2023 Miata As a Daily Driver - Great Idea!
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- Опубліковано 21 вер 2023
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Often seen as a weekend car, I wanted to offer you the perspective of really seeing what it's like to own a Mazda Miata as your daily driver and only car. Let's go for a POV drive through morning commute traffic talking about roadtrips, running errands, and more. This is a 2023 Mazda Miata ND2 in the Grand Touring Trim. Hope it helps on your decision making journey! - Авто та транспорт
It never ceases to surprise me how cupholders can be such a big thing and a decision criterion for a sports car in the US.
Mostly for holding water bottles!
Takeouts. Drive through...
@@shouldigetit Lets keep it a buck, its for a Large McDonalds cup after a long shift with a bucket of tendies.
My only car is a 2023 ND RF, it turns every bit of driving into heaps of fun. I always look forward to going to get groceries so I get to drive it...
Surely, you can't load a fridge in it, but as a single person, I haven't found any significant limitations so far.
Living the dream! What color is your RF?
all black mate 😃@@shouldigetit
I just got one too! Love it. 2023 RF GT manual in Soul Red!
@@rembo183best color ever
@@Coffeeandacigarette - Yes!
I agree on the cramped interior for an only car (though I did daily one for years at 6’5”). But as a weekend toy, it’s as much fun as most super cars (and often MORE fun).
I can't stop driving mine. It is so relaxing to drive. You become one with this car after just a short while of the driving experience.
100%
Love to hear that!
Always enjoy your Miata videos Ben. Thanks again!
Thank you for the comment! :)
Great video. I love this car! But I never wanted one. I'm glad I'm on my 3rd Mazda 3 now. Had a hatch, then a sedan, and now finally took delivery of my new snowflake white pearl 2024 ... WITH a manual gearbox! For me, the 3 blends practicality with driving experience perfectly. And, the 2.5l engine makes it more fun.
Nailed it. Great review it is what it is. As you said “a great place to be “. I get two dive tanks and all dive gear for two and I’ve even had a 25 hp outboard motor wrapped in towels in the passenger seat.
Excellent video! You covered everything well.
Thank you!!
-Ben
My quest for a brand new car with a 6 speed MT that was affordable led me to the Mazda3! I love it! It’s a total 360 from my last 6 speed which had a V8 and over 400 HP. I love how quiet it is and how smooth it is! 191 HP for the Hatchback is just the right amount of power. Sure I wish it had more, but it can hold its own and like the Miata it grips to the road very well! Looks and Feels very sporty and premium!!
I do wish I’d have gone with the Miata as I don’t need back row seating. Almost 99.9% of the time I’m driving alone, but living in the midwest a lightweight RWD car isn’t ideal for harsh winter roads.
For a daily commuter the 3 just makes more sense for me and it has the same gear box as the Miata so I can assume the shifting feels similar! Smooth and exhilarating!!!
Mazda 3 is fwd and miata is rwd, not the same gearbox.
I don't think you made the wrong decision, just a different one! Sure, the 3 isn't as fun but it is SO comfortable.
if it wasnt for my winter sports hobbies, i would 100% get this as everyday car.
Great video I love my 2021 RF fun car
Thank you Jason! 6-speed RF?
@@shouldigetit automatic RF MX5
Great video mate. I’ve had my 2020 GT RF manual for a month. The only convincing it took for the wife was having her test drive it herself. What a time to be alive. I can race my MX-5 on iRacing in VR sitting in my bedroom cockpit with force feedback wheel, shifter and pedals, or hop into the real one. It is the best fun car for the money.
That is awesome! Thanks for the kind words too. I'm hoping to build a Sim setup soon. Got any recommendations?
how are you finding it 6 months in?
@@MrLeo9552I love it more every day and it’s my daily driver.
On my second MX5 (2015 and 2020) both as a daily driver going on 8 years and love it!
Very nice James! Which colors?
@@shouldigetit the 2015 was a hard top GT in black with the brown interior.
The 2020 is pearl white with black top and brown interior.
Love my 2012 MX5 GT, it is my daily driver and use it for everything that involves just me. The Wife and 4 kids don't fit. Best car I ever owned!
I'm looking forward to the NE new Model in a year or two. But will keep the NC, as it is a work horse and just keeps going with zero mechanical issues. BUT the NE might make the NC one of the kids cars...
So ironically enough there won't be an NE or an NF. As NF and NE Chassis codes have actually been given to Fiat for the 124. So most likely the next one will be an NG.
