Here's Why Everyone Loves The Mazda Miata RF
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- Опубліковано 5 чер 2024
- In this video I talk about why everyone loves the Mazda Miata RF. The Mazda Miata has been around for over 3 decades and Mazda is continues to improve on its original philosophy, build a lightweight car that delivers a great driving experience. The Miata is now in its 4th generation called ND and with the new generation came another new name, the Miata RF. The RF stands for retractable fastback which is another fancy name for targa top.
My opinion of the Miata prior to driving it was always “interested”. I thought it was just a small car with no power, but boy was I wrong. The Miata RF is so much more than the horsepower and straight line speed discussion. The Mazda Miata RF delivers and experience that is pretty hard to describe and needs to be felt in person in order to understand.
The Miata RF is a car that punches above its weight class and will absolutely make you change your mind on what a sports car really is. Its can truly be summarized in one phrase, the Mazda Miata RF is an experience. Let me know if you have any questions about the Miata.
Thanks for watching!
0:00 - 1:46 Introduction
1:46 - 3:37 Front End
3:37 - 5:24 Targa Top
5:24 - 6:15 Wheels, Tires, Brakes
6:15 - 8:30 Trunk
8:30 - 9:30 Rear End
9:30 - 11:42 Exhaust, Engine Details
11:42 - 18:35 Interior
18:35 - Driving and Conclusion
#MazdaMiataRF #MiataMX-5 #MiataRF
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I’ve owned three Porsches, two Corvettes, one six series BMW and now I’m driving a 2019 RF. I don’t think I have any desire to drive anything else ever again. It is sports car, Nirvana. My 911 was tickling 70 miles an hour in second gear. What was I going to do with the other four gears and stay out of jail? The Miata allows you to use virtually all of its capabilities in the service of fun driving.
I bought a 2019 in 21 and love,love,love it...
Yeah, I plan to sell my Supra GR 3.0 and get a Mazda MX5 RF for a little over $40k. I also drive a small 2021 Hyundai i10 and it has nearly the exact same weight as a Mazda MX5 but only has 84HP, but for some reason just feels freeing to drive with how light it is. So I can imagine how much more fun the MX5 RF would be with 181HP. As for the Supra GR, good car, but feels boring at low speeds, looks nicer aside from the fake vents, but I know it will be a pain in the future as it is already 3 years old and really made by BMW. MX5 is simple, double wishbone suspension, easy to work on, NA engine with no worry about turbos dying out after spinning at a million rpms, doesn't eat away tires and break pads, no over-engineered crap, the miata even has a aluminum cylinder head cover, not cheap plastic that will disintegrate. A worry free reliable car that is as much fun as a go-cart and wont cost you an arm and a leg to repair.
I was able to get a 2017 Miata RF (Club) for 20k with only 8k miles on it about 8 or 9 months ago, and I've driven it as my daily driver for over 24k miles already, and I still love every second of it. So much so, that I come to UA-cam to watch more videos about a car I already own. It's that good.
Me too (have a 2019 ND2 club) :) This car is very special, just itching to get out and drive it every day if the weather lets me (living in Sweden has it's downsides :) ). I can't imagine any other car replacing it...
Couldn't agree more
Could I ask where you purchased the car? Online or offline? Distance traveled to get the car? I am in the process of getting a used Miata too with budget of 20k; but not sure if I should search nationally or within my region only. That's a good deal you have there. Congratulations!
@@nartin86 Thanks! I traveled about 50 miles to get to it from where I lived here in Central Florida. I also got it right when COVID hit last year and all the lockdowns were happening, so dealerships were hurting and probably giving even better deals than they normally do. With the coverage and financing and taxes and all that, the amount financed wound up being 25k, which works out to about $460/month. For me, it's been worth every penny.
U r so cute. Hahaha.
Anyone who can fit inside and loves driving should own one (or two) of these. Superb amounts of fun to be had.
Picking mine up Tomorrow!!! Soul red.
Mine also !
@@laurencedavis2947 can’t put the top down yet since I am in Massachusetts.
Picking mine this Friday too. Red is good
How long does it take to order one, is it 1 to 2 months?
@@BlackNAVYAmericanVET
I ordered my car mid December and I was told last week that Mazda will deliver it 26th April...
