12:32 Flyin Miata did a test back in 2018 and the dyno graphs showed that until about 3700 rpm, the ND1 makes more power and torque - forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=675633
That line in the video was part of what ended up convincing me to order my new 2022 RF. It arrived 2 weeks ago and I've been having a blast with it as my new daily driver!
This quote hit me. I traded my 6 speed mk7 GLI for a Mazda3 Turbo, thinking it would be a similar experience (sans 3rd pedal) and it just isn't. I've had that car 5 months and have recently ordered a 22 Miata Club BBR softtop in part because of quotes like this. And because life is too short to drive boring cars.
When I see a POV drive video on a ND, I automatically press like. 11:14 the way the rear end subtly goes out but not too much (what the Japanese car show BestMotoring and HotVersion would call 'Zero-counter') is beautiful. Anyone who complains to TheTopher that this is like his 74th Mazda Miata video need to seek counselling.
You can't ask for a tiny car and then ask for space....why do people do this. You can't defy the laws of the universe ! You don't buy this car to have space to load crap in... ITS A PERFORMANCE RACE CAR . If you want space then buy a van. People need to know what it is they want. They expect to get everything in one purchase. This is a niche car, its design is honed for purpose of performance ... It's really that simple !
@@WizardTerence yeah, but I don't get the impression that Topher thinks that even if others do. I think he's just pointing out the obvious.... that cargo capacity is not this car's strength.
@@WizardTerence I agree with everything you said. Except for the "performance race car" lmao It's a fun roadster - not more, not less. Couldn't be further from a performance race car lol
Two years late, but I just watched this for the first time. I bought one of these three days ago. This review is a perfect summary of the RF experience. Thanks for the great videos, Topher.
@@vitreoushumor yea i am 17 and saving my money to buy these i lost hope on buying lotus elise bec it only appreciates i dont want to buy a fwd hot hatch🤮
So, it can easily be your daily drive and you can have fun at the same time, plus it looks sexy. Drove it across 6 countries in Europe starting from U.K. to Poland, including Switzerland and completing legendary Furka & Grimsel Pass. Open roof, high mountains and twisty road = pure poetry
Bought my 2021 RF GT 6MT a couple of weeks ago. It truly makes even a quick grocery store trip fun. Took a 300 mile road trip driving a little spirited and averaged 39 mpg. Really incredible little machine. If you can make the limited interior space work in your life I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one.
Just bought 2021 RF Club in all black, love this car it's so much fun drive and hands down the most beautiful car under $40k. Videos and pictures don't do justice.
@@t.k.morrissoft top is problematic from a safety aspect and it looks ugly, but it makes more sense if your budget is really tight and you want max peformance
Christina and I just completed a 4,800 mile round trip from Montana to Pennsylvania in our 2021 RF. We loved every mile of the trek through 13 states although there may have been a few moments when we wished for a cubic foot or two of additional cabin space. We both did just fine with one carry on bag a piece but then we really had. no choice. 😉. More than enough power and lots of zip. And we averaged 37 mpg for the journey which was a great bonus.
Something not alot of viewers mention is that, the gear shifter when you go on the throttle begins to clench, which is CRAZY because it makes you think its alive
I'd love to see someone put individual throttle bodies onto a ND - many people say its impossible with a direct injection engine but Porsche can somehow do it with their 991.2 Speedster. Also, cannot wait to see your impressions on the upcoming BRZ and GR 86!
@@ThePedalDance We're grateful that Toyota/Subaru are giving us (the consumers) a second chance of having an affordable sportscar, before governments ban sales of petrol cars by 2030. Thank goodness that Toyota has a CEO who loves driving, Mr Akio Toyoda.
I love this car and agree with you the RF is the way to go. It looks better than the ragtop (love the Jaguaresque flying butresses) and provides a quieter and more weather proof cabin for those times you do want to take a weekend trip and dont want to deal with wind and traffic noise. Having said that, I'm 6'1 and would have to go with the ragtop if I bought one, and I simply can't justify a car I can only fit in with the top down. But man oh man...I finally took my first Miata test drive with the previous gen and was immediately doing mental gymnastics trying to make this car a practical daily driver. Things like "on rainy days I can slouch in the seat, maybe a combo slouch and lean a bit to the right" and "who needs more than a couple medium sized soft bags for a weekend trip?" The Miata is simply a sportscar in the purest form of the word, the 86/BRZ are quite good, but not roadsters.
That last part got me man. Literally why I bought mine. First car, fun car and drop top ❤️ Love every single Miata review you’ve got man, you’re the best
This Mazda Miata is one car I just never stopped loving! My actual dream car was the Pontiac Solstice which doesn’t exist anymore…. The Miata looks similar in body shape and sleekness
Really torn between the NC3 and the ND2 Miata - the former has a lot of its depreciation done and I'm addicted to the way it sounds with BBR's ITB package called the 'Super 225', it also has hydraulic steering as Chris mentioned here. I am more attracted to the interior and exterior design of the ND2, and it weighs a lot less too. First world problems.
The ND2 is MUCH better on fuel economy, that's also to be considered. That engine is insanely efficient and addictive, plenty of torque. After having driven both it was a nobrainer, 10L/100 compared to 7L/100 while putting down more power.
@@henria.277 It depends what your priorities are. Its impressive that you can get easily 40mpg (UK measurement) on the 2.0. Both are great cars, and if Mazda can further refine on the steering feel, and if an aftermarket company like BBR can produce ITBs for the ND2, then I'll go for the ND2 for sure.
