Had the same issue with Warranty with an HSV Clubsport R8 (Vauxhall VXR8 equivalent) once upon a time. Did some legitimate drag racing once upon a time (on a proper track, helmet, timers, etc) and I managed to break the synchro from 2nd to 3rd. Dealer I bought it from said it was from racing and denied warranty. I moved interstate shortly afterwards and took it to another dealer for a service where I explained the gearbox problem and confessed to having "driven it in a spirited fashion". This dealer was fantastic and said words to the effect of "of course, that's what it was built for" and replaced the gearbox under warranty. They also replaced the LED back lights after warranty expired citing early reliability problems with the 2007 model's tail lights
Most car companies wont cover warranty if you have trackdayed the car. This year, Toyota got into controversy when they didn't cover the warranty of a brand new GR86 that blew up on track. Here's the kicker. The GR stands for Gazoo Racing, and it comes as a "Track Ready" package. Try working that one out lol
I have the GR Yaris and this worries me, Hyundai do it the best. My friends i30n had track use but they didn’t void the warranty at all when he took it in to have an issue resolved, great stuff!
GR86 has two major problems. First is a very poorly designed oil sump, which means conversion to 'dry' oil sump is a must before track racing. Second is that it comes with 0W20 recommendation which is solely for leal reasons in Europe and not for technical reasons. Toyota engines are designed to accept any oil viscosity which is confirmed by catalogues for US, Central/South Asia and South America and don't have nearly that strict emission rules, so before taking any of their cars to track, you should change oil at least to 5W40. I'd personally go for 5W50.
Bought one a year ago and can't be more happier. Done about 6500 miles and it's been really good. More reliable than my 2020 Audi A3 S-line!! Sold that Audi after only 9000 miles due to reliability and faulty sensor issues!!
You're spot on with your "makes you feel younger and more agile" observation. I'm 74 and I LOVE the MX5! When I was a young lad I had a Triumph Spitfire which turned me on to lightweight 2-seat open cars. Then with marriage and kids I had decades of family cars, many of them company cars. When the MX5 came out I lusted after one. Eventually company car tax reached silly levels and my employer went to a car allowance scheme instead. By then the kids had grown up so that's when I bought my first MX5, a new NB in 2004. In 2007 I traded that for a new NC Roadster (foldy electric roof) which I had for 14 trouble-free years. It was an early retirement present to myself (I retired in 2008). In 2021 I treated myself to a new ND2 2.0, which is my current car. In the lovely Soul Red. I have no plans to change it any time soon. You did say (correctly) that you an MX5 costs 'ordinary family car' money to buy and to run. But you didn't say that a Boxster is in a different financial league both to buy and to run, And it doesn't have that legendary Mazda reliability.
Last month I priced up a new boxster white paint wheels pdk etc but not over the top interior finish. Came out at 71k After some serious thought I have decided to buy a white 2023 preregistered mx5 2.0l nd from Mazda with 41 miles on the clock! 25k I cannot wait to pick it up next week and drive it 500 miles back home from Scotland 😊
You're dead right... Only live once or so it's rumoured. Which is your favourite MX5 so far? I ask because I prefer the looks of the NC but the consensus seems to be the best to date is the ND
@@bluegtturbo ND is the better car. I also think the NC looks dated now - it didn't age well. At first I wasn't too keen on the ND's 'sharper' looks but they grew on me, to the extent I HAD to buy one!
6.5 second 0-60 is not bad at all, that sounds like an enjoyable acceleration rate. That's early Honda S2000 territory. The feeling of winding your gears out is more enjoyable than constantly feeling for the next gear. Also, it's underrated having a sports car that is also calm and enjoyable to drive on the street, because for the vast majority of people, that's where they're driving it
@@Xj900_24 A true slow car fast is something like I experienced when married, an AE92 Corolla. That thing handled like a dream and you barely had to slow down from the speed limit to make turns in the road (within reason)
For the non-retracting seat belt, you could try washing it with a simple detergent. Apparently they can pick up dirt, then they get a bit stiffer, and the tension mechanism struggles to reel the now stiffer belt back.
Had exactly that on a Saab years ago. I'd priced up a whole new mechanism and thought I'd try cleaning the belt as you said. Sorted the problem instantly, but I did spray it with a little Mr Sheen which also sped retraction up.
100%. Had this issue on my NC. Pull out the belts as far as you can, clamp them in place and let soak in a bucket of hot soapy water for 30mins or so. Rinse in a clean bucket/let dry in the sun and they’ll be back to normal.
I didn't think I would stick around for all 34 minutes but here I am. Great video. I appreciated hearing about all the quirks/cons. Those are definitely all things that would bother me if I discovered them myself without seeing it in someone else's car. If I can expect them then they'll be slightly less annoying.
I have an NC. The roof drains is a common issue on all models of the MX5. However a potential issue is a leak through the locating screws for the front scuttle. There are small nylon pieces for the screws to do into, with a foam seal around the nylon pieces. The foam rots with age and then water and get in. I had this, and cleaned out the drains a fair few times trying to fix it. Had the trim off behind the seats checking the drains visually and found no problems. Still kept getting water in the passenger footwell until I replaced the nylon bits and the foam seal
I think your comments about modern Boxsters are spot-on. A couple years ago, I test drove a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 in probably the worst conditions I could've picked: cold, wet evening rush hour. I picked a route that would let me pick up some speed and go through a few twists, bookended by busy intersections, rail crossings, and rough surfaces. The middle bit felt okay, but by the time I headed back to the dealer, I couldn't understand the car at all. In normal driving, the 718 felt dull and punishing. I wasn't happy just being in it, but I was quite happy to return the keys.
Your earlier review of the ND MX5 is one of the reasons I now have one. I moved up from an NC when it got its first advisory for rust! I had sat in one and could only see its limitations for space, storage and the worry that all the modern aids to driving safely on today's roads would lead to unreliability. Then I test drove one. I only have the humble 1.5, but there is enough power for 'spirited' driving, with the roof down, without the risk of damaging myself or my licence!
Did the issue with corrosion not worry you? If these are not your daily driver, can you mitigate the risk by driving on dry days and when you do take it out in the wet, give the undercarriage a blast afterwards with clean water?
have a 1.5L and also tried a 2.0L before. agree that the 1.5 is more fun. the car just makes me want to drive more often. brilliant video and looking forward to more updates on your mx5
@@Shumayal1.5 is less powerful but you can rev it up to about 7500 rpm. That extra ~1000rpm may not bring much speed but the feeling of squeezing every single bit of power from the engine is so satisfying. I never drive on a track. I would say driving a 1.5 can be more fun without going too fast.
Thanks for your great review and the outlook on potential issues to look out for. Owning an MX5 now for 2 month it still gives me the widest grin on the planet driving it open along the German B-Roads in the "Odenwald"
I bought my NA new in 1991. I still have it and have never had any problems with it. Gives me face ache every spring when I get it out and end up grinning like a madman!
Thanks for review, Richard! This has become my dream car since you first showed it on your channel. I've watched dozens of videos about it XD Still not ready to pull the trigger on it, but one can dream .
Fantastic informative video Richard, I used to own a RX/8 back in the day and loved it, similar 50/50 weight distribution and of course the famous rotary engine. Fuel consumption was dire but the car gave me immense enjoyment. I sold it when it was only 2.5 years old (11K miles) when they started increasing the road fund license massively as the emissions were high, and the value of it went south!
I wonder why 13B engine swaps into NC MX-5 aren't more common? I understand they are the same basic chassis and the front subframe swaps straight over complete with the rotary engine. [If anything people seem to more commonly put *other* types of engines in an RX-8. 🤔]
I second everything you say about owning one of these, Richard. I bought a 2004 MX-5 as my first car back in April, and literally every drive is a joy, I really can't put a price on it. Starting to look at dealing with the rust issues mine has, though it had been treated in the past, it needs more. But this is a forever car for me, so it's worth the cost. Smiles per mile. Good review - thanks!
Thanks for sharing Richard, I remember saying on Facebook we were due your annual review :) Concur with all your observations tho I've only had my car for 12 months (2019 30th Anniversary). I never gave the MX5 consideration because of my biases around their low power and lack of belief that they would be fun. To those who've never driven one, you really have to take it for a drive and with the roof down. They give an amazing sensation of speed and fun whilst complying with the speed limits in a way higher powered cars struggle to do so. They aren't perfect and I always have a slight worry when we have day after day of rain (incase of water ingress), the surface rust underneath, they do feel just on the edge of being too small and you have to assume people don't see you because of its small size and ability to 'nip into gaps', but, they give such a buzz I strongly recommend ownership. Richard, thanks again for the time taken to film, edit and post the vlog. Cheers, Kevin
The power guys should check what rally drivers used to do cars in 70s and early 80s that had as little as 170 or 200 horsepower. Type in 1980 Manx Rally for starters. The technique back then was to preserve as much pendulum through the corner as possible.
Hi Richard, brilliant video as usual. Always liked these cars but i'm 6 ft 3, have tried an MX5 in a showroom and find it claustrophobic. So not for me - alas. Re your comment about revving out small engines being way more fun. 100% agree. I don't know why people drive around in really powerful cars. Owned one or two in the past, and found them frustrating on public roads because you could so infrequently safely and legally use their performance. That's why they (powerful cars) are mostly I believe bought either by people who haven't worked that fact out yet, or don't care about the law or safety, which is a worry. Anyway, yes, id rather rev out an 1.0 Aygo X, keep my licence clean, and have fun with the sunroof open. Again - brilliant channel, always interesting and informative. Cheers! 😀
Have you tried a NC1? I've had a few passengers a similar height in mine and they fit comfortably. The seats don't have height adjustment so they sit lower than the other years.
Speaking as someone who drives a powerful turbocharged car, I must say that it is all about driving on the torque in such a vehicle in my opinion. You don't have to go anywhere NEAR revving such an engine out to maintain very brisk and safe progress. This can be such a relaxed and lazy way to get from A to B. The safety factor of owning a performance vehicle is often overlooked also. Four wheel drive, and enhanced handling and braking, and stability and traction control and extras like radar distance monitoring all come together to make driving my car so much easier and enjoyable than my Wife's tame little economy focused hatchback, which feels much less confidence inspiring when driving even just briskly. In the hands of the wrong type of person though, power can corrupt and create a real danger for innocent road users. This fact cannot be denied.
