Introducing Myself

[Ekliptix]

Hi guys,

I've been lurking for a number of years and just decided to join the forum recently. I'm 33 and from Sydney.

My Dad currently owns a very tidy white NA8 with only about 85,000 kms on it. He previously owned an NB8A. I've had the chance to drive both of these over the years and always enjoyed them, so much so that I'm thinking of getting an MX5 of my own finally.

I've been lucky enough to own some great performance cars over the years (S15, 206 GTi 180, Golf GTI, 3MPS, Evo X), but never an MX5. I've currently got a 2016 Focus RS, but am looking at swapping to an MX5 for some cheaper thrills and something more fun on the street. The RS is a weapon but feels like you can only use 40% of it on the street. It'll get you in trouble pretty quickly. I could always take it to the track, but it feels too new and too nice to abuse on the track - or maybe I'm just not rich enough. ;) I would ideally like to get an MX5 and have a go on track as I've never done anything more than a skid pan before.

My dilemma is I'm trying to work out what MX5 I should go for. I really like the NA8s but am finding it difficult to find a good one, particularly a Clubman model. I'd like to do some basic mods such as suspension, wheels, roll bar, exhaust, hard top etc. Happy if it were to come with a few bonus bits also.

My other choice is I've been looking at the NB SE model. I drove one of these back in 2007 and liked them but didn't go ahead. If I had one of these I'd be tempted to go for the usual turbo mods, they seem to respond quite well, even with the small turbo.

I was quite close to purchasing a modified NA8 in Victoria recently but have found out it would be very difficult to bring it back and register it in NSW without putting it back to standard - not an exercise I want to deal with.

I guess there is no right or wrong answer, but I'm interested to hear some thoughts on your experiences.

Thanks in advance,

Neal

[smy0003]

Welcome Neal
Big power is fun, but I think most people find (including me) it is frustrating not being able to drive those cars properly. They're just too bloody quick now.

Drive as many examples of the different mx5s that you can. I'm sure the NSW club would be happy to help you out with advice. There's a few personality differences between the models, so you'll have to get to know them a bit.

Sent from my LG-H815

[Cus]

Welcome!

The quickest way to start a religious war among MX5 owners is to ask which one is best!

As far as looking for a clubman, if you're planning on changing the suspension and wheels, just get a regular NA8 otherwise you're removing everything that'd make the clubman a clubman. (Except the LSD + stickers) - the money you save by not buying a limited edition MX5 you can spend on putting a LSD in a regular edition, and petrol in the tank ;)
Clubman FAQ: http://www.aus-cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30041

If an SE is in your budget and you like the idea of some extra ponies, go with the SE. They don't exactly respond well to modifications on the stock ECU, but if you leave it stock it should make you happy. If you decide you want more power, it was turbo from factory so modifying it will be easier, from a legality point of view.

I got an NA6, and put NB8B brakes on it, and a NB8A diff, 6/9Kg suspension, 15" rims and sticky tyres. The list of modifications is worth way more than the car was originally, and is growing... but it makes me happy every time I drive it, so I tell myself it's money well spent....

If I had my time again, I'd start with an NA8. Not an NB though, they're just parts donors! Pop-ups are where it's at!
*dives under the table to avoid incoming projectiles thrown by NB owners*

[93_Clubman]

am looking at swapping to an MX5 for some cheaper thrills & something more fun on the street
would ideally like to get an MX5 and have a go on track
dilemma is I'm trying to work out what MX5 I should go for

Welcome!
<$10k budget get an NB8B
>$10k budget get an NC1

[Ekliptix]

Thanks for the warm welcome and replies so far!

I forgot to mention that when I get one I plan to join the NSW MX5 Club so looking forward to that.

I think the right answer is to try an SE again as it's been 10 years since I last had a go in one. I also like the NA model just because they are so pure and timeless. I love how much feedback they provide and a level of rawness in a good way.

Does the SE require a different ECU to do basic mods such as exhaust, air filter etc?

How much is a roll bar? Just trying to work out roughly how much to budget to extras or to try and find one with a few items already done.

I was toying with the idea of selling the RS and getting an Elise but I think an MX5 could be just as fun for a lot less money.

[StanTheMan]

Roll bars go from 500-1200 depending on weather they are new or 2nd hand.
If you are a tall chap don't bother with the Mazspeed one.
I've had the BRown Davis alloy bar in the past & regret selling it.
You can get the steel ones for as low as $500.
There is also the MX5plus bars which run at about $850 new

There are others. Depends on your purpose . Mine was just for posing. Let's be honest here right?

