Buying an ND is low-drama if you follow a short discipline. This is a durable, simple car; most of the risk is condition and options, not catastrophic failure.
Work the decision in this order:
1. Transmission. Six-speed manual, full stop, unless you have a specific reason for the automatic. The manual is the entire point of the car and holds value better.
2. Generation. ND2 (2019+) for the top-end power and telescoping wheel; ND1 to save money. See the ND1-vs-ND2 breakdown; both are good.
3. Trim. Chase the Club or GT-S for the limited-slip differential if you drive hard. Sport and Grand Touring are fine for cruisers.
4. Body. Soft top for lightness and simplicity; RF for looks, quiet, and security, at a weight penalty.
Inspection checklist for any specific car:
- Confirm all recalls closed via the VIN lookup.
- Feel the clutch takeup and brake pedal on the test drive.
- Inspect the soft top rear window and seams, or cycle the RF roof fully and listen for rattles.
- Look for front-end paint chips and rock-strike damage; the paint is thin.
- Check for track or autocross use: worn pedal rubbers, curbed wheels, mismatched fresh tires, added roll bar, and brake wear tell the story.
- Verify service history and that it ran the right 0W-20 oil on schedule.
The ND has no timing belt to worry about (it's a chain) and a non-interference engine, so you're mostly buying condition and honesty. A clean, stock, well-serviced manual Club is the safe pick; walk away from a neglected or crash-repaired car no matter how cheap.