The Mazda Miata has been the go-to light, agile convertible for enthusiasts on a budget for four generations now. If you’re wondering if cashing out for the newest one is worth it, or if you should just find an old one and save a hefty chunk of change, maybe this Nürburgring comparo will set you straight.
Three years ago, the guys behind the OneLapHeroes YouTube channel bought “the worst” Mazda MX-5 they could find off of German Craigslist and immediately threw it around the Nürburgring, dubbing it the “Ring Banana:”
The NA set a ‘Ring lap time of 9:21.8, which is impressive for an old, rusting Miata without so much of a onceover before going out. Three years later, the OneLapHeroes decided it was time to update the test, and went out with the same driver—GT3 driver Gabriele Piana—again in a ND:
The ND set a lap time of 8:50.1, according to the video, making for a 31.7 second improvement between the two ends of Miata generations.
So, if for some unspeakable and unreasonable purpose, you’re torn between maybe financing a new Miata or just digging an older one up out of the internet, and the only thing that matters to you for some reason is worrying over a huge Nürburgring lap time disparity, then here’s your answer.
Those thousands and thousands of dollars difference between the ND and NA Miata is also going to either buy you or cost you just over 30 seconds of speed. It’s a tough call, but only one you can make. Best of luck.
Thanks to OneLapHeroes for sending this our way.
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