i couldn't help myself...literally hours after posting that i went to the dealer and picked up a 2012 grand touring, black with a hard top...oh my god, that car is just the greatest thing in my life right now, it is AMAZING and you're exactly right, i've noticed a huge difference in HP and also throttle response, i'm still trying to figure out how to pull away in first without jerking it around with my heavy work boots
Hey Jacksonlefteye! Glad you decided to upgrade to a newer model MX-5! So many things to love about the PRHT with Grand Touring Trim..love the heated leather seats, 6 spd MT, ease of use and cool lines on the hardtop w/o losing trunk space (fits directly behind seats)..Actually MORE trunk space in PRHT vs ragtop by design anyway b/c trunk sits higher up! Interior a bit cramped for heavy work boots though..Good luck with that..LOL and Enjoy!
Autosavant Mazda USA I gotta point out that you made my day with this video, I've been looking for a review like this!! This will be the first car I buy :D In exactly this color. Thanks for posting out the outside view of it. I really wanted to hear that engine sound.
I am a fan of both. So I test drove the 2013 FR-S and 2013 MX-5 Club Edition to see which will be my next car. The trunks seemed the same size to me in person. The Toyota/Scion staff were rude while the Mazda dealership staff were awesome and let me do a small burnout. Anyways, ,I test drove them 3 weeks apart. The Mazda felt more fun and it felt quicker to me. The best part is that you can make a very tight U-turn in an MX-5 because of it's small turning circle, making it very easy to park..
Great review Kevin! What you say about this car is true. I can't think of a car currently for sale that is more focused on purist driving, even more than the FRS/BRZ. The Club Sport is the best NC yet, but starting at over $28 it is a bit much, and the ND should be out within two years. I had to laugh a bit at your comment about it being a little rough and ready as a daily driver. Compared to my modified '97 Miata that I drive daily, that one is a cadillac.
More clarification, one is at north side of island and other is at a dealer on south side. Just looking for more clarification before the trip to one or the other for a first test drive
You always give great and unbiased review Kevin, thanks! my local mazda dealers have specials on a 2012 brand new 5speed manual mx5 with hardtop for 25k, do u think it is a good buy? coz in the reality, all scion and subaru dealers are marking up the frs/brz to near 29k+.....
Learned to drive stick in one of these. I just drove a Subaru WRX over the weekend, and although it was fast as hell in comparison to this, I MUCH prefer the gearbox and clutch on this car. The one I learned on is a 1994, it has 12,900 miles on it haha. My grandmas, I drive it often. Although there is no turbo, I have no complaint on power, its such an involved feeling driving this car. Love it haha
I have had this exact car for a month now, and it just gets more fun, and not just because the weather is getting better too. Not sure dainty is the word I would use, just smaller and more nimble than the FR-S, though the FR-S / BRZ are fun too. Love the manual trans and PRHT. Bilsteins help with the lean too. Oh and it is my sunny day commuter. What else is PRHT for $29k new? Oh and i'll take the drop top over the "back seat" of a BRZ/FR-S all day.
I have not went with either. I'm trying to sell my current car first and then I thought I should wait and see what the 2015 MX-5 ND will look/perform like and if they will offer a FR-S TRD or BRZ STI. I did test drive them 3 weeks apart so I couldn't notice the minor difference in trunk space.
I used to throw my 1997 model around and do donuts in the dry in high school. I loved it. I got hit by another driver and Got a different vehicle but always missed it. with 50/50 weight distribution I never had a problem driving it in the snow and in WV we have rough rd conditions. I had more problems driving the ford ranger in the snow. I had a hard top I usually put on in the winter time. Now that I'm grown and tired of our mini van.I'm going for the new 2016. While you were driving It some of those feeling of exhilaration came flooding back.
Junispro...not sure if Kevin will reply or not, BUT depending on the trim level of the MX-5 you're looking at, it may or may not be a good deal. By contrast, I picked up a 2011 MX-5 PRHT Grand Touring Edition with only 1,400 miles for $23k back in July 2012, which new would have cost me around $32 or $33k. Personally, I'd get the 6 speed manual vs. the 5 Speed.
The trunk in the frs is bigger, mx-5 has 5.3 cubic feet, frs has 6.9, so it's kind of noticeable. I wouldn't blame the Scion staff for not letting you do a burnout, that's something that's too much of a liability (wear the tires down, lose control). The mx-5 is faster to 60 by 0.2 second but does feel a bit faster. You can contribute the tight turning radius to the fact its wheel base is smaller. I assume you went mx-5 though.
