The "Worst" of a Beloved Roadster - Mazda MX-5 NC Review

[@CaiKeys]

Alright everyone, hope you enjoyed this video, I sure enjoyed driving the mazda. The MX5 is ace, quite frankly. Never really felt as though it lacked power as many people say it does, but the surprisingly neutral handling is what won it for me. A fantastic thing to take down the B roads.

[@007JHS]

Hear hear!

[@JohnnyRocketJewellery]

Great review! I lived in the UK for 30 years + and had a variety of British classics Triumphs, Lotus, Mini& MGs. They all had their quirks and charms, but reliability was always an issue. Despite my extensive mechanical skills they always had a moment when they let you down. The MGBGT was the best of them, but even it was in the shadow of the MX5 NC1. What a sports car!! Handles better than a Lotus, and you never have to apply the spanner’s too much. The notchiness in 1st- 2nd is down to wear on the nylon selector restrictor around the gearstick. A very simple fix. The gearbox is a treat when you address that. I use mine as a daily and I think it’s possibly the best sports car I’ve ever owned. Forget your Porsche, your Z3 & 4 this is the answer

[@CaiKeys]

The fact that my main gripe with the car can be fixed dead easily is testament to what a great car it is. Having owned an MG midget myself, it's nice to have a car which actually starts up in the morning, nothing depresses you like intending to go out on a nice sunny day and finding you've broken down for some unknown reason. Thanks for watching, hope you enjoyed

[@PyroPlays]

This is a cracking review! I own an NB (Mk2) MX-5 and it feels a little more fun than the NC, on a nice sunny day, when you're on a B road, that isn't full of potholes, AKA 5% of the time. The other 95% of the time the NC feels like a nicer place to be, more creature comforts, less NVH etc etc. They're different cars, the NA and NB feel like classics, the NC feels like one of the most fun modern cars you can buy, and now that you can get them for £2000, they're an absolute bargain. Good review my friend 👍

[@CaiKeys]

Thanks for watching, really appreciate the support - I'd love to give the NB a drive, despite not really having as large a weight difference as people often assume, they do have smaller proportions and I can see them being a little bit more stripped back and less refined than an NC, more like a classic roadster. If I'm able to find one to review, I'll be sure to compare the two. Cheers!

[@PyroPlays]

@@CaiKeys Spot on there, I think it's less about the weight and more about the levels of refinement. Of course, there is still a slight weight difference between the two. Looking forward to seeing a comparison if you get chance, unfortunately I'm a few hours away from you, there's plenty of NAs and NBs if you join the FB groups that I'm sure would be willing to let you review!

[@CaiKeys]

@@PyroPlays that makes sense to me, a comparison is most certainly on the books, I'll have a look round some groups and see about borrowing one!

[@PeterNewton-e4k]

I love this car more than any other it smart looking can’t wait to get one

[@Mx5modified]

Great video! Nc to see loads more people doing Nc related content 😁

[@CaiKeys]

Thanks for watching, really glad you enjoyed!

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

I wish people would stop saying the nc is the worst Mx-5/Miata It could be one of the best honestly.

[@CaiKeys]

I completely agree, it's a brilliant car. I think lots of it comes from people who haven't driven one thinking it's going to be boatlike and floaty on account of its exterior design. Hope you enjoyed.

[@jedigrawlfang]

@@CaiKeys Having owned an NC, I have to say that a) yes, it was a beautiful car to drive, and b) that my newer NC2 is far and away better. I loved my NB but it was too rusty ... Whilst I like the look of the ND, it'll take a lot more than an "angry puppy" look of the newer model to prise me away from my NC2

[@twohawks7]

I agree 100 percent!

[@alcw6346]

I love that I come to watch this, considering buying one and you drive it right past my house in the early part of the video.

[@CaiKeys]

@@alcw6346 small world!

[@fritz4345]

I love this car. I drive a 2011 for the last 10 years and I still love it, like on day one. The retractable roof is great and very usable. That's the best British sporty car every invented.

[@UnseenSpirit]

I'm looking at getting a NC1 and have been watching a lot of videos on YT. Not even viewed one yet though lol. Gonna view one on wed. I'll be looking out for rust which seems to be a big issue on them

[@CaiKeys]

They are absolutely fantastic cars, but definitely be really careful of rust-keep the underside clean especially in winter, and if you have the facilities, protect underneath with something like lanoguard (wouldn't use anything opaque like Waxoyl, though,as it can make things worse.) really hope you enjoyed.

