Series 1 NB...What to look for?

Sailor · Postby **Sailor** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:37 am

Advice coming in ( cheers Paul ) is that I should extend the budget a little and seek out an NB8B mainly for the ABS (my daughter will be driving) and the 6 speed.

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:01 pm

Sailor wrote:Advice coming in ( cheers Paul ) is that I should extend the budget a little and seek out an NB8B mainly for the ABS (my daughter will be driving) and the 6 speed.

ABS and bigger brakes

Better seats (especially after foamectomy)

More under car bracing

Better headlights

Fog lights are a waste of time

16in wheels

6sp gearbox brings new issues with feel and shift quality

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:47 pm

I have an NB8A. It was in middling condition when I got it. The mechanical fixes were relatively cheap - the most costly thing being new shocks.

If I had my time over, I'd look for a straight interior and exterior over anything else. Getting a full re-spray and minor body work to sort out a car with a healthy amount of car-park and shopping-troll incidents will cost you far more than bolting on some new bits to the engine.

de Bounce is spot on above. The ABS is the only thing I miss in my NB8A. And even then, only a little. Locking up the front into a corner (on a track) is fun in a sick kind of way. Track day hereos who ABS into every corner are missing out part of the fun.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:58 am

NB8As are currently best bang for buck, but given it's for your daughter, ABS is a consideration, especially if she's new to driving.

Basho · Postby **Basho** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:42 am

There is a great post on here that covers damn near everything if you have a bit of a search, watch out for the service history , it's worth a check with Mazda to find out whats actualy been done , log books without the relevant receipted work sheets aren't worth a pinch anymore.

Appart from all the ususl stuff , be aware of the timing belt replacement at 100000ks along with the water pump , cam seals main front crank oil seal etc , this little lot will set you back about $1250.00 for Mazda to do it , and over 90k I'd be mindfull that the clutch may need doing at any time the jods worth about $500 labour (mazda) and from about $290.00 for an Exedey clutch kit and an origional crank main rear oil seal.

Good hunting :beer:

Zcootz · Postby **Zcootz** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:52 pm

Basho wrote:There is a great post on here that covers damn near everything if you have a bit of a search, watch out for the service history , it's worth a check with Mazda to find out whats actualy been done , log books without the relevant receipted work sheets aren't worth a pinch anymore.

I just went through that exercise myself in getting a dealership to confirm if the timing belt had been replaced.....appart from having to get the previous owner to call the dealership to allow me to discuss the service history....sheesh! "Privacy Issues" I was told, all I wanted to know if the belt had been replaced.... That said, once the ok had been given, the dealer was more than happy to talked about how & when it had been serviced. A lot of the dealers just delete the records after a while.

Zcootz · Postby **Zcootz** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:58 pm

OurCognitiveSurplus wrote: If I had my time over, I'd look for a straight interior and exterior over anything else. Getting a full re-spray and minor body work to sort out a car with a healthy amount of car-park and shopping-troll incidents will cost you far more than bolting on some new bits to the engine.

de Bounce is spot on above. The ABS is the only thing I miss in my NB8A. And even then, only a little. Locking up the front into a corner (on a track) is fun in a sick kind of way. Track day hereos who ABS into every corner are missing out part of the fun.

+1, I've just bought my first NB8A and I wouldn't mind the ABS for general touring, the 6 speed and cruise control would be nice for the long highway runs. The easy fix for his for me was to just avoid the highways and enjoy the side roads, much more interesting a drive.

I found a car that is in top shape body,paint and interior wise and I know that this ins't always the case but am working on the principle that if they were able to keep it looking tidy with a good service history then the rest will probably follow on well. Its so shinny Im a bit nervous about taking her out on the track now :roll:

Beelzeboss · Postby **Beelzeboss** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:09 pm

the 6 speed and cruise control would be nice for the long highway runs

I thought the 6 speed actually had a shorter 6th than 5th in the 5 speed, so you cruise at a higher rpm on the highway.

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:27 pm

Beezleboss beat me to it but yep, the 6 spped is shorter than the 5 speed in every gear, even 6th is shorter than a 5 speeds 5th. Also abs on hwy? Lol.

Dann

Zcootz · Postby **Zcootz** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:54 pm

I think the 6 speed box cars com with a different diff so you have lower rpm at a given speed in top.

Yeah, ok, for the hair splitters Abs for the other non highway driving. Lol...

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:00 pm

My NB8A has after market cruise control installed by the previous owner. Works as well as can be expected. Can't be that expensive?

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:21 pm

No MX5 until the NC had cruise control built in, it's all either aftermarket or dealer fit.

Sailor · Postby **Sailor** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:06 pm

OK, thanks all.
Pretty much decided that I'm now looking for an NB8B, unless an 8A comes at an bargain price.
ABS is a distinct advantage in any situation and I hadn't thought of that being not available on the 8A, anyone who thinks they can outbrake ABS is either far more skilled that the very best F1 and Sedan drivers ... or a fool.
Cruise for a P Plater is something I'd be prepared to install.
6 speed Eh...what does it matter.

Again, looking for a decent body...mechanically it's really not a problem.
Happy to put a car that's been off the road for some time back together and register.

Again thanks guys.....Loooking looooking!
but as she just ran out of dough on an 8 week holiday through Sth America, her budget has been reduced for the time being. :frown:

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:49 pm

NitroDann wrote:Beezleboss beat me to it but yep, the 6 spped is shorter than the 5 speed in every gear, even 6th is shorter than a 5 speeds 5th.

However the final diff ratio is taller 3.636 compared to 4.1 and tyre diameter is different.
According to calculations, 100km/h NB8A in 5th = 3074rpm, NB8B in 6th = 2752rpm
Based on the info HERE

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:38 pm

de Bounce wrote:However the final diff ratio is taller 3.636 compared to 4.1 and tyre diameter is different.
According to calculations, 100km/h NB8A in 5th = 3074rpm, NB8B in 6th = 2752rpm

Ok so you want the different diff.