Quote:
Originally Posted by John V
The later cars (not sure when the crossover was) have the nicer front bumper as well.
The '09+ cars seem really, really nice. I've driven one (albeit not with stock suspension) and I liked it a lot.
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Yup...
NC1 = 2006-2008 model years
- '06 was the first production year
- Lots of complaints about a too-soft under sprung / under dampened susp.
- GT cars have a canvas roof which is more durable
- Sport and GT are the trim lines with the 6 spd, the other have 5 spd manual
- "Suspension Package" is horrible misnomer, really only worth it for the LSD
- '07+ GT's have heated leather seats
- '07+ are the cars with optional PRHT (Power Retractable Hard Top)
- '07+ the Sport and Touring trim levels were flipped, Touring or GT = 6 spd
- '08 added adjustable height seats, this mechanism reduces headroom
NC2 = 2009+ model years
- Forged crank + other engine internals = 500 rpm higher redline
- Revised front suspension geometry for 1" lower roll center
- Revised shock / spring tuning
- 6 spd manual gets lower friction thingies for smoother shifting
- 6 spd manuals have "sound pipe" from engine to base of windshield
- Revised interior with improved door panels, no more bump for bottle holder
- Revised front and rear bumpers plus new rocker panel improves looks
There may be other changes but these are the biggies off the top of my head. The handling and suspension revisions on the NC2 are definitely an improvement. IIRC, when Evo reviewed the NC1 they hated it. . . but when the NC2 came out they give it a great rating saying the suspension changes made a significant difference.
I talked to a few NC owners who have 140,000+ miles on their NC's and they report excellent reliability. All reported only needing to change fluids, filter, brakes, and tires. One is getting ready to replace the soft top, though, after 5-6 years. So the cars are proving to be as reliable as previous generation Miatae.
Personally, if we had the budget I'd love to get an NC2 but they are several thousand out of our price range. So.... I'm looking at the NC1, and high-ish milage ones at that.
I'm hoping that in a few months prices will be down low enough that we'd only be looking at about a $1k price difference between what we sold the BMW for and what the cost of acquisition will be on the NC.