2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata 1-Year Update - Redline: Review 

This is your best review.. you spoke more naturally and comfortable than some of your other reviews. Sweet ride congrats.

"If you're an enthusiast, you go through this everyday." YES.

I loved Redline's review. I would like to add a bit for the NA drivers. (A life long NA driver's review of the 16) - My NA (96 - R) was totaled about a month ago. I loved it and never really considered replacing it... until a little old lady turned into my beloved car. I checked Craig's list for a replacement. I found many NA's but most looked like a restoration project in waiting. I never drove a newer Miata so I wanted to try some. I went to a Mazda dealership and tried some. I drove a NC and liked it but didn't feel it merited a 10k premium above a good NA. Then I sat down in the ND... it felt so much like my NA I found myself trying to use the center console window switches & five speed gear pattern... Then I drove it... it took about 10 seconds to know I was leaving the dealership with one. They happened to have a 16 Club / Brembo which is what I would have ordered. For this NA lover, the ND 16 solved the power issues of NA's without sacrificing weight or size. The ND Club I purchased is the Soul Red with the black trim pack, BBS Gun Metal wheels which comes with the Brembo option. The car is a bit "flashy", maybe a little more flash than I would have ordered. People walk up and ask about or complement the car. I love Miatas so that is not an issue for me... my wife is not as happy about that aspect. Redline's reviewer is younger than I am and likes the tech gizmos found in the GT. I don't care for that stuff in a sports car, I think it is a age thing. Looking at pictures before seeing it, I thought the gizmo screen would bother me but it really doesn't. It is lower than my sight line. I was a working sound tech in the eighties and nineties - I like good sound. I though I would have to build a sound system for the car... there is no need. The Bose audio system is absolutely fabulous. Cranked up, it is like slipping on a set of good quality headphones.. except you can feel the bass from the built in sub-woofers. It is nice to know Bose can build an efficient beautiful sound without soaking up hundreds of watts and adding weight (100 watts rarely sounds as good). On the down side, the 16 doesn't have the super crisp steering of the NA but, it is still tight enough to outperform any driving I might be able to do. The NA's almost twitchy feel is not in the 16. Also there is more body roll with the 16. NA lovers will not miss the "snap" of the rear end found coming out of near limit turns. The "snap" is replaced by a tenacious grip which the body follows perfectly. The ND will let you turn off the stability control for even more fun... I love the ND. I hope I live long enough to get 20 more years of Miata driving in. After my death, I have instructed my wife to put me in the car and roll me into a 6 foot deep hole. Morbid... I know.

It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slowly ;-) #drivingmatters

I was considering an FRS. Then I saw this video. The next day I went out and found a 2200km used miata for 7-10k less than sticker price+gst, etc. Thanks I do not regret it one bit.

There are a lot of very good reasons why someone would get an automatic over the manual transmission. In my case, it's because I have Erb's Palsy and my left arm is partially paralyzed. So while I CAN drive stick and have in the past, it's just a lot safer and more practical to get an automatic. Shifting gears while steering is very hard to do when you only have full use of one arm. I drive a 2014 Mazda3, and I admit it would be more fun to drive with a manual. The automatic is still enjoyable, so I can't complain too much. I guess what I'm trying to say is that many people with disabilities enjoy driving, but sometimes the manual transmission just isn't an option for us. I hope more car enthusiasts recognize this.

This has got to be one of the best reviewers online. I have been following Motor Trend for a few years and this guy is on that level in terms of a private reviewer. He answers all of my questions before I even have the questions! He is so on point and minimal stuttering and great train of thought went into this video.I am 28 years old and I am in serious consideration of buying a 2016 Miata (Club). I need all the information I can get and this guy is helping me decide...

3 year old video and i still love watching miata videos. timeless.

Great great review. Very compelling from the industry insider, enthusiast and an owner himself .

I have been following u for years. I find your reviews to be perfect and honest. I recently bought one n it's the best fun of any car 🚗 I've owned. Keep up the good work👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

I love my ND it puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it, I drive it any day it doesn't rain. I get near 40 or 40+MPG all the time I have fun with it but I don't beat on it. I might give it up, but only for the RF. I have a sole red GT

Those Conti's you put on the Mazda in the vid are the absolute best, especially if your size doesn't have a viable option for snow tires.

definitely one of the most comprehensive, grounded, original review for the miata.

Your review last year influenced me to get the ND Miata (same spec; GT) as my daily driver. Loving it, even with the "impracticability."

