5 Reasons Why I Prefer The Soft Top MX-5 Over The RF
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
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While both cars are fantastic, after spending a week in the 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF, several reasons made it apparent that I prefer the soft-top.
From The MX-5 Press Kit:
"Following the success of the third-generation MX-5 PRHT (power retractable hardtop), Mazda went a very different direction with the design of its power-folding fourth-gen. Called the MX-5 RF-for retractable fastback-the latest version of Mazda’s longstanding sports car was seen as the tuxedo complement to the
roadster’s track suit. Its top took all of 13 seconds to go from closed to open, or vice versa. MX-5 RF also introduced an aura of premium aesthetics in its seductive appeal, complemented with its Machine Gray Metallic paint, hand-painted black top and Auburn Nappa
leather interior. MX-5 RF captivated show-goers, retaining its familiarity with its soft-top sibling but charting new territory with the only top of its kind this side of six figures. The color combination proved so captivating that Mazda North American Operations sought to offer it exclusively as a 1,000-unit Launch Edition, giving the first customers of the MX-5 RF-some of Mazda’s most loyal customers-
but one option: six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission or six-speed automatic."
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This guy is hard selling me my midlife crisis car. And it’s super affordable. Thanks Jason!
Go for it! Life is short! YOLO. Whatever people say to encourage bad behavior!
What he said. Do it! You can't go wrong here!"Do or do not. There is no try." - THE Yoda
I can so relate.... except my "midlife crisis" is more due to not being able to afford a car like this.
I got my midlife crisis car last year - and yes it is the ND soft top!!!
as others said - go for it. i've got myself nb miata as midlife crisis car "just for one season, maybe two" and i'm still driving it five years later ;)
I am a grandmother in Canada and I subscribe to your channel! I learned to drive on back country roads in a push button start Corvair back in the 60s. My dad sold cars and was a car enthusiast and I inherited his passion. Just want to say I love listening to your technical but easy to follow explanations on every topic surrounding automobiles. I'm sure your mom is proud of you. P.S. I'd like to know what you think of Scotty Kilmer. He's not as techie and sharp as you for sure but he appreciates a good thing I think. Keep up the good work dear
Жак Морозов lol
The way Scottie Kilmer purses his lips at the end of each sentence bothers me. :P
Жак Морозов Nah the old man is just deaf lol he’s a veteran
@@om606channel wtf 😂
Both good channels
I drove both, including the FIAT 124 Abarth. I also briefly owned a silver NA. I've been a convertible and Miata guy my whole life (except for my almost 8 year torrid affair with a FIAT 500 Abarth), but when I drove the RF....I became a 'Hardtop all the way' guy. I already loved the looks of the RF more, but I loved how the cockpit felt with the roof up. I loved pushing that button and watching it fold away, Q Branch style. The amount of open air was a perfect amount, loved the back window that goes down too. Either way, Mazda has perfected the convertible top in both manual and electric, both in soft and hard tops. Kudos.
I think Mazda is to be congratulated on still producing a small, lightweight 'British' sportscar. The argument over which is best all comes down to personal preference. I believe you can weight up the options to all eternity. My advice would be to purchase one within budget and enjoy the car for what it is, whether it is an NA or ND. Happy motoring...
If it came in British Racing Green I would buy one tomorrow.
I think everyone in the car community needs to read that. Cars are a personal purchase. People seem to forget that and need to prove that their car is better.
@@fortheloveofnoise9298 Have you ever heard of Finger Paints?
I absolutely love your comment. That’s the attitude! Thanks for sharing
I picked up the RF earlier this year and prefer the hard top for both its looks and functionality. Though the driver side blind spot issue was REALLY annoying, solved with a little convex mirror.
I always like the look of softops more just because you can tell it's a convertible from a distance.i feel like just knowing it's a convertible makes it the more interesting car
@@dougefresh2208 Agreed, I do spend a moment longer staring at a convertible. The paint matched hard top checks all the boxes in the aesthetic department, for me. Especially in the dark mica blue.. I'm in a trance looking at that colour. The soft top is very lack luster in appearance. Not nearly as sharp looking as the RF, imho. Soft top would be the better track car, for sure.