Thanks for a good thorough review. I have a 2016 2 litre and have had a couple issues, the window regulator fail, hoops rubbing the hood, rear bushings replacing...minor issues in my opinion. It also has a BBR 190 tune and the tranny ,so far, is fine. It's so much more alive! 😉I've had an MX5 since 2008 and absolutely, positively love it!
I appreciate this video and your thoughts on this car. Thanks for sharing! ...also that's an insane amount of rust. I can't imagine what it looks like under there today 😬
Just brought a Used 2021 Mazda 3 Manual trans watching your vids. Never drove manual but thanks to your videos my learning been pretty smooth. Thank you for your service. Only issue I had so far is the sensor for the passenger seats are faulty. Its covered under the bumper to bumper but been too lazy to get it fixed.
@@louisbarninghamI don't see how moving the seat will fix the issue. Even if it did, you still want to fix it. If there's a fault in the system, the airbags won't deploy in an accident.
Watch the original 1971 version of Vanishing Point and look closely how quickly Kowalski changes a gear when racing Jaguar. It's not movie magic, it's actually possible. Before the sequential gearbox era, rally drivers would train changing gears like crazy. I originally trained it because in Europe we used to have very weak and it was a necessary skill for safe overtaking. Not to mention in some vintage cars like Fiat 500 you had to master changing gears in split second or otherwise you were forced to climb entire mountain or 2nd or even 1st gear.
Richard, you are so right in many of your remarks about the MX5. I speak as someone now in my 70’s and have a 2008 Niseko 1.8. I have owned the car for 13 years, and now has 28k on the clock, I now probably do less than 1.5k a year, but when the sun sines, and the weather is fair, it still puts a smile on my face.
As a driving instructor myself, I spend all day in my automatic Toyota C-HR, and funny enough, my weekend toy is a white MX5, which I absolutely love I'm formally from Essex but now teach in Devon Great videos. Keep up the great work 👍
I remember hiring the original MX-5 when they first came out, to travel to my sister’s wedding in Derby. It was the first convertible I’d driven and I loved it. Problem is I need 4 seats so since 2007 I’ve had a Saab 93 Convertible, BMW 3 series convertible, 6 series convertible and currently in an 8 series convertible. I just love open top motoring, especially on a warm summers night with a cool breeze in your face… Nothing nicer 😎
Great video Richard! Never apologise or feel like you need to hold back on the minor problem reports / smaller issues! This is exactly why people watch this kind of content. I've been on the fence about purchasing this car for a while now and have finally pulled the trigger on a beautiful RF club. Its always nice to know exactly what you're getting into and the problems that might need fixing down the line!
Hi Richard. Regarding the squeaking windows problems, I had the same issue on my peugeot partner van and I used silicon spray and that cured the noise for about 4 years.
I first started learning how to drive a manual NA 3 years ago by watching your videos and I've been dailying an ND Miata now for over a year. I don't think I would be the enthusiast I am now without your help, so thank you!
Had two mk2.5s and rust was an issue, my CX-3 is fantastic, but rust is starting to show at 8 years old; but what a brilliant car! If I could fit in the modern MX5, I would definitely have one. Thanks for the great vid, very informative.
honestly, it just tends to be a problem with Japanese cars as far as I can tell. Japanese roads aren't salted in the winter, and cars aren't designed to deal with saltwater as a result.
@@omarpulido8502 Not as bad. American and German cars cut costs with crappy plastic hoses with plastic junctions, while giving you thicker sheet metal and thicker paint -- different priorities (not that Nissans don't also have those cheap mechanical bits due to the Renault influence!).
Richard you do a great job explaining the Miata. Yes it has it trouble spots but overall I find my 2016 Club soft top with the Brembo / BBS package to be a blast to drive on the US roads / highways. I do my own oil changes & have done the transmission oil change using the Mazda OEM juice. The quirky Navigation system takes getting used to but I bought the Mazda packaged SD card from EBAY so its likely not updated with new map data. The window squeak problem is really minimized by using a clay bar on those side windows after really cleaning them well. I also clay bar the windshield / back window. Usually takes about 4 to 5 months & the need to do it again is there. I also clean the inside front track really well helping the door motor to operate much better. 6.5 years of daily driving my ND Club in 4 season weather has been a great experience in showing how well this car handles in snow / ice / cold temperatures with the right winter tires - Michelin X Ice 3s. I change out my tires myself & rotate them during the seasonal change. I also don't like parking under any trees as those drains are important to keep clear. I also had to have the torque tube tightened so I brought the TSB into the dealer when it was done. The exhaust was changed to an active exhaust ( vacuum pressure controlled Hush O Matic Flyin Miata TY ) & love the sound it makes when I am driving more aggressively.
almost purchased a BMW Z4 M40i last summer...happy we didn't...about ready to go with 2023 or 24 Miata - haven't decided between soft top vs RF, so excited. thanks for your video!
Wow, I heard a lot of sensible sentences without shouting to express how car is good and down to earth reasoning about car's problems. I really like an explanation about handling, a lot of car reviewers are just talking PR texts. Great video, you have my attention mate...
The seat belt is a cleaning issue. Clip the belt in the clasp, then scrub it clean with a microfibre and some interior shampoo, best on a warm day. The dirt and grease will stop it retracting.
Didnt know about the warranty thing, in my mind if i bought a sports car for upwards of 20k id never take it on a track, id race it through school zones and motorway traffic, that way the dealer will be more than happy fixing it when something inevitably goes wrong. Why take it to a controlled environment with adequate safety and conditions if the dealer sees them as harmful to the car?
Thank you so much for being so detail oriented! As someone who is equally obsessive about the details, this is super helpful in deciding if I want to upgrade to a Miata.
I have the same problem with seatbelts not retracting well, and recently started hearing some rattling around where passenger's B-pillar would be. After seeing your video I think it could be the airbag - thanks for the tip, hopefully it will be easier to investigate and remedy.
Couldn't agree more on the power/acceleration aspect. Modern muscle and super cars are overpowered to the point it's like taking a cannon to do target practice.
Man this video is spot on. Recently i did a test drive with a Boxster. Those cars are way over engineered, too capable for normal use. At normal speed it felt very boring. I had to break the law to feel excitement. ^^ I own a Lotus Elise and next year I will buy myself an MX5 ND. Also good that you mentioned all the quirks, so i can pay attention on the used market :)
Depends how much of a hooligan u want to be. The gt84, m2 and mazda allow you to find the limits sooner, the boxster let's you push it hard in legal limits and not worry about spinning out, I find them better sport and GT cars when needed
Thanks for another superb video, including the great explanation of what a sports car should be. Have always loved open two-seaters and the MX5 in particular, and perhaps one day I'll be able to justify one again.... A few comments: 1) you asked about engine problems - I've got a 2021 US-spec Mazda3 (6-speed manual, with a 2.5 litre unblown version of the engine), and recently got a notice from Mazda saying there's an occasional problem with the engine thermostat (they've been known to stick open and over-cool the engine) and they've extended the warranty on this item to 15 years/150,000 miles. That was also the only problem I had on my previous 2006 Mazda3 (US-spec), and it's an easy fix. 2) I agree 100% with the entertainment/navigation systems' two round controls being superior to a touch-screen, the Mazda's system is much easier to use than my UK-spec 2018 Golf GTI's touch-screen. Mazda got this right 🙂. 3) Shame about the rust - I remember a saying in the 1970s that you could use a Mazda in a salt mine and it wouldn't corrode-- how times have changed!
Re: Older drivers common -- I think I understand this one, now. I'm 45 (middle age, if we are being literal), so I guess I am in the "mid-life-crisis" era of my days. I bought a 2018 RF GT not too long ago after wanting one for years. The reason why I think you see so many older drivers in these cars is simply because they are at a moment in their life where they can both afford it and do not necessarily need a family wagon anymore; the kids are grown and maybe the spouse daily drives an SUV/CUV and is perfectly happy with it. It is not necessarily that they (we) are trying to feel younger, it's just that life circumstances now allow us to finally have one. I know there are many that have an MX-5 as a weekend and/or summer toy, but many, many people daily drive them as their only car in these older years. You nailed every aspect of your 3-year review, and I'm happy to hear that you are keeping it for a long, long time!
That's a good point about why older people may own them. As for how long I keep it, I don't know. I have no plans to change it yet but if something comes along that I really want then I will consider it.
That and it's usually a 2nd car after a sedan or suv. Most people won't want an mx-5 as their only car unless very young, and unlikly to be driving a new sportscar that young given insurance costs and purchasing power/credit.
I am almost 68 and just bought a 2015 PRHT 6 speed manual, and love it. I had manual cars since I was 18, until I married my husband at age 40, he doesn't know how to drive one and doesn't want to learn. When we met in 1995, I had a 94 Mustang GT that I kept until it needed work. For the past 15 years we have only had an automatic and usually only one car. Last August I bought a 2020 Honda Fit EX-L, for myself as a daily and he can drive it when his 2012 Mazda3 is in the shop. I went with an NC because anything lower and we wouldn't be able to get out of it, my husband has bad knees, and we need the extra room. I looked for months, expanding to the whole US, because there are few for sale in the PNW, especially a PRHT. I wanted to try and get a cheaper one, but then this 2015 in Zeal Red Mica, the color I wanted, with only 17,000 miles popped up locally and decided to jump on it. It was way more than I planned, but I know the history and it hasn't been abused.He bought it for his wife when they were in their 50s. He special ordered it and picked it up at the dock in Seattle. It has the Premium, and Suspension Packages, which I definitely wanted, and appearance package is a bonus. It even has paint protection plastic on the front, the mirrors, etc. It was kept covered, under a carport. I have a garage, that is full of junk, so it sits out but covered. I am hoping to build at least a carport soon for all of our cars. The dream would be to add another 2 car garage with a storage loft for the junk in the one car garage. At least the stuff I don't sell. They decided they don't drive it enough to justify keeping it, and his wife is having problems with her left leg and can't push the clutch now. He took me for one last drive to show me how everything worked. His wife didn't want to be there when it was driven away. I thought he was going to cry when I backed it out of the driveway. He has a newer pickup, I don't know what she drives. Their other toy is a Shelby Cobra and are active in the local and national Shelby Cobra Clubs. If it is nice out, I will drive the MX-5. I was lucky, the weather was great almost 2 weeks when I picked it up and had a few days to enjoy it before the PNW rain returned. Soon, I will be able to drive it most days, until the winter rains and ice return.
