Talk me out of buying an NC for a daily
 

So my 2008 vw jetta 2.5L has just hit 170k miles. I might be in the market for a new car and I have done some detailed reading on which ones would be epic to have:

1) Subaru BRZ
2) ND Miata
3) WRX or STI

One draw back is I want to only spend between $10-12k on the car and it will get 500 miles put on it a week. So I thought why not another miata so that i can cruise into and from work (45 min drive through a forest)...So I immediately thought of the NC miata with this front bumper: https://www.japanparts.com/parts/detail/26735
I think it actually looks tasteful and with some decent rims, tires, and suspension upgrades you got yourself a sweet looking ride.

Not sure the final drive is that appealing though because I would be cruising at 3500rpm.

So what is wrong with buying this miata? I know its the step child of all the others...but is this such a bad idea?? All flaming and comments are welcome!

Nothing. They're awesome. Do it.

10/10 would absolutely rock a lightly modded one for a daily.

I ill not talk you out of him.

At 6'3", that is the only Miata I fit into with hacking off my legs below the knees.....And I can stuff 275 under the fenders :)

Great feedback. I guess i will need to arrange a test drive. With that front bumper tho that car would look mean! Hardtop is a must I would think.

Anyone on the page with one that can offer any criticisms of the car? Good? Bad? UGLY?!

ND > BRZ

NC is a fine choice in my not highly educated opinion.

That bumper you linked is gross.

NC1s are gross looking.

NC2/3 are good looking.



Also, i finally drove an FRS a couple days ago. It was quite good. No real complaints other than the visibility wasn't awesome at first compared to the NB, but i think it was more of a perceived thing. It was never a problem. The NC feels more "refined" than the FRS does.

I just talked with a miata guy (frequently owns 2-3 miatas at a time) the other day who has an NC for daily currently. His assessment was that it's a great convertible, great car in general, but it's not a good miata. A little cryptic, but another data point anyway.

As my NA gets more track focused, I've been considering getting a NC for a more comfy weekend cruiser. Personally I wouldn't daily any Miata, but that has to do with practical considerations.

It's a better DD than an NA/NB, but it's refined and modernized to the point that it loses a little of what makes the NA/NB so fun. It's still tons of fun and performance-wise, is probably a better bargain than the NA/NB at this point. Even mod-for-mod. They're quite easy to wake up.

And they don't have a BP, which is pretty much their strongest point.

See I would only be driving to and from work everyday (45 min straight shot). It would get about the same gas mileage and would be fun to take long trips on I would think.

How about this:

CM-FB1-NC-P - CarbonMiata front bumpers - MiataRoadster - High-performance service...and parts for Mazda Miata Roadsters

Even worse. And Marc is a pretty sleezy person.

Damn i might have ricer taste...Tell me one you like.

This link helps identify some aftermarket ones:
Roadster.Blog: MX-5 Roadster NC Front Styling

NC2/NC3: I'd leave it stock, get the option Sport side lip thingies. Looks great.

I like these for NC1:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6B9oYufNNh...ahn+sports.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RxPMPaOZU...urnout+kdx.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kcjgU2RTG6...rage+vary2.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSSsDpqsvY...odwinraing.jpg

[img] http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7O5o_UypB.../s640/01_l.jpg [/img]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nlKkws1uUz...s640/nopro.jpg


Either way, it would be your car, you do you. :)

They make for a great DD, I wish I hadn't traded mine in on the BRZ.

Concealer drove a poverty spec Twin. My BRZ Limited interior is leaps and bounds ahead of the interior that was in my '06 Grand Touring.

I'd like to get another NC, since they seem to get the forgotten stepchild, but BRZ's resale sucks balls. I'll pay one of you to steal it and total it.

09+ Manual gets a forged crank and 500 rpm higher redline.

I've only driven NC2/NC3s. ;)

I prefer the NC chassis. I've sat in a BRZ Limited, and i'd put the interior on par with the later NC GTs. Both are WAY nicer than i personally require. :)

The miata club convertibles look pretty bangin. Just saw a 2013 one that could have my children...:noes:

all of the other options you mentioned, you'll never get one worth getting for 10-12, so yeah, NC is a solid choice for that price point.