@@jagbasran4548 I want a car that revs higher than 6800rpm. With the ND2, the limits are higher so when you fit the BBR cams and valvsprings, you can reliably rev it at least 7800rpm
@@jamescarson6681 yeah makes sense. Also just keep in mind there are tunes available for ND1 to have it rev up to 7400-ish depending on fuel etc. Again only if cost is a concern.
2019 ND RF Owner, here. Mechanically, it's been a great car, but the durability of the chassis components has come into question after 18,000 hard recreational miles and the chassis rigidity diminishing earlier in the car's life than I would have hoped. I love driving it, but I'm not sure it's going to hold up as well as the older MIata I owned.
Curious to see what solutions you do to somewhat rectify the issue. I heard MX-5s in general have issues with wheel hubs and with the case of the ND specifically, their transmissions are not particularly durable.
@@ricepony33 There is a lot of rubber in the chassis. Over 28 rubber bushings, most of which in the rear, that are all very soft and apt to slop and wear if driven in a spirited manner. You can check my channel for a few videos of the car. Mazda specifies checking all the chassis bolts and re-tightening them at the 22,500 miles service. That would make sense on a daily driven car. My biggest issue the front sway bar preload always shifts under chassis flex and causes an uneven handling balance left to right and causes the left rear to feel soft as the opposing front corner is being pushed down by twist in the sway bar. The car started feeling sloppy after about 4000 mile and the hard top started to creak over uneven surfaces around 7000. It gets driven pretty much exclusively in the canyons and has a hard life but has plenty of speed limit freeway miles too. The car is a riot to drive but the chassis needs constant care and I'm now on aftermarket coil overs and sway bars to counter acts some of the factory shortcomings. I didn't really expect to need that on a brand new car.
So many reviews complain about the visibility for the RF. I've ALWAYS used fisheye stick-on mirrors for this. Cheap solution. You are the first reviewer to highlight this. 👍
Having audio of the sound system is much appreciated. I’m supposed to be looking at daily drivers for the winter and I just couldn’t help myself. It has no practicality but man does it seem fun.
Not many settings in infotainment EXCEPT I found in my 2017 RF, you can actually change the turn signal volume. I’m not sure what the factory setting is, but the prior owner had it on quiet, and I found myself driving around with the blinker on because I couldn’t hear it with the top down!!
TheTopher just wanna say bruh everytime you do the sound test half of the songs you play like at 14:18 and the one at 16:53 I downloaded those songs ever since thanks to you just love hearing them man I always enjoy your videos ever since you was on winding road 😁👍
Had a 2018 Club (ND1) for 3 years, soft top, daily driver. Amazing car - had 0 complaints. You can drive the thing you stole it every second and still be going under the speed limit. The gearbox and shifter are like butter. Everything about it was perfect - feels like you're wearing a glove. Hated to have to sell it. When the 2017 RF's drop below $15k I'll probably grab one for weekend duty. Awesome POV!
@@jamiefisher1430 2018 BMW m240i coupe with x-drive. Needed something AWD, fantastic car as well! I test drove a bunch of stuff looking for anything AWD that somewhat resembled a Miata in handling...nothing. That's when I realized the MX-5 really is unique
@@Thought-Forms Fair enough, the M240i is a better daily-driver or a better 'only 1 car'. The B58 is one of the best modern engines out there - relatively reliable, sounds great, pretty good fuel economy and tunable. If you can have a second car, then the mx-5 is worth getting too!
Always loved the Miata, but it was also known as the perfect accident magnet. Lightweight, small body packed with power, race inspiring, easily suped up, and comes with a manual shift. What could go wrong? This and the RX-7 were just perfect concoctions of trouble!
Nah, that's the Stang. Lots of power at a extremely affordable price. Barebones model for dirt cheap with a V8....that's the recipe of the legendary crowd killer.
My Miata looks exactly the same as this one, but the interior is all black. Grand Touring trim is great for those looking for a road car. The car feels stiffer if you get the Club trim (I test drove both and I like the Club for the drive feel and the Grand Touring for the overall quality of the ride). Also I drove both automatic and manual Miatas. The automatic is very fun to drive, but there is a huge lag in gear shifts if you run it in manual. Get the manual transmission!
8:10 OK so it wasn't just me who felt that the steering was numb! I drove a friend's ND and thought the steering didn't have any feel which was surprising given how sporty the Miata is supposed to be. That was comparing with my 86.
I’d buy one just because of Mazda’s Race Program and it’s simplicity of operation - low tech is the best tech as I like to drive the vehicle myself ...
Such an amazing car and amazing review Topher. After seeing the Savagegeese video on the Nd Miata I appreciate it a lot more now. I agree I’d get the rf too, unless I were taking it to the track. I’m hoping you can get a new brz later this year to see how it compares to this
I had a ND1 RF for a few years and LOVED the thing. I'm about 5'11" and I will say although I prefer small cars, this felt the slightest bit too small for me as a daily & only car. But overall a brilliant car.
The current ND2 MX-5 is the best value I can think of in new cars. Sport 6MT MSRP starts at $26,830 +$995 destination. Invoice is $26,702 +$995 destination (and you can find a dealer that will give you invoice with Mazda S-Plan). Roughly $27,700 for this much car is phenomenal value. Hell, I bought a new 2019 a few years back for $26,000 and the standing Carvana offer is $22,500.