I’m gobsmacked that it’s got rust already! I was not expecting that much, even if it is just surface rust. Given the condition of my NC, which is far from the best, it looks like it’s rusting at a much quicker pace. Obviously I’m not an expert though.
One of the biggest reasons that's putting me off (as I'm looking to get a used one, £30k+ doesn't feel like a bargain anymore, more like there's no alternative). The thing with them is even new ones delivered by dealers already have rust underneath, and some I wouldn't call surface rust, as they (so did Richard's car) start at the weld seams, which will eats away the rest rather quickly. That's said the GR86 isn't very good on that front either (also that GR86's suspension setup is just far more basic, front steel-armed McPherson struts at this price), but I don't think is nearly as bad to this magnitude (seem to be common across Mazda range, a combination of poor material, poor protection and poor design). Either way for a 3-year-old £30k+ car that's not even used as a daily I don't consider this to be acceptable. (Yes I can underseal but that also voids warranty, not to mention underseal is not something you can just do it once and forget about, it needs to be maintained)
@@lm971120 What kind of underseal do you mean? Could you use the spray-on oil treatments? It's a shame that Mazda rust-proofing is not the best, but it's not like brands that *do* have more solid bodies like Ford or VW make small affordable sportscars, so what choice do you have, lol? (Why don't Ford, VW, Skoda, Peugeot, etc etc make small relatively inexpensive rear wheel drive sportscars?!)
silicone spray to the left and right edge of the window going up and down young man. Fixed day one of me owning my "new to me" 2020 RFGT. Aprreciate the video. I'm going to have to check out the door card and see if I need to grease anything & prepare for that cable replacement.. also, I bought a tuba brush to clean the rear roof drains. Keep them clean & clear. Best of luck..
31:00 I was surprised when you said one of your favorite cars to drive is a fiat panda, my mom has it as well and i drive it quit often and I definitely get what you say, it is really fun
Lovely engine Richard. Weather strips left right and central. Glad you love it. Love the white red roof leather. Looks epic. And I’m a trader. Nice thing.
I just bought my first Miata Grand Touring. My husband bought one in 1999, so this is our second Miata. I bought it sooner than I was expecting on getting one, but I really appreciate knowing about the little foibles of the car such as cleaning out the drain holes and the possible wear and tear from the roof of the car rubbing against the back of the seats. My car is the Soul Red Crystal Metallic with the black interior, but I love your red seats and top with the white color.
My NC PRHT MX5 has none of those issues. I do like the shape of the ND better, but my NC has seat height adjustment - very nice to have. And my power-retracting roof draws stares whenever I have it go up or down. Recently, I added a new Supra to my stable. Power is addictive!
I own a 2016 Mazda 2 and have been eyeing up an MX-5, so I'm glad to hear your experiences with your MX-5. My Mazda 2 does suffer from that problem with the cold clutch judder as well and I was unlucky with my gearbox and had to have a new one installed this year despite the car having covered less than 30k miles. Other issues I have had is that the touchscreen developed cracks in one corner despite never being used and the infotainment system crashes repeatedly for the first 5 or so minutes of my journey. Having said all that, I adore my car. It's small turning circle is amazing, it feels fast and nippy, looks great and feels great to drive. Passengers often complement it's comfort over bumps as well as it's appearance both inside and out.
Nice one Richard, glad to see you enjoying the car even with all the niggles. Would you ever consider modding/upgrading it? For example stiffer anti roll bars or coilovers. I think that might transform the car quite a bit especially on track.
I want to keep it standard, over 90% of my driving is on the road and I enjoy the reliability. If I was going to change anything, it would be coilovers as you said, but not for ride height or spring rate, I'd keep that the same but have a better quality damper. I like a bit of roll.
Really nice one thank you! Currently driving a MRS and looking for this with soul red or white like yours(body colour door card is so lovely)❤ Same budget I also consider 987 2.7L/ 2.9L Boxster, it’s not the most powerful version of 987 but like you said it’s more fun to drive a slower car with lower maintenance cost relative to highest spec.
The window squeak is probably a hard piece of foam attached to the outer door skin , I had to resolve this problem a few weeks ago for a customer on a previous model MX5 , the foam had moved slightly and rubs on the centre of the outer window.
Hi Richard, i've been actively checking your content for the past 2-3 months as i wante to know more about MX5's. I am proud to say that i will be a new owner of a MX5 2024 in about 6 months from now and you helped a lot to go forward with my decision! A bit afraid i might add by what the little cons you mention in this video but having driven a NA Miata and test driven the newer available model, i can say it is one of the most versatile sports cars out there for the price. I call it a go kart for the road. I love MX5s for their style and possibilities. Coming up from being a 100% biker for the last 6-7 years. I had to buy a convertible to get the sensation of freedom i want, it is the closest experience you can have in 4 wheels. You are very thorough with every video you make and you cover mostly everything per subject of video. One of the best channels the algorithm introduced to me :P Thanks for everything, keep up your good work. Greetings from Greece
Relative of mine had a couple of MX5s of varying ages. She bought it when she realised she wouldnt be driving for many more years and decided to have something fun while she could still get in and out of it. She's got a more normal car again now due to mobility, but had 3 or 4 MX5s to enjoy while she could!
Hi Richard, thanks for the video. I've got a white 2020 MX5 with brown roof after having a 2016, after having a 1999, after a 2008 Lotus Elsie, after an NSX. Mazda fixed the roof. For the windows, just spray some silicone in the channels on sides. I had no problems with the entertainment system, or the seat belts, or the diff, or the Gbox. The engine is great, I love the car!
Thanks for the video. Also, as someone who does as much work as possible on their own cars - when you put the car up on stands, give it a decent shove/shake from the side. It shouldn't fall and is more than any amount of movement torquing a bolt will give. Also, having multiple redundancies like extra tires/wheels and jack stands under the car will help a lot.
Thank for the video. I always think that Japanese cars have less problems but that Mazda changed my mind. Probably Toyota and Honda only............... MX5 is a beautiful car, but with all that little issues, it is quite annoying consider it is just 3 years on the road.
It seems that the corrosion on the valve covers on these is ultra common. I was bad on my wife’s and I discovered that I could not clean it off no matter what I tried. The odd thing was that the cover wasn’t pitted it was just sort of discoloured. So I popped the cover off primed it with etching primer and gave it two coats of red caliper paint and it looked great. Simple fix!!!
I've owned right around 28 cars in my 48 years, and the MX-5 is the only one that put a legitimate smile on my face. I plan to get a 2022 or better in 2025 and the smile will return. Now...time to get back down to racing weight...
Great video, very informative. I have a 2010 NC with 83,000 miles, it's a Sport Tech model with PRHT. The car drives like new and has no squeaks or rattles! I've had the car 4 years and the only issue in that time has been a seized front caliper on the driver's side, which cost less than £40 to replace. This was probably an issue because the car had been parked up for a long time. The car has no rust underneath or in the rear arches, which is a common issue, but I have checked mine and ensured it is well protected in all the vulnerable areas.
You can polish out the piano black trims and they come out like new! I have an RF and it's the best car I have ever had. Most cars just take you to your destination but don't give anything to you. This one is different though.
Its funny this video shows up and you mention the soft top contacting the roll hoops. I literally just brought in my brand new 2023 MX5 GT to the dealer for warranty service to fix it this morning. Wanted to get it fixed before any damage happens in the future while still under warranty. Car is awesome otherwise
Hi Richard, hope you're doing well! Just want to wish you a really great 2024! Hope Christmas was good too. Thanks for all your great content, I've been enjoying your driving abroad series recently. Super smart idea btw, you're the go to videos!! Best of wishes & thanks as always: Zach
I have an ND1 having previously owned an NC1. Both suffer with the seat belt issue and the ND has obviously had the roof rub issue Richard mentioned, prior to my ownership. I’m 6’ 3” and just fit, although I definitely don’t fit in the NA or NB. I would recommend anyone that likes driving to have a go in one if they get the chance.
All of my tall friends really like the NA over the NB. I couldn't tell much of a difference at 6'1". The ND feels a tiny bit small for me and I'm making weird concessions between backrest angle and leg room and fiddling with the wheel and mirrors trying to figure out an optimal angle. I was curious about the NC as being a bit better fit, but have never had the chance to be in one.
A realistic review. I had a Mazda 2 from new, some warranty issues but all fixed with local dealer, no quibble. Only sold it because it was too small for our needs.
At about 30 minutes Richard explained exactly why I got the 1.5ltr. You can drive it harder and not get into trouble. I found the rust discussion interesting. I need to look into that with my 9 yo ND. May not be an issue in Australia’s climate.
Interesting video. I own a Mazda 2 sport black plus (2018) and have really enjoyed for nearly four and half years now. Basically the same 1.5 skyactiv G engine as in the base ND MX-5. Not as fun as an MX-5 I know but still fun as well as being practical and comfortable. Literally no faults whatsoever. Nothing on top of routine dealership servicing. Can't recommend them highly enough. Im about to take delivery of a new car next month to use as my main car. The Mazda 2 is going nowhere though! That said, swapping it for an NC or ND MX-5 is something that has crossed my mind...
i'm 6'4, tried one and absolutely loved it. Probably because i'm still too young to care about confort and am really in love with the car. So, yes indeed it's not made for tall people unfortunately, but it doesn't mean we are banned from driving it, you just have to like to drive it more like a kart
Heads up. It can be solved by purchasing an Aurora auto design low profile seat mount. It retains all the factory functions unlike some other low profile seat mounts on the market. Yes they are expensive at $475, but it does make a huge difference.
