mx5cartalk.com

Looking at the used NC market, I'm confused on which version I like the most. So I thought a poll might be fun to gauge the most popular face on mx5cartalk.

A pic of the NC1


So here we have NC2


And the more aggressive 2013 NC2 (as I understand it, Mazda are still referring to this car as NC2 is that right)

We seem to be refering to the latest NC as the NC3, but may be Mazda think differently.

93_Clubman wrote:We seem to be refering to the latest NC as the NC3, but may be Mazda think differently.

Mean NC2 vs happy NC2

I saw a white NC3 with the roof down a day or so ago and must say, it looks bigger and has a tougher stance than it's predessors but is that look worth the entry price? That part I'm not sure about.

That silver NC3 is near my house, to me they are the best of the three models, more aggressive looking. I'd be less inclined to change an NC3 cosmetically than the other two. That car is about $45K driveaway, which is a fair bit off RRP I think.

Nc1 over all nc's. It doesn't have a stupid happy face and vents on the bumper. Looks like a big na in a lot of ways. That said, they all have horrible tail lights and oversized wheels. Imo; if I were to ever get Nc; It would be a white or red first gen with either retrofitted/aftermarket na tail lights or red tint over thd stock tails, 16" flat faced wheels and a nice height drop with gv nc front lip. Oh and detatchable hardtop with soft top removed.
Otherwise they just look big, heavy and fat. So yeah, 100% nc1.

My NC2 has a honeycombe grille with a chrome trim and is far less 'Industrial' than the other two.
Greg.

taminga16 wrote:My NC2 has a honeycombe grille with a chrome trim and is far less 'Industrial' than the other two.
Greg.

Greg I found a pic of your NC, not sure where from a year or more ago and have used it as a wallpaper on my iMac ever since! Love your car and the colour, its just gorgeous.

You are right, the grill you have does look different and not different in a good or bad way. I think they are all beautiful, I'm just curious as to which one the forum favours overall.

I do prefer the NC1, I just find it a much more harmonious design.
The lines flow more nicely to me, it looks like it was designed from the start to look that way (which, it was)

Where the NC2 and NC3 look a little more like the designers were given a pre made car and told "adapt this to look newer"




I'm the same with most cars though to be honest, 1st gen looks like it was intended to be like the from the start, every model afterwards tends to look more and more like it's had bits tacked on to warrant a "new" model to be sold.

At least Mazda do a nice job of it, the NC2 looks really nice.
Meanwhile........... the current Ford Focus....

It's only fashion just a variation. I would give each one a vote or none of them a vote ie neutral but they all look good to me. There might be some other reason to choose one version over another for example the first iteration does not have traction control and the folding hardtop is a recent addition and the touring model is no longer being brought in for stock. I reckon the touring model is a better looking car from a style viewpoint.

Id have to go with the NC1 with the appearance kit on it.... oh and some eyelids (im not bias at all)

Hi Amanda,
Thanks for the comment, I love my car too. My reason for including the image was more to balance the discussion, hence my no commital as to which is better. regarding the NC3, having seen three or four in the 'flesh' I quite like the skirt under the bumper, the blank grill looks unfinished on dark colours, Black and Blue but smart on Red cars although it does give the impression that something has fallen off and the finish over the black wheels is high gloss and of rather poor quality.
Greg.
P.S. I am flattered that you have one of my images, might I ask which one.

taminga16 wrote:Hi Amanda,
Thanks for the comment, I love my car too. My reason for including the image was more to balance the discussion, hence my no commital as to which is better. regarding the NC3, having seen three or four in the 'flesh' I quite like the skirt under the bumper, the blank grill looks unfinished on dark colours, Black and Blue but smart on Red cars although it does give the impression that something has fallen off and the finish over the black wheels is high gloss and of rather poor quality.
Greg.
P.S. I am flattered that you have one of my images, might I ask which one.

The photo I have is by the same building as above but a different angle. No plate blurred out.

I see a yellow roadster in Nth Melbourne/ Kensington area often. Just love it. I'd love one like that!

I have found something I do like better on the earlier model and that is the fog light is a neater design insofar as the housing is concerned. The earlier car is probably more subtle and less "aggressive" as was pointed out by another poster. Mazda seem to be a little heavy handed of late. On reflection I will go with NC1 .

Having just recently purchased A NC1, I'm a bit biased, But must say the grill on the newer models looks a bit large to me.
And my NC1 does have the folding hard top and traction control.

NC1, possibly with Mazdaspeed front bar. NC1 is the cleanest and simplest (can you tell I'm an NA owner?) and I prefer the grill shape.