I think for the next gen model they should use a tuned version of the new Skyactiv 2.0L, 180 HP, 150 LB-FT torque, 7500 RPM redline. Considering that the car is supposed to lose a couple hundred pounds it should be plenty quick. For the Mazdaspeed model they should use the 2.5L skyactiv engine; it could have somewhere around 220 HP, 200 LB-FT torque. I'd definitely buy one.
thanks for the info! i decided to wait and check out the 2013 civic si also before i make the purchase. i also heard there is rumors abt the 2014 miata being a 1.3 turbo charged instead of NA, which i do not prefer....so i would wait for the 2014 miata come out, and then buy a 2013 model for cheap haha
Wow this engine sounds amazing!! Unfortunately i cant afford the 2.0 L version so i will buy the 1.8.. Do u think it will be still a funny car even in with only 126 ho?
I was listening to him rabbit on and.. well.. actually I wasn't listening to him at all other than to note how much fun he's having. I was listening to the car. Now i'll go and buy one
I really think you will notice a nice difference in HP going from a '92 to a 2011 or later model. I've got the 2011 PRHT and drove a early 90's MX-5 years ago and the 2011 feels a lot faster IMHO..Great car and I love it!!. No, it's not a beast like a 350Z or Vette, but it wasn't designed to be a HP monster, either.
So here in Hawaii where models to choose from are quite limited...with this in mind, I want an all black club edition but the only one herein that schema is an automatic. There is a silver club edition manual tran but silver is less appealing. Is the auto that much worse than the manual in terms of performance/acceleration? Does the clutch have a nice engagement point or like other new cars that stall out as soon as you barely start to let the pedal back?
i want one of these really bad right now, im still on my first car which is a '92 mx5, that car is fucking bulletproof, it's been really good to me but im tired of the soft top which is just worthless in the rain, i'm gonna jump from a first-gen right to the 4th the only notable shortcoming about miata's in general is the horsepower, which is easily remedied by the numerous turbo and supercharger kits that hit the market soon after a new generation is introduced
you'll be happier in the Miata - the Pontiac is rougher around the edges and less refined. The extra HP doesn't make up for the rest of the driving experience
He is reving the engine way too much even on normal driving condition. Especially in the 1st gear. Reving while giving the review on such road condition just dont do the MX5 justice.
I hate this car, because I love it so damn much. Was planing on getting a Miata for quite some time, then I see this car with the retractable hard-top and my jaw drops, thats just freakin' awesome.
You can wrap any car around a tree: I don't care how well it handles. Even Ferrari's hit trees on occasion. I wouldn't drive that car that fast, with tires slipping in the rain, and with the road lined with big tree trunks and telephone poles. It's askin' for it.
Am I the only one who thinks 29k for this is INSANITY? Why would you buy this when you can get one of the older cars for so much less? With the money you save you could make one the older cars 10x better and go on vacation.
What a fun drive. Too bad I am late for the channel.
i couldn't help myself...literally hours after posting that i went to the dealer and picked up a 2012 grand touring, black with a hard top...oh my god, that car is just the greatest thing in my life right now, it is AMAZING
and you're exactly right, i've noticed a huge difference in HP and also throttle response, i'm still trying to figure out how to pull away in first without jerking it around with my heavy work boots
I drive my NC MK3 every day and me and my wife take it on 7 hr trips to Nashville to see our son and daughter in law. We love it.
Thank you for this POV video on the Miata PRHT.. can't wait to buy mine soon & whip it around !
Seriously, some of the most enjoyable car reviews on UA-cam are right on this channel, you deserve way more views
Hey Jacksonlefteye!
Glad you decided to upgrade to a newer model MX-5! So many things to love about the PRHT with Grand Touring Trim..love the heated leather seats, 6 spd MT, ease of use and cool lines on the hardtop w/o losing trunk space (fits directly behind seats)..Actually MORE trunk space in PRHT vs ragtop by design anyway b/c trunk sits higher up! Interior a bit cramped for heavy work boots though..Good luck with that..LOL and Enjoy!
Autosavant Mazda USA I gotta point out that you made my day with this video, I've been looking for a review like this!! This will be the first car I buy :D In exactly this color. Thanks for posting out the outside view of it. I really wanted to hear that engine sound.
I feel like "perspective" is his favourite word- I'm pretty sure it is used in all of his videos :P
Still love the videos; keep it up, Kev :)
I am a fan of both. So I test drove the 2013 FR-S and 2013 MX-5 Club Edition to see which will be my next car. The trunks seemed the same size to me in person. The Toyota/Scion staff were rude while the Mazda dealership staff were awesome and let me do a small burnout. Anyways, ,I test drove them 3 weeks apart. The Mazda felt more fun and it felt quicker to me. The best part is that you can make a very tight U-turn in an MX-5 because of it's small turning circle, making it very easy to park..