Really love these! I was prepared to buy an RF after my BRZ but do not fit at 6'4" Looking forward to the new BRZ / 86. Miss the lightweight, RWD, LSD platform.
5:45 also keep in mind that the NASA / SCCA certified rollbars will make the RF into a nonfunctional hardtop. Its impossible to have the proper angles for roll safety and have a functional top at the moment.
@@GodleyX Nearly every car designed/made in the last 10 years has an electronic throttle. Having a cable throttle is very much the outlier, not the norm.
I'm 6'1 260 and seeing me in one of these is funny as heeeeell. I've been in my fair share of them at work and every one I drive is just so much fun and easy
@@jgt8684 well honestly they're just too small. Not enough room to move the seat back for my legs. The convertibles are even funnier as my head hits the top lol. Best thing to do bud is just go test drive one. Arguably the easiest manual Trans to work
I looking into getting one of these is a couple months. Wanna get a used 2019. It will be my first ever car purchase and will be my daily driver. STOKED!
I'm in the process of shopping for one of these right now. The only thing I still can't decided on is black or white interior to go with the polymetal grey. I think the white looks better with polymetal, but I'm terrified that it'll look like total crap in a few years. I'm planning on keeping this car forever, so I definitely want to keep it like new. That won't be easy since it will be my daily driver.
Great video, as usual. I prefer the original hard top approach. While the current profile is nice I just don’t care for blacked in fake windows. Also, the old hardtop fully retracted so you got the real convertible experience. So, despite the pluses of the RF, I’d stick with the soft top.
Love your videos! Plz plz do a review on a Mazda 3 hatchback 6 speed manual! You love manuals, would really like your take on this package! Manuals are dying, and a review from you might spark an interest in a few of us enthusiasts!
Same here. I would like and can use more room than a Miata provides. But I must have a manual! I know the Miata would be the better driver and enjoyment for one person.
I can fit half a cubic yard of bagged garden soil in the passenger side of my NB with the seat taken out. Also picked up 16 fence boards once and ten 10’ 10”x2” boards cut into 2’ and 4’ sections. Most practical car ever.
The hardest choice is picking between the Miata or the new BRZ. I already got the BRZ ordered, but I've been thinking about getting a MX-5 instead. Can't find any 2019+ softops in the Grand Touring trim, only RFs.
As an RF owner I can say with confidence that the suspension is NOT engineered or set up properly from the factory. It's sloppy, loose, with tons of body roll, and it dives and squats far too much under hard braking or acceleration. If you're seriously considering purchasing this car, you'll need an extra 3k minimum for new tyres (Bridgestones are terrible), springs and coil overs, and you'll need uprated sway bars for sure.
These ND Miatas look amazing, but after hearing all that road noise, seeing how much smaller the interior looks in this newer generation, and feeling all the bumps and nicks in the road reverberating through the camera, I'm really glad I traded my grand touring NC for a manual Mazda 3 hatch lol. Please don't hurt me Miata Stans!
I have a manual Mazda3 hatch, and I really want a Miata just cuz of aesthetics lol I'm just not ready to give up the space. I have test driven a Miata and I was surprised how little elbow space you have, and I'm a tiny human person!😅
@@afrojox334 i traded my mazda3 for a 21 Miata GT(but soft top) i do not regret it all. I shouldve bought the miata in the first place. But mazda3 is gorgeous too. i am just a single person with my dog so its perfect for me. You can always get big stuffed delievered nowadays anyway!
Amazing car. These are very expensive in my country and couldn’t afford one so I had to settle on the BRZ which is something I’m at peace with since it is my only daily car and it’s 10 times more live able (it feels like a “car” rather than a weekend toy) but in my heart there is still this feeling of “man I wish I could own one of these things” :/
@@jamiefisher1430 Yeah you are absolutely correct, everybody said to me that even if I could afford one, it's not meant to be my only drive, it's always the second car so it's probably wouldn't work. I had a buddy who owned one but he had a long term girlfriend with a Mazda2 so it worked well for them, he told me it's an amazing car but it's tough on longer journeys and he wouldn't buy it if they didn't have the Mazda2 as their primary car. Still its a dream car for me, wish I could have a ride on one at least.
@@Gurka84 Agreed with your points you raised Shay. If you can afford it brand new, it would help send a message to Mazda that we still want these enthusiasts cars BUT don't stretch your limits, and give it a test-drive :) You only live once, and life is too short to drive boring cars!
@@jamiefisher1430 Well it's not like the BRZ is a boring car :) It's pretty similar but maybe not as fun as the Miata, still on its own it's far from being boring or not fun. Still I'm craving the Miata experience. Maybe I will rent one in a trip to Europe or something, that's probably the only way for me to experience it 😢
@@Gurka84 Yes to be fair, the 86/BRZ are fun to drive, and teach anyone to be a better driver like the Miata, with low consumable costs. Its more practical as you can store 4 tyres with the rear seats folded down. The Miata's 4 cylinder engine is more smoother to rev and you'll feel the weight difference, but still, great cars!