AWESOME, good catch. @@vulpix9210
Great real world review 👌
Thank you Eric!
I have the 2016 soft top. Yes you can but golf clubs/bag in the passenger seat area. No problem. Space behind the seat if you don’t have it all the way back can be used to store clothes and other soft luggage. It’s my daily driver except for Canadian winters. 😂
That's awesome to hear! Thanks for watching. What color / trim is your Miata?
-Ben
The way you let in the other mazda, that was funny 😂
😂 glad you enjoyed that.
Thanks so much for watching Sam!
-Ben
Thank you so much! this was the only argument going through my head as if I should have the stick shift or not! There are so many stop signs and speedlimits and was wondering if this is going to be a fuss to drive it in first place.
It’s one of the easiest sticks to drive and it’s so worth having the stick when you’re on the fun roads!
-Ben
I’ll get one. Thanks!
Enjoy it Mark!
-Ben
Had a 2019 for three years as my only car. Really regretted selling it! Just got a 2023 today. It’s good to be home.
Welcome back Tom! What did you replace the Miata with when you sold the 2019?
@@shouldigetit I thought a 4x4 pickup would be fun It was a Colorado ZR-2 . Great off road, really boring the rest of the time!
Also, if you have the top up you can store some stuff in the back window area if you really need to 😂
Used to love driving stick, but since there's massive traffics in LA, and at my age, going auto really saved my feet. But when I retire and move to the country side, I'll get me a manual Miata anyday.
Nice! What’re you driving now?
@@shouldigetit 2020 Miata Grand Touring.
Good shoot. It covered Evrything on Mazda
Thanks so much!
I didn't send this to my wife i made her watch it on the 65in tv in the living room lol
Hahahaha you win! That is gonna be the best comment ever on this video! Thanks!
-Ben
@@shouldigetit I pay off the wife's jeep in a few months, as much as I like the nb I currently drive. I want a new car lol
I daily a motorcycle, use it to run errands, go shopping, most anything outside the occasional Costco run. Doing that teaches you real quick that if a vehicle of choice speaks to you and you connect with it on a level than just pure transportation, YOU will find a way to make it work. You’ll put up with whatever inconveniences or drawbacks a car may provide because the enjoyment factor is just that good.
100%!
I was looking at the soft top but some issues living in Soutnern California. It gets very hot, my parking spot-tree sap, can't take car into an auto car wash, crazy people with a knife could destroy the soft roof top. Had parked my car recently (Subaru) and this wack job keeps pushing my side view mirrors forward as an attempt to break them where I park. So gravitating more towards the hard top at this point because I plan to use this as a daily driver.
Go for the hard top! Solves all of those problems and still a blast to drive. :)
At a point where I’m dying to have a fun car. Never thought I’d consider a Miata, however cars these days seem more focused on HP and tech instead of the driving experience. Plus costs are crazy. So, lately been thinking this or back to a S2k.
I’ve never owned an S2K but I’m on my third Miata. If you just want a raw driving experience go for the S2K! It’s sharper in my mind, however if you like the newer features like comfort entry, CarPlay, etc go for the Miata! Either way you’ll have a blast. Let me know what you end up doing!
-Ben
You’d know better what you like. But my problem with the sk2 is that the majority of the fun with it is to be had when you drive it like you stole it. That grows old quickly for me. The Miata is fun in a variety (if not all) circumstances)
I was sent this video, I approve and now want one…
:)
This just goes to prove that the Miata, while great fun on the road, is also a very capable daily driver. My wife was fascinated with the original MX-5 and when I retired from Florida to the North Carolina mountains we agreed that this would be the perfect time for a Miata. As she was still working she needed a vehicle to drive the 18 miles down the mountain and into town and we found a perfect 1995 M Edition that fit the bill. Since then we have had one of each of the four series and all have given us great service during the week and much fun on the weekends. Collectively, we have put over 250,000 miles on those four cars and have never had a major problem with any of them. Our present model is a Soul Red 2019 ND-2, GT-S.
That is awesome! Hope you’re enjoying retirement :) thank you for watching and sharing your story!
-Ben
Is that a soft top? I just got the RF GT manual in Soul Red and it’s a blast. I wasn’t sure about the cloth top as far as keeping it clean etc etc. the RF is great looking with the top up but I do miss the total top down experience.
