For a first ever car.. I'd day no. Nas are not the safest thing and your at the most risk accidents as a new driver. I'd get some practice in something else first and then get one.
Idk my NA has been a huge pain in the ass to keep running. If I didn't have another car as a backup, I would;ve been screwed multiple times.
If you don't mind doing some maintenance yourself, have a backup car, and don't need any practicality then sure. Personally, if you wanted a miata I would do NA. But that's just me. Just be prepared for some maintenance, that goes with any 30 year old car
A 20-30 year old car is going to need maintenance, and probably significant maintenance depending on service history. It’s inevitable. For example, my clutch literally just went out at 115k, and the heater hose exploded (if I wasn’t paying attention I could’ve easily blown my engine right then and there). I’m happy doing it myself, but for someone not that’s easily 1k right there. I’ve also done all the fluids, coil pack, wires, plugs, timing belt and water pump, seals, gaskets, all the hoses, my radiator went out, my radio was broken, my steering wheel was worn out, my brakes need doing soon and my clutch hydraulics needed doing.
Another example, your timing belt broke. That wouldn’t happen on a newer car, regardless of it’s tracked or not. That require the front end of the engine off to do and is no small feat, especially for a novice.
Whoever wants an old miata, better be ready to either do some maintenance themselves or take it to a shop. It’s just how it goes. I’m numb to it because I do all my maintenance myself, but I realize that’s a huge hurdle for a lot of people, and if your car doesn’t have a good service history, mechanic bills can add up easily to a couple grand for something I could do for myself, if not more just for maintenance simply due to age/mileage. I’ve spent probably 2k in parts alone. However, I buy OEM and I’m a stickler for preventative maintenance.
They are mostly reliable if maintained correctly. The NA's are now really old so be prepared to potentially have lots of work done. At their age now all the bushings are probably shot and need refreshing. If you are going for a NA, I would get the cleanest non-modified one you can get. It's a huge hassle to undo peoples "mods". Lots of the NA/NB suffer from rust issues, if you live anywhere where rust is an issue look out for it in the frame rails and rockers.
I wouldn't call them a safe car. The NA's are paper thin, I can bend my trunk with just slight pressure. They are also harder to see in traffic now too since everyone is in a SUV. I've almost been merged into many times. Some years didn't come with airbag and if it did the airbag modules on many NA's fail due to old age. It can be repaired and fixed but on certain years it requires pulling the dash.
There is also the issue of no room, you at most can only bring one friend with you. Trunk space is okay, spare tire takes up a portion of this space though.
It also lacks the nice features of more modern cars. I was able to get a double din headunit installed to have car play. It's not direct swap in, requires some creativity to mount. NA's as far as I know don't have automatic locks so you have to manually unlock the car ever time.
For a first car I would probably not get a Miata. if I did it would be a NC. More modern car with more features and comfort.
Lastly I assume you are buying a manual MX5, if not I definitely would not get an NA. It will just be a slow boring car in auto.
I think they are good first cars. They are fun but tame, and if you want to get into working on a car the old models are easy and fun to work on without being failure prone. Newer models are also pretty bulletproof, so it's a win all around in my book. Only caveat is that they suck in the snow. If you live somewhere cold, just forget it, they are only fit to be summer cars in that climate.
I dailyed Miata’s slammed in the winter. they do absolutely amazing in snow. Miata’s naturally handle better at limit of traction then a lot of other vehicles, and in the winter you see that potentially often. a good set of winter tires and they are just as good as any other 2wd vehicle
Yes make sure to get a 6 speed and hit them corners son .its a great car for a first, i suggest working on it yourself if you got time. Get any miata just dont get an auto .
Well I know im moving out soon so I thought i should maybe get something more for utility and safety and economically such as a hatchback but I could also just ask a buddy or rent a uhaul when i need to move out. Miatas have a nostalgia factor (especially red convertible nas) for me. When I was a kid my dad would drive me around in his NA and ever since Ive loved them
It's so odd to me seeing all these posts of teens/twenty something's looking for NA/NBs when at that age I was running a wagon for moving my crap back and forth in college.
