Buy on service history and mechanical condition, not cosmetics. The NC is reliable, but a short checklist catches its known weak spots and saves you from an expensive tidy-looking car.
All NCs share the durable, non-interference 2.0 LF-VE with a timing chain, so there is no belt to fear. The issues are smaller and specific.
Known problem areas
- Rear main seal slow weep; a few drops on the bellhousing is common, a soaked housing plus clutch shudder is a budget item.
- Valve cover gasket leaks that pool oil in the plug wells and foul coils.
- Cooling: check for coolant weep at the chain-side water pump and confirm fresh coolant.
- Soft-top seals that leak, or PRHT roofs that stop mid-cycle on a bad microswitch.
- Wheel bearings that whine with age.
- Tired suspension bushings, especially the rear diff mount, causing clunks.
On the test drive
- Cold-start it yourself; listen for a brief VVT rattle that should clear as oil pressure builds.
- Cycle the PRHT fully with a healthy battery; a clean cycle is essential.
- Listen for wheel-bearing whine that changes with cornering load.
- Feel for clutch slip or shudder and driveline clunk over bumps.
- Watch the temperature gauge and check for coolant or oil residue at the front of the engine.
Paperwork
- Prefer documented oil changes; the S-VT system depends on clean oil.
- Ask about clutch/rear-main history and any suspension refresh.
- For NC2/NC3, confirm 5- vs 6-speed and whether the oil cooler is actually fitted.
A clean history and a roof that works trump a shiny car with unknowns.