Miata is the type of cars that one falls in love with. I hope for the 2022 model year, Mazda will add the bright yellow exterior color. When that happens, I will get one for sure.
When I watch video reviews on the Miata RF, most people can stay pretty professional while quoting specs, numbers, and other quantitative data about the car. But every reviewer once they start driving all have one thing in common: smiles and cheesy grins all around. And those smiles alone was what convinced me to buy my first Miata RF yesterday. What a great purchase!
What state are you in?
Is there a massive difference between the RF and the normal soft top one? Wind noise/insulation etc.?
@@reaperxi-0382 For the soft top, with the top down you don't get the blind spot that you get with the RF, with the top up you get a little more wind noise than the RF. Some people say the added weight of the RF top makes it feel a little less tail happy than the soft top, which arguably is a good thing unless you're planning to track the car. Some people say the soft top has a tighter suspension, but I've seen other people say the RF has a tighter suspension so take that with a grain of salt. Best advice is just to test drive them both. I went with the RF mostly since it won't be garaged and the hard top will last longer.
@@reaperxi-0382 Also with the RF, with the top down you do get a little bit more wind buffeting than the soft top, but it's not bad.
@@miscalaneous thanks for the in depth response! I will need to test them myself to form an individual opinion :)
I have a friend who owns a Porsche Cayman. He recently drove my 2016 MX-5 GT manual and was blown away. Most people just don’t get it until they drive one.
Literally bro. I rented this car when my mustang got hit. Lol I almost didn’t wanna go back
I own a 2009 Miata and a base Cayman.. 2 iconic cars... each has its own niche and are fun cars!
@@gnaegi444 id love to get one as a daily but as the only vehicle, I can’t get something that tiny.
@@304derrick the Cayman has a bit more storage space.. but yes its not a family car..
I spend most of my time in 2nd or 3rd gear. In 3rd I can do 20-90mph with tons of pull (2019 GTS Soft top) I had always planned on a Boxster but realized I would rarely use the power. Most of my time is non-highway. I don't need 3 sec 0-60 times. 5.7 sec is quick enough. I'm not one for drag racing strangers at stop lights. I don't need 170 top speeds. I've had mine at 125 mph top down on the rare occasion ;-) and that is MORE than enough speed. Light, quick, and completely responsive. Perfect balance. I don't feel like I am driving a car, I feel like I am wearing an engine and 4 wheels. For 30k or so, the MX-5 is a steal for real world fun.
The ND has the Miata smile with angry eyes. It’s such a beauty!
We just completed a 4,800 mile trek that took us from Montana to Pennsylvania and back in our 2020 MX5 RF Grand Touring. The Miata was fun to drive the entire trip; a couple of 'short hauls' between MT and OR (650 miles) had confirmed that we wouldn't regret making long drives in this car. The trip computer reported that we had averaged 37.1 mpg which was a nice bonus, second only to the dozens of unsolicited compliments from strangers at rest stops and gas stations along the way. We are delighted to have this little gem, a car that makes us smile whether we drive it to the grocery store or across the country.
Thats awesome!
@@DriveSteady I noticed you were smiling pretty much every second of the driving segment. The Miata does that. 😉
Yup, very fun to drive. Enjoy yours in good health
What colour did you get it in?
@@thinkingonyx847 White
This car looks beautiful and fun! It will never look outdated.
Yup!
I know exactly what you mean. I have a 2018 and when I drive it I find it hard not to just grin like an idiot. It just feeds you soul.
The smile tells it all. Jay Leno drove one and he smiled all the way through it. I bought one and it just makes me smile, too. What fun!
This car may not be too fast but it drives and corners like a dream
At the beginning of the month I ordered a red 2022 RF club with the Recaro/Brembo package. Mazda USA no longer imports the Club model unless a customer special orders one and you are required to buy the recaro package. But after test driving one last year I just couldn't let idea go of buying a Miata. It is literally like driving a go kart on the road. It's fun as hell and relability is fantastic as it's pretty much the same car for decades now. Dealer says around 90 days from order to delivery so late May or early June I'm finally going to get the go kart that I always wanted when I was a kid.