[@UnseenSpirit]

@@CaiKeys thanks. I've read about some cars having waxyoyl on adverts. Why is it bad? Does it trap moisture in?

[@CaiKeys]

@@UnseenSpirit Black Waxoyl is obviously opaque and as a result, if you've got any existing moisture or rust when you apply it, it can trap the moisture and the rust problem can get significantly worse. Because it's black, you can't actually see it get worse until its too late. It's also hard to remove and tends to crack with age, letting moisture in. Something like lanoguard or clear Waxoyl is better because you can actually see the metal underneath. Personally, I use lanoguard. Need to apply it each year but you can see straight through it and it protects the car from rust pretty well.

[@Oldladysgin]

Rust is a huge issue with these cars, they rust and even some of the newer ones will have it. Look really carefully and especially at the front chassis rails! Look very carefully indeed. The NB was by far the worst and all models can get blocked drain holes and rust inside out. Look deep and reject any that are in the least suspect.

[@rcmakingtracks18]

No not singing its praises to much, its a gem of a car. I own a 2011 kendo, 5 speed and i love almost everything about it. Will never sell it. Great review. Liked and subscribed. john.

[@CaiKeys]

@@rcmakingtracks18 Cheers John!

[@cptndave1]

Had mine for eight years. Loved every minute of it. Sold with in two weeks for more than I paid for it. Even while I was in the process of paperwork of selling I still had other buyers.

[@CaiKeys]

They're popular for a reason! Cheers for watching

[@The_0p3r8t0r]

The 1.8 NC is a little slow, but you aren't getting speeding tickets so easily. Also, with heated seats and the heat from the transmission tunnel means that as long as it's dry even a 5c drive will be fine as long as you have a hat on.

[@moopet8036]

I'm not really sure where people get this from. I have the 1.8 and it's only "slow" if you're trying to compare it to something it's not.

[@Midnight.k1]

Great review! 🎉

[@CaiKeys]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed!

[@SeanPensive]

2 litre is a must. 1.8 just isn't enough. Beat the 2.0 properly, and it's pretty quick cross country. A momentum corner car. The back end isnt glued to the floor at all!! You can trigger TC often. Its a good system. NC is more civilised and usable. Leave power standard and rev it harder!!

[@CaiKeys]

Thanks for watching, I think the power in the 2.0 is adequate, and can imagine the 1.8 being a tad underpowered- re: the rear end, I did find the rear end remarkably planted, even when driven hard, it definitely felt confident enough to keep an awful lot of momentum up compared to the impression I'd been given, that multilink and open diff certainly helps. Definitely one of the more lenient TCS systems out there too. Hope you enjoyed

[@SeanPensive]

@@CaiKeys LSD adds to it. You start adding throttle earlier and earlier as you come out of corners. Super controllable. Great video!

[@CaiKeys]

@@SeanPensive I bet, I can certainly see an LSD helping when pushing the car to the limit. This MX5 is the first RWD lightweight car I've driven, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. Can't wait to drive some more similar cars and see just how well the NC stacks up, but it's certainly set a high bar. Thanks for watching!

[@MarkB-33]

1.8 often over looked. You need to work it up the revs but IMHO no lsd, no creature comforts, and a cloth roof make it a simple hardcore little roadster. Its just as much fun and rewarding to drive as my mapped e46 m-sport 330ci. Maybe more so given the simplicity.

[@SeanPensive]

@@MarkB-33 LSD makes all the difference. Maybe try dropping one into your 330i? I've put a LSD in every BMW I've owned. Worth it!

[@Fizhy]

De Mazda

[@A_Manc_Abroad]

I really enjoyed the review

[@mapwheel00]

I think you spoiled yourself by driving the NC first. It's an absolute gem and doesn't get the love it deserves. You were right to conclude it has very few faults for what it is and the price you can get one at.

[@CaiKeys]

I think you're right, I really wanted to find something to genuinely criticise, but simply couldn't find anything major . Thanks for watching!

[@mapwheel00]

@@CaiKeys If you ever get the chance to look underneath one, they are really cool. Everything is way overbuilt for a much heavier car, because as you noted, the platform was shared with the RX-8.

[@simonwolfe529]

love the Vauxhall quote

[@DecadesVideos]

For the algo

[@S-Ltd1000]

Apart from the roof coming down the micra cc and the ford Ka are not in the remotest like an mx5.

[@CaiKeys]

That's the issue I faced unfortunately, being a new channel I've only so many comparisons from experience that I can actually make.

