Hey guys.
I currently have a Mazdaspeed NB MX-5 with a FM intake, upgraded radiator, intercooler, and exhaust. The next mod I was going to make to it would was going to be the FM downpipe + exhaust.
I've been having some problems with the car and rather than fix all of them, I am considering upgrading to a Grand Touring NC w/ PRHT.
Here's my question... am I going to be disappointed? After the exhaust my NB would be making nearly 200 RWHP and be substantially torquier than a NC and sound much nicer. That being said, the interior and other amenities are far inferior and I believe the ride quality to be nicer in the NC.
So I lose speed, torque, sportiness, (handling?), for a much nicer looking, more comfortable ride with PRHT (which is absolutely amazing).
Is this an upgrade or a downgrade?
How does everyone feel about their NC's? Are they quick enough and sporty enough, or do they need some help?
Little bit about myself. I'm a young guy, but do not race or track cars. That being said, I do very much enjoy driving quickly around the twisties on backroads.
Thanks.
Kevin
For me, at least, I think the stock NC has a good amount of power for street use. Coming from a Nissan 350Z I figured I would definitely feel the loss of power. But so far, I haven't missed it at all.
I think part of it is the NC's short gearing. The 350Z had a large gap between first and second (as many cars do), which would almost make it seem like a dog in second if you didn't really get the revs up in first. The NC's gearing just keeps the revs in the meat of the powerband during street driving and makes the car deceptively fast.
As for handling, coming from the stiffer Mazdaspeed NB, you probably won't like the stock NC suspension. It tends to lean and roll a lot. I plan on upgrading the shocks / springs amp; sways at some point myself.
I do love the PRHT, though. Initially I thought it looked kind of funny, but it grew on me as I saw it more. And you get the benefits of a hard top without having to put it on or take it off all the time. For those of us who drive our Miatas 365 days a year, this is very helpful. It may be that the mechanism will need more maintenance than a soft top, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice.
Hope this helps!
I had 04 MSM and I just pick-up a 09 touring. The total package on the NC is an improvement over the NB. You will have less horsepower, but the NC is still pretty quick. As noted, the suspension is softer, but I was not a fan of the stock MSM suspension/wheel package and most of those sentiments carry over to the NC. I will put a few band aids on the NC suspension and probably add an intake, exhaust and call it a day. I could not see going back to a NB or NA after owning a NC.
Dan
Originally Posted by KNuss
So I lose speed, torque, sportiness, (handling?), for a much nicer looking, more comfortable ride with PRHT (which is absolutely amazing).
Is this an upgrade or a downgrade?
Well, not to be a smart a**, but you're the only one who can answer that question. What's most important to you? I'd say that if the PRHT is more important, go with the NC. If the power is more important, stay with the MSM. The NC has quot;enoughquot; power except when it's hot (ECU retards timing) and the AC is on (saps power). Of course, nobody would complain to another 50Hp and 50ft-lb in the NC....
The NC's suspension is easily upgradable with many options - MS springs / dampers, MS coilovers, other coilovers and other combos of springs and dampers. The stock suspension rolls a lot but is actually a rather good balance for DD - the main exception is the body roll that makes quick transitions feel rather unsettled.
My suggestion would be to drive the MSM to a dealer and see if you can take a NC on a long-ish test drive over the exact same roads.
While your NB Mazdaspeed upgrades indicates a performance streak, if you don't intend to compete in your NC you will be very happy with the stock car (just make sure you order the suspension pkg!). The 2.0L engine has very good power and the suspension is more than adequate for driving the twisties...as long as you don't exceed 80% of its limits.
Originally Posted by KNuss
Hey guys.
I currently have a Mazdaspeed NB MX-5 with a FM intake, upgraded radiator, intercooler, and exhaust.
I've been having some problems with the car and rather than fix all of them, I am considering upgrading to a Grand Touring NC w/ PRHT.
Here's my question... am I going to be disappointed?
Little bit about myself. I'm a young guy, but do not race or track cars. That being said, I do very much enjoy driving quickly around the twisties on backroads.
Kevin
Hey, Kevin. You have a lot of guys on the g'Island with NC's on this forum who contribute regularly.
Contact them and join a local club. I am certain many of them can give you a test drive and possibly let you try out their cars.
Bill
Originally Posted by KNuss
I've been having some problems with the car and rather than fix all of them, I am considering upgrading to a Grand Touring NC w/ PRHT.
You just hit the nail on the head. Those problems with the MSM are not very likely to get resolved without alot of money. If you like the NC body style, buy it. You probably will not notice the loss in power that much. It is only about 30 whp less, and even then the NC still has good response and torque. You might miss the NB suspension though.