When did your RF come in? How is it
I have a 2019 Soul Red RF and love it. Just a note about storage. This Miata has another small storage compartment (non-lockable) behind the passenger seat. The soft-top version has one behind each seat. I'm guessing the motor to move the top is behind the driver's seat. Also, the kit to fill the tire if it goes flat comes with a compressor which connects to a cigarette-lighter type socket in the passenger footwell. The low-profile tires fill very quickly, unlike larger ones. Overall, it's a fun car to drive, and the first car I've ever owned where I received compliments from strangers.
Small RWD sports car with manual transmission. Excellent handling and usable power. Almost like driving a mid 80's Porsche 911.
that's what i thought
But with a much lower cost of ownership.
Wym 'almost'. Its better. Dude wanted to trade me my prelude for his 944... Nah... I was only 17.
i don't call 117 whp "usable" power.
Great review! I had never driven a Miata before I test drove an RF and was immediately sold, even though I was used to much faster, more expensive performance cars. Watching your video gave me flashbacks to how I felt my first time driving it. Whether I’m driving around town or carving up mountain roads, it’s an absolute blast.
The best storage area of the ND Miata is the passenger seat. It fits my huge piece of luggage, skis (With the top up too!), and people. Only one at a time though. XD
golf bag anyone !
I buy the kind of luggage with wheels and rope it to my bumper.
It is a Girls car. I always carry a beautiful girl in the front seat. Lucky for me she is my Hot Wife
52 years old and finally got my 2021 RF club fun car. Love it! Wife and I hit the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. Awesome experience.
I am a little older than you. Look for a blue ‘21. I am in NVA too. Much fun.
It's a friggin' Adult Go-Kart, not a vehicle, it's a toy and feels like one, that's the difference between the MX-5 and everything else. You're back at 8 years old going down the nearest hill in your backyard-built Go-Kart made from 2x4s and plywood, that's the feeling one gets from it.
I go flyin' through my neighborhood in my NC, whipping around corners having a blast - then I get that guilty feeling that the neighbors are probably getting P'd off - until I look down at the speedometer and *_I'm only going 27mph_* 😄 27:19
I just bought a '17 RF touring 6spd w/ 12k on the clock. Mostly a lady's garage queen - machine gray, deep brown leather - I'm in love!
Had an '05 Miata Mazdaspeed turbo that I thoroughly enjoyed for 2 yrs but sold for "practical" reasons. Last car was a '13 Focus ST & I miss its 259hp... but I enjoy the driving experience of this RF much more!
I've had a 2003 NB from new. This car always puts a smile on my face. Never fails.
i love how this RF MX5 looks it´s like a mini 350Z or mini ferrari or something, and the color is also the best ❤
and i like how you made your video, no 30sec bullshit into, no annoying music, not 20 stupid advertising like all the others 👍👍👍
just a little to long for my taste, max. 20min are fine😁
I just purchased a 2020 MX-5 Grand Touring and I absolutely love it! I wouldn't own any other vehicle, It's a complete joy to drive.
Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. I have a 2019 Mazda RF in Soul Red Crystal and love to drive it everyday. What a fun car to own and drive. Thanks for posting this.
I bought one 2 months ago and love it. Still makes me smile every time I step in.
Mine is a new battleship grey RF with black alloys. Very pretty car as well.
Loved this review! Appreciated your genuine joy while driving 😊
45 years ago I had a Trumph GT6.
I to sell it because my girlfriend had a small kid. 🙁
Because of the Covid I appreciate that I may be gone tomorrow, and so I ordered a new RF, which hopefully I'll have this April. Perhaps I'm experiencing my second childhood? Besides which, my girlfriend / wife's dream car was and is the old Lotus Elan. That's my excuse and I think that we'll both be pleased...🙂
That’s the attraction for me too. I love the Elan. And the Elise. This is the closest you can get to those classic English sports cars. I had a Mustang GT with the coyote V8. Amazing, but the most frustrating car ever on the road. Lose your license in 2ng gear. I could never Rev it out on the road and sold it after 7 months.
@@final_mile_music9713 I took delivery of my red 2l RC last Friday. First impression is that it a pleasure to drive and the steering is very positive.
The only criticism is the small trunk, but we knew this before I ordered it last December and can live with it.
