 14k miles from single owner. Picked that up and have loved it ever since! 2nd car with fewer than 20k miles! ❤❤❤
I had an NA for a long time but the NC is my favorite and I think it looks the best. The slightly larger shape makes it look more planted than the other three chassis.
This is easily my favourite MX5 (we don’t call them Miatas here in Blighty). The hard top convertible should be vastly more common, it’s a step forward engineering-wise and I resent Mercedes, BMW, etc. for copping out and reverting to cloth. It’s 2023 not 1923. Hardtop convertibles also suit marginal borderline weather areas too (so if you desperately have the roof down for every nanosecond it’s not raining). Of course there’s the thermal, security and noise/comfort aspects as well. I really like the way that Club edition came together, they almost mitigated the less than ideal front section.
Props for calling out BMW and 'cedes for going back to 1923 with softops. Especially given that these are premium brands where cost and weight is not a consideration.
@@andycalifornia426 I have a theory - that with structural changes brought on by gradual electrification we might see this make a comeback, the ability to build and fold a roof will become easier and cheaper potentially with new materials and mechanisms. That said there was far more hysteria around the reliability of the roof mechanism when the vehicles first came out, in practice owners report nowhere near as many problems as they were expecting or led to believe could happen. I think this will make them unique in the "future classic" arena somehow, I've read about people taking measures to improve seals and lubrication on existing designs to reduce rattle and shake quite a bit on the SLKs, etc. as well. As we devolve into safe-vs-unsafe areas which you might traverse in a run - this will probably come back to importance once more too.
I have one just like that, except mine is a bit weird. It's a club by VIN and features, but doesn't have the club badging. It also has leather seats, which others in my local club have never seen. I'm very fond of it even though I'm starting to have trouble getting in and out of it. The air deflector and "open air" vents were also found on my 2003 S2000, so you could drive it with the top down in cold weather.
It’s MUCH better for Doug to do the Cars & Bids shoutout live instead of cutting to it in editing ✊✊✊
Chocolate Miataaaaaaaaaa
I like the edits because mostly it's a preview of some other cars he will upload reviews of
dude how many comments you have on youtube? we are subbed like to 100 same channels
cool to know youre a car dude
not the lad I would expect to see here, but a welcome surprise!
I’ve owned an NB, NC, and ND RF. They all hold a special place in my heart. The NB was my first Miata, the ND is the most thrilling, but the NC is the best daily driver. A fantastic car that doesn’t deserve the hate the Miata community gives it.
Thanks for sharing i dont remember anybody asking
Yup, works great as a daily.
@@Bussdownbanditwhen people make comments in the comment section: 😡
I track mine and haven't heard a single negative word from anyone about it - especially from anyone who has ridden in it. The consensus is that they are better than the earlier series in many ways, despite the weight penalty. There's plenty of NCs out there lapping and competing in time attack, point to point etc
I've owned an NA, NB, and currently an ND. I'd love to try an NC some day.
When I was in the Navy I owned an NC. I had a shipmate who thought it was a girly car and made fun of it. One day after 2nd shift I let him drive it and he fell in love. It put a big smile on his face. People need to get over their obession with big numbers and "masculine" looks and learn to have fun.
Well said, Sir!
No its a girly hair dressers car get a big engine gas guzzling slow can't turn get outta tha way truck!
When cars are measured in 'smiles per gallon', none beats the Miata.
@@CVSopranothe 1989 Miata still better than 2014 Miata Club actually.
Absolutely. I have been driving a ND2 for nearly a year. A friend of mine thought it was way too small for him, which is fair as he is a little too tall to be comfortable.
But one week his car was in the shop and he needed to borrow my Miata for a while.
He came back saying it was still too small for him but he really understood why I liked it so much.
Had my '06 Miata for 4 years now and I couldn't be happier, it's an absolute driving machine despite the hate! NCs get beaten down because of how they're NOT NBs or NAs - weight, dimensions, number of wheel lugs, number of exhaust tips..... we get it, it's different. But different isn't bad as the NC is more powerful, safer, and more space-efficient than the previous generations, so it's a GREAT Miata and an excellent specimen of mid-2000s car design.
This is by far the most overlooked gen of Miata and I don't know why. It's such a fun little car and I love how the Miata family keeps that same tradition going with every generation.
they're considered the 'pig' generation, I personally like them. Built on RX8 platform.
@@Severytree I actually didn't know that
just like the 996 911 it comes down to generally disliked styling. I cant help but agree its not the easiest on the eyes...
@@Severytree stupid how people consider that but it was the first gen with a convertible hardtop and it only weighed 10-50kg more than an NB2 while having more power and much better safety and daily drivability. (also unlike the NA/B the NC has actual rust sealing from factory)
and the NC2/3 had retuned suspension, stronger gearboxes and forged internals making an amazing base for modifying (hence why you see a lot of NCs with turbo and Supercharger kits)
and prices are still pretty good imo
P.S also I don't get what Dougs on about, I was a huge miata fan as a kid and started getting into them around 2009/2010 and almost every miata enthusiast liked the smily NC2/NC3 over the "shocked" NC1 face which honestly looked weird as the cars ride height was also too high. and everyone knows the best part of the miata is the "happy" smile. something some fans didn't like about the ND was cause it was a bit too angry
It's the Miata purists that say 'it's not a miata'. But typically everyone not biased towards miatas likes it.
My dad has this EXACT car. From colour to year to spec. He bought it new. He's 79 years old and has put probably less than 2-3k miles on it since. Mostly just sits in his climate controlled garage in Florida. It would have been even more mint for the Doug review lol.
When I was a kid he bought a '92 cherry red miata new (in '92), and has been a fan of them ever since. Whomever got that one got quite a time capsule when he sold it as well back sometime around 2010-2012ish cause he only had like 40k miles on that and babied the heck out of it. Basically impossible to find in that generation these days.
