Any possibility of great cars without cameras, microphones, internet/cellular connections and just focus on making the best driving experience for under $23k instead of having something with more surveillance than most government buildings?
@@SimGuntherYeah, anything built before 2003. Or before 2008 if you avoid GM and OnStar. Anything new with that criteria, not a chance. They're passing legislation in the US for every car made after 2026 to have a kill switch installed from factory. This is to "prevent dangerous car chases". Unfortunately, this train is traveling one way only. The only way to get back to the way things were is to go back in time. I feel your pain.
I was doing my third lap around the Costco parking lot and finally spotted some space between two SUVs. I approached the spot with great glee only to see a NB Miata parked there. It was the only time I ever cursed at a Miata and I immediately felt bad after that outburst.
One of the joys of owning a Miata is fitting where others don't. Sure, it's great for parking, but my favorite was squeezing past cars that were waiting to turn right on red. Everyone else would be stuck behind a car that was waiting to go straight. They couldn't get by, but I could. With the 15-inch wheels on my car, I didn't have to worry about curb rash either. I'd just hug the curb and scoot to the front of the line.
One point I feel they didn't mention is reliability. These little buggers can be driven hundreds of thousands of miles without issues and when something does need to be replace, the cost of parts is low and the difficulty of replacing most things is very easy compared to most cars. Those two things alone can make or break a sports car for a lot of people.
Exactly. In a couple years I will be getting either one of these (in Club trim) or a used Cayman or Boxster. Only one of those choices doesn't make me nervous!
Totally agree have owned an MX5 for most of my life and the years since the NA and in my case 1997. Raced them, driving them on track days never broken one ever
consumables are one thing, unplanned repairs are another. Replacing something like a headlight, or mass airflow sensor, or knock sensor usually isn't going to break to bank compared to competing brands @@khanmimaad
I truly hope this car never loses what makes it great and never goes away. In a lot of ways, cars have become a perfect symbol for a lot of what’s wrong with society; cheap thrills, lack of connection, soulless excess… Future generations will never know the simple joy of so many things I love and the Miata is a great example.
I just sold my ND2 because it simply didn’t work as my primary car with all the family responsibilities. Having owned a countless number of cars, I must say it was a very sad day. My 12 year old son cried when it was picked up, and I wasn’t too far behind. There is no better medicine that a Miata after a long day at work, and I will have one again…
I'm sorry man, I feel you. The same thing is stopping me from getting an ND2. But when you call it "family responsibilities", I call it "Indentured servitude", and It's tearing me apart.
Guys... Do you not have a big enough driveway, or garage space? I have an NB, an NA, an F150 and the wife has an MXD all at the same house. None of those broke the bank and my 10yr old loves my NB. When I was 18, I nearly cried when my dad bought an automatic mustang. I would buy an NA or NB. Your kid will love you for it and they're pretty cheap still.
As an engineer and an owner of ND, I can confidently tell this is so well done that it hits and connects the engineering and driving halves of my heart.
@@papa_ptSo true. I'm the son of a mechanical engineer. I can't design anything to save my life, but I can repair about anything mechanical. I can also look at anything and tell you if it's a good or bad design. During the 90s when this poor engineering trend started in the American market, the JDM market stepped up and almost replaced it. These days, just about everyone does the same type of engineering fails. Some just more than others. I really miss the days of the chevy 350 small block and the ford 289 windsor engines. Only a few vehicles have retained that type of simplicity. Here is one. My backup vehicle is an 07 F150 with a pushrod 4.2L Essex engine and a 5spd manual. Besides the ATF being used as transmission fluid and the bloody clutch slave cylinder being inside the bell housing, the rest of the truck is pretty solid. You can't say the same about every other engine that came with that truck. This truck is just a rare example of one that didn't have an interior that fell apart, or an engine that isn't plagued with problems. It just works and is pretty easy to work on. If American manufacturers were focused on simplicity and function, JDM manufacturers wouldn't need to show them how it's done.
I'm an engineer (several different disciplines). I have a C8 and a ND2 (Club RF model). There is one statement that I can fully attest to: It is more fun to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slow! I love tracking my C8, but I can't do the things it is designed to do while on the street without going to jail. I can have fun in the ND2 all day long. I got it for my daughter as she goes off to college. I think it is a perfect little car for getting around a college campus, etc.
Owner of a 2023 BRZ and 2021 ND2 Miata RF here. Both are the most fun cars I have ever owned. I do have to say, every time I get into the Miata, it just feels special. The throttle response, engine tuning, gear box feels one class above my BRZ. It feels like the attention to detail in tuning in the Miata and the drivability is just special. It’s one of those things that never gets appreciated on paper. You just have to drive one to appreciate it.
Love my ND2, though tbh I drive it way slower on the highway than any other car I've owned. Being surrounded by tailgating 500hp trucks and SUV's while in a 2300lb soft top that's below other drivers' eye level just makes me want to drive as conservatively and defensively as humanly possible. (speaking of being below eye level - I had to knock on the window at the mcdonald's drive through because the guy couldn't see me waiting there). Tremendous fun at lower speeds/less traffic though.
@@lucidlynx918 The ND2 soft top and extreme light weight/shortened wheel base make it quite a special experience. I know the comparison is cliche, but it's very go-kart like. Open to the air, light and twitchy, it's gives me a bit of a "should this really be legal to drive in traffic?" feeling. It's miniature in every way. But for 'winning' at traffic (at stoplights, ducking and weaving across lanes), I'd have to imagine the BRZ is better; and more practical with bigger trunk/rear seats.
I don't own a miata, I have an mr2 that hopefully in 20 years, when I'll be 54, I'll still be driving it. Little 2 seats old cars are truly something special.
I have watched this review five or six times and have been dreaming of a Miata for a decade. I finally ordered one from the factory yesterday. Thank you for all you’ve done to document this amazing vehicle.
@@TapTwoCounterspell I just recently picked up the car and paid a hair north of 30k. I bought a base model with only three options, the roadside assistance kit, the metal pedal kit, and wheel locks. It's been awesome so far. Only thing that I have to say is that living in the north and this being my daily, I am going to have to get winter wheels & tires and rust proof the car before this winter.
@@3v3ryDayGam3r I got a used 2021 Club RF with every option except the brembo brake package (wish it had those). 20k miles and $27k price tag. Car looks mint, it's a real joy to drive. The engine almost sounds like a diesel though due to the crazy high compression ratio.
I'm a single, childless guy close to 40 and I'm waiting for my ND3 RF to arrive this year. It's gonna be my only car. In my circumstance I can pull this off. I have many friends with SUVs to borrow, car sharing exists and I live in a place where every company delivers. Whey you said "excess" I felt it. This is true. People not only want "enough space" they want 3x enough. I can understand this but I will never share this feeling.
That is my philosophy. Why drive a SUV around? It's not sporty (slow gas guzzler), and you can't haul a yard of dirt in it, so not utility! Why drive a pickup truck as a DD and haul around an empty bed with you all day when you can just rent a flat bed truck, van, or regular pickup at HomeDepot/Lowes/UHaul for $29 ????? I'll enjoy driving my C8 and ND2, I'll rent a truck when I need one (which isn't more than a handful of times each year)
The video absolutely nails everything and he’s absolutely right. 20 years from now, when every single car 6000 pound car is doing 0-60 in 2.Something seconds, we will be clawing to buy and keep these lightweight, affordable machines that were actually made for ‘driving’.
Your videos put me in a ND1. Got a used 2016 at the end of 2019 with 25k miles for $19,000 and it has been a great car to learn to drive in. Just yesterday my daughter and I put new coilovers and sway bars in and hung out for hours in the garage together. We have done autocross together and In 5 years when she can legally drive I have no doubt she will steal my car. Oh well, guess I’ll need to get another Miata.
After watching your documentary on the miata, it has EASILY become one of my all time favourite cars. The amount of engineering thought, and focused commitment to a vision that went into this car is literally unavailable anywhere, until you get into unobtainium supercars. Mark in the end put into words EXACTLY what my thoughts are. He pretty much nailed everything I wanted to say, but more eloquently lmao. I can tell he loves this car :D
In the video, they mentioned having to spend much more money for a better or similar driving experience elsewhere. But for shear driving satisfaction, I don’t think there is a better option at any price. When you get into hyper expensive sports cars, like the 911’s of the world, you’re back to the ‘too powerful, too heavy’ scenario. There’s no other sports car today that is so entirely usable, on the street or track.
I remember so well when the Miata documentary came out and the ND episode interview with the engineer under the car. I was shocked by hearing they designed ND to sustain oil pressure at 1.4G. Tell this to the GR86 facing oil starvation now doing right turns. I tuned in all your Videos on this channel
And the extensive use of aluminum and magnesium. And the fully-adjustable suspension. And the emphasis on getting the steering wheel, pedal box, seat and shifter positions just right. And the hollowing out of the door glass below the beltline, to save a few grams of weight. And…. So much of this car’s engineering is not visible to the consumer… because it wasn’t built for consumers; it was built for drivers.
Hi there from Germany. (Forgive my bad English) I have the ND (A) Sportsline (Bilstein-Chassis, 205/45/17), made 2016 (160 hp - with a little help from my friends: 174/5900 hp and 220/4000 Nm - it revs easily to 6500 rpm). It's my daily drive. I do not need any other car. My wife and me we put a luggage rack on the trunk, with a good old leather-suitcase on it and do our 2-week-vacation throughout Europe. I drive it in Winter. It is fantastic to drive with open roof trough a snowy landscape in the sun. I drive it in the Citiy and for business travels. Doesn't matter if it is citystreets, autobahn (chasing SUV's) or country roads. I can say: I'm blessed with this car. It allways gives good feelings - becaus it is so "direct" - in german we say: "unmittelbar". You hear the Transmission when it becomes warm. You feel the road in your butt. You feel the vibrations of the chassis. And - most importantly - it does, what you feel: The Moment you think "steer right" it does it (trogh your hands). You think "shift the next gear" - it does it (throgh your hand). I believe, I can shift faster from 1rst through to 6th gear, than a automatic dual-clutch transmission, because the ways of the shifter are short an the clutch-pedal is .... it is...oooh.... it just is....you know? . You can turn mostly every corner in a right angle (with the Bilstein chassis). And it is faster, than it is 🙂. On the Autobahn at 130 kmh (80 mph) you only talk, if you have to. At 160 kmh (100 mph) you will not talk. Becaus it is loud (the nice loud) and it feels much faster. At 200 kmh (125 mph) - just before you shift into 6th - you feel like you will not come back alive. I chased an SUV the other day. 10 minutes at 220 kmh (137 mph) in slipstream. After that, I was smiling the rest of the day. I was high - because I was still living an I had been lightspeed-fast. It is 6 years in my hand now. 82.000 km (51.000 mls). I will drive it till I can not get in and out anymore. I hope this will be in more than 20 years (I'm 56 now 🙂the children have their own cars). Then I will inherit it to my Grandson. (just for interest: the fuel-consumption is 6,82 l/100 km since 82.000 km.) Thanks for this great video, that reminded me how lucky I am
Dang there’s been a bunch of good Miata content on UA-cam recently with vids by Engineering Explained and Jason Cammisa. Man I feel like it’s my next ride
@@fortheloveofnoise any GT since like 2019 already has plenty of “safety garbage”, what are you on about? The main thing changing for 2024 is the addition of adaptive cruise control, that thing most people like.
@@thatoneotherotherguy I was about to post this. Basically 2024 is a mild exterior change, lights to LED, a better rear view mirror, better infotainment system, and adapative cruise control and we have no idea if this will be on all trims. The fancy stuff, like the motion headlights, was all reserved for the top tier but one could still get a bare bones base model. I wouldn't surprised if this is the case for Adaptive cruiser control.
EXACTLY!!! Like, I love old cars for what they are, but there is one car that actually feels very similar while also having none of the drawbacks - ND Miata. Bought it brand new this year and I plan to keep it literally forever or as long as they allow ICE cars to be alive
Yep this is what I did kind of, I bought an S2K and a cheap old crew cab pickup, all my driving needs are met for less than the cost of a brand new car!
Had a run with old cars, a ‘65 Corvette, and a ‘31 Model A. Fun but expensive to maintain and parts were out of sight. Now a’22 Miata RF without the expense and reliability issues, not to mention great gas mileage. May go for a ‘24 mainly for the adaptive cruise control, but only if it comes with the manual trans. I have my ‘19 Camry with ACC and it sure makes a difference on long drives. At 75, I want what I want. So will wait to see what comes with the ‘24 RF.
When I got my RF Club this summer I drove it 1500 miles straight from Boston to Charleston. 16 Hours straight, I'm 6'1" and I was comfortable the whole time. I fit my duffle bag and skateboard and sleeping bag in the little trunk. I took my sister out to dinner and talked to a guy with a hardtop C8, who was also from MA and he was just as interested in my car as I was in his. On the way home I did the whole 16 hours top down. I was on the George Washington Bridge in NY at 1 am with a couple hundred tractor trailers; ok that was bad. I think my point is this car is special at the intangibles too. It can do a lot more than people expect and give you an experience while doing it. I'm gonna keep this car forever and give it to my kids when I die.