Richard, I have a 2021 MX5 RF GT here in the States. Back in March my car with (12,000 miles on it) started to have the EXACTLY same clicking/creaking sound you have in your video on the 7:01 mark. At first I told the tech guy that they should try to torque the PPF bolts tighter as I have seen that some owners claimed that was the problem. the tech guy said every thing was torques correctly. the dealer sent a video of this clicking to Mazda headquarters and they instructed the dealer to replace the whole transmission! The transmission was back ordered for a few months but finally, a bout two weeks ago it arrived, the dealer replaced the transmission and now the clicking/creaking is gone....not sure what to make out of it...
Excellent video. I really want to buy one, but I don't think my wife will let me. Re the squeaking window, I've noticed the same problem in my wife's 2012 Mercedes 250. Its only one window on the driver's side and only on hot days but the noise is exactly the same. Good luck sorting it out as I've never been able to resolve the issue.
I've had the same issue with clutch on Mazda 6 GH. When it came time to replace it, I took the whole new assembly to be balanced (with flywheel, which was also resurfaced and balanced) and it worked flawlessly ever since.
my mum has a 2017 mazda 3 with the 2.0 skyactive G, we bought it in 2022 with 15k miles and is now on 40k miles, never skipped a beat, gets 35mpg, plenty of power to have fun and the only non service item its needed is a wheel bearing
The obvious "fix" for the top hitting the roll hoops is to redesign the hoop cover and shave a bit off the plastic to create more room for the front of the roof to come down. I saw a video of a fellow who ground the plastic down to make more space, touching up the work with gloss black paint.
Just bought a 1.5 2023 model back in june to use as a daily driver and i absolutely love it! It makes every commute to and from work such a fun and enjoyable experience. I worried when I got it that the 1.5 would be too slow, but it's actually true what you're saying, you can drive it really hard, and still stay within a reasonable limit. It's really good fun to rev it out without the risk of getting caught for speeding. I've had mine lowered by Mazda with the official lowering springs (they're just Eibach ProKit, but Mazda sell and install them for a good price, and you get to keep the warranty) and have had it rustproofed/undersealed from new, so hopefully it'll still be on the road in 20 years time. I've also experienced some of the things you mentioned in the video, like clutch judder when cold and a very stiff 1st gear. I changed the gearbox oil to the famous Ford Motorcraft and it's made only a minor difference. I usually put it into 2nd and then 1st. My partner has a 2016 Mazda 3 with a 2.0 skyactivG and it also does the clutch judder, but it's otherwise been a fantastic car.
Gears take some time to fully break-in and your car is still factory fresh. Give it a bit more time and for gear protection I recommend Motul Gear 300 fluid or GM Synchromesh. Gear change can take a millisecond more time, but my Honda does not get crunches like it did with the light factory fluid. Cheers
strangely my old na sometimes has this problem too, the dog teeth in the gearbox might be misaligned and not let you in 1st, once you push it in 2nd it moves the whole gear box over and aligns to 1st. not sure its the exact same problem but when it does happen i usually go to neutral, rev the car, and magically 1st works again.
29:40 As an “older person” looking to buy an MX-5, it’s because I was brought up on manual, rear wheel drive cars and enjoy driving them. Most younger drivers only ever drive auto FWD or AWD cars and would never dream of wanting anything else. I learnt to drive on the extremely tail happy Triumph Herald, then eventually bought a new Capri 2.8i, one of the fastest affordable but very tail happy cars of the day. I drove it far too fast for ten years and sold it for £1,650 privately - actual real £10/ and £20 notes. My young daughter was gobsmacked by the sight of so much money for some reason!
For rust prevention I use Wool Wax and Fluid Film. Lanolin based products. They stop and prevent rust. Reapply with a rattle can annually. In the northeast of the USA our roads get salted regularly. Going for a test drive tomorrow in a white ND.
My '16 ND1 has 99,000+ miles on it, has none of those issues, though there might be a bushing or rear wheel bearing problem, I haven't had it investigated yet. I have snow tires on it now, it gets driven all year in New Hampshire, USA, we get snow and salted roads. It also gets a few miles of dirt roads most days, it's a pretty/very dirty car now.
Mazdas seem to have a lot of these tiny niggles. I have a 2018 Mazda 6 and it has the problem with the seat-belt, jerky clutch in cold weather until it warms up, auto-retracting mirrors that malfunction (apparently due to lack of lubrication inside, although dealers will say the motor is faulty when it’s not) and more rust than normal for a car of the same age… but none of that takes anything away from the joy of owning and driving it. The steering feel and balance of the car is amazing. Driving in other ‘normal’ cars of the same class feels a bit disconnected after getting used to the 6.
Good review. I hear the gearboxes are a bit of a weak point on the ND’s if you go down the FI route? When my s2000 finally rusts to pieces I’ll probably move to this platform as my track car. Well done to Mazda for keeping the mx5 close to its roots and creating a good looking little car
Hi Richard, I have owned my 2023 MX-5 GT MT for six months and 5,000 miles. I noticed that the seat belt does not retract fully and needs a little help already. The seat belt is certainly not dirty enough to be the cause. I enjoy your Videos. Thank you for posting honest content. I, like you, am smitten by the ND2 and will grow old with the car knowing that issues will arise. I paid quite dearly for and extended bumper to bumper warranty to cover what may come up. All of which sounds pretty inexpensive except the limited slip differential. Merry Christmas! Jeffrey
I'm 5'10, short legs, long torso but I drive like i'm 6'2. Everyone that drives my cars first just sink into my seat and have to adjust and move it forward. They don't understand how I can drive with my seat so far back. I have always just liked to lean back when I drive. I am willing to give the MX5 a try and sit in a more sports car position.
Maybe it's because where I live in Italy it never snows and consequently they don't throw salt on the road, my MX-5 ND is from August 2017, it doesn't have a hint of rust and the windows don't make any noise, but I only have 42,000 km
With the seat belt not retracting its the same on the NC.The belt goes down parallel with the plastic panel its hidden behind that alone slows the retraction down but if the seat is right back it clamps the panel back on the belt, shim the panel.
I have had a Boxster and an MX5. I loved them both, both are great cars. The main difference between the cars: Porsche brakes are a different world. And if I am in an accident I would much rather be in the Porsche...
My brand new 2022 MX-5 came from the factory with a defective transmission. I drove my car off the lot with 5 miles on the odometer. For the next 3100 miles, I took it easy, meaning no heavy loads on the engine or high RPM's (typically 3000 RPM max.) After 8 months, I took it in for its first service and oil change. Leaving the dealership with fresh oil and supposedly a clean bill of health, I accelerated harder for the first time. Shifting from 3rd to 4th at 4500 RPM, there was a distinctive grinding sound. I thought the mechanic at the dealer broke my car! Very upset, I drove directly back to the dealership. They claimed that the car had never left the lot. As far as the warranty goes, the service manager said they would replace the transmission with a rebuilt one. Not only that, but they would also need the car for 3 weeks!!! Hoping the service manager was wrong and Mazda USA will step in and replace the trans with a new one, I plan on leaving my new MX-5 with them this spring.
There was a bad batch of tranmissions in 2021 and 2022. As far as I know (read on forums) the most stabe years are 2017 -> 2020 and 2023. Many had Synchro issues with 21/22 models and gear issues in 2016 models. I hope my 2020 won't break. I also replaced the transmission oil not long ago when the warranty was out (3 years here) and the oil looked terrible, but no mital or brass shavings. I also managed to buy the original "Mazda IS" gear oil after weeks of research and trying out 75w90 oils from othe brands. It turned out thet even tho Mazda allows using 75w90 in the trans, it's so think it's basically renders the car useless in cold weather becuase of shifting problems in the first few gears and reverse.
Thank you for posting the above. I wanted to believe that my Mazda dealer is an honest one. It's a relief to know that the damage likely occurred before reaching the dealership. I can accept a flaw that occured in manufacturing because I know Mazda will stand behind it. Again, thank you for restoring my faith in my local Mazda dealer. @@cstrx11
Had the same issue with Warranty with an HSV Clubsport R8 (Vauxhall VXR8 equivalent) once upon a time. Did some legitimate drag racing once upon a time (on a proper track, helmet, timers, etc) and I managed to break the synchro from 2nd to 3rd. Dealer I bought it from said it was from racing and denied warranty. I moved interstate shortly afterwards and took it to another dealer for a service where I explained the gearbox problem and confessed to having "driven it in a spirited fashion". This dealer was fantastic and said words to the effect of "of course, that's what it was built for" and replaced the gearbox under warranty. They also replaced the LED back lights after warranty expired citing early reliability problems with the 2007 model's tail lights
Most car companies wont cover warranty if you have trackdayed the car. This year, Toyota got into controversy when they didn't cover the warranty of a brand new GR86 that blew up on track. Here's the kicker. The GR stands for Gazoo Racing, and it comes as a "Track Ready" package. Try working that one out lol
I think if there are no signs of damage a car should be covered to the full potential of it's advertised performance. That's just my opinion though.
I have the GR Yaris and this worries me, Hyundai do it the best. My friends i30n had track use but they didn’t void the warranty at all when he took it in to have an issue resolved, great stuff!
@@Judgey19XXyes my i20n has 5yr track warranty.
GR86 has two major problems. First is a very poorly designed oil sump, which means conversion to 'dry' oil sump is a must before track racing.
Second is that it comes with 0W20 recommendation which is solely for leal reasons in Europe and not for technical reasons. Toyota engines are designed to accept any oil viscosity which is confirmed by catalogues for US, Central/South Asia and South America and don't have nearly that strict emission rules, so before taking any of their cars to track, you should change oil at least to 5W40. I'd personally go for 5W50.
@@piotrmalewski8178 What is your issue with 0w20? I have been using it for over 15 years . . .
These ownership videos are valuable. Thanks for sharing Richard, they’re a fantastic resource for us folks who are seriously considering buying one. 👍
Don't buy one buy an SLK like I did and no problems MX5s are for women and gay men only , women's handbag with alloys
@@curtisducatiThanks for the heads up 👍
@@curtisducatiLMAO MX-5 are for real men that knows how to drive a car. SLK is the biggest gay toy ever and I am gay.
