Excellent review. Very honest and accurate. I purchased a new 2018 RF 6 speed manual. I absolutely love this car! After driving this car more than five years I never get tired of it. Always puts a smile on my face. If you buy one get the manual.
Great to hear you love your MX 5. I definitely want to try out a manual, maybe a club trip to really see how it will affect the experience. Automatic was a no go for that car. Also can't wait to see new gen of MX5.
Nice video, I did the paperwork on Sunday and picking up my 2023 RF GT MT on Wednesday. I test drove the automatic and it felt pretty numb and wondering what all the hype was about. I then learned how to drive manual and test drove the manual soft top and RF and boy does it make a huge difference. Wonderful cars! Also I will be driving from NorCal to LA this week as well so funny you mentioned !
ha ha yeah, I was wondering what it would feel like driving Miata from LA to San Francisco. Well congrats on your new car and make sure to enjoy it. I might get a manual for the video to see how much different and more engaging it is compare to the automatic.
@@100miledrive The automatic is only available in the GT (top) trim. The Sport trim and the enthusiast Club trim with Brembo brakes and Recaro seats only offers Manual Tranmission. The Auto trans robs a lot of fun from the car.
@@leefranklin3054 thanks for the info. Everyone is saying to try manual. Certainly will. Also I am curious about Club version comfort wise. Is it noticeably firmer than GT or about the same.
For your sound check don’t forget that you have that cement barrier in the median and that makes the sound a lot louder as it’s radiating all the noise of all the cars around you towards your car giving you a false high
I 've seen where people complain about how loud these cars are.The fault lies not in the car,but with the tires. The first "mod" i did was swap out the Bridgestones for Michlens P S 5's. Problem fixed, no more road noise.Yes i know for many people this just too to ask on a new car.Life is harsh,sooner or later your gona need new tires. For me this was no big deal.later i added a GoodWin racing muffler .much more pleasant to listen to.One year after buying my 2023 MX-5 RF GT i am still in love with this car. But to each their own as they say
Nice! thanks for sharing. I totally agree on swapping tires immediately if it's really going to help. I did this with my BMW X3 M40i. Removed run-flats and put regular Michelin tires. Way better now. More quite and impact with the right is softer. Car feels just right. Miata is an impressive sports car. Can't wait to see what else Mazda is going bring for the next gen. I will also bring manual on the channel once weather warms a bit.
Just a few clarifications for US spec Miatas. First, all club and GT trims get the same size wheels and tires, sport (base soft top) gets smaller wheels with larger sidewall tires. Second, manual GT trims 2020 or newer get the same Bilstein dampers, front shock tower brace, and LSD that the club manuals get. All automatic versions, sport trim manuals, and pre 2020 GT manuals (except 2019 with GT-S package) get an open differential and softer dampers. There are also minor spring rate differences between soft top & RF versions.
@@100miledrive I don't have a great sense of how different they feel with street use, but the difference in body roll at an autocross was significant. I daily a 2016 Club manual, & have been autocrossing it since I bought it. The first year, I had an opportunity to ride with people that bought GT trim versions at autocross. They felt like they had nearly twice the body roll on course as my club, & of course, my club still has significantly more body roll than something like the FRS/BRZ/86. Of course, the open differential also meant they had a harder time putting power down on corner exit as well.
Thanks for your comment. Did you mean shifting automatic transmission manually? Or you mean in general automatic transmissions works well in Miata? In my experience in most applications this automatic transmission even if shifted manually is not on par with it's chassis/engine performance. With automatic you will either need ZF transmission that BMW offers or dual clutch that is found in VW products.
@@jasondixon9095 i am actually curious what will be the next gen Miata. If they go full electric I will most likely buy this current gen RF as it will be very valuable asset
@@100miledrive yes that’s an excellent point. I am 6’3” tall and I’ve driven a stick for decades. While I think it would be a blast, it will be an automatic that I will be getting.