@@edwardlacika3022 haha yes I am sure of my own height. Have you tried sitting in one? My head doesn't hit it's just close; it'll touch with a helmet. Unless you have a crazy long torso you should be fine. ua-cam.com/video/V0TdtjCOxhA/v-deo.html
Yesterday I finished a 1 week turo rental of a polymetal gray metallic ND2 Club with the BBS wheels, LSD, Recaro seats, and bremo brakes. I put 1,000 miles on it and wanted to compare it to my AP1 which I've owned for 5 years. I wanted to finally see what all the buzz was about.. what a GREAT car. My AP1 has a stoptech BBK and the OEM brembo brakes on the ND feel exceptional - very similar feel and are worth the money. I have absolutely gutted my s2000 to be a track car. No radio, no interior, no carpets, bucket seats, etc and its only 2600 pounds. Mazda worked magic to make this car as light as it is. The driving dynamics show that. I feel the suspension simply needs a sway bar and a ride height adjustment to tighten up to be perfect but thats subjective to how you use the car. The amount of torque the ND2 engine has is commendable. Passing at highway speeds in 6th gear is a breeze. All the while achieving 37mpg with mixed driving conditions and always rowing through the gears at stoplights. Cons... At 45k miles, the driveline felt buzzy. While idling in traffic there were some noticable vibrations through the chassis, especially when the AC compressor cycled on/off. If I had to make the decision between the two cars today, I may be swayed to the ND2 over my AP1. It really is THAT GOOD 😎🏁
I never got the whole “slower cars are fun” thing until I drove a 2013 Civic Si for the first time in years. At the time, I owned a modded Stinger which could do illegal speeds very quickly and without you even feeling like you were going that fast. I was revving out the Si, changing gears feeling like I was flying and we were going 45. It made me definitely want something more like that as a fun car.
ahaha yeah, when I test drove an ND2, my gf took a turn and I was like "woah hey let's not get too crazy, the speed limit here is only 40mph" then I looked at the dash and it was like 35mph lol
By contrast, my previous car was a WRX and that was a blast to drive but only at around 80mph and I racked up a lot of tickets really fast. And my gf's car is a tesla, which puts both to shame in raw numbers but is incredibly boring to drive.
@@emissarygw2264 yeah I can’t get into electric cars, it’s cliche but they really have no soul. Like I really appreciate the technology and I’m impressed by them but they just feel like tools. Now I drive a 2023 IS500 and I love it so much. I’m a car hopper but I have no desire to sell this thing.
I appreciate all the restrained-but-passionate emotion you put into this short video. Many UA-cam reviewers push fun and performance, but you guys really connect on a different level.
Reminiscing the days with my 2 S2Ks while watching this boys. Got an Integra Type S at MSRP last week and it’s more than filling that empty void. My cousin with an 800hp GT 500 realized how much of a boat it is after driving all 3,200lbs of the Type S. Lightweight by todays standards, raw, lower speeds is where all the fun resides. Much respect to the Miata. Thanks Mark and Jack. Can’t wait to see you hit 1,000,000 subscribers.
@@injo476 By modern standards for sure. My 4dr Jetta GLI weighted in 2,400lbs , had greenhouse visibility for days, and was laugh riot with 130hp. Miss that car.
@@Foxtrot_WoofI'm a Honda guy . Bought a 23 Jetta sport 6speed manual about six months ago. It's my first VW. Kinda gives me feelings of driving Honda's from years ago. Not fast but handling is good enough to make most daily drives Fun. Fuel economy is a plus.
@@injo47690s civics and CRXs were lighter than a miata. - 1991 Honda CRX 2174 lbs - 1991 Civic Sedan 2315 lbs - 1991 Integra Sedan 2579 lbs - 1991 Miata 2185 lbs back then Hondas proved to the world that front wheel drive cars could be fun, lightweight, magical, simple, reliable, engaging, and affordable while being practical and great packaging.
I finally bite the bullet and purchased an ND2 recently, and this video really helps underscores why this car is so important. It's just hard to see how something like this can ever be made again without some compromises for "modern car buyers".
This was too good to keep on Patreon, and needed to be heard by the wider world. Thank you for publishing it on UA-cam, and thanks for talking. It was a pleasure listening. For those that want a driver's car but can't stretch a preloved ND, NCs are bloody good value right now, even in this crazy second hand market. And that port injected MZR 2.0 is a sweetie. "Miata is always the answer."
Yea - I'm a fan of the NC. I think the NC is the sweet spot where you don't even necessarily have any screens or any kind of infotainment system - just the stuff you need and nothing you don't.
NC is an awesome deal, and the ones that have the pointy RX8 looking headlights are actually pretty decent looking, just can't get my head around the ones with the round oval headlight styling, but I'm sure that's just a bumper cover and headlight swap away, especially with that Carbon Miata Type1 bumper cover!
You can get an NC for like $10k, which is not only affordable, it's damn cheap for how much fun they are, and for how much of an improvement they are in EVERY WAY over an NB. Some are only a decade old! People are paying that much for a nice NA that's 30 years old!
@@Alias1431I've looked under the hood of an NC and I've pulled the engine on my NB twice. (For upgrades mainly) Night and day difference. Not only does the early NC have questionable styling, but the engine work is more headache as well. Aside from a bump in power, and VVT, I do not see the appeal. It's less of a drivers car and more of a passenger car... IMO. It has a softer suspension and weighs more. This was the main complaint about the NC and why the ND is a return to form of what the NA and NB were. I've also looked under the hood of an ND. It looks more like the NC, but for being a new car, it's more simple than say a Jeep Wrangler, or Ford Bronco. I would much rather have a timing belt on a non-interference engine than a timing chain. Especially on a DOHC engine. The maintenance is just easier. Even though this timing chain is touted as "maintenance free", and self adjusting, you'll need to pull it to replace the head gasket. The NB has an aluminum intake and port injection. None of this direct injection crap. The NB has 140hp in its 1.8l engine vs the 128hp of the NC 1.8l engine. The weight difference is only about 100lbs, unless you get the hardtop, which adds 200lbs. The most powerful NC will edge out the most powerful NB, but I just have a hard time getting behind that car. Maybe you guys can convince me, but I'm just not sold on the NC. Let me hear some convincing.
I have a 2020 Miata GT manual soft top. Absolutely love it. The low running costs was one of the reasons I bought it. I’ve average over 30mpg like you said without really trying and kinda being and ahole. I’m never getting rid of it, it’s a forever car.
My last sports car was an Audi TT RS. Great car, very fast -- but on public roads it was boring unless it was going way too fast. The Miata is fun at ANY speed, that's what makes it so amazing!
Almost bought a boxster or a Z4. But after driving the Miata and the visceral feeling it gave me during the road test. I couldn’t give it back to the dealer. I went home with it, an hour later. Now, I can’t stop driving it
I actually went and bought a used Miata and it’s now the benchmark for me of what a good sports car is. Thank you so much for turning me on to this amazing vehicle and for ruining me for all other sports cars. 😂
Another greeting from Germany. I think you hit the nail on the head with this review. I got my ND2 in March of 22. I had rented a couple before, on anniversaries and such. First, an RF, then in 2021, a soft top. We had it for 5 days and put 2000 kms on it. My wife had a smile on her face the whole time. After that, she said, "Yeah, we can get one of these". That was in the Fall of 21 and we had ours a few months later. I had to drive 3 hours to get one in blue, but it was so worth it. Im lucky that it doesn't have to be my daily driver, but during the Summer, we were taking it out almost every weekend. So much fun to drive. My wife and i took it to Normandy last year for 5 days and it was perfectly fine for a trip like that. Autobahn/highway driving can be a little boring, but that's the case with a lot of cars. My son and i really put it thru it's paces this past July when we drove it thru Lichtenstein, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Again, a 5 day trip, and 1700 kms. We drove it on the Stelvio Pass and the Furka Pass, as well as many others, and it performed incredibly well. So much fun. I'm 62, 5'10", 200lbs. It's not a perfect fit for me, but that's my fault and can be rectified. I drove a rented Jag F-Type in the states in 2019. It was a lot of fun, and i fit in it better, but not practical pricce wise. I prefer my little MX-5 Go-Kart. Best car purchase I've ever made, for my well-being and mental health. Thank you for the review, even though i didn't need it to convince me that this is a great car.
I always say this but I’ve had 8 Miata’s from NA to ND2. I love my current NC2. It’s on Feal 441s so really the car drives basically perfectly. I will say that I am planning to add a ND3 to the stable but I will not be selling the NC2. No way.
Also owned an NC2 which I set up for canyon carving (17x9s, summer tires, MeisterR coils, Progress sways, etc) and it was incredible. Only reason I sold it was to move “laterally” to a PRHT. But the market the past 2 years has been crap. Decided to test drive an ND2 and enjoyed it so actually started shopping for one and literally within the past month 2 have sold out from under me, and another 2 the sellers changed their mind and decided to keep theirs. Like, what?? Thats a sign for me that either the ND2 is also incredible, or in my case it’s just not meant to be and I should go back to shopping for NC3….
@@KingTroopa I still think one of the best bargain projects out there to do is a K swapped RX8 then do a few upgrades to rev it to 9k rpm, ... some assemble required!
Mark and Jack I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoyed this video. You guys nailed it with what the ND 2 is all about. I’m sooo happy I bit the bullet and purchased my 30th Anniversary RF….oh yes and btw it is a manual 👍🏾
I miss my ND1 a lot, I had it for 5 years. The only reason I let it go is because it is hard to live with as an only car and I needed something more practical. I have an Integra now and its OK but not nearly as fun as a Miata. Now I shed a tear whenever I see someone enjoying their Miata with the top down.
I've owned the NA, NC & ND, and with each and every drive I park and feel as if I've been on a great experience whilst behind the wheel of these magnificent cars. Pound for pound and dollar for dollar nothing can compare to the pure driving exhilerance and natural fun they offer. Kudos to you gents on telling it like it is and the great videos. Cheers!
@@jonathanrobinson592 I purchased the ND RF and drove it for 6 months, and ultimately sold it. What I didn't like was the steering (felt way too assisted and not natural), the compressed feeling of the cabin in the RF setting (very tight seats, and no true convertible vibe as weird as that may be), and an overall true roadster "vibe" while driving. I then purchased a 2011 NC special edition hardtop with less than 20k miles a few months later, and fell instantly back in love with the car. I know it sounds weird to think the most current iteration of a model isn't the best, but for me it isn't. The NC is my choice hands down, and an excellent example of how a true rear wheel drive roadster should drive, react and feel, not to mention I really like the styling and lines of this one...again, my thoughts and tastes...yours may vary. Good luck and I hope you enjoy whatever you decide on.
I own the exact same car you drove - a ‘22 ND2 Club in Soul Red. I agree with everything you said. This car cured me of my Automotive ADD. I love it and I’ll never sell it. And I bought it new to support the Miata business case.
Same here, I was hopping from one car to another year after year until I found my ND2 Soul Red Miata. I can't see myself selling the car ever, I even think of buying another Mazda as a more practical car over another manufacturer just to support the company at what they are doing.
I recently bought an ND2 last week. It's amazing, automotive therapy even. And I agree with the point, even though they're not that rare, it's very difficult to find an analogue n/a and lightweight car like this being produced today. Everything is turbo or hybrid now, so yeah the mx5 nd definitely a future classic imo. I also think the new mx5 concept being electric is good news for an Nd owner, these will be sought after in a few years.
Nothing better than having an SG video praising the car I drive most days. I love my Soul Red Crystal ND2 RF Club. Everything you want. Nothing you don't.
Your take on the ND2 reflects how much you've grown on this SavageGeese journey (I'm a subscriber since 2013). In 2021, I sold my modded NB1 SE Miata to buy a base 981 Boxster PDK. As much as I admired the engineering and performance of the Boxster, I missed my old Miata. I test drove an ND2 soft top and immediately sold my Boxster to buy one even though I had only owned it for 18 months. I've never regretted buying the Boxster or selling it. My 2022 ND2 just delivers sublime joy every single time I drive it. Having owned the Boxster just makes me appreciate the Miata that much more.
Well said! High horsepower is flashy but it wears off quick. Lower horsepower with a well tuned chassis that dances with you at street speeds is a magic I didn’t understand until I matured past the flash.
There is so much to be said about a light, low HP vehicle. You won't win any races at lights but that isn't what driving is about. The guys in their Golf R's and V8 Hemi's are miserable souls that need the HP to prove something to themselves, whatever that is, by winning acceleration at lights and going to a big circle jerk at Chili's. Meanwhile you have these old-world approaches to a drivers car that Mazda (and once upon a time, Ford with the Escort RS\Focus SVT\ST, GM with the Solstice\Sky, Toyota with the MR2, Nissan with the 240SX, Honda with the Prelude\Del Sol, and even BMW with the Z3) believe in. An car focused on one thing above all else: an approachable, unique connection between car and driver. There are always sacrifices when your focus as a designer is to make one thing 110%, but if you pull off that 110%, it's worth it.
Test drove a 2023 MX-5 a few months ago and fell in love with it. I had been considering a C4 or C5 vette but realized prices for both of those are nearly the same as a base model MX-5 so decided to give on a try, mostly to see if I could fit in it, to get a "modern" car. Glad I did and when the 2024 model comes out I will be waiting in line for it. I've actually always had really basic cars, off-roaders from the 90's and earlier, and my daily driver 2005 Toyota Matrix is a base model manual with zero power anything (no ABS, no traction control, no A/C, no cruise control, nothing). The ND seemed like the perfect upgrade for a summer ride that brought all the modern stuff I wanted but keeping it simple, and not too much car that I couldn't drive it every day.
I love all the Miata content coming from all of the good Auto UA-cam channels recently! I’ll say it again, after having a bunch of cars, the Miata is something I always come back to. I’ll always keep one in the garage.
Just fell in love with my car all over again. 2021 Soul Red RF with Ohlins Road&Track. Pure bliss on a backroad. It's been hard not to look over my shoulder at all the new stuff, especially the 86. But at this point, I think it's a forever car. Every gear shift is a shot of dopamine. A few miles can turn a bad day into a good one before you know it.
Exactly. Living in the NY area it’s funny watching these high performance cars either sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, stuck behind endless SUVs or taking it easy due to the poor quality roads. Simple is better.
There’s a guy in my area running a simple lawn care business with his. Dude has a trailer with a ride on mower and a few other tools and goes around doing lawns. It’s funny seeing’s him next to a giant F150 that’s hauling the same stuff lol
One of your best videos ever. Not that I needed convincing to keep my ND2 RF for as long as I can keep driving it, but this video and Mark's Miata Rant at the end cemented it. Thank you for understanding the greatness of the MX-5 and not dismissing it for being too "slow" or "soft," even though you guys get to drive the newest and most powerful things on the market.