Yes this video is of a soft top, I made a video earlier this year with the RF which I very much enjoyed! The fact that the rear window goes down to make it like a targa top is awesome, enjoy your RF!@@rembo183
The hard top versions are quieter on the road, but Lynn and I are dedicated soft top types and the Miata's version is among the best in the business!
Is your current one automatic or manual? Imagine in mountains an automatic is less stressful.
This is perfect for me daily/errands without my kids with me. I wish I should’ve never changed SUV many times. I should’ve just bought one SuV keep it for a long time then buy Miata as my daily and weekend car. Unfortunately I’ve wasted money buying suv every 3 years.
Kind of helped. Well it strengthened my decision. I don’t need a car every day. But when I need one I want to have fun. Sadly the version I want won’t be offered at my location with April. And as it would cost about twice of what I actually thought first it basically will be a Miata. But not exactly how I wished it will be :/
Where are you located?
In Austria (EU). I was told they stop the 2l machine.
I daily mine in the Midwest! I'm also 5'8😅
That's awesome! Thanks for watching Jared, hope you are loving it!
-Ben
I get 36 mpg from my ND2. It's such a perfect little car.
Love to hear it!
Hi Ben! I've had the 2022 for over a year. Soooo fun; however, one of my biggiest complaints is the infotainment/apple carplay situation. It's a nightmare. My 2016 behaved better.
What’s been the issue with it!?
@@shouldigetit It just never stays connected. Sometimes the phone needs to be plugged in before starting the car. Other times you have to connect/disconnect the phone multiple times while it's running. Other times you have to pull over and turn the car off and back on. It will also just stop connecting mid drive. I've had it looked at a few times and they can't figure it out. It's very frustrating.
And you also have done it wirelessly?@@coolwater575
Yes, both. I also got a new phone during this time..... so that isn't it either. Still love the car. This is just frustrating.@@shouldigetit
Nice
Thanks
Man I love the idea of the soft top, but having to clean and care for it differently than the rest of the car and the higher road noise with the top up are making me lean to the RF. It'll be my only vehicle and I don't have a garage so I think it'll be worth it to trade the speed and open feel of the soft top for the RF.
I would agree with that solely due to the lack of a garage, you'll love the RF!
How do you have to take care of the soft top thats different from the rest of the car?
❤❤ best car for unmarried guy
I’m getting a new car soon, and we’re gonna be moving in about a year and a half. How would a Miata hold up with not just a roadtrip, but carrying personal luggage for moving to a new house?
How far is the new house? It doesn’t have a ton of space so I recommend renting a truck for the move but that’s only a few days but you’ll get to drive the Miata for so many more days!
I drove an NA (a 1996) from 2016-18 in New England as a daily. Put snows on in winter. It was fine. I am sure a 2023 ND is better! So many commentators here are whiners who don’t get the Miata! (Long story after that. Moved west. Commuted to work by bike and then Zoom etc)
I have a 2021 GT soft top. I love driving it but it will be put up for the winter in about a month. It isn't a car you would want to plow around in the snow
Nice! What’s your winter car?
Add snow tires they run great in the snow I have a 22 gt
Really!? What city are you in? That's cool@@davidhoppe1757
I can tell I'm getting older as I always used to poo poo the miata. Now that I'm not as young and stupid anymore, it seems like the perfect balance for a fun toy car that won't put you behind bars or in the morgue for pushing it on a back road.
You get it!
How tall are you? Is there a lot of road noise with the top up? Thanks
I am 5 foot 8. With the top up and music on there is not too much road noise but if the music is off you'll definitely hear the road. Wind noise isn't bad. Definitely test drive one!
Thanks for watching Randy!
-Ben
Are the new upgrades on 2024 worth trading for… if you have a 2023 RF GT? Please advise! Thx
Not at all! The 2024 has differences that you probably wouldn't notice other than the new larger screen for CarPlay and if you drive the car extremely hard (w/manual transmission) then the new LSD is slightly better. I definitely wouldn't upgrade from a 2023 to a 2024!
@@shouldigetit- thanx
Dang u convinced me. Put $ down on one that should be here in 2 months.
That's great! What color / spec did you order? :)
@@shouldigetit Black Sport. Most basic no options least expensive one I could find. Bought it sight unseen and no I haven't test drove or seen one live other than an RF they had in the show room. It's crossing the ocean now. Should be here 3-31-2024.