@@rogergant5502 Nice enjoy the car. I will be bringing it back on the channel mostly this summer with a stick shift, just want to immerse in this experience.
I just discovered that the payload limit is only 340 lbs. This is basically a one-person car unless the combined weight of both the driver and the passenger is under 340 lbs.
Love your videos-always on point! I found out so many interesting details about cars from your reviews. Thanks a big bunch for your hard work! Keep going!👍
Thanks for the suggestion. I assume in this case this is mostly your car and if your spouse wants to drive it occasionally then she can learn to drive a manual. Yeah I can't imagine getting MX-5 with automatic.
Some people (my spouse) simply can't learn to drive a stick. I know. She tried. AND she hated it. She's had an RX-7 and three MX-5s. All automatics. She now drives a Jeep Wrangler. With an automatic. You can't win 'em all. Still, nearly 50 years of wedded bliss. She's a keeper! ❤
I drive a 2023 RF with right hand drive and I find leg space to be an issue. The footwell is cramped and there is a massive hump on the floor due to the catalytic converter that takes away half of the floor space under the left knee. Using the clutch is pure precision surgery, especially with sneakers that have larger soles. Also, not sure if anyone finds this uncomfortable, but the throttle pedal feels so much more distant than the clutch pedal, therefore you find yourself driving with one leg all stretched to the right and one leg bent on an angle. The pedals also are positioned off-centred, slightly to the right.
thanks for sharing. Yeah curious to try this car with a manual transmission. For me fitting was not a problem, but I am really hoping they make a new gen MX-5 bigger. It will attract so many more new buyers.
I drive a 2.0 gt sport tech in the UK, right hand drive too. I am 6" but I have skinny legs, so the bump is not a problem, but still weird.... I have to adjust my right foot from time to time, but not uncomfortable. The accellerator pedal can vibrate a little, depending on revs, and I can feel it more with my leather shoes. Now, that is really annoying, but it is better when I wear my Stan Smith's..... I wish the car was a little big bigger and a little more powerful, but it is such a well balanced car that I think any changes could ruin the driving experience.... Overall I love the car and if the next model is fully electric it will be a shame.
@@massimilianocereghino5661 weird, my accelerator pedal does not vibrate, however what bothers me is that the clutch pedal is closer to the driver than the other two. My right leg has to stretch more than my left one and that creates an imbalance that I can't get used to
@@massimilianocereghino5661 Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I even made video on this, that I do want to see a new gen slightly bigger, but like you said it should not spoil the recipe, because the balance is amazing in this car. 1 thing I also found a bit annoying is every time I would get in and out of car I would bump into smth as it's quite tight. So I wasn't sure whether over time I would be OK with it or it would get totally annoying. Well, all this can be scratched off for the driving experience MX5 offers.
Yeah that is funny 340lbs that is almost like an electric scooter load. Miata really looks like a toy car especially RF model, very tiny. I hope the next upcoming gen will be bigger.
This is a driver's only car. Unless the driver's and passenger's combined weight is less than 340 pounds max. This is without counting for any luggage.
I am 6'3 270lbs 34" inseam. I dont have enough headroom in the RF I do have a 2023 Soft top GT and I fit most of the time. Most of the time because my head touches the soft top when I get in but as the seat wears in during the ride I get a nice gap. Looking forward to the seat wearing in as I daily it. I share the car with a shorter driver, otherwise I would invest in a seat lowering kit. I also got the AT since the wife refused to learn MT. I would prefer the MT but its better to have an automatic Miata than a manual something else.
Thanks for sharing. Good to know about seat lowering kits. I know how badly taller people want to fit in this car, cause we don’t want to miss out on this joyful experience. It is a fantastic sports car with an open air experience. I haven’t tried soft top, but I like the looks of RF so much.
