Matt's MY08 NC Roadster.

[Guran]

Well said Matt! We've already decided we'll be there for NatMeet XI on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.

[Zohxoco]

Nice report! So many cool events at NatMeet. I had no idea- probably didn't read too closely. As you say, I think the entrance fee was the main reason I was put off, but based on your report, definitely worth it. I'll be keen to participate in XI.

[CoffeeBoss]

Nice report! So many cool events at NatMeet. I had no idea- probably didn't read too closely. As you say, I think the entrance fee was the main reason I was put off, but based on your report, definitely worth it. I'll be keen to participate in XI.

Indeed, it felt like a bit of a 'leap of faith' in putting all that cash down, but then the weekend progresses, and there's just so many great events, so many little details, not to mention all the Mazda and Club SWAG.

It's also such an exceptionally well organised event - seemingly every little detail has been catered for. You are acutely aware of just how much planning has gone into it all.

Highly recommend it.

86 Meets Roadster



Well, finally got my mitts on one of these last night, many thanks to my 'hook-up' you know who you are.
I gave it a good strap along a familiar B-Road with my NC along to compare.

After a healthy dose of late night cocoa, it was a nice night of driving, rest stop, pour over the details, drive some more, rest stop, compare and contrast.
I made a concerted effort, in my mind, to try and reference the 86 as much as possible to my memories of my NC (and NA and NB experiences) when the Roadster in question was completely stock.

So yeah: Believe the hype - it's a great car. Really fun to drive.
Instantly familiar, just like the MX-5 you can just get in it and go quickly.

The gear shift is exceptional, a real stand-out - going across the gate (2nd-3rd, 4th-5th) it feels better than the NC, in my opinion.
Very similar in throw and shifter height to my old IS200 gearbox (also by Aisin) when it was fitted with the TRD Quickshift kit.
The rest of the controls are lighter than the Mazda, unsurprisingly more Toyota. Steering feel is still great though, turn in is excellent.
Throttle is dull on initial tip in, much more so than my car, but is good once you're up in it.
It's noticeably a bit quicker pulling through 2nd and 3rd between corners.
The induction noise under WOT sounds good, but then there's nothing when you step off the throttle... good for stock, but feels incomplete.
Brakes were definitely miles apart, although my NC has had aftermarket pads in it for a while now. Even still, it would probably be the first thing I did (along with an induction kit).
It's also not quite as telepathic from the rear of the car as an MX-5. But still plenty rear wheel drivey, and perhaps a little more willing to coax into oversteer.

In comparison yes, it does lack that last detail in finesse, and it doesn't quite change direction like the MX-5.
It's not quite as fun to drive slowly as the MX-5.
Driving home in the NC, there wasn't an aspect of the car that left me felt wanting.
Sure, it's more usable than the NC though, and throw that into any comparison and you'll be all at sea... the lines become very blurred!
But I was out purely to appraise the car on it's driver appeal, to me.

Certainly, the differences here are 10ths. The 86 is definitely a genuine competitor to the Roadster.
Open top or not, Mazda will have to sharpen their game with the ND. I await with great anticipation!!

I can also see the seemingly endless threads on the 86 in future over the usual topics:
Does the 86 'need' a turbo?
Thinking about wider wheels for my 86, how wide should I go?
It's so nicely balanced in all these aspects from the factory, that it will be a car that encourages this debate.
That's a good thing.

My approach would be the same as for the MX-5 - adhere closely to OEM+
I'd be very reluctant to go too much wider in wheel and tire, for example.
Increasing the lateral grip and potentially numbing the steering some more would, for me, reduce the on-road appeal.

Like Mazda's Roadster, it has the feel of a car made with a formula and balance that it would be easy to mess up.
The dialogue you can have with the car speaks of something that is 'real world', yet has been bought to market by real enthusiasts with as little compromise as possible.

All in all, it ticks the fun box in a big way.
I came away from it with an impression that felt similar to the first time I drove an MX-5. I wanted to drive it lots more.
Especially around Wakefield!

[Hjt]

Great write-up Matt, I had the opportunity to test drive both GTS and GT (Manual was the GT). Noticed the shifting was really simple compared to my NB 6 Speed. The clutch itself was easy to move, I thought I would kick the whole pedal assembly out by my pressure applied.

It's a great car no doubt, but still i'm not persuaded.

[CoffeeBoss]

A quick snapshot from the weekend's Highland fling.

Over 4 years and 120,000kms and it's still as enjoyable as ever, even on very familiar roads.