I really enjoy your auto reviews. Thank you for pulling them together.
Good luck with the sale, you really can't go wrong with either.
Great driving. Love how you were sliding it around.
Love the sound of the engine. Is this the same exhaust as on the base model, or an upgrade?
I enjoy this style of review. Subscribed!
love watching your review. unbiased and thorough. thx
Great review Kevin! What you say about this car is true. I can't think of a car currently for sale that is more focused on purist driving, even more than the FRS/BRZ. The Club Sport is the best NC yet, but starting at over $28 it is a bit much, and the ND should be out within two years. I had to laugh a bit at your comment about it being a little rough and ready as a daily driver. Compared to my modified '97 Miata that I drive daily, that one is a cadillac.
Thanks and I can understand why you would get another one. Re-watching the review made me miss it.
More clarification, one is at north side of island and other is at a dealer on south side. Just looking for more clarification before the trip to one or the other for a first test drive
great review vid !! LOVE the car !!
The MX5 is the authentic original...worth every penny! My 2012 Miata GT is amazing!
You always give great and unbiased review Kevin, thanks! my local mazda dealers have specials on a 2012 brand new 5speed manual mx5 with hardtop for 25k, do u think it is a good buy? coz in the reality, all scion and subaru dealers are marking up the frs/brz to near 29k+.....
Learned to drive stick in one of these. I just drove a Subaru WRX over the weekend, and although it was fast as hell in comparison to this, I MUCH prefer the gearbox and clutch on this car. The one I learned on is a 1994, it has 12,900 miles on it haha. My grandmas, I drive it often. Although there is no turbo, I have no complaint on power, its such an involved feeling driving this car. Love it haha
Great review and a beautiful car, thanks.
I've never driven a MX-5 but the exhaust note sounds great. In the FRS you get the sound from the intake plenum piping noise into the cabin
The 2013 Miata has a honk box that pipes in engine sound directly into the cabin.
GIVE tHIS MAN A TROPHY! Sick of people whining about handling when any and every car is capable of doing so when you are inexperienced.
Your driving skills is boss
I have had this exact car for a month now, and it just gets more fun, and not just because the weather is getting better too. Not sure dainty is the word I would use, just smaller and more nimble than the FR-S, though the FR-S / BRZ are fun too.
Love the manual trans and PRHT. Bilsteins help with the lean too. Oh and it is my sunny day commuter. What else is PRHT for $29k new? Oh and i'll take the drop top over the "back seat" of a BRZ/FR-S all day.
Could you produce a video about how you produce the videos? How do you sync all of the cameras? Thanks.
I have not went with either. I'm trying to sell my current car first and then I thought I should wait and see what the 2015 MX-5 ND will look/perform like and if they will offer a FR-S TRD or BRZ STI. I did test drive them 3 weeks apart so I couldn't notice the minor difference in trunk space.
I own a bunch of lavalier mics, but choose to use an omni directional mic so people can actually hear what the car sounds like.
Great Review Mr Kevin :) I m 6"2 and saw you are 6"1 , how do you fit , is it ok ? Thanks again !
I used to throw my 1997 model around and do donuts in the dry in high school. I loved it. I got hit by another driver and Got a different vehicle but always missed it. with 50/50 weight distribution I never had a problem driving it in the snow and in WV we have rough rd conditions. I had more problems driving the ford ranger in the snow. I had a hard top I usually put on in the winter time. Now that I'm grown and tired of our mini van.I'm going for the new 2016. While you were driving It some of those feeling of exhilaration came flooding back.
great, honest review!
While it looks amazingly fun in the wet, I think a higher hp/torque is a better idea, so you can throw the car around in the dry also.
Junispro...not sure if Kevin will reply or not, BUT depending on the trim level of the MX-5 you're looking at, it may or may not be a good deal. By contrast, I picked up a 2011 MX-5 PRHT Grand Touring Edition with only 1,400 miles for $23k back in July 2012, which new would have cost me around $32 or $33k. Personally, I'd get the 6 speed manual vs. the 5 Speed.
The trunk in the frs is bigger, mx-5 has 5.3 cubic feet, frs has 6.9, so it's kind of noticeable. I wouldn't blame the Scion staff for not letting you do a burnout, that's something that's too much of a liability (wear the tires down, lose control). The mx-5 is faster to 60 by 0.2 second but does feel a bit faster. You can contribute the tight turning radius to the fact its wheel base is smaller. I assume you went mx-5 though.
