Just 5 days ago, I pulled the trigger and got an NC1 manual with the PRHT. I didn't even know how to drive manual - the dealer gave me a lesson in the parking lot, I drove around in the lot for about an hour, then drove 3.5 hours home and never looked back. My fiance and I love it, her for the weekend scoots about town and I use it as my daily driver. No regrets!

I think at this point in time, hating on the NC is a meme now. Everyone loves it but they also love to bag it for fun.

Couldn’t praise this car more, I have a 2007 NC and it’s incredibly fun and relatively convenient for everyday use

A very fair and accurate review, in my opinion. Being over 70 and having had a semi-paralyzing stroke, I appreciate the NC's comfort, handling, and reasonable liveliness. Those a/t paddles? Mazda made them for me so I can gear down or up with the same hand. The tragedy for most North Americans is the absence of appropriate roads. The car is noisy, top up, on the very rare occasion I'm on an autoroute. Mostly I drive twisty, narrow roads here in the south of France where the car suits me perfectly.

Love your slow and clear approach in doing the review.

As an NC2 owner, I fully agree. People complain about a 100-200 pound weight gain over a na or nb but actually a base nc was barely heavier than the last of the NBs (like

As an NC2 owner, stamp of approval with this video. Nice work.

This is awesome! Best NC buyers guide I've seen so far. Love that you've had a bunch and keep coming back for more. You've definitely helped me in my search!

Great summary... a good combo of stats, real world experience being shared, and opinions delivered without force... nicely done Jordan. 1st review I have seen from you on OOS. Welcome to the team and looking forward to seeing more of your contributions!

Great video! 2012 NC2 Special Edition owner here, white with black RHT. Changed out the head unit also for Apple Car Play, and added a backup camera, which works great. Swapping out the wiper stalk for intermittent next week. Love the car! It was my midlife crisis toy two years ago when I turned 70! I’m in WNY and drive it winter and summer.

Thank you for your honest review. I’m currently searching for a nice NC and found your information extremely informative. Greatly appreciate it Jordan.

Great review Jordan. I too have a NC, 2012, GT, six speed. I love it. I live in Texas and took it on several long trips, to Big Bend and the hill country. I agree with you 100%, the NC is the better model, but hated by many, because they think it's cool to hate it. I bought my car, last August with only 30K miles, one owner and in showroom condition.

That power-retractable HARD-TOP is something I didn’t expect- Nice.

Most comprehensive, honest and positive review of the NC MIATA that I've seen. I agree with every point you made about the car. I own a 2008 PRHT in copper red mica and I totally enjoy it. My only gripes are noise,which you mentioned and lack of seat comfort. There is no lumbar support and I had to add extra cushioning for my bony butt! I bought my NC six years ago when they were really hated and cheap to buy. Great reviews like yours have driven prices up unfortunately. The car is bullet proof and there are lots of aftermarket parts to improve it and it is still less money than a new one. I'm retired and this will probably be my last sports car. Who knows,I might go wild some year and do a Chevy LS V8 swap!

Thanks for the really great NC review. I have a 2012 GT NC2 and I'm doing the things that make the car even better. Got one from OH too with 24k miles. It's my daily in Northern IL so, snow tires and heated seats!

If all goes well getting a 2008 PRHT grand touring today! Thanks for the video to include the thought of a set of separate snow tires for winter as I live in Ohio. Lots of hate out there for the NC but the reviews I've all read and from my personal experience having owned NA's and NB's, I'm looking forward to it. My dream car was the PRHT but it just never materialized. Great video you covered everything very well.

Nice vid man!!! I replaced the suspension with KONI sport, Progress springs and F/R sway and took it to Blood mountain GA for a test drive and it's so fun. My is a 2014 Club PRHT Tuxedo. I want to go to Tail of the Dragon this late summer.

Great report. I have a 2008 GT. It’s an automatic and I love it. Soft top convertible with 100K. On long trips I pull a motorcycle trailer for extra luggage room. Most fun car I’ve ever owned.

Great review. I have a 2013 MX5 club with Goodwin racing sway bars, header, mid pipe, roadster 2 muffler, performance B6 billstien shocks, enkie black racing wheels, Flyin Miata delrin shift knob, etc. Car is a prht black top, mirrors, front and rear black splitters body is red. Best sports car I've ever owned.....and I've had several. Thanks again for the clear and honest review.

