Is it time to upgrade?

Contemplating selling 99 NB with 65000 well maintained miles and purchasing a 2018 MX5 Grand Touring. Any thoughts from the hive? Thanks

I had a 99 Miata when the NC was released. I hated the NC in every way. Too big, too ugly, too heavy and soft. then got a 2013 NC and LOVED it. loved the look. loved the extra room. I haven't driven a ND yet, but I bet it is way better than your NB and I bet you will quickly forget about the old car.

Do you want a newer faster car? If the answer is yes then I'd get it.

The only potential downside could be repair costs, being a modern car with super-expensive headlights/taillights, way more airbags, and explosive pretensioners.

Drive one and I think you'll know the answer to your question. The ND is freaking awesome.

Last year I went from a 128K 1999 NB to a 2019 ND-RF. Absolutely a better car, but I'd suggest you look for a 2019 or newer just to get the ND2 updates. Aside from that , you'll like the ND1. I would suggest trying it on for size first , because I find my ND less roomy than my NB. Other Miata owning friends haven't noticed that to the extent I have though.

The ND is great! Same weight (basically) as the NA, way more power, and super fun suspension. I think I remember hearing that they bored holes in the window glass (below where you see it) to make the car lighter. You may walk away from your drive of an ND thinking it was, dare I say, kind of fast.

One thing I haven't figured out is which ND is the best ND. Bare bones or loaded-up grand touring? Somewhere in between?

I still love my 94 na but everyone that drives my nd loves it even the people who hated Miata's want to drive it every chance they can.  You can't go wrong with any nd even with a stock engine.  
 

I drove it and found it better in many ways, Going from analog to digital in a MX5 is the major concern. I have a 2024 CX5, so I have adjusted to that. However, I am 77 and like the old school functions and systems. I DO NOT like the cup holder placement, my elbow wants that space. Although, I drove the NB 10 years with out need for one.

Thanks for the input

In reply to outasite :

You can move one cupholder forward on the transmission tunnel. I'm 72 and I have yet to figure out everything that screen does....I don't care.....as long as it goes when I push the button I'm good.

Make sure you give a 2019 a try before committing to the 2018.  The engine upgrades are quite nice, as is the suspension retune.    I have a 2021 RF and I love it.

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

Last year I went from a 128K 1999 NB to a 2019 ND-RF. Absolutely a better car, but I'd suggest you look for a 2019 or newer just to get the ND2 updates. Aside from that , you'll like the ND1. I would suggest trying it on for size first , because I find my ND less roomy than my NB. Other Miata owning friends haven't noticed that to the extent I have though.

The ND is such good car, but as mentioned above, be sure to "try it on for size," especially if you have a passenger.  That side of the car was the deal breaker for me/us.

But from the driver's side it felt sublime, and the operation of that soft top...perfection, if you're looking at that.  Or, the RF top is also a nice bit of engineering, too.

I'm going to be codriving a 2021 this weekend. Can't wait!

I sat in 2023 ND today, at 6'1"~6'2" with a long torso it felt slightly roomier than an NB, or similar to an S2 Elise (other than inter-passenger room and footwell width which were better). It didn't feel like the transmission tunnel and door card were hugging my legs like in an NB, and I never felt my hair brush the roof, legroom was just barely enough with the seat all the way back and if I wasn't pressed into the seat properly my knees would brush the dash. Also the cup holder was pretty close to my elbow, not enough to cause a problem most of the time but enough to get deep into my funny bone if I moved wrong. The soft top was super quick and easy to open/close. Also had a shifter where instead of pulling a collar to get reverse, you push the stick down like on a Logitech sim wheel, first time I've seen that in a real car...

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

I'm going to be codriving a 2021 this weekend. Can't wait!

So, how’d you enjoy the ND? 

Rusnak_322 said:

I had a 99 Miata when the NC was released. I hated the NC in every way. Too big, too ugly, too heavy and soft. then got a 2013 NC and LOVED it. loved the look. loved the extra room. I haven't driven a ND yet, but I bet it is way better than your NB and I bet you will quickly forget about the old car.

NC1's are lighter than Mazdaspeed Miatas, so I've never really understood this one. 

To OP, I'd want the ND2 for the better engine. 

David S. Wallens said:

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

I'm going to be codriving a 2021 this weekend. Can't wait!

So, how’d you enjoy the ND? 

Awesome car. I would have to learn how to use more finesse when accelerating out of turns, it's got enough torque to break traction where I would just mat the pedal in my NB1. I kept having to save it from spinning. 
Overdriving isn't fast, but it sure was fun. 

GameboyRMH said:

Also had a shifter where instead of pulling a collar to get reverse, you push the stick down like on a Logitech sim wheel, first time I've seen that in a real car...

The mk7 GTIs have that as well.  When I had one, it took a little bit to get used to, but it eventually became second nature. 

I've owned at least six NAs, and am now on my second ND. In my book, the ND is as close as you can get to an NA/NB while having a modern car.

My first ND was a '16 Launch Edition, my current one is a '20 Club, and based on that comparison I would also recommend an ND2.

ACCWs have used the push down lockout since the beginning and my first car was an ACVW so when my mom bought a Mazda3 and when I test drove an ND1 that felt normal. My Gladiator is the only car I've ever driven with the collar style lockout. 

Some bmws are push down for reverse as well iirc.

Thanks everyone, I have decided to store the 99NB for another winter and find an ND2 (preferably a club) in the spring.