I have seen a couple, such as the 25th Anniversary Edition, which come with a few extras and some nice aesthetic changes (the 25th especially works with the red plate on the dashboard I think, and the black roof) but for the most part it seems like the only differences for the ‘specials’ over some of the more normal builds are the paint colour and the seats?
If I’m already going to be replacing the audio head unit with something more modern (as even the most advanced unit in an NC is inadequate anyway), are there any specific ‘editions’ that are worth aiming for, if I’m not too fussed about the outer paint colour? (I am slightly fussed, but there’s some good colours for all the editions so I’m not too worried there).
Leather seats are a must, or at least quality ones, though I guess I could get those afterwards anyway too. The stuff that’s important is the things that can’t really be changed/added.
So a 2.0 with 6-speed manual and LSD / cruise control / AC / any other tech is the minimum.
This seems to say that the Venture model (and the limited editions like the 25th) is the one to aim for, as it -seems- to suggest that the Sport Tech and Sport Nav don’t come with AC or Cruise Control… though I’m not sure if that’s right? Or were they optional extras and I’d need to check on a car by car basis?
Just trying to get some bearings on what I should be looking for!
I purchased my NC Sport Black in 2013 after finding it had most of what I wanted.
Limited Slip Differential, Fog Lights, Cruise Control, Heated Leather Seats, Bilstein Shocks, Air Conditioning etc.
Works really well for me, but all down to getting in and driving before you buy.
NC Recaro Editions are also one to look for, but few and far between.
Most, probably all NC Sport Techs come with AC and CC from 2009 onwards when that model was introduced. Pre or up to 2009 the NC Sport (NC1) didn’t come with CC but the AC was an option as was Bose.
The Roadster Blog website which is usually a excellent source for model info has this omission regarding the above options.
I sold a Recaro Edition earlier this year, it was basically a Sport Tech with a few more additions trim wise, the seats though were the winner in that model.
I opted for a 2014 sport tech 2.0 prht after much searching, the rationale being the last of the run should be about the best they could get it having ironed out any kinks over time - I’d always rather buy a last run/pre face-lift car than a new untested model. The anniversary was very tempting but came at a premium, and I found a great, lower mileage/lower owner car for quite a bit less money. The sport tech gave me everything I wanted in the base car to work from.
To answer the original question, yes, import a Mazdaspeed model from Japan.
Alternatively, any first gen NC wearing its full option Mazdaspeed bodykit with a bit of lowering over some tasty wheels, and finished off with the detachable hardtop
So it sounds like Sport Tech 2.0 (in the facelifts) should be the minimum. The Venture models seems to be much the same, but with… brown leather seats? And sport black and sport graphite seem to be sport techs but with different colours.
Easy spot when looking if an NC has CC, it will be NC2 onwards, on the other side of the SW opposite the radio controls it will have the extra buttons for the CC. The right dial of the three heater/vent controls will have a light at its centre and say AC above it, you have AC/climate.
Thanks, I knew about the AC (My current 1.8 has AC) but I have never had cruise so it’s handy to know where the obvious marker for it is so I can tell from auto trader photos if the description is ambiguous!
Now I just have to actually find a good condition car!
Just to say that CC can be retrofitted quite easily on the NC2, if that’s something that’s on your ‘want’ list. I did it on mine, and documented it on here
For the NC2 I had, I specifically sought out a 2.0 SE spec car as I don’t like leather seats in roadsters (an unpopular opinion perhaps!). Mine also had climate control. Given it was a 2.0, the LSD was there, I wasn’t bothered about heated seats and I was going to change the audio and suspension anyway - so Bose and Bilsteins mattered not. All depends what you’re going to do with the car really.
On the gearbox topic, I preferred the feel of 5-speed box and interestingly, it actually sits at lower RPM at motorway speeds than the 6spd, which people often don’t realise. Mazda didn’t design 6th speed in the box in the way you might imagine, and in fact altered the ratios so it was a bit quicker to accelerate through the gears.
I thought AC a nonsense until finding myself in heavy rain in humid conditions. The NC can be a nightmare of all round visibility without adding fogged windows into the mix. I’ll hate it if it goes wrong of course….
I was in two minds about my five speed. I’ve got used to six over the years but rarely use that final one living in Cornwall.
I’m a convent now for the MX as a five speed.
is considered unbreakable.
consequent on 1) they are peanuts to buy as who needs them?
If I’m having a blast I never use fifth. It’s just for traffic trains and if you find yourself on a dual or motorway.
A four speed would be the crowning glory for those with a turbo
This is interesting then, I have been wanting to put this to bed for ages and as I have a 2012 2.0 soft top SE with 9k on the clock and also a 2012 Sportech 2,0 RHT with 8k on the clock both having LSDs Both are completely stock. This I can say, The 2.0 SE 5 speed records 2750 rpm at 60 in 5th but the 2.0 Sportech records 2550 rpm in 6th around 200 rpm at 60 lower. I have always found the SE to have more get up and go than the Sportech and this confirms it as it has lower overall gearing , I actually prefer the 5 speed softop as it seems more alive than the RHT explained by weight and gearing it seems.
Yes that chart is US but does show the gearbox ratios which are unlikely to be different so whichever final drive you have the output can be seen from the chart.
