I Bought The Most Hated Mazda Miata

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

Actually, the NC Miata has gained quite a better reputation over the last couple of years as more people drive them

[@jalopy_jeff]

As it should!

[@salami99]

depends some people still hold the grudge,NA miata owners i know here do. it shocked me they hate their own kind so much!

[@rembo183]

@@salami99 - silliness!

[@Swarm509]

Especially as every other car has gotten larger/heavier/more electronic that suddenly the largest Miata is still tiny. The ND Miata is pretty damn good car, and probably better then the NC in nearly every way, but if you want old school simple the NC is it while still being new-ish. Plus they are at that perfect age of being not too old, nobody really wants them as first choice Miata, and there are still a lot around so they are not crazy expensive. Here in Canada $10k-$15k gets you in a low mileage variant that has probably only had one owner, and they typically have not been abused or modified a lot. I have been looking at an ND, I love how they look and features in them, but if I could find a late model NC in a cool color, espeically with the retractable roof, I would jump on it. That power roof is much better then the ND fastback (although the fastback looks cool up).

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

@@Swarm509 if you’re all about tech and text savvy, and think that tech comes first before the driving experience, then you are not a true car enthusiast.

[@Joe_Montfort]

You can't hate _any_ Miata once you've driven it! They're more alike than they are different, and each gen has its attributes.

[@cva1122]

NC owner tips: If your electric trunk release doesn't work, there is a lockout switch in the trunk, that is easily tripped by luggage. Look for it. If you push the traction control off, it will dumb it down. Hold it for an additional 5 seconds to kill it altogether. You'll get two rather than one yellow indicator light.

[@jalopy_jeff]

Good to know!

[@Drive-n-Vibe]

Pretty sure the second one only applies to earlier models. Mine is off completely and if you hold it down, it just makes the car think the switch is broken and disables TC until the car is restarted

[@cva1122]

Good comment. But disabling traction control is the goal, right? I feel there is a difference between 1st and 2nd stage with single wheel brake engagement. Mine is an NC2 with about 9,000 hot laps at autocross. I burn up two sets of tires per season. Worth every dollar, friend. Hope you're enjoying your NC as much as I am.

[@joeracer302]

@@cva1122 not everyone enjoys things the same way, or to the same amount, and that’s okay too

[@cva1122]

absolutely right, brother. Glad to have you in the club. I like you.

[@---fk1ct]

*PRHT* NC is the best miata ever made for modifying. And best overall package. :) NC3 bumper style is my favorite.

[@dannyphamous]

Great review, the hydraulic steering is heaven as well

[@gonshocks]

I bought a 2006 NC a year ago, the same color and trim. I thought it was going to be "once in a while" weekend driver but it's such a pleasure that I'm driving it almost exclusively. Thanks for the video.

[@jalopy_jeff]

Yeah they are great to drive! I take mine all over the place!

[@RayK4r]

The NC is truely underrated , coming from a 06 Nc owner!

[@jalopy_jeff]

Absolutely!

[@Thebeardedsalesman]

Buying a 06 next week!!

[@jalopy_jeff]

@mattburton7795 congrats! You’re gonna love it!

[@Thebeardedsalesman]

@jalopy_jeff I sure hope so!! Driving 6 hours one way to pick it up!! Looking forward to working on it and turning it into something sweet!

[@paulmuller2598]

06 NC owner too. Awesome Car!

[@wackit6756]

I spent 6 months looking for a NC 6speed low mileage, un trashed. Couldn’t find one. Never understood the negative reviews on it, it was perfect size on the interior, something you could actually take on a long trip. I thought it was the most masculine looking (sans the grille) with the bulging fenders and cool rear end and tail lights. The new grille you have looks a lot better. You have the perfect color combo! 👍

[@jalopy_jeff]

I agree! The fenders in particular would a huge draw for me! Can’t go wrong with Red over Tan!