The biggest bonus to owning one of these wonderful little roadsters, is that their very cheap to run and maintain. Just about every other car in the convertible market, from the Audi TT right up to the sublime Porsche 911, will cost you an arm and a leg to repair if they go wrong. Also their reliability is nowhere near that of the wonderful little Mazda, and the cost of spare parts, well that's another story You can buy a full set of four quality tyres for a standard MX5 with the 16in alloys, compared to one Michelin Pilot sport tyre on a 911 Carrera 4 Convertible. The Miata makes HUUUUUUGGGGGEEEE sense.
Yep totally agree. I love how MX5 provides that real sports car experience. Certainly exceeded my expectations. I am hoping they can make new gen Miata a bit roomier without increasing a price tag and I might be all in. And as for Porsche 911, they know they have a good product and now they are abusing it by making it more and more expensive. Base 911 before 2020 was $97K on their website and now $114K? Really? They want to make this even more exclusive and care less about affordability.
Yep, absolutely. As long as you like it that is what matters the most. To me it looks absolutely amazing especially with a hard top. Really looks like a toy.
the automatics feel terrible i test drove the 2020, 2021, 2022, and the 2023 and 2 of them were automatics and it was massively disappointing the first one i drove was an automatic and it made me not want to buy one at all it felt super slow and slugish the sport mode made almost no difference and it wasnt enjoyable thankfully the sales guy that i was working with got me to try the manual RF and that was vastly better felt way more zippy and fun to drive and didnt seem to have that same hesitation the automatics had. i ordered the manual 2023 zircon sand grand touring.
Thanks for sharing. Yes, this automatic transmission reminded me my 2012 Mazda 3. Nothing changed. They should certainly put either ZF that you find in European cars or dual clutch. Like I mentioned in the video even VW Taos has dual clutch. Looking forward to try manual.
I guess it’s all about perception. I rented a 2022 RF manual and after only a few miles on the freeway I was ready to get off, it was so loud with the windows up. I went another 30 miles to some canyons, put the top down and it was fun. I would gladly sacrifice 25 pounds of weight for Mazda to fit some insulation in there. Otherwise it’s not a daily driver.🫤
I see your point. In Miata it's kind of a trade-off. You are trading comfort for fun/enthusiastic spirited driving experience. However I was quite pleased to see that overall it handles bumps pretty well. Can't wait for the next gen and hoping to see improvements across the board.
You can certainly try. I was told by the car renter that someone rented who was 6"4 and enjoyed the car. I am 6"2 and I was OK in it but certainly would benefit if it was a tiny bit more spacious.
Taught my then girlfriend how to drive my 1964 Ford Falcon with a floor-mounted 4 speed. Now, 55+ years later, my old GF, now my wife 😊is going to have a “refresher course” if she wants to drive the Miata. No automatic in a Miata for me. That would be like kissing my sister.
That's such a sweet story! It's amazing how memories from the past can still bring joy in the present. I certainly want drive Miata Stick shift on the channel. Once it gets warmer will consider it. Automatic was so bad in this car.
The automatic turns the roadster into an econobox. By comparison it is awful. This is a drivers car,it’s tactile, it puts smiles on your face. The automatic mutes the experience. If you are looking for a city only car for someone who can not drive a stick, buy a small cheap car. After you teach your wife how to operate a stick, she will love the car for what it is. My wife enjoys driving the Miata, but she drives her car 99% of the time. As a reviewer, you should take the automatic back and get a real Miata.
Thanks for your feedback. This was my first experience with Miata and I fell in love with it's driving dynamics. I was hoping Mazda did something more special with automatic transmission but they didn't which is a complete downer. They could have easily put dual clutch transmission and made it more engaging, but I guess they didn't care because they knew this car should be enjoyed with manual gearbox. I will certainly try Miata with a manual. Would be good to see how much is the difference really. Also super excited for a future Miata.
Maybe you are right. But on the other hand if it had dual clutch fast shifting transmission it could have a right to live. For example many Porsche 911 GT3s are bought with automatic transmission because of Porsche's PDK and it's ability to shift fast with a manual option, some even say it is more fun, however of course to keep things in very pure perspective a Manual is a way to go.