You can tell when someone does a good review when based on their description, you can decide that you want the opposite of what they want. Thank you for presenting the differences clearly and understandably and helping provide us with good information and equipping us with things to think about on a test drive. :)
It also depends on the prospective owner’s situation. If you’re only looking for a weekend toy I think the soft top is the obvious choice. But if you’re looking for a daily driver year round car I think the RF is probably the way to go.
I have as aggressive an nd as you can get stock (club with all the nice to have performance goodies except recaros) and I 100% disagree, you got them flipped. The advantage of daily driving a Miata is the quick access to the outside. Just put the top down with 1 hand and enjoy your otherwise boring drive. Put it up when it makes sense to avoid hazards. These cars were designed to always be wide open every day. Choosing an rf cuz you want a quiet ride or privacy means you’re looking for the car to do something it wasn’t meant for. As a weekend stunner tho, specced out rf all the way. It looks stunning. It’s just a much more compromised car for people who expect do it all cars. Anyone crazy enough like me to daily a Miata knows that it’s a sacrifice no matter what you do and that type of crazy person is probably gonna be passionate and want the best driving experience.
@@oneeyedlittleman i will say i originally got the rf in California and appreciated it a lot more when I moved to Kansas city for med school cuz it snows there. it has better insulation than the soft top, imo
@@oneeyedlittleman I have the RF as a daily but I live in a rainy and cold place. Like almost every day rain type of place. I wouldn't daily a soft top here, but I take the hard top every time the weather gives me a break
@@oneeyedlittleman i live in europe i disagree with you we need to park our cars outside under trees so then a mx5 soft top is a no go because then each year we could buy a new top while with the RF it is metal no worries at all we also live in the city where theft is an issue so having a hardtop is better since they cant cut through that with a knife.
@@r.i.peperoniiiiroh9625 You clean & fabric guard the soft top its better than the extra weight of the RF. Security ? Break your side window I'm inside your car faster than cutting thru the roof on a soft top !
Insanely appreciate your videos, man. I'm always learning from this channel.
The RF is probably easier to live with on a day-to-day basis. Since it would be nicer to drive on the highway (less wind noise, etc), and you won't have to worry about maintaining the soft top.
If the Miata is your 2nd or 3rd car, then go with the soft top.
If it's your only, or 2nd car, then you're more likely to consider the RF.
Yes, I do agree that it's more livable for wind noise. That said, I drove it in below freezing temps, and the hard top was extremely squeaky when cold. Haven't driven the soft top in temps that cold, but I'd imagine the cloth would dampen out the majority of that squeaking.
The soft top ND is my only car, and it's perfectly fine on the highway, even doing 70-80 with the windows down. I'd remove the windshield if I could.
To be honest it barely has any wind noise. I have a 2002 Miata and even at high way speeds, the only noises are from the tires and engine (both are quite loud tho lmao). Also I believe the soft top version has more boot space. Not 100% sure tho.
I've found the soft top to be quieter. The soft top has an aluminum panel under the fabric that cuts most noise, while the hardtop seems to hold in and reverb some noise.
Arthur Simon
ND top choice does not affect trunk space.
All true, but the RF looks very nice. Personally, i'd love to see a fastback (coupe) version.
Guy Pickrell there probably is but only for sale in Japan
It’s a coupe with hard top up?
Yeah something like Porsche 911 or even Ferrari 250 gto style roof
All valid points in my opinion, good video. I've test drove both and the wind noise was considerably more in the RF with the roof down due to that B pillar, which is why I bought the soft top instead.
Thanks for those great points in comparing the soft top and RF. Nice job! Ironically you actually convinced me to go with the the RF. I came across 2 other small differences between the ST and RF: the glove box between the seats is about half the size in the RF (might be a big deal since this space is so small anyway!), and the trunk is a slight bit smaller too in the RF (can't remember the numbers but something like half a cubic foot maybe). Anyway, thanks, this was one of the most concise and yet informative comparisons I have seen. rb.
That hardtop looks so much sexier
Yes the top up its sexy-------- HOWEVER, i just starred at one parked next to my tiny car-and DAM that was even sexier than my car with a soft top! The car regardless of top or not is just a CHICK MAGNET PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But sucks as a convertible.
Don't agree at all.
YASSS
@@hagbard72 It does dude like opinion or no its much better looking in a hard top config
I've owned both and I prefer the hardtop. I love the look and the convenience...and the soundproofing.
