so on this coming Sunday 17oct 2021, I will have had my nc2 for 6 full week’s and Monday will be the start of week 7.
I am finally settling into the ride and handling and my confidence in it is starting to build.
the reason it’s taking me so long to settle in is 3 fold.
the main one being suspension (prev owner mismatched the rear springs).
then there is the fact that before I got this car I had not driven any vehicle for 2 and a half years.
then lastly there’s the fact that I had not driven a rear-wheel-drive for almost 20 years.
one thing that keeps surprising me is just how much it is like my old manta GTE exclusive!
Although they are VERY different cars, the handling and performance are so very very similar.
(first and second gear are about the same but the mx5 has much better performance in 3rd 4th 5th and of course it has a 6th gear witch the manta didn’t have)
I had wanted to get another manta BUT, well, you know, it’s 12grand for a fully restored one, and at the end of the day, it’s still a 40-year-old car with 60-year-old brake tech, no power anything! no airbags. open dif, and nowhere to get up-to-date modding parts from.
so in the light of all that, while I was a little sad that I couldn’t get another manta. I couldn’t be happier with my choice of an mx5 nc2.
I am looking forward to a long and happy journey through the years with my nc2 and I am pretty sure it’s going to be just as good if not even better than my years with the manta!.
furthermore, I now have the advantage of age and experience.
so hopefully, while modding the NC. I won’t waste money having to do things twice or correct bad decisions like it did so often with the manta.
a picture of my precious
edit. i shall use this thread to keep a track of the work and mods I have done.
work done so far.
4 tires.
changed number plate.
replaced door sub speaker.
replaced shocks n springs for Meisterr coil-overs
basic alignment.
coolant changed 25 November 2021.
all oils changed 9-12-21 37k miles.
hand brake adjusted.
fast road alignment.
underseal and cavity.
piper cross air filter.
rear upper brace.
stronger anti-roll bars.
underside chassis braces.
paint calipers and change pads all around
work that needs to be done. in order of priority.
.
re-Bush rear suspention (£280 cost in parts)
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/Mk3+NC+(2005-2015)-2621/1.html
OR
Replace all rear suspention arms (850 parts cost)
check scuttle grommets.
replace coolant tank with aluminum one.
work that needs doing not in order of priority
BBR 180 kit.
Sound tube Delete.
full paint valet.
work I will do after the need list.
rear boot spoiler.
Mazda service
Roof service/replace dodgy sensors.
work I am thinking about for the future. not in any order!
nc3 nose!
supercharger or 2.5 engine! or maybe even both!!! yes, both would be overkill but I don’t care!
bumper lip front n rear
ICE, under-seat subs, head unit, aftermarket speakers all round, and the amps to drive them. may also need a second battery in the boot and split charger.
replace washer water tank for larger (prob) aluminum version.
corner weights.?
1 touch roof control
manual for adjusting roof handle.
