[NC] Can't decide...08 Sport or GT PRHT? [Archive] (2024)

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rycomm

11th March 2016, 00:29

I've been thinking about an MX5 as a weekend / trip / secondary vehicle.
I test drove a new one in 95, but ended up not buying it. I hadn't driven one since. I did a test drive of a 16 ND GT last weekend. Loved every minute of it, but didn't like some of the interior "improvements". I had pretty much convinced myself to find a decent NB, and keep it around as an easy project car. I was thinking of spending around $5000. Then I drove an 08 NC Touring at a dealer. The touring I drove had the PRHT. It had 75K, but was in good condition.

I've also located a basic 08 Sport. 5sp, 16", no power locks, ect. It's about as basic as there is. It's in very good condition, and priced fairly. ($9500 with 70K). Unfortunately, this car is several hours from where I live, so I have not seen it in person. I haven't had a car without power locks since my 83 944. It wasn't a big deal then, and not sure it would be now.

I like the MX5's due to the basic and simple origins. I like the ease of pulling the top up and down. I like mostly simple mechanical / analog things. But I'm not opposed to modern conveniences either, as long as they don't become a headache if / when they break. My hope is to keep the car for an extended time. Once I find something that suits my needs, I prefer to just keep it and use it. Which brings me to my latest option....

I found another 08, but this one is a GT that has every option Mazda offered in 08. 6sp, lsd, bilstiens,AKE, ect. It has fewer than 20K miles, and looks like new. It has been kept clean. It has not been "detailed" but still looks better than the first touring I drove at the dealer. It is priced at $15K, which seems a little high, but is probably worth it considering the options, mileage, and condition.

All three cars are the same color. I've ruled out the Touring at the dealer.
So the argument I've been having with myself is if there is $6000 worth of added value in the GT. I like the idea of the LSD. I also like the leather (but don't need it), and steering wheel controls. I've argued both sides of the soft vs hard top, 5 vs 6 spd, 17 vs 16. I'm fine either way. I'm somewhat concerned about the long term reliability of the AKE, and the little lock buttons on the door handle. I've read enough to know the PRHT is reliable and leak free. The added security is nice, but it will spend most of it's time in a garage.

I think some of my concerns are based on my history of working on automotive electrical / accessory components. I've seen some strange systems in vehicles that make me ask why this was ever put in production. Never on a Mazda, usually European, though US and Asian are not immune. I hope my bias is not causing me to overthink everything (I know it is).

Sorry to be so long winded, but typing this out has been somewhat therapeutic. Any opinions or comments are welcome.

Thanks, Ryan

Joe_in_Houston

11th March 2016, 00:36

IMHO, if I had to do it all over again, as much as I love my '09 Comp Yellow, I would get a PRHT with a manual tranny & never look back. The security & convenience of a PRHT tips the scale in my book.
Good luck on your choice.

mx52go

11th March 2016, 01:24

^^ 110% agree :thumbs: !

I've owned all versions including a brand new NC (with soft top) in GT trim.

It was a great car, plenty of usable power / torque and nice creature comforts.

However, the convenience to push a button and drop ( or raise ) the top is something I always desired!

Sadly, $15K is still way too much. There are some awesome deals and awesome Miatas out there priced in the $10K - $12K range.

In fact, a bargain or two right in the M Net classifieds.

Be patient, search for the right combination and buy it when it comes along.

The PRHT option has been out ten years already and few (if any) reported failures. They are great cars with a great feature.

Good luck, keep us posted and hope to see you around the forum some more :wave: .

billythekid

11th March 2016, 17:50

The AKE comes apart and has a key inside, the ignition starting knob pops off, very easily, to accept the key that hidden inside the AKE. Anyhow that's how it is in my CX-9. It is handy for when the battery in the AKE dies, it has a life of just under 2 years in my experience.

If you plan to park in high crime areas, live-work-play, the PRHT is a nice option.

Viggn

11th March 2016, 22:14

I had zero interest in the hard top... Can't get a proper roll bar with the hard top thus I didn't even consider it.

Good and bad with both :)

In regards to theft, if they want in it then no matter what the roof is made of, they will get inside. Doesn't take long to break a window or the locks....

billythekid

11th March 2016, 23:32

i wanted a PRHT, but all the PRHTs I found had AT. So I got a soft top. I don't regret it. I work in some high crime area; I just park in high visibility areas.

I wanted heated seats. My car didn't come with them. Now I don't see the need for them.

My wife has the AKE in her CX-9, I find it more of a hassle than a luxury.

I like the steering wheel controls. It's good to turn the music down quickly when you run up on the 50.

