Which MX5 to purchase?

[Gavatron1]

Hi all,

I am after a second car/toy for weekends. I once owned a MX5 NB from new. Loved it.

I am considering a NB SE. I ideally would like the car to have so,e more power than my older non turbo car. I am considering a car that has had some work done to motor and suspension with 100,000 klm on the clock. It has a full service history including having the major timing belt service just recently. I would get the car checked by a reputiple mechanic prior to any purchase. It also has a roll bar, and exhaust mod from turbo back. Probably $8,000 in total.

I am also looking at a SE for the same money non molested. And a 2005 model SC for the same money.

In the opinions of the people in the forum, which is the better buying?

Thank you in advance,

Tron

[NitroDann]

Incoming can of worms.

My call is dont buy an SE if you want performance.

[Gavatron1]

I think every person has their own take on the model and car they like. As I once read by a member, we are all MX 5 lovers. Each has their own place in history.

I should have been more specific so I apologise. I am after some opinions on the right car for my needs. It's a second car. I want a bit more go than my original non turbo Model which I liked very much.

If there is another model that would offer the ability to upgrade more power and handling from standard I'm all ears. However I have always been under the impression that an SE is a good starting point.

Tron

[NitroDann]

The SE is really not much quicker than standard.

NB8B = 146hp
NBSE= 162hp.
This small increase in power is also made smaller with the significantly taller gearing the SE has.

Expensive modification path fraught with driveability issues.

Factory downgrades compared to NB8B which usually arent mentioned by the SE fans.

[davekmoore]

NB8B/C with a good turbo conversions would be a better car than an SE.

[ManiacLachy]

Where are you located? If you're a Victoria boy, the SE is pretty much your only option for a more powerful model. Other than that, what are your "needs", your budget, and how will you be driving it (track car, mountain runs, cruising the beach?)

If you don't need it as a daily, you have time and you want power, get a normal NA8 or NB, and have it turbo'd by a reputable shop. You'll get more power than a similarly modded SE, and you'll likely do it for less money. Go NA8 for raw driving, NB for more mod-cons and refinement. Or, look at a SC'd NC to get nice and comfy, but still with decent power.

I've gone with the SE. If I had my time again, I might take my own advice and get an NA8 turboed. But, I needed a daily car, with a minimum of down time. Bolt-ons I can do over a weekend is good for me, and I'm enjoying learning about the car and making it my own. It is enjoyable to add a component and feel the difference.

However, eventually (soon!) it'll need to go to a shop for an ECU and tune to make the most of the SE's engine and turbo which will take a week or two. And at that stage I'll have replaced almost all of the car's stock parts that make it an SE other than the actual turbo and manifold (and diff).

[93_Clubman]

Bit of recent elaboration (see Dann's & Davekmoore's posts from 2/3 down page 1): viewtopic.php?f=29&t=70654&p=868684#p868684

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

Depends how much you care about the law and insurance. I think the SE is a good choice if you like these things. If not, Dan is right that you can get a lot more for a bit less.

[Gavatron1]

Thanks all,

Any comment on the NC? Is it a nicer car to drive than a SE? Can I potentially get some extra power out of the 2 litre?

I'm just after a little more punch than a standard SE. Great points re insurance as I really don't want to turn something into a race car. After all they are awesome as is. Just need to be say 15% more responsive in my opinion.

A NC can look pretty cool. However I don't see many being played with. Are there reasons for this?

Tron

[hks_kansei]

Every state has different laws regarding modifications, I can only speak for Vic (havent read other state's rules)

If you're in Victoria, and want more power than the standard NA or NB, and want to do it 100% legally, you only really have two options:


An NA6 with a turbo kit from AVO (they must install etc)

or an SE in standard form (with a few minor mods allowed)



Personally, i'd recommend the SE if you want to just buy a car and not worry about it. It's not a night and day difference to a regular NB, but it's fine enough. Test drive one, and then decide if the power is worth the price premium over a regular one.

The other option is an NC, which from memory is quicker than the SE? Albeit, a different car all together.

[hks_kansei]

A NC can look pretty cool. However I don't see many being played with. Are there reasons for this?

The biggest reason is that they're still fairly modern and costly compared to the NA and NB.

It's only really been in the last few years that people have taken to modifying the NB more than basic bolt-ons (granted, it had a head start sharing so much with the NA)


As the NC gets cheaper more mods will likely start to occur when the young guys buy them and start hacking them up.

[jaycrab]

I'll do it...Get a NC. They really aren't as big and soft as NA/NB owners would have you believe. You don't need to worry about timing belts, there's heaps of smooth power, and with upgraded springs they handle great. If you can get one for the same price as an NB, I don't know why you wouldn't.

[hks_kansei]

I'll do it...Get a NC. They really aren't as big and soft as NA/NB owners would have you believe. You don't need to worry about timing belts, there's heaps of smooth power, and with upgraded springs they handle great. If you can get one for the same price as an NB, I don't know why you wouldn't.

Funny thing is despite what people say about the NC being heavy, it's actually about the same weight as an NB8B (40kg heavier if it's the hardtop NC)

NB8A 1048kg
NB8B 1112kg
NC softtop 1105kg
NC Hardtop 1152kg

(from redbook)


So really, it's only the physical size that's different (and even that I think isn't much changed, it just looks and feels bigger)

[93_Clubman]

A NC can look pretty cool. However I don't see many being played with. Are there reasons for this?

Some say the NC is a better car than the NA or NB, but not a better sports car.

[Gavatron1]

If searching hard I cam find a NC for the same mone as the SE...

I need just a little more positive feedback from NC owners for me to pull the trigger.

I'm, driving a NB followed be a NC in the morrow.

Tron