Torn Between Two MX5s

chrisearl88 · Postby **chrisearl88** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 8:15 am

Get an nb8b/c if you can afford it, plenty of cheap ones going around that price point. It's also got the 6 speed, better seats, variable valve timing, 16 inch rims stock and a nicer front bar (in my opinion) with fog lights. Like others have said, NA's are getting on nowdays so unless its a prime example or you're willing to do some of the maintenance yourself, things like bushes and such are 20yo or more. In saying that, mechanically there isn't much that goes wrong with either model, parts would be a little more for the newer model though.

22Silver · Postby **22Silver** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 11:39 pm

I nearly bought an NA, but the NB is better suited for an everyday drive, with glass rear windows (SO hard to see out the plastic rear windows, especially when wet. More room, better seats, just comfyier

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 12:00 am

Well, the NB8B/C has the better seats (and interior in general). The seats in the NB8A are the least comfortable of all the seats in my opinion. Easily upgraded though ;) ...

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:56 pm

Go half way....

Get an low mileage NA8 and do a defensive driving course

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 10:38 pm

NathanDrives wrote:Thanks for the replies!
The NA I was going to test drive just sold unfortunately. I'll have another search, think I might lean towards the NB as it probably is the most sensible option.
Is there a thread detailing the differences between NB's?

A lot of the NB parts will fit onto an NA. But an NA6 will never be a NB. On that note. if you do go for the NB. Try for the minimum NB8B. I know its a very personal thing and opinion will vary, but the NB8B's are just so much nicer to steer out of the box than an NB8A.

The differences I remember are

Much stiffer chassis
better braking/ better break bias....
more power
More refined
some have Vteck... errr yea whatever
some have turbo
some have LSD
some are 6 speed
diff is 4.1 to 3.6 depending on which gearbox
air bags
wider wheels
more creature comforts in the cabin

these are just a few

There is a massive difference. You need to drive one & make your own decision.

I will not Deny the NA6/8 have that raw appeal....lets face it I drive a NA6

Regie · Postby **Regie** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:17 pm

heres a cheap 8B for you

viewtopic.php?f=73&t=64614

sunlightsilver · Postby **sunlightsilver** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:09 pm

Hey mate, i posted a thread a few months ago that you will probably get alot out of reading - i was in a similar situation.

viewtopic.php?t=61580

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:58 pm

Dupain wrote:Serious note.
:
NBs are not real MX5s.

Get ready for "Da Pain"...

There's actually a common quote regarding NAs and NBs:

"The NB is the better car, but the NA is the better MX5.".

I've got a heavily modified NB-SE and have had the opportunity to drive an NA6 for a few weeks and an NA8 on several occasions - they're all fun to drive and are different enough to be unique. The rawness of the light, high-revving 1.6L NA through the "twisty stuff" is intoxicating and I tend to agree with the quote above.

NathanDrives · Postby **NathanDrives** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 6:36 pm

At the moment I think I'll go for the NB, and I'd say a Series 2 or above for the reasons Stan outlined.
As much as I do want the rawness of the NA, I don't have the mechanical know how to daily a 24 year-old car, and it's hard to find a good example! That and well, I don't think I should turn down $5k worth of car if it will have more creature comforts for driving to uni/work everyday but is still a great driver's car.

Also a couple of NB-related question (feel free to direct me to a thread with answers): Which ones come with a factory LSD?
And it's NB8Bs and above that have 6-speeds right? Thanks

RS2000 · Postby **RS2000** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 7:13 pm

NathanDrives wrote:Also a couple of NB-related question (feel free to direct me to a thread with answers): Which ones come with a factory LSD?
And it's NB8Bs and above that have 6-speeds right? Thanks

http://www.miata.net/garage/KnowYourCar/S8_Gears.html

As far as I can determine all Aus NB8B's came with a 6 speed box & an open diff.

But the SE (turbo) came with a LSD, as did the 10th anniversary NB8A

Cheers

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:11 pm

the 10 AE came with a 6 speed it is a NB8A.
pretty-sure it also came with ABS brakes...... but not 100%

the heritage was also 6 speed which is a NB8A

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:18 pm

Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool
Lovin' both of you is breakin' all the rules
Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool
Lovin' you both is breakin' all the rules
You mustn't think you've failed me
Just because there's someone else
You were the first real love I ever had
And all the things I ever said
I swear they still are true
For no one else can have the part of me I gave to you

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:24 pm

NathanDrives · Postby **NathanDrives** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:43 pm

Magpie wrote:Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool
Lovin' both of you is breakin' all the rules
Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool
Lovin' you both is breakin' all the rules
You mustn't think you've failed me
Just because there's someone else
You were the first real love I ever had
And all the things I ever said
I swear they still are true
For no one else can have the part of me I gave to you

Pretty much sums me up at the moment ;)

Thanks for the other info guys, think I'll be spending a bit of time on miata.net!

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 11:28 pm

NathanDrives wrote::
And it's NB8Bs and above that have 6-speeds right? Thanks

The 5 speed is actually MUCH nicer gearbox than the NB's 6-speed gearbox. Even today, the Aisin 6-speed of the AE86 still has issues (mostly when cold) and this gearbox had been used by NBs, Nissans and Toyotas for years now.