[@MicLogan427]

The NC is awesome! Steering feel from the hydraulic rack is so much better than the ND's electric. I have both, a 2013 NC and a 2023 ND. The NC also looks awesome top down.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

The interior of this model is much more roomier than the current ND. This is the one to get,

[@richardmccaughey5928]

In March of 2016, I treated myself to a 70th birthday present. It was a one owner, 2006 NC Grand Touring, identical to the one here except Mica Grey instead of the burgundy (?). Throughout my life I have owned a number of "driver's cars", including a 1960 Porsche 356B Roadster. Immaculate car, 95k miles, and it looked practically new. I found the negatives in the NC's reputation to be, frankly, bullshit. Due to failed back surgery and a stroke, I can no longer drive. But my Miata was absolutely the best way to sign off on my driving "career". I paid $10k for the car and put 10k absolutely trouble free miles on her. She's gone now, but I wouldn't trade those driving experiences for anything. NC's are creeping up in price finally, but are still the best buy in a used MX-5. Go drive one, any year, with a manual gearbox, and come back and tell me it is not a fantastic automobile!

[@jalopy_jeff]

Agreed! Every drive is a great drive in this car! Anyone who doesn't appreciate Miata's is either too tall or hasn't driven one.

[@EatSleepEmpire]

This is my favorite version. The original is cool, but actually pretty dorky without a body kit. This one looks great straight out of the box.

[@jalopy_jeff]

I agree!

[@robwaters8848]

Im still unsure as to why sharing a platform with the RX-8 is a bad thing, considering it's one of the best driving experiences possible from that generations vehicles. Awesome Miata btw. I love that you're pushing for an OEM+ build. Exactly what I would do. Nice 👍

[@jalopy_jeff]

The RX-8 platform is great! but it is a larger car with a back seat which doesn't line up with the Miata ethos of lightweight. That being said, the end result of the NC speaks for itself and turned out great with minimal additional weight and lots of improvements!

[@robwaters8848]

@@jalopy_jeff Oh! That's really good info, thank you so much 🙏

[@tiborgulyas3921]

Based on the Rx-8 with the same hardpoints, I'd say that's a perfect recipe to swap the renesis engine from the Rx-8, and you have yourself a mini-Rx7 😉

[@RogerAlbert-rr1je]

Absolutely enjoy our 2013 NC3. GT

[@stevecrawford7814]

On my third Miata, bought a 2008 SE on Easter, my wife didnt like the how cramped she felt in the ND, so my second NC. Prices are up from my last one. Fantastic fun car! Ready to follow what you do with yours.

[@lxk199]

Having owned an early NA and an NB and now currently the owner of an NC Sport , I can confidently say that the NC is the best "car" of the bunch; much less of a toy than the earlier models. It feels every bit as lively and much more refined without actually being much heavier. The 2.0 is plenty of grunt for my car's main use (autocross), and the prices are much more reasonable value for money compared to NA and NB models.

[@ferrarikangaroo9271]

What a stunning example. I'd love to add one to my garage one day. Thanks for sharing

[@jalopy_jeff]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching!

[@markcompton6750]

All MX5’s no matter what you have, rock 👍

[@jasondixon9095]

Nice MX5 all Miatas will be classics. Great video.

[@jalopy_jeff]

I agree! Thanks for watching!

[@jasondixon9095]

@@jalopy_jeff ur welcome 💯

[@JesusSanchez-el6sg]

Love the color options that came on this car! Looks like a very fun little car. I enjoyed the driving portion. Cant wait to see what other videos you make with it.👍

[@jalopy_jeff]

Glad you liked it! Definitely more to come!

[@jalopy_jeff]

Thanks for watching! What would you like to see done to the NC Miata?

[@rembo183]

Just keep it stock maybe cover seats if bad! New roof?

[@trustinthemachine]

I bought mine new in 2008. I still get excited to drive it, 185k miles later.

[@jalopy_jeff]

That’s great to hear!

[@toshibavoodoo]

LOVE LOVE Love, my 2012 GT NC!!! Hard-top never gets used!!!

[@samcox8941]

NC is my favorite car I have ever owned, and I’ve had e36 m3, every other Miata, every other e36, Honda fits, all the old civic hatches. It does not get better. I slid mine today on a freeway turn going 85

[@izustun9851]

I have a nc 2006 model with soft top and 2.0 engine and I quite like my car. It has double wishbones, it has LSD. It handles really well, drives well as a miata should be. Best 6k ever spent :)

[@K03sport]

even the "Most hated" miata/mx-5 is still a better car than most "sporty" cars on the road today. There is huge potential in this chassis, it just needs to be unlocked. If you don't want it, I'll take it off your hands. 🏁

[@artjomslivenskis429]

Whatever is hated goes down in price fast, whatever goes down in price fast immediately gets love.

[@SkippingDog1]

I had a 2008 NC for nearly 15 years. It was a great little car, if a little cramped on longer road trips.