Kinda wish I had gotten it from him but had a pretty full garage at the time.
Anyways, no one cares about what my Dad had and all yada yada internet. Just made me smile seeing his EXACT car show up on here.
I care. It's interesting to hear peoples' connections to whatever Doug is reviewing. Miata owners all seem to love them and never have just one.
Glad the Miata brought joy to your dad…he seems a fun guy.
17:56…that guy in the Mercedes must think “that guy in the Miata must be must nuts…yelling and flailing to himself”.
@@BeardedFrog I keep mine the same way. Got around 35k miles now 🥰 what a lovely car
@@BeardedFrog thanks for sharing!
The NC is my favorite miata because of the styling though... I love the smiley face and i love the clear tail lights and happy looking headlights instead of angry etc.
I don't like that most newer cars are over designed and like angry and mean looking. The NC is a happy car and it makes you happy both from looking at it and from driving it... It's just fun and we have way too little of that now days.
idk how someone into miatas could dislike the NC for the smile, the NA is one of the happiest looking cars on the road and ur mad at the NC for being smiley? silly
@@eeaahh 100% agree. Isn't the whole purpose of the Miata to have a lightweight, tossible sports car that puts a smile on your face? I find it ironic that people didn't like the smiley face...yet this is what the car was supposed to be for. The Miata was never intended to be a true serious sports car but rather a throwback to the light, tossible feeling of the old british roadsters. If someone is buying a Miata because they think its the most serious, hard edged and fastest sports car on the market, they are buying the wrong car (unless you intend to modify them of course). I personally love the smiley face and the styling overall of the NC because it looks like the car doesn't take itself too seriously and is just having a good time. I think the people who got upset at the styling of the NC lost sight of the main reason the Miata exists...to smile and have fun.
i actually prefer the pre-facelift design of the NC, but agree, both are criticized too much.
I prefer the nc1. dont like the smiley faces.
I'd be smiling too if i could own a black NC Club.
I love the fender flares! I think they make the NC look more aggressive compared to the NA and the NB. I had an NB and I now have an NC. I like having a little bit more room and I feel much safer when I drive it. It is still a blast to drive and is an excellent fun true sports car!
It's almost like a OEM wide body
@@gumbuswatersen963widebody kit for Saleen SR?
feel safer is an understatement.... i never took my NB past 100, but my NC has sat at its 130 top speed for minutes, while feeling more stable than the NB. truly a massive step up.
The NC styling *is* objectively poor, but that was a conscious decision by Miata to establish a familial cohesion between it and the (even worse!) styling of it's big brother, the RX-8.
Thankfully, the design team in the Miata division were able to dial back the RX-8 influence to a level that was at least tolerable, if not as appealing as either its NA or NB predecessors.
Moral of the story: if it ain't broke, don't 'fix" it!
For anyone wondering, the PRHTs are very reliable. Occasionally it needs a small bolt tightened and some lube, but otherwise, they just run, regardless of the year made.
My 2010 has 240,000km on it. I've put the top up and down almost every single day, one time I had locktite the tension screw, but it's never had an issue since. Even in the winter.
Got a PRHT Nc1 from 2008. Not a single issue and i daily drive it since 2011.
Make sure you get the aluminum coolant tank ;) I just got a 14 Sport and am waiting for it to arrive
@@ghuldorgrey08 PRHT gang!
Just like ur mom
Bought this exact car in white a few months ago. One of the best decisions of my life! Great review!
Doug failed to mention the multilink rear suspension, which was amazing for a car at this price point at the time, and still is.
Cause it was based on the RX8 ;]
When is the last time Doug mention about type of suspension a car has?
The 2nd gen Mazda 3 also had multi link rear suspension, not sure of the msrp at the time but im sure it was slightly less than the NC.
I thought that was a drawback to this car from the original NA, No? Or is multilink supposed better than DWB suspension?
@@stfu7203people will argue that the NC suspension is more grown and less "raw" compared to old ones. The multilink helps in every way, the rear end is always planted SOLID, be it 50mph or 120mph. Amazing steering feel as well.
I didn't know anything about this car before watching this video. But I do know what a Miata MX-5 looks like. And I have to say, I am a fan of this car! I love the fender flares, chin splitter, and "smiley face" grill. Just looks like a larger surface area for cooling to me! Keep up the great work, Doug.
The last year of the NC was 2015, not 2014.
Secondly, the 2006 NC weighed about 50 lbs more than the 2005 NB. Considering the NC's safety additions, added horsepower, and a significant improvement in chassis stiffness it was worth it.
And the PRHT retracts completely so it doesn't leave a blind spot when open like the ND RF. It's also about 40 lbs lighter than the RF top.
2nd this
ND RF = New Dents Require Funds
We need 1.21 gigawatts, Marty!!
Okay doug thanks for explaining
no
I bought an NC in 2006, the year they came out. After adding a roll bar and lighter exhaust we spent many happy laps together. While fun on-track I also took trips cross country to visit favorite roads in the Rockies, the Ozarks, and on and around the Tail of the Dragon (back when it was still fun). It was a rock-solid car with a bulletproof engine and trans. I drive faster and heavier cars today but still miss that Nordic Green ragtop. Good times.
BTW, the 2006 died offer a removable hard top option but I didn't order it.
Is it weird that I’ve always found the NC to be the best looking gen, especially the facelifted version? Loved the “smile” on the R3 RX-8 too.
I love the pre facelift nc the most. Not much into the smile face. Nc1 looks grown up and nd
I agree, when I think ‘Miata’ I think of this. The smile looks good too!
The smiley RX-8 definitely looks the best. The earlier ones look like they accidentally bit into a lemon.
I love the look, it looks like a fun lightweight car, which it kind of is. It doesn't try and look like it has 9999Kg of down force, it doesn't look Heavy, it looks like you could toss it around without issue. I've always wanted a Miata because it doesn't look over done, you could park it anywhere and most people wouldn't know it's special.