I would not choose an ND MX-5 RF for these reasons: the buttresses behind the driver serve as blind spots, the wind noise because of the buttresses become unbearable at highway speeds; and more importantly, when the retractable roof mechanism breaks down it costs thousands of dollars to repair, and pray that when it breaks down the roof will be in the closed position. I have a 2008 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring PRHT and it did break down with the roof open and the car doesn’t have a manual override to close the roof. The roof repair cost me upwards of $2200 (I got a generous discount as a personal favor from the head mechanic) and didn’t have my car for three weeks. The soft top roof also breaks down but at least is cheaper and easier to repair than the retractable roof type.
The way I like to think of the current mazda 3 turbo, is that it is for people who had a MS3 in their 20's and now are in their 30's but still want that power.
12:32 Flyin Miata did a test back in 2018 and the dyno graphs showed that until about 3700 rpm, the ND1 makes more power and torque - forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=675633
That was what, one year before they bumped up the engine on the ND's?
@@bobberman1001 if you’re talking about the ND2 upgrade, that is literally what the post at that link is about
who's gonna drive MX-5 less than 5000RPM?
If i`m not just cruising 80 on a hwy i try not to go below 3k. There`s just not much going on there.
@@karolstopinski8350 Same! Do you have an ND2? If I find myself below 3k and need any power, it’s downshift time
"Go buy a fun car; don't let yourself get old and complacent and boring...." - the best advice I've heard from a car reviewer in a long time.
I'm 28 and have been daily driving my MX5 since I was 23. Never regretted it it's always a fun time
@@dylantedlock460 which model???
That line in the video was part of what ended up convincing me to order my new 2022 RF. It arrived 2 weeks ago and I've been having a blast with it as my new daily driver!
This quote hit me. I traded my 6 speed mk7 GLI for a Mazda3 Turbo, thinking it would be a similar experience (sans 3rd pedal) and it just isn't. I've had that car 5 months and have recently ordered a 22 Miata Club BBR softtop in part because of quotes like this.
And because life is too short to drive boring cars.
It's thinking like this that got me into the roadster I now drive daily for the past 2 years - no regrets here 👍🏽
It’s amazing how the Miata kept it to the basics while also being a modern car
it's not even close to a modern car. Very outdated, and that antenna in from 90's
@@andriyroma8769 All aluminum, direct injected, dual VVT is pretty modern I would say.
@@connorPiper0 this
Still love my 2008 6 speed prht. Does feel a bit heavy but still a fun ass car to drive. Trust me I feel outdated with my CD player 😂
@@andriyroma8769 Just because of the old style antenna? Geez.
I will never get tired of MX-5 videos!
buy your own !
Me too, it’s like addiction!
When I see a POV drive video on a ND, I automatically press like. 11:14 the way the rear end subtly goes out but not too much (what the Japanese car show BestMotoring and HotVersion would call 'Zero-counter') is beautiful. Anyone who complains to TheTopher that this is like his 74th Mazda Miata video need to seek counselling.
I'm a simple man. I see Topher driving another Miata, I click like
We don't need more info, just that, and we are happy
“The only thing it’s lacking is space.”
That’s a feature!
You can't ask for a tiny car and then ask for space....why do people do this. You can't defy the laws of the universe ! You don't buy this car to have space to load crap in... ITS A PERFORMANCE RACE CAR . If you want space then buy a van. People need to know what it is they want. They expect to get everything in one purchase. This is a niche car, its design is honed for purpose of performance ... It's really that simple !
@@WizardTerence yeah, but I don't get the impression that Topher thinks that even if others do. I think he's just pointing out the obvious.... that cargo capacity is not this car's strength.
You need a space?on This tiny gorgeous, awesome sports car? How about a mini van, or bus.
@@WizardTerence I agree with everything you said. Except for the "performance race car" lmao
It's a fun roadster - not more, not less. Couldn't be further from a performance race car lol
@@WizardTerence miata's aren't performance race cars, lol
Two years late, but I just watched this for the first time. I bought one of these three days ago. This review is a perfect summary of the RF experience. Thanks for the great videos, Topher.
the miata is such a precision sports car. truly one of the last of its kind
Fun story. That's why I got mine. I truly think these are gone inside 5 years...
@@vitreoushumor yea i am 17 and saving my money to buy these i lost hope on buying lotus elise bec it only appreciates i dont want to buy a fwd hot hatch🤮
So, it can easily be your daily drive and you can have fun at the same time, plus it looks sexy.
Drove it across 6 countries in Europe starting from U.K. to Poland, including Switzerland and completing legendary Furka & Grimsel Pass.
Open roof, high mountains and twisty road
= pure poetry
How is it on long trips? The seat comfort and lack of storage space is a concern
Bought my 2021 RF GT 6MT a couple of weeks ago. It truly makes even a quick grocery store trip fun. Took a 300 mile road trip driving a little spirited and averaged 39 mpg. Really incredible little machine. If you can make the limited interior space work in your life I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one.
The Miata is such a fun car I’m smiling just watching you have a blast
Imagine if that was available in the '60s there'd be monuments built to it.
All hail! The MX-5! 😂
an MG or Honda S600
There already are...
Best selling roadster in history, there definitely will be!
Oh hey it's my car. Sure I'll watch a review of it
Same
Same :D
Right?! 😂 Something about watching someone else enjoy it gets me. Feels like when I let ppl drive mine. Gotta share the smiles.
If you make the Tropher laugh, it's a damn good car!
love the message at the end lmao, I will not settle.
this message in the end might cost me $30k really soon... 🤔
11:33 that drive into the sunset...spectacular
Just bought one and having it delivered soon I can’t wait
That interior is so good. I test drove a Grand Touring, almost felt like a luxury BRZ from the inside.