[@jalopy_jeff]

I’ve taken it on a few roadtrips already, and the cramped quarters are worth taking the open top roadster with you!

[@jacques_ev4712]

Came for the Miata content, stayed for the Miata content

[@jalopy_jeff]

Miata is always the answer!

[@flemit35]

I always found the NC a much better looking and higher quality car than the NB, my car had great handling, to find a better handling RWD car you need to buy a Porshe Boxer. I enjoyed my NA more it was a better looking car and probably a bit more fun to drive. but the NC was nearly as fun was faster and was about 300% more comfortable. it was a big improvement on the previous ones overall

[@jamescole322]

They seem to be cheaper in the UK. I just bought an NC1 2.0 Sport with 37k miles in excellent condition for £5000 ($6200). Typical examples with 60-80k miles are about £4000 ($5000). Great value fun

[@jalopy_jeff]

Oh wow! thats freat value!

[@WilliamWhitaker-y1x]

Looks like this one has been lowered a bit? I just bought an "07 GT. Love it.

[@greg8379]

absolutely love these cars. if they weren't going for 10k+ still for a good one id pick one up. great vid tho

[@jalopy_jeff]

You can find them for less than 10k in my area but they are higher in miles.

[@CustomExcelVideo]

I bought the NC because of its looks. I'm 6'0" with extra long legs and couldn't comfortably fit in the NA or NB and the NC has more safety features. How can anyone complain about the slight weight gain? Are you really tracking the car?

[@jalopy_jeff]

I’ve heard people often over exaggerate the weight saying they weight 2600-2700 pounds too which is crazy

[@sixspeedcooper]

Love my NC, seems like folks are finally starting to catch on. I think your 0-60 times were a little optimistic and I’m sure your car has aftermarket springs and dampers in addition to the sway bars, the stock wheel well never sat so close to the tire like that from the factory. I’ve also never heard of anyone commenting that the stock suspension was stiff, in fact the stock suspension was a big part of why the NC was labeled the boat in the first place. Congrats on the new ride, enjoy.

[@jalopy_jeff]

You could very well be right, it certainly doesn't have the Bilstein dampers anymore, but I haven't had it on a lift. The previous previous owner changed some things and had it given a more aggressive alignment, but the person I bought it from wasn't sure what had been done.

[@FJB8646]

True that! I ended up putting in Koni yellows and front and rear progress sways. Holy cow what a difference!!! I threw in a rear strut brace and an extra chassis brace for good measure. 😂. Added lighter Advanti Storm wheels and viola! I have a great mountain carver!

[@dielaughing73]

​@@jalopy_jeffyeah it's significantly lowered. Put some decent adjustable suspension on it and get it set up right

[@tarsan894]

NA owner here. I've driven the NC at a race track and it's way faster than my NA

[@jalopy_jeff]

More fun too?

[@tommc3622]

More NC tips/tricks; The wiper stalk from a junkyard RX8 or a more common Mazda 6 is a direct swap and gives you intermittent wipers. Plug n play. ... The coolant expansion tank is a point of failure. It can be sudden and catastrophic if you're not paying attention. Inspect and replace it with new, or upgrade to a metal tank for cheap insurance. (you mentioned it, but it's worth repeating.)

[@SilverDomUK]

I have one so I am biased! Best feature, secure hard top! Has everything you need and can be a daily driver and when you want to drive in a spirited fashion, it will go all day!

[@EchoSigma6]

I have the same color but from 2008 with the PRHT. It’s lowered with coil overs and each corner of the NC has 17x9 wheels with 245/40 tires. The combination of the low weight, near 50/50 distribution, and the suspension mods makes for some really impressive grip. However, the ride quality is not what you have from the factory so there’s the trade off. This is only a weekend car for me so I’m up early in the mornings headed to my mountain roads for a couple hours of canyon carving. There and back is 4.5 gallons of fuel and a lot of tire wear. None of my friends with Corvettes and 911’s goes with me more than once a year. Yes, driving a slow car fast is better. You made an excellent decision since this is the Miata value buy.

[@jalopy_jeff]

Yeah i absolutely love this car!

[@justicegusting2476]

I just put a Moroso expansion tank and a set of Ohlin coil overs on my 2008 NC2 MX-5 and OMG what a difference. I LOVE IT!