Thanks for your feedback. When I already experienced it - then yes. I was hoping they did something nicer with transmission, but they didn't. Why don't they put a dual clutch in this or at least ZF that BMW has it would make automatic a viable option. The way it is now with basica automatic - it's a complete disaster for such a driver's car. They should learn from VW which puts dual clutch in cars like Taos.
![[#2024MAMA] ROSÉ (로제), Bruno Mars - APT. | Mnet 241122 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dgGqD28J6aQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Excellent review. Very honest and accurate. I purchased a new 2018 RF 6 speed manual. I absolutely love this car! After driving this car
more than five years I never get tired of it. Always puts a smile on my face. If you buy one get the manual.
Great to hear you love your MX 5. I definitely want to try out a manual, maybe a club trip to really see how it will affect the experience. Automatic was a no go for that car. Also can't wait to see new gen of MX5.
I did get the manual. 2023 RF Grey Love it . And 36 to 40 mpg is a nice bonus .
@@stevem9766 Nice. It's an amazing car and has lots of bonuses.
Nice video, I did the paperwork on Sunday and picking up my 2023 RF GT MT on Wednesday. I test drove the automatic and it felt pretty numb and wondering what all the hype was about. I then learned how to drive manual and test drove the manual soft top and RF and boy does it make a huge difference. Wonderful cars! Also I will be driving from NorCal to LA this week as well so funny you mentioned !
ha ha yeah, I was wondering what it would feel like driving Miata from LA to San Francisco. Well congrats on your new car and make sure to enjoy it. I might get a manual for the video to see how much different and more engaging it is compare to the automatic.
@@100miledrive The automatic is only available in the GT (top) trim. The Sport trim and the enthusiast Club trim with Brembo brakes and Recaro seats only offers Manual Tranmission. The Auto trans robs a lot of fun from the car.
@@leefranklin3054 thanks for the info. Everyone is saying to try manual. Certainly will. Also I am curious about Club version comfort wise. Is it noticeably firmer than GT or about the same.
For your sound check don’t forget that you have that cement barrier in the median and that makes the sound a lot louder as it’s radiating all the noise of all the cars around you towards your car giving you a false high
I 've seen where people complain about how loud these cars are.The fault lies not in the car,but with the tires. The first "mod" i did was swap
out the Bridgestones for Michlens P S 5's. Problem fixed, no more road noise.Yes i know for many people this just too to ask on a new car.Life is harsh,sooner or later your
gona need new tires. For me this was no big deal.later i added a GoodWin racing muffler .much more pleasant to listen to.One year after buying my 2023 MX-5 RF GT i am still in love with this car. But to each their own as they say
Nice! thanks for sharing. I totally agree on swapping tires immediately if it's really going to help. I did this with my BMW X3 M40i. Removed run-flats and put regular Michelin tires. Way better now. More quite and impact with the right is softer. Car feels just right. Miata is an impressive sports car. Can't wait to see what else Mazda is going bring for the next gen. I will also bring manual on the channel once weather warms a bit.
Just a few clarifications for US spec Miatas. First, all club and GT trims get the same size wheels and tires, sport (base soft top) gets smaller wheels with larger sidewall tires. Second, manual GT trims 2020 or newer get the same Bilstein dampers, front shock tower brace, and LSD that the club manuals get. All automatic versions, sport trim manuals, and pre 2020 GT manuals (except 2019 with GT-S package) get an open differential and softer dampers. There are also minor spring rate differences between soft top & RF versions.
Wow, nice thanks for sharing. I gotta try Club version also
@@100miledrive I don't have a great sense of how different they feel with street use, but the difference in body roll at an autocross was significant. I daily a 2016 Club manual, & have been autocrossing it since I bought it. The first year, I had an opportunity to ride with people that bought GT trim versions at autocross. They felt like they had nearly twice the body roll on course as my club, & of course, my club still has significantly more body roll than something like the FRS/BRZ/86. Of course, the open differential also meant they had a harder time putting power down on corner exit as well.
