The NC Miata is the Best Miata Right Now.

[@peycakes7226]

Just picked up an NC3 club. Literal tears of joy driving it.

[@oldatarigamer]

For some reason there were NA and NB owners who felt the need to trash the NC when it came out. Especially on the Miata bulletin boards. They'd say the seats were bad; car was too heavy; it was designed by Ford; really a RX-8 and not a Miata. Mazda didn't help things by dropping the Miata nameplate from the car. Some complained about the tacked on look of the fender flares but the NC's looks have aged very well IMHO. The truth is reviewers and NC owners loved and still love the car - 8X Car and Driver Top 10 Car winner...more than any other generation.

[@thealternativefactor6694]

@oldatarigamer..You speak the TRUTH!

[@AdrianBoyko]

Had an NA and loved it! Have an NC and love it!

[@anthonyplaysbass]

Oh for sure, it's way better than the na and nb. I owned an Nb and now own an NC1 and it's just such a step up. And people whinge about muh weight and size. But they don't realise it's maybe 200lb tops between the nb and the NC with a prht and they're only maybe an inch wider and longer. It's stiffer, faster, more ergonomic, modern and more reliable. It would slap an nb/na on the track, stock for stock.

[@KOrnhOliO1]

@@anthonyplaysbass All those things you mention are true - but the biggest is the feeling you get when sitting in an NC vs. an NB, when you are 6'3" tall! In an NB, my knee is constantly 1/2" from being pinned to the dash! I feel like a friggin' sardine inside an NB! It's not a pleasant feeling and this is coming from a guy who only weighs about 195lbs, so I'm not tall and heavy, I'm tall and lean and I still feel like a sardine! With the NC, I feel like there is another 1.5 - 2" of more room, all around my entire body! So much more spacious and comfortable. Plus, it's not so gutless like the NA and NB are. Plus, I like the looks - especially those fender flares! You can remember how many custom car guys have added either those tacky bolt on fender flares where the bolts show all around the perimeter of the flare, or the huge amount of labor it takes to add custom fender flares where they don't show any bolts. Well, Mazda added them for us! And, they really make the NC stand out and look like a sports car even more! One of my favorite features of the NC. It's also such a more advanced, and modern car too.

[@anthonyplaysbass]

@@KOrnhOliO1 timing chain vs belt as well, newer engine design. The purists and na fans will disagree, but I think it's the best iteration. Even bears out the ND - hydraulic steering as opposed to electronic assisted with the ND.

[@MitchelYardley]

NC Miata is still by far the best chassis I’ve had the pleasure of owning. It’s my favorite Miata I have owned. EVEN after owning a mazdaspeed Miata which some will say is the cream of the crop Miata’s. NC will always have my heart.

[@anthonyplaysbass]

Awkwardly, the NC is as fast as the nb mazdaspeed. People don't realise this

[@KOrnhOliO1]

@@anthonyplaysbass You're correct!

[@jash2527]

I don’t regret my NC1 at all. I love that damn thing.

[@rcmakingtracks18]

Love my 2011 prht nc2. Its such an amazing car. John. Oh liked and subscribed.

[@jimc5423]

I am 71 and have a white NC3 6 speed with a black convertible top. I get compliments all the time on what a good looking car it is. Driving down the interstate a car with 4 twenty somethings pulled up beside me and a guy hung out the window and gave me a thumbs up and said nice car man, another neighbor in my subdivision stopped mowing and walked up to me at a stop sign and said that's a really nice looking car, and there are two Porsche 911 owners in here.

[@fordmx5]

i love this! i think now that NC prices are slowly making their way down, more and more people are going to buy these and understand why they're so underrated. great video.

[@NerdOsiris]

I really hate that this video is being made right when I'm trying to get one. About to mess the market up for me lol.

[@KOrnhOliO1]

@@NerdOsiris Nah, not enough guys paying attention to KZbin channels with 11.5K subscribers. The rising economy and popularity of the NC has made the prices rise. That and the pandemic and the lack of used cars on the market has made all used cars rise in price. I could sell mine for more than I paid for it and it's about 8 years later!

[@NerdOsiris]

@@KOrnhOliO1 that’s awesome. I was fortunate enough to come across a nc2. I absolutely love it. I got a 2011 pfht special edition and it’s pretty awesome. I hope the market keeps going up. I’d love to get that 2.5 motor before it gets too crazy though

[@andrewholmblad4866]

If I heard correctly the forged internals in the NC2 were actually MOSTLY for NVH (noise vibration and harmonics) as opposed to making the motor stronger/better for performance reasons.

