So I drove an ND2..... Sell or Turbo my NB?
02-09-2022, 06:42 PM
#21
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OP have you driven/co driven a 200whp turbo na/nb just for real world comparison? No offense, but you should do that. Especially mid range torque is far better on a turbo 1.8.
Otherwise when I read your post, you're somewhat trying to get US to tell you: BUY THE ND2
I have driven it, too and it's an amazing car, especially for the guys without time/knowledge/will to modify an older car. It's just the easy route. When you had so much fun with it, chances are high, that you won't regret buying it.
Otherwise when I read your post, you're somewhat trying to get US to tell you: BUY THE ND2
I have driven it, too and it's an amazing car, especially for the guys without time/knowledge/will to modify an older car. It's just the easy route. When you had so much fun with it, chances are high, that you won't regret buying it.
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02-09-2022, 06:49 PM
#22
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Mostly because I am overinvested already. Fell down this rabbit hole long ago, still not finished like I would like it. So the answer is just keep putting more into it until I get it right ,lol. I have never driven an ND2 , but glad to hear it is that good. I am curious why your gf hates the car? My wife would love it if it was stock and not so much like "racecar". And truth is a turbo always cost more than you think and more work as well. Buy the new ND2, then later you can still add power if you want
lol I love it. She hates it...... BUT she really likes the new miatas. So it's not all bad.
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02-09-2022, 06:54 PM
#23
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Apples and oranges.
If you want a car that's fun to drive, and you don't have to think about or work on periodically, buy the ND. If you want something that's more unique, possibly performs a little better, and has that "I built that" factor; at the cost of requiring more TLC, stick with the NB.
I have not driven an ND2, but I know they're pretty capable. Back when we had our NC3 Club PRHT, we drove an ND1 and were not really impressed. Compared to our NC, which had shocks/springs/sways and decent rubber, the ND felt cramped and floppy. Interior space felt about like our NB... I'm not at all a fan of the RF.... don't like Targas compared to a 'real' convertible/roadster. If you don't care about the whole 'convertible' thing, and it's just a sports car then it doesn't really matter. I know the ND2 is a big improvement over the ND1, but the transmissions are still questionable to me, and it's not going to match a turbo car for acceleration. All that is just nitpicking, 'cause it's still a great car, and a great Miata.
You could put $10k in the NB and still be well short of what it would take to buy the ND2, and that gets you a lot. A rods/pistons engine refresh with a turbo would probably run forever at 240-250hp, and stomp the guts out of a stock ND2. Rising prices on NBs would probably result in getting a good bit of your investment back if the parts and work are of good quality. NBs are ~20 years old at this point, which means more maintenance, but every fix is an opportunity to improve and upgrade. And Miatas are pretty damn reliable to start with. Having a nice, clean older car is always going to be cooler than a stock new car.
As far as your GF, maybe let her drive it? When I brought home our first NA, my wife thought I was crazy. I tossed her the keys, and she came back with an ear to ear smile. She's been driving on the track for almost 10 years now.
If you want a car that's fun to drive, and you don't have to think about or work on periodically, buy the ND. If you want something that's more unique, possibly performs a little better, and has that "I built that" factor; at the cost of requiring more TLC, stick with the NB.
I have not driven an ND2, but I know they're pretty capable. Back when we had our NC3 Club PRHT, we drove an ND1 and were not really impressed. Compared to our NC, which had shocks/springs/sways and decent rubber, the ND felt cramped and floppy. Interior space felt about like our NB... I'm not at all a fan of the RF.... don't like Targas compared to a 'real' convertible/roadster. If you don't care about the whole 'convertible' thing, and it's just a sports car then it doesn't really matter. I know the ND2 is a big improvement over the ND1, but the transmissions are still questionable to me, and it's not going to match a turbo car for acceleration. All that is just nitpicking, 'cause it's still a great car, and a great Miata.
You could put $10k in the NB and still be well short of what it would take to buy the ND2, and that gets you a lot. A rods/pistons engine refresh with a turbo would probably run forever at 240-250hp, and stomp the guts out of a stock ND2. Rising prices on NBs would probably result in getting a good bit of your investment back if the parts and work are of good quality. NBs are ~20 years old at this point, which means more maintenance, but every fix is an opportunity to improve and upgrade. And Miatas are pretty damn reliable to start with. Having a nice, clean older car is always going to be cooler than a stock new car.
As far as your GF, maybe let her drive it? When I brought home our first NA, my wife thought I was crazy. I tossed her the keys, and she came back with an ear to ear smile. She's been driving on the track for almost 10 years now.