[@jochem1986]

My next MX-5 will be an NC, as I am scared to fit an LS3-525 in my NA. I think the NC chassis will cope much better with the torque. I will also want a soft top, but not because I’ll ever drive with the roof down. No, it’s because with a separate hardtop, you will have stowing space behind the headrests. And you don’t have that in the folding hardtop version.

[@elgar6743]

ANY mx-5, if mechanically sound, is a GREAT car...fun, reliable, economical, and FUN !!

[@beachboy0505]

This is most beautiful Mazda 😍

[@martinhaub6828]

I've had my 2008 NC for 16 years. Still going strong, fun to drive, and I still get complements on how it looks. PRHT is the best ever.

[@jalopy_jeff]

The NC is awesome!

[@jaydy71]

I was one of those NA Miata owners that didn't like the NC when it came out. If my NA didn't start to rust out on me, perhaps I'd still drive it because they're so pure and fun, I just loved that thing. But my 1.8 NA did start to rust badly and eventually I replaced with with a nice low-mileage NC 3rd Gen Limited edition from 2006. And I have to say, I prefer the NC now. Sure it lost a little bit of that pure simple lightweight British roadster throwback kind of feeling, but you get so much in return! The punchy 2.0 engine is so much better, as are the brakes. The steering is sharper and feels more direct. The gearbox is still on point and a pleasure to throw around. And my NC was basically problem-free in terms of maintenance. Just oil changes, coolant, break pads, tires, that sort of thing. So far it has been more reliable than my old NA. After 8 years of ownership, I'm still driving my NC and it still puts a smile on my face every time.

[@jalopy_jeff]

As long as you have a Miata right! The NA feels like an extension of yourself due to its size and agility, but the punchy speed and torque of the NC adds a fun experience

[@jaydy71]

@@jalopy_jeff absolutely!

[@ClearAlera]

Saying "The most hated Miata" is like saying "the worst chess grand master" or "the quietest orbital rocket engine". All Miata generations are loved by anyone who has driven them, but just because someone's gotta come in last doesn't mean they aren't still excellent!

[@Saf_]

Picked up my 07 NC last week, love it so much

[@jalopy_jeff]

Congratulations!

[@joedex3176]

damn bruh I didn't realize how early I was to this. I just discovered you from 24 mustang gt performance package video, and this vid literally came out at the perfect time for me to see it XD

[@jalopy_jeff]

Well I’m glad you made it!

[@davidpenney4171]

I bought a Stormy Blue one equipped like yours new in late December 2007. It's a keeper.

[@blueberrycheesecakesupremo]

Flying Miata are almost finished developing their turbo kit for the NC. I live in England so I got the BBR stage two turbo kit. If you enjoy driving it now you'll love it with a turbo, worth every penny.

[@jalopy_jeff]

I’ve been thinking about this! I just wonder when it’s really coming out

[@blueberrycheesecakesupremo]

@@jalopy_jeff The guy from Flywheel films is getting it fitted soon and they said the parts are all getting made in bulk so I think they are just working on fitting instructions and such. Hopefully it won't be long.

[@rhphotocdn]

I have a 2008 NC Miata SE, bought it with 4995 Miles on it. I now have over 134,000 Miles on it. Love it Every Day!!

[@jalopy_jeff]

Good on you! That’s awesome

[@Thinkaboutit2050]

2006 NC1 6speedMT True Red --perfect tool for the twisties. Comfortable and dependable long distance cruiser (drove 2200 miles from Houston to the Smoky Mountains and racked up about 1500 curves in 2 days.

[@button-jeff]

I feel like I've entered some sort of alternate universe portal... My name is Jeff. I've got a 2008 PRHT in the exact same color, with essentially the same miles purchased for essentially the same price. I think your suspension has been changed, they rode a lot higher from the factory. I changed the yellow Bilsteins out for Konis along with lowering springs and bigger sway bars. Since you asked for recommendations... Just get the aluminum coolant reservoir and be done with it forever. It's a little spendy, but worth it. Also, I pulled my black interior trim and swapped it for the "brushed aluminum" offering from a different car. I might paint my old set body color. They're easy to change. Also, get yourself a Cipher steering wheel. Hands down my favorite upgrade. It's impossible to keep a Miata stock, they are just a great blank canvas to work with. Cheers Jeff! -Jeff

[@jalopy_jeff]

Appreciate the insights Jeff! Or could be an alternate Universe for all we know!