This is the best Miata video on KZfaq. I learned a lot. Thanks

Nice review. Couple of years ago, I did a 2200 mile “fly-and-drive” from Arizona to Florida to buy my 2012 GT (MT, power hard top, copper red mica) with 24k miles on it. No problems driving it home! I love my Miata, especially on our curvy mountain roads. It has enough power for fun on the twisties, but I agree with you that there is a noticeable loss of power at 5500’ elevation where I live vs. sea level.

I have a 2003 blue metallic Mx 5, love it, only been driven 21k miles 5 speed trans, washed 4 times, never been rained on or driven in the rain or snow. It is kept in my garage in the winter months, I have a nice full cover for it. I’m now 83 and still have no trouble getting in and out. I did have to get new tires this month, dry rot Bridgestone, good thing I don’t do high speed driving. Top has only been used about six times, just to keep the leaves out. I can’t say enough about how great I love this car. Thanks

I LOVE MY 2012 NC GT!!! Great car, daily and long-distance (24hr drives through National Parks on West Coast) It is rock solid!

Juat purchased a 2007 NC from a private seller yesterday. I am already in love. Thanks for the review...it underscored why this may just become my fav car ever (but, admittedly, it's going to have to offer a helluva lot of fun to top my 1988 Toyota MR-2 t-top...that thing was boss).

As an ND2 owner I constantly stare at NC's in admiration. I know NA's and NB's are super popular but I came of age to the NC and I always thought it was gorgeous.

Hello Jordan, and greetings from Ireland. After watching many of your great road trip videos it has inspired me to finally bite the bullet and get an NC3 MX5 PRHT. Im planning on doing a Europe trip through France and then on to the Amalfi coast in Italy stopping in Monaco on the way. Life is short ,and no point in wasting any more time thinking about it and doing it in a NC will be the fulfilment of a dream I have had for years.

Thanks a lot Jordan for this very clearly and complete presentation

Thanks for this very good review! I'm thinking of buying one and this helps a lot!

VERY well done, Jordon! I hope to see you out there on the Colorado roads!

It’s also got a great heater so you can have the roof down in the snow

I enjoyed this review, watched it from beginning to end. I just bought a used stock 2012 Sport. I am pleased with it. Had a 2001 yrs ago. I loved that one and I love this one. Very good review, nicely done too!

Great information young man! I really enjoy your posts.

Great video and insight into miata ownership. The NC sure seems like the hidden gem of the bunch. Will need to do some test driving.

nice review bud. thanks for spending your time with all these info.. :)

Nice review. I've done many trips to a cabin in the Adirondacks 5 hour trip. What a blast with the FM S/C on those twisty mountain roads. Enjoy! I do.

I have owned a NC for a few years now as my daily driver. I have to touring edition and love it! Low maintenance and one of the best Miata’s (imo) and I have owned many

Great review. I have pretty much the identical car to the one in the vid. Mine is a UK spec called the Sport Black which was limited to 500. I've owned MX5s for over twenty years. 2 NAs, 1 NB and now an NC. They are all fantatsic cars. I still have a soft spot for the NA but to be honest as I've grown older my needs and wants of what I want from a car have changed a bit and the NC suits me right down to the ground. It's just that little more easy to daily than the earlier models for my lifestyle. The extra comfort and performance (from standard) suit my "more mature" body nowadays.

I went to testdrive all gens of MX5 from NA to NC3 before buying mine, and I must say the NC1 was what caught my eye. I like the front bumper more than on the NC2/3 especially with the rare NC removable hardtop that I managed to get with it, just looks great. Only issue I've had so far with it during my soon 4 years of ownership is the throttle body being coated with carbon and making the idle a bit rough, was an easy fix. Great car over all. Buddy has an S2K and I must say I can't decide which one I like the most :)

Thanks for the affirmation of the NC being the better of the 4 models. Bought my '13 Club with the prht. Added an updated stereo, rollbar, trailer hitch so I can put my kayaks on it and truly enjoy the ride.

