2009 NC2 Mazda MX-5 Miata (5-Speed Manual) - POV Driving Impressions 

This Miata is for sale here. Get it before it goes up on Carvana. facebook.com/marketplace/item/2499242756909573/

You looked like you got caught cheating when you pulled around the curve and your car was staring you down

I miss your old Miata videos especially the ones in the winter

Love the NC2. Tac shows 7200 rpm redline but fuel cutoff isn't until 7700. The motor feels alive in that last 500 rpm.

The view out of the windscreen on the NC is one of my favorites of any car. You see the nose of the car in a way that makes it feel so wieldable, like you're aiming the car down an iron sight or something. The ND is somewhat similar, but the hoodline is less uniform so it doesn't quite achieve the same effect. I also love the instrument cluster in these cars. The rest of the interior is nicer in the ND though.

Would love to see a back to back NC vs ND comparison. Driving my friends NC1 it felt like all of the good parts of an ND for much less money. Makes me wonder if I should have just gotten an NC and a daily instead sometimes lol

The NC is the best Miata but don't go telling anyone. They will think you need to be committed. It's got enough room for people above 150lbs, strongest transmission, best stock motor and easy engine modifications, a power hardtop that actually goes down...it's awesome. But don't tell anyone that. The MR2 Spyder is an even better Miata but again shhhh

I love my NC Club. Bought it sight unseen in February, drove it home top down in the winter. Just recently came back from a 2 week vacation where I drove it 10,400km across the US and Canada. Makes me happy.

I want to underline the fact that this shares a lot with the RX8. And the parts it doesn't share are often swappable. In some ways it's overbuilt because of the RX8. (Also side note you can easily convert this to an off-road vehicle using the longer RX8 suspension parts, accord to Mazda USA's lead engineer)

Am I the only one who likes the NC Miata ?

Once the 2.5 gets put in with mild bolt ons and a tune it turns the car into an incredible experience. The mid range torque is so damn good.

One of my biggest peeves with my ND2 Miata is the steering. For one, the steering wheel is too large of a diameter and too thin...and while it's sharp and direct, you really can't feel much of anything. It really does take away a lot of the fun. That combined with the body roll, I found the car can be a bit snappy. It's pretty easy to reign in, but sometimes it feels a bit sudden and out of nowhere. Still on stock tires, I'm sure some of that will be fixed with some better rubber and eventually sway bars. Car is bonestock (2020 Club BBR pack) I feel like the Fiesta ST, BRZ, and SS 1LE I owned previously communicated better. I'm kinda shocked at how Mazda managed to make a car so light and somehow have steering that is so isolated. The weight feels fine, but not much feedback comes through. I want to swap the steering wheel for something smaller, but that's a $800+ swap in order to retain the airbag/buttons. The ND2s are really fast on a backroad, almost too much so. Most backroads are 45mph speed limits and you're easily doing 80+ unless it's super tight and windy. It's borderline too much power shockingly lol. Sure is fun though. It's the perfect amount of power to daily drive. I haven't driven any other generation of Miata, but I'm definitely hooked. I'd love to get an NB as a project car someday, but prices have gotten wild. NC prices like all used cars have climbed pretty high too, I might have gotten one instead if I could have found a club model. I don't much care for the NC styling unless it's a NC3 Club. In a lot of ways, the NCs are superior, transmissions are much stronger if you add power and the engines can make some serious gains. They also sound awesome with a full exhaust. They definitely seem to be the better choice if you plan to do a lot of powertrain related modifications. ND2s seem to be best if you do an axleback and some suspension tweaks. Not really any meaningful power left to be gained naturally aspirated, at least from exhaust modifications. Hope I can drive some previous generations sometime, Miatas are such great cars. They just make life better

Hitting 60mph in 2nd? Don't see many reviews of the 5 speed but I'm glad I went with the 6 speed. Still, any Miata is better than no Miata.

This Miata has the first two mods I’d choose first if I bought one: Ohlins coilovers and fat, sticky tires. Instant poor mans Lotus.

my favorite gen of miata by far. although I haven't driven an ND yet but the NC is such a blast to drive and always puts a smile on my face.

love my 2010 NC with the hardtop, daily drive it year round in new england hah

I've always had a soft spot for nc3 clubs

I thought this was a new car before reading the title. And I was so happy to see no screens on the dash. I think without screens there’s more character from each brand with design language

Fun little cars. You really have to rev the hell out of them, I think that's part of the fun of them, but I prefer the low-mid range power \ torque.

I had a 2010 NC2 PRHT. With the top down, those little I4s genuinely sounded good. Especially in the lower and upper RPMs. Had it tuned for 93 octane and more responsive throttle inputs. I always daydreamed about swapping a 2.5 in there, but ultimately I had to let it go for a more practical Mazda3 because of school. Sold it to an old guy, who flew all the way to NYC from Michigan to buy it. It was his retirement car. As far as I know, he still has it.

