Simple Math: Driver + NC = Fun , In-depth review 2012 MX-5 Miata, the most carefree sports car ever!
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- čas přidán 31. 08. 2023
- We go in-depth with this 2012 NC2 Miata!
The NC Miata is a pure light-weight sports car. It is arguably the most fun and carefree performance car you can buy. It has a traditional hydraulic steering rack maintaining road feel, a manual transmission with NO automatic rev matching or hill assist, and a purpose-built sound tube bringing mechanical engine noise into the cabin. This makes the NC one of the best cars ever built for upgrading the driver. Regardless of your intentions, if you spend any good length of time behind the wheel, this car will make you a better driver.
It is a pure driver's car that can be daily driven and used as a track tool. Find some good curves and the horsepower rating becomes just a number. You're too busy having fun to care.
Join us as we take a closer look at what makes the car so good....
Don't forget to check out our other in-depth reviews and thanks for watching!
Videographer- John Kitchen
Host/Editor - Adam Moline
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My friend and I have been flipping NA Miata’s for sometime now, I’m moving away from my parents which means turning in my wonderful Leased ‘22 Honda, I stumbled upon the NC on FB, saw how cheap they are, started doing research
They’re a freakin hidden gem, I’ve started to fall in love with everything about this car even the exterior.
I’m picking one up soon :)
Thats awesome! Hope you find a great one! They are great to live with day to day and provide unmatched fun. Let us know what you get!
I still would love to have a good NA someday though.
Thanks for watching!
Well I have to tell you I have watched many videos on the NC MX5. Yours is one of the best I have viewed. I own a NC grand touring and absolutely love it. This car is everything that you talk about in your video. It’s a feeling that comes over you when you drive this car. The car talks to you and makes you pay attention to what you are feeling and what the car is doing. I like you have owned many sports cars some with many more features and much more power. This car makes you a better driver as well as being a beautiful, reliable sports car. It just makes you smile ZOOM ZOOM. 😊
Thank you and thanks a ton for watching! I would agree I'm quite smitten by the car. I think if more people buying their 1st sports car chose this car, there would be alot more people falling in love with driving. Too many people wait many years to finally buy that sports car, then its either so much power that they have no where to use it all, or it's so expensive and precious that they leave it in the garage too much. Either way, both those scenarios don't allow for people to ring a car out and learn the joy of car communication at the edges.
I hope more people go Miata and find the joy of pushing a car all the time, because like you said, it also pushes the driver towards better skills and car control.
I will try to make more videos with this car in the future. Right now I simply enjoy driving it all the time.
Thanks again!
@@DriveItOutthe best kept secret in the automotive world - I’ve rented the new 911, the new Boxster, multiple BMW’s and nothing comes close for visceral driving experience. The Miata doesn’t have the cache of those other cars, but who freakin cares? It’s your life, and time is short.
Currently in the process of purchasing my third, a 2012 Sport in black with only 20K miles! I prefer the longer gearing of the five-speed and the lightweight soft top. They’re much harder to find but an absolute unicorn in my book.
Thank you very much! Liked, subscribed and shared. My absolute favorite CZcams channel by far.
Thanks a ton! So glad you have found that same experience as I have with the NC Miata. It's an experience that may be impossible to duplicate. I have more Miata content coming very soon. Thanks a ton for watching and following! Truly means alot.
Going on 13 years of nc2 ownership. Heres to another 13! Love it.
Absolutely stellar! Thanks for watching!
@@DriveItOut just curious if you see this, how much is your nc lowered?
1 inch. I wouldn't go any lower because I wanted it to remain daily drivable. It has been perfect.
@@DriveItOut awesome, thanks. Love the look with stock wheels.
@scottcolpitts8521 Thanks! I've got 2 sets of stock wheels. 1 with winter tires, 1 with summer tires. I just swap the wheels on and off. I love the look as well. I've had alot of cars, but I've never had so many compliments on a car as I've had with this one. People tell me they like it everywhere I go.