[@jabaho]

NC1 is a perfect candidate for a 2.5 swap

[@gpajic1987]

I have exactly that and it makes the NC so much better

[@dff19707]

I owned an NB1 and now have an NC1. I think the NB may be the best looking Miata, but the NC is a far superior car. I love owning my dream car: a two-door, soft top roadster. The NC fits the bill.

[@jwc3104]

The 2.0 engine in NC Miata is actually a FORD engine (Duratec 2.0 found in Focus) and it has Ti-VCT (what you called VTEC) which is great.

[@johnschultz9935]

I regret selling our 2013. Awesome car.

[@jalopy_jeff]

It sure is!

[@rembo183]

Get the ND it’s great too!

[@yankee2yankee216]

I would buy one too! I have had 2 NAs including my current one, for a total of I think 14 years and about 140K miles, but I have been thinking I might like to try a different model. The NC appeals, and has for quite a while, with its flared fenders and maybe, a convertible hardtop! It’s really the most unique Miata. It’s like a slightly more robust NA/NB. I WANT ONE.

[@Swarm509]

I always though the last remodel of the NC was about as close as you could get to a S2000 for looks, they are great looking! Defiantly have to be into the "round" shapes but it does it quite well. Even the largest MX5 is still smaller then almost anything else you will find on the road today. And it is in that sweat spot of not being too old, but not being too popular so you can get them for a good price. Never driven one but I've head they are the best for a larger person, more room then even the ND.

[@symph6095]

My fiance has a 2012 GT Hardtop that we've put coilovers and a full exhaust on. I honestly wish it was my car it handles so well!🤣 150k miles and haven't had any major issues!

[@jalopy_jeff]

Rad! Buy another one!

[@paulhughes3961]

I bought the exact NC as yours except mine had 41,000 miles one owner and I paid $4,000 for it. The body and paint are in very good condition. The only thing I had to do was replace the ac compressor.

[@jalopy_jeff]

Nice! Well bought!

[@kjpreal]

NC with an RX8 renesis rotary engine would be absolutely amazing. They share a gearbox (minus bell housing) and seeing as they're similarly designed it would work really well. One thing I really like about these is that the interiors took a huge step up, to the point where they're not just dailyable, but genuinely comfortable, even to someone who's used to a new car. Options such as the bose audio system just cross off the downsides to owning a fun lightweight sports car

[@yipperdipper3189]

The 230hp would have been amazing in a Miata. No more girls car

[@daveburch235]

I'm curious about your Pioneer aftermarket unit in the dash, but I'm struggling to understand what you said about it after the 2:30 mark. It sounds something like "...doubled-in, a pretty common swap...car-fi and Android Auto". Most of that is not decipherable to me. Can you restate what you were saying here, please?

[@jalopy_jeff]

The pioneer head unit is a double-din radio, with Apple CarPlay and android auto. It’s also hooked up to a back up camera which comes up in the screen automatically when the car is put in reverse.

[@natemcconnelee]

I just bought one a few days ago and I love it! But the stock ride hight is way to high so I will definitely be lowering it

[@jalopy_jeff]

Congrats!

[@brendanmccabe8769]

PRHT not PHRT Power Retractable Hard Top Are those lights really HID? We didn’t get the here in UK and on cars which do they have to include washers, may US regulations are different. Need to sort out an Ally coolant res’ for mine.

[@jalopy_jeff]

Yup, got the letters mixed up

[@Dennies92]

La meilleure et la plus fiable des 4 générations ❤

[@billbob4856]

Nice car but not $15k nice. This one is almost 20 years old. If it was like 4 years old then yeah, $15k all day. This one i’d pay maybe $7k max. For the record, last year I bought a manual 2006 Scion TC for $2000. I’d say a Miata is worth 3x-4x that, not 7x+. The dealers and sellers asking that can pound sand.

[@gedan1]

La Mazda MX-5 NC c'est la plus souriante de toutes et la plus spacieuse en plus sons toit rétractable rigide est le plus extraordinaire , 100 fois mieux que la nd , car elle reste une vrai décapotable le toit baissé , vraiment une merveille et la transmission automatique séquentiel a double embrayage est génial , superbe voiture , j'ai eux une 2010 et j'ai adorer .

[@rembo183]

I loved my NC it was a 2008 PRHT auto, but I finally traded it for a 2023 Soul Red NDRF manual. No regrets although I loved that NC!

