near new NC2 $$$ even with new ND around the corner

revs · Postby **revs** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 8:27 pm

Hi guys, 1st post.

My parents are keen to purchase their first ever mx5 and so I've joined the forum to ask a few questions so that I can help advise them. They are in their mid 60's and this would be their first sports car. I reckon it's a great idea as dad has always loved my RX7 and other sports cars I've owned.

They love the mx5 and have been looking at the NC2. They test drove a 2014 NC2 today (near new, only 6000km's) from a dealer for over an hour and loved it. It was an auto. They still need to test drive a manual to see which one they like but with my dad's recent hip replacement and mums arthritis an auto may be best for them.

My concern is the price of near new NC2's is around $39K (including on road dealer costs), but the ND is about to drop in the showroom in a few months new for $32.

Therefore the NC2's are surely going to drop in price big time in the second half of this year. Although mum loves the electric hard top of the NC2 which the ND won't have and the NC2 is 2.0L compared to the ND's lighter weight 1.5L.

I reckon they would be better off buying an older NC1 2005-2007 ~$18K or NC2 with more km's say 2009 ~ $21-25K than spending $39K on a near new NC2. Or wait and drop $35 or so on a new ND and not worry about the electric hard top.

Any thoughts appreciated as I'm not fully across the mx5 having never owned one.

thanks

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:00 pm

In reality, someone in their mid 60s buying a sports car for the first time will probably be completely over it in 5 or so years. They are probably better off with a low km, late NC1 (or early NC2) auto with retractable hard top. The 6 speed autos are excellent and don't make the horrible growling noises that the manual tranny is prone to do when hot.

Probably worth waiting a few more months to see what happens to used prices once the ND hits the showrooms. Leaves more time for more test drives and market appraisal too... :wink:

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:26 pm

JBT wrote:In reality, someone in their mid 60s buying a sports car for the first time will probably be completely over it in 5 or so years.

Why?

I have met many people beyond this age these days still capably enjoying their sports cars ...

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:28 pm

x2 The ND marks a return to a lighter more agile traditional style of MX5. Your parents could well be better off in an NC auto. They probably don't need anything that the ND brings back to the market.

All MX5 models are very tough, very dependable cars. I'd be on the lookout for a garaged NC1 with no accident damage and a good service history.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:42 pm

KevGoat wrote:I have met many people beyond this age these days still capably enjoying their sports cars ...

Bought their first one at that age? My observation is that people who buy these as a "lifestyle" car at my age (mid 60s) lose interest after about 5 years because they weren't serious sports car enthusiasts in the first place.

The ND marks a return to a lighter more agile traditional style of MX5. Your parents could well be better off in an NC auto.

Disagree with that statement completely. It's just another MX-5.

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:52 pm

JBT wrote:Bought their first one at that age? My observation is that people who buy these as a "lifestyle" car at my age (mid 60s) lose interest after about 5 years because they weren't serious sports car enthusiasts in the first place.

Fair point ... one couple I've talked to bought their TR5 in their 60's and still own and drive it now in their mid 70's, but must admit most I've come across were like me when they started, mid/late 50's.

revs · Postby **revs** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:53 pm

Thanks guys.

I think you have confirmed my thoughts a late NC1 or early NC2.

BTW, dad has been a sports car fanatic all his life and worked an Austin Lancer back in his teens but with a family has never really been in a financial position to purchase a sports car due to other priorities. He has gotten a lot of enjoyment out of helping build my 1979 turbo RX7 up over 20yrs and driving my classic 911 around. So a sports car will certainly not wear off. It's just nice that they are in a position that they can consider something like this for once in their lives.

They actually now have their eye on an early NC2 so will see what happens.

thanks

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 10:38 pm

KevGoat wrote:
JBT wrote:Bought their first one at that age? My observation is that people who buy these as a "lifestyle" car at my age (mid 60s) lose interest after about 5 years because they weren't serious sports car enthusiasts in the first place.