Haha. We're talking about a girl that's scared to drive her new 2022 Subaru Outback. I told her I would teach her stick in the ND, but she doesn't seem too interested. I am going to test drive an automatic and let her drive it though so she can get an idea of what it's like. Maybe she'll change her mind on learning stick after that. Probably not though haha.
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02-09-2022, 07:51 PM
#24
I have had 3 NB's, 4 NC's, 3 124's, and 4 ND's. The furthest back I would go to is an NC. NB's are classics now. I currently only have a 2008 that is track-prepped and bought last month. I sold my last ND a few months back to a family member and I miss it a lot. They are super good on the street and the ND2 engine is so much better than the ND1. I would never buy a used ND1 over an ND2, no matter the price. The mpg is also fantastic. Even driving like a madman, I averaged 34 mpg with my work commute.
I would take an ND2 over an NB anything any day of the week. Emilio has it right when it comes to mods. I wish BBR would make an ITB set for the ND2 and then it would be near perfect. I sold all my ND's because I want to start doing lots of track days and I just don't trust the transmissions. I am back in an NC for the more durable drivetrain and much lower cost of entry. Mine already has the 2.5 swap and all that.
I would take an ND2 over an NB anything any day of the week. Emilio has it right when it comes to mods. I wish BBR would make an ITB set for the ND2 and then it would be near perfect. I sold all my ND's because I want to start doing lots of track days and I just don't trust the transmissions. I am back in an NC for the more durable drivetrain and much lower cost of entry. Mine already has the 2.5 swap and all that.
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02-10-2022, 08:45 AM
#26
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She's just a prissy girl that doesn't like anything that isn't new. It's loud, low and rattles/vibrates. My clutch chatters, the doors don't like to shut all the way because of the door bushings, the hard top leaks if I go through a carwash.
lol I love it. She hates it...... BUT she really likes the new miatas. So it's not all bad.
lol I love it. She hates it...... BUT she really likes the new miatas. So it's not all bad.
It's loud, low and rattles/vibrates. My JDL longtube header buzzes on the undertray occasionally, the whiteline swaybar endlinks and centering collars clunk and click, and the bluetooth takes 4 minutes to connect..
lol I love it. She hates it......
A local friend lets me codrive his STR prepped ND2 and it has rendered my softly STX prepped BRZ pointless. That the ND2 exists means my wife is correct("get rid of that red car") and shes never driven an ND2. Its unfair.
I'll echo another above, if 30AE RFs weren't selling for over MSRP used around me, i'd be looking at one pretty seriously.
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02-10-2022, 12:32 PM
#27
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The power is incredible. Passing on the highway is effortless. Just squeeze open the throttle and the car easily accelerates from 60 to 80. Drop down a gear and the car accelerates more quickly. The car does not need 300hp to be fun on a curvy road, but I like having a car in which I do not need WOT all the time. In fact, I rarely go WOT in my car and I like having an abundance of power. The additional torque makes accelerating out of a corner a lot of fun.
I have been lucky enough to drive many different turbo Miatas. A 200Whp NB is a lot of fun as well. I'll be the first to admit, no one needs a 300HP NB Miata.
I'm a big guy, 6'1" 270lbs. I have foamectomied the seat and use a 350mm aftermarket wheel for leg room. While not perfect, my NB fits me pretty wheel. A 500 mile driving day is no problem.
Full disclosure, I suffered one catastrophic engine failure, and other 2 engines failed from ring and piston issues that lead to massive oil consumption. Yes, I'm building the 4th engine for this car. I took each failure as an opportunity to upgrade various additional sub-systems on the engine. On the 4th trip to Florida this past summer, the clutch disk failed. I had to leave the car in North Carolina for a new clutch while I carried onto Florida by plain.
I have driven an 2021 RF. It was a tight fit, length and width. Everything said about the benefits to the ND2 above are 100%. It is a phenomenal car. If you have the means to buy one, it is a excellent choice. I can't. I spent about $8K on my car this year with the engine and clutch. That is a deposit on an ND2 and then I still have $22k to $28K to pay it off.
The turbo NB works for me because I love working on my car and feeling the power. I love the satisfaction of having a custom car that I built. I simply do not have the disposable income to buy a $30k+ car.
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02-10-2022, 04:47 PM
#28
I intentionally don't go out looking for NDs. If a 30AE ever popped up nearby, I'd be in a lot of trouble. Absolutely love my turbo N/A, but the wife refuses to ride in it any more...no a/c, loud exhaust, laughably bad stereo...might be time for a more civilized miata
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