Torn Between Two MX5s

[NathanDrives]

Hi all,
For months now I've had my heart set on an NA MX5. My parents however think they are too old and don't have the safety features.
My dad is pretty against it, in fact he will go me halves in a 2000 or so model NB, which run around $10k.
I've found a 1989 NA with 155 000k's for around $5k, so now I'm really not sure if I should go for the raw, unrefined, pop-up-headlight goodness of the NA or the more sensible option of an NB for the same price. I probably sound like an ungrateful idiot, but I thought I'd ask those who have owned both cars for their input.
Also, his will be my daily for at least the next 12 months. After that I may have it as a track car/weekender once I start working full time in the coming years and get myself something newer to daily.
I know that they are impractical for most people, however 99% of the time I'm the only one driving and I don't need the extra space and seats of a 4-door.
Thankyou all! I look forward to being part of your community in the future

[emily_mx5]

Mx5s are dangerous cars to be in, whether it be NA or NB. Sure the NBs have airbags, and the later model ones have abs, but they are still pretty flimsy when it comes to a crash with a big SUV. Gotta take the risk, we all do and it pays off with big smiles!
They are both quite different cars in some ways, I would recommend you test drive both. And there are heaps of threads about the various differences between all the models, I would suggest you do some reading to make yourself aware.


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[davekmoore]

What is the downside of a free $5k from dad?

[KevGoat]

First of all Welcome!

There are so many "which MX5 should I buy" threads around that discuss the differences between the models.

I'm an older bloke, so most of my thoughts on the differences between the NA6 and NB8A that I've owned would probably not be all that relevant to your wants/likes. What is important here is that your parents are willing to help you out to buy a "better/safer (?)" car, that will allow their minds to feel a little easier whenever you are driving. As a parent, believe me, you worry every time your kids drive away ...

I would suggest that you and your Dad look around together and both test drive the various models, then talk about what you really want from the car for yourself, but also listen to what your Dad would feel better about. See if there's a model which you both would be happy with.

Chances are, after test driving a few, he'll end up taking one home for himself ....

My first car was a "safety" buy assisted by my parents. Frightened the hell out of them when I went home one day all gung ho ready to buy a used 327 HK Holden Monaro that was in a Dealership nearby! ... They eventually talked me in to buying their VF Valiant Station Wagon cheaply off them. I had that wagon for a few years, modded and customised it a little, learned quite a few lessons about safety and staying out of trouble ( ) and generally had a great time with it.

Many very enjoyable cars have followed, some more fun than others ... never did get around to one of those 327 grunters ......

Enjoy the search. One guarantee - you'll love whichever '5 becomes your partner ....

[smy0003]

Both are great cars which can look great either standard or with some minor mods.

Sounds like your parents are just being parents; sometimes their safety logic is less than... err... logical. But that's the way it is, and logical or not they're just looking out for you.

As for safety, all the underneath stuff changed relatively little from 89 until the end of the NB in 2005. Yes, by the time the NB8B came around you had a stronger chassis, twin airbags and ABS (which is rudimentary at best), but really a crash in either isn't ideal.

Another thing to take into account would be cost of ownership, with the NA being an 89 car, having some mechanical knowledge (or willingness to learn) is a must to keep running costs down. The NB is obviously newer, and Mazda had 10 years to sort some little things out.

So the NB to my mind is the smart money, but of course it's your call and it's not always about what is 'smart.'

[marty085]

I've owned two NA8s and an NA6 over the last 3 years and love them, but with that offer on the table from your dad I'd get the later model every time. I think you'd be crazy not to personally.

Edit: If you went halves with him in the NB, would he let you modify it in the same way that you'd be able to modify your own NA? Something to think about I guess.

[Craig]

Weekend Warrior - Go the NA!

Daily Driver - Go the NB8B!

[NMX516]

Buy the NA, tell yourself it's unsafe, and be a better driver as a result.

They're not unsafe The way in which any car can be dríven can be unsafe. Just because a car doesn't have a million airbags or abs brakes etc etc doesn't mean it isn't safe to drive. Learn how to drive properly - do a few advanced driver training courses successfully. Interesting that your parents are willing to throw $5k at a car simply because it has a couple of airbags, but are they willing to spend $1k on some decent advanced driver training, or another $1k or more on some high quality performance tyres??!!

My first NA hit a telephone pole head-on at pace and was written off ($23k payout) and I walked away uninjured. There is a recent-ish thread on here were an NA was involved in a head on crash in Nth QLD, and the driver also walked away....

[speed]

Learn how to drive properly - do a few advanced driver training courses successfully. Interesting that your parents are willing to throw $5k at a car simply because it has a couple of airbags, but are they willing to spend $1k on some decent advanced driver training, or another $1k or more on some high quality performance tyres??!!

Out of all the posts so far, I agree with this one the most.
Suggest you and your dad do some advance driver training courses. They're fun and safe and give you skills to use for the rest of your life.
Re the car, depends how die hard you are for NA. If not just get an NB.

Do your research first and inspect the car properly, heaps of tell tail stuff to look out for.
Good luck!

They eventually talked me in to buying their VF Valiant Station Wagon cheaply off them. ... never did get around to one of those 327 grunters ......

Kev, you were better off with the Val anyways...

[Mr Morlock]

I think it's a no contest. NB is the right choice on every level. Your Dad has the maturity and sense to want to see you in a safer vehicle so take the offer - sounds like a good Dad to me. The comment made that all mx5s are suspect on safety is also wrong. The authorities recommend buying safer cars. People who don't recognise the value of airbags are misinformed.

[NathanDrives]

Thanks for all the responses!

I've owned two NA8s and an NA6 over the last 3 years and love them, but with that offer on the table from your dad I'd get the later model every time. I think you'd be crazy not to personally.

Edit: If you went halves with him in the NB, would he let you modify it in the same way that you'd be able to modify your own NA? Something to think about I guess.

Mods would be up to me, however turning it into a fully fledged track car in 12 months might not be appreciated.

And yes, I always believe that the most dangerous part of a car is the person behind the wheel.
I think I'll take the NA mentioned for a test drive and try and get my hands on an NB. I guess an NA could always be a cheap future project car

[StuwieP]

Morlock i think the safety issue is covered. when it comes down to it, you're still in a car 1/2 as big as most on the roads now. the airbag is a great invention but pretty damn situational.

for my money, go the NA, but I don't think you could go wrong either way. Drive them both, the NB is probably a bit fresher, buy the one that you like most.

[StanTheMan]

I'm being a hipocite here, Ive dríven the same NA6 for the last 18 years.

yes they are a great car to drive easy to get reliable in case its not.

But listen to your parents....

yes you can mod the NA6/8 and its cheap but I agree an NB8B is the way to go especially if it has ABS. In general parents just want the best for thier kids.

[meanmx]

I've had both. I think the NA6 is considered cooler at the moment because it is affordable for more p-platers at the moment who then modify them. I think the NB can be made just as cool as any NA with the right mods but it isn't done as much yet. The pop ups will always have their charm but the cars feel very similar in a lot of ways. There is not much I miss about my NA and plenty to like about my NB. Would love to replace my airbag wheel though. The only thing I don't like.

[NathanDrives]

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?