The homelink garage opener is a really great feature; you don't have to worry about some one stealing a loose garage remote.

arrogantbastard

12th March 2016, 00:08

I have a PRHT. Zero regrets. However, in your case, I think you've answered your own question.

I like the MX5's due to the basic and simple origins. I like the ease of pulling the top up and down. I like mostly simple mechanical / analog things.

So the argument I've been having with myself is if there is $6000 worth of added value in the GT. I like the idea of the LSD. I also like the leather (but don't need it), and steering wheel controls. I've argued both sides of the soft vs hard top, 5 vs 6 spd, 17 vs 16. I'm fine either way. I'm somewhat concerned about the long term reliability of the AKE, and the little lock buttons on the door handle. I've read enough to know the PRHT is reliable and leak free. The added security is nice, but it will spend most of it's time in a garage.

LSD - Unless you plan to autocross, or drive through the winter in slippery conditions, you probably won't notice the difference it makes in normal every-day driving.
Transmission - there are plenty who will argue that the 5 speed feels better and has better ratios than the 6 speed. You will have to judge for yourself by driving at least one of each.
PRHT - all data supports absolute spot-on reliability. I went with a PRHT because I mainly park my car outside, exposed to the Texas sun and thunderstorms. If I had consistent garage parking I might have leaned towards a soft top for its simplicity and up/down ease. However, PRHT with a SmartTop module is the best of all worlds.
Leather - I hated the leather in the GTs I drove. Swamp-ass and sweaty back ensued within minutes in the hot Texas sun. Cloth all the way for me. YMMV on this one. Personal preference.
AKE - there are reports of issues. I can't comment from first-hand experience though.

All that said, I'm not sure a GT it $6k better for you, given what you've indicated as your preferences.

Fritz-K

12th March 2016, 01:30

Well, you have several good choices. And they are all good! Pull the trigger on one and you will not regret it. It was the PRHT for me. The '08 Sport looks good for you based on a few sentences of information. Join the club, it is fun.

rycomm

12th March 2016, 02:01

Just a quick update....I've found yet another car. This one is a little farther away, and seems to combine my favorites of the other two. It's an 07 sport PRHT. It has some of the convenience options like power locks and steering wheel controls. I don't think it has the LSD, but I'm not planning on racing it, or driving it in the snow. It is a 5sp, with the 16's, and has about 25k mi. It's also priced between the other two. I'm waiting for some more info from the owner, but this may be my next car. I'm still searching for other options, but this may be the ideal vehicle for me.

I'm excited to get a vehicle that wants to be driven properly again. My 944 was a great car. I had it for 13 years. It was 10 years old when I bought it, and I drove it about 60k in that time. It was mostly restored during that time, and I was very sad to sell it after my daughter was born. It was the last thing I sold to pay off some medical bills. I've had a variety of boring vehicles in the meantime, mostly vans and trucks to work out of. I still have my old Subaru that I drive on weekends now, but it will probably get handed down to the above mentioned daughter in a year or so. On the test drive of both the ND and the NC the memories of what a proper driving car feels like we're quickly brought back. So I'm excited to find a vehicle to enjoy beautiful weather and narrow twisty roads.

rycomm

20th March 2016, 03:04

Just a quick follow up. After searching a 300+ mile radius area, I did finally have time to go check out the 07 PRHT. I'm glad I did. The car looked great, everything worked and was as described. So I spent the next 10 hours driving it home. We took several out of the way roads, made several stops, and took turns driving with my girlfriend. We had the top down for the first seven hours, until the temps got too cold after sunset. That's also about the time the roads flattened and straightened out, and we blasted the last bit home. This car had the options that I wanted, and none of the extras I didn't. It was priced just right, and drives perfectly.
Thanks everyone for you input. I'm looking forward to being on the site.

Ryan

billythekid

20th March 2016, 08:05

Drive it like you stole it!

mx54us

20th March 2016, 09:17

Great! So do we get to see pictures? And, just wondering how you found this one, and where it was, so I can see if it you bought one of those that I in my saved list on autotrader or cars.com.:eek:

rycomm

20th March 2016, 15:51

I don't have any pics from my phone, but I have several on my "real" camera. I need to load those to my computer so I can post them.

It was on craigslist. It was in central Arkansas. Can't remember if I found it on the Little Rock or Fayetteville CL. I was looking on Cl, cars.com, autotrader, and anything else I could. Found a pretty nice one in Tulsa. The owner mis-spelled Miata, but when I searched MX 5 it came up. It was a soft top, and probably my second choice.

Thd drive home through north central and north west Arkansas was a perfect fit for this car.

When I got home, I had to drive my old Outback. I thought there was something wrong with it after driving the mx5 all day. Steering and brakes felt mushy, it didn't accelerate, and it felt like I was sitting in a school bus.

Ryan.