Unless you're doing hardcore track use, I'd say skip the 4 piston brakes and just upgrade pads and fluids. Dollar for Dollar, a much better value if you use it as a daily and autocross/occasional track use.

Just something that got me thinking during the video... I'm a driving enthusiast, rather than a car enthusiast. A good car is essential for a driving enthusiast, but they only really need one. I've had the same car for almost 8 years now and I still enjoy it; I deliberately avoid test driving other/newer/better cars because I know I'll be tempted to upgrade and do everything in my head to try and justify it. I still appreciate what I have and ignorance is bliss :) Sure, if I was rich I'd love to, but switching new car for new car all the time is a seriously efficient way to burn money. Finally, I've mulled it over a lot and the ND will be mine in 2017. Also, similarly I'm a photography enthusiast rather than a camera enthusiast and I have a model one or two generations old. It still produces fantastic results and I still enjoy using it. Cameras also depreciate seriously quickly when a new model comes out ;)

Excellent review dude!!! Watched all your MX5 reviews quite a number of times. I’m too much in love with this gorgeous machine. Planning to get one soon. Thanks.

Excellent review! finally a good looking Miata.

About to hit a quarter million! :) congrats

thanks for the review. was about to get one but heard about ghe rumor of a hard top which came out as an rf. will definitely one. your review made me commit to my decision that it is a car i wont regret buying.

At the very end, the car does look grey! I'm sunlight it looks very very white. That's one of the coolest paint jobs I've ever seen.

Sofyan keep up the good work. Very informative. It's always better to hear things from a personal perspective

4:58 OMG did both your knees crack when you went to kneel down?! Mine do that every single time! lol Glad I'm not alone.

Thanks so much for this! I'm a huge fan of your reviews and I've been contemplating swapping my 2016 CX-5 for a Miata RF -- even if for just a year. Love this review style!

As a Fiat 124 Abarth spider owner, I can relate. Both super fun cars! Very good review 👍🏼

Hehe I'm with you on that last comment... when keeping up on car reviews you always have to remind yourself that the next years model is always going to be better, and if you keep waiting you would never buy a car. Enjoy what you got and just think that when you get that next car, they will be that much better.

Man I am color blind it looks white

Very good review!! Always with the "nasty fingerprints" 😂

I like your rev matching on the downshifts. Was very clean transition.

I don't think you touched it, but I was curious about how the soft top has held up over the year. Any concerns about durability?

Wanted to get the Mazda 3 with the 2.5L engine. Didn't like the ride as much and insurance was crazy. Opted for the 2016 Honda Civic and am extremely pleased. Just sometimes I wish it had a regular automatic or paddle shifters like the hatchbacks will be getting.

I don't get those US trim levels, it's strange there's such a difference when they build them all in the same factory. My EU top spec has Recaro heated seats, adaptive headlamps, LSD, Bilstein shocks, blindspot monitoring and all the goodies, didn't have to think twice (except of the money).

it's like the Honda Grom of the car world! this thing's a hoot to drive!! You've convinced me!! Miata is always the answer!! and love your shirt by the way.

Dude the new RF looks amazing

agreed on the infotainment. my 3s is slow as molasses and it drives me up the wall. i even had it get stuck, and it took 3 restarts to get it working. But the stupid amount of tire squeal when i take off makes up for it. thanks for your 3 consecutive mazda 3 reviews. you and jalopnik covinced me to buy one!

I just purchased a '16 GT yesterday, and watching your video update today just reconfirms my purchase decision! However as a concession to my wife, I had to get the automatic.......still a blast to drive. Love your reviews!

Fantastic review! I have a NB and everyday I get into it, even though it’s “slow”, it puts a huge smile on my face. Miata just have a habit of doing that. I agree whole heartedly. I could definitely see myself owning a ND one day. Hopefully they over sell them like the NA and NB and down the road they’ll be easy and cheap to get like the NA and NB. I’m still quite torn between the regular Miata and RF. I like both a lot, and the RF is almost Supra inspired with the targa and it’s shape.

Thank you Sofyan. I enjoy all of your videos. I'm torn between the roadster and the RF model comming out.

We have a manual 2008 Boxster S & a PDK 2014 Boxster S..... However we luv these MX5's soooooooo much we've just bought one of these as well....! They just make ya happy.....!!!!

Wow cant believe they didnt give both trim models all thoose options! Great review

Forget the Miata look at that beautiful ML in the back. God that thing is gorgeous. I miss my ML320

Great review and good to hear your honest thoughts on a fabulous car.