Looking forward to getting to know it better over the summer, if we have one this year! 🙂
Great review! I LOVE this car! I hope to have one, one day. This is a car for people who love to drive.
Great and thorough review. Thanks!
The RF has a storage space (cubby) behind the passenger seat, I believe. Mechanicals for the roof apparently take up the space on the other side. The soft tops have storage spaces behind each seat.
Amazing review, dude. Subbed
Thanks for this thorough and fun review. I am on my second NC. Someday I may have an ND but that won’t be anytime soon. Too much fun left in mine. You really do have to drive a Miata to understand the love owners have for it.
Bought a 2020 RF GT MX5.great car
you are awesome man fantastic review I have subbed to your channel! looking forward to future content!
Nice review, good job!
I have the 2014 Club 6spd. My girl and I love it. We took a round trip from Atlanta to Key West. We're planning to go to the Tail of the Dragon later this summer. I Upgraded the suspension with Progress springs/KONI Sport Shocks. I love it even more now. The ND is nice but I'm happy with my NC.
I have a 2017 MX-5 GT RF. I am still hooked on this car. I ain't trading it for anything (except maybe a newer Miata?). Even though it only makes 155 HP it's still a thrill to drive. It's a beautiful machine, too. I have received at least as many compliments for my Miata as I did a Corvette I once owned, which really blew me away. Now, if someone doesn't like my car, it doesn't bother me, but getting such a positive response from so many people it's difficult to not swell with pride. I even got compliments from kids. However, I think my dad was a little disappointed I didn't get something with a V8, lol.
do you know the compression ratio? and are there people boosting them? i think itd be a fun little car boosted
@@AJBAF I think the Miata has the same 2.5L as my CX-5 which gets 13:1 NA. The turbo version of the 2.5T I think is 12:1 + 5. I'm sure you could get a turbo kit from Flyin' Miata or CXRacing.
@Archie The Dog damn 13:1 is probably too high, unless the engine is just built different lol. I like JDL they make the kit I have on my Frs (also high compression w/weak rods) if I was to boost a Miata I’d go with them again their quality is excellent. With the weight of the Miata it would really only need 240-260 whp for me.
@@AJBAF I just looked up what engine the MX-5 uses and it's a 2.0L @ 13:1. You can probably lower it to 12:1 with 5 boost just like they do with the 2.5T. Either that or get a new Mazda 3 which is factory turbocharged.
@Archie The Dog yeah man that’s probably the best route with the Miata. Yeahhhh but those are automatic only lol that’s a no go. Only auto I’ll own is an expensive fancy fast dad car and a Mazda 3 is not that lol
Love this review
What a great review.
Your comment about the steering wheel size really resonated with me.
My all-time favorite steering wheel is in the mk6 GTIs. It's very similar to the miata's wheel, just a smaller circumference and slightly flattened bottom.
Good professional review. Thanks. UK.
I had a 1st gen Toyota MR2 that I bought new in 1986. Driving it was very similar to the experience you describe. Such an awesome vehicle that was. I think the ease of using the clutch and brakes etc etc is all related to the light weight.
Beautiful. Functional. No big lcd screens. Manual. Light. It has everything
Very Cool Review!
I think you and I are the only two people on this planet that feels that the ND steering wheel diameter is a little bit on the large side.
🤣
Nice review! And yes speed is not everything.. Some cars leave a smile on your face no matter how fast you go...
Nice detailed review.
Great informative video
I love your videos!
One of the best car reviews I've seen -- and I've seen hundreds. Watching this man transition from meh to WOW is just great.
Appreciate you! Thanks for watching
I had a 2017 Miata MX-5. Bought a Cayman S and drove it for 2 years. Just traded in the Cayman S for an MX-5 RF. The Cayman was fantastic but not anywhere near as fun in and around town. Miatas are amazing.
I’m agree… the Miata is more fun to drive than the Cayman or Boxster. Plus it’s stress free maintenance and repairs whereas my used Boxster was,out of warranty with more expensive repairs and maintenance. Big plus- a Miata is VERY easy on your bank account.
Great review you covered everything and it was honest! I own a 2008 GT PRHT. It’s my daily driver and it’s totally fun and practical for me. Plus itbb B only cost $10k!