The soft top is quieter than the RF with the top down. I didn't buy my car because I wanted a Lexus quiet ride !
2020: he buys this car. Money where his mouth was.
The RF was the MX-5 I've always desired...and reason I finally purchased one!
Since I daily it all year around a soft top isn't really an option IMO. And when it looks that much better too...! :D
Those marginal pros with the soft top on a perfect day compared to the all day every day usability with the RF isn't enough of an argument for me. Then you only will want to use it on those days. Now I enjoy my MX-5 RF everyday no matter the weather or the length of the drive, a much bigger win in my book. And the fact that you still can take the top down on those perfect days still is just a plus. ;)
So far this winter in the cold snowy weather the ND Soft Top Club with Michelin X-Ice I3 snow tires has been a blast to drive ! Even on sub 32 degree days I've been driving with the top down windows up & heater on full high.
Being single helps with the space limits inside the car. As a daily driver this works works great for me. The people who have rode shotgun have also commented on how much they like the car. The weather has not stopped me from enjoying this car one bit. I think anybody that is interested in a performance convertible should drive a new MX-5 ND first to compare with the others. Especially a Club model with the Limited Slip Differential plus the package of Brembo brakes / BBS wheels. The car always puts a smile on my face ! I agree that Mazda did a great job engineering that retractable hard top but the soft top has a bigger fun factor.
Yeah completely agree
Hard top is better up , soft top is better down. Better visibility by far on a soft top. And no wind noise behind your left ear in the driver seat.
The hard top makes it better for year round and looks pretty great top up from certain angles. Not a fan of hard top up ,looking straight onto the back. But all other angles are good . The hard top is quieter too up also. hard top has wind noise behind your ear above 60 mph when the hard top is down.
I've bought one a few months ago and use it on the daily as well, and I agree with you that the RF is just better all round as an everyday sorts car. It's manageable and perfect EVERY DAY compared to only being able to enjoy it on CERTAIN DAYS. I can guarantee the soft top doesn't get the head turns that the RF does lol Also, the RF is better for when you feel like going for a drive when the weather is crap and the roads are quiet - can't do that in the soft top
Love targa roofs, hate full soft tops (would feel too exposed/flashy for one and for two they kill the lines of any car when the roof goes down). Only thing better than a targa roof is an automatic, self storing electric targa roof like the RF! Car looks less feminine too in RF format, never been interested in any MX5 while they only had soft tops. Well done Mazda!
As an ND Club soft-top owner... I agree! Although I absolutely love the look of the RF though and the ability to lower the rear window. I miss my old '92 that had a zip out rear window, it was nice to put down for extra ventilation without lowering the top fully.
For me I think I'd still go with the RF for a number of reasons. First, this generation is pretty well known for noticeable body roll but the RF has less of it because of that frame across the rear. Less body roll equals more confidence in the corners equals faster corners. Secondly, I would use this car as a daily driver, with a lot of miles spent on the highway. The RF with the top up is significantly quiter which makes a difference when you have the commute that I have (about 50 highway miles each way). Lastly, the cool factor is undeniable. Cloth tops are such a dated feature but that RF is going to turn heads. For me it's a no brainer. RF Club with the Brembo package. But I'm waiting for 2019 for the power bump and the telescoping steering column since I'm 6 ft tall. Good vid man.
Damn, that's a good point! I think I'll have to go with RF, if anything, as well (assuming no PRHT of course)
Great review & your review of the ST ND Club ( calling it one of the best cars under $50,000 ) was one of the reasons for my test drive !
I bought the 2016 ND Club with Brembo brakes / BBS wheels. The RF was never at the dealer because every one of them was already sold off the truck at my Mazda dealer, that was in 2017 March soon after the RF Launch. So glad that choice was not available to me ( except to wait & pay way more $$$ over the ST) ! The Soft Top is so much better with the top down. In the RF the wind hits the back roof line & causes wind turbulence which makes it not only more enclosed but louder than the ST top down. This is the way Miatas were meant to be driven .... top down ! So much more fun in the ST ! I also enjoy the tail coming lose which snaps back with throttle applied , easy to control. Top up its noisy but I've also read complaints from RF owners about whistling wind noises when on the highway above 65 mph. Performance was the reason I bought this car & the Club delivers such driving thrills. I agree you can't go wrong with either but performance is in the ST ! Snow tires are on / Weather tech mats in ... ready for the 1st winter in a convertible ever ! Thanks EE !