[@jalopy_jeff]

The PRHT is awesome! In my option the ND2 is one of the best driving new cars on the road so congrats!

[@rembo183]

@@jalopy_jeff. Thanks I wanted a manual and I liked the new hardtop targa look and the Red exterior color is incredible !

[@migzahoy]

wait the NC comes with 5 lugs wheels out of the factory???? while the ND the most recent model is on that wacky 4 lugs set up

[@jalopy_jeff]

Thats correct!

[@Mr.pawahh]

I do believe it's because how insane Mazda went with the ND, they even shaved off the bolts to save every possible gram they could

[@bruhvious]

i have driven a 2008 NC GT with the Six speed and a 95 NA with some light mods, and both cars were great but to be honest the NC was the better of the two considering now days the price difference varies from the same price to just a bit more expensive, The NC is great enthusiast car for anyone starting on a budget that wants a fun sports car

[@Val-ub4uw]

only thing holding it back is the unforged internals on the earl 06- something model. 2.5 swap fixes it

[@xGSFxGoat]

NC is the best generation. Roomiest interior and cargo space, much more powerful than NA/NB and uses the L-Engine/Duratec that can be found at any junkyard, can make around the same power as an ND with headers and a tune, aftermarket parts availability, hydraulic power steering instead of electric, still under 2500lbs, stronger transmission than ND. NC is also the last generation to feature the cool rounded bulge in the hood from the NA and NB.

[@alexc2013]

Great review. It would be good to know how tall you are and what is your visibility. I’m planning on shopping for a NC and I want to make sure I fit at 6’1, 210 lbs. I tried an ND and it felt like a coffin.

[@jalopy_jeff]

I’m 6’0 and I’m comfortable in the car with the top up, plenty of room. I’d strongly suggest checking out a car In person if you are considering an NC

[@alexc2013]

@@jalopy_jeff Thanks!

[@freshtapcoke]

As a prior NB and NC owner, the NC is the better convertible car.

[@dexteroux]

NC just hit different, I consider it as a reliable RX8 convertible.

[@RiC3R69]

I don't care about what everyone says It's the Best Looking and Sounding Miata for Me

[@yankee2yankee216]

Miatas are like Porsches, in that there is no reason to EVER stop making them! Miatas, or as I always preferred, MX-5s, are timeless, and eternal. Eventually, they WILL be electric and, I would imagine, possess electrifying performance! I can hardly wait, but in the meantime I intend to sample a few more of the interesting more conventional models that come in-between. There will be hundreds of thousands of internal combustion, 5 and 6-speed models still and always available for we (including me) who want to row our own boats…! If an electric Miata comes out in my lifetime, I intend to buy one, and drive both!

[@papajohn96]

You need to stop saying 'the most hated Miata'. Makes you sound like a fool. The previous generations don't have the motor or suspensions that the NC has and the ND was an attempt to replicate the weight of the 1 and 2 gens. while forgetting about all of the mandated add-ons that 1 and 2 didn't require. Its a weak car due to trying to save weight. Example, run the car hard and you will be needing a stronger NC trans. Good engine though except it is direct injection instead of port injection. Some prefer the 1,2 and 4th gen cars and that's great!! We all have our reasons for liking a particular car but attacking the NC mainly because its 200lbs heavier than the first gen. is foolish. Facts: NC has a wopping 1.25" longer wheelbase and is 1" narrower than the ND and the NC hardtop converts to a full top down sports car.

[@josephwalter6672]

NC Miata's have always been the butt end of the joke for being "the worst Miata" especially the NC1s. But its still a Miata! I've had my 08 NC here in AZ since July and have put 15,000 miles of roadtrips, autocross, and even a track day in that time. I cant say the same about the NB I had previously. I believe it to be a superior daily to the NA/NB with the downside being the cost of parts compared to them. New parts typically cost more and its a fair bit harder to find used NC part deals around compared to NA/NB parts. That being said is it still a Mazda/ford product so it still shouldn't break the bank, just something I didn't think about until after I bought mine!

[@michael007ish]

I loved my '06. It was perfect.

[@nissanv6TT]

hated? this is my favorite miata of all.

[@UKDagnar]

Had a few MX5 / Miata and the NC with the power retract hardtop was the best one by far. The front end looks are what let the car down imo, just a bit boring and plain. Still absolute blast to drive though and extremely cheap to run as well as very reliable.

