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OK, not sure if anyone cares, but I'm going to write up a little experience of mine, I apologize in advance because I tend to ramble on...
Went to the Mazda dealership today to look at NC's. I had been somewhat of a hater of the looks of it until I saw pics of NC's with Mazdaspeed bodykits on them, in particular the gray one with a hardtop; absolutely stunning! So, having been looking around at new cars recently (WRX in particular...) I figured "what the heck, let's go check it out"
So, I end up taking a test drive in a blue base model with the 5 speed (I'll admit, I've taken a spin a 6 speed before, but didn't drive it much)
Drove around for a good 15-20 minutes, including an impromptu autocross session in a church parking lot.
Keep in mind that I drive a bonestock '94 with bald shitty tires, blown shocks, and slipping clutch as a daily.
First thing I noticed was how much higher I was up in the air; not only does the NC sit up higher in the air, but you seem to sit higher, too. That's a minus for me, I like to get loooow 8)
Next thing I noticed was the clutch: Yuck. Much too little pressure necessary to push it in and not much return pressure on release, either. Also, not a very progressive feel at all. I'm not exactly the biggest fan of hydraulic clutches anyways, but I've driven cars with hydro clutches that have better feel.
Power: Does NOT feel like I expected 170hp to feel like in a Miata, even one that weighs like 300lbs more than my current one. Simply put, my old '96 Neon with a tad over 150hp, even with the long 3.55 gears, would have torn the NC a new one. The added torque of 0.2L more is noticeable, but not by much. As far as overall power goes, I'm underwhelmed. If the car was rated at 150hp, I'd understand, but I think 170hp is on the overly optimistic side of things. The NC isn't a particularly fun car to rev, it's neither a very torquey motor or rev-happy motor. I only tached it to 7,000 once, and it wasn't worth the wait :?
Gearbox: OK, it's a Miata still, so the gearbox is good. Both the 5 and 6 speed transmission are short and notchy, just how I like it, no complaints there.
Brakes: Pretty strong, but very touchy, too Toyota Camry-ish, made for little women if you ask me. I like my brakes strong, but I don't want full braking at the slightest tap, I want progressivity (which probably isn't a word...) ...Made for a couple of lurchy heel-toe downshift attempts.
Speaking of heel-toe, pedal placement on the NC is too wide for my liking, although I did most of my initial heel-toe training and practice in an open-wheeled racecar, so I guess I'm a little spoiled :roll:
Oh yeah, forgot to mention...I couldn't even chirp 2nd gear...I can do that in my NA even though the clutch slips like mother...
Suspension/Grip/Handling: WTF, UNDERSTEER?! A couple of 2nd gear turns that would have my '94 arse end starting to loosen up had me pushing. Disgusting. Unfortunetly, the car I was driving was not equipped with and LSD (something I think EVERY Miata should be equipped with from the factory. I mean what the hell, it's a rwd sportscar #-o ) The NC handles pretty well, but more bodyroll than my NA with blown shocks was dissappointing.
The steering is a decent amount heavier than my NA, something that I thought was cool because I think the powersteering on my NA is too powerful. The steering wheel on the NC on the other hand sucks. It's huge and it's ugly (but it is height adjustable, so that was cool)
Interior: absolutely hideous, but a little roomier than my NA. I'm not a terribly huge guy (right at 6', 170lbs fully clothed) but the extra space is a plus nonetheless. Oh, and the armrests and cupholders in the doors are sweet (ask anyone that knows me....when do you ever see me without something to drink in my hand? :mrgreen: )
Trunk space is up, so that's a bonus
So, final verdict: I'd have a hardtime buying one. The only real advantages to the car over my NA are minor and aren't really performance related. I honestly think my NA feels like a peppier car (I have a 1.8L by the way) and is definetly a lot more tossable. The NC's extra weight is DEFINITELY noticeable and the "170hp" does nothing to counteract that.
I'd love to hear other people's experiences, so post them up!
Went to the Mazda dealership today to look at NC's. I had been somewhat of a hater of the looks of it until I saw pics of NC's with Mazdaspeed bodykits on them, in particular the gray one with a hardtop; absolutely stunning! So, having been looking around at new cars recently (WRX in particular...) I figured "what the heck, let's go check it out"
So, I end up taking a test drive in a blue base model with the 5 speed (I'll admit, I've taken a spin a 6 speed before, but didn't drive it much)
Drove around for a good 15-20 minutes, including an impromptu autocross session in a church parking lot.
Keep in mind that I drive a bonestock '94 with bald shitty tires, blown shocks, and slipping clutch as a daily.
First thing I noticed was how much higher I was up in the air; not only does the NC sit up higher in the air, but you seem to sit higher, too. That's a minus for me, I like to get loooow 8)
Next thing I noticed was the clutch: Yuck. Much too little pressure necessary to push it in and not much return pressure on release, either. Also, not a very progressive feel at all. I'm not exactly the biggest fan of hydraulic clutches anyways, but I've driven cars with hydro clutches that have better feel.
Power: Does NOT feel like I expected 170hp to feel like in a Miata, even one that weighs like 300lbs more than my current one. Simply put, my old '96 Neon with a tad over 150hp, even with the long 3.55 gears, would have torn the NC a new one. The added torque of 0.2L more is noticeable, but not by much. As far as overall power goes, I'm underwhelmed. If the car was rated at 150hp, I'd understand, but I think 170hp is on the overly optimistic side of things. The NC isn't a particularly fun car to rev, it's neither a very torquey motor or rev-happy motor. I only tached it to 7,000 once, and it wasn't worth the wait :?
Gearbox: OK, it's a Miata still, so the gearbox is good. Both the 5 and 6 speed transmission are short and notchy, just how I like it, no complaints there.
Brakes: Pretty strong, but very touchy, too Toyota Camry-ish, made for little women if you ask me. I like my brakes strong, but I don't want full braking at the slightest tap, I want progressivity (which probably isn't a word...) ...Made for a couple of lurchy heel-toe downshift attempts.
Speaking of heel-toe, pedal placement on the NC is too wide for my liking, although I did most of my initial heel-toe training and practice in an open-wheeled racecar, so I guess I'm a little spoiled :roll:
Oh yeah, forgot to mention...I couldn't even chirp 2nd gear...I can do that in my NA even though the clutch slips like mother...
Suspension/Grip/Handling: WTF, UNDERSTEER?! A couple of 2nd gear turns that would have my '94 arse end starting to loosen up had me pushing. Disgusting. Unfortunetly, the car I was driving was not equipped with and LSD (something I think EVERY Miata should be equipped with from the factory. I mean what the hell, it's a rwd sportscar #-o ) The NC handles pretty well, but more bodyroll than my NA with blown shocks was dissappointing.
The steering is a decent amount heavier than my NA, something that I thought was cool because I think the powersteering on my NA is too powerful. The steering wheel on the NC on the other hand sucks. It's huge and it's ugly (but it is height adjustable, so that was cool)
Interior: absolutely hideous, but a little roomier than my NA. I'm not a terribly huge guy (right at 6', 170lbs fully clothed) but the extra space is a plus nonetheless. Oh, and the armrests and cupholders in the doors are sweet (ask anyone that knows me....when do you ever see me without something to drink in my hand? :mrgreen: )
Trunk space is up, so that's a bonus
So, final verdict: I'd have a hardtime buying one. The only real advantages to the car over my NA are minor and aren't really performance related. I honestly think my NA feels like a peppier car (I have a 1.8L by the way) and is definetly a lot more tossable. The NC's extra weight is DEFINITELY noticeable and the "170hp" does nothing to counteract that.
I'd love to hear other people's experiences, so post them up!
