This Wasn’t Supposed to Happen… But It Did: Trading My NC2 for an ND2

This wasn’t part of the plan. But here we are. Again.

A few months back, I picked up a 2010 NC2 Miata Grand Touring 6MT with the Sport Package. The goal was to dip back into autocross, and with the NC now finding new relevance in several SCCA classes, it felt like the right move. I’ve owned an NC2 before and loved it, so getting another one felt like coming home.

Fast forward a bit—right as I was finishing up the latest round of mods on my 128i—I realized something: I’d unintentionally prepped it nearly to the limit of a local BMW CCA autocross class. Originally, the 128i was just supposed to be for occasional track days, but after building it out, I had to ask myself… why build another car for autocross when I already had one ready to go?

That’s when the NC2’s future started to feel uncertain.

Don’t get me wrong—the NC is a great car. Fun to drive, rewarding to toss around, and endlessly tunable. I was going back and forth about which suspension to run. I was even flirting with ideas like 2.5L engine swaps, ITBs, and of course, waiting patiently for the new Flyin’ Miata turbo kit. In the meantime, I was just enjoying the car in stock form—carving up backroads, top down, happy as ever.

Then yesterday happened.

I had a free day off from work. No plans. Nothing on the calendar. So, I figured: why not go test drive something and write a quick review? It had been a long time since I drove an NC and ND back-to-back, and I’d found a dealer about 90 minutes north with a 2020 ND2 Club 6MT w/ Recaro, BBS, and Brembo package—only 4,000 miles, single owner, clean history. Basically, unicorn spec.

The long drive up gave me plenty of time to appreciate the NC2. Then I took the ND2 on a full hour-long test drive, just to be scientific about it. And… well, let’s just say things escalated.

Ergonomics & Comfort

Both cars claim identical legroom, but it didn’t quite feel that way. Even though I’d modified my NC2 seats a bit for lower seating, it felt like it had slightly more leg and lateral space. That extra room normally helps keep my touchy right knee happy.

Strangely enough, though, the ND2 didn’t aggravate my knee at all—despite my leg resting against the center console the whole time. Maybe it's the floor-hinged gas pedal in the ND2 compared to the NC's suspended design? Hard to say.

The ND’s Recaros are snug—definitely less lateral wiggle room than the NC’s cushier seats, but still comfortable. Headroom felt comparable, though it’s tough to say definitively with my modded NC seats. In general, the NC felt roomier, but the ND’s layout somehow just worked. I kind of liked it.

Transmission & Clutch

The NC’s 6-speed is fantastic—especially once it warms up—but the ND2's gearbox is even better. It’s smoother, lighter, more refined. Not a massive difference, but noticeable. While the NC’s box is likely beefier, the ND’s feels like it was designed for speed and ease.

Both clutches are featherweight and heel-toe-friendly. Classic Miata stuff.

Interior & Tech

No contest—the ND is the newer car, and it shows. Nicer materials, more modern tech. Not exactly a fair fight considering the decade between them.

Handling & Steering

The ND2’s front end feels quicker and more eager to change direction, likely thanks to its faster steering ratio. That said, the NC’s hydraulic rack delivers more road feel—something old-school enthusiasts will always appreciate. The ND’s EPS isn’t bad, just not quite as talkative.

Both cars suffer from too much body roll in quick transitions. Roundabouts really highlight this. The NC felt a bit more composed here, but honestly, neither inspires S2000-level confidence without some suspension work. Mazda, if you’re going to throw around "Sport" or "Club" badging, please consider consulting Honda when it comes time to choose spring rates.

Brakes

I'm not sure if I can't fairly compare the brakes on both cars, as my NC had unknown pads, while the ND2 had stock Brembos. Initial feel from the Brembos wasn’t amazing, but stopping power under pressure was noticeably better.

Highway Ride

This shocked me. Despite the ND having a shorter wheelbase, it felt more stable and planted at freeway speeds. The NC wasn’t bad, but it bounced a bit and felt more twitchy. The ND tracked straighter, rode smoother, and inspired more confidence—especially during lane changes. I suspect more caster and smart EPS tuning are at play here.

Power Delivery

Both cars are naturally aspirated and suffer a bit at Colorado altitude. But the ND2 clearly pulls harder. Despite a modest 14-hp bump on paper (167 vs. 181), the ND2 feels much stronger. Maybe it’s the weight savings (~150 lbs), maybe it’s gearing, maybe the torque curve is just fatter—but it felt like 30+ hp more. The ND2 almost felt like it could hang with an AP2 S2000, at least at lower speeds.

The NC2? Still fun, still playful, just not in the same league.

Fun Factor

This was the deal-breaker. The ND2 is simply more fun. Lighter, more powerful, better brakes, sharper front end, slicker gearbox—it’s just more playful, more responsive, more alive.

But I still have a soft spot for the NC. The extra space, the more communicative steering, the tank-tough transmission, and the PI motor that makes tuning a breeze. There’s a lot to love. Just… not quite enough to win the day.

The Deal I Didn’t Expect

When I got back to the dealership, they gave me a lowball offer on the NC2. I countered with something aggressive—half-expecting them to laugh me out the door. But they didn’t. They came back and shook my hand.

I wasn’t trying to buy a car that day. But it followed me home.