20:10 it's official, the Murano CrossCabriolet is the world's most practical vehicle
sus
😂😂😂
$47,190!?
That car is gross. Your car taste is sus
@@ineedthatmonae ඞ
Just bought 2021 RF Club in all black, love this car it's so much fun drive and hands down the most beautiful car under $40k. Videos and pictures don't do justice.
Did you consider the soft top? If so, what nailed your decision on the RF other than just looks?
@@t.k.morris the ability to hit a button to open/close top at stoplights
@@t.k.morrissoft top is problematic from a safety aspect and it looks ugly, but it makes more sense if your budget is really tight and you want max peformance
Christina and I just completed a 4,800 mile round trip from Montana to Pennsylvania in our 2021 RF. We loved every mile of the trek through 13 states although there may have been a few moments when we wished for a cubic foot or two of additional cabin space. We both did just fine with one carry on bag a piece but then we really had. no choice. 😉. More than enough power and lots of zip. And we averaged 37 mpg for the journey which was a great bonus.
I bought my 2020 GT RF last Feb because of you and I'm super glad I did. Thank you so much for your great reviews!
What made you choose it over the Club? Asking as someone deciding between the two.
I have 17' mx-5rf love it
@@mcd8528 I don’t know why but I didn’t like the bbs wheel and brembo brake combo on club. I’m sure most of guys would disagree with me 😂
@@dcrainier87 yeah the GT has a sleeker look with the matching mirror caps. Seems like the choice of Club/GT comes down mostly to style preference.
@@mcd8528 Exactly. That was the reason why I got GT
Something not alot of viewers mention is that, the gear shifter when you go on the throttle begins to clench, which is CRAZY because it makes you think its alive
So great analog Rev-Counter - you can see it in every situation. Much better than modern lcd-digi-crap.
I'd love to see someone put individual throttle bodies onto a ND - many people say its impossible with a direct injection engine but Porsche can somehow do it with their 991.2 Speedster. Also, cannot wait to see your impressions on the upcoming BRZ and GR 86!
I am more excited for the new BRZ / 86 than I've ever been for any new car :)
@@ThePedalDance We're grateful that Toyota/Subaru are giving us (the consumers) a second chance of having an affordable sportscar, before governments ban sales of petrol cars by 2030. Thank goodness that Toyota has a CEO who loves driving, Mr Akio Toyoda.
It could be done by ditching the direct injection, you'd need a full ecu to handle the ITB's anyway.
I love this car and agree with you the RF is the way to go. It looks better than the ragtop (love the Jaguaresque flying butresses) and provides a quieter and more weather proof cabin for those times you do want to take a weekend trip and dont want to deal with wind and traffic noise. Having said that, I'm 6'1 and would have to go with the ragtop if I bought one, and I simply can't justify a car I can only fit in with the top down. But man oh man...I finally took my first Miata test drive with the previous gen and was immediately doing mental gymnastics trying to make this car a practical daily driver. Things like "on rainy days I can slouch in the seat, maybe a combo slouch and lean a bit to the right" and "who needs more than a couple medium sized soft bags for a weekend trip?" The Miata is simply a sportscar in the purest form of the word, the 86/BRZ are quite good, but not roadsters.
I can't imagine how the new miata will look like. I think this one is the peak of its evolution.
That last part got me man. Literally why I bought mine. First car, fun car and drop top ❤️
Love every single Miata review you’ve got man, you’re the best
180 hp and 150 is excellent for a car that size. Especially paired to a manual.
Plenty, sure. Excellent? Bump it up to 280 hp range and I’ll say excellent.
@@MrJuij It would just be straight up dangerous to drive, you can already powerslide it fairly easily and be surprised by the rear snapping out.
I feel a solid 200 would be excellent
MrJuij Only the Americans complain about the power in the little roadster 😆😆 280 in that tiny little car is way too much, it doesn’t weigh that much
250HP with 8000RPM ITB setup, on 16x8 with 235 tyres all round. How about this? 😁
This Mazda Miata is one car I just never stopped loving! My actual dream car was the Pontiac Solstice which doesn’t exist anymore…. The Miata looks similar in body shape and sleekness
I have a 2007 Soltice its alot heavier and cramed but fun. Have alot more fun in my GT86 though
Really torn between the NC3 and the ND2 Miata - the former has a lot of its depreciation done and I'm addicted to the way it sounds with BBR's ITB package called the 'Super 225', it also has hydraulic steering as Chris mentioned here. I am more attracted to the interior and exterior design of the ND2, and it weighs a lot less too. First world problems.
The ND2 is MUCH better on fuel economy, that's also to be considered. That engine is insanely efficient and addictive, plenty of torque. After having driven both it was a nobrainer, 10L/100 compared to 7L/100 while putting down more power.
@@henria.277 It depends what your priorities are. Its impressive that you can get easily 40mpg (UK measurement) on the 2.0. Both are great cars, and if Mazda can further refine on the steering feel, and if an aftermarket company like BBR can produce ITBs for the ND2, then I'll go for the ND2 for sure.
Get an ND1. You get the depreciation advantage and a 95% similar drive to ND2.