NC is a really comfortable car, great choice. Since you've got such a nice commute (45 minutes of forest driving), going top down is pretty nice sometimes. If it were me . . . PRHT. And leave it pretty much stock and save the mod money for the NA.

But, like someone else said, you do you!

I wasn't an NC fan until I started following Okamochiko on Instagram. His NOPRO equipped NC looks amazing. He's running the NOPRO ST and hardtop. I'm debating picking up a NC2/3 in a few years as a daily as well.

Then there is the argument of practicality...For the same price I could get a used 2014 Toyota Prius that gets 46mpg (distance to work is 45mi) and that would actually be saving me money annually compared to what I have now. Therefore leaving funds for NA car and other miata shenanigans...

I bought a 2009 a couple months ago and love it so far. I've had a bunch of NAs and NBs, and this NC is easily the best street miata I've owned. It's super quiet and comfortable. The stock 2.0L feels WAY torquier than an NA/NB, and the 2.5 is an easy swap and another giant leap in torque. Honestly the stock 2.0L torque feels like what I was expecting from the 2.5.

Before finding my 09, I test drove a 2013 PRHT Club model and liked it A LOT. The only reason I didn't buy it is that I was looking for a car that could be caged and converted to a full race car in a few years, so I kept searching and waiting until I found a car with the factory removable hardtop (they're super rare, btw). I would definitely buy an 09+ PRHT if I were in your shoes.

I'm still not sure how I feel about the NC as a track car. I've only done 1 track day so far, and it was in full street trim with super soft Bilstein PSS10s and 245 Hankook RS4. The car actually felt great on track, but I didn't pass a single car all weekend, even when I dropped down to yellow group. It sucked lol.

If you commute 90 miles every day in a Prius, you will die before your next birthday from boredom.

My commute is similar. Doing it in a Miata with the top down is usually the best part of my day! All back roads, pretty scenery.

Live a little.

Yeah i agree! When I first got my na i had the top down after work and the stress was gone instantly!

Unfortunately rhe roads arents windy and its more of a straight shot lol.

I would love an ND but its too expensive for just being a commuter. Ya know?

My wife just assured me that she does not want me to get another miata haha!

Come steal my car and park it in a river. Also, I miss your random texts sweetheart.

Do what you have to do (I've been married for 32 years). But if your wife is insisting on a used Prius . . . wow. How about a compromise, she gives in to a nice PRHT NC and you promise to leave it OEM? She would look fabulous driving that NC with the top down (top goes up and down in 12 seconds by pushing 1 button -- my wife is insanely jealous of my daughter's NC).

Also, used Prius's might be OK reliability-wise (Toyota) -- but we are talking about extremely complex cars with 2 drivetrains -- used!

She isnt insisting on a prius, just a four door at a minimum.

I agree with Rick. I have had two 06's and I always wanted a PRHT as a daily. Goodwin Racing has a $1000 shock and spring package that would take care of the stock softness and you don't need much else. Get one with an LSD and drive the wheels off of it.

The only downside is the turbo manifold options are.......nill (I do not consider Fab9 or TDR considering their reputation)

That sucks as the stock 2.0 forged crank block can do 350WHP and the 2.5 can do 400WHP.

Why do you insist on trying to make your car look like another car? An NC with an Aston bumper, or an NC with an ND front bumper... blegh. I'm all about modifying, but not trying to make one car look like something else.

Sounds like it's irrelevant though, since your wife is requiring that you have a 5 passenger vehicle to carry one person back and forth to work.

Yeah I wanted to have it be a bit unique in its look...but i am weird like that. I have done some serious thinking on whether a K24 swapped civic would be a great daily. Got to check on gearing though to make sure that would be a pleasant drive.

Making the NC look like an Aston doesn't make it look unique... It makes it look like an Aston.

Would a car with an engine swap make a good daily? Hmmmm . . . .

Here's my opinion on what makes a good daily:
1. If a modified car . . . a car that YOU modified (assuming you have good fab skills) so that YOU can fix it; or
2. An OEM vehicle that can be serviced anywhere using readily available information. A nice, clean NC -- especially a PRHT -- is great.