I also think the NC is best looking haha. Always loved it
Well NC were available until 2015.Your example car was missing the divider on the certer console behind the shifter that let's you use it as two cup holders. The slot behind the sun visor was intended to be used as a toll ticket holder, so it doesn't fly away during open top highway trips. Also is worth mentioning the NC Miata has the roomiest interior of all Miatas, even though all 4 generations of Miatas have about the same Wheelbase. Part of the reason is heavier than the previous two generations is that os was developed in parallel with the RX8... Many of the parts are interchangeable or an easy upgrade for the Miata.
@@Jfre2 I guess, you never put front and rear Sway bars into your NC, or upgrades the front wheel bearings to the more HD RX8 units, or replaced the rear NC spindles and axles with the RX8 auto matic ones to prevent a catastrophic failure on the track, nor upgraded the front brakes to RX8 units... All those are plug and play upgrades thanks to platform sharing. Not to mention most if not all suspension control arms are interchangeable as well
@@Jfre2 Same as putting an early lightweight non-airbag a NA dashboard on an NB... Performance advantage because of the lost weight... "Substitutable but not the same" of course its not the same; who wants to make their car worse than the way they came?
Thank you!! I have owned 6 Miatas - 1 NA, 1 MSM, 1 ND... and 3 NC PRHTs. I keep coming back to the NC because it is the most practical, the PRHT is amazing, my wife doesn't hate how cramped it is, and it performs very well. People always call these things a BOAT and I always respond that it is because it stands for BEST OF ALL TIME!! ❤❤
Who calls it a boat?
@@booyaahJayits a meme on the internet, but owning a nc for 6 yrs never heard that in the real world
Does the NC have the most head room?
@@printedprops8730the meme is GOAT not BOAT
I always thought the NC was heavier because it's the only one that shares a platform with another Mazda...The larger RX8.
I have 08 PRHT NC miata since 2013. Puts smile on my face every single time I drive it.
Finally! I always wished for an NC review from Doug, and even more so after I finally bought one. Today is truly a good day!
Congratulations
Just picked up a driver's example PRHT NC2 from 2011 with the LSD, aftermarket Koni shocks, Michelin PS all-seasons, and aftermarket sway bars, all for $15K. Best shifter and clutch I've ever driven, and handling that will make you cackle. It's my only car, and it's brilliant. These cars will ruin other cars for you.
Starting in 2009, the NC2 came with a host of upgrades alongside the facelift, including updates to the suspension and (perhaps most significantly) the engine. Suspension on NC1s wasn't always uniform from the factory, and ride height could vary -- Mazda locked that down on the NC2s. The engine itself received forged internals and upgrades to provide a higher redline and more power under the curve, and the fuel cutoff itself hits at around 7,800 RPM, about 500 RPM later than the indicated redline on the tach. These MZR engines are incredibly stout and rev-happy, and they sound excellent above 7,000 -- you'll want to zing it up there all the time, and you can because engine loves it and the gearing is so short.
Overall, these are great, affordable sports cars from the modern era but before the grand digitalization of driving. No touch screens, no EPAS, no brake-by-wire, all mechanical noise and feel while still being modern and usable every day. And because they're not all that quick (though they feel like lightning compared to an NA or NB), you can use the car properly without going "lose-your-license" fast.
The pre-facelift NC is a perfect reinterpretation of the NA. More muscular with the wheel arches; front- and backlights similar to the NA. The late NC facelifts in flashy colours like red or green are very refreshing; too. Timeless. Many thanks to Mazda for this affordable fun cars!!
This is so accurate. I didn't realize all the styling similarities until I had my NA and NC parked next to each other.
There were 3 NC generations and you are absolutely right about the NC1. Personally I still think the NC3 looks best but the NC1 is without a doubt a modernized NA. The NC2 is kind of lost in the middle.
Right. The IBUKI was the styling study for the NC. Clearly inspired by the NA.
Right. The IBUKI was the styling study for the NC. Clearly inspired by the NA ;).
NC1s in Galaxy Gray Mica look sick
I think this is even better than current one. I loved the flared fenders and proportions which resembled somehow the styling of Triumph TR 6.
I bought an NC MX5 on Monday, absolutely in love with it and a sports car bargain
MX-5 more reliable than a Boxster, sadly.
The Clubsport NC Miata was such a fun car to drive. It handled SOOO well. I worked for Mazda at the time and had one as a demo. Even at 6' 3", it was still comfortable to drive. I have wanted to buy another one ever since.
I've had an NC for a long time, put 100k miles on it, most reliable car I've ever owned. Glad you covered it finally. Also note, the center storage IS cup holders, this car must be missing the little divider insert that turns it into 2 cup holder sections (notice the little slots).
Thought I was going crazy because my NC has cup holders there lol
Lol, I was watching and noticed the insert was missing and went, oh no, hopefully he knows it's missing...@@danielschultz2605
After all these years I never knew those cup holders were removable.
@@OOICU812they’re not, at least in my 08. Goodwin racing sells a cupholder delete that’s just a box, though.
I know you've explained why you don't cover classic cars, but this video reminded me of my father's 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable...and it made me think how amazing your videos would be, pointing out the quirks & features of classic cars! Please consider special classic car editions now & then on your channel. Guarantee your views would jump even higher!
p.s. The '57 Retractables are an amazing engineering feat, and among the most gorgeous cars ever made!
I could not be happier, owning an NC miata. Such a wonderful car. I might never sell it 😊 I have always wondered when Doug would do a review of it.. I lost hope but here it is 😮.
I traded my Miata for a Lexus is250 for practical purposes and have missed the NC every single day. I didn’t have a garage at the time, it rains and the car was a cloth top. I have a garage now, and want to get an NC and keep it forever.