I got a 2023 G70 recently and, while I love it for the plush twin-turbo paddle-shifted rocket-barge that it is, it makes me appreciate my 2008 manual MX5 even more than before too. The contrast between the two really is "another planet".
Having not driven a Miata, I just have to take everyone’s word for it. I can’t afford two cars though, and it’s too small and impractical to be my one car. Still, glad it exists and another great review by Savage Geese.
I’ve never driven a Miata and as someone with a family, Miata will have to be a third car and that’s where owning it becomes difficult. Great video and insightful commentary as always.
I just bought an old used Silverado as my second "car" with a little over 100k km on it at the time. They are easy and cheap to work on and still look fine. Like an old extended cab F-150 or Silverado last a good long time as long as one doesn't cheap out on the type of lubricants (stay away from the parts store stuff). The biggest thing I had to do was replace the rocker arms at around 300k km which was super easy and only took a weekend afternoon (needle bearing retainer issue). I've got over 500k km on it now, Redline fluids for the win. Also it makes the Miata, or two seat sports car of choice, feel so much better when you climb into it for a fun drive!
@@thatpersiandude7386my buddy like close to 300 but he never really complains much tbh as a passenger atlaest, we plan on goin on a road trip soon with it lmfao
Your word rings true to all who LOVE to drive. You nailed it when you stated the Mazda engineers gave not more, not less, just enough. A perfect balance that provides the feeling of a direct connection of the driver to the road. You can drive over a pebble and feel the thump! Plus, the extraordinary ability to adjust all aspects of the suspension is just mind blowing. Set the front toe to 0 or a little negative, 1 to 1.5 negative camber, and dial back the caster to 4.5 and you’ll be begging for tighter twisties and a few hairpins for an occasional slide! I hope Mazda never gives up on the Miata. I haven’t, even though I've been tempted in the recent years by lure of more horsepower and more tech but I still have my base model 93 NA and enjoy every second behind the wheel. Mazda should be proud because there is truly no other car quite like it.
I thought I'd never enjoy street driving again until I got a ND2 this year. It's easy to live with on track too. You need to do some minor upgrades (tires, brake pads, and fluid, like most cars) but it doesn't overheat, the brakes don't fade, and the tires don't get greasy.
I also have an nd2, and brake fluid is a must if you track it. I managed to cook both it and the pads on a (really) twisty road. Also if the roads are rough in your area, id argue you must change the tires. The stockers have insanely stiff sidewalls that shakes your bones to death.
@@dougmaverick3287: If you’re in a climate where you can use Summer tires all year (or will switch to snow-rated tires when needed), the latest versions of either Continental Extreme Contact Sport or Michelin Pilot Sport are the best street tires for the ND. If you have an ND with 17” wheels, the stock tire size is 205x45 R17, but those wheels can easily accommodate 215x45 R17, which will give you a slightly wider track (more grip) and slightly taller sidewall (more comfort). In my experience, the Contis are a bit quieter and more comfortable, while the Michelins provide a bit sharper steering and a little more dry weather grip. They both greatly increase wet-weather grip, with the Contis having a slight advantage. Either are miles ahead of the stock Bridgestones in both comfort and handling.
I watched an interview with Dave Coleman where he said the ND engine was designed to maintain good oiling throughout at cornering in excess of 1g. Who does that?
Great video! I love all of your videos but your Miata documentary series was the biggest factor in my choosing a new soft-top, stick shift as my very first new car at the age of 55. I've loved this car so much. Everything you say is true but let's not forget, it's also a convertible! It's so delightful to drop the top on a back road on a beautiful day or evening. This is one of the most enjoyable, well-designed cars ever. Thank you for what you do.
Wonderful video, I'm 63, never had any type of sporty car, was always the minivan guy due to family. Now every time I enter my garage, I turn into a 20 year old and a huge smile comes across my face. I looked and thought about a sporty car for several years. Finally I pull ed the trigger and never looked back. Drink the "Koolaide" because this car truly is amazing! Thank you for review!!!!
Thanks guys! Your videos are the reason i bought my 2021 Miata RF club (red with the brembo package). I smile and laugh every time i drive this car! Mazda really owes you!
Was looking for comment like this ... since this channel is also the reason i bought my 2020 1500cc grey market/roro japanese Roadster/mx5/Miata ... talk about underwhelming in a straight line but rewarding everywhere else my only regret is why i didnt bite the bullet earlier.
Such an honest review for an affordable pure sports car. I test drove one recently and could totally resonate with your thoughts and feeling. It’s a proven formula for pure driving fun. I am so glad that you gave this car the due respect amongst all the “number’s car” craze. Well done!
Normal people don't get excited Mark. The prices are cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs and as a huge car enthusiast, I just look longingly from the sidelines. We are a two car household. My wife drives a decent 3 row suv that does everything she wants and is the family truckster, and I drive a 2003 Xk8 convertible that is my daily and fun car and the kids can cram in the back in a pinch. I hope to buy a used pre-facelift F Type V8 someday as my attainable dream car for 30-40k and call it a day. The affordable enthusiast sports car doesn't exist anymore meanwhile some new million dollar carbon fiber 1 of 10 hypercar gets announced (and instantly sold out) every week it seems like.
Because there are only 3 types of people nowadays, the poor, the ultra rich, and the homeless 😂 I drive a 98 5 speed Sentra as my only car, is fun because it is so lightweight, but feels underpowered compared to the old 92 Miata I used to have (probably because my Sentra isn't dual overhead cam like the Miata).
the more I drive my ND the more videos of it appears of my feed and more love gets shared around the car, all of my friend and people I met love it, sometimes I look at iit, go for a little drive and enjoy the little things in life, this little thing in particular makes you feel alive
I’ve always wanted more hp more hp, yea it’s fun but my ND provides a real connection and experience that’s impossible to describe. Great video gentlemen, you nailed it.
I had a 2017 RF and loved it. It was my "summer" car alongside a Focus ST. I loved the ND and it completely wrecked my confidence in driving the ST, just from the direct control the ND gave me. I felt like I was actually integral to the driving experience. Everything else I drive I feel like I'm just there directing or watching the car do the things I tell it. There really isn't a good way to describe it. You've either driven one, or you haven't. Once you do, you instantly understand.
I own a nicely modified ND2 (springs, sway bars, chassis bracing, wheels/tires, etc) and a Mk7 Golf R. I'm not sure I agree or even understand the notion that the ND "completely wrecked" your confidence when driving the ST.
@@axledog7297 when I drove thr ND, it was like an extension of my body. I had confidence in the way the car moved and responded to inputs. When I went back to the Focus, I realized that the feedback and information I got from the ND was missing, and I didn't feel as confident with the car. My ND was bone stock and the Focus has some very light modifications. When driving the ND: "oh, this is what great handling feels like." When driving the ST: "oh, that's what torque feels like." Maybe a slight exaggeration... The ND felt like a tight driving glove, the Focus felt like a ski glove.
This is the way it's always been. Riding in one is not good enough. Drive one. Once you spend 10 minutes driving a Miata, you get it. Because you actually get to DRIVE a Miata, not just be behind the wheel while it's going. Top down, tearing through gears.
Awesome discussion! So true. Bought an NB2 thanks to the knowledge gained from videos like this and your Miata documentary series. Really enjoying it so far Can’t thank you two enough!
A two-wheel equivalent, in my limited experience, was the Yamaha FZR 400. I bought one to race, but had it on the street for a few months and it was more fun than any bike I’ve owned before or since. Dry weight 346 pounds, outstanding suspension and geometry for its era, and a willing 399 cc DOHC I-4 that made 59 hp at 11,500 rpm. Every ride was like the Grand Prix of your home town but at misdemeanor rather than felonious speeds.
I own a nd2 and used to own a 90' cb1. And you are 100% correct. Sure the feeling is insane when you go flat out on a 1000cc sportsbike, but when can you even remotely safely do? One day ill buy another little 400cc screamer!
Inline 4 bikes are just pure art, I have a Z900 and its the most perfect thing in the world, faster than 99% of anything on the road but naked + short gearing, so you can feel the speed and bang a couple of gears in a quick run. My commutes to work are not a chore, but a fun time
Bought my ND2 back in 2021, and it has been my only car since then. Not sure what it is, but the joy of getting in that thing just has not faded like it does with other cars I've bought. It even made me enjoy driving in Michigan winter, which is perhaps the highest praise I could offer.
Agree with everything here, I've had my '23 RF Club for just over 1000mi now and it is just wonderful. I look forward to every drive, even looking for excuses. It fits me as a daily driver (there are situations where its nice to have a fiance with a cx30 though). Hell, I can even fit my keys/wallet in the center console! Best car on the market.
Wow.. Your final rant really resonated with where I'm at with cars. Have just traded in my C43 AMG and bought a 1.5 Kizuna MX5 and absolutely loving driving again.
I'm 37 years old and have been a car enthusiast from when I first saw a Ferrari Testarossa on the road as a 8 year old kid. Drove over 50+ different sports cars which I could never own, always either borrowed or rented as I live in the Balkans (basically the ghetto of Europe). Seeing all my youth dream "affordable" cars like S2000, Z4M and 987.2 Boxsters/Caymans costing more than my 2-3+ yearly salary, new "affordable" sports cars like MX-5 costing 35k+ € upwards and seeing the direction where the industry is going, I've become completely disillusioned and finally decided to go to motorbikes and just look at cars as commodity, like a washing machine. And I am not the only one.
Great video, as always. I'm already smiling ear to ear in my 2020 RF GTS, and I drive it every day! If you don't have kids and/or your partner has a larger car like a CUV or SUV there's absolutely no reason the ND can't be a daily driver.
I don't understand how this channel doesn't have already over 1M subs, there are other car reviewers out there that don't provide half the quality content as these guys, and yet they have much more subscribers.
I bought one in July and couldn't be happier! I've been dailying it and have over 4k miles. I agree with almost everything, but with a small caveat. If your significant other has a normal SUV or sedan this absolutely can be your "only" car. It's got plenty of room in the trunk for a cartload of groceries. I've taken my 3 pugs at the same time to their vet appts in the passenger seat. There's room in the trunk for two carry-on hardshell luggage suitcases. For normal stuff it's really not much of a compromise at all. Any small sacrifice is totally worth it. It's an amazing car. All it took was one test drive and I was convinced. And the Mazda dealers I worked with were just awesome. Got it for a couple K less than MSRP too. You owe it to yourself to drive this car at least once before you purchase your next car.
I really appreciate this review. I’ve admired the Miata for many years but every time I’ve went for a test drive in one, I straight up didn’t fit at 6’2” with a 33” inseam. I would love to see you guys do reviews of other raw open top cars like a caterham (with different chassis sizes for different sizes people) or factory five kit cars. I think they might be the way forward for those wanting an analog experience in a digital age.
If you’re willing to do open top, consider the Exomotive Exocet. Kit car designed around the Miata (but you can integrate whatever parts/engines you want, as long as you fabricate stuff… all Miata parts just mostly bolt on tho). Easily the most fun I’ve had on 4 wheels, for 1/4 the cost of an Ariel Atom. Mine was a race chassis (full tubular roof), 1650lbs, Xida coilovers, manual steering rack, etc. and since you can put whatever seats & seat mounts you want, mine accommodated someone 6’4” + helmet with no issue. Only reason I sold it is because I kept taking longer and longer trips and decided to move to an actual Miata for practical reasons (getting caught in rain with no roof isn’t fun).
Please try an NC2 Miata. They're just slightly bigger and it may be enough of a difference to make it usable. The drivetrain and suspension incredible and it's the last miata with great hydraulic steering. You can find plenty of info about lowering the seating position too
@@brandonsever2576 My dad (who is an inch shorter than I am) said that my '95 NA was actually more comfortable seating-wise than my '11 NC2 (he said it "felt longer" for his legs). To me it was pretty much the same in that regard, but yes the NC2 cabin is larger in terms of width and overall volume. The ND cabin shrunk in volume just a bit, and lost even more storage with the whole glovebox delete.
well as long as you sold it to somone who will have it last long and pass it one to another person like that, its helping create more demand for the at least few who will end up buying and spreading such ideas for cars fo the future.
NC3 club owner here. Header, tune, Ohlins, Progress Sways, and AO52’s will get you everything you would want from a similarly modded ND2 for 15k less. I’ve had mine 2 years and can’t think of any reason to upgrade. So much fun.
They are so satisfying even when puttering along in traffic. That is what i love most about my ND2, it's fun period. I am not trying to speed to feel something, and street speeds feel wonderful. Once i squeeze myself into it, hear the bark from the Roadstersport Race exhaust, life is good. The icing on the cake is they are reliable, efficient and inexpensive to operate. Try one, you will walk away with a smile.
My girlfriend uses one of these as her daily driver. For everything. Does 200 mile trips i it, carries junk back from the store in it (with the roof down sometimes for infinite headroom). She loves it. It's also more appropriate as we live in the UK, where people don't do that US thing of always needing to carry or tow insane amounts of "stuff" with them. Thread her little MX-5 down a tight, windy, bumpy, B road and you know what's up. These things are epic.
They are pretty much the ideal car for rural or semi-rural living if you don't need to carry a bunch of stuff or passengers yeah. They're the right size for our B-Roads, easy to park, economical, and because they're softly sprung they deal with the atrocious state of our roads pretty well. If I didn't have to occasionally carry multiple people or move stuff I'd definitely be looking to buy one!
THANK YOU for making this. This was an absolute joy to watch. My previous car was a 2017 ND Miata, and I put 45,000 miles on it before I had to trade it in to get something that would fit both of my kids in it. That was about 2 years ago.....I drive an Elantra N now, and I love driving it, but there is NOTHING that will match the feel of driving an ND MX-5. I also love the point you made about having to get other cars up to insane/dangerous speeds to start "feeling something"....that's so true. I made the same observation after I got my Elantra N.... It's fun to drive, but in order to really feel something, I've gotta be in triple digits, which is just simply not smart. In my Miata, I could take a curve at 45mph and feel like I was taking a curve at 75mph. There's just nothing like it. One day, I'll get it again....as a second car--I hope before it's too late.
