Swimming against the tide?
The Mazda MX5 is popular and has a large fan base. This applies in particular to the first edition with the folding headlights ("NA"), but also to the refreshed version known as the "NB". The current fourth generation is also selling well, but the third generation seems to be less popular than its two predecessors.
On the one hand, this has to do with the design, which was clearly less classic. However, the significantly higher kerb weight was criticized even more, which, together with comfort attributes and extended safety equipment (e.g. side airbags), was significantly higher than that of the predecessor. The weight penalty was around 120 kg for a little more interior space and the additional safety along with a little more luxury. And this was simply perceived as less MX5-like.
To be fair, however, it has to be said that a sports car weighing 1150 kg wasn't or isn't really heavy back then, just as it is today; in modern times, even small cars weigh more. The MX5 NC was also available with a more powerful four-cylinder engine and 160 hp. This increase in performance made more of a difference in percentage terms than the increase in weight.
And the design? It has actually aged well and still looks quite modern today, but this is of course a matter of taste.
The first cars will become youngtimers next year, so perhaps now would be a good time to buy one?
Well, the prices are significantly higher than expected and not that much lower than NB or NA versions. Perhaps the third edition has more fans than expected after all? And whether all those who have criticized it have really been allowed to drive it, especially the fastest version with 6-speed gearbox?
Here is some comparative data on the four generations:
| NA | NB | NC | ND | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| years | 1989-1998 | 1998-2005 | 2005-2015 | 2015- |
| Length (mm) | 3970 | 3955 | 3995 | 3915 |
| Width (mm) | 1675 | 1680 | 1720 | 1735 |
| Height (mm) | 1235 | 1235 | 1245 | 1225 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2270 | 2270 | 2330 | 2310 |
| Weight (kg, from) | 995 | 1035 | 1150 | 975 |
| Power (hp, min) | 90 | 110 | 126 | 131 |
| Power (hp, max) | 131 | 146 | 160 | 184 |
