A wrong fact in the video: The 2.0 engine is available in Europe, only difference is we can also get the high-revving 1.5 liter engine which the US does not get
Great review, Alex! I am absolutely in love with the styling of this hardtop model! I cannot wait until I can get my hands on one of these Mazda MX-5 RF Hard Top's to review, as well. I hope you feel better soon! From one car reviewer to another, keep up the great work! 👍 -DriveAndBeDriven 🚘 "The Quest To Record The Best!" 📽
First review of yours that I have seen, and you nailed it. Great in-depth look at the car. Mazda came up with the same answer as Colin Chapman, "Simplify and add lightness". Maybe my biases exactly mirror yours, causing me to be duped. ..I dunno....but think that you're a pretty damn good reviewer. You "get it" with sports cars. Subscribed.
Enjoyed the review. My wife just bought a club hard top. We have a soft top loaner waiting for delivery. It is "pollen" season part 1 here. I have noticed, cleaning the green pine pollen isn't easy off of the soft top. She wanted the hard top, and she's the boss! I think it will be easier to keep clean.
In the 2016+ MX-5 the seat rails are inclined (angled?) so the closer to the steering wheel you move the seat, the higher the seat rises. A lightweight solution for adjusting the seat height for some drivers.
Great review as always... the hard top in the previous gen Miata functioned exactly as the soft top does. same structures same lowering design. and had a complete open cabin.. no side buttressing... honestly the soft top is super easy to lower and raise from inside the car anyway. I was surprised by your noise rating. I would think the hard top would be substantially quieter.. if it's not. then what's the point... I never did any extra care on my soft top Miata except car washes.... and they all lasted 10 years at least. love your reviews....
I had an 07 PRHT, & it was notably quieter top up than my 16 ST. I am also surprised that the RF isn't quieter as well. Of course, my 07 was quieter top down than my 16 is also, so it may be more of a difference in the full design of the car. I never drove an NC soft top to compare.
20:10 Transmissions are not exactly the same, 124 has the one from the previous gen MX-5 because the new one can't handle the torque from the turbocharged engine. I wouldn't say that softer suspension is a con, it's the matter of taste - some people are looking for grand tourers.
I'd much prefer they made it a traditional targa where you have to manually lift out the targa roof and put it in the trunk. This complicated power nonsense not only costs a lot more, but when it breaks, and it will, it'll cost a small fortune to repair.
They're not perfect, but the PRHT on the NC was very reliable. We never had an issue with ours in 96,000 miles. We did have the window regulator go out (which prevents the top from working as well), but that can happen with the soft top as well. Even if you do have issues, it's no more expensive than a replacement soft top, & those wear out as well. A manual targa isn't bad, but I suspect most would prefer the convenience of the power targa over the additional reliability of a manual one.
It seems if you want a pure fun car that isn't practical for a daily driver, than an MX-5 is the better choice. But if you want a more practical daily car that can be fun, then a Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ is the better option. So in short Miata = 2x fun/not practical 86 = fun and practical
Hey Alex, question... Does the RF have very loud wind noise and buffeting at high speeds when the top is down? I've seen some reviewers call it "unbearable." Did you find that to be the case at say, above 60mph?
Hate the nonfactual info in car reviews on youtube, but also everywhere. Although the smaller engine is not available in the US, two engine choices are available in most of the world.
How annoying was the passenger's side floor bump/bulge from the transmission tunnel? Where you like, "WTH? Where's my legroom?" when you first sat in the passenger's seat?
One comment.... Make the font colors on your Price/Features section more um....visible/vibrant? The blue and red combo is just hard on us "old" guys with poor eyesight :D
I'm not sure what your idea of better is. The Camaro should be faster in a straight line, & is more practical, sure. The Miata has much better visibility, is much lighter, & much smaller. It'll be easier to park & easier to fit though cone gates at an autocross (allowing for better racing line overall). If you want to drag race, if you're too tall, or if you need space for more than 2 people & 6 reusable grocery bags, get the Camaro. If none of these concerns describe you, I suspect you'd be happier in the Miata.
Daniel Isbell thanks for the reply. Maybe because I hate anything from Japan but I'm trying to be objective here. Camaro is already a pretty small car that is poor in terms of practicality, while the Miata simply even worse. From the footage of this review I found that Miata is even more cramped inside, plus a even smaller trunk. More importantly Camaro has a much better power train, and of course, a much better look.