@@danielisbell got it thank you.
I think the auto shift works really well in the car.
Thanks for your comment. Did you mean shifting automatic transmission manually? Or you mean in general automatic transmissions works well in Miata? In my experience in most applications this automatic transmission even if shifted manually is not on par with it's chassis/engine performance. With automatic you will either need ZF transmission that BMW offers or dual clutch that is found in VW products.
Great intel in real world driving thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you for the kind words.
I love my 2021 automatic RF jet black fun car
Awesome to hear this. Yep truly a nice car. I think one day Miata especially RF will be a collectors car. I hope Mazda will keep on manufacturing it.
@@100miledrive how do you feel about them bringing the Electric MX 5 in 2024 🔋
@@jasondixon9095 only as an option not a replacement to the gas powered version. I am almost positive Miatas will turn into collectibles soon
@@100miledrive yes I believe you too these Mazda Miatas will be collector items and I will never sell mines
@@jasondixon9095 i am actually curious what will be the next gen Miata. If they go full electric I will most likely buy this current gen RF as it will be very valuable asset
Thanks so much for this. I’m considering a 2024 so this was very helpful!
Oh nice make sure to really decide if you are getting manual or auto so you don't regret later. This is really a fun car.
@@100miledrive yes that’s an excellent point. I am 6’3” tall and I’ve driven a stick for decades. While I think it would be a blast, it will be an automatic that I will be getting.
@@rogergant5502 Nice enjoy the car. I will be bringing it back on the channel mostly this summer with a stick shift, just want to immerse in this experience.
Nice review, thank you for posting
Thanks for watching! and stopping by. Loved this car overall.
I just discovered that the payload limit is only 340 lbs. This is basically a one-person car unless the combined weight of both the driver and the passenger is under 340 lbs.
oh wow interesting. I think most don't know this and should be Ok to slightly exceed that.
Love your videos-always on point! I found out so many interesting details about cars from your reviews. Thanks a big bunch for your hard work! Keep going!👍
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement
How come the European market gets parking sensors but the North American market doesn’t?
I married a spouse that already knew how to drive a stick. But the answer is, buy the stick and if your spouse wants to drive it, teach them.
Thanks for the suggestion. I assume in this case this is mostly your car and if your spouse wants to drive it occasionally then she can learn to drive a manual. Yeah I can't imagine getting MX-5 with automatic.
I don't know. I was rather disappointed to learn my spouse could drive a manual😢. Thank God she don't like getting in and out of it😂.
Some people (my spouse) simply can't learn to drive a stick. I know. She tried. AND she hated it. She's had an RX-7 and three MX-5s. All automatics. She now drives a Jeep Wrangler. With an automatic. You can't win 'em all. Still, nearly 50 years of wedded bliss. She's a keeper! ❤
Buying Miata with automatic transmission is like buying an suv with two seats and no trunk.
@@reuvenabramovich2711😂
I drive a 2023 RF with right hand drive and I find leg space to be an issue. The footwell is cramped and there is a massive hump on the floor due to the catalytic converter that takes away half of the floor space under the left knee. Using the clutch is pure precision surgery, especially with sneakers that have larger soles. Also, not sure if anyone finds this uncomfortable, but the throttle pedal feels so much more distant than the clutch pedal, therefore you find yourself driving with one leg all stretched to the right and one leg bent on an angle. The pedals also are positioned off-centred, slightly to the right.
thanks for sharing. Yeah curious to try this car with a manual transmission. For me fitting was not a problem, but I am really hoping they make a new gen MX-5 bigger. It will attract so many more new buyers.