@timmyy24 the soft tops can stay out in the rain perfectly fine, just remember to check the roof drains to make sure they aren't clogged and check the trunk for leaks
It also wouldn't hurt to air it out once in a while or use a small portable dehumidifier
Thanks, Doug! I would say that the NC Club is far superior in every way to the NA and NB, including looks. The under pinnings are over engineered, as they come from the RX-8.
The horsepower to weight ratio is superior to NA and NB. I own an NC3. Coilovers, header, midpipe exhaust and tune, makes it pretty quick. Also, the lowered suspension makes it look pretty snazzy- in fact, I think it's gorgeous.
Yes!! I've been wondering if you would get to the NC soon! I purchased my NC in February. I drove it home, in an Ontario winter, with the top down and as my first car with a stick. I love it so much.
I bought it with 39,000km and felt like I got a great deal on it. It's this exact spec that you're reviewing.
I just recently came back from a 10,400km road trip in my NC. I taught my girlfriend how to drive stick just before we left. We drove from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada to Calgary Alberta. We then drove to a bunch of national parks in the US. Glacier, arches, Zion, Yellowstone, grand Canyon... It was an absolute blast and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. My favorite car I've ever owned and have no plans of getting rid of it. Currently at 56k and I don't even have the opportunity to daily drive it 😂
That sounds like fun. You have to master the art of packing light, but once you have it's all good.
I've had an NC for 4 years now, and it's still such an amazing car. I had only suspension mods and the hard top. It handles so well and I feel so in control, it is my daily and my fun time car. When it comes to the broad appeal of it it IS cute! Yet also 100% serious fun 😊 so I don't see myself ever selling it
Did you go Manual on the trans? I love my '07 NC Miata. These little cars make you fall in love with them, as if they have a personality!
@@felliniesque1 yep it's a manual 6 speed
This generation was a great car. My father had an 07’ grand touring and specs on paper don’t do justice. Handling and power delivery is so much fun and very predictable. It’s not incredibly fast in a straight line, however, the driving experience makes this a blast to drive. One cool accomplishment of the NC, is that it could complete a slalom faster than a Mustang GT, despite the huge difference in power.
No one gives a fawk
Has there ever been a Miata that’s fast in a straight line? Lol
@@OlympiaUnlimited Yes, the Monster Miata with Ford 302 CI V8 engine
@@davepaturno4290 good point. I believe there’s a company that does LS swaps with these as well. I believe there’s some videos on YT.
@michaelwagner3952 You're correct, although if memory serves me correctly, the monster miata in CA started doing swaps, first.
I love every MX-5. Best car models ever made in my opinion. The NC has a special place in my heart not because it's the best one but because the Mazda engineers had to build it on the platform of the much bigger RX-8. Back then Ford had the controlling majority for Mazda and they restricted the funds for the 3rd generation MX-5 so the engineers had to design this car on a strict budget which is a tremendous achievement. The NC may be the worst MX-5 but it's still better than any other small roadster from any brand of the past 30+ years.
Btw: I'm so happy Ford sold their shares on Mazda which makes it pretty much an independent car manufacturer. Since then the quality, design, and appeal of the brand is much much higher than before.
Idea which year Ford has sold their shares to Mazda?
@@Martin4zI believe 2012-2015 ish
Hi Doug Greetings from the UK. I dont comment often but this deserves a huge shout out and a brilliant review/car it is. Sometimes a car crops up and you can get emotional at the same time. My late Mum had 4 MX5 in total and the blasts we had up and down the country were epic. We had an 2008 NC and we loved it. Thankyou Doug for this video and bringing back fond memories of the good times we had in our car.
Thank you for sharing this, I have an NA and NB and my NA is really special because I had planned to drive it on my wedding day but my FIL surprised us with a nice old school Chevy so my late father followed us from the church to the reception driving my miata. He was a big fella and I still remember the sight of him driving it. I hope to fully restore it someday.
@@aarona3111 Thats a really nice story and a wonderful day it must of been for you to see your father driving your Miata. Cars to some people are just tools but to some they are treasured. I hope you do restore it and relive those good times mate.
@@aarona3111the NA and NB cars of Miata are nearly indistinguishable
I got my grandfather's 2006 NC last year. 200,000 miles! Got the windshield replaced recently and the Safelite guy was amazed at how well it still runs. Just realized the coolant reservoir is cracked and spent $150 on a metal one, which is the only mechanical trouble I've had. Small, easy to park, good on gas, simple mechanisms (esp. the soft top, which I love), still keeps up on the highway and most importantly, everyone who sees it smiles. I love it.
Thanks for sharing i don’t remember anyone asking
@@Bussdownbandit climb back in to your dumpster
troll.
The coolant expansion tank is a very common point of failure - seems to be the case in many cars these days. Anyone tracking their NC would be wise to pre-emptively replace it with an alloy tank, which is a simple DIY job. Mine failed the FIRST time I took it on track.
I just got an NC2! I have the absolute base model, 5 speed soft top with no traction control. I didn't even know cars made in 2009 were allowed to be sold without traction control. I absolutely love it, my face matches the grill whenever I'm driving it!
Had a 2008 NC . Had it out of factory repainted in dark-grey , original sidesskirts , other spoiler front and back , 4 excausts , and some metal trim all original Mazda , wooden handbrake and 6 speedknop also in wood. Softtop . Still my best car ever in terms of handling and steering .
I have been looking for one, and despite the length of time NC's were in production, they're not that easy to find - at least not how I want one (manual, for starters and preferably Club). Now everyone will be rushing out to scoop up the few I might have had my eyes on at some point. Thanks a lot Doug!
I am soon selling mine!
@@stereoheadmtl5944 Okay, you have my attention. Year? Miles?
lol, no. you're good. there isn't going to be a surge of people buying NCs because Demuro got paid to make a video about one that's going to auction. 14-15 NCs are not rare cars.