I've owned Miatas for 15 years now. Started with a used 2001 SE and sold it to a friend to buy a Launch Edition ND in July 2015. As the video points out, the joy in driving any Miata but especially an ND is in the responsiveness. The throttle response, the feel of the shifter, the quickness of the steering, and a suspension that doesn't try to protect you from actually feeling the road. If you get it, you get it. Mark and Jack get it.
I used to own one and am thinking about buying one again. Looking out for "final edition" at this point. It won't be the first thing I do something like that. I sold and Evora and bought back the very same car some years later.
I really enjoyed my ND2. I pushed it to its limits by keeping up with the AMGs, Hellcats, Audis. I realized that in the corners, my Miata has no problem at high speeds while the cars I compete in tend to press the brakes there. I believe a skilled driver in a Miata is a winning combination.
Thinking the Miata must be a second car is a frame of mind not a fact. It’s been my daily driver since 1990. We had three kids and in the middle of those child rearing years I had a sedan. The last one was a Lexus LS. My wife drove SUVs which we used for vacations. 99% of the time the number of people in my daily driver were the same, 1. Regardless of the size of the car, I was in it by myself which is the norm for most of us. I rode in a Triumph when I was in college, owned one soon after, and have understood what a light weight roadster was all about every since. My daily driver makes me smile. To me, the ND is so different from previous versions that it should have a different name. It’s the first that could become a classic. I think it has timeless beauty. The Jaguar and a couple of the Ferrari’s are the only better looking cars. It looks like a baby Jag. But, it drives better, except for that V-8 sound. The induction sounds are great in the ND but it isn’t as great as the sound of the Jag or the LC 500. Compared to a Miata everything else feels like a buss.
Solid driver’s car. I really wish the major brands would take a huge step forward, by looking back. Use Singer as inspiration. Small to moderate displacement, naturally aspirated, high revving, manual trans, analogue gauges, and minimal interior. The only electronics you really need are the ignition.
You guys must get your hands on a ND3 Miata asap to review. They are heading to North American shores as I write this and I am planning to order a GT manual, but I'd love to see your take on it first.
As usual Mark is spot on here. Such a fun car. I own a ND2 Club (soft top) and it's always a blast to drive. I previously owned a super-charged Lotus Elise. The Elise was definitely faster but it wasn't anymore fun than the MX5 to drive (it was more fun at cars n coffee type events of course but owning and driving one required lots of comprises compared to even the MX5).
I've always wanted an Elise. Tell me more about your trade reasons. I own a boosted NB miata. If a trade opportunity arrives, I want to know why it's a bad idea.
@@christopherlowery855 Its really about what you are looking for in a car. The Elise was way more raw - faster, louder and more tactile. It garnered much more attention which I loved. For me though, being 50 years old now and living in Florida, some of the cons were the air conditioning only worked for about 15 minutes, the lack of power steering was fun while driving but less fun while trying to pull out of my garage and parking spots, it had large blind spots especially while backing up (could've been mitigated with a rear camera) and it was very low to the ground which made pulling into parking lots and such a bit stressful and difficult. Ultimately I decided to sell because the A/C was terrible and I got tired of sweating to death after car shows and drives, I was terrified that the clam would be damaged, I didn't know of any trusted shops around that I could have any work done at if I needed anything done (I am not very mechanically inclined - and I don't have the right tools and low profile jack etc) and the price/value kept going up on a car I barely drove (I drove mine for 2 years and made decent money on sale which was ideal since my daughter just started college). So if you are handy, don't care about the lack of safety features and A/C and are not the sort that worries about someone damaging your car or running up the miles then the Elise/Exige are awesome. For me though the Miata while a bit slower is way more comfortable, almost as much fun and waay less worriesome/nerve racking. Also the Miata 'community' is much bigger and active than the Lotus one. Really you cant go wrong either way though. Both are amazing cars.
@@markfinnegan6038 Oh wow, thank you for the detailed reply. None of those things I really care about. My miata has an AC, but I drive without it because the car dies when I drive with it on. I also love driving with the windows down. I need a remote wire installed from the AC to the ECU, which I just need to do. I've driven a civic without PWS and the early miatas had PWS as an option. I can live without it. As for the rear visibility, I used to drive tractor trailers. We only have side mirrors to work with. That shohldn't be too much of an issue. As for the mechanic work, I do all the upgrades and mechanic work on my car. I outsource welding and pipe bending, but anything bolt-on I'll do. My car has 3" of ground clearance and I do have a low profile jack. I agree with you about not trusting people. Price and quality work are the two reasons I do the work myself. The work I'm not a fan of, just the results. Sounds like I could easily live with all of your cons. If I ever get rid of this car, an Elise looks like a good upgrade for me. Thanks again for the insight.
Awesome video! I was looking forward to it after Mark told me that they had an ND2 they were going to take another quick take on. Totally true on all points. And even if you do get Ohlins and stickier tires for track/autocross and the overall price gets pricier, there's always the factor that you may modify your SS 1LE or comparable car with that stuff anyhow. The core Miata traits of low consumable costs still survives after doing basic modifications. On my ND1, I have the SakeBomb Ohlins and a set of PS4S tires for my normal driving and then 225/45/17 RE-71R tires for autocross and the car is still teaching me new things as a driver I didn't know when I autocrossed my modified Mk5 GTI that is now just my 'rabbit hole modified' daily driver haha. Keep up the great videos Mark and Jack!
@@tludwig400 nice I have the other versions still with the spherical top hats but not the long travel versions. I run Swift 6kg/3kg springs. One day I’d love to get the Karcepts front ARB, but I still have room to improve as a driver so I want to do that first.
@@g60corrado91yep, I did the same top hats with spherical bearings and the same Swift springs. Those top hats make some noise from time to time, but otherwise love this setup. I intend to do sways as well, but I’ve been super busy the last couple of years and haven’t made the time to get to it.
"In 20 years..." This is how I feel about my NC1! What a great little go-kart, at a steal of a deal. It's almost criminal how cheap you can get an NC for against how much fun it provides. Not to mention, reliable af!
I've driven a whole lot of sports cars over the decades, and done my share of trackdays. As far as a street car that just spoke to me and I wish I could get back was my stock '98 ITR, well except for some Mugen shift bushings. I ended up selling it for an S2K, and I want my ITR back!
Great video guys. Really appreciate the comments to close out the video. I just recently got an early ND . Deliberately sought out the 1.5ltr that was available in OZ early on in ND’s life. I don’t have time or skill for track. I just want my mundane driving to be fun. At the moment it’s the third car. I’m hoping to convince the wife we don’t need the second car so we can go back to 2. Yeah, I can only fit one of the kids in it. But so many times it is split duties so I’m only taking one child somewhere- sports, school, dance, whatever…. So why not make it a little fun. Oh, I never break the law. Don’t have to. Love it!
I drove a RF Club trim a few years ago when I was looking for sports car. I love their shift in the gearbox to 1:1 in 6th. This close ratio layout is one of the best decisions they made. It made the car an activity. Even on a 30mph side road, you're rowing through the gears. The ND looks good, feels good, feels solid, and the Club setup is relatively stiff and well damped for an oem setup. The engine feels adequate and refined. It also feels enough, plenty. Comparatively, the OG NA Miata is almost toy-like in every metric. The only real fault of the car is the absolutely dead steering. It's just really weird to have in a dedicated sports cars, especially when you can buy full size sedans and pickup trucks today with more feel. It's just a weird thing. I agree the ND Miata is a special thing. It's highly polished and refined. It's highly optimized to its function. While some may praise the OG NA, those feel toy-like in comparison. The ND is now a substantial object. Vehicles with pure sense of purpose stand out, and they kind of glow against the sea of other vehicles. They also do appear timeless specifically because there aren't comparables or true successors. The S2000 feels like this. The Viper feels like this. Heck, even a gen 1 Dodge minivan feels like this. These cars feel like a nearly perfect representation and execution of an idea, and they stand on their own merit for it. I have bought a couple sports cars since my test drive. Unfortunately I never did buy a ND Miata. There were other things that interested me more, one with the same DNA and the other I feel is the grown up version of the Miata. To me, the RX8 is a more interesting car, not as fun stock, but scales well with mods. The other was an old E85 Z4. The Z4 feels like a matured Miata in size, refinement, and power. It has the classic roadster feel too, even more so in my opinion. Both are choices of personal preference, certainly, but both are also unique time capsules too. The RX8 is the last rotary. The Z4, at least the E85/E86 is the last naturally aspirated inline 6.
Bought my ND2 last year for all the exact same reasons you guys mention in the video. I am a petrolhead and love all sort of cars but nothing compares to the joy of driving this simple, light and responsive roadster. I will keep it forever. When I spoke to the salesperson at Mazda he told me that he never has to sell these cars: they sell by themselves. You go for a test drive and then you just want one (happened to me). Well, to be honest I had an NB before. If you think this car is slow just check some YT videos of ND2s on the Nurburgring with good drivers at the wheel. It is a momentum car and you have to “earn speed”, but cornering is second to none. Cheers from Luxembourg.
Looks are subjective of course but for me the ND Miata is the best looking Miata of all time inside and out. However when it comes to driving experience it lacks some steering feedback of the NA/NB Miata’s and that’s why I own an NB with a hard dog roll bar. Granted any Miata is a fantastic option for fun driving and that’s why we have 4 generations to choose from so we can find the one that matches what we are looking for most. Great video as always.
All the makings of an enduring icon. Timeless design and performance that elicits pure joy. Thank you for all the kind words.
Thank you marketing team for your input 😂. Awesome car though genuinely
Don't stop making it
Make the rotary power the wheels one last time?
Any possibility of great cars without cameras, microphones, internet/cellular connections and just focus on making the best driving experience for under $23k instead of having something with more surveillance than most government buildings?
@@SimGuntherYeah, anything built before 2003. Or before 2008 if you avoid GM and OnStar.
Anything new with that criteria, not a chance. They're passing legislation in the US for every car made after 2026 to have a kill switch installed from factory. This is to "prevent dangerous car chases". Unfortunately, this train is traveling one way only. The only way to get back to the way things were is to go back in time. I feel your pain.
I was doing my third lap around the Costco parking lot and finally spotted some space between two SUVs. I approached the spot with great glee only to see a NB Miata parked there. It was the only time I ever cursed at a Miata and I immediately felt bad after that outburst.
One of the joys of owning a Miata is fitting where others don't. Sure, it's great for parking, but my favorite was squeezing past cars that were waiting to turn right on red. Everyone else would be stuck behind a car that was waiting to go straight. They couldn't get by, but I could. With the 15-inch wheels on my car, I didn't have to worry about curb rash either. I'd just hug the curb and scoot to the front of the line.
Ha! I’ve started making sure I don’t pull all the way in a spot at Costco with mine so I don’t inflict that pain on others.
@@trevor756you make it sound like you’re on a moped XD
@@Skyfalcon12345 in a miata you basically are relative to other cars
might have been me lol
Being only 5’7’’ is rarely beneficial in life…until I bought a Miata.
I’m 6’1” and my wife didn’t understand why I’d buy a car I didn’t fit in. All good once I lowered the seats.
@@tludwig400 *tears fall one foot above*
Im 5’11 and just sold my Nd2 Rf because of this…
Fitting in it is one thing being comfortable is another
5’7” gang checking in. Waiting for the ND3 to come out maybe I can get a ND2 club for a discount…
@@DePancakeManif the ND3 is electric, i don’t think the ND2 will have much of a discount
One point I feel they didn't mention is reliability. These little buggers can be driven hundreds of thousands of miles without issues and when something does need to be replace, the cost of parts is low and the difficulty of replacing most things is very easy compared to most cars. Those two things alone can make or break a sports car for a lot of people.
Cruise control switch for my NC1 is over $400. Can't find a used one.
Exactly. In a couple years I will be getting either one of these (in Club trim) or a used Cayman or Boxster. Only one of those choices doesn't make me nervous!
6:18
Totally agree have owned an MX5 for most of my life and the years since the NA and in my case 1997. Raced them, driving them on track days never broken one ever
consumables are one thing, unplanned repairs are another. Replacing something like a headlight, or mass airflow sensor, or knock sensor usually isn't going to break to bank compared to competing brands @@khanmimaad
I truly hope this car never loses what makes it great and never goes away. In a lot of ways, cars have become a perfect symbol for a lot of what’s wrong with society; cheap thrills, lack of connection, soulless excess… Future generations will never know the simple joy of so many things I love and the Miata is a great example.
Well said 👍
It’s a breath of fresh air with all of the 1 ton emotional support trucks out there.
@@Userxxx840I don't know of any trucks that weigh 1 ton
Modern cars are a perfect symbol of whats wrong with government.
Well, they are reliable enough that some from future generations will get to enjoy it :)
I just sold my ND2 because it simply didn’t work as my primary car with all the family responsibilities. Having owned a countless number of cars, I must say it was a very sad day. My 12 year old son cried when it was picked up, and I wasn’t too far behind. There is no better medicine that a Miata after a long day at work, and I will have one again…
buy the na :)
I'm sorry man, I feel you. The same thing is stopping me from getting an ND2. But when you call it "family responsibilities", I call it "Indentured servitude", and It's tearing me apart.
Guys... Do you not have a big enough driveway, or garage space? I have an NB, an NA, an F150 and the wife has an MXD all at the same house. None of those broke the bank and my 10yr old loves my NB. When I was 18, I nearly cried when my dad bought an automatic mustang. I would buy an NA or NB. Your kid will love you for it and they're pretty cheap still.
You broke your son's heart. You failed your family responsibility by selling. What a plot twist.
I have a '22 ND2 as my primary car. I am lucky to be able to haul bulky stuff with my wife's SUV.
As an engineer and an owner of ND, I can confidently tell this is so well done that it hits and connects the engineering and driving halves of my heart.
Same here!
I’ve had (and still have) a number of other fun cars. I’m now on my 2nd Miata.