Top class video packed with useful information. Thanks

Would love to see modding videos

You said it wasn't fast yet I timed your 0-60 at around 6.2 that's FAST for the car that wasn't really meant to be super quick.

Excellent review. Best I've seen for its honesty and information. What a desirable vehicle!

I just bought an NC after having a MSP 6. Your review reflects how I feel about my NC.

Thanks for the great review! I'm considering if it's time to go from an NB to an ND. My dilemma is the soft top vs RF model....

What a beauty. I think a baby blue Miata would be gorgeous.

Good tip on the clear bra. Of all the reviews, your the only one I remember suggesting it. Thanks.

Excellent review, very thorough. Well done

How do you clean your car? I'm looking to buy an ND, but i'm worried about the durability of the fabric roof!

I do Costco trips with my 2019 soft top. I can get a case of water, and 4 cases of cans plus gallons and groceries between the trunk and front seat.

im so in love with this car

Love the comment at about the 30-second mark. I used to own a PRHT coming from your avg Honda or Mazda mid-size. It also happened to be my first two-seater. Took some time to get used to the lack of space but it was also a great excuse not to have to drive with more than one person and a great ride to head to the beach The lack of space did get irksome, but the two or three times a year that I really needed space to pick up something larger, well, that's what friends or delivery is for. I miss my Miata and can't wait to turn over my current lease. My only gripe is not having an available heads up display, even if it's similar to the CX3's pop-up plastic projection. It's probably the one thing on my current vehicle that I depend on the most.

For all the ND owners that drive "spiritedly." make sure to change your Transmission and diff oil at 30k miles. I just did mine the other day and what came out of both blew me away.

Glad you mentioned the Boxster as I think it’s the most true competitor be a two seater convertible.

My '16 ND Sport is my daily driver. I live in central New Hampshire and put Blazzaks on it for winter, all seasons won't cut it here. So I have summer tires on it with their good performance and real snows for when I need them. There are over 24,000 miles on it, it is the perfect car for the country lanes that are 99% of my driving. Top down 15 degree driving is a thing for me.

2019. So you did sell this car. I'm curious to know what you moved on to? Thanks. Love the channel btw 👍

This is a great review - thanks for sharing!

I think not having all the luxury options makes the Club more appealing.

YASSSS LORT!! Love your vids 🤘🏻

always a fun and good review from you!

I have a mazda 6 2018 touring. I rarely use the back seat space..really want to trade this car for an mx5 what do you recommend? Miss driving a sport car

Awesome review. Love the whole production.

I had my 2015 MX-5 Club's engine flashed for $250. It added 15 hp and 15 lb ft of torque. It really brings more "pop" to that engine and dare I say equals or exceeds a stock ND Miata.

That's a nice stack of bricks, congratz man! Great review as always, keep it up

I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I'm hoping to get one of these this year. I haven't decided on this or RF.

excellent review! Good job man this stuff isnt easy

all season and gold Tore in one sentence... hillarious

Agree about the stereo. I have a 15 3 sGT with the same stereo. What a pleasant surprise!

Great video and fun to watch you drive your own car.

Your last words are so true! I've had 4 NA's and I've rented a ND for a weekend. I loved the fact that you could floor it without breaking the law. You could rev it like a jerk.. thinking that you are way too fast but you weren't speeding... Thats awesome! You really don't need much power to have fun. Thats what the all new cars are about, increasing HP. That trend bores me. The ND will be my next car. Can't wait for it! I also drove many cool cars with much more HP. Mercedes C63, A45, Jaguar F-Type, GTI Clubsport and many more, but the mx5 gives you something special that non of the other cars can give you.

“My tester… of course my particular car” lmao dude really work hard

I love how you say "my tester" out of habit for your car xD haha

I have a 2016 sport trim Miata MT which I have been enjoying for the past 15 months. However, as good as the steering and shifting are, I believe my NB, which I drove for about 13 years, was even better. Do any other NB Miata owners feel the same way?

Planning on trading in my '14 Mazda 3 hatchback for a new Miata RF. Literally the most ridiculous "upgrade" I can think of, but I'll still love it. I spontaneously bought an '04 Miata a few years back, and have been addicted ever since. Now I want one to seriously daily, lol.

Love this car. The MX-5 or 124 Abarth will be my next ride. Leaning towards the 124.

Trying to decide if I should buy a black 2016 Mazda Miata Grand Touring, or a metallic silver 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. Very conflicted!