Fair point ... one couple I've talked to bought their TR5 in their 60's and still own and drive it now in their mid 70's, but must admit most I've come across were like me when they started, mid/late 50's.

After modifying Morries, I started at 20 in a TR4 and have loved sports cars forever. Had various MGs and, when I could finally afford it, a couple of MX-5s. I've got to say though that the current combination of boring roads with dumbed down speed limits, preyed on by revenue raisers and occupied by numpties or oilers towing houses have just about sucked the enjoyment out of driving a sports car now.

They actually now have their eye on an early NC2 so will see what happens.

They'll love it.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Wed Jul 01, 2015 10:05 pm

JBT wrote:
KevGoat wrote:I have met many people beyond this age these days still capably enjoying their sports cars ...

Bought their first one at that age? My observation is that people who buy these as a "lifestyle" car at my age (mid 60s) lose interest after about 5 years because they weren't serious sports car enthusiasts in the first place.

Agreed.

I would aim for a NC1 with 50-60K only the clock for 18-24K buy price. then in 3 years when they wanna offload it. they will sell it with 80-90K on the clock.

i actually started looking at NC1s the other day. i didn't realise how cheaper a 50K car is with 60K on the clock.

Postby **NitroDann** » Wed Jul 01, 2015 11:37 pm

KevGoat wrote:
JBT wrote:In reality, someone in their mid 60s buying a sports car for the first time will probably be completely over it in 5 or so years.

Why?

I have met many people beyond this age these days still capably enjoying their sports cars ...

One of my best customers is in this vicinity and drives a dedicated E85, turbo 200rwkw na6 with buckets, half cage, wilwoods and dailies the thing on semi's with 4* camber and a 2 way.

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:22 am

Exactly, not like a stock NC is a hard core racer anyway. Perfectly comfortable car.

Hard to say what the right move is, I wonder how long it would take to receive an ND after you placed your order?
If the demand is as big as mazda says it is (21,000 expressions of interest or something ridiculous), it might be a toyoburu 86 situation with long delivery times.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:40 am

JBT is spot on in my view and I fit the age group- returning to a sports car in my 60's. An ND is not the car-manga is right it's a bit of a throwback and I will be very surprised if it succeeds.

A late model auto nc with retractable hard top and with sensible kms should be an excellent choice. The car is easily the best value sports car read roadster offering and its competent fun and reliable. But whether it's comfortable ie getting in and out needs to be assessed. A car that kills a back is useless. It's easy getting test drives. There are plenty of older drivers and passengers zinging around the country actually driving their sports cars for the fun of it but using the sedan around town. I do agree with JBT that motoring seems an activity that Govts seem hell bent on spoiling.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:09 am

I'd wait for the ND to drop into the market and push prices down, then go for the early nc or straight to ND.

I disagree with Morlock I think the ND will do great I've been thinking of selling the accord and the NA and getting a ND.

Morlock wouldn't be caught dead in a NA these days while the NC leaves me cold even knowing it's a superior car to my NA.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:32 am

I think it is the wrong car for a couple with a hip replacement and mums arthritis. Both of these are issues with low cars. And over the years as the conditions become worse, the car will just become lower and lower.

Tezzax5 · Postby **Tezzax5** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 10:21 am

Welcome to the forum revs

The best advice i can give you is to put up your location and make contact with some local owners or track down the local chapter of the MX-5 club.

First and foremost these people actually own and use MX-5's sometimes on a daily basis so they would be able to give the best advice to your parents in regards to suitability .

2nd most people people would be happy to take your parents for a drive in the different models to help them set a point of reference.

As for the ND i saw a white one in Brisbane last weekend. Pictures don't do it justice, looks fantastic.

If you and your folks are in Brisbane then i would be more than happy to take them for a drive in a NC ( not really suitable for them because of the recaro seats )
or my NB ( which gives a more open air feeling than the sitting in a bathtub with high sides of a NC ).

Best of luck for their health and happy car hunting.

tez