@@5464-n1q lol yeah. The weird thing is although it was kinda meant tongue-in-cheek (Doug style!), I really didn’t see many when I was looking. In a few weeks I saw ONE club within 150 miles, and that includes DC. Maybe bad timing. I’ll be looking again soon
@@stereoheadmtl5944 Let me know when, where, etc!!
Doug the kind of guy who disconnect the battery before washing his car.
Seems your quality control failed you while you wrote this comment 🤡
How?
How?
How?
How?
IMHO the NC2 was the best of the bunch, and that includes the ND. Nice video, glad you gave it the recognition this special car deserves thanks!
NC is very nice. Its an improved and modernized NA + NB Miata and there's nothing to hate about that.
I think its also the best looking of the original bunch.
The middle of the dash looks terrible though.
Great video! As a 2012 model owner I have to add some things:
It actually has 4 cupholders, as the center console compartment has a removable divider to hold cups. The shown car had it not installed, but you can see the place it's supposed to go. Right next to it is a little compartment for a pen, which is a very quirky feature imo.
As for the clutch I have to disagree, it is quite stiff, but has a wide bitepoint. You really have to get used to that. But if you do, oh man.
Also, heads up to all miata owners, but especially NC: never get aftermarket oxygen sensors! Only OEM, otherwise the car runs like sh*t and throws power train codes.
Interesting to know about the ability to put a cupholder divider in the centre console! I've got a NB8B and the cupholders in the centre console are a little in the way for manual shifting. I am happy to live with the compromise but can understand why others would have complained. So for the NC they put the cupholders in the doors (but only to fit a certain size) and so the centre console compromise is still there.
One thing I might mention is, I own an NC Miata from 2008 and there's actually even more storage with a small compartment similar in size to the one between the seats behind each seat! I'm not sure if that exists on the PRHT model but I have it on my soft top miata.
Those compartments don't exist on the PRHT.
2010 PRHT owner. The storage behind the seats was sacrificed to the power top motor.
I remember finding this in my 2008 cloth top and being surprised. It’s truly secret.
Behind the drivers seat is the PRHT electronics. Behind the passenger seat is the stereo amp.
And also the big map pocket in the back of the passenger seat - that's the other secret storage. I do think that the ND could at least have fitted in some door storage of there wasn't room for a glove box
Just got a 2006 NC Miata, wife's choice but I'm enjoying it, it's a million smiles per mile, it's really fun to drive! 2006 GT so it has the LSD, Bilsteins, and 6spd.
I owned one of these many years ago and it was a fantastic car. My favorite Miata for sure.
I'm in England and daily an NC3.2 2009 in top spec with the lecky roof, full black interior with heated leather and (okayish) Bose sound system. I wanted the top spec due to driving at least 75% of my daily commute on the motorway so the 2.0l lump with 6 speed means 3000rpms @ 70mph. Without the air con running I get 280-310 miles (driving style dependant) from a full tank before the fuel light comes on and the light supposedly comes on when you have used 40ltrs from you 50ltr tank. This is using Tesco E5 99 octane petrol which is currently £1.51 per litre.
It's not the most fun to get in and out of which creates wear on the driver seat bolster. It's crap for storage / luggage but we knew that beforehand right! Corrosion is a constant issue with these cars so they prefer warm dry climates, not my UK climate but again we know what we are signing up for.
These cars are incredible fun on twisty country roads hitting turns 10mph faster than you should be and every day driving which is monotonous in most cars is fun and zippy in these however, they are warm and comfortable if you are commuting during colder months. Just don't drive too fast in cold / wet conditions because the nature of the car means the threat of the rear kicking out on you is always looming and I'm currently running Pirelli PZeros.
Super cheap fun reliable motoring all in all and if the underwhelming 158bhp from the 2.0 isn't enough there is a company called BBR here in the UK who can bring it up to 225bhp with basic old school tuning, no forced induction involved. I won't want another sports car until I'm ready to take on a 911 as a 2nd car in the future.
I'm a 37yr old straight bloke for reference, anyone calling these hairdresser's cars don't know about motoring at all and women do love these whenever you take them out! Buy one and enjoy.
I’ve always loved the NC Miata, combo of newer tech and appointments but same classic amazing handling and connectedness
Plus I love how basically every model of the Miata family has the same tradition going with a slow car by modern standards, but a thrill to drive overall.
Exactly! IMO it’s the best daily driver combination- Safety and performance
Its PEAK Miata. The ND has a better power to weight ratio but electric steering... nc still has the hydraulic steering
Why is it that the things that most people don't like are always the best? This is definitely the best looking model of the miata.
I personally think this generation of the Miata until now does not get enough of the love it deserves (yeah ik it looks weird). Thanks for the review Doug!
I think this looks good and the new one has fallen out of favor with me. Don't care for the looks.
@mikewozawski1634 the new once looks awesome especially the rf or club edition or whatever. Tf are you on lol
It looks the best after NA and ia the best track tool. ND has electric steering🤮
I don't think it looks weird, it looks small, nimble, and chubby all at once which is kinda cool.
I been trolling in the comment section but i like ur comment 😂
When I bought my NC sport back in 2013, it took me less than 30 mins to sign the paperwork and drive off with brand new Dolphin Grey NC. It was just that easy. This is how it begin, went tot the dealer, saw the car in the show room, I sat in, took it for test drive for 10 mins and 30 mins later. I am the new owner.
i got an nc1 a couple months ago with only 29,000 miles and i love this car so much
@@ChrisPCookie the nc1 has the best looking front end by far . So clean .
A few additional things…the club trim level was offered for three model years (13, 14, 15), and a similar trim option (the special edition) was offered for a few years prior.
The PRHT DOES reduce storage space, just not trunk space specifically. It eliminates the storage cubbies behind the seats that the soft top enjoys.
And the soft top NC’s had a lighter, aluminum trunk lid, while the PRHT required a steel one.
Interesting information.