Stephanie
I just bought a 2010 PRHT after having driven a 99 with an FMII that is putting down way more than 200 hp at the wheels. I have to admit that I do miss the power to some degree but the 2010 is so much more refined that it is much more enjoyable as a daily driver. My wife didn't like riding in the 99 much due to the noise of the low restriction exhaust. It roared inside the cabin when going down the highway at 80 mph with the top up.
I still have the 99 so I can get my fill of power when I need to but amazingly haven't felt the need to much (although this may still be honeymoon as I have only had the 2010 a week).
The one thing I do miss more is the 99's suspension. I had put the FM Stage 2 suspension on the 99. With the shocks set at 2 (out of 5) the car rides better on the highway than the 2010 but handles better than the 2010 due to the larger sways. I am hoping that FM will come out with an equivalent package for the NCs.
Scott
Originally Posted by KNuss
Hey guys.
I currently have a Mazdaspeed NB MX-5 with a FM intake, upgraded radiator, intercooler, and exhaust. The next mod I was going to make to it would was going to be the FM downpipe + exhaust.
I've been having some problems with the car and rather than fix all of them, I am considering upgrading to a Grand Touring NC w/ PRHT.
Here's my question... am I going to be disappointed? After the exhaust my NB would be making nearly 200 RWHP and be substantially torquier than a NC and sound much nicer. That being said, the interior and other amenities are far inferior and I believe the ride quality to be nicer in the NC.
So I lose speed, torque, sportiness, (handling?), for a much nicer looking, more comfortable ride with PRHT (which is absolutely amazing).
Is this an upgrade or a downgrade?
How does everyone feel about their NC's? Are they quick enough and sporty enough, or do they need some help?
Little bit about myself. I'm a young guy, but do not race or track cars. That being said, I do very much enjoy driving quickly around the twisties on backroads.
Thanks.
Kevin
Kevin-
I'd recommend the NC. I owned a 2003LS since new (and a 1991 NA before that), and when the 2003 was mini-vaned to death a couple of weeks ago, I set out to replace it with either a Mazdaspeed Miata or a 2009. We started by test-driving the 2009. I really thought that this drive would be a formality and we'd buy the used MSM since I've always wanted one. It didn't work out that way. The test drive literally blew us away. I admit that I've never been fond of the styling of the NC, especially the interior with its hard plastic shell behind the seats, but the engine and shifter were such a huge improvement over my NB that it made the choice a lot tougher than I thought. The test drive was on a 2009 Touring with the suspension package, and its combination of firmness and compliance felt just right on the road.
The very next day, we had a test drive on a beautifully maintained and barely driven 2004 MSM. There was no doubt in our minds which way to go. The NC had a level of sophistication missing in the NB- better ride but still very responsive, better throttle response, better shifter, etc. We wound up with a really nice used 2007 GT and are loving it! I'll have it on the track next summer, and I'm guessing that I'll eventually want firmer springs/shocks for that, but for now I've got a great daily driver.
So go to the dealer and take a test drive. Try to find a dealer who will let you drive one with the suspension package. One way or the other, it will help you make up your mind.
Bill Anderson
Thanks for all the responses.
The one I'm looking at getting is an 07 GT PRHT w/ 7k miles.
I'm going to go take an extended test drive in the car tomorrow and if I love it, I'll probably end up picking it up.
As has been stated, there's no doubt that the NC is a better package and I'm sure I can deal with the loss of power, it's just the handling that really concerns me. Luckily, as has been stated, that's a pretty easy fix by putting on some firmer suspension components. If / when I do get the car, I will post lots of good pics.
Thanks!
Kevin
You will probably want to upgrade the suspension, coming from an MSM. You may find the transitional response a little alarming, I had springs and sways on at 140 miles on the ODO. I came from a lightly modified NA, if you try to throw the NC into a corner the same way it will be an eye opener, just be careful pushing it to the same limits. The car is capable of being driven fast out of the box, but the body roll can get real interesting on the rebound.
200+RWHP in the NC is a lot easier to live with.
As far as handling goes, I regularly autocross my 08 PRHT GT with the Miata club, and most races I beat all the other non turbo/supercharged NA and NB Miatas with only tires and Koni shocks. Most of the NA and NB Miatas I run against have springs, sways, and tires, and experienced drivers. From this I have learned that the NCs have more handling capabilities than the older generation Miatas. Maybe this is due to the fact that the chassis is based on the RX8 platform and 225 width tires fit with ease.
I also came from a 97 NA Miata, which my girlfriend currently owns, and I miss the lightness of the car. My NC feels much wider and overall larger, but she lets me drive it and race it sometimes, so I guess I have the best of both worlds.
I agree - coming from an NB, the NC is a far superior platform hampered by overly soft suspension tuning which is easily fixed.
Taking delivery of the car today in a few hours... can't wait!
Will post impressions and pictures after a few days of driving it.
Thanks for all the advice.
Kevin |
Post at 2-7 04:36 AM
| This Author's Posts Only