I have a 2010 Miata with an AT, and it’s a blast! I’ve had many full manual transmission cars, including a 1970 Boss 302, and even a 1976 MG Midget. The Miata AT engine brakes just as well as a full manual, and accelerates well. In auto mode, it is just point A to point B.
I own a low mileage 2009 PRHT AT (in the GT trim). Prior to that, I had a ‘99 with a 5-speed manual. I regret buying the automatic. Yes, it’s quick. Yes, my wife and kids enjoy driving it. But damn, I miss shifting my own gears. The paddles and the +/~ on the shifter are merely so-so. Nowhere near as engaging or fun. The AT in stop and go traffic is about the only time I like it. Kicking myself for not getting the stick. I’m a guy who drove manual shift cars and trucks for over 30 years.
Excellent review, you speak very well. They are great fun to drive. Mine is a 2013 red club model. I've modified the car with total suspension up grades along with wheels, tires, and total exhaust. Best car I've ever owned, extremely reliable too.
Thanks a ton. These are great cars. Sounds like you are lovin yours. Hope you continue to enjoy. What kind of wheels did you put on your club? Thanks for watching!
@@DriveItOut Enkie 17X7.5 wheels. Tires are Falken 225X45X17 RT615+
You happy with those wheels?
I'm cross shopping C5/C6 vettes and Miatas and everything else in that price range. Miata just gives you soooo much and I love the idea you can just lovingly beat on it.
Just 24 months ago I had my C6 Corvette while my mom had her C5. Now I have the Miata and she has a Solstice GXP. I miss both of the Vettes very much. The 2008 C6 was a dream car of mine and I may go back to one in the future.
That said, I have fallin completely in love with the lightweight Miata. Being able to drive hard all the time has been a joy. It corners with the feeling of enjoyment like nothing else heavier ever could.
The Corvette required more room to run, otherwise you were found yourself holding it back most of the time. It is more fun to push a car than it is to hold it back. He Miata just provides more opportunities to push on a daily basis.
I really really miss my Vette though. They are 2 completely different experiences and both incredibly enjoyable.
The Vette is a fast car and you can be a fast driver.
The Miata will make you a fast driver.
Both vehicles are reliable as well.
Happy hunting my friend. Experience both if you can.
Also, check out the Corvette vdeos on our cannel. We drove all 8 generations in 1 day!...
czcams.com/video/vAdDhC8rhbE/video.htmlsi=5KzlYThzynVllyT4
I also did a detailed review of my C6 3 years ago...
czcams.com/video/emj-YypPAEk/video.htmlsi=XeRhqhQFPYUOqQal
And I did a short video talking about selling my Vette for a Miata....
czcams.com/video/fAYn0zdLocw/video.htmlsi=q2litsYCNq25-_F4
Thanks for watching, and please reach out and let me know what you get!
@@DriveItOut Man thank you for such a detailed response and I absolutely will watch all of the links you sent. You sound like the exact kind of shopper I am and have similar desires to myself. The 2008 C6 is the optimal "old" Corvette, too, with the new steering and better trans plus LS3 of course. Great choice.
I live in So Cal and we have legendary mountain roads to drive awesome cars. BUT, and this is where the Miata falls, you need to drive 1 hour to get everywhere and I just don't know if I can stomach that. If I lived in a rural area or backed right up to mountains, or some small town in Italy, thats a different story. The Vette does seem to make sense and it's obvious you miss it which gives me some hopes it's the right choice. Thanks!
Indeed. Good luck my friend. I hope you find a good one!
Enjoy those roads down there!
Just bought my 2013 NC
Seriously considering one right now. Does yours have the PRHT? How do you like it?