Exactly my points when choosing mx-5. Blind spots and feeling of open space where my major reasons to go soft top.
I got the 2012 PRHT. Could have got a new one but did not like the t-top effect.
I live in a area with a lot of pollen falling down during the year and I can imagine the soft top collecting that stuff, folding and unfolding, creating a little cloud of dust every time I put the top up or down. With the hard top I imagine it would stay on top of the roof a little more and be a lot more manageable. I'm also worried about pollen staining the cloth top and me trying to wash it off.
I'm 6'7 and took driving school in a miata. Don't ask how
Austin A if you don't mind me asking, how?
marc with style baby, with style. Yeah.
Austin A God bless your soul.
His foot was hanging out lol
I'm guessing with the top down lol
Superb vid. Very entertaining fluid and informative thanks. The simplicity of the soft top work is a work of genius IMHO. Of course soft top. Of course manual.
100 % what I think! good for you, another nice video done, your logical mind makes you a very well spoken man. good job!
The RF is for introverts who want to feel like they have a convertible. Lol slightly more privacy when everyone around you is in f150s. I think it’s nice to have something behind you.
I LOVE THE HARDTOP! No issues down the road with cloth nor constant replacement etc.
You don't have to constantly replace the soft top
What an absolutely amazing place to film, too. I love those mountainous backroads! Especially in California (looks similar, but not certain).
I like your reasoning about the difference. This helps me with my decision making
I would take the RF over the soft top anyday , it’s stunning to look at and gives you the best of both worlds 😀👍
For those saying, “hard top all the way” I don’t believe have ever driven the soft top. THE NUMBER one selling point of the soft top is, like you said, the ease and speed of putting it up and down. It’s a convertible and I find that I use the top MUCH more than I ever did convertibles with powered tops. Even on short drives to the store. Soft top all the way for me! (I have a 2016 ND Club)
How is it easier than pressing a button..
@@Daniel-rw2gy it’s the time involved for me. I was at a stop light and decided to put my soft top down knowing I’d get it done before the light changed to green for me. I’m not sure the RF would be done moving by then. My husband likes the looks of the RF better though.
Sorry for responding a year after your comment, TH-cam just recommended this to me today.
@@cattastroficka196 get the smarttop mod for the RF.. it lets you press the button and it auto closes or opens even while moving
It's faster until you are screwing around on a 10f degree day and realize that the soft top has shrunk, and is now 2" shy of closing. So you have to run the heater in full blast and sit there for twenty minutes.
Thats one of the reasons I bought my (NC) PHT GT.
I'm looking at the RF now, only because the reverse baseball cap is getting older, and I wan't something newer. (Its still a fantastic year round car.)
I want a 2019 RF more power to negate the extra 113lbs for the roof and you get the backup camera which helps with the blind spot from the pillars in parking lots.
The main reason I got soft-top is because roof can be fully down and then it feels like convertible. RF doesn't feel like convertible at all.
Alexey Dubkov rf is more like a targa top
I have hard top electric roof full convertible NC.... even better
Totally agree! My NC hardtop gives me that immersive experience and I wouldn't want to lose that. Then you close the roof and it becomes a fighter jet cockpit. God I love my car!
Me too!!!!
I am keeping my 2012 Sport Tech because I like the hard top option but I think the rf design looks silly on a small sports car.
I like both of them! The RF is fancier because it has that Batman-like moving hoop on top but had I had to choose, I'd choose the soft-top! No mechanisms, no time to open and close, less weight... Simple solutions are always better! But that requires having a garage to park it, in that respect having an RF or bying a hard top for the Soft-top Miata may be a better solution!
Not true ! Been driving a 2016 MX - 5 Club soft top in all weather including some of the coldest days thru snow & ice the soft top does a great job of protecting the interior. There is extra care involved in keeping the soft top in good shape though. Not a big deal.
is there alot of road noise? @@ag4allgood
@@VOOODOOO37 There is more road noise but nothing that would make me say deal breaker. With the top down & windows up there is less noise than the RF with the targa down. The RF is quieter with the roof up.