[@smiles564]

This video should be banned, it's going to hike NC prices! Lol love the video man, great stuff! NC are the best. I have a thoroughly modified NC2 soft top, and just recently got a NC2 prht for a daily. Couldn't agree more, they are wonderful!! Best chassis, most roomy of any Miata made, way higher quality manufacturing in parts than the na/nb. Na/nb had stamped steel complements, wheres the NC got beautifully crafted aluminum parts that could be hung on the wall as art. The nd is nice, but too small, doesn't have hydraulic steering this less feedback, and the soft top on them tends to wear out very very quickly. NC all day every day!

[@666mrgene]

Had the NB and liked it. Got the NC 2 in Copper Red and love it. No mods needed.

[@tommymello1693]

anything you liked more from the NB over NC?

[@MiataChannel]

I always say that people call the NC a "BOAT" because it is short for "Best Of All Time." I've owned 6 Miatas and half of them are NC2 PRHTs. I have been dailying Miatas since 2014, and I use mine for grocery runs all the time.

[@richardminieri6468]

J'ai découvert la NC miata l'année de mes 50 ans . Je n'ai pas eu l'occasion d'essayer une NA où une NB mais je suis vraiment tombé sous le charme des les premiers tours de roues . C'est un modèle de 2008 et cela fait maintenant 5 ans que suis l'heureux possesseur. Depuis , je l'ai personnalisé comme pas mal de propriétaires . Et surtout grâce à vos vidéos ou j'ai appris beaucoup de choses sur la préparation et les changements de pièces. Merci

[@button-jeff]

I love my NC1 PRHT. Such a great car.

[@markalden]

Just got myself a crashed NC. Looking forward to finally being to drive it 🫡 your NC is a dream

[@calthorp]

Great video, I have had a bunch of sports cars from Rover MG's to XK8 Jags & the most fun I have had is the Mazda NC1 rs I have now. It is so cheap & easy to do mods on & is so much fun to drive. For such a low priced car you cannot go wrong. The one easy thing to do to get more storage space. Is rip out all that plastic crap from behind the seats & do a car carpet finish. You end up lighter & more space to put stuff. I even got a space saver spare wheel now, for out of town trips.

[@richardmccaughey5928]

At 5'11", the NC was the top choice for me because I fit. Even the ND feels claustrophobic to me. In 2016, I purchased a one-owner 2006 that was "optioned" up to almost the Grand Touring trim. About the only things it didn't have were the heated seats and the "deluxe keyless" option. Dark grey Mica, Saddle color leather interior and matching top. 17" wheels, 6 speed manual, Bilstein shocks, and LSD. Bose sound system. It had 95k miles and the previous owner had it serviced at the Mazda dealership where he originally bought it. It looked and drove like it had 5k miles on it. It was my 70th birthday present to myself. It basically replaced 4WD SUV's as I no longer had a condo at a ski area and my "semi-retirement" job was in a bike shop 2 miles from my home (most of the time I bike commuted). It was my only vehicle. A Miata wasn't a leap for me as over the course of my life I have owned a 1960 Porsche 356B Roaadster, a BMW 2002, an Audi Coupe GT, an original Mini Cooper among other cars. Looks are subjective, but I find an NC1, properly equipped, to be the most attractive of all the Miatas. As far as power, it was the epitome of "it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow". As far as reliability, replacing the rear Bilsteins was the only thing I had to do other than routine maintenance. Sure, you can do all kinds of handling and power upgrades, but right out of the box it was a blast to drive. It didn't "need" anything but a good driver behind the wheel.

[@astro_mittens5792]