[@S-Ltd1000]

@@CaiKeys I had an NC 2.0 and two NAs one of which I've now owned for 8 years. NC is the better all-rounder but the NA is more fun to drive.

[@CaiKeys]

@@S-Ltd1000 an NA or an NB is certainly on the 'to do' list, a lot of comments seem to be suggesting that the NA/NB are a bit more fun to drive than the more refined NC, and I can certainly see why that may be the case. Thanks for watching!

[@smithp573]

The StreetKa and MX5 share the love of rusting away from the inside out.

[@TimEvans-x6w]

I've just bought a 2008 NC after 12 years owning an old-school supercharged E55K AMG. I loved the Merc, but the NC is a truly lovely place to be. I know it's comparing apples and pears (500hp to 160ish), but the NC is an absolute hoot. Getting to enjoy the b roads is far more fun than worrying about sub 5 sec 0-60 times. And a lot cheaper!

[@thesingingshade7984]

Nice Roadster Roads around Blackburn. Great review I think this would make a Great car for my midlife crisis😂

[@MarriedToTheKGB]

Great cars based on a Lotus Elan for inspiration I was told years ago

[@CaiKeys]

That's right, an awful lot of inspiration was taken by mazda from the idea of the British sports car - EG the MGB, Triumph spitfire, and perhaps most importantly, as you said, the Elan. Fantastic cars. Thanks for watching

[@youmongrel]

I always feel so bad for the Brits that they have to use their inferior hand for shifting. So wrong.

[@robtt997]

From a safety point of view the NC is way ahead the NA and NB .

[@oldretrogamer78]

8X Car and Driver Top 10 Cars -- more than any other generation of MX-5.

[@Philiprreeves]

What boost ur pulling there? Looks like 12/13 psi. Think BBR stage 3 is arojnd 14psi making 350 ish. But costs an extra £6k on top of their stage 2. Ported head, forged rods and pistons and a map. Big money for an extra 50bhp. I expected an extra 70bhp for that

[@Oldladysgin]

As for the gearchange try pausing as you go through neutral, just briefly, it works. Across the box changes are best, no point in moving the lever to a gear you are not going to use. The gearchanges can be baulky when cold as well, but again the slight pause works. NBs rust, all of them and NCs can be equally as bad......the former can be the front chasses rails so choose carefully.

[@CaiKeys]

I'll definitely give that a go when I'm next in an NC - as for NB front chassis rail rust, my god I've seen some where you can see down to the floor, they really are terrible for it!

[@N0VA_ST0RM]

I would let you drive my limited edition NA down here in the South-East coast but It's about 3-4 hour drive from yours. I am trying to do it up too.

[@jjeaton3526]

Loving the videos. Might be able to help with an nb but it was only £800 😂

[@CaiKeys]

Thanks, glad you enjoy them! Would be very interested in reviewing an NB if that's something you'd potentially be able to help with - well-used examples are always the most fun!

[@quentinstacy35]

There's a Japanese Eunos badge for the NA that looks a lot like a Lotus badge.

[@CaiKeys]

That may well be it, though I'm sure there's a bloke near me with an actual lotus badge on his. He is however, a lotus fanatic. I'll have to have a walk and see, cheers!

[@Ifitwerks]

More than likely the clutch needed adjustment at the pedal, as even factory these are set too low and both my NC2s were the same after adjusting the height gear selection is easier, very common for these. Plus gearbox and turret lubrication needs proper maintenance.

[@CaiKeys]

Great advice, I'll pass that on to David who lent me the car. Thanks for watching!

[@JustDrivingMX5]

Here anorher NC owner, if i lhave to get a new car, i will choose an NC again. I'm pretty sure that all the bad things that people says it has, comes from people whe never have driven it. Just because is "bigger" and "heavier".. just because about the numbers.. but It's also more powerfull that makes that difference totally unpercrptible. But there's a real difference between NA, NB and NC.. and is the evidence of the different generations, wich means that the NC is a modern car, that looks like a modern car, more space, more comfortable, but still have the NA/NB behaviour. They really made a GREAT job. ND is just a smaller NC, less space, less comfort, but still have all modern things that the NC have, but just because is "smaller" , people says that back to their origins. In my opinion, they should keep the NC size for the ND, both still being small cars btw.

[@jamesclarkson3009]

You could make a case for the nc being the best. It just depends what you're looking for. 2.0 sport with 6 speed and lsd is the one to have though.