Nobody wants a heavy yacht.
Bought one a year ago and can't be more happier. Done about 6500 miles and it's been really good. More reliable than my 2020 Audi A3 S-line!! Sold that Audi after only 9000 miles due to reliability and faulty sensor issues!!
You're spot on with your "makes you feel younger and more agile" observation. I'm 74 and I LOVE the MX5! When I was a young lad I had a Triumph Spitfire which turned me on to lightweight 2-seat open cars. Then with marriage and kids I had decades of family cars, many of them company cars. When the MX5 came out I lusted after one.
Eventually company car tax reached silly levels and my employer went to a car allowance scheme instead. By then the kids had grown up so that's when I bought my first MX5, a new NB in 2004.
In 2007 I traded that for a new NC Roadster (foldy electric roof) which I had for 14 trouble-free years. It was an early retirement present to myself (I retired in 2008).
In 2021 I treated myself to a new ND2 2.0, which is my current car. In the lovely Soul Red. I have no plans to change it any time soon.
You did say (correctly) that you an MX5 costs 'ordinary family car' money to buy and to run. But you didn't say that a Boxster is in a different financial league both to buy and to run, And it doesn't have that legendary Mazda reliability.
True, I did forget to mention that a Boxster is about twice the price and misses out on some features the MX5 has.
Last month I priced up a new boxster white paint wheels pdk etc but not over the top interior finish. Came out at 71k
After some serious thought I have decided to buy a white 2023 preregistered mx5 2.0l nd from Mazda with 41 miles on the clock! 25k
I cannot wait to pick it up next week and drive it 500 miles back home from Scotland 😊
@@jonneymI’m torn between a 718 and MX5. How are you liking it? I previously had a 718 and 992.
You're dead right... Only live once or so it's rumoured. Which is your favourite MX5 so far? I ask because I prefer the looks of the NC but the consensus seems to be the best to date is the ND
@@bluegtturbo ND is the better car. I also think the NC looks dated now - it didn't age well. At first I wasn't too keen on the ND's 'sharper' looks but they grew on me, to the extent I HAD to buy one!
6.5 second 0-60 is not bad at all, that sounds like an enjoyable acceleration rate. That's early Honda S2000 territory. The feeling of winding your gears out is more enjoyable than constantly feeling for the next gear.
Also, it's underrated having a sports car that is also calm and enjoyable to drive on the street, because for the vast majority of people, that's where they're driving it
yea, 6.5 is impressive, my e46 330 doing somewhat same time, manual. and it is 3 liter engine.
@@Xj900_24 A true slow car fast is something like I experienced when married, an AE92 Corolla. That thing handled like a dream and you barely had to slow down from the speed limit to make turns in the road (within reason)
For the non-retracting seat belt, you could try washing it with a simple detergent. Apparently they can pick up dirt, then they get a bit stiffer, and the tension mechanism struggles to reel the now stiffer belt back.
Had exactly that on a Saab years ago. I'd priced up a whole new mechanism and thought I'd try cleaning the belt as you said. Sorted the problem instantly, but I did spray it with a little Mr Sheen which also sped retraction up.
Yeah but isn't his car like pretty much new?
100%. Had this issue on my NC. Pull out the belts as far as you can, clamp them in place and let soak in a bucket of hot soapy water for 30mins or so. Rinse in a clean bucket/let dry in the sun and they’ll be back to normal.
I didn't think I would stick around for all 34 minutes but here I am. Great video. I appreciated hearing about all the quirks/cons. Those are definitely all things that would bother me if I discovered them myself without seeing it in someone else's car. If I can expect them then they'll be slightly less annoying.
I have an NC.
The roof drains is a common issue on all models of the MX5. However a potential issue is a leak through the locating screws for the front scuttle. There are small nylon pieces for the screws to do into, with a foam seal around the nylon pieces. The foam rots with age and then water and get in.
I had this, and cleaned out the drains a fair few times trying to fix it. Had the trim off behind the seats checking the drains visually and found no problems. Still kept getting water in the passenger footwell until I replaced the nylon bits and the foam seal
I think your comments about modern Boxsters are spot-on. A couple years ago, I test drove a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 in probably the worst conditions I could've picked: cold, wet evening rush hour. I picked a route that would let me pick up some speed and go through a few twists, bookended by busy intersections, rail crossings, and rough surfaces. The middle bit felt okay, but by the time I headed back to the dealer, I couldn't understand the car at all. In normal driving, the 718 felt dull and punishing. I wasn't happy just being in it, but I was quite happy to return the keys.
Your earlier review of the ND MX5 is one of the reasons I now have one. I moved up from an NC when it got its first advisory for rust! I had sat in one and could only see its limitations for space, storage and the worry that all the modern aids to driving safely on today's roads would lead to unreliability. Then I test drove one.
I only have the humble 1.5, but there is enough power for 'spirited' driving, with the roof down, without the risk of damaging myself or my licence!
Did the issue with corrosion not worry you? If these are not your daily driver, can you mitigate the risk by driving on dry days and when you do take it out in the wet, give the undercarriage a blast afterwards with clean water?
I hope you enjoy it!
have a 1.5L and also tried a 2.0L before. agree that the 1.5 is more fun. the car just makes me want to drive more often. brilliant video and looking forward to more updates on your mx5
Why is 1.5 more fun?
@@Shumayal1.5 is less powerful but you can rev it up to about 7500 rpm. That extra ~1000rpm may not bring much speed but the feeling of squeezing every single bit of power from the engine is so satisfying.
I never drive on a track. I would say driving a 1.5 can be more fun without going too fast.
Thanks for your great review and the outlook on potential issues to look out for. Owning an MX5 now for 2 month it still gives me the widest grin on the planet driving it open along the German B-Roads in the "Odenwald"
I bought my NA new in 1991. I still have it and have never had any problems with it. Gives me face ache every spring when I get it out and end up grinning like a madman!
Thanks for review, Richard!
This has become my dream car since you first showed it on your channel. I've watched dozens of videos about it XD
Still not ready to pull the trigger on it, but one can dream .
I love your honest in depth reviews you really are on top of the ball
Fantastic informative video Richard, I used to own a RX/8 back in the day and loved it, similar 50/50 weight distribution and of course the famous rotary engine. Fuel consumption was dire but the car gave me immense enjoyment. I sold it when it was only 2.5 years old (11K miles) when they started increasing the road fund license massively as the emissions were high, and the value of it went south!
@Vict0o0o All rotary are a blast to drive, the rx8 drives like a charm, excellent handling and it's very reliable if you take care of your shit
I wonder why 13B engine swaps into NC MX-5 aren't more common? I understand they are the same basic chassis and the front subframe swaps straight over complete with the rotary engine. [If anything people seem to more commonly put *other* types of engines in an RX-8. 🤔]
I second everything you say about owning one of these, Richard. I bought a 2004 MX-5 as my first car back in April, and literally every drive is a joy, I really can't put a price on it.
Starting to look at dealing with the rust issues mine has, though it had been treated in the past, it needs more. But this is a forever car for me, so it's worth the cost.
Smiles per mile.
Good review - thanks!
I also have a 2004 Mazda MX5 nb Arctic 1800 in Razor Blue. It has been garaged its whole life and is completely rust free.
@@stevezodiac491 Mine’s also a 1.8 Arctic in Razor Blue, such a gorgeous and underrated colour.
Thanks for sharing Richard, I remember saying on Facebook we were due your annual review :) Concur with all your observations tho I've only had my car for 12 months (2019 30th Anniversary). I never gave the MX5 consideration because of my biases around their low power and lack of belief that they would be fun. To those who've never driven one, you really have to take it for a drive and with the roof down. They give an amazing sensation of speed and fun whilst complying with the speed limits in a way higher powered cars struggle to do so. They aren't perfect and I always have a slight worry when we have day after day of rain (incase of water ingress), the surface rust underneath, they do feel just on the edge of being too small and you have to assume people don't see you because of its small size and ability to 'nip into gaps', but, they give such a buzz I strongly recommend ownership. Richard, thanks again for the time taken to film, edit and post the vlog. Cheers, Kevin
The power guys should check what rally drivers used to do cars in 70s and early 80s that had as little as 170 or 200 horsepower. Type in 1980 Manx Rally for starters.
The technique back then was to preserve as much pendulum through the corner as possible.
Hi Richard, brilliant video as usual. Always liked these cars but i'm 6 ft 3, have tried an MX5 in a showroom and find it claustrophobic. So not for me - alas. Re your comment about revving out small engines being way more fun. 100% agree. I don't know why people drive around in really powerful cars. Owned one or two in the past, and found them frustrating on public roads because you could so infrequently safely and legally use their performance. That's why they (powerful cars) are mostly I believe bought either by people who haven't worked that fact out yet, or don't care about the law or safety, which is a worry. Anyway, yes, id rather rev out an 1.0 Aygo X, keep my licence clean, and have fun with the sunroof open. Again - brilliant channel, always interesting and informative. Cheers! 😀
Have you tried a NC1? I've had a few passengers a similar height in mine and they fit comfortably.
The seats don't have height adjustment so they sit lower than the other years.
god no, the aygo x are terrible drivers car. im getting fed up every time i have to drive one.
Speaking as someone who drives a powerful turbocharged car, I must say that it is all about driving on the torque in such a vehicle in my opinion. You don't have to go anywhere NEAR revving such an engine out to maintain very brisk and safe progress. This can be such a relaxed and lazy way to get from A to B. The safety factor of owning a performance vehicle is often overlooked also. Four wheel drive, and enhanced handling and braking, and stability and traction control and extras like radar distance monitoring all come together to make driving my car so much easier and enjoyable than my Wife's tame little economy focused hatchback, which feels much less confidence inspiring when driving even just briskly.
In the hands of the wrong type of person though, power can corrupt and create a real danger for innocent road users. This fact cannot be denied.