It’s the reference; Full-stop.
Engineers and their love for JDM exports 😂
@@good-tn9srwouldn't need to be JDM if anyone else built a car like this
@@papa_ptSo true.
I'm the son of a mechanical engineer. I can't design anything to save my life, but I can repair about anything mechanical. I can also look at anything and tell you if it's a good or bad design. During the 90s when this poor engineering trend started in the American market, the JDM market stepped up and almost replaced it. These days, just about everyone does the same type of engineering fails. Some just more than others. I really miss the days of the chevy 350 small block and the ford 289 windsor engines. Only a few vehicles have retained that type of simplicity. Here is one.
My backup vehicle is an 07 F150 with a pushrod 4.2L Essex engine and a 5spd manual. Besides the ATF being used as transmission fluid and the bloody clutch slave cylinder being inside the bell housing, the rest of the truck is pretty solid. You can't say the same about every other engine that came with that truck. This truck is just a rare example of one that didn't have an interior that fell apart, or an engine that isn't plagued with problems. It just works and is pretty easy to work on. If American manufacturers were focused on simplicity and function, JDM manufacturers wouldn't need to show them how it's done.
I'm an engineer (several different disciplines). I have a C8 and a ND2 (Club RF model). There is one statement that I can fully attest to: It is more fun to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slow!
I love tracking my C8, but I can't do the things it is designed to do while on the street without going to jail. I can have fun in the ND2 all day long. I got it for my daughter as she goes off to college. I think it is a perfect little car for getting around a college campus, etc.
Owner of a 2023 BRZ and 2021 ND2 Miata RF here. Both are the most fun cars I have ever owned. I do have to say, every time I get into the Miata, it just feels special. The throttle response, engine tuning, gear box feels one class above my BRZ. It feels like the attention to detail in tuning in the Miata and the drivability is just special. It’s one of those things that never gets appreciated on paper. You just have to drive one to appreciate it.
BRZ as the practical car. I love that!
I miss my ND2 Miata RF so much. Seriously, the most enjoyable and special feeling car I have ever owned.
Love my ND2, though tbh I drive it way slower on the highway than any other car I've owned. Being surrounded by tailgating 500hp trucks and SUV's while in a 2300lb soft top that's below other drivers' eye level just makes me want to drive as conservatively and defensively as humanly possible. (speaking of being below eye level - I had to knock on the window at the mcdonald's drive through because the guy couldn't see me waiting there). Tremendous fun at lower speeds/less traffic though.
I’m agonizing between buying a BRZ or a MX-5. Which one would you choose if you had to keep only one ?
@@lucidlynx918 The ND2 soft top and extreme light weight/shortened wheel base make it quite a special experience. I know the comparison is cliche, but it's very go-kart like. Open to the air, light and twitchy, it's gives me a bit of a "should this really be legal to drive in traffic?" feeling. It's miniature in every way. But for 'winning' at traffic (at stoplights, ducking and weaving across lanes), I'd have to imagine the BRZ is better; and more practical with bigger trunk/rear seats.
Twenty years from now I'll be ninety, and hopefully I'll still be driving my 2019 ND2... and my 1997 NA. Thanks for another great video.
Great choice of vehicles, so cool
Twenty years from now I'll be 70 and hopefully I'll still be alive. LOL Seriously though, I'll for sure still have my Miata.
20 years from now I’ll be 78 and hopefully I’ll still be autocrossing mine
I don't own a miata, I have an mr2 that hopefully in 20 years, when I'll be 54, I'll still be driving it. Little 2 seats old cars are truly something special.
@@WarCry389 I've always loved the second gen MR2. Incredible looking cars.
I have watched this review five or six times and have been dreaming of a Miata for a decade. I finally ordered one from the factory yesterday. Thank you for all you’ve done to document this amazing vehicle.
Love this. Congrats! There are some 2023’s on sale in my area. Considering fulfilling the dream this weekend.
What did you pay out the door cowboy?
@@TapTwoCounterspell I just recently picked up the car and paid a hair north of 30k. I bought a base model with only three options, the roadside assistance kit, the metal pedal kit, and wheel locks. It's been awesome so far. Only thing that I have to say is that living in the north and this being my daily, I am going to have to get winter wheels & tires and rust proof the car before this winter.
@@brianbeedavis If you have the means, do it and don't think twice!
@@3v3ryDayGam3r I got a used 2021 Club RF with every option except the brembo brake package (wish it had those). 20k miles and $27k price tag. Car looks mint, it's a real joy to drive. The engine almost sounds like a diesel though due to the crazy high compression ratio.
I'm a single, childless guy close to 40 and I'm waiting for my ND3 RF to arrive this year. It's gonna be my only car.
In my circumstance I can pull this off. I have many friends with SUVs to borrow, car sharing exists and I live in a place where every company delivers.
Whey you said "excess" I felt it. This is true. People not only want "enough space" they want 3x enough. I can understand this but I will never share this feeling.
won't be single for long with that car :D
That is my philosophy. Why drive a SUV around? It's not sporty (slow gas guzzler), and you can't haul a yard of dirt in it, so not utility! Why drive a pickup truck as a DD and haul around an empty bed with you all day when you can just rent a flat bed truck, van, or regular pickup at HomeDepot/Lowes/UHaul for $29 ????? I'll enjoy driving my C8 and ND2, I'll rent a truck when I need one (which isn't more than a handful of times each year)
How are you liking the car, dude!?
The video absolutely nails everything and he’s absolutely right. 20 years from now, when every single car 6000 pound car is doing 0-60 in 2.Something seconds, we will be clawing to buy and keep these lightweight, affordable machines that were actually made for ‘driving’.
Hell I already am.
Your videos put me in a ND1. Got a used 2016 at the end of 2019 with 25k miles for $19,000 and it has been a great car to learn to drive in. Just yesterday my daughter and I put new coilovers and sway bars in and hung out for hours in the garage together. We have done autocross together and In 5 years when she can legally drive I have no doubt she will steal my car. Oh well, guess I’ll need to get another Miata.
Amazing story, thanks for sharing
That's awesome. My daughters never caught the bug. I wish they had . . . but at least they can both drive a manual. :)
Just make sure your next Miata is a stick 😊
After watching your documentary on the miata, it has EASILY become one of my all time favourite cars. The amount of engineering thought, and focused commitment to a vision that went into this car is literally unavailable anywhere, until you get into unobtainium supercars.
Mark in the end put into words EXACTLY what my thoughts are. He pretty much nailed everything I wanted to say, but more eloquently lmao. I can tell he loves this car :D
In the video, they mentioned having to spend much more money for a better or similar driving experience elsewhere. But for shear driving satisfaction, I don’t think there is a better option at any price.
When you get into hyper expensive sports cars, like the 911’s of the world, you’re back to the ‘too powerful, too heavy’ scenario. There’s no other sports car today that is so entirely usable, on the street or track.
I remember so well when the Miata documentary came out and the ND episode interview with the engineer under the car. I was shocked by hearing they designed ND to sustain oil pressure at 1.4G. Tell this to the GR86 facing oil starvation now doing right turns. I tuned in all your Videos on this channel
And the extensive use of aluminum and magnesium. And the fully-adjustable suspension. And the emphasis on getting the steering wheel, pedal box, seat and shifter positions just right. And the hollowing out of the door glass below the beltline, to save a few grams of weight. And….
So much of this car’s engineering is not visible to the consumer… because it wasn’t built for consumers; it was built for drivers.
Hi there from Germany. (Forgive my bad English) I have the ND (A) Sportsline (Bilstein-Chassis, 205/45/17), made 2016 (160 hp - with a little help from my friends: 174/5900 hp and 220/4000 Nm - it revs easily to 6500 rpm). It's my daily drive. I do not need any other car.
My wife and me we put a luggage rack on the trunk, with a good old leather-suitcase on it and do our 2-week-vacation throughout Europe.
I drive it in Winter. It is fantastic to drive with open roof trough a snowy landscape in the sun.
I drive it in the Citiy and for business travels. Doesn't matter if it is citystreets, autobahn (chasing SUV's) or country roads.
I can say: I'm blessed with this car. It allways gives good feelings - becaus it is so "direct" - in german we say: "unmittelbar". You hear the Transmission when it becomes warm. You feel the road in your butt. You feel the vibrations of the chassis.
And - most importantly - it does, what you feel: The Moment you think "steer right" it does it (trogh your hands). You think "shift the next gear" - it does it (throgh your hand).
I believe, I can shift faster from 1rst through to 6th gear, than a automatic dual-clutch transmission, because the ways of the shifter are short an the clutch-pedal is .... it is...oooh.... it just is....you know? .
You can turn mostly every corner in a right angle (with the Bilstein chassis).
And it is faster, than it is 🙂. On the Autobahn at 130 kmh (80 mph) you only talk, if you have to. At 160 kmh (100 mph) you will not talk. Becaus it is loud (the nice loud) and it feels much faster. At 200 kmh (125 mph) - just before you shift into 6th - you feel like you will not come back alive.
I chased an SUV the other day. 10 minutes at 220 kmh (137 mph) in slipstream. After that, I was smiling the rest of the day. I was high - because I was still living an I had been lightspeed-fast.
It is 6 years in my hand now. 82.000 km (51.000 mls). I will drive it till I can not get in and out anymore. I hope this will be in more than 20 years (I'm 56 now 🙂the children have their own cars). Then I will inherit it to my Grandson.
(just for interest: the fuel-consumption is 6,82 l/100 km since 82.000 km.)
Thanks for this great video, that reminded me how lucky I am
Dang there’s been a bunch of good Miata content on UA-cam recently with vids by Engineering Explained and Jason Cammisa. Man I feel like it’s my next ride
You won’t regret it.
Get one before the refresh comes with all the safety garbage
@@fortheloveofnoise any GT since like 2019 already has plenty of “safety garbage”, what are you on about? The main thing changing for 2024 is the addition of adaptive cruise control, that thing most people like.
I want to so badly, but the practicality part is the deterrent. I don't have money for a 2nd car. 😔
@@thatoneotherotherguy I was about to post this. Basically 2024 is a mild exterior change, lights to LED, a better rear view mirror, better infotainment system, and adapative cruise control and we have no idea if this will be on all trims. The fancy stuff, like the motion headlights, was all reserved for the top tier but one could still get a bare bones base model. I wouldn't surprised if this is the case for Adaptive cruiser control.
In 1969 I owned a Honda S600 while in the service. Now, at 73 I own a 2023 Miata. I call it my time machine, it takes me back 55 years. ❤😁
Me too!😊🎄
Exactly why I bought mine!
I used to try to fix older cars and make them nice, but I’d rather just keep my Miata nice forever
EXACTLY!!!
Like, I love old cars for what they are, but there is one car that actually feels very similar while also having none of the drawbacks - ND Miata. Bought it brand new this year and I plan to keep it literally forever or as long as they allow ICE cars to be alive
Yep this is what I did kind of, I bought an S2K and a cheap old crew cab pickup, all my driving needs are met for less than the cost of a brand new car!
I could have had my forever car like that, but I wasn't allowed to.
with ya brother, first manual and got a 2017 with 16000 miles! I plan to just keep it nice as fuck until i cant
Had a run with old cars, a ‘65 Corvette, and a ‘31 Model A. Fun but expensive to maintain and parts were out of sight. Now a’22 Miata RF without the expense and reliability issues, not to mention great gas mileage. May go for a ‘24 mainly for the adaptive cruise control, but only if it comes with the manual trans. I have my ‘19 Camry with ACC and it sure makes a difference on long drives. At 75, I want what I want. So will wait to see what comes with the ‘24 RF.
When I got my RF Club this summer I drove it 1500 miles straight from Boston to Charleston. 16 Hours straight, I'm 6'1" and I was comfortable the whole time. I fit my duffle bag and skateboard and sleeping bag in the little trunk. I took my sister out to dinner and talked to a guy with a hardtop C8, who was also from MA and he was just as interested in my car as I was in his. On the way home I did the whole 16 hours top down. I was on the George Washington Bridge in NY at 1 am with a couple hundred tractor trailers; ok that was bad. I think my point is this car is special at the intangibles too. It can do a lot more than people expect and give you an experience while doing it. I'm gonna keep this car forever and give it to my kids when I die.
Thinking about keeping forever my ND3 mx-5 too. Problem is, in 20 years gasoline maybe won't be available anymore.
Are you sure that you are 6-1 because I am shorter by few inches and I am at the limit of fit for height?
@@edwardlacika3022 haha yes I am sure of my own height. Have you tried sitting in one? My head doesn't hit it's just close; it'll touch with a helmet. Unless you have a crazy long torso you should be fine.
ua-cam.com/video/V0TdtjCOxhA/v-deo.html
6' (lotta leg) and did a happy six-hour drive from south of France to Italy. Never thought twice about it...
I’m 6ft 1 too and fit fine
Yesterday I finished a 1 week turo rental of a polymetal gray metallic ND2 Club with the BBS wheels, LSD, Recaro seats, and bremo brakes. I put 1,000 miles on it and wanted to compare it to my AP1 which I've owned for 5 years. I wanted to finally see what all the buzz was about.. what a GREAT car. My AP1 has a stoptech BBK and the OEM brembo brakes on the ND feel exceptional - very similar feel and are worth the money. I have absolutely gutted my s2000 to be a track car. No radio, no interior, no carpets, bucket seats, etc and its only 2600 pounds. Mazda worked magic to make this car as light as it is. The driving dynamics show that. I feel the suspension simply needs a sway bar and a ride height adjustment to tighten up to be perfect but thats subjective to how you use the car. The amount of torque the ND2 engine has is commendable. Passing at highway speeds in 6th gear is a breeze. All the while achieving 37mpg with mixed driving conditions and always rowing through the gears at stoplights. Cons... At 45k miles, the driveline felt buzzy. While idling in traffic there were some noticable vibrations through the chassis, especially when the AC compressor cycled on/off. If I had to make the decision between the two cars today, I may be swayed to the ND2 over my AP1. It really is THAT GOOD 😎🏁
RE: the vibrations, they're like that at 0 miles - all part of the fun! Just 'light weight sports' things. They're 'alive'.