I'll trade the cubby space and aluminum trunk lid,for a top that is quieter and never needs replacement!
I like all MX5’s. The only model I drove was the current generation but I drove both the soft top and retractable fastback both with the 1.5 engine. Fantastic fun car to drive. I own a GT86 but if I was buying a convertible in this segment it’d be a ND 2.0 MX5 Retractable fastback.
Especially the 1989 Miata, the 2000 Miata LS, and 2007 Mazda Roadster.
I have owned a 2008 NC for 9 years and have driven an NA and NB, all are terrific little cars that live for twisty backroads and tolerate super highway use. Compared to my previous rides, which include a Scirocco, 16 v GTI, two Toyota Supras, and a Mustang GT, this car has been the most fun on a back road for me. Closer to riding my motorcycle than driving a more sophisticated automobile, not that the other cars were not also a hoot in their own way but the Miata is just more like being in a large go-kart!
Wow, as a big fan of the NC miata I have been wanting Doug to make this video for a while now. I bought one a few years ago and have enjoyed my time with it.
Me too bro. Glad i bought one before this video lol
@@ghuldorgrey 100% correct. I got an 06 back in 2020. 58K miles, paid $6500 for it.
Loved mine (2007 GT 6m) for 10 years and 100K+ miles with basically zero issues(a thermostat was the only non wear item I ever had to replace). Would still be loving it today if it hadn't been totaled by another driver running a stop sign. I prefer it over the ND because the steering feel is better. The engine character is better and there isn't a stupid screen sticking out of the dash. The only thing I thought would have made it better was better seats.
I’m on my second NC2 (2012) after wearing out my 2010-absolutely love them and will continue to drive NC2s until I can no longer find a nice PRHT/6-speed. Paired with a RoadsterSport2 cat-back exhaust, it’s fantastic.
Any fix for the stiff 6 speed manual when cold / first 5-10 minutes of driving? 2nd is clunky and can soft lock you out on first attempt to shift. 3rd gear needs extra force to shift into and down into... this clears up after a good 10 mins of driving.. I've put redline in and no change at all from stock tranny fluid. Only about 45k miles on the car... 😞
@@absoluteclownworldHmm, I haven’t experienced that on either but I do live in Florida where it doesn’t get very cold. Check the forums and you’ll see where most guys SWEAR by Motorcraft XT-M5-QS synthetic fluid-you may give it a shot next.
@@absoluteclownworld I have an NC3.2 (2009) 6 speed and have the same issue here in the UK. I'm yet to service the gearbox to see if it helps but these boxes are known for this. It's handy to let the car warm up for 3-5 mins before driving but sometimes you just have to go so then, especially on cold days I just granny shift, expecting 2nd and 3rd to catch slightly on their way into position. When there is too much resistance I simply go back into neutral push the clutch in and out and gently push in into gear so as not to wear out the gear forks / selector. It's a gripe but a minor one, the box will still last forever unless you beat on it hard. My car has only done 40k miles, I got it at 33k and it was no different then. Quirks!
@MuscleBandit thanks for the reply guys 😀 yeah I've been all over the forums, and people either say normal or not normal ( guessing some boxes are better than others ). I'll try the ford juice next change and see if any better but I don't think it will do anything imo. Guess I just have a tight tolerance box
@@absoluteclownworld mine is that way. The Ford transmission fluid made little if any difference.
I LOVE the smile! The Miata might be a sports car, but it's about having fun! The NC looks like it's happy to be there, for the same reason that the NA does! I almost want one of these as my first car now...
i regret selling my NC literally every day, such an excellent car
The center console comes with a removeable plastic insert that separates it into cupholders. Since it's removeable it's also easy to lose, which is probably what happened to the one being reviewed.
I own a 2010 NC with 295,000 miles on it. They're great cars, especially if you take care of them. Worth noting that the NC2+NC3 have forged internals with the manual transmission and revised trans forks.
I had a 2008 which I believe is the NC1. I prefer the styling of the NC1 personally. I didn’t like the smile, but I liked the over the top flairs for such a small car.
I am 6 feet tall. I sold my Mustang a few months ago. I was looking for a Miata but when I tried out the NA and NB models were too cramped inside. I bought a 2010 NC with the retractable hardtop and I love it.
Ive been wanting a NC2 to add to the fleet as a track car for a while.
13:00 interesting, I own a 2014 NC and it has cup holders in the middle compartment. It's more like an insert for the compartment, but its definitely designed to hold cups.
14:24 you could definitely get the NC with quite a large touchscreen navigation system, even in the base model
The Miata used to be called the Barbie car, well I guess that makes me Ken because I’ve always been a fan
Especially since the majority of the time I see men driving them now
A few additional things…the club trim level was offered for three model years (13, 14, 15), and a similar trim option (the special edition) was offered for a few years prior.
The PRHT DOES reduce storage space, just not trunk space specifically. It eliminates the storage cubbies behind the seats that the soft top enjoys.
And the soft top NC’s had a lighter, aluminum trunk lid, while the PRHT required a steel one.
The 2011 facelift not only changed the front fascia and interior but it also brought about new engine internals and thus a higher redline (~7400 rpm)
Great review of one of my favorite Miatas.
I was looking for an NC when I came across a great deal on a pristine NA, and I've never regretted it for an instant.
Even when I do get an NC someday, I'll probably never get rid of my Classic Red 1990 NA.
My dream spec would probably be a silver NC3 PRHT in the Grand Touring trim with the Premium and Suspension Packages, and the roof wrapped in black to look kind of like a Club.
The only things I could nitpick about the video is that the last year of the NC was actually 2015 (not 2014) and that the Club has the same size wheels as the Grand Touring (but bigger than the Sport).
But overall, a great review!
