Tell me about NB MX-5s

[TT]

doesn't smashedbiteybloke have an NB?
therefore NA is the one to get with proper wheels?

[Peter...]

doesn't smashedbiteybloke have an NB?
therefore NA is the one to get with proper wheels?

Yeah, they are best avoided, people are always almost crashing into it apparently.

[perthdrivers.txt]

THis is going to sound arse about tit but i'll have the other Soarer for a track car and the MX-5 would just be a daily so aside from maybe extracting a bit more power it would remain fairly stock, as i said i do over 500kays every week to/from work so im just trying to find a bit more economy without losing so much performance and fun that im driving a frigging camry or prius or something as i do actually enjoy the commute

[evil_weevil]

For a daily it'll be good, just cannot carry too much in them..i.e. golf clubs and a mate!
NB's are certainly coming down in price which makes them a pretty good option.

[irsa76]

NB disadvantages over NA only really relate to some cost cutting, lower quality materials used etc. Otherwise, they are more powerful, faster, stiffer, better handling. Some will argue that they lost some of the rawness that made the original so appealing, but that's pretty minor if you are stepping from another car.

Best enjoyed in slow form (atmo) in my opinion. Sure the turbo is faster, but the standard version is so enjoyable to drive at 10/10ths absolutely anywhere.

NB lower quality? Can't really say I noticed, I'd actually say quality and components improved slightly over the NA, at least when they were new. That said, I prefer the NA simply because it has character. To me the NB, and more so the NC, "seem" slightly softer and more mainstreamy. Mind you, I've only had very limited seat time in an NB compared to the NA.
CSH time, I had to drive Micheal Klim's Mazda supplied NB which was the gold show car with all the factory accessories once. Nice car, felt grown up compared to most NAs I've driven.

[CT]

^I agree with this advice.

I've raced big power turbos and they aren't as much "fun" as my normally aspirated car. On the street, it is nowhere near as "fun" as it was stock. It's shit loads faster, but less "fun".

pussy!!!! They are fun, you just have to respect them more

[perthdrivers.txt]

Did these ever have cruise control? I do use that a lot on the freeway runs

[Smashed S15 Bloke]

Yeah I just bought an NB8A. 1998 model, no ABS (which I wish I had). The interior is as new because the previous owner never put the roof down, so the original roof was faded to buggery, and so the owner before me put a new roof on it, so it doesnt look haggard.

As for the dude who said you sit higher in the NB, it's still fucken low compared to a normal car.

I wish I had the SE turbo for the power, but I fucken love the noise mine makes when its at 6500rpm (Racing Beat intake and exhaust on mine) and you would probably lose that with the SE Turbo.

[evil_weevil]

CT - let me have a drive of yours so I can make an informed choice :D

[Babalouie]

NB lower quality?

I think where that's coming from is how the Nb lost a lot of the jewellery that the earlier car came with, eg the chrome metal doorhandles, momo tiller etc

[Cal]

pussy!!!! They are fun, you just have to respect them more

Viper > turbo MX5

[irsa76]

I think where that's coming from is how the Nb lost a lot of the jewellery that the earlier car came with, eg the chrome metal doorhandles, momo tiller etc

Yeah I have to agree those little things did make the NA special, although I have to say the Nardi airbag wheel on the NB was very nice, until we found it was $1000odd internal price when I priced one up for my 121! Bloody Mazda parts prices.

Did these ever have cruise control? I do use that a lot on the freeway runs

Not as a factory fit but I've seen them as a dealer fit. Can't for the life of me remember the brand the dealer I worked for used.

[perthdrivers.txt]

I'm going to go with Matty.

I recently bought an NB SE and it is nice having all the factory extra's and the extra torque of the turbo, but the niggles of modding it for more power is well outweighed by the issues that pop up from having the factory computer

This is annoying, but then retarded factory ECUs are not exactly unfamiliar to Soarer owners.... i think getting a stronger driveline plus whatever other bits and bobs the SE got would still make it a good buy?

hmm i think i need to test drive some standard ones first.

[CT]

sure Chrisso - for $45k you can drive it anytime you want!!!!!

CT - let me have a drive of yours so I can make an informed choice :D

[CT]

Viper > turbo MX5

touche!