@@jolkraeremeark6949i got a 2008 nc with prht. I love it. Lowered it 3.5cm with eibach springs
@@jolkraeremeark6949I have a 2012 PRHT special edition. Bought it in October and have put a bunch of money into mods. Honestly I could have left it alone and been happy. But I’m over the moon now! The PRHT is a must have with the NC. Also I suggest the 2009 and later cars. Early cars have a weak bottom end in the motor and some have two sets of flaps in the intake manifold that like to shatter and take the motor out. With QUALITY coilovers and a header/tune the car comes alive and makes you feel like you are driving something truly special 😊
I love mine. Had it since new. I'll keep it until I can't get out of it. I think that says it all.
Spectacular review! You told all the important issues about the unique Nc driving experience; less weight equals to less braking distance and being more agile to run away nasty situations, more space and hard top means to have comfortable cabin and conventional steering is the key to feel all the road experience ! I am driving an automatic 2012 Nc for the last 7 years and feel fantastic whenever I drive it! And hint for the ones who may feel uncomfortable to drive automatic sports car , give yourself some little time to adapt the 4 paddle shifters on both sides ( that`s also unique for Nc!! ) After 2 weeks you`ll have the best driving experience of the both worlds!
Thanks a ton! I feel like the NC is a hidden gem that flies under the radar of many people. Glad you are enjoying such a long stint with yours. Thanks for watching!
i have a 2012 automatic with the paddle shifters.Who needs a clutch.This thing is fun to drive even in city traffic
I agree totally. I have the 2014 Mk3.75 automatic Gt and I drive it with the slapstick because of the lag time of my paddles. I still love it as much if not more than the day I got it. Not a fan of replacing the clutch because of past experience with clutch replacements from enjoying it way too well. A beautiful spec dreaming machine!
Glad that you share the same feelings and ejoying your Nc! I did not understand what you mean by the Slapstick you mean the stick on the middle ? @@kennethbyrd3436
I got one just like this one, only in black. Light wheels, light lugnuts, light flywheel, light exhaust and light suspension made it even better. Stock is fine, but it is hard not to modify these things. Don't forget to get an aluminum coolant tank to bulletproof this thing. This is my commuter BTW. This car is so much fun, it is hard for me to want to drive anything else.
Indeed, my friend. I have really fallin for this car as well. And yes, some lite upgrades can really dial these things in. Keep enjoying that car and thanks for watching
Did the 2012 not come in "Club"?
I believe "club" started in 2013
I've been considering one for far to long, you have convinced me to pull the trigger. Thanks for sharing. Liked and subscribed. John
This means alot. Thank you! Get NC2 or NC3 if you can (2009-2015). The NC1 is fun but not as well sorted as the 2 up. Let us know what you get!
The Miata: the most smiles per horsepower! Translation: the most smiles per mile… 2008 NC1 GT.
Thanks for the wonderful review of the beloved NC2. I too, have a red 2012 NC2 PHRT and love it. Although, in my case, I've done a few mods. It's more of an absolute blast to drive now 😁
They are indeed awesome cars. Thanks a ton for watching. Do u get compliments on yours all the time? I get compliments on mine everywhere I go. More than any other soorts car I've had.
@@DriveItOut yes, I get compliments all the time when I go to the car wash or from filling up at gas stations.
Just wrecked my 14’ Club 🤧 hoping to get it back 🥹
Bummer! Hope your ok and you find another one.
Thanks for watching!
The NDGT has the best sound system in it that I have ever heard in a vehicle, top down and 75 going down the highway is no different than stopped
I imagine the speakers in the headrests help alot with that. I really like that feature. Thanks for watching!
my left ear enjoyed that
Yes, sorry about the audio on this one. Thanks for watching anyway. Means alot.
Love the video but the mono audio was disappointing when listening on headphones. Consider copying it across both channels in the future 🙂
I will do this better next time. Thank you. And thanks for watching!
My 2012 GT PRHT is a joy to drive I'm going to need surgery on my clutch ankle. The automatic is a great automatic
I'm looking at buying a nc3 miata. Great video. Please turn the audio up though. The commentary was a little too quiet
Yah, I've fixed the audio on videos beyond this. Thanks for bearing with it. Hope you get a great NC3. let us know what you get!
