Hey guys, I’ve finally reached a point in my life when i can get my first proper car. It was no challenge choosing as with no kids i don’t need a boring hatchback or crossover so why not get a fun mx-5?
I’ve been researching for the past week with my budget of £2500 and almost settled on a hunting for a Sport or Euphonic spec MK2.5 however a thought came across my mind about selling some of my DJing gear (hardly used nowadays) to get the budget up to £5000 which would put me looking at NC platform cars which i previously thought out of my price range.
Is it worth forking out double the money to get a Mk3 over a Mk2? Either way i want one of the higher spec models with an LSD, improved handling & bigger wheels.
I went from an NB to an NC in May and it was the best thing I have done. Dont get me wrong, I loved the NB but I needed something that my Partner, (Who has arthritis in her hips and back, Polymialgia and a few other things), could get into easy, was comfortable on long distance, (Tend to do more touring now), but still had the character of the MX5. Each have their own quircks and characteristics and as has been previously stated, you need to drive an NC as they are a different beast to the NB. The NB is more sportscar bias whereas the NC is more of the GT type, more interior space, bigger boot, etcetc.
Good idea, updated my profile. I’ll be interested to see if there’s many people around here I don’t see too many MX-5’s around and i bet most i do are tourists! The North West region’s events seem to be more localized in the “south” which is a shame because the Lake district hides some of the UK’s best roads!
I did sit in an NB and while i did fit it was a tight squeeze especially my thighs up against the steering wheel(6’ 3"). Maybe an NC will be my only realistic option due to my size.
Is £5000 an acceptable budget when looking for an NC?
You guys seem good at getting people to spend their money around here.
Two of the several reasons we bought our particular NC were the adjustable steering wheel and the height adjustment on the driver’s seat. Not all NCs have these options but it is worth looking for them if you are taller than average (like me). The height adjustable seat is often leather and heated.
I can’t advise on budget, because condition is very much a driver on the price. Take a good long look underneath the car; my dealer was happy for me to look at it on his lift while still undecided, and take lots of photos in case I missed something, which in the end was another reason we bought it, even though it did push the budget a bit too high.
I’m probably a bit biased (being an NB 1.8 Euphonic owner) but getting into my 5 at the start or end of a working day ALWAYS brings a smile to my face. Even though it is a snug fit with my 6’ 1" XL shape but even in long journeys (Southampton to Lotus, Norwich) it is still very comfortable.
If you like wielding spanners at weekends - then find a good NB and spend the extra getting it to A1 condition by upgrading brakes, suspension, sorting the rust etc.
If you just want to get in and tour, then spend all the cash on an NC
Decisions, decisions !! Whichever one you choose it’ll still be great fun!
I upgraded from an NB to an NC recently. Still love the NB although will be putting up for sale this weekend. To be honest, my main reason for switching to the NC was simply because I fancied a newer model. I don’t find the driving experience much different between the two and certainly don’t feel the inside of the NC is noticeably bigger than the NB. The NC interior is perhaps a little more refined in terms of looks but that’s about it. The only thing I would say about the NC is that it’s probably worth lowering it to improve the stance and handling on the road. I’ll likely be getting that done on mine in the spring.
Budget-wise, you can pick up a very decent early NC for £5k and, if you look around, you might even pick up a later model. Check the mileages though. Lower price usually means higher mileage.
Whichever you go for in the end I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Finding a mk2 without terminal rust problems could be more difficult, mk3s don’t seem to have the same problems, but early days! Mechanics on both good if looked after and reasonable mileage. Rust is the killer, and Mazda are the worst! I have a 10 year old Toyota, a few dinges but chassis & body as good as new, hardly any stone chips at 60k. Mk4 6k bonnet full of chips! Is it paint, is it the low bonnet, is driving fast on back roads? Crap paint!!!, love the drive though.
you will find a good Mk3 for your budget. Don’t rush it, look at a few before deciding.
I went from a Mk1 to Mk3; Mk3 is more comfortable, has more room, has more torque but is not the full on driving experience of the two earlier marques.
Totally agree with Johns Boi and others in thinking that the NB is more of a sports car and the NC more of a GT. I noticed the difference swapping from my 1999 Mk 2 to a 2007 Mk 3. Loved the Mk 2 and now love the Mk 3 which is definitely, for me anyway, a better long distance motor. Less frenetic.
Another question! Thought i’d post here rather than make a new thread though; to keep things tidy.
Low mileage soft-top or highish mileage electric top? Or how many miles is an electric top worth in valuing a car?
A few electric topped NC’s fall within my budget but often have 20-30k more miles than comparable soft topped cars. I’m finding it hard to judge the value of an electric top having never been in a convertible car ever in my life. I will be dailying the car around the lake district which isn’t known for it’s good weather. How is the soft top in bad weather? Leaking issues? Cold? Is the extra weight of an electric top noticeable?
Hi Tom,
I do about 11000 miles per year in my nc soft top in all seasons.
So far (touch wood) I’ve never had a leak, and the heater is more than capable of keeping me warm in below zero temperatures.
When I see posts like this about the MK2 & rust I smile to myself - I’ve chassis rails in perfect condition according to the mechanic and no rust issues with sills - still the original ones. Mines is a 2000 plate as well though I’m only the 3rd owner & the 1st owner had it in Jersey doing ridiculously low yearly mileage e.g 1500/year mileage now only just hitting 57k - though admittedly I’ve been very lucky in my impulse purchase to replace a dying Fiat Stilo.
I regret selling my Mk2, I’ve never found a Mk2 since without rust problems. Hold onto yours, it’s a gem if clear of rust.
Re that above post about Mk3’s have a look at this one, it looks good but believe me it’s in a sorry state. High miler yes, but it’s chassis is shot, even the front chassis rails I believe, I checked out it’s MOT history.
I have a 1999 NB and just acquired a 2009 NC Sport Tech. I’m 6ft 2in. I can squeeze into the NB but over long distances get a bit of foot cramp due to the driving position. In the NC, I actually have the seat forward a bit. They are quite different cars. I agree 100% with the comment re the sports car v the GT. Get into the NC, and I’m in a relatively modern car. Get in the NB and I’m going back in time.
Which car is more fun? The NB. Rough around the edges, lacking a few mod cons, but you’ll feel more in touch with the road.
Both are soft tops, although I have a hard top for the NB. When buying the NC, I considered the Coupe version but just didn’t like the look of it with the top up.
Whichever you pick, you won’t go wrong. Just take a rust detector when you look at the NB!
No intention of selling her - she No. 75 of the Black Jasper Conran special eds - unless my girlfriend gets pregnant - I ain’t got a girlfriend at the moment either
though I’m only the 3rd owner & the 1st owner had it in Jersey doing ridiculously low yearly mileage e.g 1500/year mileage now only just hitting 57k - though admittedly I’ve been very lucky in my impulse purchase to replace a dying Fiat Stilo.