I never got the whole “slower cars are fun” thing until I drove a 2013 Civic Si for the first time in years. At the time, I owned a modded Stinger which could do illegal speeds very quickly and without you even feeling like you were going that fast. I was revving out the Si, changing gears feeling like I was flying and we were going 45. It made me definitely want something more like that as a fun car.
ahaha yeah, when I test drove an ND2, my gf took a turn and I was like "woah hey let's not get too crazy, the speed limit here is only 40mph" then I looked at the dash and it was like 35mph lol
By contrast, my previous car was a WRX and that was a blast to drive but only at around 80mph and I racked up a lot of tickets really fast. And my gf's car is a tesla, which puts both to shame in raw numbers but is incredibly boring to drive.
@@emissarygw2264 yeah I can’t get into electric cars, it’s cliche but they really have no soul. Like I really appreciate the technology and I’m impressed by them but they just feel like tools. Now I drive a 2023 IS500 and I love it so much. I’m a car hopper but I have no desire to sell this thing.
ND2 Club soft top owner here. Everything they say is 110% accurate, as usual.
its not like your bias or anything lmao
@@xRockee If you want to communicate in English, learn how to use it.
are you mad that i didnt say youre lmao@@Anamnesis
@@AnamnesisI really hate people like you, but you drive a Miata so I will give you a pass. 😂
My first car was a 92 Miata. I want to get one again.
How much did it cost out the door?
I appreciate all the restrained-but-passionate emotion you put into this short video. Many UA-cam reviewers push fun and performance, but you guys really connect on a different level.
Reminiscing the days with my 2 S2Ks while watching this boys. Got an Integra Type S at MSRP last week and it’s more than filling that empty void. My cousin with an 800hp GT 500 realized how much of a boat it is after driving all 3,200lbs of the Type S. Lightweight by todays standards, raw, lower speeds is where all the fun resides. Much respect to the Miata. Thanks Mark and Jack. Can’t wait to see you hit 1,000,000 subscribers.
What’s crazy is 3200lbs is considered lightweight. These NDs are 2300lbs.
@@injo476 By modern standards for sure. My 4dr Jetta GLI weighted in 2,400lbs , had greenhouse visibility for days, and was laugh riot with 130hp. Miss that car.
My 2900lb Civic Si does turn better than my GT350 outside of big sweepers. You do have a lot of fun in a boat even if you don't use all the power.
@@Foxtrot_WoofI'm a Honda guy . Bought a 23 Jetta sport 6speed manual about six months ago. It's my first VW. Kinda gives me feelings of driving Honda's from years ago. Not fast but handling is good enough to make most daily drives Fun. Fuel economy is a plus.
@@injo47690s civics and CRXs were lighter than a miata.
- 1991 Honda CRX 2174 lbs
- 1991 Civic Sedan 2315 lbs
- 1991 Integra Sedan 2579 lbs
- 1991 Miata 2185 lbs
back then Hondas proved to the world that front wheel drive cars could be fun, lightweight, magical, simple, reliable, engaging, and affordable while being practical and great packaging.
I finally bite the bullet and purchased an ND2 recently, and this video really helps underscores why this car is so important. It's just hard to see how something like this can ever be made again without some compromises for "modern car buyers".
This was too good to keep on Patreon, and needed to be heard by the wider world. Thank you for publishing it on UA-cam, and thanks for talking. It was a pleasure listening.
For those that want a driver's car but can't stretch a preloved ND, NCs are bloody good value right now, even in this crazy second hand market. And that port injected MZR 2.0 is a sweetie.
"Miata is always the answer."
Yea - I'm a fan of the NC. I think the NC is the sweet spot where you don't even necessarily have any screens or any kind of infotainment system - just the stuff you need and nothing you don't.
@@bubba99009 Everyday Driver agrees with you, as do I. ua-cam.com/video/r6HFEaZi5mI/v-deo.html
NC is an awesome deal, and the ones that have the pointy RX8 looking headlights are actually pretty decent looking, just can't get my head around the ones with the round oval headlight styling, but I'm sure that's just a bumper cover and headlight swap away, especially with that Carbon Miata Type1 bumper cover!
You can get an NC for like $10k, which is not only affordable, it's damn cheap for how much fun they are, and for how much of an improvement they are in EVERY WAY over an NB. Some are only a decade old! People are paying that much for a nice NA that's 30 years old!
@@Alias1431I've looked under the hood of an NC and I've pulled the engine on my NB twice. (For upgrades mainly) Night and day difference. Not only does the early NC have questionable styling, but the engine work is more headache as well. Aside from a bump in power, and VVT, I do not see the appeal. It's less of a drivers car and more of a passenger car... IMO. It has a softer suspension and weighs more. This was the main complaint about the NC and why the ND is a return to form of what the NA and NB were. I've also looked under the hood of an ND. It looks more like the NC, but for being a new car, it's more simple than say a Jeep Wrangler, or Ford Bronco. I would much rather have a timing belt on a non-interference engine than a timing chain. Especially on a DOHC engine. The maintenance is just easier. Even though this timing chain is touted as "maintenance free", and self adjusting, you'll need to pull it to replace the head gasket. The NB has an aluminum intake and port injection. None of this direct injection crap. The NB has 140hp in its 1.8l engine vs the 128hp of the NC 1.8l engine. The weight difference is only about 100lbs, unless you get the hardtop, which adds 200lbs. The most powerful NC will edge out the most powerful NB, but I just have a hard time getting behind that car.
Maybe you guys can convince me, but I'm just not sold on the NC. Let me hear some convincing.
I have a 2020 Miata GT manual soft top. Absolutely love it. The low running costs was one of the reasons I bought it. I’ve average over 30mpg like you said without really trying and kinda being and ahole. I’m never getting rid of it, it’s a forever car.
My last sports car was an Audi TT RS. Great car, very fast -- but on public roads it was boring unless it was going way too fast. The Miata is fun at ANY speed, that's what makes it so amazing!
What was the slowest you have driven in it and bad fun fun?
Almost bought a boxster or a Z4. But after driving the Miata and the visceral feeling it gave me during the road test. I couldn’t give it back to the dealer. I went home with it, an hour later. Now, I can’t stop driving it
I actually went and bought a used Miata and it’s now the benchmark for me of what a good sports car is. Thank you so much for turning me on to this amazing vehicle and for ruining me for all other sports cars. 😂
Another greeting from Germany. I think you hit the nail on the head with this review. I got my ND2 in March of 22. I had rented a couple before, on anniversaries and such. First, an RF, then in 2021, a soft top. We had it for 5 days and put 2000 kms on it. My wife had a smile on her face the whole time. After that, she said, "Yeah, we can get one of these". That was in the Fall of 21 and we had ours a few months later. I had to drive 3 hours to get one in blue, but it was so worth it. Im lucky that it doesn't have to be my daily driver, but during the Summer, we were taking it out almost every weekend. So much fun to drive. My wife and i took it to Normandy last year for 5 days and it was perfectly fine for a trip like that. Autobahn/highway driving can be a little boring, but that's the case with a lot of cars. My son and i really put it thru it's paces this past July when we drove it thru Lichtenstein, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Again, a 5 day trip, and 1700 kms. We drove it on the Stelvio Pass and the Furka Pass, as well as many others, and it performed incredibly well. So much fun. I'm 62, 5'10", 200lbs. It's not a perfect fit for me, but that's my fault and can be rectified. I drove a rented Jag F-Type in the states in 2019. It was a lot of fun, and i fit in it better, but not practical pricce wise. I prefer my little MX-5 Go-Kart. Best car purchase I've ever made, for my well-being and mental health. Thank you for the review, even though i didn't need it to convince me that this is a great car.
The funny thing is, the first Miata i tried was the NC, and it's still my favorite!
I always say this but I’ve had 8 Miata’s from NA to ND2. I love my current NC2. It’s on Feal 441s so really the car drives basically perfectly. I will say that I am planning to add a ND3 to the stable but I will not be selling the NC2. No way.
The NC/RX8 Chassis is fucking magical is why.
Also owned an NC2 which I set up for canyon carving (17x9s, summer tires, MeisterR coils, Progress sways, etc) and it was incredible. Only reason I sold it was to move “laterally” to a PRHT. But the market the past 2 years has been crap. Decided to test drive an ND2 and enjoyed it so actually started shopping for one and literally within the past month 2 have sold out from under me, and another 2 the sellers changed their mind and decided to keep theirs. Like, what?? Thats a sign for me that either the ND2 is also incredible, or in my case it’s just not meant to be and I should go back to shopping for NC3….
Everyday Driver agrees with you, as do I. ua-cam.com/video/r6HFEaZi5mI/v-deo.html
@@KingTroopa I still think one of the best bargain projects out there to do is a K swapped RX8 then do a few upgrades to rev it to 9k rpm, ... some assemble required!
Mark and Jack I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoyed this video. You guys nailed it with what the ND 2 is all about. I’m sooo happy I bit the bullet and purchased my 30th Anniversary RF….oh yes and btw it is a manual 👍🏾
I miss my ND1 a lot, I had it for 5 years. The only reason I let it go is because it is hard to live with as an only car and I needed something more practical. I have an Integra now and its OK but not nearly as fun as a Miata. Now I shed a tear whenever I see someone enjoying their Miata with the top down.
Don't be sad. You still got to experience something that most everyone will never get to.
ur lucky asf man, i've never saw an ND irl(did seen an NC tho)
I've owned the NA, NC & ND, and with each and every drive I park and feel as if I've been on a great experience whilst behind the wheel of these magnificent cars. Pound for pound and dollar for dollar nothing can compare to the pure driving exhilerance and natural fun they offer. Kudos to you gents on telling it like it is and the great videos. Cheers!
What do you think of NC vs ND. I’m debating between the two for my next car.
@@jonathanrobinson592 I purchased the ND RF and drove it for 6 months, and ultimately sold it. What I didn't like was the steering (felt way too assisted and not natural), the compressed feeling of the cabin in the RF setting (very tight seats, and no true convertible vibe as weird as that may be), and an overall true roadster "vibe" while driving. I then purchased a 2011 NC special edition hardtop with less than 20k miles a few months later, and fell instantly back in love with the car. I know it sounds weird to think the most current iteration of a model isn't the best, but for me it isn't. The NC is my choice hands down, and an excellent example of how a true rear wheel drive roadster should drive, react and feel, not to mention I really like the styling and lines of this one...again, my thoughts and tastes...yours may vary. Good luck and I hope you enjoy whatever you decide on.
I own the exact same car you drove - a ‘22 ND2 Club in Soul Red. I agree with everything you said. This car cured me of my Automotive ADD. I love it and I’ll never sell it. And I bought it new to support the Miata business case.
Same here, I was hopping from one car to another year after year until I found my ND2 Soul Red Miata. I can't see myself selling the car ever, I even think of buying another Mazda as a more practical car over another manufacturer just to support the company at what they are doing.
@BrateTebra123 yup exactly, I have 2 cx5 wife and son and I have the nd2
I recently bought an ND2 last week. It's amazing, automotive therapy even.
And I agree with the point, even though they're not that rare, it's very difficult to find an analogue n/a and lightweight car like this being produced today. Everything is turbo or hybrid now, so yeah the mx5 nd definitely a future classic imo. I also think the new mx5 concept being electric is good news for an Nd owner, these will be sought after in a few years.
Nothing better than having an SG video praising the car I drive most days. I love my Soul Red Crystal ND2 RF Club. Everything you want. Nothing you don't.
Your take on the ND2 reflects how much you've grown on this SavageGeese journey (I'm a subscriber since 2013). In 2021, I sold my modded NB1 SE Miata to buy a base 981 Boxster PDK. As much as I admired the engineering and performance of the Boxster, I missed my old Miata. I test drove an ND2 soft top and immediately sold my Boxster to buy one even though I had only owned it for 18 months. I've never regretted buying the Boxster or selling it. My 2022 ND2 just delivers sublime joy every single time I drive it. Having owned the Boxster just makes me appreciate the Miata that much more.
Well said! High horsepower is flashy but it wears off quick. Lower horsepower with a well tuned chassis that dances with you at street speeds is a magic I didn’t understand until I matured past the flash.
It's almost like Colin Chapman knew a thing or two about cars.
@@EvoraGT430one or two, at most 😬
There is so much to be said about a light, low HP vehicle. You won't win any races at lights but that isn't what driving is about. The guys in their Golf R's and V8 Hemi's are miserable souls that need the HP to prove something to themselves, whatever that is, by winning acceleration at lights and going to a big circle jerk at Chili's.
Meanwhile you have these old-world approaches to a drivers car that Mazda (and once upon a time, Ford with the Escort RS\Focus SVT\ST, GM with the Solstice\Sky, Toyota with the MR2, Nissan with the 240SX, Honda with the Prelude\Del Sol, and even BMW with the Z3) believe in. An car focused on one thing above all else: an approachable, unique connection between car and driver. There are always sacrifices when your focus as a designer is to make one thing 110%, but if you pull off that 110%, it's worth it.
My friends couldn’t believe but I just made a deal to trade my ZL1 for a Miata. Oh well, it’s my life and I’m looking for the most fun.
@@emotionz3don't forget the MG sports cars, as an influence to Mazda. The reviews of the MX5 (Miata) are overwhelmingly good, hopefully my next car.
Test drove a 2023 MX-5 a few months ago and fell in love with it. I had been considering a C4 or C5 vette but realized prices for both of those are nearly the same as a base model MX-5 so decided to give on a try, mostly to see if I could fit in it, to get a "modern" car. Glad I did and when the 2024 model comes out I will be waiting in line for it.
I've actually always had really basic cars, off-roaders from the 90's and earlier, and my daily driver 2005 Toyota Matrix is a base model manual with zero power anything (no ABS, no traction control, no A/C, no cruise control, nothing). The ND seemed like the perfect upgrade for a summer ride that brought all the modern stuff I wanted but keeping it simple, and not too much car that I couldn't drive it every day.
