NA or NB...

[PtPete]

Hi All,
I apologise in advance if this has been covered before, but i did look thorugh a heap of paosts and couldnt find it covered, and am also going to make the presumption that this could start WWIII. here goes.

I have always been a fan of MX5's but never had the ability to have one as a sole car, however 2016 is the year that I am finally going to get an MX5. I hit 40 this year, (mid life) the motorbikes in the garage just don't do it for me anymore, I have a company car..so the sole car issue is solved, and I really miss tinkering on cars. The best part however is that the wife is also keen.
My question......
NA or NB... ???
I have a budget of about $10k max.. I would prefer unmolested, but will be happy with some sensible mods that don't detract from the original look. I like the NA, but the NB has the appeal of predominantly having less K's, though have found some great low km NA's, and the NB tends to have a nicer updated interior (wife)
I will be looking to buy around aug/sept this year and would really appreciate some feedback from MX5 enthusiast and owners of both as to the pros and cons of both models..
just to clarify as well... it needs to have power steering (wife) and Aircon as I live in Western Australia and it gets fkn hot here.

Thanks a heap in advance, and don't bother to reply if you are just going to bash my post... thanks
regards
Pete

[chrismacca]

Happy wife, happy life! You should be able to find an unmolested, low km NB for less than $10000 when you're ready and you (and wifey ) will be very happy! Cheers and enjoy the ride...

[Lokiel]

You really need to drive them both to see which one you're happiest with. They're both a lot of fun and easy to work on.

Contact your WA MX5 car club, there may be some members who will let you take a test drive and discuss the merits of the NA vs NB.

The engines are bulletproof so high kms aren't a big issue after you've done all the required maintenance. Spare parts are plentiful too.

IMO, NA prices have hit their low point and can only increase if they're in good condition.

Use the search facility of the forum, you'll find more answers than you have questions regarding this topic.

There's actually a saying regarding the NA vs NB: "The NB is the better car, but the NA is the better Miata/MX5." (you can use the same argument for NB vs NC too - the ND re-focused the car back to being a Miata/MX5).

[bruce]

For you, buy an NA and spend some money on it.

NA- for the cool kids
NB- owned an NA and moved on. Regretting it and want another NA.
NC- you are retired/old
ND- a modern NA.

[Craig]

NA if you like tinkering and raw fun.

NB8B for refinement and happy wifey.

[KevGoat]

My wife convinced me to buy my first MX-5 and has always been as keen (if not more!) on them than I am. Certainly makes life easier

With so much time before you are looking at purchasing, you can have a good look around and take the different models for drives to get a feel for their different personalities. I've enjoyed each one of mine for different reasons (NA6, NB8A, NB8C SE).

Whichever model you end up with, you'll both love it

[davekmoore]

I've had the same models as KevGoat.

I miss my NA.

Some people are starting to ask crazy prices for NAs, as if they're scarce.

1,000,000 have been made, so no MX5 is scarce.

[KevGoat]

Yeah, that's the thing with the NA, all who've had one and moved it on, miss it.

My 2c ...

NA = more fun
NB = more liveable

[sailaholic]

I'm going to buck the trend. Keep saving and buy a NC. The engine is better as is the refinement for the wifey.

But if you ignore my advice
Na's are getting old. Yes mechanically they are very strong BUT things like plastics are getting old and brittle as are a/c systems. Rubber seals on the bonnet and a/c direction system will be old and need replacing for good a/c performance.

An na8 is going to be more then a na6 but the displacement will be worth it to run the power steer and A/c

The NB is more liveable I believe. Engine got more power and mid range torque. Particularly in the late model (6 speed on).

An NBa will likely be cheaper then the NA8 but not worth trading against the na8 if that is what you like. Jump straight to the NBb if you go NB.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[StanTheMan]

So does that make me a slow learner?
I never moved on.

[Craig]

So does that make me a slow learner?
I never moved on.

No it's called kids and mortgage Stefan!

[d3ck5]

once the roof's off, and you and your better half are cruising beach side, it won't matter what the interior is like.

so get an NA more precisely get an NA8 (1.8 version of the NA with bigger brakes, more bracing, more interior storage, etc). an even better buy would be a clubman (1.8 NA with std torsen diff and other bits, but maybe no power steer and a/c)

I have power steer in mine and as much as people like to "drive" a manual rack, it's my preference especially with wider much stickier rubber. and don't be daft and LOOK for a car with a/c. if you want it and it has it, great! if not, its not a deal breaker, just leave the roof on and unzip the window, or take the company car with presumably much better a/c

I wouldnt be so concerned about engine kms as if the engine has been looked after (and not taken to power levels reflective of a supercar) it will continue to tick along for ages. and even if it does conk out (1.6 or 1. there are plenty of bits around to get it back running again.

NBs are ok
NCs are not
NDs are cool but UGLY!

and most people think of NAs when you mention MX5. they're signature.

just my personal opinion so no wars please.

[StanTheMan]

War!!!!!!!

where is the can of worms?

I want to use my deckchair & get some popcorn.

[StanTheMan]

I would definitely have an SE.....
if you like driving & getting feedback from steering. Keep away from the NB8A.


talk about stirring the pot.

[slug_dub]

NA8, best you can find. Definitely get with aircon - going top down is not an aircon substitute, this is 'straya. (from a fellow (pale as) ex-pat W.A.)

Character over refinement and age every time. Go with what you feel and not what is supposedly better.