NC Miata Brakes: Performance & Value Unpacked

Alright, you! Yes, you, the one with the impressive collection of Blipshift shirts and an encyclopaedic knowledge of every single Top Gear UK episode. You've been telling yourself for years that you're just around the corner from finally owning your very own weekend toy or a dedicated track rat. But, let's be honest, life keeps getting in the way. Perhaps it's the cost, or maybe the perpetually elusive parking spot in your urban jungle. Yet, for many of you, the biggest hurdle is the stark reality that the Venn diagram of 'sports cars you can genuinely afford to buy' and 'sports cars you can depend on to get you to work' has virtually no overlap.

Sure, you've scrolled through countless forums and read the mantra: 'Miata is always the answer.' You've probably even uttered it yourself in response to a dozen threads and topics. But when it comes down to actually putting your money where your mouth is and buying a Miata, a series of entirely legitimate concerns can creep in. You worry about the age of these cars; even the newest of the 'classic' NA and NB Miatas are now well over a decade old. That's a lot of potential rust, a multitude of dried-out rubber bushings and hoses, and a mountain of deferred maintenance to consider. And let's not forget, securing a loan for such an aged vehicle from your bank can be a non-starter.

Even if your local credit union somehow warmed to the idea, you're still confronted with the uncomfortable fact that the original Miatas are very low, very small cars from a bygone era of safety technology and chassis design. Do you truly want your significant other, or indeed your little one, sitting beside you when a 5,000-pound 'four-door-coupé' driver, glued to their phone, ploughs through a red light into your door? While a sports car will always excel in what we refer to as 'active safety' – the ability to avoid a collision before it happens – what about good old-fashioned passive safety? The kind you need when you're hit from behind at the traffic lights? Wouldn't a bit more of that be reassuring?

Well, I've got some genuinely good news for you. The 'NC' Miata, known as the MX-5 in our market and sold from 2006 through 2014, can now be acquired at a cost that is remarkably competitive with what you'd typically pay for solid, driver-grade examples of the earlier NA and NB generations. If you're savvy enough to look for a rust-free car from warmer, salt-free climates, you might even find the NC to be the more affordable option.

Yes, I can almost see you waving your hand dismissively from here. 'I don't want an NC,' you're thinking. 'They're big and fat and slow-witted, they had '4x4' ride height, and they lost many of the qualities that made the first cars great. And those 'PRHT' versions with their awkward-looking hardtops… ugh!'

Hold on a moment, don't be so quick to judge. Much of what you've heard regarding the third-generation MX-5 is either vastly exaggerated or, in some cases, just plain wrong. Let's start with those comments about weight and size. Guess what? The NB Miata measured 155.7 inches long, with later examples tipping the scales at around 2,375 pounds. A 2006 NC MX-5? Just 157.3 inches long and 2,425 pounds. That's hardly a significant difference, is it? Now, consider the fact that the NC boasts a considerable advantage in power. We're talking 167hp against 142hp, accompanied by significantly more torque 'beneath the curve'. In fact, a well-driven NC can be just as quick as a turbocharged Mazdaspeed Miata.

Dispelling NC Myths: Size, Weight, and Ride Height

The perception that the NC is a bloated, oversized version of the beloved Miata lineage is a common misconception that needs addressing head-on. As the figures show, the dimensional and weight differences between the NB and NC are surprisingly minimal. This slight increase in size brings with it tangible benefits, particularly in terms of occupant space and structural rigidity, without sacrificing the core lightweight, agile philosophy that defines the MX-5.

What about the infamous '4x4' ride height? Well, that particular criticism does hold some truth – at least for early NC1 cars. For reasons that remain a mystery, the initial 'NC1' models did arrive with a rather lofty stance. This wasn't just limited to the US market; my wife recently drove a bone-stock NC1 in Thailand, which had been imported to Malaysia from Japan, and it too had around five inches of ground clearance. However, this is far from an insurmountable problem. The later NC3-generation Club model, for instance, rectified this with factory Bilstein suspension, though these are, understandably, the most sought-after and pricey NC Miatas.