Speaking on 2500 lbs being heavy, in the late 90s/early 2000s I built an 89 EF hatch (88-91 Civic). I pulled out ALL the factory wiring, carpets, headliner, doorpanels, an trimmed excess bracketry. No heater or any stock gauges. Reinstalled a gutted CRX dash with Autometer gauges, individual switch panel, 12 circuit universal wiring harness, Momo fiberglass driver seat, JAZ plastic passenger seat, carbon hood, lexan windows on rear quarters, rear hatch abd driver side, Formula style carbon mirror, FiberImages carbon fiber hood, high compression D16A6 SOHC non vtec with Gude Gorilla cam, locked out mechanical distributor from UKDM D14 carbed SOHC, TWM intake manifold, dual Weber DCOE45 carburetors, Bisimoto header with Dynomax buller emptying under the car, Odyssey PC680 battery, JimFab tubular front cross member, 95A steel engine mounts, EG 1/2 width rad, no bumper supports, ported A6 head, manual CRX steering rack & crossmember, 12 gallon fuel cell in hatch and all Aerquip fuel lines--all stock fuel lines were removed, no windshield wipers, brackets, linkages or motor, HF aluminum rear brake drums. The car weighed about 1675 lbs. and had 170 whp at 7500 rpm. It was VIOLENT. It wasn't super fast by todays standards (probably an upper 12 second 1/4 mile) but if you drove it or rode in it, you were convinced it was going to kill you. It was so loud--it was like a 4 wheel motorcycle--the engine would come on the cam at 4800 rpm and the Webers went from a gurgle to a SCREAM! It was was BY FAR the funnest car I've ever owned and probably the most entertaining car I've ever been in in sheer overkill. Recently I had a very modified Chevy SS sedan (2017)--that was pretty fast (high 10 second 1/4 NA) and handled well but at 4000 lbs, I just never connected with it. Light cars do everything better! I now daily a 2018 FK8 Type R with some lighter parts (15 lb titanium exhaust system, 14 lb lithium battery, rear wiper delete, 18" x 9.5" wheels and 265/35ZR18 tires that are about 5 lbs lighter per corner, titanium bolts throughout the car) and at 2980 lbs is about the limit IMO of what a fun car should weigh and is a good compromise in terms of weight and street safety and usability.
The NC is not my favorite Miata, but I can tell that it's actually a really good car. I still prefer the NB, but the NC is also a cool little sports car
@@GennaroVincenzo Miata is Old High German for reward. The Miata is so named because it's rewarding to drive. Trash can in Japanese is gomibako.
I own one of these so I was super excited to watch your video! One quirk you missed that is worth mentioning is that if you double press the unlock button on the key, you can put both windows down!
The best looking Miata to me.
The centre cupholder is missing at 11:55. There is a removable divider that slips between the bumps in the centre of this compartment that holds 2x coffee cups nicely.
I had a 2007 NC 1.8, in Belgium. compared to the usual diesel sedan everyone was driving over there, it still felt like a fast car. I took it to a fabulous road trip through Switzerland and Tuscany for 2 weeks, it was the perfect companion and a blast over these roads. I had to sell it when I moved to the US less than a year after I got it and always regretted it. My family situation changed (kids) and a Miata was no longer in the cards. I had several cars 3x more powerful than my old NC, none made me smile as much
I have 2005 NC the actual year they came out. It’s galaxy grey with tan soft top. I’ve been using it as a daily since 2016 and I’m still in love with this little thing.
Having had two PRHTs and one soft top NC, the hardtop didn't do **anything** to make it quieter in the cockpit.
There's a second set of cupholders that weren't shown with this car, and that's in the center sliding console. There's an insert that came with the car that drops into the compartment to hold two cups. It's a terrible design but it existed. I always pulled it out and put it in the toolbox. I probably have three of them in the collection of leftover parts from cars I've owned over they years.
Who even uses the cupholders in miatas? No open cup wont spill when driving properly...
@@ghuldorgrey Probably people who want to have a water bottle or soda close at hand. Who drives with an open cup? I've never known anyone to take a drink into a car without a lid or cap.
@@bwofficial1776I would always bring an open mug of coffee in my Miata because I have low IQ
I've always been a fan of this look, didn't know they are unpopular, I personally like it a lot
The earlier NCs had door-mounted cup holders that I found intruded into my clutch leg, at least when I drove one at the Mazda Zoom Zoom event.
Love this car overall, and this Club Manual PRHT is the perfect version. Amazing car. It's my favorite of the four generations.
Loved the video!
We now have a Doug video with the NA, Doug videos with the ND1 and ND1, and now a Doug video with an NC.
Now we just need an NB video from Doug to finish the family, though I think having one video with a normal NB and one with the turbo Mazdaspeed Miata is warranted, given how different the two are.
And if he's doing more miata videos, maybe 30AE and 100AE?
I'm in love with the NC smile. I love how whimsical the design is. It's like the most inviting thing ever.
Worth noting for owners: There is a switch in the trunk, between the taiights that disables the power trunk release. I imagine for parking with the roof down.
It is easy to accidentally flip this switch with luggage. So if you think your power trunk release is inop, check this switch.
Learned about the open roof AC option from the video and now this, thank you!
i only realised this the other day, i saw the switch, flicked it, shut the boot and it wasnt responding to any button presses, freaked out and realised theres a keyhole
@@LPCardinalswish we got an engine from AC 427 SC into the 2014 Miata man
Took my step mom's mx5 a few times when I was younger. Fun car to drive
The only Miata i owned (and still currently own) is a 2017 ND RF, and it's my daily. I freaking love this car, but i got to say i'm a little bit jealous of all the extra storage the NC has over the ND. It is for sur making it a better daily, no doubt. And about the styling, even if the ND (and especially the RF) is on top for me, i always loved the NC. The front-end is a little quircky, but i love those fender flares, and the rear end is beautiful.
Thanks for sharing i don’t remember anyone asking for your opinion
troll.