[Ekliptix]

Haha thanks for the info Stan. Roll bar would be my first mod I think. I'm only 5'11 so not too tall.

Also in terms of hard tops, are they the same for NA and NB models?

[Cus]

Also in terms of hard tops, are they the same for NA and NB models?

Hardtops are indeed the same between NA/NB. There are some with demisters, and some without, but that's the only difference.

Does the SE require a different ECU to do basic mods such as exhaust, air filter etc?

It does not require it per-se, but you can end up into boost-cut territory pretty easily from what I've read on here (ie, you make it breathe better and the ECU thinks something is wrong because of the extra airflow, so cuts boost).

If you have several days to spare, or can read exceptionally quick, have a read of some of the SE build threads - If you do mods, you'll probably end up needing an ECU.
Dave's BARMY: http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=66809
Daffy's SE: http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=73496
Lachy's SE: http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=64088
Billy's SE: http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=46454

[Lokiel]

I posted a response to a similar question on "The Big Forum" yesterday: https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=635650

"I chose the MSM over an NC because I hated the shiny-plasticky interior of the NC vs the simpler NB interior (IMO, the NB has the best looking interior of all MX-5s) and I thought the NC looks bloated vs the classic sleeker look of the NB.
I suspect that the NC will go down in history as "the odd man out" in the MX-5 range and not be as sought after now that it's no longer the latest version of the car.

In stock form, the MSM is a bit of a yawn, it was intended to feel like a small V6 so there's no "boost rush", power delivery is smooth.

Upping the boost to 10psi, and adding a CAI is cheap and will yield ~135rwkw(181rwhp) which will put a smile on your face and leave the NC in the dust.
These are the best bang-for-buck modz you can do to the car.
If the MSM came with 135rwkw from the factory, it would have sold like hotcakes and swayed many Boxster/S2000 owners to purchase it instead.

The IHI turbo is tiny so turbo-lag is minimal.

After ~135rwkw (eg. adding a 2.5"-3" exhaust which adds a few extra kw/hp), the OEM ECU sucks and you need to look at an aftermarket ECU and larger injectors.

If you want more than ~135rwkw, it's cheaper to start with a N/A NB and add a turbo kit that includes the ECU - you'll get a better turbo too.

It's been my experience that once you start power-modding, you get seduced by the cult of "MOAR POWA", especially when you see how much additional power you can easily get from the boost increase and CAI.
Unfortunately after these cheap modz, additional power becomes expensive with much lower power increases.

If you don't like modding cars, I'd still recommend the boost increase and CAI modz, they completely transform the OEM MSM into a car that actually feels turbocharged.

The MSM came with 17" Racing Hart rims thanks to the wankers in the marketing department.
These make daily driving horrible, you feel like you've just dented the rim every time you hit a small pothole, they're also detrimental to performance and handling.
Upgrading these to 15" or 16" light rims improves daily driving, performance and handling.
There's also a much larger range of 15" tyres available for NBs than 17" tyres and they're cheaper too!"

[Ekliptix]

Great info Lokiel and Cus, thanks.

If I went for an SE I would definitely swap the wheels out to 15s or 16s. I have to say the 17s seem too big for the car and make it look a bit monster truckish (I hope I don't offend anyone). Maybe just some lowering is needed, but definitely see where you are coming from.

An intake and boost increase for 135 rwkw seems like a no brainer - will definitely look into this.

Guess I will keep researching and searching for a good NA or NB SE. Might end up with an RS and a MX5 soon - the wife won't be happy with her car relegated outside the garage.

[Ekliptix]

Another question... without getting flamed... is it possible to take a child in the front of an NB MX5 with an airbag? Can the airbag be disabled or is there a weight sensor?

I have a 6 year old son and it would be great to take him in it if the need arises (we have a soccer mum car too). Make no mistake, I'd only do this if it's legal and safe to do so. The MX5 is only a second car but it would be handy.

I'm looking into booster seats, is there a attachment point in an NB SE or do you just use a booster secured by the seat belt?

I Have done a search for or this question but found it rather confusing and the posts were a number of years back. Thanks once again!

[Lokiel]

The US cars have a disable passenger airbag switch where we have the small cubby, we don't - their airbags go off easier than ours though because seatbelts aren't mandatory in all states yet airbags are (yeah, that's dumb!).

Behind the passenger seat there are 2 metal loops to hook a child/baby seat to. Most guys remove these to "add lightness" and get a tad more passenger seat travel.

[Cus]

I can't comment on the airbag thing, I have an NA (Jesus is my airbag!) but if the booster seat doesn't require a rear tether, you should be right.

