Is The Mazda MX5 Mk3 The Black Sheep Of MX5s? (2014 NC 25th Anniversary Road Test)

The Mazda MX5 biggest asset is its simplicity, with minimal power, technology or complications. So is the bigger, heavier, more complex and more comfortable NC MX5 even worthy of the badge...?

Thanks to Mazda UK for loan of the MX5 Mk3.

• Instagram: @classicsworlduk
• Twitter: @ClassicsWorldUK

- Music -

All content on this channel is - unless otherwise stated - the opinion of the given party and any offence caused is severely apologised for. Any and all third-party content is credited and referenced to the best of our ability and all externally-created content is entirely the legal property of its original and rightful owner/s. All rights respected.

[TheRushMethod]

I've owned every British, German and Italian sports car in my 72 years. This is my favorite for many reasons: reliability, cost, handling, and just plain fun.

[gzknk]

I feel qualified to answer this. I bought my first MX5 in 2004, a new NB. At 3 years old I traded that for a new NC with electric roof in 2007. It was by far a better car than the NB, mostly by being more refined.
I ran that for 14 completely trouble free years until 2021 when I traded it for a new ND2 (nothing wrong with the NC - I just fancied a change).
The ND2 was soft top as the ND RF is a mere Targa Top, not a true open car. The ND2 is a better car than the NC in every way, except for the steering. The NC's hydraulic rack was more 'talkative' than the ND's electric one. But the ND's one is good - just about 90% as good as the NCs one. But my ND2 is far better in every other way than my NC.
So the message is - each version of the MX5 gets better. Which is what you'd expect.

[rcmakingtracks]

Love my Nc, 2011 kendo. Makes me smile everytime i look at it...

[MrMgblue]

As I am aging, my many MGB have lost the appeal just a bit, we sold our MGB bought the Miata, put 20k in the bank, and we love this car our NC is a dream to drive, does everything you wanted the B to do, with warm, and cold, safer and better to drive, conclusion, Miata you are the greatest!!!😃😃😃😃

[johncrofts]

I've got the 25th anniversary mx5 as in the but mine has the BBR 300bhp conversion plus ohlins coil over up grade! More fun than any of the high power rear wheel drive Skylines, Supras and 911's i've owned and at fraction of the cost!

[ketchup]

N/C=NO COMPETITION. Phenomenal cars. Just driven one every single day for three years, 100%reliable. Great drive. Not a 0-60 car but an "everything else" car.
Gives me a lick of torque at 3, 500 rpm, linear acceleration and just to correct some reports-a fast car if you know how to drive it, thats why its great and famous on tracks. Without upgrades-still great on the road.💘

[ochayethegnu]

I was 100% with you right up until you said Mk3s don’t rust. They are very much part of the MX-5 tradition in that regard.

[Swarm]

My feeling about the MX5 NC? It is from this quote from Master and Commander: "She has a bluff bow, lovely lines. She's a fine seabird: weatherly, stiff and fast... very fast, if she's well handled. No, she's not old; she's in her prime."
For a yacht she does very well!

[arricammarques]

The MX-5 NC reliability remains legendary.

[twistedsanity]

This thing looks amazing imo. If I could choose any mx-5 today, I would choose this one. I test drove one the other day and its a blast.

[oddyseus]

I've driven MX5s for over 20 years and had NAs, NBs and now have an NC. They're all fantatsic cars and different in their own ways. I love my current NC (a 2012 2.0 PRHT Sport Black...pretty much the same spec as the one featured). It is a far better daily than the earlier models albeit not quite as edgy or raw. The only issue I would take with Joe's review is that sadly they do rust quite badly. However, most owners today tend to get them rust-proofed from their first days of ownership, I know I did. All in all a great fun, practical, reliable and reasonably cheap two seater roadster.

[wg]

The NC was frowned upon by the Miata purists for years. Now, because of reviews like yours they are getting their just praise. They used to be a better value here in the U.S., but now the prices have gone way up. I have a 2008 PRHT and really enjoy it. It goes into storage every winter and has no rust. There are also many aftermarket performance upgrades for this model that really improve it. Fun, reliable and inexpensive to own, how can you beat that?

[CutcliffePaul]

I couldn't agree more. In fact, I just bought a good 56-plate 60k miler for just under £2½k and I'm absolutely made up with it, and I've never had so much fun at or close the speed limits. 😊

[andusensei]

I got a 2010 with 250, 000 miles (402, 336 kilometers), for around $3000 USD a couple years ago. Super solid little car, and my daily too. I generally find that many people that dislike NCs will come around after driving one at the limit.

[davidstorm]

Great review, apart from the comments about 'not rusting'. All NC owners know that they do rust very badly, particularly in the rear wheel arches and sill-end panels, but elsewhere too. If you have one of these cars you must properly deal with any rust and thoroughly protect it so it doesn't rust in the future. There's so little paint from factory underneath and no protection in lots of susceptible places. It's a 2 day job at least to do it yourself, but well worth the time spent.

[willwelch]

I think through the years time has been especially kind to the MX5. It's matured but still cheeky and more than capable as being a fun roadster. I'd have one of these and proudly display it on the driveway for all to see 👍🏻

[Thomas-zys]

❤Finally a guy who appreciates the car for what is a fun car that never fails to put a smile on my face. Thanks for this review, and to the naysayers out there get real. Yes it’s bigger but by how much I love my NC 6 speed manual grand touring soft top.

[robtt]

I have had two Nc . First the full fat PHRT two litre version from 2011. Sold that as I got virtually what I paid for it after two years ownership. But I missed it ! So saw a 1.8 2007 soft top for sale on FB Marketplace . Only 23000 miles and local. Half the price of the one I just sold so I had to have it! Didn’t I ? It is slower but lighter . It still is great fun because you get rev the nuts off it and not be going silly speeds. It’s great round corners which is the thing I love the most. It’s also really well built and reliable .It is far and away more fun the the 300bhp four wheel drive Cupra which is my daily driver .

[ianbradley]

I have a 25th Anni edition and its superb, I've modded mine a bit but the mods I've done have made it better, much better

[nickwebb]

A brilliant review, really like your no nonsense fact filled videos and this one is particularly helpful as I’ve considered getting an older MX5 Thanks 👍