I just found online at Carmax a 2010 MX-5 GT PRHT with just 1500 miles. I bought it. A very rare find and my fourth NC. It was in an indoor car collection and rarely driven for 12 years. This car still smells new! My first two were 6 speed manuals but after being a truck driver for 45 years I no longer enjoy shifting. This 6 speed auto actually shifts faster then a manual with the paddle shifters. To think that I used to laugh at the auto transmissions! My last one I owned in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was so much fun on mountain roads. A 2008 GT PRHT and had 36,000 miles when I bought it July 2020. With just 1500 miles! It did have a bit less power at the high altitudes which I now can notice living at sea level in my 2010. I sold it back to the dealer for $12750.00 (2008) and ended up paying $22,989.00 for this 2010. The prices are crazy but there is a lot on the market. My 2010 also has bluetooth for the phone. With the audio 3.5mm jack I use a bluetooth receiver. With that I can use my phone audio no problem.

Yes I've owned an NA and two NC models fun reliable EZ to maintain. And bullet proof. If you're looking for a fun to drive adult go cart buy one you won't be disappointed. And like the gentleman that posted the video. Don't be afraid to go out two or three hundred miles to find one. You will enjoy the ride home. 👌

Nice review, bought a 2009 MX-5 Sport two years ago, bare bones, raw fun! I'm in my late 50's and I'll have this car for the rest of my life....and yes, I'll come up with any excuse that I can to take it out of the garage....need stamps, need some tp......; )

As an NC1 owner, the wheel gap and floatiness of the bilsteins was absolutely unbearable. Got some FM sway bars and whiteline endlinks, yonaka spec coilovers, and an upgraded clutch and lighter flywheel. Nothing else was changed. Now it’s impossible not to smile every time I drive it, and the compromises from the suspension changes make it a completely different (and better) car.

Just picked one of these up from Seattle and I am putting together a plan to drive it 2800 miles home. Crystal Pearl White PRHT special edition 2012. I can’t wait

Found a NC1 GT in Portland,OR. Gonna be driving with it back to southern Cali. I was thinking of having it shipped. But can't pass up the chance to road trip it all the down the coast. Can't wait. Awesome review btw. Got me hyped up for the trip.

Great review. Thank you. Love my NC-3..

This is the best NC review I've ever seen. I was looking for a roadster, and wasn't sure between BMW Z4 and this NC. But now I am. I will buy an NC as soon as possible.

Great review of the NC!!

I have the same car, in same color. Bought this some weeks ago, as an extra car. Build in 2013. Really love this little car, and such a difference in driving compared to my daily Audi (which is the perfect car)

Great job Jordan. Love my NC!

Miata is simply brilliant.

Really great video - thank you. I've been looking at NC's for a while now as they represent super value for money at the moment. I had an NA for ten years and other than a clutch slave cylinder and brake calipers needing doing, the car was otherwise ultra-reliable. Sadly in the UK, MX5/Miata owners have to contend with salted roads in the winter and this can lead to corrosion issues with all versions of the car. Therefore, it's wise to inspect any prospective purchase very carefully. However, get the right one, and you will have a grin ear-to-ear every time you drive it.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. The NC 1 & 2 seem to be very similar to the new ND. Your NC seem to get good power even at the height of Colorado with lower oxygen level. Boulder looks beautiful in the winter.

I'm always speeding in my 2008 GT PRHT manual. Love the thing!!

Love my ‘13 Club. I drive it back and forth from Michigan to Florida a few times a year.

I LOVE this. Can we please get more NC vids???

Loved your video I to own a Miata 2007 and I love it it's an automatic due to loss of limb no complaints and it's not a girl's car like people think....😁😁😁

The only modification I've done to my nc2 is the red/yellow rx8 sway bars and I think that's sufficient enough for an NC2. Nc1 needs better shocks and springs all around. I am jealous of your special editions additional trim materials, the sport is plastics everywhere

i love how it smiles

Think I would review my NC 99% exactly as you reviewed!! I use it for 24hr drives throughout the Southern National Parks (Zion, Yosemite, etc) plus it is my daily driver.

Will always love my copper red grand touring soft top NC.

Great vid! Ive had an NA, but Love my NC!