Great video!!
Mine is a '13 NC3 GT 6 speed manual PRHT. With a Cosworth Supercharger its a blast to drive.
Thanks a ton! How are you liking the supercharger? Did you own it before the supercharger was on?
I ordered this MX-5. I put 29k on it with exhaust modifications. Last was a GWR catted street header. After 5 years of ownership, I ordered the S/C kit from Flyin Miata and installed it myself. I had to modify motor mounts and vacuum ports to clear the Cobalt shock tower brace. It is like having a V8 under the hood. But in some ways, it was more fun without out it. I agree with all the points you made throughout your video.
Good insight. I need to drive a supercharged one and see if I like it.
Rear tire cost goes up dramatically.
I dig it
Great car mate! What suspension setup have you gone with? Sits nicely!
Thank you! This car is sitting on MeisterR Sportive Coilovers. Got them at meisterr.com. Lowered car 1 inch. Still good for the street, but great improvement in handling with less body roll. Really happy with them. Had them on for 1 year so far.
I have same car 🚘 I got the six speed manual it is fun to drive
Excellent!
Optimal driving position is determined by your own personal biometrics. Everyone is different.
i have a 06 grand touring. no soundtube for me! they should have offered a on off switch for the tube.
I feel the car would be way too quiet with the tube shut. I actually wish the car were just slightly louder. Slightly. Hope you are enjoying the 06. How long have you had it? Thanks for watching!
Nice coverage of your car. Your explanation of this car only reinforces my dream of owning this car even more. I'm planning to get an NC3 hardtop in a couple of years time as my retirement gift. I only want to experience driving an open top car, so power is not a priority for me. In fact, I'm thinking of going against the norm by installing the most silent exhaust system available and raising the ride height (by about 2"). Likely gonna throw in a set of all terrain tires (wrapped around 15" wheels) to go with the heightened suspension too. Did I mention that it has to be an auto? Oh, and I'm still figuring out how to install a permanent bike rack at the rear without compromising on the self retracting roof. I think I'm going to make a lot of MIata purists cringe and get ridiculed by many. 😄But to each, his own!
Looking forward to more videos of your Miata.
Thank you for this my friend. I hope you make your miata everything you desire. Definitely make it yours. I would recommend going ahead and joining an NC Miata group on Facebook where you can ask questions and see how others have come up with creative solutions for their cars. I have another video featuring this car, but may have more in the future.
czcams.com/video/fAYn0zdLocw/video.html
Thanks a ton for watching!
Saris Solo bike rack... not permanently mounted, but fits easily in the boot and it's easy to set up when needed. I used it on my NB, didn't try it on the NC, but I don't see why it wouldn't work... and yeah, I own an NB and an NC... don't judge...😁
@@varzainbeci
I'm jealous. For having 2 Miatas.😄
I agree with you. It should possible to mount a Saris Solo on the NC as well.
Thanks for sharing.
Could you please explain what the relationship is between weight and braking distances? Does doubling the weight double braking distances? There must be some scientific formula you could quote if what you claim is correct.
p=mv
Momentum = Mass x Velocity
There are many references for this and the physics of why it takes longer distances to stop more mass.
This is why bigger and heavier performance cars need bigger brakes and wider tires for more contact patch.
Bigger tires put larger horsepower to the ground better, but also help with slowing down more weight from high speeds.
I did a video all about selling my Corvette for this Miata.
czcams.com/video/fAYn0zdLocw/video.htmlsi=flGlu4uDIKrny0ZJ
I miss the Corvette, and I loved the power, but it was heaver. A heavier car has to hit the brakes sooner when entering a turn on a racetrack. It's called scrubbing speed. You have to scrub speed to get down to a speed that will successfully make the turn. A Miata can wait longer before it has to brake when entering a corner.
