Topic: 1FGC's New Addition...

[2JDM]

Say hi to my 2006 MX-5 (Miata)!

I bought this at the end of May and finally had time to take some decent pics. Details:

2006 "NC" generation, GX base
5MT
53k kms
Never winter driven.
1 owner, private sale
Dealer maintained since new
New top in 2020

Bought it from my parents neighbourhood - I actually saw this car in 2006-2012 while I still lived at my parents. Dad found out about it on his daily walks - the car was not advertised so I think I got a decent deal.

Its not perfect:
-Engine light went on during the 600 km drive home. Thermostat stuck open, cheap fix at an indy shop.
-Tires: excellent tread, no cracks but 12 year old DOT codes...
-Peeling clear coat on front bumper edge and mirrors. I blame this on 16 years of summer outdoor parking and crappy Mazda paint/body.
-2 leaks: one from the windshield cowl, and somewhere in the trunk (likely 3rd brake light gaskets). Easy fixes.

I'm probably the only guy in Ottawa with 2 RWD, manual sports cars  The 128i will be for winter and long distance "practical" duties. It does have 4 seats and a roof after all. 

[2JDM]

Some more pics...

[Firm]

Sweet, that is a great pair of cars!

[ArticSteve]

Super Congrats.  Great find and new top to boot.  Nothing sucks worse than getting stuck paying for a new vert soft top!

[rrocket]

Nice find!

[Gurgie]

Sweet find, congrats!

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

[PJungnitsch]

Looks beautiful! Hard to believe it's a 2006

[JohnnyMac]

I know that some Miata people state they like the NC the least but me personally I prefer it.  It has some more space, modern safety features, bluetooth (at least on some of them), and a decent engine.  I actually saw a decent one is for sale in my neck of the woods that I'd consider if I had the cash.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/fredericton/2006-mazda-miata-mx5-gt-6sp-silver-like-new-extensive-upgrades/1623602460

[quadzilla]

WOW! Very nice. Great pair of cars you have.

[Shorlaw]

Nice!  I had a 1999 NB for about 10 years that never gave me a single issue outside of regular maintenance items

[Seafoam]

Nice find. I had a 2006 for 9 years. It never gave me any problems. Of the first 3 gens of  miata's I think the NC is the most trouble free. Not a lot goes wrong with them. Check the coolant overflow tank for cracks if you suddenly have a leak.
I'm one of those guys that prefers the older generations like JohnnyMac mentions but you can't go wrong with any miata.

[Allen]

Congrats nice find

[TheHire]

Awesome! All of our NC clients at the shop have had excellent luck. These things are awesome and don't break at all! Thermostats are common, but as you said, they're extremely cheap.

[2JDM]

Thanks all!

This one is definitely a pure analog car compared to the 128i (which is already pretty analog compared to todays cars). The clutch, shifter, hydraulic steering, suspension and brakes are sharp - the BMW feels like a marshmallow in comparison. Fun fact: The GX trim does NOT have ABS, traction or stability control (ABS became standard in 2007).

I do note that it is VERY easy to get this thing to fish tail even on dry roads. Is it because of the weight or because of the 12 year old Kumho summer tires? 205 50 16's aren't cheap as I thought they would be. I'm keeping an eye out for Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's for a replacement set.

[HeliDriver]

That is fantastic! I love both of those cars - not many like that still around.

Congrats!

[ArticSteve]

Thanks all!

This one is definitely a pure analog car compared to the 128i (which is already pretty analog compared to todays cars). The clutch, shifter, hydraulic steering, suspension and brakes are sharp - the BMW feels like a marshmallow in comparison. Fun fact: The GX trim does NOT have ABS, traction or stability control (ABS became standard in 2007).

I do note that it is VERY easy to get this thing to fish tail even on dry roads. Is it because of the weight or because of the 12 year old Kumho summer tires? 205 50 16's aren't cheap as I thought they would be. I'm keeping an eye out for Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's for a replacement set.

TIRES.  Nothing thinner than 215s  Get on it!

[rrocket]

Thanks all!

This one is definitely a pure analog car compared to the 128i (which is already pretty analog compared to todays cars). The clutch, shifter, hydraulic steering, suspension and brakes are sharp - the BMW feels like a marshmallow in comparison. Fun fact: The GX trim does NOT have ABS, traction or stability control (ABS became standard in 2007).

I do note that it is VERY easy to get this thing to fish tail even on dry roads. Is it because of the weight or because of the 12 year old Kumho summer tires? 205 50 16's aren't cheap as I thought they would be. I'm keeping an eye out for Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's for a replacement set.

TIRES.  Nothing thinner than 215s  Get on it!

Steve is right.

Switching to a different wheel size (17") to ultimately get cheaper rubber/better selection (and better looks potentially) is the way to go.

[Fobroader]

Great find, Miata is always a fantastic addition to any garage.

[OliverD]

Congrats, nice find!

[2JDM]

Thanks all for the comments!

Nice find. I had a 2006 for 9 years. It never gave me any problems. Of the first 3 gens of  miata's I think the NC is the most trouble free. Not a lot goes wrong with them. Check the coolant overflow tank for cracks if you suddenly have a leak.
I'm one of those guys that prefers the older generations like JohnnyMac mentions but you can't go wrong with any miata.

I've read a lot of forums and reddit about the coolant tank. I've only heard issues with older BMWs and cracking tanks. Is it that big of a concern?? Of course, I don't wanna cook my engine but I wonder what the failure rate is. A new OEM tank is $114.

Thanks all!

This one is definitely a pure analog car compared to the 128i (which is already pretty analog compared to todays cars). The clutch, shifter, hydraulic steering, suspension and brakes are sharp - the BMW feels like a marshmallow in comparison. Fun fact: The GX trim does NOT have ABS, traction or stability control (ABS became standard in 2007).

I do note that it is VERY easy to get this thing to fish tail even on dry roads. Is it because of the weight or because of the 12 year old Kumho summer tires? 205 50 16's aren't cheap as I thought they would be. I'm keeping an eye out for Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's for a replacement set.

TIRES.  Nothing thinner than 215s  Get on it!

Steve is right.

Switching to a different wheel size (17") to ultimately get cheaper rubber/better selection (and better looks potentially) is the way to go.

According to tire calculators, for 16", I would need minimum 16 x 7 wheels for 215+ (OEM are 16 x 6.5).

I'd love to go 17s but trying to keep the "unnecessary" costs down. Been looking on Kijiji for stocker 17inch take offs but hard to find.