[CoffeeBoss]

It's been quiet in here, and here is one of the reasons why.

Perhaps not all that surprisingly, I've discovered a number of cyclists exist amongst the members of the MX-5 Club, and a big hello goes to some of you whom I've chanced upon out on the roads early on a Saturday and Sunday morning Haha!

Another observation utterly relevant here. It may seem like a long bow, however I attribute my new PB at Natmeet in Easter last year to my much improved levels of fitness on the back of all the cycling I've been doing. Seat time is IMHO the most important tool for the amateur track-day enthusiast wanting quicker lap times, and I don't get much of that at all lately. However Easter last year saw me getting up to speed and maintaining alertness right throughout the day, whereas I'd normally be starting to fatigue and taper off.

The car was washed for the first time in a while last weekend though.
When you don't drive your sports car regularly, those drives you do take, even just to get milk, become a whole lot more enjoyable again.
Like those first months of owning an MX-5.

[CoffeeBoss]

Wow - and over a year goes past!

That's what becoming a Dad will do

The Roadster has somehow survived this life-changing event. Thus far anyway!

Part of me figures that one day the car will be as washed-up as it's owner.
But it might also be a curious and rare connection to the by-gone world of piston engines and manual gearboxes, too.

For now, it still represents everything I've shown it to be in this thread over the years, even though I don't get to enjoy it as often.

Also, there are some upshots to driving your sports car sparingly:
- It becomes more of a treat. There's a bit more of an occasion to simply turning the key and slotting it into 1st gear when it's something you don't do every day.
- Insurance is WAY cheaper (Thanks Shannons!)
- You are reminded of aspects of the car you may have started to take for granted. The superlative handling of the little Mazda comes into sharp focus when you've just stepped out of an SUV!

The other way to keep things fresh, of course, is changing things up.
I've done one mod in the past 12 months which was a long time coming - Mazdaspeed front bar.
Sure, it's purely cosmetic. And yet, even just walking toward the car crouched in the corner of a carpark is now that little bit more exciting.



My OEM front bar has taken some serious abuse over the past 12x xxx kms, and so some time ago the hunt began for a suitable replacement.

A massive thank you has to go to my good friend Dan, who was tireless in assisting me with fulfilling this dream.
JDM Parts for everyone, but particularly the Mazda enthusiast.
Many candidates came and went through the usual .jp sites, either overpriced, or the wrong colour, or seriously damaged.
Then, one day, a message which simply read: "no more excuses"
I clicked through. Dan was right. We bid... and the price was right, too.

The colour match ISN'T perfect - this bar has very few miles on it, and so the paint on my car is not quite the same hue.
However it's close enough for me, and in far far better condition than the bar it replaces.
It also came with the fill-in pieces for the fog-lights, they are a separate part number, and I really wanted them.
So, all that and being the right colour and condition means it was simply a bolt-on affair.

I've also managed to get along to one of the semi-regular Coffee & Car Wash days that Rob Forsyth has been holding for the club.
I urge Sydney-siders to get along to one of these days, very casual affair, and a clean car and exceptional coffee are assured.
Karcher plus foaming attachment makes for a dramatic photo.



What's in this car's future? I'm not sure, however as it is now much more of a "garage queen", there's some more changes I'd like to make... at my typically glacial pace

[Okibi]

Great update!

[Regie]

Wash day again this Sunday Matt... come along!

[cwto24]

Woah there was an update!!!

Seems like your not the only one with a Mazdaspeed Bar

[Regie]

Woah there was an update!!!

Seems like your not the only one with a Mazdaspeed Bar

im the only one with a silver one though There is another GG NC up the northside with ms bar

[CoffeeBoss]

Danny up in QLD has had one for a while, too.
It's funny, all it really does is square-out the NC1's jawline. But that alone makes it worthwhile IMHO. It's still a blast to look at for me.

[cwto24]

Danny up in QLD has had one for a while, too.
It's funny, all it really does is square-out the NC1's jawline. But that alone makes it worthwhile IMHO. It's still a blast to look at for me.

There is one for sale on Yahoo Auctions in Japan which is going for around 20,000 Yen in Galaxy Grey... Reggie banned me from getting it

[Regie]

You buy that trev. I'll kill u haha

Come down Sunday Matt!!

[Guy_Coles]

The Mazdaspeed nose is one of the most aggressive and visually appealing mods to any NC. Matt I know you waited a long time (as did Regie) but clearly it was worth the wait.

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