@@jagbasran4548 I want a car that revs higher than 6800rpm. With the ND2, the limits are higher so when you fit the BBR cams and valvsprings, you can reliably rev it at least 7800rpm
@@jamescarson6681 yeah makes sense. Also just keep in mind there are tunes available for ND1 to have it rev up to 7400-ish depending on fuel etc. Again only if cost is a concern.
2019 ND RF Owner, here. Mechanically, it's been a great car, but the durability of the chassis components has come into question after 18,000 hard recreational miles and the chassis rigidity diminishing earlier in the car's life than I would have hoped. I love driving it, but I'm not sure it's going to hold up as well as the older MIata I owned.
Does it feel like bushing wear or simply chassis vibrations?
Curious to see what solutions you do to somewhat rectify the issue. I heard MX-5s in general have issues with wheel hubs and with the case of the ND specifically, their transmissions are not particularly durable.
@@ricepony33 There is a lot of rubber in the chassis. Over 28 rubber bushings, most of which in the rear, that are all very soft and apt to slop and wear if driven in a spirited manner. You can check my channel for a few videos of the car. Mazda specifies checking all the chassis bolts and re-tightening them at the 22,500 miles service. That would make sense on a daily driven car. My biggest issue the front sway bar preload always shifts under chassis flex and causes an uneven handling balance left to right and causes the left rear to feel soft as the opposing front corner is being pushed down by twist in the sway bar. The car started feeling sloppy after about 4000 mile and the hard top started to creak over uneven surfaces around 7000. It gets driven pretty much exclusively in the canyons and has a hard life but has plenty of speed limit freeway miles too. The car is a riot to drive but the chassis needs constant care and I'm now on aftermarket coil overs and sway bars to counter acts some of the factory shortcomings. I didn't really expect to need that on a brand new car.
aftermarket coilovers will make the ride worse for comfort
@@Elbenito84 Sounds like I’ll keep my C4...no need to pay for a new car that still creaks and rattles 😂
So many reviews complain about the visibility for the RF. I've ALWAYS used fisheye stick-on mirrors for this. Cheap solution. You are the first reviewer to highlight this. 👍
Would 100% daily drive this all season since it’s the RF
14:50 accelerating down the highway , sun setting outside , chilled music playing 😎… This car review is ‘ good .. real real good 👌🏻😉
Having audio of the sound system is much appreciated. I’m supposed to be looking at daily drivers for the winter and I just couldn’t help myself. It has no practicality but man does it seem fun.
Always enjoy watching your MX-5 driving videos! Keep it up!
Not many settings in infotainment EXCEPT I found in my 2017 RF, you can actually change the turn signal volume. I’m not sure what the factory setting is, but the prior owner had it on quiet, and I found myself driving around with the blinker on because I couldn’t hear it with the top down!!
Even in the loudest setting it's still real quiet, even in my gen 3 Mazda 3 it's still way too quiet, let alone a soft top ND
@@tomjohnson5700 I put a yodel alarm on mine.
Good to see the new blue and white combo.
TheTopher just wanna say bruh everytime you do the sound test half of the songs you play like at 14:18 and the one at 16:53 I downloaded those songs ever since thanks to you just love hearing them man I always enjoy your videos ever since you was on winding road 😁👍
Small, light cars are the best for having fun while driving. Let’s hope the Miata never changes!
Had a 2018 Club (ND1) for 3 years, soft top, daily driver. Amazing car - had 0 complaints. You can drive the thing you stole it every second and still be going under the speed limit. The gearbox and shifter are like butter. Everything about it was perfect - feels like you're wearing a glove. Hated to have to sell it. When the 2017 RF's drop below $15k I'll probably grab one for weekend duty. Awesome POV!
Nice, what did you replace your RF with out of curiosity?
@@jamiefisher1430 2018 BMW m240i coupe with x-drive. Needed something AWD, fantastic car as well! I test drove a bunch of stuff looking for anything AWD that somewhat resembled a Miata in handling...nothing. That's when I realized the MX-5 really is unique
@@Thought-Forms Fair enough, the M240i is a better daily-driver or a better 'only 1 car'. The B58 is one of the best modern engines out there - relatively reliable, sounds great, pretty good fuel economy and tunable. If you can have a second car, then the mx-5 is worth getting too!
Bought a 2021 with zero regrets.
Keep those Miata pov coming :) already gave a like to this video the moment I clicked on this!!
Always loved the Miata, but it was also known as the perfect accident magnet. Lightweight, small body packed with power, race inspiring, easily suped up, and comes with a manual shift. What could go wrong? This and the RX-7 were just perfect concoctions of trouble!
Nah, that's the Stang. Lots of power at a extremely affordable price. Barebones model for dirt cheap with a V8....that's the recipe of the legendary crowd killer.
I agree that the S550 in either the Ecoboost or V8 are more of a trouble maker than this 😅
Ive driven every gen mx5, owned an NB2, and i still cannot recommend the mx5 enough! Its just an amazing car and the ND is yes the best one yet...
So much confirmation of why I bought one. Couldn't have said it better!
I currently have a C6 corvette and I’m highly thinking of trading for one of these. I love my Mazda 3 turbo. Mazda really makes great cars.
My Miata looks exactly the same as this one, but the interior is all black. Grand Touring trim is great for those looking for a road car. The car feels stiffer if you get the Club trim (I test drove both and I like the Club for the drive feel and the Grand Touring for the overall quality of the ride). Also I drove both automatic and manual Miatas. The automatic is very fun to drive, but there is a huge lag in gear shifts if you run it in manual. Get the manual transmission!