Great video, tío, you really know your Miatas... Incredible car

Great video Sir, really well done. I've had a '94 and a '95...loved them both. Currently I have a Mini Cooper and while it's loads of fun, quicker and a bit more upscale... I think I'm missing the Miata. Especially the rear wheel drive. So...I'm looking for the exact car you're driving...including the same color. Thanks again for the well done production...my search has begun.

Thank you for this video. I'm currently preparing to get my hands on one of these. Doing research, narrowing options. Your video is like a bible for buyer. How big is the leap between NC2 and NC3? 1 to 2 is obviously a huge jump forward but is the last update worth extra money? Cheers

@OutofspecReviews Thanks for your comprehensive review! I wonder, as a fellow Coloradoan, what are your thoughts on the NC's ability to pass/keep up with highway traffic uphill around here? I'm thinking of those uphills on I-70 and 285. I have an NA and I sometimes struggle at those sections to stay above 60

Nice review! We have a similar story in regard to our finding and buying our MX-5s. I searched for months, maybe over a year to find an ND RF with BBS Package in Machine Gray, that was affordable. I found it, a 2018 in Machine Gray with only 8,300 miles on the clock, but it was 8 hours away. I found my 2018 before I had driven any MX-5s at all. So I hurried down to the local Reno Mazda and test drove a 2019, ND2 oh boy that sold me. I then asked the sale man if he had the opportunity to buy a 2018 RF Club with BBS Package for $18,500.00 would he choose that over the 2019 which was going for $34,000.00 and had to be special ordered. He said he would go for the 2018. I went home and made my deal! Winter had moved onto the west coast and into the Sierra and I needed a break in the weather to fly to Eugene, OR from Reno, NV and then drive it home with the stock Potenzas. 3 weeks later I flew to Eugene and drove my little car home. I even lucked out with a break in the storms and made it home without having to drive through any snow or temps below 42°F...the tempertaure that summer tires become scary if there's any moisture on the road. Oh yeah and it looks like you have the same camera bag as I do, too!

2009 NC2 Grand Touring owner....soft top. I guess us old farts [67] like the old style canvas. Loved your video. You "get it."

I love my Black PRHT NC2 GT 6MT, and it is my daily driver too. Coilovers, light flow formed wheels with lightened lugnuts made it even sweeter. I am considering improving the Bose stereo for an Android-auto Sony unit similar to yours. You're right, the NC2 has all the necessary creature comforts you need, and not all of the complications you don't. I already improved it's wiper stalk, the coolant tank to the aluminium Moroso version, and I did it myself with the help of some youtube videos. This is an honest, willing to have fun roadster that is simple to work on, and a blast to drive at any speed, while giving you nice fuel consumption even if you drive it spiritedly. It took me 7 years to find my NC2 GT, and it is the best car I have ever owned.

That black roof on white looks sick! I had a Merc c450 with a similar color pallette, soo good.

Great review. Confirms my "need" to buy one. Have not sat in one yet so was wondering how tall you are. I had 2 TR-6's back in the 70's and they had deep footwells for my 6'2 body so hoping the Miata will as well. As a retired 70 yr old it will be a second car and not a daily driver. Looking at 2010ish models. Want to keep it around 15 thousand. Super pumped about Mazda's as the CX-9 I had for 8 years was prolly the best car I ever had.

Thanks for the great review. I've been tossing around getting an NC 6 speed with the hardtop or the Club ragtop. I live in Fort Collins and was curious about where you were located. I heard you say Denver and was glad to hear you say that. My only concern was the lack of power here at elevation. But I've had my day with racing hopped up camaros and mustangs back in the 60's and 70,s. Now that I'm older (16 year old in a 72 year old body) I just want to cruise and hit some back mountain roads carving a few corners. What year did they raise the redline? This looks like it would fit the bill! Thanks again for the great review!

Just bought my first nc. 08,PRHT ,6 MT. I’m Loving it 😍. Much better than na/nb. I own both of those too btw. So I have 2 na8 one nb2 and the nc1. Can’t have too many

Seriously though this is a great review. Thanks for all the detail. NC for the practicality if the MX5 is your only car, ND all the way if you're lucky enough to have a second car IMHO

cruise control works down to 20 mph so it works good for school zones. I love my 2007 NC I've had it for about 4 years. Great car

very informative, great vid

This is the best guide!