Awesome, thanks! @@ag4allgood
Props to you my man excellent review one of the best👍
A really useful review. Thank you.
Is by chance the Hardtop more aerodynamic than the soft top? Just curious.
Of course. A rear wing on a convertible like an S2000 or Miata really needs a hardtop for it to function well.
Bladed Angel helloooooooo
But bladed, where´s the miata?
The difference in Cx is about 0,01 less for the hard top, so no that much difference, but i have no idea what difference does it to rear wing
Soft top rips
Should've just offered a removable Targa top I think. Less components , less weight, but with the advantage of having a hardtop when you're not trying to get baked by the sun. Still an awesome car just a little more compromise for my tastes; but I can appreciate seeing RF's on the road plus the selling point of a retractable hardtop.
I would like that, or a non-convertible version.
Cars Simplified oh man a hardtop fastback version would be so sexy. This car lowered with even the stock wheels and a hardtop would be gorgeous.
Indeed it would! Right on. It does have some nice stock wheels.
SubieSam
Better security as well.
Honestly, been there, done that with the del-sol..... it's not all it's cracked up to be, and that funky space to store it eats into cargo space. Also, Vargas ALWAYS leak.
My PHT GT doesn't. (I assume the RF won't as well.)
I had tried to get a 2022 RF but it wasn’t possible to order one anymore nor did any dealer in 300 mile radius have one. Instead I got a 2021 soft top and initially was a bit bummed, but after having it for a couple months I completely love it and now prefer the soft top. I think the black roof adds great contrast to the look and I drop the top even if weather looks a bit temperamental (which is all the time here in FL) because I know I can put it up in an instant if I need. The roof being so fast and easy gives me way more open sky time than if I felt like I’d have to pull over to put it up or down.
Thanks for the review!
I plan on getting an ND this year and it will be a soft top. Mostly because the RF seems to be just another thing to go wrong mechanically speaking and i plan on keeping it for many years. If it was just a lease i would get an RF.
Sure, cloth tops can wear out, but to me thats more predictable than if your RF gets stuck up or down or even worse, in the middle of being retracted or put up. With the soft top, there's just less to go wrong.
You spoke about the features.. but what about the quirks?
Bob Saget go to doug’s channel, because this channel is for serious automotive enthusiasts.
@@TheAdnanmajor yeah he's annoying as hell
@@theanimelibarian7881 yeah he is! i stopped watching his videos..........
Really well done review on every level. Thank you dear. :)
I bought my first MX5 ND three years ago as I could not go from my BMW Z3 to a new Z4 and still use a boot rack for touring due to the hard top mechanism . Now on my second ND and love the look of the RF but bought another soft top. Test drove the RF and thought it just felt like a car with the sun roof open but for me the deal breaker was the loss of luggage capacity. One of the useful boxes behind the seats is lost but of greater importance for my summer touring is the RF cannot be used with a boot rack. Checked the racks available and found a pretty basic one that will fit on (not the Mazda rack but that is horrible anyway) but you would have to remove any luggage to open or close the top. I use mine in winter as well with winter tyres fitted. Still a comfortable drive with a good heater and heated seats. Can't imagine the RF could be much better.
The spirit of mx5 is soft top
NC PRHT is the best compromise, it still a pure driving machine and can be had for less than 15k.
Agreed! I drive a silver 2015 PRHT
2012 SE here. Have had NB NC ND and came back to NC PRHT. Just the best all around Miata! 👍😁
But, I feel the NC styling is the worst of the bunch.
You don’t see the outside when you’re driving. Besides styling preference is subjective. I like the NC 2 styling best followed closely by the NA, then NB and lastly the ND. I think the ND looks like a kids toy car. Exaggerated lines much?
I agree with you - until thePRHT stops working as mine did. Both Mazda dealership and 2 MX5 specialists quoting huge sums to fix a sector gear with a broken tooth. You have buy the entire frame which is over AUD 1000. So for now my MX5 is a coupe only - still a great drivers car and I still enjoy driving it every trip. I do miss the open roadster experience.
Very good points here... I was all about the RF but now I'd strongly consider the soft top. Especially if it was not my only car.
Super nice review!
The hardtop, looks more like a T-top (without the middle) I’m with you, soft top for me!