But, you know, I'm funny like that . . . old and wise.

I agree with the feedback. If I were to swap it k series has an affordable kit on their site. I would do all the work myself and know its done right. Who on here would daily a k24 swapped miata? I know i would with a better final drive in 5th gear so im not at 4k rpm at 75 mph.

I would never make front wheel drive anything fast. It's stupid and pointless.

Wouldnt be that much faster plus cool project and good daily to save moneys

Just my 2 cents, but:
project
daily
modification
save moneys

those 4 don't mix

Going to disagree with you on that one... many platforms fwd/rwd/awd can be setup to do fantastic things fast.

On the Project/Daily/Modification/Save money one though... yeah... those don't make any sense.

To the OP: Get a stock car, toyota/honda something.... and just treat it for what it is... an appliance.

Dammit Vlad why do u have to be right so much. Hahaha!

Come up to Michigan and I'll throw you the keys to my 300 whp Fiesta. If you don't have a smile on your face after the drive I'll buy you dinner.

I'm with you, I too am bored of FWD and it's driving dynamics on track, but from an engineering standpoint FWD has a lot of advantages. More interior space, less drivetrain loss, better MPG etc. I get 34 mpg average (combined), can run 12's while carrying groceries, and is okay during the winter. It has it's place, just not for performance driving.

This ^^ Preach brotha

Maybe.
But IMHO unless you're on super sticky tires, or on the track, a FWD car will just plow or spin or 1 wheel peel in 90% of daily driver situations because you're gonna be on daily driver tires, on terrible/slippery roads, etc.

Having spent the first 7 years of my life owning a drivers license driving FWD cars (mostly acura RSX's) and driven my brothers MS3's and friends SRT4's, I cannot fathom ever getting a FWD with more than 150tq.

But thats just me
Agreed with all of it. Especially the last bolded part.
I actually like my wife's 14 mazda 6. It's an excellent daily commuter.

PS: I actually liked driving my friends Focus ST recently. Until I pushed it hard and plowed/spun everywhere. I'm not a great driver, so there's that, but I also didn't get much enjoyment pushing the car. It was best at below 70%

I guess I just really dislike the feeling. Even if you can technically go fast, I don't like the way you have to do it. Again, just a completely subjective opinion.

I've been kicking around the idea of picking up a 2014+ Mazda 3 GT for my wife instead of the pilot she has now. How did you like the Focus compared to your Mazda6? From what I've read the Mazda3 shares the same chassis as the second gen Focus. I really like how the Mazda 6 looks and it's bigger then the 3 which might be nice for hauling the kids around too.

If you want a 3, wait until next year. The 3 will be all-new and have that crazy new HCCI engine that promises better power and mpg.

That motor looks like something great, but unless I win the lottery I would not buy a new car off the lot. Even then it would have to be a Ford GT or an RX7 or something amazing.... call me cheap

I'm actually selling our 2014 mazda 6 right now. Seriously good deal too if you're interested. Need a minivan.

Anyways back on topic :)

/startrant

Before we get back on topic, for daily duty the Focus ST has been impeccable. Comfy, quiet, ~270wtq stock when in a gear higher than 3rd, I think it is limited to 200wtq in 1st and 2nd by boost or something, still get crazy torque steer at under 30mph. And you start pushing it past 8/10 and it becomes way too floppy and doesn't feel very settled down, the rear wants to become the front and I have a 2017 which should be even less tail happy than the earlier ones.

But as a daily, bluetooth is on, AC on max, car doesn't miss a beat, steering is light and quick and a punch of torque to fit somewhere is great. I drove it 900 miles to San Francisco and back and just set it at 80mph, did 145mph once, AC on the whole way and averaged 30mpg with it loaded with people and luggage.

Would I swap it out for a swapped car to daily? HELL NO.

Like Vlad said, keep that separate, you'll be much happier. That's how I realized I want to focus my project much more on track use since the Focus ST has the entire daily duty stuff covered for at least the next 100k miles.

/endrant