This is why the Miata is referred to as a momentum car. A car in which you can maintain speed. It has less mass to pull it off the track during high G cornering. So a Corvette, Mustang, big Lamborghini, etc will all have to slow down more for a turn in theory, but again their are many other factors. Wider tires mean more grip. So the bottom line is this... For the fun on the street and small technical race tracks, the Miata is hard to beat. In those situations the ratio of light-weight and velocity is perfect in the Miata. This is what makes it extremely fun, and what makes it so quick and agile to stop and make maneuvers. This can be valuable when trying to avoid accidents.
Other cars, especially EVs, are very heavy. They have much longer stopping distances. Longer stopping distances are simply less safe. This is one way to think about safety, and the Miata shines in that regard.
Their are obviously other factors to safety.
There are many videos discussing stopping distances, but here is a short one that is good.
czcams.com/video/35VY8vIN1I8/video.htmlsi=J1bEqxBLtdwxSvpK
Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!
@@DriveItOut Mass cancels itself out in the formulae. More mass forces the tires onto the road with greater force, allowing more braking force to be generated before skidding occurs. This is almost exactly a linear relationship. I am a qualified collision investigator, so I do know what I am talking about. It goes against common sense, but it the brakes are capable of locking wheels then mass makes no difference to braking distances.
A truck has a certain stopping distance. Then, you add a heavy load or trailer. The stopping distance extends. This is because you have added mass. Increased mass increases the forward momentum.
@@DriveItOut if the trailer is unbraked then the braking distance increases, but if the trailer is braked and the brakes are powerful enough to lock the wheels, the braking distance does not increase.
"Other factors", as i mentioned earlier can change. Adding brakes, gaining bigger brakes, or more powerful brakes is a major component to stopping more mass. I appreciate the comments.
As buyers continue to buy less cars and more CUVs, SUVs, CrossOvers, and trucks, stopping distances go up for the average vehicle on the road. SUVs etc have outsold cars in the US now for nearly a decade and they tend to have longer stopping distances than cars. They are bigger, heavier, and taller. If you want an SUV to stop like a car, you typically have to buy a performance trim level. This can get you bigger brakes, wider tires, and even stickier tires. The average consumer does not buy performance variations of models.
A car that brakes shorter and handles better can be better at avoiding an obstacle in an emergency situation. This is common knowledge. The Miata is one example of a car that is small and agile. Avoiding an accident is always better than experiencing an accident in a more cushioned vehicle. Though, clearly, if you have to get hit you would want more cushion around you, more cage, and more airbags. In the video I simply say that there is something to be said for avoiding an accident all together when possible. A smaller and better handling car can be advantageous in that regard.
If a Toyota GR86 stops from 60mph to zero mph in 110ft and a Mustang Mach E stops in 125ft. the clear winner in having a chance of avoiding an accident is the smaller, lighter, more agile GR86.
Here at driveitout we love the smaller, more agile, and more engaging drivers cars. We appreciate you watching. We love the comments. Thank you for your hard work as an accident investor. Hope you drive something you love.
❤that's the one I ❤
My 06 2.0 bought with 96.000km had a con rod bearing falure at 106.000km perfectly serviced and maintained
Took it to the track twice and got fresh oil after each time and it failed without any warning and the oil consumption whas minimal... bad luck i guess
First year of a new model can sometimes be mechanically interesting. The NC definitely got more refined in 09 and 13. Hope your next miata experience is better. For many people its the most reliable car they've ever had.
Fiat 124 already has NE and NF claimed. Afaik next generation Miata will be called the NG
Is their confirmation of this somewhere?
Nope you are wrong. . Fiat discontinued the 124 Spider. The next Miata will most likely be a 2026 NE.
@@DriveItOut NO! @gaming4christ_1 is incorrect, Fiat discontinued the 124 Spider. The next Miata will most likely be a 2026 NE.
Looks nice but needs to be in automatic