ive looked into it, and it is nearly a bolt in swap. it could end up being emissions compliant, all of the ODB2 nonsense is the same. it would be like an Rx8 that is ~400lbs lighter (the NC is a porker)

i would have done it, but i just don't like the NC even though i've tried

 

there is kind of a game there, and if you want top dollar you need to play it. kind of the same for any car, but the Ferrari only runs for 30k miles between $6 timing belt jobs (308/328/348), so the time a prospective buyer has to drive the car before they flip it is measurable...

its a bit weird as the car (308/328/348) was built by race car people, and looks pretty awesome to work on, but people are scared of working on it.

Ferrari parts can be more expensive than Mazda parts, but Ferrari parts are easier to get

 

Feed offered a 13B Renesis swap for the NC Miata. Their price, start to finish, was around $20,000usd. Their Rotary Roadster appeared in several Hot Version episodes and was spoken well of by the presenters.

 

It surprised me how rigid the 8's structure is. I thought it might have a tiny bit less flex going from NC to RX8 but I never realized how much more. Granted, I knew having the convertible you can't really compare the 2. Still, absolutely amazed how well the 8's body feels. This is jumping in from other modern vehicles too. Even the German stuff. The F30 3 series feels jittery compared to the 8's platform. Don't even get me started on the GLK/GLC platform. I don't know what it is with those bodies but going over ruts and dips really send a shock/vibration throughout the chassis.

You defintely feel the difference between FD and RX8. Although, I suspect my Ground Control coilovers with Koni shocks contribute alot to the flex. I think it'll subside a bit more if I were to swap them out with more recent suspension dampening. However, I doubt it'll get to the levels of the 8. Very very solid that platform.

 

S2k w/hardtop
2009 Cayman S 6spd
​​​​​400z - I'm hoping they do a nismo version- prob be at the top of my list if they do.
A91 Supra - if they do a manual
c6z
c8
gt350

 

I was reading about the NB Miata and the ND MX-5 has about the same power as the Mazdaspeed NB (2003 and 2004). I'd love to do a test drive when things normalize around here.

This is the third model year of the improved ND 2.0L 181 hp engine... the HCCI Skyactiv-X seems to be held up for the US as Mazda investigates larger displacement possibilities (more power!):

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...s-debut-delay/

https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/122...ing-new-engine

Can you guys imagine a coupe version of the MX-5 with a 2.5L 300 hp Skyactiv-X inline-6? That would be pretty sweet.

 

the in-line 6 will be their heavy duty engine to become more “luxurious “. Doubt it’ll ever be used for sports car application.
we know for sure the 6, along with the cx9 will be the first to be turned into true rwd architectures. Everything else is still up in the air…

 

Mx5 sales are up 80% over last year, and last year was up ~20% over 2019. its a great car

 

All the other competitor cars are way heavier (or incredibly compromised track toys like the Ariel Atom) and you can drive the MX-5 every day, with great mileage and reliability. You can even get the RF if you need a hardtop.

What's not to like?

The pandemic reminded everyone that life is too short. You can use all of the ND's power and enjoy it, unlike the overpowered modern sports car where full-throttle second gear puts you in jail.

 

Cayman S 6 speed, had one for several years, always put a smile on my face.

 

here’s my only issue with the ND. Since we live here in the great North, getting the RF is mandatory. Specifically the GS trim to get yourself the sport package. Gotta have the recaro seats. 😉
on the road, that’s 52g’s cdn. New. 52g’s for a Miata?!

Now, getting slightly used is by far the better way. Even still, the same trim, you’re still looking at 33-36g’s on the road. That’s still a lot for a miata.
sure, you can compromise and find yourself a decent one for about 25-29g’s. But it won’t have the sport package. Or you’ll have a few of the sport package but not the recaros…

meanwhile, if you’re patient, you can find an R3 for 14-16g’s… . Just saying…

 

^ Just get an '86 then if price and roof are prerequesites?

 

That's why I was reading up on NB's! And yeah, the GS package is necessary to me because of the LSD (they really should include it on every trim).

Yes, it's a lot of money to pay for a Miata. The RF has a great roof, but it's slightly heavier than the soft-top and it has less trunk space. I think the RF is eligible as a hard-top for some race categories, so that would give it an advantage, but it's also more expensive and rear and side visibility are particularly bad with the top up... and this year, the soft-top has Deep Crystal Blue Mica paint.

Of course I keep an eye open for RX-8 R3's for sale, but I feel like owning two rotaries would ruin me! Also, I like the idea of a light ND in the turns... brake late, max throttle (zero body roll with coilovers).