Thanks for a good thorough review. I have a 2016 2 litre and have had a couple issues, the window regulator fail, hoops rubbing the hood, rear bushings replacing...minor issues in my opinion. It also has a BBR 190 tune and the tranny ,so far, is fine. It's so much more alive! 😉I've had an MX5 since 2008 and absolutely, positively love it!
How long have you had your BBR 190 tune? Also what miles on your car?
I appreciate this video and your thoughts on this car. Thanks for sharing!
...also that's an insane amount of rust. I can't imagine what it looks like under there today 😬
Just brought a Used 2021 Mazda 3 Manual trans watching your vids. Never drove manual but thanks to your videos my learning been pretty smooth. Thank you for your service. Only issue I had so far is the sensor for the passenger seats are faulty. Its covered under the bumper to bumper but been too lazy to get it fixed.
Try move the seat back/forward might fix it😊
Manuals are fun, especially in a car like a Miata!
@@louisbarninghamI don't see how moving the seat will fix the issue. Even if it did, you still want to fix it. If there's a fault in the system, the airbags won't deploy in an accident.
Watch the original 1971 version of Vanishing Point and look closely how quickly Kowalski changes a gear when racing Jaguar. It's not movie magic, it's actually possible.
Before the sequential gearbox era, rally drivers would train changing gears like crazy. I originally trained it because in Europe we used to have very weak and it was a necessary skill for safe overtaking. Not to mention in some vintage cars like Fiat 500 you had to master changing gears in split second or otherwise you were forced to climb entire mountain or 2nd or even 1st gear.
Richard, you are so right in many of your remarks about the MX5. I speak as someone now in my 70’s and have a 2008 Niseko 1.8. I have owned the car for 13 years, and now has 28k on the clock, I now probably do less than 1.5k a year, but when the sun sines, and the weather is fair, it still puts a smile on my face.
Try some silicone spray down the window guide and see if that helps.
As a driving instructor myself, I spend all day in my automatic Toyota C-HR, and funny enough, my weekend toy is a white MX5, which I absolutely love I'm formally from Essex but now teach in Devon
Great videos. Keep up the great work 👍
I remember hiring the original MX-5 when they first came out, to travel to my sister’s wedding in Derby. It was the first convertible I’d driven and I loved it. Problem is I need 4 seats so since 2007 I’ve had a Saab 93 Convertible, BMW 3 series convertible, 6 series convertible and currently in an 8 series convertible. I just love open top motoring, especially on a warm summers night with a cool breeze in your face… Nothing nicer 😎
Great video Richard! Never apologise or feel like you need to hold back on the minor problem reports / smaller issues! This is exactly why people watch this kind of content. I've been on the fence about purchasing this car for a while now and have finally pulled the trigger on a beautiful RF club. Its always nice to know exactly what you're getting into and the problems that might need fixing down the line!
Hi Richard. Regarding the squeaking windows problems, I had the same issue on my peugeot partner van and I used silicon spray and that cured the noise for about 4 years.
Dude I love your driving lesson videos and just found you have a personal channel! This is awesome! Looking forward to more MX-5 content!
I first started learning how to drive a manual NA 3 years ago by watching your videos and I've been dailying an ND Miata now for over a year. I don't think I would be the enthusiast I am now without your help, so thank you!
How has this channel only have 26k subscribers. Great channel very professional and informative thanks for the videos
Had two mk2.5s and rust was an issue, my CX-3 is fantastic, but rust is starting to show at 8 years old; but what a brilliant car! If I could fit in the modern MX5, I would definitely have one. Thanks for the great vid, very informative.
honestly, it just tends to be a problem with Japanese cars as far as I can tell. Japanese roads aren't salted in the winter, and cars aren't designed to deal with saltwater as a result.
Apply fluid film twice a year and you won't have rust. . .
@@adamb1593American and German cars rust too. . .
@@omarpulido8502 Not as bad. American and German cars cut costs with crappy plastic hoses with plastic junctions, while giving you thicker sheet metal and thicker paint -- different priorities (not that Nissans don't also have those cheap mechanical bits due to the Renault influence!).
@@TassieLorenzoRenault is excellent with rust prevention though. And the mechanicals are solid on pre '2012 models.
interesting points about the nd mx-5 ... finally got one after a couple of years pondering on it... very happy with it..
Richard you do a great job explaining the Miata. Yes it has it trouble spots but overall I find my 2016 Club soft top with the Brembo / BBS package to be a blast to drive on the US roads / highways. I do my own oil changes & have done the transmission oil change using the Mazda OEM juice. The quirky Navigation system takes getting used to but I bought the Mazda packaged SD card from EBAY so its likely not updated with new map data.
The window squeak problem is really minimized by using a clay bar on those side windows after really cleaning them well. I also clay bar the windshield / back window. Usually takes about 4 to 5 months & the need to do it again is there. I also clean the inside front track really well helping the door motor to operate much better. 6.5 years of daily driving my ND Club in 4 season weather has been a great experience in showing how well this car handles in snow / ice / cold temperatures with the right winter tires - Michelin X Ice 3s. I change out my tires myself & rotate them during the seasonal change. I also don't like parking under any trees as those drains are important to keep clear. I also had to have the torque tube tightened so I brought the TSB into the dealer when it was done. The exhaust was changed to an active exhaust ( vacuum pressure controlled Hush O Matic Flyin Miata TY ) & love the sound it makes when I am driving more aggressively.
almost purchased a BMW Z4 M40i last summer...happy we didn't...about ready to go with 2023 or 24 Miata - haven't decided between soft top vs RF, so excited. thanks for your video!
Wow, I heard a lot of sensible sentences without shouting to express how car is good and down to earth reasoning about car's problems. I really like an explanation about handling, a lot of car reviewers are just talking PR texts. Great video, you have my attention mate...
The seat belt is a cleaning issue. Clip the belt in the clasp, then scrub it clean with a microfibre and some interior shampoo, best on a warm day.
The dirt and grease will stop it retracting.
Didnt know about the warranty thing, in my mind if i bought a sports car for upwards of 20k id never take it on a track, id race it through school zones and motorway traffic, that way the dealer will be more than happy fixing it when something inevitably goes wrong. Why take it to a controlled environment with adequate safety and conditions if the dealer sees them as harmful to the car?
Thank you so much for being so detail oriented! As someone who is equally obsessive about the details, this is super helpful in deciding if I want to upgrade to a Miata.
I have the same problem with seatbelts not retracting well, and recently started hearing some rattling around where passenger's B-pillar would be. After seeing your video I think it could be the airbag - thanks for the tip, hopefully it will be easier to investigate and remedy.
Couldn't agree more on the power/acceleration aspect. Modern muscle and super cars are overpowered to the point it's like taking a cannon to do target practice.
Really nice one thank you😀
Man this video is spot on. Recently i did a test drive with a Boxster. Those cars are way over engineered, too capable for normal use. At normal speed it felt very boring. I had to break the law to feel excitement. ^^ I own a Lotus Elise and next year I will buy myself an MX5 ND. Also good that you mentioned all the quirks, so i can pay attention on the used market :)
Depends how much of a hooligan u want to be. The gt84, m2 and mazda allow you to find the limits sooner, the boxster let's you push it hard in legal limits and not worry about spinning out, I find them better sport and GT cars when needed
Thanks for another superb video, including the great explanation of what a sports car should be. Have always loved open two-seaters and the MX5 in particular, and perhaps one day I'll be able to justify one again.... A few comments: 1) you asked about engine problems - I've got a 2021 US-spec Mazda3 (6-speed manual, with a 2.5 litre unblown version of the engine), and recently got a notice from Mazda saying there's an occasional problem with the engine thermostat (they've been known to stick open and over-cool the engine) and they've extended the warranty on this item to 15 years/150,000 miles. That was also the only problem I had on my previous 2006 Mazda3 (US-spec), and it's an easy fix. 2) I agree 100% with the entertainment/navigation systems' two round controls being superior to a touch-screen, the Mazda's system is much easier to use than my UK-spec 2018 Golf GTI's touch-screen. Mazda got this right 🙂. 3) Shame about the rust - I remember a saying in the 1970s that you could use a Mazda in a salt mine and it wouldn't corrode-- how times have changed!
Re: Older drivers common -- I think I understand this one, now. I'm 45 (middle age, if we are being literal), so I guess I am in the "mid-life-crisis" era of my days. I bought a 2018 RF GT not too long ago after wanting one for years. The reason why I think you see so many older drivers in these cars is simply because they are at a moment in their life where they can both afford it and do not necessarily need a family wagon anymore; the kids are grown and maybe the spouse daily drives an SUV/CUV and is perfectly happy with it. It is not necessarily that they (we) are trying to feel younger, it's just that life circumstances now allow us to finally have one. I know there are many that have an MX-5 as a weekend and/or summer toy, but many, many people daily drive them as their only car in these older years. You nailed every aspect of your 3-year review, and I'm happy to hear that you are keeping it for a long, long time!
That's a good point about why older people may own them. As for how long I keep it, I don't know. I have no plans to change it yet but if something comes along that I really want then I will consider it.
That and it's usually a 2nd car after a sedan or suv. Most people won't want an mx-5 as their only car unless very young, and unlikly to be driving a new sportscar that young given insurance costs and purchasing power/credit.
I am almost 68 and just bought a 2015 PRHT 6 speed manual, and love it. I had manual cars since I was 18, until I married my husband at age 40, he doesn't know how to drive one and doesn't want to learn. When we met in 1995, I had a 94 Mustang GT that I kept until it needed work. For the past 15 years we have only had an automatic and usually only one car. Last August I bought a 2020 Honda Fit EX-L, for myself as a daily and he can drive it when his 2012 Mazda3 is in the shop.
I went with an NC because anything lower and we wouldn't be able to get out of it, my husband has bad knees, and we need the extra room. I looked for months, expanding to the whole US, because there are few for sale in the PNW, especially a PRHT. I wanted to try and get a cheaper one, but then this 2015 in Zeal Red Mica, the color I wanted, with only 17,000 miles popped up locally and decided to jump on it. It was way more than I planned, but I know the history and it hasn't been abused.He bought it for his wife when they were in their 50s. He special ordered it and picked it up at the dock in Seattle. It has the Premium, and Suspension Packages, which I definitely wanted, and appearance package is a bonus. It even has paint protection plastic on the front, the mirrors, etc. It was kept covered, under a carport. I have a garage, that is full of junk, so it sits out but covered. I am hoping to build at least a carport soon for all of our cars. The dream would be to add another 2 car garage with a storage loft for the junk in the one car garage. At least the stuff I don't sell.