I've owned '93 and '99 ragtop Miatas, and I'm currently driving my '08 convertable hardtop, which I love. I'm so sad Mazda went to the fastback design for the RF. When the top is down, I want the whole top down. Other than that I love the look--those fenders are beautiful. The ragtops you could easily put up and down at highway speeds--the way the top folds it doesn't hit the airstream. The '08 you have to be completely stopped, in neutral, with the clutch in. I'm glad to see now at least you can be rolling down the driveway or out of the parking deck--seems like a big advantage even if you have to keep the speed slow. I really like the hard top for rain and cold weather although I have the top down most days from late February to sometimes into December. Hopefully they'll go back to the fully retractable hard top in '23.
Picking up a 2019 RF GT-S in blue. Really happy about finding a blue GT-S.
He smiled the entire time he test drove it...lol....I love my mazda!
Love your content bro
Thanks boss....thank you for watching!
Great review. I'd like to get a Miata RF in the near future. How has your experience been with this car since you posted the vid 3 years ago?
Thanks again!
this looks like so much fun to drive
The subject of "not everyone loves the RF" - I wasn't a big "convertible" person so for me I liked the RF (I own a '17 RF) because it didn't "feel" like a regular convertible... I will say though that if I were buying new I would likely go with the non-RF in club trim - the ease of use of the convertible top is very nice and the lower cost is icing on the cake...
I like the ease of the soft top and the fully open drive, but man that RF is just drop dead sexy! My last convertible was a NA Solstice that I really liked, but it competed with my motorcycles way too much that I mostly drove it in the rain. My first convertible was a Triumph Spitfire. I want one, but can't justify it until I decide to drop down to one motorcycle.
It’s true, the soft top is better in every way… except looks. The RF is SO sleek!!
That is the exact car I dream to own. I somethings think about giving up all but one motorcycle and getting one. Insurance on that car is way more than all my bikes though, and I would need a wider trailer to haul it to the mountains.
He said magical, gotta love it.
note he was smiling all through the drive test says it all . the only thing that would wipe that smile of my face would be the price and where would we put the the big shop 5 asda bags hey ho it will stay on my bucket list for now good review thanks
Thank you for this "clean" and smooth car review, in the sense that I very much appreciate your efforts in to describe the driving experience feeling rather than judge the car as many people does. Also, I like to add that I'm considering to buy this car, just not sure yet if RF or Soft Top... isn't easy here to find a dealer who has both available to test drive. Speaking of the RF, a lot of watched reviews did mention about having important blind spots looking back and wind buffeting... but on the other side way more enjoyable on the daily commute when driving with closed hard top. On the soft top version, I'm still concerned about weather and noises aspects. Maybe actual lucky owners can also share their opinions about these concerns. Thanks again for your well made vlog.
I have an NB Miata and I'm dreaming of an ND RF. Reason being that the soft top gets too loud for me at highway speeds, I do get used to it eventually but I would prefer to have a quieter experience when I have the top closed. I think this is mainly a concern if it's your daily driver. If it's a weekend car you're probably only driving it with the top down anyway. or close to that. Haven't test driven both though, perhaps the ND soft top is quieter. Best to try it out for yourself anyway.
@@aeon-- With a soft top I usually open up the exhaust enough so that’s all I hear ...
I have had two Mazda Miata. With both hard top and rag top. The first one I bought the first year they came out 1990 and had it for 14 years before I got the second one in 2004 and had it 17 years plus. The first car I had both tops but the second one I only got the rag top because I hardly ever use the hard top, only in cold weather. The past 31 years I have had two cars. I love these cars and plan on buying another one soon.
I have a 2020 nd Miata club with the soft top as my daily driver and I love it. Some people complain about the noise on the highway , but I’m used to having old cars that make a lot of noise, so it doesn’t bother me at all because I don’t really notice it. I can still hold a conversation even with the top down, just have to be a bit louder. I’ve driven while driving and I find it kind of soothing hearing the rain drop on the soft top. Also prefer the soft top because most of your blind spots are gone, with the rf, it is still difficult to see when turning lanes due to the pillars on the back. I still prefer the look of the rf with the top up, but with the top down, soft top without a doubt.
