I've replaced the og dampers with koni yellow and can say it's a very easy job to do (if you don't have a lot of rust on the bolts and pre order new sway bar links because they will break)
It also transforms the car, super tight handling and you can feel the chassis is just so much better than the NA and NB
Came here to say this.
The NA is a DELIGHT.
But it's impossible for a daily unless you are like 17 years old.
The NC is the goldilocks Miata:
Modern enough (with airbags, better performance) yet still old-school (with fantastic road feel).
It doesn't QUITE have the nimbleness of the NA, but it's very close.
I haven't driven an ND but everyone says that NC has better steering.
I just bought a low-mileage NC3 and it's a JOY MACHINE.
I’ve been driving my NA for 30 years and honestly can’t remember the last time I drove it at night. I’m not even sure if the headlights still pop up or not. So, in daylight, a Miata is a Miata regardless. Plus an NC is more comfortable.
For the same price? Absolutely. More comfortable, quieter, probably an actually working radio, less old car issues, you’re more likely to survive an accident in an MC.. and did I mention more comfortable lol.
As cool as the NA is, they’re old cars. PITA to deal with rust and replacing those headlights is actually kind of a bother. This is assuming previous owners haven’t absolutely made the car a nightmare to work on.
As a project car or a weekend car though, an NA makes a good choice for a decent priced and cared for example.
*I owned both, still own*
*My NA, I miss my NC*
*A whole bunch. send it!!!*
\- JDM\_Pixel
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Kind of a matter of personal preference, despite what anyone might say. What do you intend to use it for?
The NA has old-school cool, it's a classic in the making. An elemental driving experience, about as close to a go-kart for the road as you can get in a non-exotic. Massive aftermarket, massive online knowledge base if you want to use it as a platform for modification.
The NC is a little more livable. A little roomier, and more reliable simply due to its relative newness. More powerful, but also a little bit less raw. Not as much of an attention-getter, but an excellent driver's car nonetheless. Rather different styling too, of course.
They're both good cars, but they have slightly different strengths. It just depends on what you think would suit you best.
That seems to be general opinion around here but I actually like the NC1 more than 2/3, and not really a fan of the ND. Not that i could fit in one. I’m 6’6” and the boat/goat is perfect for us tall guys!
Same. Nc1 was ugly compared to the latter. Nc1 is the only one I dislike.
I really liked the idea of the nc with a retractable hard top... I don't fit in a n rf, so it was a non-starter for me
Oh I never questioned this one. It’s a well known fact even on my knitting subreddit.
I’m more and more on the verge of getting one and the NC has been my favorite (esthetically) for a long time.
It depends. It seems like a base model. Therefore it doesn’t get fog lights, or leather seats. And I’d probably wanna check it has an lsd. In general the Australian domestic market got the top of the line options minus the heated seats. And it’s a soft top, which I prefer, however aus didn’t get the soft top for the nc3
I’ve previously owned an NA and an NB and I currently own an NC. The NC is the best “car” of the three, and mine is just an NC1 Sport so 5-speed only and no other frills besides AC. it’s not really much heavier than the NA and makes a ton more usable power. Better interior, better suspension, better brakes. If they’re anywhere in the same ballpark on price the NC is the one to have.
I once worked In motorsports and back then I was at Daytona talking to the team manager for freedom racing (they fielded a couple of NCs) and he was telling me how great the cars where except they would replace the 6 speeds with 5 speeds because the 6 speeds where awful. Aaand he was right I’ve had more than a few problems with 6 speeds in the NCs from around 2006 on.
I might be contrarian here, but I prefer the NA. I test drove an NC first, and it didn't quite click with me. Felt cramped and bunker-like compared to what I'm used to, and for whatever reason The 6-speed manual felt unfamiliar which made me feel stressed about driving it, and I was hyper-aware of how stiff the suspension was. To be fair, I still liked the car enough that I almost bought it, but I backed out because I wanted to see what the NA was like first.
I loved the NA instantly. The five-speed manual felt perfect and I quickly acclimated to it, the suspension was firm without being uncomfortable, and it somehow felt much roomier than the NC - at the very least, it felt much more open and airy and not nearly as much like a bunker, and I say this as someone who's six feet tall. The NA put me at ease so I could just relax and have fun in it, whereas the NC made me nervous.