They decided they don't drive it enough to justify keeping it, and his wife is having problems with her left leg and can't push the clutch now. He took me for one last drive to show me how everything worked. His wife didn't want to be there when it was driven away. I thought he was going to cry when I backed it out of the driveway. He has a newer pickup, I don't know what she drives. Their other toy is a Shelby Cobra and are active in the local and national Shelby Cobra Clubs.
If it is nice out, I will drive the MX-5. I was lucky, the weather was great almost 2 weeks when I picked it up and had a few days to enjoy it before the PNW rain returned. Soon, I will be able to drive it most days, until the winter rains and ice return.
The seatbelt retracting issue has been a problem since the first car rolled off the line in 1989! My NA, NB, and NC all did it.
its a standard miata feature XD
I’m gobsmacked that it’s got rust already! I was not expecting that much, even if it is just surface rust. Given the condition of my NC, which is far from the best, it looks like it’s rusting at a much quicker pace. Obviously I’m not an expert though.
One of the biggest reasons that's putting me off (as I'm looking to get a used one, £30k+ doesn't feel like a bargain anymore, more like there's no alternative). The thing with them is even new ones delivered by dealers already have rust underneath, and some I wouldn't call surface rust, as they (so did Richard's car) start at the weld seams, which will eats away the rest rather quickly. That's said the GR86 isn't very good on that front either (also that GR86's suspension setup is just far more basic, front steel-armed McPherson struts at this price), but I don't think is nearly as bad to this magnitude (seem to be common across Mazda range, a combination of poor material, poor protection and poor design). Either way for a 3-year-old £30k+ car that's not even used as a daily I don't consider this to be acceptable. (Yes I can underseal but that also voids warranty, not to mention underseal is not something you can just do it once and forget about, it needs to be maintained)
@@lm971120 What kind of underseal do you mean? Could you use the spray-on oil treatments? It's a shame that Mazda rust-proofing is not the best, but it's not like brands that *do* have more solid bodies like Ford or VW make small affordable sportscars, so what choice do you have, lol? (Why don't Ford, VW, Skoda, Peugeot, etc etc make small relatively inexpensive rear wheel drive sportscars?!)
silicone spray to the left and right edge of the window going up and down young man. Fixed day one of me owning my "new to me" 2020 RFGT. Aprreciate the video. I'm going to have to check out the door card and see if I need to grease anything & prepare for that cable replacement.. also, I bought a tuba brush to clean the rear roof drains. Keep them clean & clear. Best of luck..
31:00 I was surprised when you said one of your favorite cars to drive is a fiat panda, my mom has it as well and i drive it quit often and I definitely get what you say, it is really fun
Lovely engine Richard. Weather strips left right and central. Glad you love it. Love the white red roof leather. Looks epic. And I’m a trader. Nice thing.
I just bought my first Miata Grand Touring. My husband bought one in 1999, so this is our second Miata. I bought it sooner than I was expecting on getting one, but I really appreciate knowing about the little foibles of the car such as cleaning out the drain holes and the possible wear and tear from the roof of the car rubbing against the back of the seats. My car is the Soul Red Crystal Metallic with the black interior, but I love your red seats and top with the white color.
My NC PRHT MX5 has none of those issues. I do like the shape of the ND better, but my NC has seat height adjustment - very nice to have. And my power-retracting roof draws stares whenever I have it go up or down.
Recently, I added a new Supra to my stable. Power is addictive!
I own a 2016 Mazda 2 and have been eyeing up an MX-5, so I'm glad to hear your experiences with your MX-5. My Mazda 2 does suffer from that problem with the cold clutch judder as well and I was unlucky with my gearbox and had to have a new one installed this year despite the car having covered less than 30k miles. Other issues I have had is that the touchscreen developed cracks in one corner despite never being used and the infotainment system crashes repeatedly for the first 5 or so minutes of my journey.
Having said all that, I adore my car. It's small turning circle is amazing, it feels fast and nippy, looks great and feels great to drive. Passengers often complement it's comfort over bumps as well as it's appearance both inside and out.
Great review. Thanks!
Nice one Richard, glad to see you enjoying the car even with all the niggles. Would you ever consider modding/upgrading it? For example stiffer anti roll bars or coilovers. I think that might transform the car quite a bit especially on track.
I want to keep it standard, over 90% of my driving is on the road and I enjoy the reliability. If I was going to change anything, it would be coilovers as you said, but not for ride height or spring rate, I'd keep that the same but have a better quality damper. I like a bit of roll.
@@RichardFanders by better quality damper do you mean something even more supple for the road?
With all the what now? I have never heard of that word in my life
Nvm I googled it
@@Mona-.- he ment all the black people in uk
Really nice one thank you!
Currently driving a MRS and looking for this with soul red or white like yours(body colour door card is so lovely)❤
Same budget I also consider 987 2.7L/ 2.9L Boxster, it’s not the most powerful version of 987 but like you said it’s more fun to drive a slower car with lower maintenance cost relative to highest spec.
The window squeak is probably a hard piece of foam attached to the outer door skin , I had to resolve this problem a few weeks ago for a customer on a previous model MX5 , the foam had moved slightly and rubs on the centre of the outer window.
I've owned Porsche 911, Porsche Boxster, Mazda MX5, fast Audi's & Mercedes.
Only car I regret selling was my MX5.
Fantastic updates. Very useful to get such transparent views.
Hi Richard, i've been actively checking your content for the past 2-3 months as i wante to know more about MX5's. I am proud to say that i will be a new owner of a MX5 2024 in about 6 months from now and you helped a lot to go forward with my decision! A bit afraid i might add by what the little cons you mention in this video but having driven a NA Miata and test driven the newer available model, i can say it is one of the most versatile sports cars out there for the price. I call it a go kart for the road. I love MX5s for their style and possibilities. Coming up from being a 100% biker for the last 6-7 years. I had to buy a convertible to get the sensation of freedom i want, it is the closest experience you can have in 4 wheels.
You are very thorough with every video you make and you cover mostly everything per subject of video. One of the best channels the algorithm introduced to me :P
Thanks for everything, keep up your good work.
Greetings from Greece
Relative of mine had a couple of MX5s of varying ages. She bought it when she realised she wouldnt be driving for many more years and decided to have something fun while she could still get in and out of it. She's got a more normal car again now due to mobility, but had 3 or 4 MX5s to enjoy while she could!
I like the contrasting colour specs on your mx5… looks more interesting than just one single colour!
Hi Richard, thanks for the video. I've got a white 2020 MX5 with brown roof after having a 2016, after having a 1999, after a 2008 Lotus Elsie, after an NSX. Mazda fixed the roof. For the windows, just spray some silicone in the channels on sides. I had no problems with the entertainment system, or the seat belts, or the diff, or the Gbox. The engine is great, I love the car!
For the squacky windows you can try the silicon spray to lube all the parts the window is touching that should sort the problem
I'm very impressed with ur channel. Very detailed and I formative. Keep it up!
Thanks for the video. Also, as someone who does as much work as possible on their own cars - when you put the car up on stands, give it a decent shove/shake from the side. It shouldn't fall and is more than any amount of movement torquing a bolt will give. Also, having multiple redundancies like extra tires/wheels and jack stands under the car will help a lot.
Thank for the video. I always think that Japanese cars have less problems but that Mazda changed my mind. Probably Toyota and Honda only............... MX5 is a beautiful car, but with all that little issues, it is quite annoying consider it is just 3 years on the road.
Most of the issues have been since months on the road.
It seems that the corrosion on the valve covers on these is ultra common. I was bad on my wife’s and I discovered that I could not clean it off no matter what I tried. The odd thing was that the cover wasn’t pitted it was just sort of discoloured. So I popped the cover off primed it with etching primer and gave it two coats of red caliper paint and it looked great. Simple fix!!!
I've owned right around 28 cars in my 48 years, and the MX-5 is the only one that put a legitimate smile on my face. I plan to get a 2022 or better in 2025 and the smile will return. Now...time to get back down to racing weight...
Thanks for your input on their voiding your warranty. I was in the process of buying a Mazda, but I'm cancelling the order.
Great video, very informative. I have a 2010 NC with 83,000 miles, it's a Sport Tech model with PRHT. The car drives like new and has no squeaks or rattles! I've had the car 4 years and the only issue in that time has been a seized front caliper on the driver's side, which cost less than £40 to replace. This was probably an issue because the car had been parked up for a long time. The car has no rust underneath or in the rear arches, which is a common issue, but I have checked mine and ensured it is well protected in all the vulnerable areas.
You can polish out the piano black trims and they come out like new! I have an RF and it's the best car I have ever had. Most cars just take you to your destination but don't give anything to you. This one is different though.
Thanks to your informative videos, I am a happy owner of a 2019 RF and having a blast :)
Its funny this video shows up and you mention the soft top contacting the roll hoops. I literally just brought in my brand new 2023 MX5 GT to the dealer for warranty service to fix it this morning. Wanted to get it fixed before any damage happens in the future while still under warranty. Car is awesome otherwise
Hi Richard, hope you're doing well! Just want to wish you a really great 2024! Hope Christmas was good too. Thanks for all your great content, I've been enjoying your driving abroad series recently. Super smart idea btw, you're the go to videos!! Best of wishes & thanks as always: Zach
I have an ND1 having previously owned an NC1. Both suffer with the seat belt issue and the ND has obviously had the roof rub issue Richard mentioned, prior to my ownership.
I’m 6’ 3” and just fit, although I definitely don’t fit in the NA or NB.
I would recommend anyone that likes driving to have a go in one if they get the chance.