I love all the Miata content coming from all of the good Auto UA-cam channels recently! I’ll say it again, after having a bunch of cars, the Miata is something I always come back to. I’ll always keep one in the garage.
Just fell in love with my car all over again. 2021 Soul Red RF with Ohlins Road&Track.
Pure bliss on a backroad. It's been hard not to look over my shoulder at all the new stuff, especially the 86. But at this point, I think it's a forever car. Every gear shift is a shot of dopamine. A few miles can turn a bad day into a good one before you know it.
Miata is always the answer. You don't need and cannot use a 500 hp two tonne car with carbon brakes, indeed.
But you CAN use a 500 hp 1.1 ton car #lsSwapTheWorld
Exactly. Living in the NY area it’s funny watching these high performance cars either sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, stuck behind endless SUVs or taking it easy due to the poor quality roads. Simple is better.
There’s a guy in my area running a simple lawn care business with his. Dude has a trailer with a ride on mower and a few other tools and goes around doing lawns. It’s funny seeing’s him next to a giant F150 that’s hauling the same stuff lol
it's the answer if you're 4 feet tall 12lbs
Not everyone lives in a shit hole city.....
One of your best videos ever. Not that I needed convincing to keep my ND2 RF for as long as I can keep driving it, but this video and Mark's Miata Rant at the end cemented it. Thank you for understanding the greatness of the MX-5 and not dismissing it for being too "slow" or "soft," even though you guys get to drive the newest and most powerful things on the market.
Blown away by your videos. Great content, combined with sensible, rational explanations. Excellent job.
I got a 2023 G70 recently and, while I love it for the plush twin-turbo paddle-shifted rocket-barge that it is, it makes me appreciate my 2008 manual MX5 even more than before too. The contrast between the two really is "another planet".
Having not driven a Miata, I just have to take everyone’s word for it. I can’t afford two cars though, and it’s too small and impractical to be my one car. Still, glad it exists and another great review by Savage Geese.
The car is perfect for a small person, If you’re anything above 200 pounds or 5’10 you will fit most likely but good luck being comfortable
I’ve never driven a Miata and as someone with a family, Miata will have to be a third car and that’s where owning it becomes difficult. Great video and insightful commentary as always.
I just bought an old used Silverado as my second "car" with a little over 100k km on it at the time. They are easy and cheap to work on and still look fine. Like an old extended cab F-150 or Silverado last a good long time as long as one doesn't cheap out on the type of lubricants (stay away from the parts store stuff). The biggest thing I had to do was replace the rocker arms at around 300k km which was super easy and only took a weekend afternoon (needle bearing retainer issue). I've got over 500k km on it now, Redline fluids for the win. Also it makes the Miata, or two seat sports car of choice, feel so much better when you climb into it for a fun drive!
@@thatpersiandude7386my buddy like close to 300 but he never really complains much tbh as a passenger atlaest, we plan on goin on a road trip soon with it lmfao
Consider getting into a NB to get a taste of a Miata at a lesser cost. Either way you will never regret it
Your word rings true to all who LOVE to drive. You nailed it when you stated the Mazda engineers gave not more, not less, just enough. A perfect balance that provides the feeling of a direct connection of the driver to the road. You can drive over a pebble and feel the thump! Plus, the extraordinary ability to adjust all aspects of the suspension is just mind blowing. Set the front toe to 0 or a little negative, 1 to 1.5 negative camber, and dial back the caster to 4.5 and you’ll be begging for tighter twisties and a few hairpins for an occasional slide! I hope Mazda never gives up on the Miata. I haven’t, even though I've been tempted in the recent years by lure of more horsepower and more tech but I still have my base model 93 NA and enjoy every second behind the wheel. Mazda should be proud because there is truly no other car quite like it.
I thought I'd never enjoy street driving again until I got a ND2 this year. It's easy to live with on track too. You need to do some minor upgrades (tires, brake pads, and fluid, like most cars) but it doesn't overheat, the brakes don't fade, and the tires don't get greasy.
I also have an nd2, and brake fluid is a must if you track it. I managed to cook both it and the pads on a (really) twisty road. Also if the roads are rough in your area, id argue you must change the tires. The stockers have insanely stiff sidewalls that shakes your bones to death.
@@crottemolewhat tires would you recommend?
I have a 2019 RF Club and find the ride quite harsh?
Would you go for a slightly wider and taller tire?
@@dougmaverick3287 Michellin Pilot Sport 4 have been great.
@@dougmaverick3287: If you’re in a climate where you can use Summer tires all year (or will switch to snow-rated tires when needed), the latest versions of either Continental Extreme Contact Sport or Michelin Pilot Sport are the best street tires for the ND.
If you have an ND with 17” wheels, the stock tire size is 205x45 R17, but those wheels can easily accommodate 215x45 R17, which will give you a slightly wider track (more grip) and slightly taller sidewall (more comfort).
In my experience, the Contis are a bit quieter and more comfortable, while the Michelins provide a bit sharper steering and a little more dry weather grip. They both greatly increase wet-weather grip, with the Contis having a slight advantage. Either are miles ahead of the stock Bridgestones in both comfort and handling.
I watched an interview with Dave Coleman where he said the ND engine was designed to maintain good oiling throughout at cornering in excess of 1g. Who does that?
Great video! I love all of your videos but your Miata documentary series was the biggest factor in my choosing a new soft-top, stick shift as my very first new car at the age of 55. I've loved this car so much. Everything you say is true but let's not forget, it's also a convertible! It's so delightful to drop the top on a back road on a beautiful day or evening. This is one of the most enjoyable, well-designed cars ever. Thank you for what you do.
Great video! I have a ‘91 NA that I bought new in September 1991 and I still love to drive it. It’s a classic to me.
Wonderful video, I'm 63, never had any type of sporty car, was always the minivan guy due to family. Now every time I enter my garage, I turn into a 20 year old and a huge smile comes across my face. I looked and thought about a sporty car for several years. Finally I pull ed the trigger and never looked back. Drink the "Koolaide" because this car truly is amazing! Thank you for review!!!!
Thanks guys! Your videos are the reason i bought my 2021 Miata RF club (red with the brembo package). I smile and laugh every time i drive this car! Mazda really owes you!
Was looking for comment like this ... since this channel is also the reason i bought my 2020 1500cc grey market/roro japanese Roadster/mx5/Miata ... talk about underwhelming in a straight line but rewarding everywhere else my only regret is why i didnt bite the bullet earlier.
Such an honest review for an affordable pure sports car. I test drove one recently and could totally resonate with your thoughts and feeling. It’s a proven formula for pure driving fun. I am so glad that you gave this car the due respect amongst all the “number’s car” craze. Well done!
Really enjoyed this video guys. Thank you so much as an existing ND2 owner, I couldn’t have said it better!
Normal people don't get excited Mark. The prices are cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs and as a huge car enthusiast, I just look longingly from the sidelines.
We are a two car household. My wife drives a decent 3 row suv that does everything she wants and is the family truckster, and I drive a 2003 Xk8 convertible that is my daily and fun car and the kids can cram in the back in a pinch.
I hope to buy a used pre-facelift F Type V8 someday as my attainable dream car for 30-40k and call it a day.
The affordable enthusiast sports car doesn't exist anymore meanwhile some new million dollar carbon fiber 1 of 10 hypercar gets announced (and instantly sold out) every week it seems like.
Because there are only 3 types of people nowadays, the poor, the ultra rich, and the homeless 😂
I drive a 98 5 speed Sentra as my only car, is fun because it is so lightweight, but feels underpowered compared to the old 92 Miata I used to have (probably because my Sentra isn't dual overhead cam like the Miata).
the more I drive my ND the more videos of it appears of my feed and more love gets shared around the car, all of my friend and people I met love it, sometimes I look at iit, go for a little drive and enjoy the little things in life, this little thing in particular makes you feel alive
I’ve always wanted more hp more hp, yea it’s fun but my ND provides a real connection and experience that’s impossible to describe. Great video gentlemen, you nailed it.
I’m 6’2” and drive a ‘98 NB as a second car. It has 210,000km on it and runs beautifully. Completely stock. It’s the perfect sports car for the road.
I had a 2017 RF and loved it. It was my "summer" car alongside a Focus ST. I loved the ND and it completely wrecked my confidence in driving the ST, just from the direct control the ND gave me. I felt like I was actually integral to the driving experience. Everything else I drive I feel like I'm just there directing or watching the car do the things I tell it.
There really isn't a good way to describe it. You've either driven one, or you haven't. Once you do, you instantly understand.
I own a nicely modified ND2 (springs, sway bars, chassis bracing, wheels/tires, etc) and a Mk7 Golf R. I'm not sure I agree or even understand the notion that the ND "completely wrecked" your confidence when driving the ST.
@@axledog7297 when I drove thr ND, it was like an extension of my body. I had confidence in the way the car moved and responded to inputs. When I went back to the Focus, I realized that the feedback and information I got from the ND was missing, and I didn't feel as confident with the car.
My ND was bone stock and the Focus has some very light modifications.
When driving the ND: "oh, this is what great handling feels like."
When driving the ST: "oh, that's what torque feels like."
Maybe a slight exaggeration... The ND felt like a tight driving glove, the Focus felt like a ski glove.
This is the way it's always been. Riding in one is not good enough. Drive one. Once you spend 10 minutes driving a Miata, you get it. Because you actually get to DRIVE a Miata, not just be behind the wheel while it's going. Top down, tearing through gears.
@@axledog7297 it should be pretty obvious going from something as connected as a Miata to something as numb and isolated as a VW.
What happened to it?
I like your love for the Miata!
Always said when my last motorcycle has been sold, it'll be time for a Miata. Loving my 2022 ND2 Club. Good Talk...
Awesome discussion! So true. Bought an NB2 thanks to the knowledge gained from videos like this and your Miata documentary series. Really enjoying it so far Can’t thank you two enough!
Blown away by your videos. Great content)
A two-wheel equivalent, in my limited experience, was the Yamaha FZR 400. I bought one to race, but had it on the street for a few months and it was more fun than any bike I’ve owned before or since. Dry weight 346 pounds, outstanding suspension and geometry for its era, and a willing 399 cc DOHC I-4 that made 59 hp at 11,500 rpm. Every ride was like the Grand Prix of your home town but at misdemeanor rather than felonious speeds.
I own a nd2 and used to own a 90' cb1. And you are 100% correct. Sure the feeling is insane when you go flat out on a 1000cc sportsbike, but when can you even remotely safely do? One day ill buy another little 400cc screamer!
Inline 4 bikes are just pure art, I have a Z900 and its the most perfect thing in the world, faster than 99% of anything on the road but naked + short gearing, so you can feel the speed and bang a couple of gears in a quick run. My commutes to work are not a chore, but a fun time
I have a Suzuki SV650 - people refer to it as the Miata of motorcycles.
Bought my ND2 back in 2021, and it has been my only car since then. Not sure what it is, but the joy of getting in that thing just has not faded like it does with other cars I've bought.
It even made me enjoy driving in Michigan winter, which is perhaps the highest praise I could offer.
Agree with everything here, I've had my '23 RF Club for just over 1000mi now and it is just wonderful. I look forward to every drive, even looking for excuses. It fits me as a daily driver (there are situations where its nice to have a fiance with a cx30 though). Hell, I can even fit my keys/wallet in the center console!
Best car on the market.
Wow.. Your final rant really resonated with where I'm at with cars. Have just traded in my C43 AMG and bought a 1.5 Kizuna MX5 and absolutely loving driving again.
I'm 37 years old and have been a car enthusiast from when I first saw a Ferrari Testarossa on the road as a 8 year old kid. Drove over 50+ different sports cars which I could never own, always either borrowed or rented as I live in the Balkans (basically the ghetto of Europe). Seeing all my youth dream "affordable" cars like S2000, Z4M and 987.2 Boxsters/Caymans costing more than my 2-3+ yearly salary, new "affordable" sports cars like MX-5 costing 35k+ € upwards and seeing the direction where the industry is going, I've become completely disillusioned and finally decided to go to motorbikes and just look at cars as commodity, like a washing machine. And I am not the only one.
Sad, but true, Brother. Sad but VERY true. 😢
Great video, as always. I'm already smiling ear to ear in my 2020 RF GTS, and I drive it every day! If you don't have kids and/or your partner has a larger car like a CUV or SUV there's absolutely no reason the ND can't be a daily driver.
I don't understand how this channel doesn't have already over 1M subs, there are other car reviewers out there that don't provide half the quality content as these guys, and yet they have much more subscribers.
It’s the music choices
I bought one in July and couldn't be happier! I've been dailying it and have over 4k miles. I agree with almost everything, but with a small caveat. If your significant other has a normal SUV or sedan this absolutely can be your "only" car. It's got plenty of room in the trunk for a cartload of groceries. I've taken my 3 pugs at the same time to their vet appts in the passenger seat. There's room in the trunk for two carry-on hardshell luggage suitcases. For normal stuff it's really not much of a compromise at all. Any small sacrifice is totally worth it. It's an amazing car. All it took was one test drive and I was convinced. And the Mazda dealers I worked with were just awesome. Got it for a couple K less than MSRP too. You owe it to yourself to drive this car at least once before you purchase your next car.
I really appreciate this review. I’ve admired the Miata for many years but every time I’ve went for a test drive in one, I straight up didn’t fit at 6’2” with a 33” inseam. I would love to see you guys do reviews of other raw open top cars like a caterham (with different chassis sizes for different sizes people) or factory five kit cars. I think they might be the way forward for those wanting an analog experience in a digital age.
If you’re willing to do open top, consider the Exomotive Exocet. Kit car designed around the Miata (but you can integrate whatever parts/engines you want, as long as you fabricate stuff… all Miata parts just mostly bolt on tho). Easily the most fun I’ve had on 4 wheels, for 1/4 the cost of an Ariel Atom. Mine was a race chassis (full tubular roof), 1650lbs, Xida coilovers, manual steering rack, etc. and since you can put whatever seats & seat mounts you want, mine accommodated someone 6’4” + helmet with no issue. Only reason I sold it is because I kept taking longer and longer trips and decided to move to an actual Miata for practical reasons (getting caught in rain with no roof isn’t fun).