I've taken my neice on a few club runs now, and now he's tall enough, the nephew is booked in for a couple of drives too. Kids love convertibles as much as adults!

I'm just an uncle, so I don't know the correct terms, but I call them "baby seats" and "booster seats" - They're both in "existing belt holds the kid and the seat" type (booster seat), not the "seatbelt and a tether hold the seat, then belts attached to the seat hold the kid" type (baby seat)

"baby seats" are definitely going to be out though, the only mounting point would be the rear parcel shelf, which I don't think would be structurally sound enough to bet your kid's life on.

___

The following was taken from the VicRoads website, I did a google search for "Can I use a booster seat in a ute" (because they also only have front-seats)

Can a restraint go in the front seat of a van or utility that has only one row of seats? Hide
If your vehicle has only one row of seats (e.g. a ute), you can use a child restraint or booster seat in the front seat. The seat needs to have a seat belt to be used with the restraint and an anchorage point if the restraint has a top tether strap (some booster seats come without a top tether).

Restraint fitting stations may be able to install an anchorage point if you don't have one in your vehicle.

Airbags

Rear facing child restraints (typically for newborn babies and infants up to approximately 12 months of age) cannot be used in the front seat if there is a passenger airbag.

Forward facing child restraints and booster seats can be used if there is an airbag. However, it is recommended that the seat be moved back as far as possible away from the airbag to avoid the possibility of suffocation if the airbag is deployed.

(Edit) Lokiel knows more about this than me lol (or the NAs just don't have these loops)

[StanTheMan]

Another question... without getting flamed... is it possible to take a child in the front of an NB MX5 with an airbag? Can the airbag be disabled or is there a weight sensor?

I have a 6 year old son and it would be great to take him in it if the need arises (we have a soccer mum car too). Make no mistake, I'd only do this if it's legal and safe to do so. The MX5 is only a second car but it would be handy.

I'm looking into booster seats, is there a attachment point in an NB SE or do you just use a booster secured by the seat belt?

I Have done a search for or this question but found it rather confusing and the posts were a number of years back. Thanks once again!

Do booster seats have attachments?

NB don't have anchor points. 2 seater cars are exsempt from having to have this.
I installed an anchor point in my NA. That was like 18 years ago. So I'm a bit rusty on legalities. With NB's you have the air bag. You can't disable it. disableing the airbag is also illegal IIRC

In those days it was possible to talk to an authorised babyseat installer. I'd suggest you do that

*Edit just read lokiels post. Sounds like the NB have an anchor point

[StanTheMan]

I can't comment on the airbag thing, I have an NA (Jesus is my airbag!) but if the booster seat doesn't require a rear tether, you should be right.

I've taken my neice on a few club runs now, and now he's tall enough, the nephew is booked in for a couple of drives too. Kids love convertibles as much as adults!

I'm just an uncle, so I don't know the correct terms, but I call them "baby seats" and "booster seats" - They're both in "existing belt holds the kid and the seat" type (booster seat), not the "seatbelt and a tether hold the seat, then belts attached to the seat hold the kid" type (baby seat)

"baby seats" are definitely going to be out though, the only mounting point would be the rear parcel shelf, which I don't think would be structurally sound enough to bet your kid's life on.

___

The following was taken from the VicRoads website, I did a google search for "Can I use a booster seat in a ute" (because they also only have front-seats)

Can a restraint go in the front seat of a van or utility that has only one row of seats? Hide
If your vehicle has only one row of seats (e.g. a ute), you can use a child restraint or booster seat in the front seat. The seat needs to have a seat belt to be used with the restraint and an anchorage point if the restraint has a top tether strap (some booster seats come without a top tether).

Restraint fitting stations may be able to install an anchorage point if you don't have one in your vehicle.

Airbags

Rear facing child restraints (typically for newborn babies and infants up to approximately 12 months of age) cannot be used in the front seat if there is a passenger airbag.

Forward facing child restraints and booster seats can be used if there is an airbag. However, it is recommended that the seat be moved back as far as possible away from the airbag to avoid the possibility of suffocation if the airbag is deployed.

(Edit) Lokiel knows more about this than me lol (or the NAs just don't have these loops)

I ended up attaching the anchor point to the roll bar. There is a certain minimum distance it has to be from the seat..... or something.
The hole on the parcel shelf was reinforced with plates on either side. I recall him going on about having 10 cm of metal surrounding the anchor point....
I had both kids in baby seats in the NA. I had the seat & anchor point installed by a pro. The anchor point went from the parcel shelf to the rollbar when that was installed.

But rules have most likely changed since my kids were born. The eldest is now driving that same car.