David Wu, just out of curiosity, what makes you tend to dislike Japanese cars? Is it styling, the fact that historically (if not still always true) they were smaller cars with smaller engines, or something else? I understand that styling is part of your concern here, but I'm wondering if that's always the case, or if there's something else. As far as practicality goes, it really depends on the situation. If you're single & rent an apartment, a Miata is fine. You won't be carrying a lot of people & once you have furniture, generally won't need larger home items. On the other end, if you're married & your spouse drives something larger daily, you can rely on the larger vehicle when you need to carry things, though kids can complicate it. It gets good enough gas mileage to be a reasonable option for people with longer commutes as well. In addition, they're typically cheap to insure. Specifically, our previous Miata cost less to insure than the Mazda3 it replaced. How you feel inside of one will largely depend on your size. I feel more comfortable in my ND than almost every other car I've been in. It feels like it was custom fit to me. Everything is easily within reach (except the 12V outlet), & I never feel crowded. If I had to ride in the passenger seat, it might be a different story. Fortunately for me, I always drive it, & my wife is short. Whether one car or the other has a better powertrain is a complicated question. The 2017 or newer Miata should be extremely reliable. The 2016 had an issue with the manual transmission that has since been fixed. My experience with GM is that the powertrain is the one reliable thing they made, so I wouldn't expect to have too many issue there either. Sure, the Camaro makes more power regardless of engine (Note, V8 is in a different price bracket), but it's also a much heaver car. Neither car is underpowered. We're only talking ~.5s difference in 0-60 times when compared to the 2.0T Camaro. Have you ever driven a Miata (any generation)? If not, you should. I thought they were ugly when the 1st generation came out. I was driving a 98 Trans Am when my mom got a 90 Miata (1.6L 5-Speed). I found I had more fun driving the Miata than my Trans Am, despite the Trans Am being considerably faster. In the end, specs on paper aren't everything, & if you enjoy driving a car enough, the looks can grow on you.
Check out Flyin Miata. They specialize in turnkey solutions and kits for MX5s. They both have a supercharged and a turbo version. (And a V8 LS3 500HP version if you want to sacrifice all of the true spirit).
Test drove this car with my wife and although the car looks good the ride for both the passenger and the driver was very uncomfortable. In the passenger footwell has the bulge from the center console that prevented my wife from having a comfortable position for her feet. After the drive I felt my hands were shaking from all the vibration transmitted through the steering wheel....
My wife is 5'2" and weighs about 112 lbs and she did could not find a comfortable position for her feet. A happy wife, is a happy life. Decided to place an order for a 2018 Porsche Cayman S. Should be delivered by late July/early August.....350 HP, the CS drive was amazing......it felt like a rocket.....
Adding over 100 pounds high in the CG of a car that's all about lightness... Blasphemy!! Standard soft top is the way to go.. Instead of this gimmickmobile, they should have released a proper hard top with a nice spacious hatch area. Would have made for a usable, dare I say, practical MX5.
You really don't need a backup camera in a car as small and a car that you can turn your head as see the rear as well as the MX5. The RF is a bit harder to fully see the back but it is still doable. So no camera necessary...
Bert Firm thanks appreciate your feedback. Had a friend who's had both he says there's nothing like a mid engine .. I'm still torn .. waiting for the MX-5 to drop in price a bit
6 ปีที่แล้ว
Fat ass tried to squeeze himself in a jr size car.
The Fiat does not use the same transmission as the ND Miata. Also, it has a stiffer suspension with less body roll than the Miata, not softer. It actually uses the one from the NC. Also, the Miata GT trim level does not take away the LSD.
A reviewer in another video said mazda sells more hard tops than soft tops and he also said the RF trim was designed for people that don't want to go topless much. I bet more automatics are sold as well. Manuals transmissions unfortunately are becoming a rarity.
Love this review. Thorough and thought out. I've watched 20+ miata videos as I'm picking mine up in a few weeks and I don't know how to praise you more than to say this is the only channel I subscribed to.
People don't understand how tires affect handling, other than BIGGER TIRES MORE GRIP. Tire compound is also an important factor in grip. Bigger tires on a car not designed for such big tires result in numb handling, imprecise cornering, more wear on the suspensions because it's over-gripping and all of that force gets translated to the stock suspensions which are not meant to handle that much force.
You're not getting it. This car will attract people who normally would never consider a soft-top convertible... Like me. I'm really surprised you didn't talk about headroom with the top up.