My 2008 Miata power hardtop in dark blue was the most FUN car I have ever owned. Miss it so much I will be ordering a 2022. 6 speed manual: the ONLY way to go!

Thanks, great video, about to pickup a 2014 6 speed G .. t model

I bought my 06 NC from an auction with 244k miles and sitting on coilovers to use as a daily. Keep going

I had a 05 mazda 3 2.3L hatchback. Automatic. Handled like a go cart. Increased redline is a plus. 93 rx7 9k was awesome. Stock Nd2 mx5 is ok compared nd1. 7500 vs 6800. My nd1 has 7300. I heard of nd1 with 7600. Nd2 tuned with 8k redline would be nice.

I wonder if the different 0-60 times are different gear boxes? Loved my dads RX8 but was too thirsty for me to take on. I might have just seen my next car though.. same spec as yours but 2010 in silver. Great videos mate, thanks for your effort.

Hi I'm a new NC1 owner and about to do my transmission fluid change. Your video mentioned using the Ford one. Is that the Ford Motorcraft Mercon LV? Great video by the way, very informative

Great review, u have the model and color i am searching for! Let me know if/when u sell or it heads to cars and bids :)

ND owner here, the NC’s are great cars as all the mx5. If I could I would have one of each 👍👍

Great video, What exhaust do you have?

I have a 2012 Kuro Edition (look it up) in Crystal Pearl and black roof. I bought it new and just last year let BBR sprinkle their magic over it. It’s now 203hp and goes like it should have done out of the box.

I agree that Mazda's auto transmissions have come a long way. I'd never drive an auto NA or NB, but my GF has a 2011 mazda 3 with the "sequential gear knob" and it feels really nice using that. Can't compare to the bolt action feeling of driving stick in my 91 NA special edition though. If only I could get my lazy butt to finish my engine rebuild on it and drive it again. I've never had as good of a feeling as when I drove it for hours with no destination after work on winding back roads or into the city areas, top down with my friends and one of their 370s. There is nothing that can fill that gap of how it feels to do that. Seeing a Miata while mine is down is a very bittersweet thing. Also it's funny you said riding motorcycles before made it easy to learn manual cars because I was able to ride a motorcycle almost immediately after buying one after driving my Miata for a year or so.

I have an NC 1 and I love it. It's an auto but still very snappy, you mentioned that you have herd of 6.5 sec 0 to 60 well I am on of those. The only mods to date are coil overs and front and rear sway bars.

I have an 06 automatic...copper mica red/black cloth interior....I look forward to driving, even to work!...and the drives home are just complete fun...I don't drive mine in the winter, I have a Jeep for that, rain, usually the NC, lol

Just traded in my '86 Corvette for a 2012 NC Grand Touring- loving it! We just moved to a condo on the beach in FL, and I no longer have a garage to work on the 'vette, and living on the ocean, even though my car is in a parking garage, the salt air was wreaking havoc on the "vette's electrical system. Plus we split our time between South Florida and Park City, UT, so it basically sits here for 5 months of the year. I'm curious, though, you mentioned you're in Boulder. My Miata would be a fun car to drive on the mountain roads in UT, but like you, we're at 6500 ft above sea level (starting and going up to about 12K). How do you think it'd do at altitude- still as fun to drive?

What do you use to lift the car to rotate tires, change oil, etc. What oil and filter do use? What coolant? What is the stereo you're using? Just got a 2014 with 9700 miles.😁👍

What beautiful scenery

Love my 2010 - never giving it up. Fantastic car.

What platform did buy your car from? Only 450 been made, are there any up for sale now?

My dad has one of these and by far the most fun car i have ever rode in, im also only 11 so cant day much but, yeah

A perfect sports car imho (design is a personal taste). VFM over the roof. And resale value very good also due to its reliability, nice fuel consumption and cheap maintenance.

This specific model is arguably the best looking MX5 ever!!

Ty for talking about the Expansion pack. I need to keep that in mind for when I have money headlights arent easy to do haha. you need to remove the wheel to access everything

I have a club nc3. The handling is so good coupled with a top speed of 135 that I can't get the car out of control. It eats up curves at almost top out speed on my trips to Vegas.