I have a 2020 version and I love love love it!
I checked out the RF in the showroom last week. It's even more gorgeous in person. If I had the coin, I'd buy it.
I just served as passenger side ballast at an auto-cross in a '19 RF, and what a blast that little car is. It looks very TVR-esque.
I own an RF and 2 cheap things that makes the car even better and pretty cheap to do. Remove the clear plastic wind deflector for better, more open top like air flow(it just pops out/lift it up). 2nd buy the mods4cars SmartTop controller for the hard top to remove the limitations put on by Mazda.
Yes. The SmartTop is the first thing RF owner should but. With it you wonder why the hell didn't Mazda do it on their own in the first place.
Can you give us a link and describe what it does?
I'm a Hard top/Targa fan XD I can't stand the cloth albeit weight reduction bro!
I agree. Soft tops only look good with the top down.
To be honest there is a 3rd party hard top that is only 20ibs and you can still keep the soft top
So even a Targa with a soft-top doesn't do it for you? I really like the old Porsche 911 Targa, even though it has a cloth roof.
Sander Kamp I love it don't get me wrong but sometimes it gets annoying to daily trust me. I have an ND myself
where can we find the third party hardtop ?
Still driving my 1993 NA that I bought new, no plans to replace it honestly. Sure, it's underpowered, but it is still just so much fun to toss around.
Love that these videos are driving the Boise Foothills!
The RF GT in Canada hits $47K (with the Brembo package) which is insane in my opinion. I much prefer the look of the RF but can't stomach its ticket price.
Drive down to us to get it at a cheaper price.
GT with brembo package? the club with brembo is over 35k usd which is 47k canadian
Try second hand
Used...these cars are well built and reliable, and owners take care of them.
@@ctvu the club and gt with the brembo package cost the exact same because the club gets recaro seats in the package which make it cost more.
I definitely believe the added 130lbs or so on the back helps with the car's stability, mainly the rear feeling planted but I also recall reading that Mazda retuned the suspension on the RF (regardless of trim) to eliminate some of that body lean and tossability that the soft top exhibits. Any thoughts on that?
Yes, thoughts!
- they only increased the rear spring rates in line with the additional weight
- therefore, it wasn't 'retuned the suspension on the RF (regardless of trim) to eliminate some of that body lean and tossability that the soft top exhibits'
- the overall wallowyness remains the same and was also deliberate; Mazda wanted the sensation of knowing you were pushing on etc.
@@Dr.IanPlect Agree with your view Dr. Yea the way the back tires let loose is the way you know you hit a limit. It actually teaches you to be a better driver by letting up on the gas or giving it more gas will quickly correct the rear end.
The weight & price penalty of the RF is not worth it as my Club soft top is quicker off the line than the RF.
I purchased a 2015 ND 2.0L GT Softtop at 35% depreciation last month. Very happy with it, even though I hit a Kangaroo on the 2000km drive home. (Note: any light hit with anything will completely wreck your bonnet due to the active bonnet system). Its a great car and equally just as good as the RF. I love the RFs grey colour however. I think due to the time it takes for the RFs roof to come down, I would use it less. I love how the softtop can be done in 2 seconds. Obviously storage is minimal but if you want a second car or its just the two of you. Its a great experience. Small, light and nimble is how a drivers car should be.
Here in 2021, the steering wheel is tilt/telescopic. There's an aftermarket seat frame mod that lowers the seat almost 2 inches, and an aftermarket mod that allows you to put the top up or down at a higher speed, and raise or lower the top and windows with the key fob
I knew you explain well about cars, I didnt know you also drive well.🤭👍
As a owner of the RF, I can assure.. I embarrassed myself multiple times in roundabouts with this car... IT IS tail happy LOL (or most probably, I suck at driving it in the wet with no TC)
P.S. your reviews are the most precise I see on TH-cam. The majority of reviews state that the headroom in the RF is more, but you're the only one I saw that correctly states the reduced headroom in the RF. Thumbs up for your precise and scientific approach to everything.
I don’t think you suck, I bet you use to drive either a front wheel drive or a heavier rear wheel drive car. This car is really predictable you just need to take it a couple times to the track until you get the gist.
Excellent review.