Can't wait till you can drive the new BRZ/ GR86. Gonna pick up either this Miata or the GR86 sometime next year.
Excellent. Thats the best way to 'send a message' to these manufacturers that we need more of these enthusiasts' sportscars
Pick the mx-5.or you wanna wait for the new design NE maybe 2or3 years fr. Now. I have 17' mx-5rf best car I've ever had.
Love that it has manual gauges and not digital ones
8:10 OK so it wasn't just me who felt that the steering was numb! I drove a friend's ND and thought the steering didn't have any feel which was surprising given how sporty the Miata is supposed to be. That was comparing with my 86.
I’d buy one just because of Mazda’s Race Program and it’s simplicity of operation - low tech is the best tech as I like to drive the vehicle myself ...
Such an amazing car and amazing review Topher. After seeing the Savagegeese video on the Nd Miata I appreciate it a lot more now. I agree I’d get the rf too, unless I were taking it to the track. I’m hoping you can get a new brz later this year to see how it compares to this
Why would you not get the RF if you were taking it to the track?
This car, such a classic
I still prefer the BRZ because it has more space, but the Miata is such a nice car
14:56 That turn with the music playing was such a beautiful scene to watch
I had a ND1 RF for a few years and LOVED the thing. I'm about 5'11" and I will say although I prefer small cars, this felt the slightest bit too small for me as a daily & only car. But overall a brilliant car.
14:26 to about 15:50 is just magical
We really need a "The Topher MX-5" TH-cam Channel
Great driving, great sounds from the engine 👍
Volume at 45 , top down, 60 mph, radio is clear and easy to hear. Not a problem .
The current ND2 MX-5 is the best value I can think of in new cars. Sport 6MT MSRP starts at $26,830 +$995 destination. Invoice is $26,702 +$995 destination (and you can find a dealer that will give you invoice with Mazda S-Plan). Roughly $27,700 for this much car is phenomenal value.
Hell, I bought a new 2019 a few years back for $26,000 and the standing Carvana offer is $22,500.
What is Mazda S-plan?
Great gage cluster.
man, the vibes in this video!!! very nice one
Ive found myself spending more time watching for deer during Tophers vids than the actual driving. A product of being a Great Lakes dweller I guess.
The lines on this car looks amazing
Really love these! I was prepared to buy an RF after my BRZ but do not fit at 6'4"
Looking forward to the new BRZ / 86. Miss the lightweight, RWD, LSD platform.
I'm 5'11 and even my head was rubbing against ceiling in RF, long torso I guess.
5:45 also keep in mind that the NASA / SCCA certified rollbars will make the RF into a nonfunctional hardtop. Its impossible to have the proper angles for roll safety and have a functional top at the moment.
If you wanna go from A to B in a fun way that doesn't break the bank, you can't go wrong with a Miata.
the sound insulation is the sacrifice for the stylish looking
I feel hydraulic power steering shouldn't have been replaced by electric units. Other than that, this seems to have stayed true to the original.
Same goes for electronic throttle pedals. Not sure if miata has it, but gm and Ford love them and they are so so bad
@@GodleyX Nearly every car designed/made in the last 10 years has an electronic throttle. Having a cable throttle is very much the outlier, not the norm.
The Toyota 86 has had electric steering since release and it’s one of the best handling sports cars available
@@gwc597 Yes, but that was almost a one-off. In general, EPS simply cannot match the feel an HPS system gave you.
@JD Turner Yeah, that's an advantage from a rounded point of view. As an enthusiast though, not so much :)
I'm 6'1 260 and seeing me in one of these is funny as heeeeell. I've been in my fair share of them at work and every one I drive is just so much fun and easy
how do you fit in them? I tried one out and with my 6'1" 150lbs frame i simply couldn't ever think of owning one/
@@jgt8684 well honestly they're just too small. Not enough room to move the seat back for my legs. The convertibles are even funnier as my head hits the top lol. Best thing to do bud is just go test drive one. Arguably the easiest manual Trans to work
I’m 6’3”, 350 lbs I’d need two of them to roller skate. 😂🤣😅
@@BradleyG73 yeah definitely not the car for you maybe the Mazda 6 would fit 😅😅😅😅
@@tempestofruin I just bought a 2021 Accord. That’s about my speed. I’ll just watch these vids and live vicariously. Haha
I looking into getting one of these is a couple months. Wanna get a used 2019. It will be my first ever car purchase and will be my daily driver. STOKED!
I'm in the process of shopping for one of these right now. The only thing I still can't decided on is black or white interior to go with the polymetal grey. I think the white looks better with polymetal, but I'm terrified that it'll look like total crap in a few years. I'm planning on keeping this car forever, so I definitely want to keep it like new. That won't be easy since it will be my daily driver.
Hardtop convertibles always have my heart 🔥🔥
Notification gang!
And its a Miata vid.. 😁🤘🏻
Hell yeah!
Great video, as usual. I prefer the original hard top approach. While the current profile is nice I just don’t care for blacked in fake windows. Also, the old hardtop fully retracted so you got the real convertible experience. So, despite the pluses of the RF, I’d stick with the soft top.
Love your videos! Plz plz do a review on a Mazda 3 hatchback 6 speed manual! You love manuals, would really like your take on this package! Manuals are dying, and a review from you might spark an interest in a few of us enthusiasts!