I have owned the MK2.5 Mk3 (pre face lift PRHT) and have currently owned the MK4 RF for 7 months. I have to say, i miss my MK3 so much more than i thought I would. The full 360 degree unobstructed cabin (with the roof down) is amazing, yes I suppose I could have gone for the soft top but winter in Scotland isn't the warmest. The heaters in the mk3 were absolutely perfect, the MK4 doesn't have the lap heater that the MK3 had which really makes a difference, my girlfriend now stores a blanket behind the seat. As for the storage space, yes there's no glove box and you're limited to a tiny cubby behind the arm rest and behind the seat. But to be honest, I don't miss it. Cup holders, CHRIST the CUP HOLDERS! The MK3 - 4 cup holders.. why? no idea. MK4 - cupholders are and optional extra at £90 each! Cabin space in the MK4 , I'm a noodle of a boy, I'm 5ft11 and JUST fit in the drivers seat comfortably, my girlfriend is 5ft10 and is a uncomfortable for long drives in the passenger seat. this car is not built for taller drivers as it is actually the shortest and most compact of the MX5 generations. my friend, who is 6ft8 could just drive my MK3 and no more, the MK4 on the other hand? He cant even get in the car without folding up like a deck chair, he can forget about even trying to drive it. Finally, the thing i miss the most - Hydraulic power steering, the MK3s HPS was beautiful, you could really feel what the car wanted to do and would let you feel the road as you're blasting it through tight twists and turns. the drift control was also a lot easier with the steering wheel being snappy and reactive. The MK4 on the other hand is electric power steering which saps a little bit of feel out of the car, don't get me wrong, its still good but its just not the same. you can still feel the road but it doesn't make you work during those fast tight corners. If you're looking to buy your first MX5 and have the cash, nab yourself a nice and clean 6 speed MK3, its a much more involving driving experience. And you can fit your giant friends in it.

[@prestonsplans69]

Love the nb Miata boat joke that made my day

[@loveckw]

I have a NC2 hardtop. No issue as a daily use car and it is fun. As the video said, the trunk size is decent except for toilet paper. The only 'not so good' things I can says as a user are: MPG in nowadays standard and performance beyond 70mph

[@SirNulljaeger]

Great Video. I recently got my first Miata, had my heart set on a NA '90 but it was pretty rough for the money. Test drove an NB which was good but felt much the same. My brother convinced me to try out an NC1 and when I did I fell in love and that's now my daily. It's easily the most fun car I've owned which I currently daily and I couldn't recommend an NC more.

[@SaucyMailman]

Love this. Everything you said were the reasons I picked up an NC2 as well!

[@scottoworn]

I found a 2010 GT PRHT with just 1605 miles and bought it. $23,000.00 but well worth it. Like new.

[@coreystrandberg9087]

I bought an NC1 soft top because it’s what I could afford. I got a GT premium package car for 6.5k in 2022 with mods done (but high mileage and on its 2nd motor). What I love most about the platform is that you can take NC2/3 stuff and slap it right onto the NC1 and nobody would even know

[@kennethbyrd3436]

Was forced retired by a work related accident so with some of the settlement I purchased two new 2014 Mazda’s, both Grand Touring’s in meteor gray. For the grandkids, grandma got the Mazda 3 four door with sunroof. Grandpa, 🫡me, picked the Mk3 GT Mx5 PRHT because he’s always dreaming of curves. Grandpa calls it fun but grandma calls it grandpa’s casket, so I put it on the tag cover, gets a lot of laughs. Here in central Florida, polk county, I found twenty eight curves in my own back yard. Win-Win = zoom zoom

[@hughesvernon9092]

This is a true statement!!!! Thanks for making this video. Nobody cares about it and it’s the best one 🤣 best car I’ve ever owned

[@VikasShankarathota]

Super happy with my NC! Glad I made the upgrade from my previous NA

[@craigschultz4]

I once had a 1996 NA. Though I miss the pop-up head lights (obviously), the changes I think are great are: Push-button and remote trunk opener. The top mechanism is way better--It looks better down with no need for the tonneau thing. One latch vs two latches--much more convenient. Unzipping the window SUCKED. The extra power from the 2.0 makes the car more usable/comfortable, but I think overall the improvements to the top are what I like the most. Plus the exterior design looks a lot like an RX-8. So when I finally get an RX-8, they will look good side-by side. :) What I don't like is that the gas door opener is harder to get to. Also, your videos are great!

[@n0vi]

LOVE my dolphin grey mica 2013 gt, just got it this month. Joins my 2015 CX-5. ZOOM fuggin ZOOM

[@ttinnovations3310]

i just got a 2014 NC3 club with a hard top white with black top, 6 speed, 58K miles, mint, out the door with tax and paper work $21,900, been driving it like i stole it and the engine has not blown up yet, 3000+ miles so far, only mod is 235 tires and light wheels

[@johnnymacchiato]

I love this guy! Love this channel!

[@josea.marimutt8356]

Great summary and great look! I watch KZbin on a 5K 27" iMac and the video looks perfect in full screen. 🙂

[@markjohnson5276]

I drive a gun metal grey 2014 MX 5 NC. A ten second car. It came out of the box race ready with Le Mans paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Every time I drive it I'm in a James Bond movie. When people see it they ask, 'does it have machine guns behind the fog lights?' The license plate reads 009. It's definitely licensed to kill. Does a 'drift' nicely. Q branch read out, race ready with paddle shifters. A ten second car, does 0 to 100 mph in ten seconds. Double wish bone suspension and drive while flat tires makes her a nimble cat with tough paws. The body is made of rust resistant steel and carbon fiber (Kevlar) material. It has quarter inch metal armor under the engine and transmission. Stainless steel exhaust. A seven speaker Boise sound system keeps the Bond theme music coming thru 5 by 5.