Today, I just tried this car. Amazing experience! Still thinking about it. You look at this car and you think "what a cutie", but you start the engine and you understand that this "little car" is a badass. Great car! Maybe the weirdest thing is the transmission. You need to be aggressive to change gears. It makes you feel that you're really driving a badass. I was not used to this maybe because I never drove a sports car.
I’m sure the ND will have plenty of clean looking aftermarket removable hardtops in time anyway.
Sarah -n- Tuned i hope
I actually doubt that. The demand for hard tops for NA miatas has never been greater and no one is making clean looking aftermarket tops. OEM tops in "good" condition are routinely selling for 900-1000 and even ones in horrible condition still fetch 600-700. If no one sees the value in creating hard tops for the 200k or so NA Miatas, I seriously doubt any manufacturers will invest in creating one for the 15k or so NDs.
goodeggpro look up DG Motorsports my dude
Yep, and it looks silly. Basically looks like a bubble NA top slapped onto the angular and raked look of an ND. All for "only" $1500!!
I'm aware of the aftermarket tops available for the older miatas. They're fiberglass, are often just shells with no finish, usually come with a terrible plexi rear window and just generally look like crap. The OEM are the only ones (in my opinion) worth buying. But then, I've never understood the want to put a hardtop on a convertible in the first place.
It would definitely be better if the hard top went all the way down. But the answer in this case is you win either way, because Miata =V
A new NSX targa would be interesting. I like the older ones but still it'd be cool to see on a newer NSX as well. May help them sell a few more.
All the cars with completely folding metal roofs, are very phat ass ugly looking.
This is the best solution. Small structure to remove, makes the back end design look really good, roof up or down. It's the best compromise.
Gregor Zorc some look nice and sleek. Not all but some look better.
Other than the price I don't see any of the reasons you give a deal breaker.
In the end it's all about which one you like the most and wich one you can afford.
Great channel!
Just love watching you drive up and down Bogus Basin Rd. You might see me some time in my red Boxster or Triumph 1050 ST. I'd also pick the soft top Mazda..
The RF looks much more "premium"
As someone who professionally races this car and helped develop the car, awesome video. Love this thing to death
You also will have to take care of the soft top a little more, keeping it treated to prevent drying out and cracking. I'd prefer the hard top more since I live in Tennessee and winter here just sucks, one day it's 65° dry-cold yet feels like 28°, the next day it's 12° snowing/sleeting/raining all day, no ice just slush everywhere, wet-cold yet feels like it's 40° and 30-60° day/night temperature cycles are very common. Soft tops are nice but I've always liked the way hard tops looked more. Nice video, love the new changes they've done for the Miata.
Great comparison. You confirmed my choice of buying a soft top last year. Thanks
The 2019 Mx5 does have telescopic adjustment of the steering wheel ;-)
I wish the ND had taken the same approach as the NC's power retractable hard top. I'm not a big fan of the NC but they absolutely nailed the power hard top.
what does ND and NC stand for?
@@alexander1055 first gen Miata (flippy headlights): NA
Second gen: NB
Third gen: NC
Fourth gen: ND
@@AbdulrahmanAteya Thanks, I thought NA stands for naturally aspirated.
@@alexander1055 it does in allbother cars but miata
Great review.
Great comparison between the two versions of the Miata. IMO, the soft top with the top down is far and away more beautiful than the hardtop in "topless" mode.
I life in The Netherlands, it rains a lot so yeah I prefer the RF. We do get the 2.0 RF with a LSD and bilstein suspension. If you only use it in the summer, get the softtop.
icebreakertech acid
Btw, I've owned 2 Miata's and they both came with removable hard-tops in addition to the soft top. That's the best of both worlds. Do they not offer removable hard tops any more?
Oooh. Im so happy to hear about the new Mazda MX5 I have a 1999 MX 5. My fist & love it. I live in SFL & ride w the top down most everyday as u know they have come out w an eletric top but why pay the money for just something to. Fail u can put the top up manually just as fast if not faster. Save ur $. I love how it hugs the turns like I tell my friend when with me lol were riding the rail. He also likes how it performs. I have just recently put a K & N air filter on it & the sound. I get out of it is great it makes me want to pit more foot in the throttle lol. Its a great car for anyone what ever year u can get or have just get one 👏😃
I would also choose the softop over the RF because if you’re driving with the roof open in the RF the buttresses generate a lot of wind noise at highway speeds - the faster you go the louder it gets. Also, there’s slightly more cargo space in the trunk with the softop with 130 litres versus 127 litres for the RF. Plus, not many people know this, but the softop version has one cubbie hole behind each seat, and the RF only has one cubbie hole - I forget whether is the driver or passenger side that there’s a cubbie hole missing in the RF.
