2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF & Roadster - Redline: Comparison
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- Опубліковано 11 жов 2024
- The answer is always Miata, right? Well now, Mazda offers a choice of two MX-5's. The traditional soft top or the new and very sleek looking RF (retractable fastback). Which version is the better choice? Stay tuned and find out!
That red RF is beautiful! It's like a Japanese Ferrari.
Like the original Magnum PI TV show with Tom Seleck...At his height I doubt he'd fit LOL
I usually hate red but damn. Mazda red is so beautiful
@@imtheonehero9305 Trueeee I also didn't like the red so much on cars but, that Crystal Soul Red is just wonderful tho.
Looks more like a mini Aston Martin vantage
ND mx5= best car that normal people can afford and daily drive
You mean sports car?
I'm so tempted to get a Miata...I just got a CX5, and really like it, and now I'm considering trading in my Prius to get a Miata, and join a Miata club in the Northwest. Miata would be such a perfect sunny weather car that would compliment my CX5.
mikefly562 A Prius for a Miata... Wow
mikefly562 buy a na or nb
Whichever ND Miata you choose to buy is completely up to you! Just know that from my experience the RF model drives just as good, if not any better, as the regular soft-top model. I hope this helps you out in your research and best of luck to you on your future purchase!
- Michael
Why would you replace a Prius with a Miata?
+Vader11 because miata is a fuel efficient car that can be driven daily.
I actually really like the look of the RF. I've never been a Miata guy but would have no problem driving the newer models.
Same here.
Mazda said that they are so happy to finally have Corey Saunders' approval!
Same. I am in the market and working a deal on one right now.
Man that soft top mechanism is good!
Alex Dc, Yep! It is surprisingly fast. I tested it on a Fiat 124Spider, at my local Fiat dealer, and I closed/opened it in less than 3 seconds (on my first try)! Great engineering on Mazda's part. 👌🏽
If Mazda could take the MX-5 RF, remove the retractable roof function, bring out the rear window to connect with the side panels and put a cx-9 engine in it, you got yourself the new RX
When I first saw the shadowy preview pictures of the RF I thought Mazda was finally going to make the fastback coupe version of the Miata after teasing us with a few really nice looking concept cars in that mode. I was saddened to find out it was arranged like the hardtop C3 Corvette - with the addition of a slow and complicated electric actuation for the targa top.
interfrastically the rumor I heard is that they may be waiting till 2020 to release info on a new sports car.
If they do indeed come out with a new sports car that would be great - not that the Miata isn't a fantastic car but the more sports cars on the market the better. Sports car sales in North America aren't great so I was a little afraid that the manufacturers might drop cars lime the Miata, 86/BRZ and 370Z altogether just when I was about to be in the market for one.
No you won't. It would still be a Miata. Maybe a MazdaSpeed version.
The next RX needs a rotary. It puts the R in RX.
I have a CX-9. The engine is like a Subaru WRX but heavier but it has a pretty nice acceleration time and the turbo you can hardly hear but you can feel it
The RF has such a crisp look!! Might weigh a little more, but it's so nice to look at!!
Excellent review! We have the 22 soft top and the 23 RF (more "practical" car for the winters in CO)...absolutely love them both! I do feel a tiny bit claustrophobic in the soft top vs the RF, but love the 360 degree opening of the soft top when its down. And true what you say about the noise; cabin noise is quieter when the RF roof is up (not so in the soft top), but noisier when the RF roof is down (not so in the soft top). Thankfully both have the blind spot monitors and back up cameras now. Can't go wrong either way!
Funny - I would expect that you would say that if either made you claustrophobic, it would be the rf. There’s more materials behind you and less headroom in the rf. Why does the ST give you a claustrophobic feeling?
Dude, this is the best review I've seen for mx5, and I've watched more than a dozen over the past few months. Plus you speak quite fast (I'm from Spain and had to rewind a few times to understand it all hehe) so it's like watching a 40 minute review in 20 minutes 😂😂 thanks for the video!!
Those wheels look STUNNING on the soft top. Like wow, that's how they should have come, holy crap
So glad you finally got to do the comparison. I've got an ND RF and I freaking love it. Favorite car I've owned.
It was awesome meeting you at Katie's! Between the two I would still go with the Roadster just cause of the open feeling you get while driving. Dont want that compromised
Il bought the first gen, in 1996. 2lt manual gearbox, flip up front lights and manual soft top.