[@vishnujmohan5089]

You earned a new sub ❤

[@CaiKeys]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying the content!

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

Oh no, sir you are well mistaken. The Miata is very well respected over here in the states me personally I’ve wanted a Miata since middle school and I own an NA now which I’m currently selling to purchase an NC. We are well aware that the Miata is not powerful but as soon as you get in the corners, they’re a beast!! Put it like this when you have V8 owners plus supercar owners staring your Miata down when you stop at a red light or pass by them then that lets you know that Miata is always the answer.

[@alexhoward8152]

Do a Citroen C3 next!

[@CaiKeys]

Where could I find one of those? 🤔

[@themancuniancandidate2744]

I had a 2007 NC hardtop last year, and it was brilliant. I paid $14kAUD for it, and it ran like a Swiss watch despite over 200k kms on the clock. It was hard to justify spending twice as much on an ND, but I eventually traded it and bought a 2017 ND RF with very low kms (15000) a couple of months ago. But I've never understood the hate the NC gets from some MX5 enthusiasts (snobs might be better word). It's hardly big, hardly heavy, and it's a much better car than either the NA or the NB. As a cheap entry into MX5 ownership I think the NC is hard to beat.

[@nikosapostolakis9655]

never had any problem with gear change with my 2007 1.8. if you are in the market go for nc2 or nc3, many subbtle improvements that make a difference. also opt for 2.0 wich has lsd if you can afford it. and prht (hard top) gives you peace of mind if you park on the street. and check thorougly for rust,

[@smithp573]

NA definitely didn’t have traction control. NB same. The NB2 I had (a 1.8 non-Sport) definitely didn’t have TC either. Pretty sure the NC was the first MX5 to get it. If you want slow, try a late NA 1.6 (like a Monza special edition), they’re sweet handlers but good grief they’re slow.

[@FJB8646]

I personally think it’s the best but I don’t care for the NC1 or NC2. The NC3 is great!

[@CaiKeys]

What do you prefer about the NC3? General consensus is its the better car, but unfortunately I've not really had much experience with 2 seater roadsters, being a new channel and that. Thanks for watching!

[@FJB8646]

@@CaiKeys the forged internals, better looking front and rear bumper, bump in horse power, better looking console.

[@Ifitwerks]

@@FJB8646 All the major engine revisions came with the NC2 , forged crank, valve train and pistons etc and the increased redline.

[@stevecrawford7814]

I need the extra space in the NC, my NA is much smaller and very basic.

[@FJB8646]

@@Ifitwerks I wasn’t sure on that but I like the fog light frames in the NC3 better

[@AquaStevae]

You must have a horrible NC gear shifter, as I've driven several NC's, and the gear shifter is one of the best features of these cars. They are such a short throw, and smoothly goes from gear to gear, and most TR reviewers seem to agree with me. YOU are the ONLY one I've heard complain about the shifter. As for the different variants, I 100% prefer the NC to the NA and the NB.

[@CaiKeys]

@@AquaStevae some other commenters are saying that the gear shifter can get a bit gummed up with age, but some silicone spray generally fixes that ,which probably explains my complaints - thanks for watching!

[@Myhawkbig]

God bless

[@davidstorm4015]

If the gearshift feels excessively notchy, it probably needs a gearbox oil change. Don't judge it until you've tried one that you know has had its fluid changes kept up to date.

[@arricammarques1955]

Very misleading tagline. NC3 2.0 wipes the floor with the majority of roadsters.

[@CaiKeys]

Misleading tagine in a way I suppose, I've noticed the NC has gained an unfair, undeserved reputation amongst many car enthusiasts, which I set out to analyse and ultimately dispel - I'm certainly not calling the NC the worst MX5 by any means, I think it's an excellent vehicle - thanks for watching!

[@lordwalker71]

I think it’s the best looking Miata

[@MaritSderlund]

A roadster has to be rear wheel drive .

[@Peternic74]

I typed this after you compared the mx5 to the street KA and nissan, then stopped watching.

[@Brockthedog315]

I just came here to say I don’t like the title. And to not ever come back.

[@CaiKeys]

@@Brockthedog315 in the video, I explained why the NC isn't the worst MX-5, despite apparent general consensus. That's kind of the point of quotation marks, to add emphasis? Titles are supposed to be dramatic

[@JAYJAYJAY53]

U lost at that tired beat out boat crap

[@mikenewbold1699]

gay

[@CaiKeys]

Hell yeah