NA Turbo or NC PHRT?

Dan · Postby **Dan** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 9:42 am

If reliability and the ability to take the car on interstate trips are things you care about I wouldn't touch a Turbo NA.

Have you considered a <150km PRHT which would be around 15k (a couple of grand more than the NA turbo you linked) or a soft top NC with the same km for around the same price as that NA Turbo? Both would still be very reliable if you find one that's looked after.

Some people love the 'raw' feeling of the NA/NB but personally I think the NC is still a ton of fun in the twisties and mine has proven to be reliable even with over 30 track days done in it.

Drive as many different models as you can and see which one speaks to you.

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MJT_MX5 · Postby **MJT_MX5** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:20 pm

If its your first MX5, get a tidy NA, They get you hooked.
Then you can change model from there.

speed · Postby **speed** » Sun Feb 14, 2016 7:14 am

Can you give us an idea of your age and desires, looks wise?

Some people love NAs but can't stand the others.

Has to do with the "pure" vs "bastardisation" of design and design philosophy.

Some people's comments won't be of any use to you if are of the above opinion ;)

captaincabinets · Postby **captaincabinets** » Tue Feb 16, 2016 11:06 pm

Whoa, thanks for all the replies. Only had the one to begin with, thought the thread had been buried!

I am in my early thirties but definitely young at heart. I am a teacher of young people and I tend to not act my age in terms of pastimes, i.e. I play more than my share of video games.

My only other sports/sporty car was a Swift GTi which I loved but had to sell because it was impractical for Perth highway commuting, where I lived at the time. How I do not miss you, Kwinana freeway. Side note, the young guy who bought it from me blew it up within a week (RIP).

I test drove an NC in the suburbs recently and didn't fall in love, it felt a bit heavy compared to the NB. I don't feel like it was a fair test though given it was suburban driving versus twisties.

In terms of car looks I prefer the NC and NA. I think the PRHT is probably the best looking but it does irk me that the top adds extra weight.

Seems to be a lot of love in this thread for the NA turbo. I guess if I kept it well serviced it'd be okay for interstate trips? I am in SA now so the advantage is that it's engineered for SA laws, but disadvantage is that I can't test drive it. Tempting though.

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:16 am

I think the next step is for you to get out and experience as many MX-5s as you can. NA/NB/NC/ND naturaly aspirated/turbo/supercharged, whatever you can get your butt into! Even if you just sit in the passenger seat, you'll get a feel for the different chassis and power levels (and lack of).

They say the NA is the better MX-5, the NC is the better car.

speed · Postby **speed** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:36 am

^what he said

Which model did you drive that you didn't fall in love with? You stated NC but then said you like NA and PHRT NC. I'm confused :/

When you test drive, Chuck it into every bend you can, forget the rest :evil:

captaincabinets · Postby **captaincabinets** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 12:56 pm

Good idea. A friend's dad has a stock NA, will see if I can wangle a test drive in that. Are there any NC or NA turbo owners in SA that would accept bribes for a spin? :-)

It was the NC that I didn't love right away, test drove in tight suburban back streets, no chance to safely test the cornering properly.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 5:08 pm

It was the NC that I didn't love right away, test drove in tight suburban back streets, no chance to safely test the cornering properly.

Take a tyre pressure gauge with you and refrain from belting the car straight out of the yard. Our little cars are like children, treat them roughly and that will be your reward, soft hands and smooth input is what counts.
Greg.
Oh, and if you are chasing fast look at something else!