My dad said it'll spoil me for life. It did. Driven hard, using the rear wheel drive, 2nd to 3rd gear was a revelation.. Top down. Smiles on. Loved it. Solid it 7 years later, Sadly .
No corner will ever feel the same again.
7:09 When you think the waitress is coming with your food but it's really for the table next to you.
I'm a taller driver, so the RF model would be more appealing to me. In addition, the RF would benefit by having a blind spot monitoring option. Interesting review with both models, Sofyan.
Far too much time spent chatting about the after market exhaust but a good video. Thanks.
A thing to note from a 6f1 guy, i feel the straight opposite about the headroom.
I feel that the Roadster has more headroom than the RF.
Same I can't fit in the RF but can in the soft top. This manlet has no idea.
Interesting you feel the RF has more headroom! Specs report 0.6 inches less for the RF at 36.8 compared to 37.4 for the softtop.
RF definitely has less headroom. No doubt about it. I'd say there's about 1 cm in it.
I'm 6' 3" tall and my wife has just bought a 2018 2.0 Sport Nav soft top. We tried the RF and as the hard top came down the middle bar pushed my head down in the seat by about an inch. In the soft top I have plenty of head room and my eye line is well below the top of the screen.
For our intrepid reviewer at 5' 7" - that is short!
If you look at the seating positions, his seat is further back in the rf than the soft top. The miata will raise the seat up when you scoot forward because mazda tilted the seat rails. Since the soft top had the seat pulled forward, the seat would be higher too.
I'd stick with soft top for lighter weight and full convertible experience.
I do agree, softtop is lighter & better.
So true but the RF is so damn pretty.
Also one less thing to worry about. I would be curious how much money you have to spend when the motor breaks which operates the roof.
@@balintk.9373 I think it's the opposite because the PRHT (Power Retractable Hard Top) on the older NC Miatas are notoriously reliable. The soft tops on the other hand can start to fall apart and fade over time.
lol i have a feeling that the soft top will expirence problem like the NA one do aswell. always needing to be replace. not now obviously but in the future
i like the standard pipe more thus it sounds throatier and deeper. but it might be different in real life
I just had a thought that the perfect 2-car garage of the future might be a Tesla Model S or X and a Miata RF or Roadster.
I like the way you think
I don't understand how people live without a truck. I guess if you live in a busy city center and work at a desk and never do any manual labor, but I'd refuse to not have a pickup truck as my #1 option due to the ability to haul and tow.
Or a Tesla roadster instead of the Miata but that's like 8x the price
Josh G. I’m willing to say the roadster will not handle as well as a Miata and also the whole point of the Miata is the open top, which the roadster does not have
@@enthused7591 weird flex but ok.
Great review - you pointed out a lot of things I was wondering about the ND. Club roadster is the way to go to me. The RF is nice, but too complex/roofline looks awkward.
Thank you for this amazing and detailed review. I owned the Miata soft top for 2 years. Looks really good and timeless from the side but I've always thought the back with top down , plus a few other angles, don't look so good. Now seeing them both side by side the soft top seems a bit dated in my opinion. They're both head-turning amazing looking cars still but, I believe the RF feels more modern and trendy. I guess it depends what image you prefer. What do you guys think? 🤔
Regarding the "full convertible experience" take it from someone who drove them both, there is no difference. The RF drives and feels like a a convertible, you really can't tell. You'd have to twist your neck to look back and spot that you are in a targa car. Why would you do that anyway? Regarding the handling the added weight gives the RF a little more grip when turning which is what I prefer rather than a sliding tail. Also you get a slightly firmer suspension with less body roll which again I prefer. What do you guys prefer?
All I'm thinking is how glad I am that there are people in this world capable of giving their own opinion and thinking for themselves.
One of your better reviews. I loved the black Miata I owned until a semi changed lanes on night in a light rain and pulled the trailer over the top of me part way. I quickly pulled to the side and the driver saw me and applied his brakes. I swung around the tractor on the right shoulder just missing his tires and kept on going. They have great control on the road. But now after watching your video Im tempted to buy another convertible, Just not a black one. They are great cars and mine like yours had no issues at all.
Love mine. Drop the windows 1" and it changes the wind flow around the buttress and reduces that buffeting noise a tiny bit.