I agree.. soft top gives you the feel of being more open.. that is the essence of getting a convertible.. but the rf just looks cooler.. especially when the roof retracts.. gives you transformer vibes
The Most Fun and Semi Affordable cars:
Mazda MX-5 (Miata)
Ford Fiesta ST
Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT86
In no particular order.
Love this channel and prefer the soft top, G'day from Australia.
While I appreciate your opinion I own a 2019 RF and am completely happy with it. Having owned a couple of soft tops previously I like the rigidity and lack of noise in the RF. Regardless, this is a fun little car. Certainly not a primary vehicle but a load of fun nonetheless.
I'm a hardtop guy, plus living in Canada I'd rather have one than a soft top...
Zachary Lagler Softtop, always, I prefer cabriolets with softtop it just looks more like a cabriolet
Looks like im going for a hard top, being from a tropical country, heat is going to be factor to consider for me.
Great great review - thank you :-)
He makes valid points in differences with the RF and soft top. My question is does the soft top have a glass window in it or not? Because there is a lot more care that goes along with maintaining a plastic back window. Had an old MG back in the day and that plastic back window was a real concern.
A coupe version would sell well
BRZ is unreal with head room and leg room. Im 6'6" and miatas are pretty much all a no go, but the brz/86/frs is absolutely great
That road to bogus basin is sooooo much fun! Doing it in an MX-5 sounds awesome haha
I have a Toyota Tacoma TRD off-road 4x4, Mazda 6 GT (which I love!) and after watching this video, now I feel like I should get a Miata for that fun drive during the sunny days in South Florida -:) ...
Just get it already! I've owned the soft top for 10 months, engaging driving EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. It also gets better and more responsive after the first service with the miles/kms on it, engine settled.
The rf is cooler but just requires more power upgrades I love its look like a modern shelby cobra
We test drove the RF - but we both agreed on the soft top - my partner bought it.
We can live with the noise in the soft top with the top up, but not in the RF with the top down.
I absolutely love driving this car, which our friends think is amusing, because I have driven
Cadillac, Mercury and Continental cars from the 1970's all my life - and still do.
I do too. The Miata ethos has always been simplicity, lightweight, low power RWD roadster. The complicated origami-folding hard-top suits cars like the large & luxurious Mercedes SL just fine, but it is almost a slap on the face of what a Miata should be.
You'll understand the RF once you live in a cold and wet place.
+Skøut haha, been living in the Northwest for the past 5 years. Cold and wet is the motto!
Skøut
Or maybe a hot one with six weeks of heavy pollen.
With the RF, there is less excuse for sitting in the garage waiting for “a great day for a convertible.”
I’m in England, my wife has the ND soft top. I have a baby AMG, the MX-5 is such a great smiles per mile car. I try and use it as much as possible, it’s really like a motorbike but with a nice seat.
And when it’s cold and shitty it’s still a nice place to be. Heated seats and great A/C make it comfortable all year round.
@@PhilbyFavourites seems like they should just make a removable hard top for the soft top for a place with bad weather. just leave that on for 6 months.
How would the reliability of the hard top stack up to the soft top? I'm thinking about harsh climates where the sun bakes the tonneau covers to pieces in a short time. Here in the Middle East I see lots of one year old cars with soft tops held together with duct tape.
Neil Bezuidenhout. Keep it down, out of the sun.
thatallredheadude. I imagine the hard top will be prone to some mechanical issues over time though. I love Mazdas but their electrics can be dodgy after 10+ years. And the machinery of a hard top like this tends to be expensive to fix.
I really like your reviews. Thanks. What I was wondering about the MX-5, with the manual trans, does it have a trans cooler especially on the club model?
Love to hear your thoughts on the ND vs your S2000 now in 2018. (For example which car gets to your ideal driving experience/reliability within the most reasonable budget.)