[@isofilmy]

Getting eibach pro sport lowering springs fitted on my nc on Monday.

[@Brandeino]

Nc looks slow on paper but can really get you somewhere like you said. Saves time on road-trips lol. I’m turbocharging my 2.5 nc with Dynotronics kit, would love to see you do a turbo as well at some point.

[@bronzepkmn]

I think stock NC 1s look ugly but the aftermarket definitely makes them look like one of the best

[@og-ol-timer]

Can get an early (rough) NC in UK for around £1000

[@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

Road & track my NC hard… Awesome…!!! 👍😊👊💥

[@judasblewit]

I haven't had the pleasure of driving one. My first Miata was an nd2 which I currently own and love. But I'd like to drive every version.

[@redbluesome2829]

You people can love on the NC all day, but it will always be the lesser Miata for every reason that matters for a Miata. The ND was a return to the formula of sorts, but even that car can’t be what the NA and NB were and are, simply because of regulations. They can’t make cars like the NA and NB anymore, and those are the best of all Miatas.

[@pfunkle]

The real problem for me is planning for either a na/nb/nc/nd miata or a gt86 or a gr86 😅they all seem so awesome in their different ways.

[@KOrnhOliO1]

It depends on if you want a Roadster or not! That's where the GT86 and GR86 BLEW IT! No convertible makes that an EASY CHOICE!

[@MistaWikked]

I hope they get more aftermarket support >.> Currently piecing together a forged internal rebuild kit and a top turbo set up

[@padarious3797]

Hi colouredinlight just seeing as you are going for the NA look would you consider making a roof spoiler for the NC using the NA roof spoiler and modifying it abit in a video I know this idea is something that tons of people want to do but nobody takes the risk of going for it, I have seen a few people do it but If you was to make a video on one it would give me the confidence to feel like I can do it awesome car love all the work you have put in love the Chanel from Mitzi

[@wg5768]

You realize that this is a folding hard top.

[@johnnyk6906]

forgot NC2/NC3 had revised interior pieces like the door panel and center console, BT and satellite radio support, retuned exhaust [NC2/NC3] and suspension [NC3]

[@leestewart72]

I would love to have a 2010 in competition yellow with tan interior and powered hard top.

[@ttjacobs285]

I love my. Miata, would love to make it look like this

[@blackwingnut16]

Great video, just picked up my first miata (07sport) for a commuter/hobby car. Can anyone tell me what is the deal with the lack of after market headlights for this thing. Very strange, I've changed out the headlights in just about every vehicle I have ever owned with some sort of aftermarket unit.

[@Fatal_Inertia]

I've owned a couple roadsters (NB1 / Z3) but also drove an NA and NC3 Miata. Personally I think the Z3 was a better car than any of them overall, but the NC3 was MILES ahead of the NB or NA for that matter. The NC feels tighter and more substantial than the other Miatas and even felt slightly stiffer than my Z3. They're impressive little cars and don't deserve the hate from Miata "purists" and uncultured car people.

[@adinlouw]

Great episode.

[@mechtech104]

The prices outlined in this video are a bit high and seem to reflect peak COVID prices. NCs above $12k have come down substantially since then especially since $25k can get you into a lower mileage ND these days.

[@ColoredinLight]

Prices have come down a bit, but I checked the market minutes before I made the video and that's what I was seeing from private sales to dealership prices.

[@carlosmujica4623]

Any good site to buy one, I am looking for a NC 3 hard retractable one. appreciate the help

[@defatl3118]

are you coming to Miatas at The Gap this year?

[@ColoredinLight]

Man idk what I'm doing tomorrow yet lol. I've always wanted to

[@ComradeBrian]

Great overall review. I have owned NA, NB, and currently honored to have an NC1 07. All daily drivers. NC is by far the best. The “boat” opinion is due to sitting lower in the seat than NA and NB. You felt like you were on a perch in an NA/NB. When lower in the NC, the car seems bigger but just an illusion…you actually feel safer. Over 260k now on my true red NC. Lots of miles and smiles! 😊

[@yoso585]

That’s a lot of miles! If taken reasonably good care, when looking at one, at what mileage should I be hesitant to purchase on average would you think? I’m not real mechanical and don’t want it in the shop all the time

[@redbluesome2829]

You’re on street drugs for thinking the NC is “by far the best”. You’re not sitting lower in the NC, but the doorsill height is high due to safety regulations, and that kills the experience of driving a small and light car. If feeling safer is an attribute to you, you’re not really a sports car person to begin with.