@@Bussdownbanditwhen people make comments in the comment section: 😡
@@OOICU812 🤣🤣🤣👍☺️
13:01 there is indeed cup holders the car is missing a removable divider, another note the car was also sold through 2015
I almost bought one of these earlier this year but bought an SLK55 instead for the same price. I still would have went with the NC, though, if it hadn't been bought before I could get to it. These have always been great cars and the wiser members of the Miata community have always recognized that. Especially these days, when NA's and NB's can be overpriced and rapidly aging. I don't mind that I got a V8 roadster with more than twice the power of the Miata, but even the NC is such a focused car that you can't ignore its charm, would have also been an amazing experience, I'm sure.
The Miata definitely woulda been cheaper in the long run to own
@@Craycrayallday For sure. Having a manual would have also been the main reason to go for the NC. The SLK is actually not bad to own as long as someone has serviced the hydraulic roof already. If not, yeah it's crazy expensive.
SLK55 has like 4 times the running costs lol
SLK 55 is an awesome vehicle. Unlike the crappy Ford derived and bearing eating engines of the NC, the good old M113 v8 will not grenade itself. Also you can Manual Swap it with some Crossfire bits if you want a unique V8 manual roadster made from granite.
So ignore the nay sayers above. You made a great decision. Jeremy Clarkson had one for a reason.
@@STRGHTSXBNZ Oh yeah, the SLK has been great so far, puts on a smile on my face each time I drive it, which is all I care about. I'm not here for the nay sayers, just to say how the NC is a great roadster too.
Theres storage bins behind each seat and also seatback pockets. Theres a clip in attachment for the center console bin that makes it into 2 cupholders although I never use mine because it interferes with shifting.
Fact Check: On my 2015 NC, the center compartment does have cup holders, there is supposed to be a little double crescent looking plastic divider thingie that snaps into those tabs that you see so you can have 2 cups in that little cubbie. Not sure why you would want to however. The little crescent divider thing was removeable so I am sure that the prior owner lost it.
To add: that compartment is not very useful as storage because (at least on my '07) the locking mechanism is inexplicably huge and protrudes halfway into the depression. OK for some coins and small (flat) items but definitely more use as a cupholder than actual storage
I have a 2013 Club PRHT with basically the reverse color scheme as this (black with red accents) with the "aero" package or whatever Mazda calls it. I bought it 2.5 years ago with 19.8k miles on it. I daily drive it and love every moment.
Also, the center console is missing the cup holder attachment in this video. Mine has center cup holders.
I had an '06 Miata as my daily driver for 13 years, until my husband convinced me to trade it. That was a huge mistake. I miss that car daily and my husband is lucky I kept him after that!
Last year for the nc was 2015. Plus there is a divider for the center console for two cup holders. I have a 2013 Grand Touring PRHT.
As a drivers car, the NC2/3 is the best Miata ever made. Suspension is much better than an NA/NB and has numerous advantages over the ND. Hydraulic steering, more soulful motor when you approach redline, stronger trans, way better aftermarket, more predictable at the limit.
He's missing the center console divider that makes it cup holders. It was missing on my 2012 PRHT SE, Part # NH5264516C
Love ya Doug but 2015 was the last year of the NC3…its also true that the center console has a removable plastic piece that turns it into cup holders . That said I LOVE my NC2 PRHT. Its superior in every way to my NB1
The only MX-5 I've driven and it was wonderful. That cornering on winding mountain roads 👌
All are various degrees of wonderful!
I started with the OG 1990 NA with hard and soft top. My dream car. I was 16 when it came out. Moved to a place with some topology changes, and lost some Zoom, Zoom.
Found a 2008 Sport PRHT, red, manual, with around 14k miles from single owner. Picked that up and have loved it ever since! 2nd car with fewer than 20k miles! ❤❤❤
“The truth hurts .. maybe not as much as riding a bike with the seat missing , but it still hurts “ - Frank Drebin
I had an NA for a long time but the NC is my favorite and I think it looks the best. The slightly larger shape makes it look more planted than the other three chassis.
This is easily my favourite MX5 (we don’t call them Miatas here in Blighty). The hard top convertible should be vastly more common, it’s a step forward engineering-wise and I resent Mercedes, BMW, etc. for copping out and reverting to cloth. It’s 2023 not 1923. Hardtop convertibles also suit marginal borderline weather areas too (so if you desperately have the roof down for every nanosecond it’s not raining). Of course there’s the thermal, security and noise/comfort aspects as well.
I really like the way that Club edition came together, they almost mitigated the less than ideal front section.
Props for calling out BMW and 'cedes for going back to 1923 with softops. Especially given that these are premium brands where cost and weight is not a consideration.
@@andycalifornia426 I have a theory - that with structural changes brought on by gradual electrification we might see this make a comeback, the ability to build and fold a roof will become easier and cheaper potentially with new materials and mechanisms. That said there was far more hysteria around the reliability of the roof mechanism when the vehicles first came out, in practice owners report nowhere near as many problems as they were expecting or led to believe could happen. I think this will make them unique in the "future classic" arena somehow, I've read about people taking measures to improve seals and lubrication on existing designs to reduce rattle and shake quite a bit on the SLKs, etc. as well.
As we devolve into safe-vs-unsafe areas which you might traverse in a run - this will probably come back to importance once more too.
I have one just like that, except mine is a bit weird. It's a club by VIN and features, but doesn't have the club badging. It also has leather seats, which others in my local club have never seen. I'm very fond of it even though I'm starting to have trouble getting in and out of it. The air deflector and "open air" vents were also found on my 2003 S2000, so you could drive it with the top down in cold weather.
I love the looks of the NC personally. Such a fun car to drive!
I have an NC 2012 GT. It put a samioe in my face every time I drive it. Such a great car. Bigger trunk than the ND and hydraulic steering wheel.
We used to clown this car but I’m actually starting to think it’s kinda cool. The fender bulges give it a sort of retro-futuristic look