For the rest of the NC fleet, this 'problem' is easily and affordably fixed with a vast array of suspension options from reputable suppliers like Flyin' Miata and many others. These range from a simple, affordable set of lowering springs that immediately transform the car's aesthetic and handling, to race-ready Fox suspension kits. We even replaced the Penske shocks in our 2006 NC1 MX-5 Cup car with a Fox kit, demonstrating the breadth of options available for serious performance enthusiasts.

Unleashing the NC's True Potential: Handling and Aftermarket Support

Any of these suspension upgrades will allow your NC to effortlessly run rings around the original NA, both in a straight line and, crucially, through the bends. The NC's chassis is inherently capable, and with a proper suspension setup, it truly comes alive, offering a level of precision and composure that belies its accessible price point. And when it comes to tyres? The 225/45R17 fitment, immensely popular among NC owners, is one of the most common sizes available for high-performance rubber. Whether you're after Bridgestone Potenza RE71s, Yokohama Advan A052s, Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ss, or Falken Azenis RT615Ks, they're all readily available. Crucially, these high-calibre tyres can often be purchased at prices significantly lower than what you'd expect to pay for similar performance rubber on a modern Mustang or a BMW.

Want more from your NC? The aftermarket support for the third-generation MX-5 is truly comprehensive. Everything from bolt-on supercharger kits that dramatically boost power, to full LS engine swaps for those craving V8 thunder, are now virtually plug-and-play. Companies like Blackbird Fabworks offer three different roll bars, enabling you to participate in everything from local track days to serious NASA and SCCA Time Trials competitions. The NC is a genuinely versatile platform, ripe for modification and personalisation, ensuring it can meet the demands of any enthusiast.

Braking Brilliance: Confidence on Demand

And now, to answer the pivotal question: Does the NC Miata have good brakes? The answer is a resounding yes. The NC Miata came with outstanding brakes from the factory. This isn't merely a casual observation; it's a critical component of what makes the NC such a compelling package for both spirited road driving and track use. Factory-fitted, these brakes provide ample stopping power and a confidence-inspiring pedal feel, allowing drivers to push the car harder into corners and shave precious seconds off lap times, or simply enjoy a safer, more controlled drive on public roads.

For endurance racers and drivers who regularly use extra-sticky tyres, which inherently place greater demands on the braking system, there's an easily accessible and highly effective upgrade path: swapping to RX-8 hubs. This modification, which incurs only a minor additional cost, allows for the fitment of larger brake components, further enhancing thermal capacity and outright stopping power. This speaks volumes about the NC's design and its adaptability for more extreme use cases, showcasing Mazda's foresight in engineering a platform that could be readily upgraded.

Good brakes are fundamental to what we call active safety. They are your primary tool for avoiding a collision altogether. The ability to shed speed quickly and predictably, particularly in an emergency situation, is paramount. The NC's factory braking system, combined with its communicative chassis and stability control (fitted to most examples), provides drivers with a high degree of control and confidence. This robust braking performance contributes significantly to the overall driving experience, making the NC not just fun, but also reassuringly secure.

Beyond the Track: Everyday Liveability and Safety

Even if you never intend to take your NC to the track, you'll undoubtedly appreciate the many other features that make it such a practical and enjoyable daily driver. The stability control, fitted to most examples, adds an extra layer of reassurance, especially in challenging conditions. The available sixth gear is a blessing for highway cruising, significantly reducing engine RPMs and improving fuel economy on longer journeys. The powertrain is exceptionally durable, a hallmark of Mazda engineering, promising years of reliable service with proper maintenance. And the hard-wearing interior fabrics ensure the cabin stands up well to the rigours of everyday use.