All of my tall friends really like the NA over the NB. I couldn't tell much of a difference at 6'1". The ND feels a tiny bit small for me and I'm making weird concessions between backrest angle and leg room and fiddling with the wheel and mirrors trying to figure out an optimal angle. I was curious about the NC as being a bit better fit, but have never had the chance to be in one.
A realistic review. I had a Mazda 2 from new, some warranty issues but all fixed with local dealer, no quibble. Only sold it because it was too small for our needs.
At about 30 minutes Richard explained exactly why I got the 1.5ltr. You can drive it harder and not get into trouble.
I found the rust discussion interesting. I need to look into that with my 9 yo ND. May not be an issue in Australia’s climate.
Interesting video. I own a Mazda 2 sport black plus (2018) and have really enjoyed for nearly four and half years now. Basically the same 1.5 skyactiv G engine as in the base ND MX-5. Not as fun as an MX-5 I know but still fun as well as being practical and comfortable. Literally no faults whatsoever. Nothing on top of routine dealership servicing. Can't recommend them highly enough. Im about to take delivery of a new car next month to use as my main car. The Mazda 2 is going nowhere though! That said, swapping it for an NC or ND MX-5 is something that has crossed my mind...
i'm 6'4, tried one and absolutely loved it. Probably because i'm still too young to care about confort and am really in love with the car. So, yes indeed it's not made for tall people unfortunately, but it doesn't mean we are banned from driving it, you just have to like to drive it more like a kart
Heads up.
It can be solved by purchasing an Aurora auto design low profile seat mount.
It retains all the factory functions unlike some other low profile seat mounts on the market.
Yes they are expensive at $475, but it does make a huge difference.
Richard, I have a 2021 MX5 RF GT here in the States. Back in March my car with (12,000 miles on it) started to have the EXACTLY same clicking/creaking sound you have in your video on the 7:01 mark. At first I told the tech guy that they should try to torque the PPF bolts tighter as I have seen that some owners claimed that was the problem. the tech guy said every thing was torques correctly. the dealer sent a video of this clicking to Mazda headquarters and they instructed the dealer to replace the whole transmission! The transmission was back ordered for a few months but finally, a bout two weeks ago it arrived, the dealer replaced the transmission and now the clicking/creaking is gone....not sure what to make out of it...
Excellent video. I really want to buy one, but I don't think my wife will let me. Re the squeaking window, I've noticed the same problem in my wife's 2012 Mercedes 250. Its only one window on the driver's side and only on hot days but the noise is exactly the same. Good luck sorting it out as I've never been able to resolve the issue.
Just discovered this channel, been a subscriber to the other channel for ages! 😮😮😮
I've had the same issue with clutch on Mazda 6 GH. When it came time to replace it, I took the whole new assembly to be balanced (with flywheel, which was also resurfaced and balanced) and it worked flawlessly ever since.
my mum has a 2017 mazda 3 with the 2.0 skyactive G, we bought it in 2022 with 15k miles and is now on 40k miles, never skipped a beat, gets 35mpg, plenty of power to have fun and the only non service item its needed is a wheel bearing
The obvious "fix" for the top hitting the roll hoops is to redesign the hoop cover and shave a bit off the plastic to create more room for the front of the roof to come down. I saw a video of a fellow who ground the plastic down to make more space, touching up the work with gloss black paint.
I think Dave Plesko on the Facebook group does that.
Just bought a 1.5 2023 model back in june to use as a daily driver and i absolutely love it! It makes every commute to and from work such a fun and enjoyable experience. I worried when I got it that the 1.5 would be too slow, but it's actually true what you're saying, you can drive it really hard, and still stay within a reasonable limit. It's really good fun to rev it out without the risk of getting caught for speeding. I've had mine lowered by Mazda with the official lowering springs (they're just Eibach ProKit, but Mazda sell and install them for a good price, and you get to keep the warranty) and have had it rustproofed/undersealed from new, so hopefully it'll still be on the road in 20 years time. I've also experienced some of the things you mentioned in the video, like clutch judder when cold and a very stiff 1st gear. I changed the gearbox oil to the famous Ford Motorcraft and it's made only a minor difference. I usually put it into 2nd and then 1st. My partner has a 2016 Mazda 3 with a 2.0 skyactivG and it also does the clutch judder, but it's otherwise been a fantastic car.
Gears take some time to fully break-in and your car is still factory fresh. Give it a bit more time and for gear protection I recommend Motul Gear 300 fluid or GM Synchromesh. Gear change can take a millisecond more time, but my Honda does not get crunches like it did with the light factory fluid. Cheers
strangely my old na sometimes has this problem too, the dog teeth in the gearbox might be misaligned and not let you in 1st, once you push it in 2nd it moves the whole gear box over and aligns to 1st. not sure its the exact same problem but when it does happen i usually go to neutral, rev the car, and magically 1st works again.
29:40 As an “older person” looking to buy an MX-5, it’s because I was brought up on manual, rear wheel drive cars and enjoy driving them. Most younger drivers only ever drive auto FWD or AWD cars and would never dream of wanting anything else. I learnt to drive on the extremely tail happy Triumph Herald, then eventually bought a new Capri 2.8i, one of the fastest affordable but very tail happy cars of the day. I drove it far too fast for ten years and sold it for £1,650 privately - actual real £10/ and £20 notes. My young daughter was gobsmacked by the sight of so much money for some reason!
For rust prevention I use Wool Wax and Fluid Film. Lanolin based products. They stop and prevent rust. Reapply with a rattle can annually.
In the northeast of the USA our roads get salted regularly.
Going for a test drive tomorrow in a white ND.
My '16 ND1 has 99,000+ miles on it, has none of those issues, though there might be a bushing or rear wheel bearing problem, I haven't had it investigated yet. I have snow tires on it now, it gets driven all year in New Hampshire, USA, we get snow and salted roads. It also gets a few miles of dirt roads most days, it's a pretty/very dirty car now.
Mazdas seem to have a lot of these tiny niggles. I have a 2018 Mazda 6 and it has the problem with the seat-belt, jerky clutch in cold weather until it warms up, auto-retracting mirrors that malfunction (apparently due to lack of lubrication inside, although dealers will say the motor is faulty when it’s not) and more rust than normal for a car of the same age… but none of that takes anything away from the joy of owning and driving it. The steering feel and balance of the car is amazing. Driving in other ‘normal’ cars of the same class feels a bit disconnected after getting used to the 6.
i have a 2018 mazda 3 and it has 0 rust
@ 4:05 to exclude the firm mast from the equation, spray it with silicone grease spray can
Good review. I hear the gearboxes are a bit of a weak point on the ND’s if you go down the FI route? When my s2000 finally rusts to pieces I’ll probably move to this platform as my track car. Well done to Mazda for keeping the mx5 close to its roots and creating a good looking little car
Hi Richard,
I have owned my 2023 MX-5 GT MT for six months and 5,000 miles. I noticed that the seat belt does not retract fully and needs a little help already. The seat belt is certainly not dirty enough to be the cause.
I enjoy your Videos. Thank you for posting honest content. I, like you, am smitten by the ND2 and will grow old with the car knowing that issues will arise. I paid quite dearly for and extended bumper to bumper warranty to cover what may come up. All of which sounds pretty inexpensive except the limited slip differential.
Merry Christmas!
Jeffrey
I think the diff is reliable, it was not the problem. Merry Christmas!
I'm 5'10, short legs, long torso but I drive like i'm 6'2. Everyone that drives my cars first just sink into my seat and have to adjust and move it forward. They don't understand how I can drive with my seat so far back. I have always just liked to lean back when I drive. I am willing to give the MX5 a try and sit in a more sports car position.
Maybe it's because where I live in Italy it never snows and consequently they don't throw salt on the road, my MX-5 ND is from August 2017, it doesn't have a hint of rust and the windows don't make any noise, but I only have 42,000 km
With the seat belt not retracting its the same on the NC.The belt goes down parallel with the plastic panel its hidden behind that alone slows the retraction down but if the seat is right back it clamps the panel back on the belt, shim the panel.
Great video mate. I'm looking to upgrade my mint 07 2.0 sport to a 2018 or newer 2.0 model so these issues you raise are great to know.
I have had a Boxster and an MX5. I loved them both, both are great cars. The main difference between the cars: Porsche brakes are a different world. And if I am in an accident I would much rather be in the Porsche...
My brand new 2022 MX-5 came from the factory with a defective transmission. I drove my car off the lot with 5 miles on the odometer. For the next 3100 miles, I took it easy, meaning no heavy loads on the engine or high RPM's (typically 3000 RPM max.) After 8 months, I took it in for its first service and oil change. Leaving the dealership with fresh oil and supposedly a clean bill of health, I accelerated harder for the first time. Shifting from 3rd to 4th at 4500 RPM, there was a distinctive grinding sound. I thought the mechanic at the dealer broke my car! Very upset, I drove directly back to the dealership. They claimed that the car had never left the lot. As far as the warranty goes, the service manager said they would replace the transmission with a rebuilt one. Not only that, but they would also need the car for 3 weeks!!! Hoping the service manager was wrong and Mazda USA will step in and replace the trans with a new one, I plan on leaving my new MX-5 with them this spring.
I hope it gets sorted.
There was a bad batch of tranmissions in 2021 and 2022. As far as I know (read on forums) the most stabe years are 2017 -> 2020 and 2023. Many had Synchro issues with 21/22 models and gear issues in 2016 models. I hope my 2020 won't break.
I also replaced the transmission oil not long ago when the warranty was out (3 years here) and the oil looked terrible, but no mital or brass shavings. I also managed to buy the original "Mazda IS" gear oil after weeks of research and trying out 75w90 oils from othe brands. It turned out thet even tho Mazda allows using 75w90 in the trans, it's so think it's basically renders the car useless in cold weather becuase of shifting problems in the first few gears and reverse.
Thank you for posting the above. I wanted to believe that my Mazda dealer is an honest one. It's a relief to know that the damage likely occurred before reaching the dealership. I can accept a flaw that occured in manufacturing because I know Mazda will stand behind it.
Again, thank you for restoring my faith in my local Mazda dealer. @@cstrx11
Follow up: Mazda has approved replacing my transmission with a brand new, factory fresh transission. My dealer stood behiind me.