[@ComradeBrian]

@@yoso585 Expect repairs with all cars that have high miles but Mazda is quality. Parts might be a challenge to obtain at all shops but the popularity of Miata’s help.

[@ComradeBrian]

@@redbluesome2829 Thanks for pointing this out. I suppose owning a NA, NB, and NC doesn’t count to enjoying the Miata. Oh well. Maybe picking up an ND will help me be a real live sports car person.

[@GomesGerry]

NB2 is 1.8L 140 Hp while the NC1/NC2 is 2.0L 171Hp over 30Hp difference.

[@ColoredinLight]

Not a Mazdaspeed NB

[@epvendetta]

Talk yo sh*t fellow boaters! NC owners unite!

[@agegonzo39]

Stop.. remove this video, and wait till I purchase one to post it again... don't need the word getting out

[@Salvisol]

I own one, the Na and NB are probably still better for the enthusiast. I've been restoring a 2006 NC1 used part prices are pretty high. Much higher than the NA and NB cars.

[@nandernugget]

I’m 6’2, do you think I’d be a great fit. I mean the answer should be obvious considering I wasn’t too uncomfortable in my boys NB, but just in case I was wondering if there’s an tall NC owners who could let me know

[@EarrGasmm]

I'm 6ft 4 and for great in mine. 5 years daily driver. You can get lowering brackets for the seats that make it very comfortable

[@bsanter]

6' 4",I have daily driven an NC for almost 3 years, top up is a bit cramped (prht)but I definitely fit, and more so with a seat lowering mod, Helmet is a no-go with the top up, Gordy M Mod on the forums is also a great cheap method to give a bit of extra head room

[@TheRubenator05]

I'm 6'2 and have absolutely no comfort issues in the NC. I used to have an NB and that felt a little cramped but the NC is very comfortable even with the top up, especially if you get the non height adjustable cloth seats as they sit a little lower

[@kckuc310]

I owned the NC1 for years but the ND is far better, I would not go back

[@waynepurcell6058]

Depends on what one wants. I've driven the ND and it feels FAR

[@dimitrismanavis9081]

I can not buy a 1.8 NC1, it's ugly outside and the interior is pretty dated, low on power and heavy for miata standards, what I would want is a 2.0 NC2 or NC3 with retractable hardtop and a limited slip dif, a 2.5 swap would be great, but we are talking for OEM Mazda trims here. Still it would be ugly in the inside but the power and the playfullness would be fine for me. Personaly I prefer my nb2 even with the 1.6 with a limited slip diff. The power is not much but atleast it will never age so badly inside and outside. Do not get me wrong if you like the NC is fine, it's a nice beginner friendly car for enthusiasts, but you really have to like the looks to buy one, it's the only controversial miata by the looks and that talks for itself.

[@ColoredinLight]

I get it, what's funny is I think the NB is the ugliest Miata. I guess your point is though there's a Miata for everyone, and it's not even that I dislike the NB, I think they're great too.

[@FJB8646]

I really like the NB but love my NC3 a lot. I like the front ends on the NC 3 much better than the NC 1

[@Oldpuck81]

I thought NC2 started in 09.

[@chasemoore1281]

I just got a 2015 for 18,000 flat

[@senseisambo]

FYI….NC3 started 2013

[@prestonsplans69]

He just means it came out fall in 12 same thing for nc2 it came out in fall of 08 but was advertised as a 2009 car

[@nandernugget]

He probably meant the actual year and not the model year

[@TopGames-dr2hz]

Great video. I have a 3.5 PHRT with the BBR Super 200 kit and the complete GT exhaust system. I love it, however Paul Roddison (well respected MX5 specialist in the UK) told me the ND was better in almost every way. Ok, this maybe true but I love my NC, it’s in such great condition for a 13 year old car and now has 207 bhp. I’ll keep it for a while yet.

[@Paintppa1]

But that's not an NC on your tee,

[@taheelfan1]

always HATED those dang HEADLIGHTS!!!! look terrible, thats why I will never have those years

[@Bonsai-Miata2020]

Used Miata's are still way overpriced

[@ghuldorgrey]

Yeah i just bought myself a low mileage nc1 2.0 for cheap money. Cant wait ti lower it