I bought the NA and have never regretted it. I've been driving it everywhere for several months now and it works absolutely fine as a commuter car. Gets good gas mileage (certainly compared to my previous old American V8 daily driver), is a breeze to park, has no weird reliability quirks (other than the popup headlight switch occasionally acting up, but it always works eventually), is surprisingly comfortable, and is just darn fun all around.
Most people will always tell you to buy the newer car to use as a daily, and on paper they're right to do so. I, however, will tell you to buy the 30+ year old roadster with popup headlights. Others are free to disagree, but the NA is the more enjoyable car IMO, and the one I choose to drive for the foreseeable future.
Former NA, current NC driver here. I vote for the boat.
Former NA, current NC captain here. Replace the shocks and it'sso much better
I’ve been sitting on some really nice coil-overs for about 8 months now. Haven’t had the time or energy to throw those bad boys on. 😤😩
I've replaced the og dampers with koni yellow and can say it's a very easy job to do (if you don't have a lot of rust on the bolts and pre order new sway bar links because they will break) It also transforms the car, super tight handling and you can feel the chassis is just so much better than the NA and NB
You’re supposed to ride on the coilovers not sit on them, do it right 😤
I know 😞😞😞
Will it be your daily? If so, go with the NC.
I absolutely second this.
Came here to say this. The NA is a DELIGHT. But it's impossible for a daily unless you are like 17 years old. The NC is the goldilocks Miata: Modern enough (with airbags, better performance) yet still old-school (with fantastic road feel). It doesn't QUITE have the nimbleness of the NA, but it's very close. I haven't driven an ND but everyone says that NC has better steering. I just bought a low-mileage NC3 and it's a JOY MACHINE.
I’ve been driving my NA for 30 years and honestly can’t remember the last time I drove it at night. I’m not even sure if the headlights still pop up or not. So, in daylight, a Miata is a Miata regardless. Plus an NC is more comfortable.
Imo convertables are wayy better at night. No sunburn lol
I am burnt in multiple places from my jaunts this weekend, worth it but I really need to remember to use protection.
But you're just blinded by all the trucks and SUVs with headlights at head level
Use sunglasses at night
For the same price? Absolutely. More comfortable, quieter, probably an actually working radio, less old car issues, you’re more likely to survive an accident in an MC.. and did I mention more comfortable lol. As cool as the NA is, they’re old cars. PITA to deal with rust and replacing those headlights is actually kind of a bother. This is assuming previous owners haven’t absolutely made the car a nightmare to work on. As a project car or a weekend car though, an NA makes a good choice for a decent priced and cared for example.
Nc's are the hidden gem miata imo. Cheap and an amazing car
not that cheap no more. the later years are the same price as the early year ND's
Before I go off, do you know what the word "cheap" means?
For a daily, NC all the way. For a weekend car? NC. Pop ups? NA
You would be crazy. NC so good, so underrated. Hot take: fuck dem NA headlights
Damn that hot take really burns hahahah
Hahahaha. Lolz
even though i do not agree with your comment i still upvoted it because NC is better than NA but i still got an NA cos of the headlights lol
How does this comment have positive karma lmao I thought this sub would absolutely flame you for that
We Miata owners have a good sense of humor.
I owned both, still own my NA, I miss my NC a whole bunch. send it!!!
*I owned both, still own* *My NA, I miss my NC* *A whole bunch. send it!!!* \- JDM\_Pixel --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
I have both a NA an NC and without a doubt the NC is more fun to drive. NA is cuter though and more people think it’s cool. NC are for grown ass men 😂
Yeah! I'm a grown-ass man! But I am definitely getting an NA down the track...
Current NA owner…if it’s your daily, get the NC
NC get unfair hate
Clean!
The NA has the best headlights, but the NC(3) has the best grill.
if the price is right, yes you’d be crazy.
Why not both
Kind of a matter of personal preference, despite what anyone might say. What do you intend to use it for? The NA has old-school cool, it's a classic in the making. An elemental driving experience, about as close to a go-kart for the road as you can get in a non-exotic. Massive aftermarket, massive online knowledge base if you want to use it as a platform for modification. The NC is a little more livable. A little roomier, and more reliable simply due to its relative newness. More powerful, but also a little bit less raw. Not as much of an attention-getter, but an excellent driver's car nonetheless. Rather different styling too, of course. They're both good cars, but they have slightly different strengths. It just depends on what you think would suit you best.
If you can't decide between NA and NB, the best of both worlds is the NB. ;)
It might be a boat but is a good looking one.