OK, the hard top is for fans of coupe's who like the idea of a big sunroof on sunny days. The soft top is for the roadster purist. The MX-5 is for all lovers of a brilliant little Japanese sports car!
Great review as always, Alex. The critics nitpick: the Fiata doesn't use the same gearbox as the current MX-5: it uses the one from the previous gen, due to torque.
While we're being critical, the price difference between the soft top & RF is closer to $3000 than $2000. For the Club, it's an additional $2,755. For the GT, it's an additional $2,555. This is the case for automatic or manual transmissions. I assume the difference is smaller on the GT because the thicker soft top is already higher cost. Another thing worth noting, the seat adjustment rails are actually installed on a slope, so when you move the seat forward, it also moves up. It won't work for everyone, but in most cases, those that need to be closer to the wheel & pedals will also need to be higher up. It works pretty well for my wife at 4'-10" & myself at 5'-8". Your assumption that 6'-1" to 6'-2" is approaching the upper limit does seem to generally be accurate. Overall, good review. I don't agree with some of your subjective points, but I feel like you covered things well.
I just bought the MX-5 RF GT, love it. I like the Fiat Spider as well but their customer support was awful, Mazda is the way to go! Good Review!
A wrong fact in the video: The 2.0 engine is available in Europe, only difference is we can also get the high-revving 1.5 liter engine which the US does not get
Still the most information per minute for car reviews on the internet. Thanks Alex!
Hope you get better soon.... the best car reviewer in the world
Great review, Alex! I am absolutely in love with the styling of this hardtop model! I cannot wait until I can get my hands on one of these Mazda MX-5 RF Hard Top's to review, as well. I hope you feel better soon! From one car reviewer to another, keep up the great work! 👍
-DriveAndBeDriven 🚘
"The Quest To Record The Best!" 📽
i like that the shift select is oriented correctly with up shift back and downshift forward.
Great review Alex. One small correction though, the Fiata manual transmission is borrowed from the NC, not the ND.
I would never drive a miata convertible, but the hard top is more interesting.
I would never drive a hard top MX-5. The convertible is the only way to go.
First review of yours that I have seen, and you nailed it. Great in-depth look at the car.
Mazda came up with the same answer as Colin Chapman, "Simplify and add lightness".
Maybe my biases exactly mirror yours, causing me to be duped. ..I dunno....but think that you're a pretty damn good reviewer. You "get it" with sports cars.
Subscribed.
Enjoyed the review. My wife just bought a club hard top. We have a soft top loaner waiting for delivery. It is "pollen" season part 1 here. I have noticed, cleaning the green pine pollen isn't easy off of the soft top. She wanted the hard top, and she's the boss! I think it will be easier to keep clean.
In the 2016+ MX-5 the seat rails are inclined (angled?) so the closer to the steering wheel you move the seat, the higher the seat rises. A lightweight solution for adjusting the seat height for some drivers.
You are the most comprehensive reviewer on TH-cam. I love your videos!
Clicked as soon as I was notified. Love this car to death, wish to own one soon. Hope you feel better soon Alex!
Rather than an optical disc player they could've squeezed in a backup camera. I'm quite sure the former weighs more than the latter.
If the next few years are good to me with regard to my business and/or licensing my patent, then this is exactly the car I will buy.
Bravo. This has to be the most factual and informative review. Cheers.
Great review as always...
the hard top in the previous gen Miata functioned exactly as the soft top does. same structures same lowering design. and had a complete open cabin.. no side buttressing...
honestly the soft top is super easy to lower and raise from inside the car anyway.
I was surprised by your noise rating. I would think the hard top would be substantially quieter.. if it's not. then what's the point...
I never did any extra care on my soft top Miata except car washes.... and they all lasted 10 years at least.
love your reviews....
I had an 07 PRHT, & it was notably quieter top up than my 16 ST. I am also surprised that the RF isn't quieter as well. Of course, my 07 was quieter top down than my 16 is also, so it may be more of a difference in the full design of the car. I never drove an NC soft top to compare.
I believe most people wouldn't view Fiat 124's "unique look" as a Pro.
Epic car. Mazda have really turned this car around over the last 5 years.
Best review I have seen on this vehicle. Great job
20:10 Transmissions are not exactly the same, 124 has the one from the previous gen MX-5 because the new one can't handle the torque from the turbocharged engine.
I wouldn't say that softer suspension is a con, it's the matter of taste - some people are looking for grand tourers.