Hello and congratulations for the very comprehensive and professional videos. I wanted to ask you, since I would like to buy a mazda mx5 nd, which engine (1,5 or 2,0) and which color works best on this splendid convertible. Thanks and good luck
Nice car. 2020 club sport owner. It’s fun, and looks good, but a little tight for older and bigger guys. I had 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata it was a blast with the turbo engine. Plus I was slimmer and more limber back then. Probably trade it for and A5 or 4 series convertible, something a bit bigger for me.
The Miata RF is my dream car (I have a 2017 CX3).
Great video! I am test driving one on Monday, RED RF. I may be in trouble after watching your reaction.
Did you get one?
It’s a reasonably priced and easy to install mod to get your RF to open with your key fob…. Looks super cool when done remotely too!! 👍
This will be my next ride, my current is a 2010 PHT GT. Daily driver, used year round.
I own a 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF. I put a chip that claims to add 60 hp. Put a cold flow air filter. Zero to 60 is 5.0 seconds. 35.5 mpg city and interstate drive combined. Behind the passenger seat has a glove compartment that the video didn't mention. 17 in. standard wheels with the same tires that was in the video. Zoom Zoom equals fun fun fun.
I love it! ❤ It’s aged remarkably well. It’ll be evermore popular in the coming years. 👍
What Andy is trying to say is this thing is just a ton of fun to drive, it is not super car but it’s way more fun than a super car. Just a pleasure to drive, maintain, excellent reliability and sips gas. I got a 2020 and I’m never gonna sell it. Lol 😂 I’m in love with that little car. Drive one. See why there are so many drivers that can’t get the grin off their face.
Yes, they are indeed out of the way. I use mine to store seldom used items, like a small first aid kit, tire gauge, small tools and a few backup or emergency items. Perhaps it's the "boy scout" in me. At least the space is there.
I think they are beautiful and as a Mazda 3 hatch owner, I'm putting this on my list of my toy car. Maybe I'll get one in a couple years, possibly used. Also, the reliability is a huge plus. But I'll get the soft top if I end up getting one.
I’ve just traded in my Mazda 3 hatchback (2015) for a 2017 MX5 RF with only 4500 miles on the clock. I loved my Mazda 3, but I adore the RF. it makes me smile and I’ve fallen in love with driving again. I went for the RF as it’s my only/daily car.....
It’s beautiful
Got 2022 rf machine grey and love it.
Have had 3 Vettes, a 4sp, 6sp and Auto paddle. The 03 and 08 are great cars, just a little lacking in the “fun factor” of driving a nimble smaller car around the Blue Ridge or town. Love the look of the RF and at 73 yo, May take the plunge.
I LOVE my Evo 9 RS but my miata is unbelievably fun to drive.
I love my newly purchased RF in the same color. Maybe should have mentioned that there is no spare tire, just an air compressor to get you to a shop. I found that it does have TPMS on it and have corrected this review. Spot on review on my perspective!
My 2021 RF GT has TPMS, as did my 2016 Club convertible.
Wish it had a spare and a place for a wheel at least.
I like the looks of the RF but prefer the soft top. I've had my ND since October 2015, it has close to 93,000 miles on it now. When the top is down, which is most of the time, visibility is great, wind buffeting is minimal.
I've got one soft top GT RS, very very accurate review, every fine detail.
Enjoyed your review. The car seems to have covered a lot of miles, judging by what the engine looks like. It's a pity the car wasn't as clean as you see in the majority of videos, especially the close up of the wheels. The two aerials don't exist here in Australia, just the normal old school aerial. In terms how many see the performance of the Miata, many describe it quick, rather than fast. Also, not sure if you made it clear that the Brembo brakes are only on the front, the rear brakes are standard Mazda brakes painted red. I'm not sure if that package is worth the money, the GT is my preference.
Really enjoyed seeing your genuine reaction of delight to the ND MX-5. The "specialness" of the car is something that most people simply don't understand. I have two points to add: (1) Aftermarket parts can allow the roof to operate at greater speeds, and to open the top via the remote key fob; and (2) With fitted bags, you can stow five or six bags in the trunk, so two people can travel for a week without having to do laundry.