$9,000 (CAD) R3 for sale: https://www.autotrader.ca/a/mazda/rx...0318095944735/



I was curious about the 2019+ ND's top speed so :

 

Yeah, that seems to be the go too…. However, it’s a deal breaker for me (personally).

if anything, you can take a look at NC PRHT’s..

 

you’ll have to be super patient if you can find a mazdaspeed nb. Those are the most ideal in that series.

As for the ND, it’s actually a misconception regarding trunk space. They’re the same trunk in either soft top or RF. It’s an optical illusion thinking the hard top takes up space. It’s a great engineering trick what they do for the hardtop.
oh, another super annoying thing about the latest ND2, it comes standard with all the electronic nannies/safety crap. Smart city braking on a miata?! Lane assist?!?
You can try finding an ND1 RF in GS, but of course the added power of the revised engine won’t be there. It’s a give and take situation..

seems a lot of R3’s were built in black or grey. Also, this guy sold his Recaros and installed regular GT seats.. that’s tragic. 168k on the clock though is a bit on the high side. I’d be getting worried about that engine…

Having 2 rotaries won’t ruin you. You’ll just have to be conscious of the added fuel consumption.

 

There's currently an R3 in Quebec for $10,500. 55,000km, white, manual, Recaros. I cannot cross the border in to Quebec because NB's self isolation & travel rules are ultra strict and expensive or it'd be sitting in my garage.

Found the listing:

 

- 996 911 (go 2004 to squeak close to the 15 year rule) manual. IMO more analog and fun to drive than the 997s. Closer to an FD with more chassis flex and a zingier motor. Just got to deal with a penalty box interior if not the full leather package. 911s have been the more challenging cars to drive aggressively for me; very rewarding.

- Cayman manual, 981 preferred. destined to be a classic. Ultimate modern sports car that blends stunning good looks, luxury with a relatively small size.

- Z4 coupe manual (steering rack is a bit weak); unique, inline 6 BMW goodness, playful

- upcoming 2022 BRZ looks like an amazing car if you can handle the bland looks (have not driven it)

- series 2 Elise; if you are into the hardcore it's a hoot. Visceral, lightweight, comfort be damned. Painful to get in and out of. You win the genuine boy racer contest.

 

If you're not daily driving an ND Miata, a base model ("Sport") trim will be fine for street use. MSRP on that is $27k USD. Yeah it doesn't have a limited slip differential but do you really need that if you're just driving back roads? The base model equipment is better than an FD. The heat in a Miata is really good, no worries in the winter. You'll just have more noise from not getting the RF. However the RF is more of a targa than a convertible. I've really considered upgrading my NB to an ND.

 

I am surprised no mention at all of the Jaguar F-Type.

 

They look pretty. That's about it unless you pay for the highest end version, but then you are over $100k

 

Knowing how badly Jag’s depreciate, I wouldn’t get 1 new. A slightly used one can still be considered a pretty good deal.

Saw this 2017 Jaguar F-Type on autoTRADER.ca's iPad app
http://www.autotrader.ca/go/5-49551924

Not bad for less than 48g’s cdn.

 

I loved the F-Type's design since the C-X16 prototype was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

My issues with the car, other than the price, are its weight, automatic transmission, and reliability. I've talked to several Jaguar people off the record and reliability is still relatively poor.

I dislike the changes they made in the 2020 update, so I'd look at a 2019 model or earlier. The V6 mileage is 20/23/28 mpg in RWD. Not as terrible as the V8.

For similar money, I'd rather go for a 2009+ Aston Martin V8 Vantage. They're heavy too, but you can get them in manual and there is real racing development behind most of the modern Aston Martin coupes.

A 2016+ V8 manual Camaro coupe starts at $42,000 CAD on AutoTrader.ca, so the Jaguar price is not as outrageous as some people might think.

 

They sound great, and look the part.

As others have mentioned reliability can be an issue, but it amuses me that we are concerned about reliability on an FD thread.

I would say that the F-type is no worse than an FD for reliability, and many people drive their FDs with no worries.

 

That is the v6 with only 340 hp at the engine. That is not a fast car due to the weight previously mentioned.

It looks awesome, but if you want a replacement for the FD, the R model is needed. And that's a lot more money.

 

If the right deal for the right Exige came along, I.e. one with well done power mods to rival my car, that's about all I can think of within reason. And even that's not a new car anymore.

Everything else is hideous, huge, ridiculously pricey, or all three.