How do you feel about visibility when the top is down,compared to a soft top? Im trying to decide which one to get since i want the full visibility the soft top comes with. Any info is appreciated
the hardtop has less headroom than the soft top. One half inch less headroom in the hardtop
Great comparison man, thanks. One addition, don't forget about the storage spaces behind the seats, they are great for things that are used less often.
I'll take the traditional soft top any day.
Why would I pay more money to diminish the 360 degree open air experience of a real roadster?
If other Miata fans want the RF, I don't object.
I just hope to god Mazda doesn't phase out the roadster in favor of the RF.
You have been no help at all. It's still a hard choice! Hahaha. J/k amazing review, thanks so much for shedding some light!
If it was gonna be my one and only car for year-round, definitely would get the RF.
Kai_001 why? I am ordering soft top. I have no garage. And I live in Warsaw, Poland. Here is snow for about a week or two in every year. And still have no clue what is RF for. Soft top should last 10 years at least. Once a year should be impregnated. That is all.
Wojciech Kotas Slashed soft tops and reduced road noise (slightly) are my concerns.
Thanks so much for your awesome comparison with this very professional video, don't mind the idiot comments from the low life aholes, I traded in my 15 mustang gt for the RF after buying a Mazda 3 and fell in love with it, my soul red RF tan, auto is on the boat and should arrive within a few weeks, can't wait!!! I know everyone says to get the manual trans but I am tired of shifting after 60 years of driving in traffic NYC area, keep up the great work, I will be watching this vid propably 100 more times till mine arrives, take care!!!
how do you feel after 10 months or so?
How you feel about the Miata now?
I miss my 96. I might work overtime to afford a used ND when they start coming off lease within a year from now.
GT6SuzukaTimeTrials just get a good nb, I'm thinking about retiring my na for an nb, idk yet. I've done alot of preventive maintenance, and last emissions test of its life. Don't know what I want honestly
I've been looking at MR2 Spyders. Would rather spend $10k for a pristine example than $20k for a ND.
NB! It's like a refined NA. And for 10k, you could get a good Mazdaspeed for the price.
Go Faast I bought an 02 in 18 just about to turn 13,000 I wasn’t looking for one and it wasn’t for sale I was just admiring it Now it has 26,000 only summer driven garaged winters Chicago area I’m 68 now I drive the hell out of it I love it another blessing form my Lord and Savior
My ideal garage 2019 suzuki Jimmy a miata and a new mazda speed 3
Honestly, I feel like the ND Miata's an unsung hero. It's small, lightweight, comfortable, and all about the pure driving experience. Yet very few talk about it.
Had a 97. Loved it. No other car will synch you with the road more than a Miata. Except perhaps, a Lotus.
Hey, that's U.S 50 heading west! Personally, stock exhaust sounds slightly better, more growl.
Nice comparison vid. Makes me appreciate my ND soft-top even more!
I recently reviewed a MX-5 GT and the thing I found amazing was how quiet it was with the top down and the windows up. It was no problem having a conversation with my passenger @ 100KMH (62 MPH). In contrast the RF suffers from a lot more wind noise with the top down due to the wind buffeting against the rear window. Having said that I would absolutely choose the RF as a daily drive, watching the targa top stowing away would never get old 😃
You changed my mind about the Subaru brz, now i really see why you bought this car, its a true beaut!👌
Very good review, ive watched many back to back with this, so far yours is the best. I think soft top is the way to go.
Yes! I've been hoping you would do this review
You had less headroom in the softtop, because your seat was set much more to the front. ND-seats go slightly up, if you slide them more to the steering wheel.
On same conditions the rf has a little bit less headroom!
Also: you forgot the "secret" storagethingis behind the seats. the RF has none behind the driving seat.
The car is beautiful. More beautiful is the American neighborhood, what extreme nice houses in the US towns..! OMG! Greetings from Santiago / Chile (the skiny country extreme south of SouthAmerica).
jas zg yep europe is definitely much safer especially in recent times cause of all the shootings.
You have not seen Detroit, its a 5th world city, america has bad neighborhoods too! Depends where u go.
Great comparison review. You just confirmed that I made the right choice with my ND GT soft top! I've had mine a year and love it.
Miata Fan my first convertible a great experience 02 LS I love it
I think the soft top looks better because it accentuates that rising curve on the rear quarter panels just behind the seats, which I really like.
