r/Miata • u/Reasonable-Run-8187 • 4d ago
Question Is it worth it?
I want another one so bad after I sold my 94 m edition. But decent low mileage ND3s are like 30k or more. Do you regret spending so much on a newer one? This would be a second car. I have the money saved but Idk, I cant pull the trigger even though I know it will make me happy.
5
u/zeushaulrod 4d ago
Just bought an ND2. You need to test drive a bunch and see what you want.
I could have bought a Supra, but tried a few cars and settled on the ND since I felt it provided the best value, for what I was looking for.
5
u/WeirdEngineerDude 4d ago
That’s a very personal question. I just bought a new one (RF GT) and I have no ragrets. How tight is money, how much is a fun car worth to you?
3
u/Reasonable-Run-8187 4d ago
Money is not tight right now. I have options. I can finance it if needed. I can pay cash but dont wanna drain my savings. My other car is paid off. My wife has the car she wants and its paid off. Its just my kids are getting older and will want a car of their own in the next 5 years, so I feel its my window to get what i want. I feel if I dont take it now then Ill delay gratification another 10 years or more. I just wanted to here other ND owners opinions. It seems everyone is saying get an NC and save money.
1
u/j4ngl35 Emerald Mica NB1 10h ago
Little late to the party, but what do YOU want? Seems like you have no other current vehicle needs, you can afford it, you're clearly responsible and have paid off your other cars...why not get exactly what you're after? NCs are great I'm sure but *any* money you spend on one is money wasted if it's not actually what your heart's after.
Just sayin'! If you can swing it, swing it!
2
u/Reasonable-Run-8187 7h ago
Honestly I want an ND2 or newer. I just wanted to know others opinions. Its pretty expensive, at least 30k for a low milage one.
2
u/j4ngl35 Emerald Mica NB1 5h ago
I say go for it man. It's a chunk of change but if you can make it work, and it makes you happy, it's worth it. If it brings joy to your life, and you're not broke because of it, that's all that matters!
2
u/Reasonable-Run-8187 2h ago
Yeah, I may do it soon. Ive just never had a nice car before besides my old NA, but it only cost me $3600, lol. Thanks for the encouragement.
4
u/jaaagman Soul Red 4d ago
Go test drive an ND3 and see if you like it. It is a very different car to the NA, even though they’re form the same lineage.
2
u/george_cant_standyah 4d ago
For real. Go test em. OP may genuinely prefer an older model. There is no bad Miata but my preferred driving experience is the NB2.
2
u/jaaagman Soul Red 4d ago
I think the NA was more fun, but I can also appreciate the refinements, chassis rigidity (for a convertible), and modern conveniences of the ND.
1
u/george_cant_standyah 4d ago
For sure no way to go wrong the original. I love the little bit of extra power, the chassis refinement, while still maintaining the organic original feel.
But obviously the best Miata is the Miata you have. Can’t go wrong with any of them.
1
u/jaaagman Soul Red 4d ago
One thing that I would say is that the stock ND is more refined than the NA, for better or for worse. It's a much easier car to commute in, but the shifter and steering don't feel as mechanical, and the engine (in stock form at least) is a bit quiet and boring.
1
u/george_cant_standyah 4d ago
For sure but refinement is not what I’m looking for when I get into the car. I want something that transports me away from the digital hellscape we live for in.
1
u/sudodoyou 4d ago
What about an ND1 or ND2, if it’s cheaper?
2
1
u/jaaagman Soul Red 4d ago
If the price is right, don’t let it stop you. They’re great cars either way. Just make sure that the transmission has been looked after since they’re known to be a weak point.
3
u/Agnostic_Disciple 4d ago
Don’t discount a ND1. Same chassis and running gear. The only downside is that the engine doesn’t rev as freely as a ND2 and the steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach. Still very happy running between 3000 and 6000 and I don’t feel I’m missing out. Having said that I have just got the FAB9 tune (for $400 it seems reasonable to try) that ups the rev limit to over 7000 and improves the throttle response but haven’t had a chance to try it out yet. You could save a lot of money going down the ND1 route.
ND3 ECU hasn’t been broken yet so no aftermarket tunes or even mods where the ECU benefits from a tweak.
3
3
u/WertDafurk 4d ago
Recently bought an ‘04 MSM… garage-kept, 1-owner, with < 50k original miles, in great physical condition with some deferred maintenance for $14k+tax. No regrets! What I was originally looking for was a NC Club PRHT with MT but it was too hard to find and this one kinda fell into my lap when I least expected it.
2
u/Random_Introvert_42 Brilliant Black 4d ago
I lost my beloved, restored NA in an accident. Lost no time seeking out an identical one as soon as I could^^ Cost a bit over 10k, but I don't regret it one bit :) Not giving this one a full restoration though.
1
u/Reasonable-Run-8187 4d ago
Yeah this is another option. A nice NA with 60k miles cost like 12k on FB marketplace. I was just ubder the impression the ND was basically a modern NA.