I drive a 2.0 gt sport tech in the UK, right hand drive too. I am 6" but I have skinny legs, so the bump is not a problem, but still weird.... I have to adjust my right foot from time to time, but not uncomfortable. The accellerator pedal can vibrate a little, depending on revs, and I can feel it more with my leather shoes. Now, that is really annoying, but it is better when I wear my Stan Smith's..... I wish the car was a little big bigger and a little more powerful, but it is such a well balanced car that I think any changes could ruin the driving experience.... Overall I love the car and if the next model is fully electric it will be a shame.
@@massimilianocereghino5661 weird, my accelerator pedal does not vibrate, however what bothers me is that the clutch pedal is closer to the driver than the other two. My right leg has to stretch more than my left one and that creates an imbalance that I can't get used to
@@massimilianocereghino5661 Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I even made video on this, that I do want to see a new gen slightly bigger, but like you said it should not spoil the recipe, because the balance is amazing in this car. 1 thing I also found a bit annoying is every time I would get in and out of car I would bump into smth as it's quite tight. So I wasn't sure whether over time I would be OK with it or it would get totally annoying. Well, all this can be scratched off for the driving experience MX5 offers.
I was looking at getting a miata, but recently found out that there is a 340 pound max, weight limit for the car, including cargo and passengers
Yeah that is funny 340lbs that is almost like an electric scooter load. Miata really looks like a toy car especially RF model, very tiny. I hope the next upcoming gen will be bigger.
This is a driver's only car. Unless the driver's and passenger's combined weight is less than 340 pounds max. This is without counting for any luggage.
Why did you go with the automatic? I'm disappointed.
Oh this was the only one available at the time on Turo in closest proximity. I will bring manual on the channel. Thanks for stopping by
I am 6'3 270lbs 34" inseam.
I dont have enough headroom in the RF
I do have a 2023 Soft top GT and I fit most of the time.
Most of the time because my head touches the soft top when I get in but as the seat wears in during the ride I get a nice gap.
Looking forward to the seat wearing in as I daily it.
I share the car with a shorter driver, otherwise I would invest in a seat lowering kit.
I also got the AT since the wife refused to learn MT. I would prefer the MT but its better to have an automatic Miata than a manual something else.
Thanks for sharing. Good to know about seat lowering kits. I know how badly taller people want to fit in this car, cause we don’t want to miss out on this joyful experience. It is a fantastic sports car with an open air experience. I haven’t tried soft top, but I like the looks of RF so much.
The biggest bonus to owning one of these wonderful little roadsters, is that their very cheap to run and maintain.
Just about every other car in the convertible market, from the Audi TT right up to the sublime Porsche 911, will cost you an arm and a leg to repair if they go wrong.
Also their reliability is nowhere near that of the wonderful little Mazda, and the cost of spare parts, well that's another story
You can buy a full set of four quality tyres for a standard MX5 with the 16in alloys, compared to one Michelin Pilot sport tyre on a 911 Carrera 4 Convertible.
The Miata makes HUUUUUUGGGGGEEEE sense.
Yep totally agree. I love how MX5 provides that real sports car experience. Certainly exceeded my expectations. I am hoping they can make new gen Miata a bit roomier without increasing a price tag and I might be all in. And as for Porsche 911, they know they have a good product and now they are abusing it by making it more and more expensive. Base 911 before 2020 was $97K on their website and now $114K? Really? They want to make this even more exclusive and care less about affordability.
Likely you find this a nice color like me, other people hate it. But I shoud say anyone can chouse is that what I dont undrestand .
Yep, absolutely. As long as you like it that is what matters the most. To me it looks absolutely amazing especially with a hard top. Really looks like a toy.
the automatics feel terrible i test drove the 2020, 2021, 2022, and the 2023 and 2 of them were automatics and it was massively disappointing the first one i drove was an automatic and it made me not want to buy one at all it felt super slow and slugish the sport mode made almost no difference and it wasnt enjoyable thankfully the sales guy that i was working with got me to try the manual RF and that was vastly better felt way more zippy and fun to drive and didnt seem to have that same hesitation the automatics had. i ordered the manual 2023 zircon sand grand touring.
