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:









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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 *****. 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...

 

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!