Same here. I would like and can use more room than a Miata provides. But I must have a manual!
I know the Miata would be the better driver and enjoyment for one person.
This car is so much more beautiful than the BRZ.
Bro this video just convinced me, I'm gettin a Miata RF. No dealership in my area has one though.
I just purchased a 2021 Miata RF in soul red (white seats) and I love it to pieces!
@@ES-qe1nh Note yet, but I did give it a name: Ruby Red
I can fit half a cubic yard of bagged garden soil in the passenger side of my NB with the seat taken out. Also picked up 16 fence boards once and ten 10’ 10”x2” boards cut into 2’ and 4’ sections. Most practical car ever.
"The only thing it's missing is space..." you know you bought a Miata, right??
The hardest choice is picking between the Miata or the new BRZ. I already got the BRZ ordered, but I've been thinking about getting a MX-5 instead. Can't find any 2019+ softops in the Grand Touring trim, only RFs.
what a beautiful car! Can't wait till I get one.
As an RF owner I can say with confidence that the suspension is NOT engineered or set up properly from the factory.
It's sloppy, loose, with tons of body roll, and it dives and squats far too much under hard braking or acceleration.
If you're seriously considering purchasing this car, you'll need an extra 3k minimum for new tyres (Bridgestones are terrible), springs and coil overs, and you'll need uprated sway bars for sure.
These ND Miatas look amazing, but after hearing all that road noise, seeing how much smaller the interior looks in this newer generation, and feeling all the bumps and nicks in the road reverberating through the camera, I'm really glad I traded my grand touring NC for a manual Mazda 3 hatch lol. Please don't hurt me Miata Stans!
I have a manual Mazda3 hatch, and I really want a Miata just cuz of aesthetics lol I'm just not ready to give up the space. I have test driven a Miata and I was surprised how little elbow space you have, and I'm a tiny human person!😅
@@afrojox334 i traded my mazda3 for a 21 Miata GT(but soft top) i do not regret it all. I shouldve bought the miata in the first place. But mazda3 is gorgeous too. i am just a single person with my dog so its perfect for me. You can always get big stuffed delievered nowadays anyway!
Love your mx5 videos ! MORE !
Happy 300k sub good job 👍
Amazing car. These are very expensive in my country and couldn’t afford one so I had to settle on the BRZ which is something I’m at peace with since it is my only daily car and it’s 10 times more live able (it feels like a “car” rather than a weekend toy) but in my heart there is still this feeling of “man I wish I could own one of these things” :/
The MX-5 is not recommended if its your only car or daily driver. Its much better at being a second car.
@@jamiefisher1430 Yeah you are absolutely correct, everybody said to me that even if I could afford one, it's not meant to be my only drive, it's always the second car so it's probably wouldn't work.
I had a buddy who owned one but he had a long term girlfriend with a Mazda2 so it worked well for them, he told me it's an amazing car but it's tough on longer journeys and he wouldn't buy it if they didn't have the Mazda2 as their primary car.
Still its a dream car for me, wish I could have a ride on one at least.
@@Gurka84 Agreed with your points you raised Shay. If you can afford it brand new, it would help send a message to Mazda that we still want these enthusiasts cars BUT don't stretch your limits, and give it a test-drive :) You only live once, and life is too short to drive boring cars!
@@jamiefisher1430 Well it's not like the BRZ is a boring car :)
It's pretty similar but maybe not as fun as the Miata, still on its own it's far from being boring or not fun.
Still I'm craving the Miata experience. Maybe I will rent one in a trip to Europe or something, that's probably the only way for me to experience it 😢
@@Gurka84 Yes to be fair, the 86/BRZ are fun to drive, and teach anyone to be a better driver like the Miata, with low consumable costs. Its more practical as you can store 4 tyres with the rear seats folded down. The Miata's 4 cylinder engine is more smoother to rev and you'll feel the weight difference, but still, great cars!
I’m struggling to decide between new brz and new mx5. Leaning mx5 for the open air, but worried I’ll miss some of the practicality
Gorgeous mazda, color deep crystal blue is amazing.
Man I bought a Mazda 3 hatchback and I love it 2021 but damn I love the Miata
best review ive seen
Ordered exactly that config today, will get it in 3 weeks, can't wait. 😊
I would not choose an ND MX-5 RF for these reasons: the buttresses behind the driver serve as blind spots, the wind noise because of the buttresses become unbearable at highway speeds; and more importantly, when the retractable roof mechanism breaks down it costs thousands of dollars to repair, and pray that when it breaks down the roof will be in the closed position. I have a 2008 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring PRHT and it did break down with the roof open and the car doesn’t have a manual override to close the roof. The roof repair cost me upwards of $2200 (I got a generous discount as a personal favor from the head mechanic) and didn’t have my car for three weeks. The soft top roof also breaks down but at least is cheaper and easier to repair than the retractable roof type.
I mean it's a 13yr old car, things break. I'll take the beauty of the RF and save a little for a roof repair lol.
@@Lord_Sunday123 I agree haha
Great as a 2nd car. I’m 6’1” and fit easily… I smile every time I turn it on!
Mazda is so good. I really wish we had a speed 3. Drove the turbo cx30 and it's really well done.
The way I like to think of the current mazda 3 turbo, is that it is for people who had a MS3 in their 20's and now are in their 30's but still want that power.
Love your comments at the end! Go buy a car that you like to drive! Yes!