I'd much prefer they made it a traditional targa where you have to manually lift out the targa roof and put it in the trunk. This complicated power nonsense not only costs a lot more, but when it breaks, and it will, it'll cost a small fortune to repair.
They're not perfect, but the PRHT on the NC was very reliable. We never had an issue with ours in 96,000 miles. We did have the window regulator go out (which prevents the top from working as well), but that can happen with the soft top as well. Even if you do have issues, it's no more expensive than a replacement soft top, & those wear out as well. A manual targa isn't bad, but I suspect most would prefer the convenience of the power targa over the additional reliability of a manual one.
I love roadsters and I wish there were more of them.
lol Alex you said in the comparison the mx4 was better than the z4.
I am waiting for VolksWagen Atlas test! Thx in advance, Alex
RF hardtop is the choice.Beautiful engine bay.
They should have gone with a removable top. It's simple and it works. I cringe at the thought of the folding mechanism failing.
The Fiat does not use the same manual transmission - it actually uses the transmission from the previous generation Miata.
Thanks for your dedication. :)
I would never get the fiat they are so unreliable! Mazda for me all day long but you are amazing at your reviews Alex!
It seems if you want a pure fun car that isn't practical for a daily driver, than an MX-5 is the better choice. But if you want a more practical daily car that can be fun, then a Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ is the better option.
So in short
Miata = 2x fun/not practical
86 = fun and practical
Hey Alex, question... Does the RF have very loud wind noise and buffeting at high speeds when the top is down? I've seen some reviewers call it "unbearable." Did you find that to be the case at say, above 60mph?
i like the style of your videos, but you should add the black lines (for example at 13:32) before adding in the blue element on the right side
You one of the best car review. Thanks.
A backup cam does not add any considerable extra weight! it's a few grams, plus maybe half a pound for cabling! Raa Raa! I am angry! XD
I would ditch the CD player and get a rear view camera.
Excellent review!
Hate the nonfactual info in car reviews on youtube, but also everywhere. Although the smaller engine is not available in the US, two engine choices are available in most of the world.
How annoying was the passenger's side floor bump/bulge from the
transmission tunnel? Where you like, "WTH? Where's my legroom?" when you first sat in the passenger's seat?
Nice video.
Review the new CX-5 pleeeeease. And compare to the new CR-V. I saw both of them on road now.
What's safety like on the highway? Want to get one to go to work, 20 miles one way
I don't like the head lamps design, but the overall shape of the car.
Excellent reviewer.
One comment.... Make the font colors on your Price/Features section more um....visible/vibrant? The blue and red combo is just hard on us "old" guys with poor eyesight :D
EMERSON GALFO why did you type "um" after the word "more"?....any logical reason?
20:15 I didn’t think there was an MX-4 🤔
Get a 718 Boxster even just the 2.0 base and you're done. Yes even in 2021..22
Never owned a convertible. What maintainance does a cloth top need?
None.
don't stab it with a knife and you should be good
Seems like the Abarth 124 would be your pick and you don't mention it?
Great review! I would however buy a similarly priced Camaro, which is better in every single aspect, except gas bill.
And higher maintenance and lower reliability and is not a convertible and ...
Valter Vilar maintenance is negligible for newer cars, and so is reliability. Convertible? I hate convertibles...
I'm not sure what your idea of better is. The Camaro should be faster in a straight line, & is more practical, sure. The Miata has much better visibility, is much lighter, & much smaller. It'll be easier to park & easier to fit though cone gates at an autocross (allowing for better racing line overall). If you want to drag race, if you're too tall, or if you need space for more than 2 people & 6 reusable grocery bags, get the Camaro. If none of these concerns describe you, I suspect you'd be happier in the Miata.
Daniel Isbell thanks for the reply. Maybe because I hate anything from Japan but I'm trying to be objective here. Camaro is already a pretty small car that is poor in terms of practicality, while the Miata simply even worse. From the footage of this review I found that Miata is even more cramped inside, plus a even smaller trunk. More importantly Camaro has a much better power train, and of course, a much better look.
David Wu, just out of curiosity, what makes you tend to dislike Japanese cars? Is it styling, the fact that historically (if not still always true) they were smaller cars with smaller engines, or something else? I understand that styling is part of your concern here, but I'm wondering if that's always the case, or if there's something else.