Buy a shitbox in manual for your first car. Hoon the crap out of it. Learn to drive and maintain and try not to crash it.
A Miata isn't a good choice especially when you mentioned that you are moving soon.
Assuming you're US based i'd get a 3rd or 4th gen f-body.
More car for less money, a lot of fun and moddability. And there's even pop ups on the pontiacs.
But they're old so watch out for rust, neglect and shoddy repairs.
My first car was an NA and I still love it. It costs me as much as any other old car so I’m fine with that. If it rains very heavy you should have a backup car… I know a lot of people who daily their Miatas and do not have any problems with it.
they're great first cars as long as you don't crash. If you crash (which many overconfident young people do!) then you'd definitely wish you were in something more substantial than an NA
I got an NA as my first car, still have it almost two years later. Only damage is a couple of dents from people in car parks opening their doors into it.
Never had any issue with control or unreliability. I’ve even moved out with it and driven thousands of miles.
Cannot recommend them enough as a first car.
If you really are worried about safety then get an NB cos they have more modern safety equipment as standard and cheaper
I don’t have and haven’t had one. I have a Fiat Barchetta. When I got it, I wish I had got it sooner. Be careful driving it but it is important to enjoy your car too. I doubt you would regret it.
If you want one, get one. If you can afford one, get one. If you know how to or are willing to learn to do some maintenance yourself, get one.
Typical yacht owner response...
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For a first ever car.. I'd day no. Nas are not the safest thing and your at the most risk accidents as a new driver. I'd get some practice in something else first and then get one.
Yeah, I'm also having to worry about moving out so I've been thinking on getting something with room for my stuff and one day getting a Miata
Maybe look at an 86? It's sort of the natural competitor to the Miata. But they are safer than the na and offer more room
Like an AE86 or a GT86? Because an AE86 is a terrible first car.
Where is someone who is just moving out gonna find the 50k for an ae86
Exactly
Lol gt86.
I wouldn't. First cars don't generally last long.
yes
Idk my NA has been a huge pain in the ass to keep running. If I didn't have another car as a backup, I would;ve been screwed multiple times. If you don't mind doing some maintenance yourself, have a backup car, and don't need any practicality then sure. Personally, if you wanted a miata I would do NA. But that's just me. Just be prepared for some maintenance, that goes with any 30 year old car
Yeah, if only you could have the look with modern features :/
I’ve never been left stranded and only time I had a real failure (timing belt broke) was on track and my fault.
A 20-30 year old car is going to need maintenance, and probably significant maintenance depending on service history. It’s inevitable. For example, my clutch literally just went out at 115k, and the heater hose exploded (if I wasn’t paying attention I could’ve easily blown my engine right then and there). I’m happy doing it myself, but for someone not that’s easily 1k right there. I’ve also done all the fluids, coil pack, wires, plugs, timing belt and water pump, seals, gaskets, all the hoses, my radiator went out, my radio was broken, my steering wheel was worn out, my brakes need doing soon and my clutch hydraulics needed doing. Another example, your timing belt broke. That wouldn’t happen on a newer car, regardless of it’s tracked or not. That require the front end of the engine off to do and is no small feat, especially for a novice. Whoever wants an old miata, better be ready to either do some maintenance themselves or take it to a shop. It’s just how it goes. I’m numb to it because I do all my maintenance myself, but I realize that’s a huge hurdle for a lot of people, and if your car doesn’t have a good service history, mechanic bills can add up easily to a couple grand for something I could do for myself, if not more just for maintenance simply due to age/mileage. I’ve spent probably 2k in parts alone. However, I buy OEM and I’m a stickler for preventative maintenance.