Ha! I found it for sale on marketplace locally before I saw the description. I like the NC look tbh even though it seems it's not the most popular choice

I wish I could fit in Miatas, they look like so much fun. 😞

I have an NC1 miata! With some very basic suspensions mods and a singular muffler swap- I'm definitely not selling anytime soon. The handling is amazing!

Just sold mine last month, used as track car for a few seasons, better steering than my s2k.

I bought a '10 PRHT earlier this year and have been loving it! Funnily enough I live in the Ann Arbor area, and your videos helped me decided to get a Miata.

I love my newely acquired NC1. It's the 5-speed with LSD and i've thrown an IL motorsport backbox / cat back system + a ram air induction kit. It should be about 25-30hp aboce stock, although i've not dyno'd it yet ! The induction noise is addictive and the exhaust note gives it a real big engine small car sound. Lowering springs and spacers give it a nice wide stance and it feels completely planted on the twisties.

The NC is the best Miata ever!

i have a 2006 limited edition with a 6 speed and it is such a fun car

I have a 2004 Miataspeed with 23K miles It matlic red and has coilover upgrade and upgraded chrome rollbar otherwise all stock I took it on the Tail of the Dragon What a blast!!

didn't know you could get the 2.0 litre with the 5 speed. not sure why you'd want to really.

Why would you invest so much money in performance upgrades when it's base model without the diff?

I’ve never driven any other version but an NA (am on my second, after driving another one 11 years and 120K miles), but I will probably get another before I’m done, and it will probably be an NC.

Can you do a video of a 2023 mazda 3 manual please

Fuel cutoff 7750 :)

Hot take: as a pure drivers car the NC2/3 is superior to the ND

Perfect ❤

Literally just drove this same model for first time and loved it. Surprised I even fit at 6"4", but the NC is a good size

Absolutely love my NC!

Everyone thinks the ND is better because of weight. It's really mostly due to the torquier engine and better rear suspension design. Mazda stuck the NC with the RX-8 suspension which was designed to make that longer car more responsive and pivotable in corners. But on the NC it's too much variable toe change which makes the dynamic balance in the corners less intuitive and progressive. The rear's tophat design also compromises damper performance. If not for the rear suspension, I'd take the NC for it's interior and trunk space, even with it's ~150 lbs extra.

The door cupholder on the NC1s dug into my leg as I recall. The NC2s didn't. Great car overall.

I have a 2008 and the cabin is small unless your 5’8..I am 6’2 and feel confined until the top is down..this dude must be small to make that comment…Great cheap sports car that’s very dependable.

Can I get a ❤?

About to sell my NB Miata. Didn’t really love it that much because it felt like it was trying to fall apart, so I never drove it that hard. I took it out today for a farewell drive and just decided to stop babying it. Boy was that a fun drive. I’m probably gonna regret selling it.

$400 shipped for a used lsd for these would be a steal. They usually go for $800-1k

Awesome cars… track mine all the time…!!! 👍😊👊💥

Question - Could a 6'3 person daily this generation Miata??

I own an NC and am familiar with the dash. What is this business of doing a video with safety warning lights lit on the instrument panel and especially zipping around at higher speeds with the tire inflation warning on?

That color combo is noiceeeee! Can’t go wrong with white over black wheels. Love NCs, ngl. Thinking about trading my R56 mini for one of those…

sheesh thats clean!

1:21 Looks like you just got caught cheating on your brz. hahaha.

the car is so happy : )

Vote for pop-up headlights with the new gen👇

NC with a 2.5, headers and cam 👌👌👌 you need to try one

Very nice job with the video. You really did a nice job.

Interesting how I just started looking to get a 23 Mx5 yesterday and this pops up

i have a bad feeling these are going to skyrocket in value

Brothers nc is my car I cannot thank you enough for the review 😫😫👊🏽👊🏽

I'm torn between this and an s2k. This is a much better bang for the buck but it just doesn't have the sound 😭

Interior just needs a double din to get rid of the stock radio 👌🏽

seems like a really fun car, i plan on getting one soon!

that amazing driver clip

awesome

Thats a good looking NC

I just bought this Miata lol

NC Miata > S2000

Would anyone know if there is much difference between the 6 speed NC Miata vs the 5 speed? I’ve driven the 6 speed and liked it.

My dream car,the miata

A PRHT is around 2600lbs. The base sport manual is under 2500lbs

early today

What year they stop making the rotary?

Had an NB for 9 years and an NC for about a 1 1/2 years. Got bored of the NC. It’s inert and doesn’t possess the charm of the NB. Never have been behind the wheel of the NA but imagine I’d like it. ND2 is better in a lot of ways, but I’m meh about them. DD a gr86

NB1 is the way.