As far as practicality goes, it really depends on the situation. If you're single & rent an apartment, a Miata is fine. You won't be carrying a lot of people & once you have furniture, generally won't need larger home items. On the other end, if you're married & your spouse drives something larger daily, you can rely on the larger vehicle when you need to carry things, though kids can complicate it. It gets good enough gas mileage to be a reasonable option for people with longer commutes as well. In addition, they're typically cheap to insure. Specifically, our previous Miata cost less to insure than the Mazda3 it replaced.
How you feel inside of one will largely depend on your size. I feel more comfortable in my ND than almost every other car I've been in. It feels like it was custom fit to me. Everything is easily within reach (except the 12V outlet), & I never feel crowded. If I had to ride in the passenger seat, it might be a different story. Fortunately for me, I always drive it, & my wife is short.
Whether one car or the other has a better powertrain is a complicated question. The 2017 or newer Miata should be extremely reliable. The 2016 had an issue with the manual transmission that has since been fixed. My experience with GM is that the powertrain is the one reliable thing they made, so I wouldn't expect to have too many issue there either. Sure, the Camaro makes more power regardless of engine (Note, V8 is in a different price bracket), but it's also a much heaver car. Neither car is underpowered. We're only talking ~.5s difference in 0-60 times when compared to the 2.0T Camaro.
Have you ever driven a Miata (any generation)? If not, you should. I thought they were ugly when the 1st generation came out. I was driving a 98 Trans Am when my mom got a 90 Miata (1.6L 5-Speed). I found I had more fun driving the Miata than my Trans Am, despite the Trans Am being considerably faster. In the end, specs on paper aren't everything, & if you enjoy driving a car enough, the looks can grow on you.
Dream car in the future
Awesome videos
Please make a video for 2017 Corvette Grand Sport.
too bad they cant just make a coupe model without the motors and stuff needed for the hardtop/convertible RF
I wish they gave the MT an overdrive gear like they give the AT...
Considering the soft top Miata has one of the easiest and quickest tops to operate, I really don't see the point of producing the RF hard top.
Durability in harsh climates or high crime areas, ability to use automatic car washes, general peace of mind, or just different preference for looks.
Hey Alex, why is there a shark fin and a standard antenna?
The shark fin antenna is for SiriusXM radio. And don't call me "Alex."
Looks great but slower, more expensive, and more complicated than the soft top.
A backup cam adds extra weight .... come on.
By any chance... is the colour round gauge coming to the soft top or is it the RF special..?
EyBiKeY I believe it's RF specific
Does it have a spare tire?
If Mazda made it, I would purchase a MX-5 2.0L Turbo convertible. I don't care if it weighs 2500lbs or if it costs $36,000.
Check out Flyin Miata. They specialize in turnkey solutions and kits for MX5s. They both have a supercharged and a turbo version. (And a V8 LS3 500HP version if you want to sacrifice all of the true spirit).
Svoft top?
did he say a mustang or camaro grips the road better :o
The Fiat 124 engine is tunable but has horrible cooling, you wont get much out of it.
Test drove this car with my wife and although the car looks good the ride for both the passenger and the driver was very uncomfortable. In the passenger footwell has the bulge from the center console that prevented my wife from having a comfortable position for her feet. After the drive I felt my hands were shaking from all the vibration transmitted through the steering wheel....
Huh? What vibration through the steering wheel? Sounds like the dealer needs to take a look at their demonstrator…
My wife is 5'2" and weighs about 112 lbs and she did could not find a comfortable position for her feet. A happy wife, is a happy life. Decided to place an order for a 2018 Porsche Cayman S. Should be delivered by late July/early August.....350 HP, the CS drive was amazing......it felt like a rocket.....
paging flyin' miata...
24:14 you said MX-4
was gonna say the same thing lol, had to go back and listen to it again
I love your reviews but with that hat I expect you to also wear a "fanny pack". Still love ya though
looks like a shrunken corvette sting ray...
perfect toy after a midlife crisis or empty nester...
Adding over 100 pounds high in the CG of a car that's all about lightness... Blasphemy!! Standard soft top is the way to go.. Instead of this gimmickmobile, they should have released a proper hard top with a nice spacious hatch area. Would have made for a usable, dare I say, practical MX5.
ridiculous - would make the end result a 3500 lb car.
Oldtwins Are you saying an MX5 coupe/hatchback would weigh 3500lbs?
Nice little car but it's just too small for most men. Anyone over 5' 9" will struggle in one of these sadly.
I don't think so, George. Check out a few more reviews of the ND series. Many disagree with you.