One of the best videos about cars I ever see
According to Mazda's official specifications, the headroom for the MX-5 Miata GT 2017 soft top is 37.4 inches with the top up, and 36.8 inches with the top down.
The headroom for the MX-5 Miata GT 2017 RF hard top is slightly less at 36.8 inches with the top up, and 36.3 inches with the top down.
I personally love the way the soft top looks. I like the idea of having a hard top but the RF just looks so awkward. I'd still have to go with soft top if I bought another one. I'll wait till the NE comes out :D
I love the idea of not worrying about the hardtop in the snow and having to replace it every 5-10 years and it's absolutely stunning to look at... but I can't get over the fact that it's pretty much like having T-tops like on my brothers '92 Camaro!
Gives me a reminder of the Z4 coupe!
Hey, great review! You are one of my favorite car reviewers and IDK how you take suggestions... But while a car reviewer drives a car I wanna get as much of the experience of the driver therefore I want a shot of the road and steering wheel/and maybe gearbox etc *at all times* during the drive. Personally I don’t wanna see his face during the test drive 80% of the time because then the test drive is only your experience. If you absolutelly wanna film your face when you go over the vid from different angles (and wanna briefly show i.e. How thrilled you were during a fast revving ok, but not for more than 3-5 sec max IMO). Hope you don’t mind.
Active exhaust sounds soo good holy
Another Great review with this beautiful car, and looking forward for your test drive review of the new CX-5.
Had my ND for 2 years now it's a soft top the RF is an after thought and feels like it is, a Surrey top like the old Triumph TR4 did.
Not the same feel to drive as the rag top and the rear quater view is awful.
Still a nice looker though.
Another great and informative vid. Always felt Mazda gives you alot of style and good looks for the money
Rf looks better
Wonderful report !! I have the RF and happy !!
Love the red. Never understand how they always seem less fuel efficient than my Z4 E89 23i with 204 hp engine and much heavier.
I had a ride in one as a passenger, i was a bit disappointed. My eye line was level with top of screen. It all came across a bit cheap, plastic, although that red would sell it.
Aged well after 2 years? I should bloody hope so! You have an unrealistically high expectation if you think that if cars are not a new design every year they aren't "current". Cars are not like clothes dude.
It is tho. Some cars looks old after a year. Mustang and camry comes to mind
I prefer the Miata RF surprisingly.
I love the sound of your active exhaust. It's pretty impressive that Flyin Miata is able to get so much more sound out of this car. I've been eyeing the new Miata since it came out, but there's a huge part of me that want's to hold out until I can afford a Boxter or Cayman. It's twice the price of the Miata GT, for a lightly used Porsche, so I'll be saving up for a while. I do love the Miata tho, and I'd go with the soft top as well. If you want an open air roadster, get a true roadster. Plus, the added weight does compromise the balance of the RF, even if just a little.
Just get the Miata. It's handling is insane, get a Mazdaspeed race conversion kit to boost past 200hp and it would out drag a 911 over quarter of a mile easy. Much lighter car, perfect 50/50 weight balance. . The Porche would only have a higher top speed and meaner sound. It couldn't possibly go round a corner quicker or be more fun doing it. The Mazda is a drivers car no doubt..
I hear your points as I’ve considered the more expensive brands as well, but what gets me is the potential maintenance cost. I’m going with the Miata as I already own a European car and the cost to fix anything on it is insane.
@@Sixfigas That's why the first thing I do with any new vehicle is learn how to work on it. I don't trust dealerships to do good work anyway. If I do it I know it's done right.
I had a C6 Corvette and the wind buffeting when the targa top was off was awful. Putting the side window down helped a bit but the added noise was still there. I would love the added functionality of the RF but not with this downside. Too bad they didn't do it again like the NC PRHT, that is the best of both worlds.
This guy knows what he's talking about. "The engine bay has a lot of emm, mechanical parts."
I like a convertible and I don't want a targa, I don't want a T tops I want a convertible, it's not at all the same sensation, there's a world between the two, if you give me an RF I sell it the next day and I buy a convertible, if the RF was like what I already have a 2010 convertible model with hard top, wow that's great, it's the best of both worlds, but as I say it is not comparable because a convertible and a targa are not the same at all and it simply cannot be compared. The fact remains that one or the other remains a wonderful and super beautiful vehicle, and I respect everyone's choices, I am simply giving you my point of view, have a good day everyone. PS: Yes also for manual or automatic, I believe that this is a personal choice and people should not judge people on this.
