Kind of following on from my introduction thread, here’s more about my 2012 NC2 KURO.
To be honest I had no intention of getting an MX-5, I’ve ridden in a couple of NBs before and I don’t fit comfortably. The NC has always had a bit of a reputation for being the ‘lesser’ MX-5 so I didn’t consider it and I can’t afford an ND. I’m actually a devoted Land Rover nut and have had this since learning to drive in 2008. Oh yes, NAs were out because I spend enough time sweeping up Land Rover rust.
I fancied something smaller and sporty in 2018 so I got a Smart Roadster Coupe, a fun car but with more flaws than it’s tiny luggage space could carry. I then decided to get a Tesla, so sold the Smart along with one of my Land Rovers to put down a deposit on that - in February 2020. As you can imagine, the plan to drive that every day went down the toilet and it became surplus to requirements, so I sold it in October last year. Thanks to the crazy car prices of the time, the selling price cleared the finance and left me with enough for another car. But what to buy?
I didn’t want another Land Rover (although I almost bought a Range Rover, stopped myself), nor did I want another Smart. I looked at a 2005 MR2 and hated its lack of luggage space, then for a while I was set on an Elan M100. Turns out it’s almost impossible to buy those so just on a whim I went to see a 2009 NC that was at a local garage. 1.8 5-speed soft-top so not what I wanted but I fitted and it had a really surprising amount of space for luggage.
Ended up finding this one online, I’m a sucker for special editions and this ticked all the boxes. I’m pleased to say that it has been fantastic, I don’t daily drive but I’ve driven it as much as I could. I drove it for a bit in winter last year and it just felt wrong, I didn’t want to ruin it with road salt so bought a cheap Freelander as a winter beater. As such, it will be in the garage for a sleep in a couple of months but I intend to enjoy playing with it for a bit longer yet.
I haven’t had too many chances for adventures, I usually go to the Nürburgring in August but since 2019 that has fallen through for one reason or another. On the bank holiday a couple of weeks ago I did a day trip up to the peaks, taking in Ashbourne, Buxton, Hope, Edale and Derwent before snaking my way back down. I had the dashcam running most of the time and made a timelapse video.
I don’t know what happened to the car before I got it, but the average MPG was 24.6 when it was handed over. Every time I’ve driven it since, the number has gone up until it’s now 33.3. Time for a service now though and as the documentation is a bit spotty (last dealer service was 2018) I’ll be booking it in with Rockingham to do a 10 year service with basically all fluids, hopefully I can keep it in mint condition.
I’ve done a few tweaks -
I put fitted black seat covers on it because the leather was slippery and I wanted to keep it nice. I actually didn’t want leather seats but it’s apparently a requirement for this spec level, had I got an ND I would’ve wanted the Recaro half-leather.
I’ve fitted a CTEK connector to the blanking plug on the boot so I can trickle it from a solar panel when it’s in the garage.
I made myself a centre armrest using a BMW E46 part and some 3D printing, my left elbow needed support.
I was going to swap out the factory stereo with a big screen unit but instead I found a Bluetooth FM transmitter that works well and paired it with a Magsafe charger for my iPhone.
There’s also a SmartTOP in there, a Viofo dashcam and I recently got a Jass Performance air scoop. If possible I’d like to find a way to raise/lower the windows and/or roof from the outside, as both would make it easier to get in and out while in the garage.
It needs a new gear knob at some point as this one is worn but otherwise it’s great, I even had a chance to polish the exhausts earlier in the year.
I think that about covers it for now. Cheers.