Got it. Where are you located? I have a strong feeling you will love it!@@jfisch01
@@shouldigetit I'm in MI so it a toy/summer car. I owned a Camaro convertible for eight years and sold last fall. This winter has been very mild and the sun's been coming out and I caved. Lol
Does it have “hill assist” in the manual ? Ty
Yes the ND2 manual does have hill assist!
@@shouldigetit thank you very much
Just found out Mazda’s factory has just given birth to a mx5 She Coming in at 1066kg. Happy birthday 🥳 🎂. Next step she’ll go on a cruise 🚢 to Sydney
❤❤🎉
:)
bro I have been on this road he's in San Diego Misson Valley 🤣🤣🤣
That's awesome!
My only car has been a '17 GTI for a few years now. I've had an itch for months to get an ND2 but having a partner and a dog makes it a little tricky. Might try to swing owning both but until then, I'll keep consuming Miata videos like its a bag of cheetos. Soon... soon... I'll zoom zoom
I owned a MK6 GTI for 2 years alongside my 1991 Miata. If you can find a lower mileage MK6 or MK5 maybe you can get an ND2 for fun and the older GTI for daily. I have a 2007 Miata NC hard top and I love it. The NC gets a lot of hate but it is so much fun. Good luck and thanks for watching!
-Ben
@@shouldigetit that's a good idea 💡
Wait.. you can manually open & close the top ?
No buttons required ? This is a hard top right ?
This is a soft top. The RF is a hard top and I have a video of that one on my channel!
-Ben
Would I regret selling my manual mustang GT 2019 for a new Miata ?
How tall are you and do you get to drive curvy roads often?
@@shouldigetit I’m 6 feet and not that many curvy roads. The mustang does not feel good in them
It’s much lighter more nimble a lot smaller but I think it depends on how you feel driving both. Also the convertible Mustang new is twice the price.($60 v$30)
I'm thinking a black one or a red one or a gray one I'm so lost help
What color is your current car? Do you have a garage or will it be paired outdoors?
Parked*
I have a silver mazda 6, parked in a public garage@@shouldigetit thank you for your reply
Which has been your favorite Miata?
That's a great question, I'd say ND2, Club Edition, soft top with a 6-speed of course. I really loved my 1995 (1st Miata I owned) but it's definitely slower and not nearly as safe.
BRZ 6MT is a better buy for drivers over 5’ 10”
You'll have to cut the roof off to make it a convertible....
Subaru needs to make it a convertible, right?
I sent it 2 my wife, i would love a mx5, but i may need to get a new or no wife 😊
Haha good luck James!
Yes 10 mins to learn drive stick in straight line lol
That’s pretty quick!
I know a guy with daily car .... a huracan evo 😂😂😂 Miata is a amazing car every day if you dont want cargo space!!!
What is his weekend car!?
-Ben
@@shouldigetit Its the same car... all day every day 😂😂😂
What if youre 6'3" and live in Buffalo....
Go test sit in one! If you fit get some snow tires and enjoy!
-Ben
These youtubers must beat the ever-living shit out of their ND3s. I daily drive mine and even with some bashing on the weekends average 37+mpg in the winter with snow tires.
I didn't beat it hard but drove a lot in traffic / the city.
The wife tells me all the time she "hates it... I know she secretly likes it though
:)
You guys have one or got your eyes on one?
@shouldigetit we have an ndrf. I say let's take the SUV today. She replies with, "let's just take the miata" lol
Fun car, but its just too cramped inside. Seats dont recline back enough. Leather seating material is low grade. Cup holders are not front and center. Too many comprimises, for the price it should be better.
You can move the cup holder to the passenger front. They aren’t front and center because if you shift while driving you’d hit your knuckles into your cup.
@@shouldigetit Mini Cooper has the cup holders front and center and manual shifting is not a problem. Mazda needs to design the interior ergonomics better.
One is front wheel drive, one isn't. Packaging is absolutely a factor. It's not that simple to just rearrange an interior, you don't think Mazda engineers thought about it?
@@ADUSN There are many things that the Mazda engineers didn't think about. Every two seater convertible I drove (Alfa Romeo, MGB, Honda s2000, Z4, Z4, Boxster) all had better interior ergonomics than the new Miata. Even the first gen NA Miata had better ergonomics than the ND Miata. It's too cramped inside, the seat does not recline enough, insufficient leg room, their is a strange hump in the floor on the right side making it uncomfortable for the passenger...etc. For the asking price, it should and could have been better.
@@bigmacdaddy1234- I find it ok but the NC was more comfy.