In the unfortunate event of a crash, you'll benefit from the NC's modern structure and design, which is largely shared with the Mazda RX-8. This contemporary engineering provides a vastly improved level of passive safety compared to earlier Miata generations, offering greater peace of mind for you and your passengers. Furthermore, those power-retractable hardtops (PRHT) that some critics initially scoffed at? They are remarkably reliable in operation and prove to be solid choices for drivers who use their sports cars in urban environments or across four-season scenarios, offering enhanced security and weather protection compared to the traditional soft top.

The Smart Investment: Why Now is the Time for an NC

My household has truly put our money where our mouth is; we proudly own both an NC1 Cup car and a 2014 NC3 Club model. They have been an absolute joy to own, bringing us all sorts of trophies in autocross, sprint racing, and endurance racing disciplines. This very weekend, we'll be running our Club model in SCCA's inaugural Time Trials Nationals, a testament to its competitive capabilities.

Would we trade our beloved NCs for a brand-new 2019 Miata Club and a new MX-5 Cup car from Long Road Racing? Of course, we would – who wouldn't want the latest and greatest? But that would be a staggering £90,000 proposition. Our investment in our NCs is just over a third of that. And the best part? In the real world, where people don't just pay cash for every vehicle they drive, you can still secure a competitive loan on a 2013 or 2014 MX-5. This offers the confidence that the car will still be running strong and reliably when you make that final payment, a rarity for older sports cars.

While I'm not going to go out on a limb and predict a Luftgekuhlt-style appreciation curve like the one that has affected (and, in my opinion, afflicted) the market for my long-suffering Porsche 993 coupé, I do strongly believe that late examples of NC Miatas are exceptionally affordable at the moment. Now truly is the time to strike, before they all get worn out and diverted entirely into club racing. At that point, it will be time to start looking at the 2015 ND-generation car. Come back in, say, three years, and we'll start talking about it. In the meantime, if you're ready to stop thinking about your first sports car and finally start driving it, the answer, as ever, is always… MX-5.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are NC Miata brakes good for track use?

Yes, the NC Miata comes with outstanding brakes from the factory, which are more than capable for spirited road driving and occasional track days. For more demanding track use, such as endurance racing or with very sticky tyres, upgrading to RX-8 hubs allows for larger brake components, significantly improving performance and heat management.

Is the NC Miata safe compared to older Miatas?

Absolutely. The NC Miata benefits from a modern structure and design, largely shared with the Mazda RX-8. This provides a significantly improved level of passive safety compared to the older NA and NB generations, offering better crash protection and overall occupant safety.

What are the common misconceptions about the NC Miata?

Common misconceptions include that the NC is significantly larger and heavier than previous generations, that it's slow-witted, and that it has an unappealing '4x4' ride height. In reality, the size and weight differences are minimal, it has significantly more power than the NB, and its initial ride height can be easily remedied with affordable aftermarket suspension options.

Can the NC Miata be modified for more performance?

Yes, the NC Miata has extensive aftermarket support. Owners can easily upgrade the suspension with lowering springs or race-ready kits, fit high-performance tyres (225/45R17 is a popular size), and even add supercharger kits or perform engine swaps (like an LS swap) for dramatic power increases. Roll bars for track safety are also readily available.

Are the Power Retractable Hardtops (PRHT) on the NC Miata reliable?

Yes, the PRHT versions of the NC Miata are known for their reliability in operation. They are a solid choice for drivers who use their sports cars in urban environments or require better weather protection and security in four-season climates, offering the best of both coupé and convertible worlds.

What is the issue with the NC Miata's rear suspension bolt?

The NC Miata does not have a rear bolt that effectively dampens vertical suspension motions in the most ideal way. Its rear bolt orientation, which came up from the bottom, made it challenging to accurately control vertical movements when using coil-overs with a wishbone design. While a design quirk, it's largely addressed by well-designed aftermarket suspension systems.

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