Great video - but of course I'm biased as the MX-5 is one of my favorite vehicles!
The RF cabin is also quieter because Mazda added extra sound insulation around the transmission/driveline tunnel. With the hard top, cabin noises from the drive train were more noticeable, so Mazda added the extra insulation.
The mazdaspeed wheels look really nice on your ND
They ripped you off the exhaust sounds exactly the same as stock. You should have gone with the Goodwin supersport race exaust.
Gotta love those little things that Mazda does, like keeping the engine bay clean by not adding plastic covers.
An excellent review - really enjoy your videos - really love the ND - need one soon!!
The RF does look nice but for my money I want the full open top experience, less money, and less to break.
It was always meant to b a drop top,the only way to go
Back-up camera will be required for 2018 models.
Did a Road trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in soft top ND GT Manual. Bring noise canceling headphones for the freeway portion 🤣. We didnt tho. Super loud but MAN was it a blast. Got so attached to the car. So amazing on Mulholland and through Big Bear lake.
I could daily one no problem. Not sure how the RF is road noise wise.
Have to disagree with you on the headroom. I did a side by side between rf and convertible miatas recently and the soft top definitely has more headroom than the RF.
Wish my NA had a soft top that worked like that. thumbs up on the review.
Love Those Mazdaspeed Wheels and Flyin' Miata Exhaust!!!
I test drove the RF 3 years ago. I remember trying to “look” through the dark plastic cover over my shoulder, desperately wishing it to be a window. Kept not being able to see through it...I really wished they put a window there.
Nice comparison, thanks for also showing off the FM exhaust.
Sofyan = bae
Awesome build 30AE! 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Good comparison, thanks for helping my choice.
How has no one mentioned how good the Mazdaspeed rims look on the ND?? Absolutely stunning.
ZiiWi personal preference, personally not a fan. 949 wheels to me look perfect on it.
So I saw the VA plates and got excited! I'm originally from MA but moved down to VA for work.. seriously considering purchasing an MX-5 but I'm very conflicted. I love the visibility of the soft top and it's obvious ease of use, but to be honest, I'm looking to have this be my daily (and yes, FOUR season) vehicle. Have you used this little pocket rocket in the winter months at all, though you have a soft top? Is the RF really worth it the money and if I went with the soft top, what is the maintenance like on it?
Actually... the RF has a little less headroom than the ST. At least according to my experience and to all the reviews I've read and watched.
Anyway: To my eye, the RF's proportions are a bit off. The roof is too high for the length of the car, giving it a weird, kinda "bubble-top" type of look.
I wish they would build a coupe or a shooting brake. Add practicality for the guys who can do without the open top experience and want more storage/luggage space. I love my soft-top MX-5, but I would've been tempted as hell by an ND coupe.
I take the soft top. Simplicity is core to miatas
I hope they make a larger Miata RF call it the MX5 more boot space. Comfortable in the front for 6ft and over and more Power! 200BHP More Torque
Sofyan, in terms of roominess, is the Miata RF more spacious than the 124 spider (since it is bigger than the Miata roadster)
Can’t beat a soft top.
Honestly I like the stock exhaust so much more.
If the MX-5 had the vtec sounds that would just be perfect
Great Comparison Video Sofyan! I had the opportunity to Test Drive the Miata RF back in late March (with a video of it being uploaded onto UA-cam in early April). It was a pleasant experience, and it drove just as well as the regular soft-top model. So after driving both versions, do you still like your soft-top model, or do you like the RF model better?
- Michael
Man I really like your videos!
I would love to own a Miata. Great cars!
Both are good
Great comparison review!
In case no one pointed it out- I dont think they are called Miatas anymore. It says MX-5 on the car not Miata
I prefer the traditional Miata just bc u get the whole convertible experience. Im surprised u did not pick the Lexus sc convertible as ur personal choice. Anyway, I like the ur Miata.
Great job my friend! Greetings from Greece !
This should be called "Flyin' Miata Ad featuring an RF."
Yup I’m getting one
It's about time sofyan. Have u had rust / 2nd gear trans issues yet?