[@Foxtrot_Woof]

The hate for the NC really doesn't come from it's technical prowess. I don't think any NA/NB owner would argue that their cars are, spec wise, superior. The dislike came from the styling. It's shaped like an upside down bathtub and the front end is too tall proportionally to the rest of the body. The car needs to be lowered quite a bit to get the proportions to start to look right height wise. And the smiley face was a source of much debate when it came out, actually Mazda's styling in that era was all very VERY smiley and not to everyone's taste. I'm an ND2 owner and have great amount of love for the NA and NB. I've never particularly cared for the NC, though I do think the NC1 looks better than the Nagare styling of the NC2.

[@---fk1ct]

I agree. I actually think the Nagare design language looked best on the 2011-2015 Mazda5. The van body had plenty of canvas to draw out the beautiful lines and it com0limented the giant smile of peak Nagare era.

[@Foxtrot_Woof]

@@---fk1ct I kind of agree the Nagare styling suits the Mazda 5 best of all their cars, but even still I prefer the earlier 5. I have a Nagare era Mazdaspeed 3 and while I love the car i still think the 1st gen and the Speed 6's styling were far superior. I just like the more low key styling of the earlier cars much better in general. Car companies love their design languages though, at least Kodo is much better than Nagare.

[@MrCaterhamr500]

The mk3 MX5 is quite gutless in my experience, revs quite nicely but ultimately it can’t pull the skin off rice pudding as std. Adding a better flowing exhaust manifold, a remap, some cams, a lighter flywheel, and adding the shorter diff from a 5 speed to a 6 speed car results in a better performing car, the gains in upgrading the suspension can be quite astounding too. Still not a heavy car either despite the weird American terms thrown around such as ‘boat’ it’s only just over a ton in weight.

[@pcyr9999]

3:35 It's PRHT, stands for Power Retractable Hard Top.

[@FJB8646]

I actually love the NC3 the most. I have a NC3 soft top club in pearl white and just love the car. If I had the opportunity to buy any year or generation, the NC3 is it. I don’t care much for the 1st gen NC though. I don’t care for the front bumper. I paid d $11,500 for mine with 38k miles on it three years ago and now have 77k on it. Love it!!

[@jordanklohr465]

Wowwww NCs have really shot up in price. I recently purchased a 2014 NC GT (w/ suspensión package) Pearl White w/ 38k mi for $17.5k 😅 And this was a “good” deal. Can’t find a 2013+ Miata w/ low miles in my area for under $16k

[@nym5qu17]

As an NA owner, I'd rather have the ND or NB if I were to ever get rid of my NA for some stupid reason. (Aesthetics are pretty important to me) But! I think this one is perfectly fine and people who clown on it are very silly.

[@Hermetic_]

Looks beautiful

[@pepijngentenaar7089]

The heating in de NC is more than sufficient, 💥it will burn your hands of the steering wheel.

[@salami99]

for $15k I go nd1, nc for me is higher than $7k

[@Jay-me9jw]

You HAVE to get headers and even a tune after. It transforms the car. Its still a miata but with actual torque

[@jalopy_jeff]

Working on it!

[@MrCaterhamr500]

I hate the American name for this car ‘Miata’ sounds rubbish, it’s an MX5 or if you get an early ‘proper’ example a ‘Eunos Roadster’ Miata sounds shite.

[@Gritt982]

Even the most hated mx5 is still an MX5 so don't force the alligator tears just yet. Interesting that my dad once had a 1987 mazda 323 and it had a similar "open mode" on the HVAC for high flow thru ventilation

[@osplosion6732]

It is 50-250lbs heavier depending on trim levels, if anything youre just getting an updated mazda speed with no turbo whistles, but I will say the NC does have the best back end and the worst everything else, but you do get to pretend you bought an RF for 10k instead of 20k-40k

[@theYosh98]

8:43 how most 6 foot people see the windshield when they’re driving

[@oldretrogamer78]

8X Car and Driver Top 10 cars -- more than any other generation. Its looks like its been lowered.

[@norwegianzound]

You have to take the front wheel off to change a headlight bulb.

[@MBP_Production]

🔥 vid only 32 likes is criminal

[@jalopy_jeff]

Ill keep working to improve the videos!

[@Fossillarson]

I tried show my 16 yr old how drive my 03 silverado rcsb 5speed lol nope! Didnt work. He needs more time. But he mentioned miata. I just found 07 auto hard top grand 😅