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Hi,
I'm looking to buy an NC1 and wanted to confirm something with the trim levels.
I believe there was basically two trim levels on the early NC1s: the base one with cloth seats and basic stereo, and a 'leather' one which had the leather seats and Bose stereo (which was called the touring in later years)
I understand the early 2008-2006 NC1s had electronic stability control and traction control as options, and on later models of NC1s it became standard.

My question on the early cars is, was it an option on them all, or only on the base model?
A follow up question is if the stability control and traction controls adds much fun/performance/comfort/value to driving the car? (I haven't had a car with either before)

Thanks in advance.

DSC/TC was standard on the NC from mid/late 2007. It was never optional.

It is an excellent safety aid and is normally invisible until needed. However, the TC on the NC can be a bit sensitive and annoying under power in really tight turns with a corrugated surface.

It can be selected off but why would you? I'll just get the popcorn ready now...

Oh and all NCs from mid/late 2007 had a Bose 6 stack MP3 CD radio. The early ones were not MP3.

JBT wrote:DSC/TC was standard on the NC from mid/late 2007. It was never optional.

It is an excellent safety aid and is normally invisible until needed. However, the TC on the NC can be a bit sensitive and annoying under power in really tight turns with a corrugated surface.

It can be selected off but why would you? I'll just get the popcorn ready now...

Yeah I can confirm that. The traction control actually has three modes: on, 'partly off', and off. In 'partly off' mode the DSC is less restrictive (will allow for loss of traction) but apparently will still kick in at some point.

'Partly off' mode still gives the idiot behind the wheel enough latitude to bin it though (as this idiot found out ). Unless you're on a track I think the DSC provides a very valuable safety net that allows you to push the car harder without driving beyond either your or the road's limit.

So what's the story on the early 2005 and 2006 cars then? Did they not have it at all?

No, not fitted nor available as an option.

I will have to check when get home. From memory my NC1 LE was a December 2016 build and has the DSC/TC and the MP3. I know because I keep firing off the TC on a left ben going up hill near home when the left rear wheel becomes unweighted.

I will check the build date tonight

P

JBT wrote:DSC/TC was standard on the NC from mid/late 2007. It was never optional...

Woops! Misprint. That should be mid/late 2006 build cars.

AFAIK, the MP3 was available for the folding hard top models but only from 2007 build on the soft top.

JBT wrote:

JBT wrote:DSC/TC was standard on the NC from mid/late 2007. It was never optional...

Woops! Misprint. That should be mid/late 2006 build cars.

AFAIK, the MP3 was available for the folding hard top models but only from 2007 build on the soft top.

If you were looking to buy an NC would you exclude the early ones then? I'm not quite sure on how to value a car with or without it. As an aside, does it add any weight with the DSC/TC?

If I was buying an NC, I'd definitely be going for one with DSC/TC and the MP3 6 stack Bose. I'd also be looking for a second gen NC with the forged engine internals. It weighs nothing.

mine is a mid 2006 and has the TC/DSC but no MP3

According to Glass guide the NC was upgraded in Sep 06 and up to then it did not have TCS ( traction control system) - check this say with Mazda.

Many do not know that so called NC1's are not all the same car. I have mates who bought the first NC models used and had no idea about TCS. Personally I would not buy an NC without traction control because of the safety aspect. If anyone looks at Car Sales the best thing to do is look at the specifications because the description when expanded will tell you if the car is fitted with the TCS.

As for weight I suggest just forget that as its inconsequential in relation to tcs- an NC is heaver than an NB and that is heavier than an NA but the NC is almost certainly an easier car to live with .

In the end you still buy a car that you can afford.

Mine is a July 2006 with the DSC Switch.
I suspect July build onwards have DSC but not "released" in AU till September.

pie5 wrote:Mine is a July 2006 with the DSC Switch.
I suspect July build onwards have DSC but not "released" in AU till September.

Just checked. Mine is May 2006 with DSC

Somewhere in 06 all MX-5's got DSC as standard. Before that not available at all.
DSC is debatable in NC1's. NC2's are much better.
Personally I found the NC1 DSC to be the most unrefined system in any car I have dríven.
I really question how well Mazda calibrated it.
In normal on mode I find it activates under normal driving conditions with little to no provocation and pulls hard or kills off the power when it does. It doesn't always do what you hope it would.
The first stage off mode is better. Its more like a race mode though. It would allow a little bit of sliding.
It needed something in between for the normal mode.
Full off is awesome. It is actually off.
There are track guys that aim to make sure they got early cars without it at all. So 05's and early 06's.

Also, I gather you are looking at a soft top and not the hardtop roadster coupe???

There is actually 4 soft-top models from 05 to 09 for original NC1's.
You have the 2 normal ones worked out. Base = Cloth Trim. Top = Leather. The Touring name was introduced from late 06 to better distinguish the leather clad model. It may also be the same time they introduced that ugly brown interior option as well.
There is also 2 LE soft tops that were only sold as Manuals.
05 Release LE which had a lot of Shiny internal and external bits. Unique wheels. Only colours were Velocity Red or Brilliant Black with Red Leather Interior. Individually numbered out of 3500 worldwide. No DSC.
07 LE. Only in Three colours. Radiant Ebony(Unique to this model in Aus), Highland Green and Stormy Blue. Sand Beige Interior. Bilstein Shocks. BBS Forged Wheels. Unique Full Chrome headlights, blinkers and centre stop light. Only 110 sold here. Definitely has DSC. This model was sort of missed by the media as they were more interested in the hardtops fancy folding roof.

There is only 1 hardtop model for NC1's. Roadster Coupe, which is essentially a Soft top touring spec car with the hardtop roof.

You have to keep a keen eye to see LE soft top's for sale.
A lot of people either don't know they have a LE and list them as a normal MX-5 or list their normal MX-5 as a LE.
This applies to any model. A lot of hardtops are listed as soft-tops and visa versa.

The other good soft top choice is trying to find a NC2 base or Touring. These are hard to come by as most bought Hardtops by this point in time. They were sold from 09 to 11 before being dropped due to poor sales.
The most annoying this Mazda did was not offering the NC2 soft top with the Recaro Seats and BBS rims like they did for the Hardtops.