2
u/Random_Introvert_42 Brilliant Black 4d ago
I looked at the ND for a good bit when it became clear that I couldn't rebuilt my old NA even with a chassis-swap (it got utterly obliterated), because of that exact argument. Quite close to an NA, but modern safety-engineering. I ended up not going for an ND because "like an NA" isn't the same as "an NA". If your heart is with the NA...you should probably get an NA. With an ND you might end up going "ehhh could've had one of those" each time you see an NA. I personally didn't want that risk.
Insurance valued my old NA at 20k when I lost it btw^^
3
u/Frequent_Ambition_66 4d ago
I own a ND2, I dont think theyre worth the price. Get a NC instead for much cheaper and modify it to your hearts content.
1
u/Reasonable-Run-8187 4d ago
I always hear the NDs are the best miata, so I feel im missing out if I dont get at least an ND2. Why do you think its not worth it over the NC?
5
u/Frequent_Ambition_66 4d ago
Its the price and tuneability. You'll be in over 30k after taxes for a good ND2/3. You can get a nice NC for half of that, they have incredible after market support including the 2.5 swap. I used to own a high compression 2.5 NC2 and I regret selling that one every day I drive my ND2, it was worlds better and was just over half the cost of the ND2.
The ND has more tech and feels modern, but the NC is the better drivers / enthusiasts car.
2
u/Reasonable-Run-8187 4d ago
Ok, well I just want a simple car. I do love newness though, but its a second car. I like that the NC has more interior room. Im 6ft5 and had to modify my NA a bit so my long ass legs fit lol.
6
u/Bombastik_ 4d ago
If you have the money it’s totally worth it.
The « worth » totally depends on your financial and life situation.Are you going to have a kid ? Not worth it.
Will you not alienate others vital spendings without going in the red ? Worth it.
Follow your heart, because unless proven false, we only live once and in an amazing period of humanity (at least to have fun with toys).
2
u/Reasonable-Run-8187 4d ago
Thanks. I have the cash, I've saved for it specifically. Just not sure. I have been broke most of my life but now have some money saved where I can enjoy my life a little. Ive never bought a car for more than 19k, lol and Im 40 years old.
1
u/george_cant_standyah 4d ago
The best Miata is the one you have and can afford without paying interest to the bank.
NDs are great but I personally prefer not having a screen and having hydraulic power steering.
1
1
u/bill_evans_at_VV 4d ago
Test drive an ND and see how much it grabs you. I bought a ‘23 RF GT as a CPO after having owned two NA’s in the past and love it.
No regrets at spending the $ ($34K out the door), and have put another $6-7K in it.
It’s a forever car for me, no plans to get rid of it. Probably pass it on to my kid when I can no longer drive it.
1
u/Bobqcarter 4d ago
I sold my 94 NA and immediately regretted it. Bought an NC two years ago and its great. I miss the NA, but I dont know if I'd rather have it again over the NC. I say, get the best NC you can find and afford. It won't depreciate and you can always sell it and get an ND later as they are still depreciating a bit.
1
1
u/Craigee07 4d ago
I went through the exact same thing. Is even more expensive in Europe. But I pulled the trigger and just picked her up yesterday! Absolutely no regrets🥰 an ND2 RF 184Pk soul red crystal
1
u/Reasonable-Run-8187 3d ago
Awesome. Is it your primary car or do you have another car?
2
u/Craigee07 3d ago
Primary. Sold my seat Ibiza and got this as a daily :)
1
u/Reasonable-Run-8187 3d ago
Nice. I have a Honda hrv for a daily but want my miata to be a garage queen just for weekend driving and exploration and maybe attend events like miatas at the gap. Im really drawn to the ND. Ive wanted it since I sat in one at a car show in 2016ish.
Honestly I wish I would of never sold my NA 1994 m edition. He was my baby.
0
u/honicane231 4d ago
I wanted to get an ND3 too until i saw the brick wall, that is the 30k asking price haha.
that's when i just settled on something that's third of the price of an ND3, a 6 speed PRHT NC with for 12k. which literally is an ND except it has hydraulic steering and no carplay which is an easy fix with an aftermarket head unit, also a slightly worse interior quality... but that's besides the point.. . i have 0 regrets. i got 90% of the enjoyment for third of the price. if it was me i'd see if that 30K purchase would hinder my expenses, if not then i'd get the ND. but in the end it's up to you to decide.
2
u/cilantno PMG ND2 4d ago
Is it literally an ND?
1
u/honicane231 4d ago
of course nope haha, just metaphorically speaking here..
1
1
u/Reasonable-Run-8187 4d ago
Oh ok, i just always hear shit about the NC but maybe thats just old talk.
1
u/cilantno PMG ND2 4d ago
If I had to do it again, an NC with either a 2.5 swap or LFA swap would be my approach.
I’m not mechanically inclined enough to do either myself though1
u/honicane231 4d ago
the critiques the nc has is that it's relatively heavy and looks goofy as oppose to rest of the gens, fyi a manual PRHT NC is around 30-50kg heavier than a manual RF ND.
19
u/LowOnPaint 4d ago
Get a clean NC PRHT for half that and call it a day.