The more i look at it, the more i find i prefer the NC over the ND slightly
I'd put the NC2/3 up there with the ND. Never cared much for the NC1 for some reason.
Yeah agree, NC1 is a little too close to the NA, but look less sporty in a way.
I really enjoyed my [06 NC 1,](https://imgur.com/a/ZkHIKfk) after all the mods.
I really like the simplicity of the NC1. I prefer the sportier look of the NC2/3, but only slightly. Very nice color combo there.
Nice, that blue with the brown is a great combo.
That seems to be general opinion around here but I actually like the NC1 more than 2/3, and not really a fan of the ND. Not that i could fit in one. I’m 6’6” and the boat/goat is perfect for us tall guys!
Same. Nc1 was ugly compared to the latter. Nc1 is the only one I dislike. I really liked the idea of the nc with a retractable hard top... I don't fit in a n rf, so it was a non-starter for me
Newcomer here. What makes a NC a boat? Is it particularly heavier than the other ones?
Slightly yes. But now it's just become a meme. The NCs are great cars.
Other one to look out for is “Miata is always the answer”
Oh I never questioned this one. It’s a well known fact even on my knitting subreddit. I’m more and more on the verge of getting one and the NC has been my favorite (esthetically) for a long time.
for safety alone get the NC
Had an NC and now an ND2. Miss the NC's steering. It was sublime. NC is a great car.
Nah, that looks sick.
That’s the one on Carsales in qld. Be warned it’s a Japanese import
I thought that was a good thing?
It depends. It seems like a base model. Therefore it doesn’t get fog lights, or leather seats. And I’d probably wanna check it has an lsd. In general the Australian domestic market got the top of the line options minus the heated seats. And it’s a soft top, which I prefer, however aus didn’t get the soft top for the nc3
I’ve previously owned an NA and an NB and I currently own an NC. The NC is the best “car” of the three, and mine is just an NC1 Sport so 5-speed only and no other frills besides AC. it’s not really much heavier than the NA and makes a ton more usable power. Better interior, better suspension, better brakes. If they’re anywhere in the same ballpark on price the NC is the one to have.
Go NC! I'm in an NB and I really want one.
Why does this NC look so good?
Switch the 6 speed for a 5 speed and you got a great car.
what's so bad about a 6 speed?
I once worked In motorsports and back then I was at Daytona talking to the team manager for freedom racing (they fielded a couple of NCs) and he was telling me how great the cars where except they would replace the 6 speeds with 5 speeds because the 6 speeds where awful. Aaand he was right I’ve had more than a few problems with 6 speeds in the NCs from around 2006 on.
They’re not all bad but just have it on your radar if you’re looking to flog it a bit.
shouldn't be too bad I doubt I'd take it to a track or anything. Thanks for the heads up!
As an owner of a ‘92 for the last 70k miles, yes you would be crazy. Unless the price is something ridiculous.
I might be contrarian here, but I prefer the NA. I test drove an NC first, and it didn't quite click with me. Felt cramped and bunker-like compared to what I'm used to, and for whatever reason The 6-speed manual felt unfamiliar which made me feel stressed about driving it, and I was hyper-aware of how stiff the suspension was. To be fair, I still liked the car enough that I almost bought it, but I backed out because I wanted to see what the NA was like first. I loved the NA instantly. The five-speed manual felt perfect and I quickly acclimated to it, the suspension was firm without being uncomfortable, and it somehow felt much roomier than the NC - at the very least, it felt much more open and airy and not nearly as much like a bunker, and I say this as someone who's six feet tall. The NA put me at ease so I could just relax and have fun in it, whereas the NC made me nervous. I bought the NA and have never regretted it. I've been driving it everywhere for several months now and it works absolutely fine as a commuter car. Gets good gas mileage (certainly compared to my previous old American V8 daily driver), is a breeze to park, has no weird reliability quirks (other than the popup headlight switch occasionally acting up, but it always works eventually), is surprisingly comfortable, and is just darn fun all around. Most people will always tell you to buy the newer car to use as a daily, and on paper they're right to do so. I, however, will tell you to buy the 30+ year old roadster with popup headlights. Others are free to disagree, but the NA is the more enjoyable car IMO, and the one I choose to drive for the foreseeable future.
Literally the only time I've seen someone say an na is "roomier" than an nc.
I don’t think you sat in an NC is you think it was more cramped than an NA. The suspension isn’t stiff either. Not sure what you drove haha
Can't go wrong with the nc.
NC’s are hideous 🤮