Thanks for sharing. Yes, this automatic transmission reminded me my 2012 Mazda 3. Nothing changed. They should certainly put either ZF that you find in European cars or dual clutch. Like I mentioned in the video even VW Taos has dual clutch. Looking forward to try manual.
I guess it’s all about perception. I rented a 2022 RF manual and after only a few miles on the freeway I was ready to get off, it was so loud with the windows up. I went another 30 miles to some canyons, put the top down and it was fun. I would gladly sacrifice 25 pounds of weight for Mazda to fit some insulation in there. Otherwise it’s not a daily driver.🫤
I see your point. In Miata it's kind of a trade-off. You are trading comfort for fun/enthusiastic spirited driving experience. However I was quite pleased to see that overall it handles bumps pretty well. Can't wait for the next gen and hoping to see improvements across the board.
I’ve been daily driving mine now for several years. If you put nitrogen in the tires instead of air it absolutely cuts the road noise in half
@@cptndave1 hmm.. good to know
FYI: The air that we breathe is 79% Nitrogen. Nitrogen in your tires is 100% Bullshit.
Replace the Bridgestone tires with say ... Michlens makes a big difference in the noise in the cabin. I did this for my car!
i'm 6f5/6f6 ,would i fit haha?
You can certainly try. I was told by the car renter that someone rented who was 6"4 and enjoyed the car. I am 6"2 and I was OK in it but certainly would benefit if it was a tiny bit more spacious.
@@100miledrivei’ll really consider then if that’s the case.Really love the car.Thanks for the response man!
Taught my then girlfriend how to drive my 1964 Ford Falcon with a floor-mounted 4 speed. Now, 55+ years later, my old GF, now my wife 😊is going to have a “refresher course” if she wants to drive the Miata. No automatic in a Miata for me. That would be like kissing my sister.
That's such a sweet story! It's amazing how memories from the past can still bring joy in the present. I certainly want drive Miata Stick shift on the channel. Once it gets warmer will consider it. Automatic was so bad in this car.
The automatic turns the roadster into an econobox. By comparison it is awful. This is a drivers car,it’s tactile, it puts smiles on your face. The automatic mutes the experience. If you are looking for a city only car for someone who can not drive a stick, buy a small cheap car. After you teach your wife how to operate a stick, she will love the car for what it is. My wife enjoys driving the Miata, but she drives her car 99% of the time. As a reviewer, you should take the automatic back and get a real Miata.
Thanks for your feedback. This was my first experience with Miata and I fell in love with it's driving dynamics. I was hoping Mazda did something more special with automatic transmission but they didn't which is a complete downer. They could have easily put dual clutch transmission and made it more engaging, but I guess they didn't care because they knew this car should be enjoyed with manual gearbox. I will certainly try Miata with a manual. Would be good to see how much is the difference really. Also super excited for a future Miata.
Get a stick shift and teach my Sandwich maker how to drive standard transmission.
Man sorry i tell you but Mazda should even don’t do an automatic transmission for this car
Maybe you are right. But on the other hand if it had dual clutch fast shifting transmission it could have a right to live. For example many Porsche 911 GT3s are bought with automatic transmission because of Porsche's PDK and it's ability to shift fast with a manual option, some even say it is more fun, however of course to keep things in very pure perspective a Manual is a way to go.
driving a auto MX5. What a waste of time.
Thanks for your feedback. When I already experienced it - then yes. I was hoping they did something nicer with transmission, but they didn't. Why don't they put a dual clutch in this or at least ZF that BMW has it would make automatic a viable option. The way it is now with basica automatic - it's a complete disaster for such a driver's car. They should learn from VW which puts dual clutch in cars like Taos.
Why go through the agro of your spouse learning to drive again, get a new spouse!
Not an option, sorry :)