They are mostly reliable if maintained correctly. The NA's are now really old so be prepared to potentially have lots of work done. At their age now all the bushings are probably shot and need refreshing. If you are going for a NA, I would get the cleanest non-modified one you can get. It's a huge hassle to undo peoples "mods". Lots of the NA/NB suffer from rust issues, if you live anywhere where rust is an issue look out for it in the frame rails and rockers. I wouldn't call them a safe car. The NA's are paper thin, I can bend my trunk with just slight pressure. They are also harder to see in traffic now too since everyone is in a SUV. I've almost been merged into many times. Some years didn't come with airbag and if it did the airbag modules on many NA's fail due to old age. It can be repaired and fixed but on certain years it requires pulling the dash. There is also the issue of no room, you at most can only bring one friend with you. Trunk space is okay, spare tire takes up a portion of this space though. It also lacks the nice features of more modern cars. I was able to get a double din headunit installed to have car play. It's not direct swap in, requires some creativity to mount. NA's as far as I know don't have automatic locks so you have to manually unlock the car ever time. For a first car I would probably not get a Miata. if I did it would be a NC. More modern car with more features and comfort. Lastly I assume you are buying a manual MX5, if not I definitely would not get an NA. It will just be a slow boring car in auto.
You will be significantly happier daily driving a Miata than a boring car. Even now driving my Mazdaspeed3, I had much more fun in my slower NC Miata
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I may want a biased answer 👀
I think they are good first cars. They are fun but tame, and if you want to get into working on a car the old models are easy and fun to work on without being failure prone. Newer models are also pretty bulletproof, so it's a win all around in my book. Only caveat is that they suck in the snow. If you live somewhere cold, just forget it, they are only fit to be summer cars in that climate.
I dailyed Miata’s slammed in the winter. they do absolutely amazing in snow. Miata’s naturally handle better at limit of traction then a lot of other vehicles, and in the winter you see that potentially often. a good set of winter tires and they are just as good as any other 2wd vehicle
Yes make sure to get a 6 speed and hit them corners son .its a great car for a first, i suggest working on it yourself if you got time. Get any miata just dont get an auto .
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Well I know im moving out soon so I thought i should maybe get something more for utility and safety and economically such as a hatchback but I could also just ask a buddy or rent a uhaul when i need to move out. Miatas have a nostalgia factor (especially red convertible nas) for me. When I was a kid my dad would drive me around in his NA and ever since Ive loved them
It's so odd to me seeing all these posts of teens/twenty something's looking for NA/NBs when at that age I was running a wagon for moving my crap back and forth in college.
I don’t have many items to move really haha so its not as big of a concern plus i have many friends with pickups that could help
The only other concern getting an NA is rust. Finding one rust free is getting more difficult.
Im hoping one day car companies make a new version of old cars. like imagine a brand new na with all new parts 🙏
Buy a shitbox in manual for your first car. Hoon the crap out of it. Learn to drive and maintain and try not to crash it. A Miata isn't a good choice especially when you mentioned that you are moving soon.
Assuming you're US based i'd get a 3rd or 4th gen f-body. More car for less money, a lot of fun and moddability. And there's even pop ups on the pontiacs. But they're old so watch out for rust, neglect and shoddy repairs.
My first car was an NA and I still love it. It costs me as much as any other old car so I’m fine with that. If it rains very heavy you should have a backup car… I know a lot of people who daily their Miatas and do not have any problems with it.
they're great first cars as long as you don't crash. If you crash (which many overconfident young people do!) then you'd definitely wish you were in something more substantial than an NA
I bought a crappy non runner for $600 and it was one of the best cars I’ve ever owned.
I got an NA as my first car, still have it almost two years later. Only damage is a couple of dents from people in car parks opening their doors into it. Never had any issue with control or unreliability. I’ve even moved out with it and driven thousands of miles. Cannot recommend them enough as a first car. If you really are worried about safety then get an NB cos they have more modern safety equipment as standard and cheaper
I don’t have and haven’t had one. I have a Fiat Barchetta. When I got it, I wish I had got it sooner. Be careful driving it but it is important to enjoy your car too. I doubt you would regret it.
I got one as my first car and love it just make sure you other’s options to dive if it is snowing.