I think for the next gen model they should use a tuned version of the new Skyactiv 2.0L, 180 HP, 150 LB-FT torque, 7500 RPM redline. Considering that the car is supposed to lose a couple hundred pounds it should be plenty quick. For the Mazdaspeed model they should use the 2.5L skyactiv engine; it could have somewhere around 220 HP, 200 LB-FT torque. I'd definitely buy one.
Not bad. Feel like coming up with titles for my vids in the future?
Cool vest. Where did you get that?
thanks for the info! i decided to wait and check out the 2013 civic si also before i make the purchase. i also heard there is rumors abt the 2014 miata being a 1.3 turbo charged instead of NA, which i do not prefer....so i would wait for the 2014 miata come out, and then buy a 2013 model for cheap haha
Its our microphone.
Wow this engine sounds amazing!! Unfortunately i cant afford the 2.0 L version so i will buy the 1.8.. Do u think it will be still a funny car even in with only 126 ho?
I was listening to him rabbit on and.. well.. actually I wasn't listening to him at all other than to note how much fun he's having. I was listening to the car. Now i'll go and buy one
Manual Transmission FTW :D
I really think you will notice a nice difference in HP going from a '92 to a 2011 or later model. I've got the 2011 PRHT and drove a early 90's MX-5 years ago and the 2011 feels a lot faster IMHO..Great car and I love it!!. No, it's not a beast like a 350Z or Vette, but it wasn't designed to be a HP monster, either.
I' almost 6.5'', do u think i could fit in this car?
If you beat on a car that's not built to be revved high is it bad for the motor?
hey kevin, whats up with the layoff? you on vacation? coming back soon? i hope so.
At 9:16, is that a cowl intake? Do all Nc miatas come with that?
Great stuff.
what is that set up you have on the passenger side front windshield?
So here in Hawaii where models to choose from are quite limited...with this in mind, I want an all black club edition but the only one herein that schema is an automatic. There is a silver club edition manual tran but silver is less appealing. Is the auto that much worse than the manual in terms of performance/acceleration? Does the clutch have a nice engagement point or like other new cars that stall out as soon as you barely start to let the pedal back?
Andy Pessia which did you end up buying?
If you don't mind my asking, how tall are you?
i want one of these really bad right now, im still on my first car which is a '92 mx5, that car is fucking bulletproof, it's been really good to me but im tired of the soft top which is just worthless in the rain, i'm gonna jump from a first-gen right to the 4th
the only notable shortcoming about miata's in general is the horsepower, which is easily remedied by the numerous turbo and supercharger kits that hit the market soon after a new generation is introduced
You should invest in an extended microphone closer to your head to improve the sound quality. ;)
Nice video. Trying to decide on Miata or Frs. I'm a big toyota fan, but this looks sweet.
I agree on some extent, but you get more reliability issues with the older car
I can’t decide from this or a 08 Pontiac solstice GPX turbo with 100 hp more than Miata,help pls
you'll be happier in the Miata - the Pontiac is rougher around the edges and less refined. The extra HP doesn't make up for the rest of the driving experience
Ciao il motore è il 2.0 160cv ?
A better analogy would have been to use "precise" instead of "dainty"
looking for a 2015 of the same car.....but finding a manual is tricky....most are automatics....and that is a deal breaker.
Very Good Review! I agree completely with what this Yank says.
I'm 6'1"
I doubt its a 1.3 liter but it will be turbocharged..
dang im surprised you're not scared swinging out the rear in rain lol
I'm 6' 1".
Still say a 2001 porsche boxster S with 70k Km for 17 is so much better value and reliable. Never like the Miata because of price vs what you get.
He is reving the engine way too much even on normal driving condition. Especially in the 1st gear. Reving while giving the review on such road condition just dont do the MX5 justice.
Not even close. This is a convertible
Believe me, no you don't. Unless you destroy it yourself. They don't break down.
I hate this car, because I love it so damn much. Was planing on getting a Miata for quite some time, then I see this car with the retractable hard-top and my jaw drops, thats just freakin' awesome.
You can wrap any car around a tree: I don't care how well it handles. Even Ferrari's hit trees on occasion. I wouldn't drive that car that fast, with tires slipping in the rain, and with the road lined with big tree trunks and telephone poles. It's askin' for it.
:( you should have waited... You're about to be one pissed off miata owner at the end of the year.
Am I the only one who thinks 29k for this is INSANITY?
Why would you buy this when you can get one of the older cars for so much less? With the money you save you could make one the older cars 10x better and go on vacation.
I wan this bad, I have and 94 MX5
i like your review but try not to crash on wet road...
One barely could hear every other word you said, every time you accelerated & change gears.