Wow, fantastic review. Well done. You covered everything I wanted to know as an interested buyer. Great presentation! Good job

Sofyan, this is a very good review to the point i want to go out and buy one. Looks expensive and sounds great. Unfortunately Los Angeles doesn't have roads like the one you're driving or the the roads i grew up with in Connecticut.

My 2016 Club has about 20K miles on it, and gets 33.1 mpg, so far. I drive frequently between DC and NC, and a fair amount of driving in Md/DC. . . So far, I'm pretty happy with it. I had an '02 previously. Definitely prefer the ND! (I would obviously prefer another 45 or 50 horses, and stiffer suspension) For the record, I'm 6'2", and 210 lbs. I make the 5 hour drive between DC and my home in NC in acceptable comfort. I have issues with the infotainment system and Bluetooth. Sometimes my phone won't connect, and I have to turn it off, then back on. But that's only occasionally. I think I'll keep it.

Can't wait when you compare this with the RF model. I might get one next year and really looking forward to it. I hope it still has the Miata feeling because I need the roof driving in Minnesota weather.

In 2009, I test drove the RC hardtop, and I was sort of let down. It rode fine, but the interior was meh, and the drive was just okay. I was expecting to be more wow-ed based on all the positive reviews of the MX-5 and Miatas over the years. I ended up with an '05 Z4 which put a smile on my face in the first 20 seconds of the test drive. Yesterday, I test drove the MX-5 RF in automatic (no manual on the lot), thinking I'd get another lukewarm reaction... and holy hell was I wrong. EVEN in the automatic it was so much fun. I'm getting one next year...in a manual.

Can I just order the GT headlights and Club suspension/diff from the dealership parts department, and put them on a Sport?

Great update! I liked your tips. Zoom, zoom!

I went with the Club trim since the GT trim doesn't make sense to me. They offer all the luxury feature in GT but no performance upgrade. Which is why I went with the Club. If you're gonna get an impractical roadster, then it would make more sense to get the upgraded performance version.

I have to agree with the tire choice. On my Versa it comes standard with them. They do very well with rain conditions.

Sigh, Great Falls sure is a lovely area to drive.

I have been waiting for this review. I've been like, where has his Miata gone? I have seen it on IG but not on YT.

HEY I just bought a 2017 Retractible hardtop GT model so thanks for the helpful review!

Hey I saw you at Daikaya Ramen in DC last year haha I made the same video about 1 year update on 2016 miata. Keep it up making good content!

good owner review , one of the best. Really can't wait to see the mod vids tho. My friend has one and said struts , and coilovers does even more wonders for the car. Could try it if you like.

And, FWIW, those performance bits can be added aftermarket more easily than the Luxury parts.

Thanks for this awesome video Sofyan 👍👍

I love your vids man keep up the great work

Just test drove one and absolutely loved it. It's exactly what i'm looking for over BMWs, Audi's, Porsche etc. I just can not for the life of me pick a colour. I was thinking ceramic but I don't know if it's a bit boring and trendy. I normally like the way white pops but i'm not quite sure it gives the mx-5 the edgy mean look it suits. It's a bit pretty and bland with so many white cars on the road. I do love a good pearl white though. It's safe. I do love how it looks in show rooms in machine grey but grey cars never really stand out on the road. I'm going to have a look at soul red and eternal blue today. I want something that really pops, stands out and shows the beautiful curves and shapes of the car.

I'm thinking about selling my 2009 Mk VI Golf GTI and getting an ND MX-5. So thanks for the insights into the Mazda as an everyday driver - since for me it would be my only car. I find it weird how Mazda has such crass differences in trim-levels/equipment in different markets. Over here (Germany) you get a choice of four trim-levels, the top two of which are only available with the 2.0l engine. Plus the 2.0l is available either with or without the recuperation system, so configuring this little car can be quite confusing.. ;) OTOH, Mazda Germany does let you spec the car to come with all the safety/luxury stuff *and* with the Bilstein shocks and Recaro seats. That's the version I'm currently looking at, since I figure the Recaros will be more comfortable on longer trips. Even though I love small, nimble cars, I'm still not *quite* convinced that it'll be a smart move to go from a Golf to the MX-5. I did try the car on for size at the dealership and it fits me perfectly. But I guess I'll have to wait for the test-drive next week for some more meaningful insights (I've never driven the ND). I'm especially curios to see how the Mazda feels in our current climate - it's been below freezing over here for two weeks now.

I got to test drive the RF Club recently and it was surprisingly cramped for even a 5'11" guy. I can't even imagine someone over 6'0" driving one of these...

I really appreciated this video! Thanks!