@@FashionExclusivism : I think the car's TC and ESC work well. They are calibrated to intervene if things get too loose, but still allow a little tail-happy fun. If that's not your thing, know that the throttle control is very precise, so if you drive cautiously in wet weather, you should be fine. The only caveat I will add is that grip from the stock tires is just okay. When I wore those down and switched to the Continental Extreme Contact Sport (one size up from stock - 215 /45 R17), both dry and wet-weather grip increased, with the biggest difference being wet grip. I was able to apply the throttle harder and sooner coming out of corners, even in the wet, without the back end slipping. BTW, I cross-shopped the BRZ and the ND1 MX-5, and went with the latter. They were close, but I didn't need a back seat and preferred a convertible to a coupe. I now have an ND2, which I think is much better than the outgoing BRZ/86. I am not sure how it will compare to the new BRZ/86 coming soon. Road tests show similar acceleration times, but that tells you very little about any of these cars. Good luck.
Great review, thanks. I bought the NC from new with the hard top back in 2011 and I'm still loving it ten years later with 120k miles on it. I had one major issue a year ago with two cracked cylinder rings which cost $3000 to repair involving a partial engine rebuild. I was extremely disappointed with Mazda as I believe (but could not prove) the issue was a manufacturing defect. I have been driving stick shift for 45 years and certainly did not abuse the car. Anyway, Mazda were kind enough to offer me a discount on a new vehicle which I can use at any time once I'm ready to buy a new one. The thing is that with the engine rebuild and with a paint job on the bodywork damaged by the California sun, the car drives and looks like new, so I have no incentive to buy the ND. I'm going to drive my NC for at least another 80k miles or until it breaks! As for the driving experience of my NC, like all Miatas, it's almost as if the car itself is begging you to drive it. I hate to anthropomorphize it but it really does feel like it's alive, and of course it makes the driver feel engaged, alive, and more like I imagine it would be like riding a race horse: it responds and feeds back so well. Anyway, when I'm ready, I'll buy the ND hard top and will just have to cope with even less storage space than my NC; I understand that Mazda needed to reduce the weight, but in that process they forgot that the car serves two purposes for most: as a way to just have driving fun (which it excells at obviously), and as a weekend getaway vehicle for two people driven top down at a more leisurely pace. The fact that side pockets, glove box are missing compared with the NC and that the trunk opening is smaller than the NC is a big disappointment given that this is not just a car for solo drivers having fun or on the track, it's also a car that ought to be usable for a couple to go away for the weekend. My NC has just enough storage space for the lazy weekend getaway and the ND does not. So, I'll stick with my 2011 NC until either I or the car pass on to the scrapyard in the sky: who knows, maybe we will both meet our end as a result of a 'senior moment' as we accidentally take a curve in the road too fast and drive exhilaratingly over a cliff!
I have fitted soft bags for our ND, which we have used for weekend as well as week-long trips for two. Five duffels (one medium bag in the well, two large bags side-by-side on top of the medium bag, and two small bags in the corners) with a bit more room for a garment bag or two computer bags over everything, plus some loose items in the crevices.
There are still a lot of low mileage NC models available but they’re not as cheap as you may think. I saw a 2011 hardtop model with low miles for about $20k. That one had about 40k mileage. I purchased my 2008 in 2019 with 78k miles for $10k. I love this car.
My 2012 Special Edition RHT 6 speed, was my mid life crisis toy, when I turned 70 two years ago! 15,000 miles when I bought it, 35,000 now. I drive it year round on good days in WNY. Never fails to put a smile on my face!!
thats an amazing story/post to read you mentioned,but based off what you shared at 120,000miles with '1' issue in its 10 year-lifetime,id not complain youve obviously drove the car good, meaning those are serious miles and with no/one issue in TEN years lol,i mean most other performance cars can not claim that at all, coupled with your milage range, and assuming based off all you said is true,that would be more than enough ammo and re-assurance to purchase another new one.KUDOS TO MAZDA AND THE MIATA!!!
I think the way all journalists (including yourself, no offence) fail to properly describe "fun going slow" are MEANING to say, is that it feels like a vintage car. The Car itself is an event. driving at any speed. In the same way those old 1930s british open top fuselage race cars were "slow" but driving them at all anywhere felt fast and fun. The miata feels like this due to size and being the closest thing to those old cars. like a cateram or a go kart. an old MGTD. a morgan. You can do 40mph and FEEL like 100mph, so you don't need the money it costs to run a car at 100+ for the fun it gives. Where modern cars feel like the Japanese bullet train, quiet, 200mph, and boring. The miata feels like the bicycle of cars. it's fast because it's raw. The next best feeling is a faster miata or a lotus. and then the next best feeling after that would only be found in motorcycles.