"Backup camera would add extra weight"...🤣
You really don't need a backup camera in a car as small and a car that you can turn your head as see the rear as well as the MX5. The RF is a bit harder to fully see the back but it is still doable. So no camera necessary...
I still think the Fiat 124 Spyder is better looking.
Sigh.. maybe in 5 years...
Way too expensive for what it is... nice looking car though.
Why not just get u used z4 or boxster?
Naveed Ahmed Price and over all cost of ownership.
Yes, price, cost of ownership, fun, and overall they're not as good as the MX-5. But hey, suit yourself…
Bert Firm thanks appreciate your feedback. Had a friend who's had both he says there's nothing like a mid engine .. I'm still torn .. waiting for the MX-5 to drop in price a bit
Fat ass tried to squeeze himself in a jr size car.
MX4 better than Z4? Lol.
ast5515 never seen an mx4
Those tail lights, too close together.
I love Miata's. It's a true drivers car
Seeing Alex sitting in the trunk of that mx5 has truly made my day :)
Hard top seeking soft bottom
DimachkaS 😂😂😂
The Fiat does not use the same transmission as the ND Miata. Also, it has a stiffer suspension with less body roll than the Miata, not softer. It actually uses the one from the NC. Also, the Miata GT trim level does not take away the LSD.
This video brought to you by Tai Lopez and his "garage"
The lowest TCI score in AA history no doubt.
svoft top (18.30) :P
Darn it!
"svelte soft top" = svoft top
Alex on Autos. Are you going to do a review of the Volkswagen Atlas ?
Undoubtedly tremendous value for money - but will Mazda build enough to satisfy the demand?
Love it,have one with soft top❤️👍
By far, the best mx-5 review out there
A small 2 seat sportster that is anything but A+ handling is giving up way too much practicality for the fun level.
I think he was comparing it to other mainstream convertibles. Surely compared to other cars in general it would be an A+..
A reviewer in another video said mazda sells more hard tops than soft tops and he also said the RF trim was designed for people that don't want to go topless much. I bet more automatics are sold as well. Manuals transmissions unfortunately are becoming a rarity.
I prefer the hardtop for anti theft protection. I feel as if someone could easily rip through the soft top if they wanted to.
These reviews are ridiculously good...... Alex will be the car review king of TH-cam, I have no doubt.
Love this review. Thorough and thought out. I've watched 20+ miata videos as I'm picking mine up in a few weeks and I don't know how to praise you more than to say this is the only channel I subscribed to.
People don't understand how tires affect handling, other than BIGGER TIRES MORE GRIP. Tire compound is also an important factor in grip. Bigger tires on a car not designed for such big tires result in numb handling, imprecise cornering, more wear on the suspensions because it's over-gripping and all of that force gets translated to the stock suspensions which are not meant to handle that much force.
I have a 2014 Miata hard top, I get 30.8 mpg driving it in auto trans setting. It's not a car, it's a work of art.
Great review Alex. I'm with you in preferring the soft top MX5, which I bought last year and love it!!
You're not getting it. This car will attract people who normally would never consider a soft-top convertible... Like me. I'm really surprised you didn't talk about headroom with the top up.
OK, the hard top is for fans of coupe's who like the idea of a big sunroof on sunny days. The soft top is for the roadster purist. The MX-5 is for all lovers of a brilliant little Japanese sports car!
Great review as always, Alex. The critics nitpick: the Fiata doesn't use the same gearbox as the current MX-5: it uses the one from the previous gen, due to torque.
We're both half right. The automatic is the same, the manual is from the old one.
Alex on Autos Ah yes! That's why you're the reviewer and I'm the critic 😀
Alex on Autos IIRC, the 6 speed auto in the current MX5 is a carry over from the old MX5.
While we're being critical, the price difference between the soft top & RF is closer to $3000 than $2000. For the Club, it's an additional $2,755. For the GT, it's an additional $2,555. This is the case for automatic or manual transmissions. I assume the difference is smaller on the GT because the thicker soft top is already higher cost.
Another thing worth noting, the seat adjustment rails are actually installed on a slope, so when you move the seat forward, it also moves up. It won't work for everyone, but in most cases, those that need to be closer to the wheel & pedals will also need to be higher up. It works pretty well for my wife at 4'-10" & myself at 5'-8". Your assumption that 6'-1" to 6'-2" is approaching the upper limit does seem to generally be accurate.
Overall, good review. I don't agree with some of your subjective points, but I feel like you covered things well.