Please try an NC2 Miata. They're just slightly bigger and it may be enough of a difference to make it usable. The drivetrain and suspension incredible and it's the last miata with great hydraulic steering. You can find plenty of info about lowering the seating position too
@@brandonsever2576 My dad (who is an inch shorter than I am) said that my '95 NA was actually more comfortable seating-wise than my '11 NC2 (he said it "felt longer" for his legs). To me it was pretty much the same in that regard, but yes the NC2 cabin is larger in terms of width and overall volume. The ND cabin shrunk in volume just a bit, and lost even more storage with the whole glovebox delete.
You guys hit upon something really key with this review: Fun at reasonable speeds. Great video!
You're making me regret selling mine last weekend 😢
gosh darnit
You should lol
What did you buy?
Okay, but what did you replace it with?
well as long as you sold it to somone who will have it last long and pass it one to another person like that, its helping create more demand for the at least few who will end up buying and spreading such ideas for cars fo the future.
NC3 club owner here. Header, tune, Ohlins, Progress Sways, and AO52’s will get you everything you would want from a similarly modded ND2 for 15k less. I’ve had mine 2 years and can’t think of any reason to upgrade. So much fun.
They are so satisfying even when puttering along in traffic. That is what i love most about my ND2, it's fun period. I am not trying to speed to feel something, and street speeds feel wonderful. Once i squeeze myself into it, hear the bark from the Roadstersport Race exhaust, life is good. The icing on the cake is they are reliable, efficient and inexpensive to operate. Try one, you will walk away with a smile.
Killed it Mr Goose, '19 soft top club owner here. You are the main inspiration for my purchase. It's a fantastic driving experience.
My girlfriend uses one of these as her daily driver. For everything. Does 200 mile trips i it, carries junk back from the store in it (with the roof down sometimes for infinite headroom). She loves it. It's also more appropriate as we live in the UK, where people don't do that US thing of always needing to carry or tow insane amounts of "stuff" with them. Thread her little MX-5 down a tight, windy, bumpy, B road and you know what's up. These things are epic.
They are pretty much the ideal car for rural or semi-rural living if you don't need to carry a bunch of stuff or passengers yeah. They're the right size for our B-Roads, easy to park, economical, and because they're softly sprung they deal with the atrocious state of our roads pretty well. If I didn't have to occasionally carry multiple people or move stuff I'd definitely be looking to buy one!
THANK YOU for making this. This was an absolute joy to watch. My previous car was a 2017 ND Miata, and I put 45,000 miles on it before I had to trade it in to get something that would fit both of my kids in it. That was about 2 years ago.....I drive an Elantra N now, and I love driving it, but there is NOTHING that will match the feel of driving an ND MX-5.
I also love the point you made about having to get other cars up to insane/dangerous speeds to start "feeling something"....that's so true. I made the same observation after I got my Elantra N.... It's fun to drive, but in order to really feel something, I've gotta be in triple digits, which is just simply not smart. In my Miata, I could take a curve at 45mph and feel like I was taking a curve at 75mph. There's just nothing like it. One day, I'll get it again....as a second car--I hope before it's too late.
I bought an ND2 because of you Mark! Absolutely love it, puts a smile on my face everyday~
Thank you Mark for the bit at the end. I really appreciated that.
I own the 30th anniversary edition. It is the best. It brings a smile to my face every time I drive it.
Plus the orange pops summer AND winter. Misty, cold day? Racing orange miate lights the mood all ways. YAY
It's my dream car. By far the best color for this generation. The only problem is that I already own a Sunburst Yellow NA.
I've owned Miatas for 15 years now. Started with a used 2001 SE and sold it to a friend to buy a Launch Edition ND in July 2015. As the video points out, the joy in driving any Miata but especially an ND is in the responsiveness. The throttle response, the feel of the shifter, the quickness of the steering, and a suspension that doesn't try to protect you from actually feeling the road. If you get it, you get it. Mark and Jack get it.
Absolutely great video. Really unusual and valuable perspective on the car and industry. Thanks.
I used to own one and am thinking about buying one again. Looking out for "final edition" at this point. It won't be the first thing I do something like that. I sold and Evora and bought back the very same car some years later.
I really enjoyed my ND2. I pushed it to its limits by keeping up with the AMGs, Hellcats, Audis. I realized that in the corners, my Miata has no problem at high speeds while the cars I compete in tend to press the brakes there. I believe a skilled driver in a Miata is a winning combination.
Thinking the Miata must be a second car is a frame of mind not a fact. It’s been my daily driver since 1990. We had three kids and in the middle of those child rearing years I had a sedan. The last one was a Lexus LS. My wife drove SUVs which we used for vacations. 99% of the time the number of people in my daily driver were the same, 1. Regardless of the size of the car, I was in it by myself which is the norm for most of us. I rode in a Triumph when I was in college, owned one soon after, and have understood what a light weight roadster was all about every since. My daily driver makes me smile. To me, the ND is so different from previous versions that it should have a different name. It’s the first that could become a classic. I think it has timeless beauty. The Jaguar and a couple of the Ferrari’s are the only better looking cars. It looks like a baby Jag. But, it drives better, except for that V-8 sound. The induction sounds are great in the ND but it isn’t as great as the sound of the Jag or the LC 500. Compared to a Miata everything else feels like a buss.
Solid driver’s car.
I really wish the major brands would take a huge step forward, by looking back.
Use Singer as inspiration.
Small to moderate displacement, naturally aspirated, high revving, manual trans, analogue gauges, and minimal interior. The only electronics you really need are the ignition.
You guys must get your hands on a ND3 Miata asap to review. They are heading to North American shores as I write this and I am planning to order a GT manual, but I'd love to see your take on it first.
As usual Mark is spot on here. Such a fun car. I own a ND2 Club (soft top) and it's always a blast to drive. I previously owned a super-charged Lotus Elise. The Elise was definitely faster but it wasn't anymore fun than the MX5 to drive (it was more fun at cars n coffee type events of course but owning and driving one required lots of comprises compared to even the MX5).
I've always wanted an Elise. Tell me more about your trade reasons. I own a boosted NB miata. If a trade opportunity arrives, I want to know why it's a bad idea.
@@christopherlowery855 Its really about what you are looking for in a car. The Elise was way more raw - faster, louder and more tactile. It garnered much more attention which I loved. For me though, being 50 years old now and living in Florida, some of the cons were the air conditioning only worked for about 15 minutes, the lack of power steering was fun while driving but less fun while trying to pull out of my garage and parking spots, it had large blind spots especially while backing up (could've been mitigated with a rear camera) and it was very low to the ground which made pulling into parking lots and such a bit stressful and difficult. Ultimately I decided to sell because the A/C was terrible and I got tired of sweating to death after car shows and drives, I was terrified that the clam would be damaged, I didn't know of any trusted shops around that I could have any work done at if I needed anything done (I am not very mechanically inclined - and I don't have the right tools and low profile jack etc) and the price/value kept going up on a car I barely drove (I drove mine for 2 years and made decent money on sale which was ideal since my daughter just started college). So if you are handy, don't care about the lack of safety features and A/C and are not the sort that worries about someone damaging your car or running up the miles then the Elise/Exige are awesome. For me though the Miata while a bit slower is way more comfortable, almost as much fun and waay less worriesome/nerve racking. Also the Miata 'community' is much bigger and active than the Lotus one. Really you cant go wrong either way though. Both are amazing cars.
@@markfinnegan6038 Oh wow, thank you for the detailed reply. None of those things I really care about. My miata has an AC, but I drive without it because the car dies when I drive with it on. I also love driving with the windows down. I need a remote wire installed from the AC to the ECU, which I just need to do. I've driven a civic without PWS and the early miatas had PWS as an option. I can live without it. As for the rear visibility, I used to drive tractor trailers. We only have side mirrors to work with. That shohldn't be too much of an issue. As for the mechanic work, I do all the upgrades and mechanic work on my car. I outsource welding and pipe bending, but anything bolt-on I'll do. My car has 3" of ground clearance and I do have a low profile jack. I agree with you about not trusting people. Price and quality work are the two reasons I do the work myself. The work I'm not a fan of, just the results. Sounds like I could easily live with all of your cons. If I ever get rid of this car, an Elise looks like a good upgrade for me.
Thanks again for the insight.
Awesome video! I was looking forward to it after Mark told me that they had an ND2 they were going to take another quick take on. Totally true on all points. And even if you do get Ohlins and stickier tires for track/autocross and the overall price gets pricier, there's always the factor that you may modify your SS 1LE or comparable car with that stuff anyhow. The core Miata traits of low consumable costs still survives after doing basic modifications.
On my ND1, I have the SakeBomb Ohlins and a set of PS4S tires for my normal driving and then 225/45/17 RE-71R tires for autocross and the car is still teaching me new things as a driver I didn't know when I autocrossed my modified Mk5 GTI that is now just my 'rabbit hole modified' daily driver haha.
Keep up the great videos Mark and Jack!
I have the long travel Ohlins from Sake Bomb as well. Stance and feel is just perfect.
@@tludwig400 nice I have the other versions still with the spherical top hats but not the long travel versions. I run Swift 6kg/3kg springs. One day I’d love to get the Karcepts front ARB, but I still have room to improve as a driver so I want to do that first.
@@g60corrado91yep, I did the same top hats with spherical bearings and the same Swift springs. Those top hats make some noise from time to time, but otherwise love this setup. I intend to do sways as well, but I’ve been super busy the last couple of years and haven’t made the time to get to it.
@@tludwig400 same here. Plus around $1100 with the subframe reinforcement kit. Can’t justify that right now with the 1 or 2 autox’s I do each year.
"In 20 years..." This is how I feel about my NC1! What a great little go-kart, at a steal of a deal. It's almost criminal how cheap you can get an NC for against how much fun it provides. Not to mention, reliable af!
A Hard Dog hideaway hitch and normal 16-cubic-foot cargo box answer all logistics concerns outside of extra people.
Most of the 90s sporting cars had that intangible. My 1998 Civic DX Hatch was my most connected car I've ever owned. We've regressed.
80s-90s was peak motoring, especially in Japan
80-90s was peak Japan to be fair. If you take inflation away they are doing worse now than then.
I've driven a whole lot of sports cars over the decades, and done my share of trackdays. As far as a street car that just spoke to me and I wish I could get back was my stock '98 ITR, well except for some Mugen shift bushings. I ended up selling it for an S2K, and I want my ITR back!
You should have driven the 2000 lb CRX Si, back in the 80s, that and the RX7 were tons of fun.
bUt EvS aRe ThE fUtuRe!
Great video guys. Really appreciate the comments to close out the video.
I just recently got an early ND . Deliberately sought out the 1.5ltr that was available in OZ early on in ND’s life. I don’t have time or skill for track. I just want my mundane driving to be fun. At the moment it’s the third car. I’m hoping to convince the wife we don’t need the second car so we can go back to 2.
Yeah, I can only fit one of the kids in it. But so many times it is split duties so I’m only taking one child somewhere- sports, school, dance, whatever…. So why not make it a little fun. Oh, I never break the law. Don’t have to. Love it!
I drove a RF Club trim a few years ago when I was looking for sports car. I love their shift in the gearbox to 1:1 in 6th. This close ratio layout is one of the best decisions they made. It made the car an activity. Even on a 30mph side road, you're rowing through the gears. The ND looks good, feels good, feels solid, and the Club setup is relatively stiff and well damped for an oem setup. The engine feels adequate and refined. It also feels enough, plenty. Comparatively, the OG NA Miata is almost toy-like in every metric. The only real fault of the car is the absolutely dead steering. It's just really weird to have in a dedicated sports cars, especially when you can buy full size sedans and pickup trucks today with more feel. It's just a weird thing.
I agree the ND Miata is a special thing. It's highly polished and refined. It's highly optimized to its function. While some may praise the OG NA, those feel toy-like in comparison. The ND is now a substantial object.
Vehicles with pure sense of purpose stand out, and they kind of glow against the sea of other vehicles. They also do appear timeless specifically because there aren't comparables or true successors. The S2000 feels like this. The Viper feels like this. Heck, even a gen 1 Dodge minivan feels like this. These cars feel like a nearly perfect representation and execution of an idea, and they stand on their own merit for it.
I have bought a couple sports cars since my test drive. Unfortunately I never did buy a ND Miata. There were other things that interested me more, one with the same DNA and the other I feel is the grown up version of the Miata. To me, the RX8 is a more interesting car, not as fun stock, but scales well with mods. The other was an old E85 Z4. The Z4 feels like a matured Miata in size, refinement, and power. It has the classic roadster feel too, even more so in my opinion. Both are choices of personal preference, certainly, but both are also unique time capsules too. The RX8 is the last rotary. The Z4, at least the E85/E86 is the last naturally aspirated inline 6.
Bought my ND2 last year for all the exact same reasons you guys mention in the video. I am a petrolhead and love all sort of cars but nothing compares to the joy of driving this simple, light and responsive roadster. I will keep it forever.
When I spoke to the salesperson at Mazda he told me that he never has to sell these cars: they sell by themselves. You go for a test drive and then you just want one (happened to me). Well, to be honest I had an NB before.
If you think this car is slow just check some YT videos of ND2s on the Nurburgring with good drivers at the wheel. It is a momentum car and you have to “earn speed”, but cornering is second to none.
Cheers from Luxembourg.
Looks are subjective of course but for me the ND Miata is the best looking Miata of all time inside and out. However when it comes to driving experience it lacks some steering feedback of the NA/NB Miata’s and that’s why I own an NB with a hard dog roll bar. Granted any Miata is a fantastic option for fun driving and that’s why we have 4 generations to choose from so we can find the one that matches what we are looking for most. Great video as always.