I have a lotus Elise and a NB. The NB is more fun to drive. The Lotus is much faster but you have to concentrate in it carefully because the steering is so quick. You can relax in the Miata but not an Elise. I did ride in an MGTD once. It was like go kart. Awesome!
@@atlantasailor1 I suppose it depends on your ability to have fun in a car that costs a fair bit of money VS one you know you could buy several of for the cost of one elise. That's probably where the fun went.
Costs aside, mid engine cars do make you focus more but fun is subjective. I like focus. Out on the public road the miata is less stressful to possibly bin over a tree, which it has less a chance of doing than the lotus to begin with and I can see fun corelating to that notion. Not to mention knowing the difference in consumable costs in the back of your mind between the two.
My next car 🤤
When is the model changeover from this model? Will it be 2022 or 2023..? , Asking out of curiosity because you convinced me to buy one. Please and thank you, excellent review
Rumored 2023 or ‘24. I’d not wait, personally if affordable.
I'd like this exact spec except I'd prefer the tan interior. I'd swap the seats for these recaro seats however. tan interior with recaro seats!
Dream package...
Really good review but I have to stay with the soft top. I will never buy a new MX5 because I have a NC that I totally love driving and plan to keep it until I'm to old to drive. Your right about it not being a fast car but it is fairly quick and mine goes from 0-60 in 6.7 seconds that's only twice as long as Mustang with a 302 V8.
Hi Paul, I bought a 2008 hard top 2 months ago and love it. Went to Sedona and Grand Canyon in it, superb car.
@@millerdlv541 - It’s a great car. I bought a 2008 hardtop also. I daily drive it and love it. I have the automatic and it’s just fine. More convenient if you need your hands free and easier to drive on hills.
@@rembo183 Yea Joel, I also have an automatic trans, I'm just not that into shifting. I've had it 6 months now and love it. 103k miles, runs like a top. I also have a 2021 Challenger RT with 5.7L. Always a debate with car to use!
@@millerdlv541 - I have a 2019 Mustang Bullitt! Same issue as you. I daily my Miata it’s so easy and fun! It handles a lot better than my Mustang and I’m addicted to this thing!
@@rembo183 We think alike, life is too short to drive a boring car.
I had a 2014 Porsche Boxster I now have a 2021 MX 5 rf If you love to drive get the mx5 I love mine .
Great car and a nice review. However nearly all reviewers of the MX-5 as well as the Fiat 124 Spider miss the fact that there are also two storage pockets/spaces behind each of the seat backs. Plenty of extra space for more "goodies".
Almost impossible to get to
I was under the impression that only the convertible has the storage behind the seats.
@@ronniefranks4351 ; RF has one; ST has two.
My brother is picking this up today
Wow we look similar, I could pass as your brother! Subscribed!!!!
I love my 2017 RF GT
Really nicely... Really...
I really love the way this car looks and drives. So lightweight, really puts a smile on my face. However, I'm one of the few people that still believes it can still be more fun with more power. I disagree with the "too much power that can't be used" mentality. As of right now, I can only have fun on twisty mountain roads. What's wrong with having ~250hp and also being able to have fun in a straight line? I've seen a lot of videos and people in real life dropping a supercharger in, dropping a turbo in, replacing the engine and getting into 300, 400, 600hp and it sure as hell looks like they're having fun! The Exige makes more power and is even 500lbs lighter than the Miata. Just because Mazda can't do it or won't do it doesn't mean that everyone has to listen to or justify their reasons.
Because of affordability and reliability
@@alainduchesne9750 Definitely. Which comes down to a Mazda problem because they can't make a reliable engine for that or it costs them too much. It doesn't mean that the Miata can't use more power
For your question ; Elantra N some get 40mg on hwy
Just bought my second one and if I have a choice will drive nothing but. Well made, not cost prohibitive. Most fun you can have while driving. Want to haul stuff.? Buy or rent a truck. This car is for fun.