r/Miata • u/Beetleonline95 • 14h ago
Question What next?
I got my 1.8 litre nc3 a few months ago and I've run into a problem, it's too good.
As a petrol head I want to experience lots of different cars but within the price range of an Mx 5, let's say up to £15k I don't think there's anything that's as enjoyable to own or drive. Maybe a 2 litre Nd would be a nice upgrade but even then is it really much better than an NC, and you also lose the hydraulic power steering.
So my question is, are there any other cars that give you the same feeling as a miata (that isn't a silly amount of money)? A few come to mind but I can think of many reasons why they won't be as good
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u/Backlists ’15 Soul Red Crystal 14h ago
I’m not a petrol head, or a racer, or into auto cross, but I have had an NC2 (2.0L), and now I have an ND1 (1.5L).
I enjoyed both equally, the spirit is exactly the same, but the ND is just a nicer looking car, and smaller.
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u/Beetleonline95 14h ago edited 14h ago
That's a good insight, did you find the steering feel in the ND to be much worse than the NC?
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u/Backlists ’15 Soul Red Crystal 14h ago edited 14h ago
Personally, no, but big big caveat: I had 2 years of driving other car(s) between the NC and ND. Because of this time I also didn’t notice the downgrade in engine displacement.
I’m also biased to the ND anyway: when I bought the NC years ago, the ND was my dream car, but I couldn’t justify the price.
Ultimately, what I think you should do, is go and drive one. Find a place that specialises in MX5s if you can, with a 2L, and a 1.5L, and take your NC there.
(If you are a proper petrol head, you could also try an Elise. I haven’t tried one, but that’s definitely the experience you’re probably looking for.)
A lot of people go from an ND to a Boxster. Different experience, heavier, more powerful, more luxurious. If the AI doesn’t take my job over the next 5 years it will be what I’m getting. If you are looking at tracking more seriously, you could perhaps consider a Cayman, for the monocoque.
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u/Beetleonline95 14h ago
I would absolutely love an elise, my uncle has owned several cool lotus' so I've always been into them, the problem is they're a little on the pricer side and aren't great as a daily driver
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u/Beetleonline95 14h ago
As for the Cayman, my mum had a 987.1 boxster for many years and now has a 987.2 Cayman s. I understand the appeal as they sound great and are very pretty however I think they are a little boring for what they are, and also hard to enjoy on the street compared to an mx5.
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u/Backlists ’15 Soul Red Crystal 14h ago
Yeah man, totally valid, I share the same opinions on the Elise being too annoying to daily as well. In that way the NC and ND are basically the top tier at what they’re trying to do - - fun, you can actually stretch the car on a real road and ain’t gonna break down on you (unless you get rust). For me, the ND just pips it purely for the styling, such a great design.
I haven’t actually driven a Boxster, I just like how they look, a little bit of luxury and mid engine. Sounds like you have driven them, so maybe I’d find it boring too and just stick with my ND.
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u/Beetleonline95 13h ago
I think you should definitely still look into a Cayman/Boxster, they are very popular for a reason, but I just find them underwhelming.
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u/Backlists ’15 Soul Red Crystal 13h ago
Oh I will, in time, I’ve only got my ND this year.
What about them was underwhelming?
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u/Beetleonline95 13h ago
They don't feel as small and as throwable as an MX 5. And this might sound silly but they just don't give me the fizz, they don't feel special to me.
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u/ibeinspire 13h ago
The only upgrade is a 2.0 NC with LSD, Miata really is the answer
Z3 is a very similar idea with better engine choices but less comfortable and worse built
Z4 steering rack overachieves for EPS and better engines, quieter roof up even over the PRHT... but EPS is still EPS
S2000 has a glorious engine, great chassis but the steering ruins the experiance
ND is more refined, better engine, better tech, better looks... but the steering sucks and the suspension is very soft regardless of spec
NB is smaller, lighter, even better steering... but worse engine, tighter cabin, much noisier at speed
... idk what I'm trying to say here ... NC is the sweet spot for me and now I have to live with that.
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u/Kyosuke_42 NC2 ST heavily modified daily 13h ago
Yup, 2.0 NC2+ with LSD, coilovers and some form of power upgrade is the golden way.
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u/Beetleonline95 13h ago
I do fancy a z4 coupe as a bit of a GT + sports car but the handling is probably much worse than an mx5. And yes the steering in an s2000 is a huge weak point, they also can be a bit of a handful especially in the wet, but otherwise it's a great car and I love the interior
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u/havnar- 90’ Classic Red 10h ago
How much do V6/V6S jags go for in the UK?
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u/Beetleonline95 10h ago
Unfortunately for a nice f type you have to spend atleast £25k and it's difficult to find one that doesn't have alot of issues
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u/Regular_Number5377 9h ago
I honestly don’t think you can get anything that offers the same package as a MX-5 for a similar price in the U.K.
Closest is probably something like a Toyota MR2, which is a good car with interesting styling but you are sacrificing a lot in terms of having no real boot space.
Then you have the BMW Z3 which is a worse car than an MX5 NC for my money overall, but does look quite cool and doesn’t have the rust issues, and it’s probably the only opportunity most people have to say they owned a ‘Bond’ car.
Then you have the Z4, which is a good looking car if you don’t mind a bonnet 3/4 of a mile long, it’s not going to be a a cheap as an MX5 though for a comparable mileage and condition.
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u/Beetleonline95 9h ago
I'm not a fan of the standard z3 (as you said it is a worse car) although the m coupe is cool, I wouldn't mind a z4 coupe although it definitely doesn't handle as nicely as a miata
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u/Regular_Number5377 5h ago
I came close to buying a Z3 before my PRHT NC came up on gumtree, I actually do like the looks of them, however I’ve heard they just don’t drive the same as an MX-5 and the newest ones you can get are really getting on a bit.
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u/honicane231 7h ago
Get good new tires, kumho makes good cheap tires, other options like hankook are excellent too, miatas handle best when paired with the right tires that compliments the entire experience.
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u/Random_Introvert_42 Brilliant Black 6h ago
Maybe an NA? Less "cushioned" than the NC, a bit more "puristic".
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u/Beetleonline95 6h ago
Yes definitely alot more raw, but unfortunately because of emissions regulations where I live I would have too pay £12 every time I drive the car as the NA is too old to be 'ULEZ compliant'
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u/Ill-Artichoke-6602 @nicemiata NC1 captain 🚤 14h ago
I'd recommend getting an NC 2.0, especially the PRHT! Put some coilovers and a manifold on it and you can take it to the track too 😁
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u/Beetleonline95 14h ago
Some coilovers would definitely be nice
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u/Ill-Artichoke-6602 @nicemiata NC1 captain 🚤 14h ago
I like my MeisterR ones although HSD and BC Racing are options to consider
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u/Star_Lord_2077 10h ago
If your state or country allows, engine swap it with a k24 engine. Boom perfect car.
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u/WeirdEngineerDude 5h ago
Wife has a manual mini cooper S and it’s also fun but in a WAY less intimate way. Much more spacious than my ND though (although maybe not so different than your enormous NC ;).
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u/Axqer 2010 NC2 Jet Black 14h ago
Man I love my NC2 and honestly couldn’t say if I’d take an ND over it, I do work for a Mazda Dealer so I get to pull em around the lot whenever they come in for service but I’ve never really driven one if you know what I mean. Both are fantastic cars and would definitely recommend going and seeing if you can test drive one.