2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review - Best Drivers Car Under $50K 

i am in love with the miata. the entire "i can have fun driving without burning fuel, spending as much as a small house and looking pretentious". it seems like the perfect car for someone like me.

As a daily driver: MX5s have steering problems when approaching the owner's work place. The wheels repeatedly avoid those parking lot aprons, causing many drivers to have to circle the city (to confuse the car) and then try again. Also, what you discovered with the washer fluid's delayed entry into your face was a result of the water tension factor, also known as WTF.

plus it actually looks nice.

It's cool how much weight they have saved while keeping the modern look.

I love your reviews. They are unique from the other review videos out there because you throw in that engineer's viewpoint. I love the facts and details that have me learning new things like talking about gear ratios or weight and balance. Your reviews teach me something I didnt already know:)

There is a reason why Miata has been named roadster of a year for at least 10 years in a row

I’ve had mine for 4 years, and it has been my daily drive. I absolutely love it. It’s so good, my son bought the same car.

Talking to your "twin" was great!

The last test was the most important. I am explainly satisfied.

Just now watching this and it's another great Miata video! Super informational and all the things you discuss about it's different approach totally make sense. Gah I really wanna drive one!

I just bought my kid a 2017 MX-5 for his 19th birthday. The car is waiting for him in a friends garaje, it is going to be a nice surprise!

I don't know why these cars get such a "girly" persona. Literally every reviewer I've seen that has gotten into a Miata has absolutely loved the experience.

Absolutely blown away by how your production value has shot up! Great review for the miata.

I REALLY want one as my next vehicle. Fuel economy of a mazda 3 combined with great overall performance.

Your review was spot on. I just drove a 2016 MX5 manual today and had the same driving impression. I've owned M3's and a C6 Corvette and the Miata was incredibly fun by comparison.

Your editing is getting better and it seems like you have yourself a small little route to do all your reviews in. You're now my favorite car reviewer on youtube! Also, how many hats can I fit in the trunk?

Just picked up a 2017 Soul Red Miata Grand Touring!

Excellent review, again! I too have test driven a 2016 MX5, and everything that was said in this video, I do agree with. However, I am only 5'10" tall. My knees do not make contact with the steering wheel. I love the old MX5s, each and every year, but this new 2016 is definitely the best of them all!

I remember the first time I drove a Miata. Realizing how fun something can be in an inexpensive package.

This is my dream car as well. I own a 2014 Mazda6 GT and its so responsive it feels like an extension of myself, its not the fast car but the torque is always available with the aggressive gearing i love it. I can't wait til i can get my own Miata, i hope combustion engine never go away it will be the day the true drivers car dies.

I don't have a miata...I have a2012 Mazda 2 (Demio) but I really understand what he claims... I'm an an engineer and I am really amazed with Mazda cars: they are not the best cars in absolute terms maybe, but of you look at these cars from an engineering point of view you will notice how the come up with many trade offs giving you a reliable, fun to drive, efficient (!) well thought and practical end even well made car ( specially speaking about new mazda 2 ,3 6 and so on). Well done Mazda!

loving the way the channel and your presentation style is evolving! keep up the great content!

I love how everyone smiles and laughs when driving this true sports car. Says it all.

I think it's amazing that 25 years later Mazda has not lost the spirit of the original Miata and made it a bloated "sports car". I love the styling of this car, and though I haven't been able to drive one yet, this seems to be a phenomenal car. I would really love to pick one up as a second "fun" weekend car when the time comes that I can afford it. Mazda in general has been putting out some fantastic cars lately. Also Jason, I'm liking the new structure/editing you're doing with the videos, it makes it more interesting and looks more polished/professional. Nice work!

You just can't drive a Miata without smiling!!

Great job regarding a great car. My problem, with my bad back, once i'd get in I may never be able to get out. I guess that's not all bad.

I love my 2017 GT with club modification. This was going to be my weekend car, but is so much fun it’s turned into my daily!

+engineering explained you are the only american youtuber, whose videos I like. saying that, i am rally considering buying this car after your video!!

Look at him. Being in love and everything. xD

I also tested to drive Mazda MX-5. It's not high power car. But very fun to drive. I want one as second car.

i agree with you, nothing will ever beat a small and light fr sports car!

Your analogy about the cheap wine and chemical reaction is exactly right. I had a S2000 and a Corvette. The S2000 was less than half the price and for me was more fun to drive. The corvette was all powerful and sounded great but it was overkill. My next weekend car will be the 2017 MX5-RF.

Great review! Very unbiased and detailed. Keep up the good work.

I also love the weight reduction philosophy for fun driving cars. Personally, I'd love to see something like the Ariel Nomad put into production at an affordable price with a daily commute / weekend off road warrior design. Maybe you could get your hands on one of those to test? :)

I purchased an arctic white model 2 months ago. I love it. You can drive the speed limit and still have fun.

Just picked up a 2016 Miata GT. So far it's been a fun commute to work!

No telescoping wheel is unheard of today. That could be a deal killer for people who need it to fit. I'm surprised they left that out.

Do a video on the 2019 Miata with the higher redline and HP!

You made me consider about this car, I love it without testing it! Every review in youtube talks about how fun this car! Soon will check on it

Man, I love Miatas! I drive a 1995 Miata and I want this car so bad!!

1. Where I live it rains consistently nine months out of the year. 2. It'd be a daily but I have no significant other, kids or the like. 3. The most this thing would need to haul would be the occasional Costco load; but I only buy for myself so it's fairly light. 4. I live in a secluded, hilly area, twisty roads and undulating road surfaces (kinda like they just paved right over mother nature). I'm torn between this and the BRZ. I've dealt with Subaru before; amazing customer service, attentive staff at the dealership without being pushy, and they display a willingness to WANT to work with you. I don't know about Mazda; I've heard good things but have no first hand experience. What should I do guys?

Can't wait till turbos come out for this ND Miata.

Very enjoyable review, articulate and not too technical, you focused on the driving experience ,which I liked, and delivered with such enthusiasm, which I completely share about this amazing exciting, beautiful car .

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." Colin Chapman (Lotus)

this was great lol. I liked the doppelganger part👍🚘

Is this more fun to drive than the s2000? I'm really intrigued. Those are the two cars I would consider getting next.

My C3 Corvette had those hammock seats, very comfortable. Man, you are making me want one of these.

It's crazy. Both you and 2theredline do such an amazing job at reviewing cars compared to official sites like Edmunds or KBB. Like, I don't click on a car review to hear a voiceover of some guy reading stupid facts off a window sticker with some exterior car shots spliced in the background. When I watch a car review, I want to see somebody IN the driver's seat, taking it out on the road and discussing their thoughts and impressions on the vehicle. I want to hear about the steering feel/responsiveness, the feedback from the road, the responsiveness from the pedals, and just overall how the car performs and responds in everyday driving situations, not to hear about things I could find out from a quick Google search. I look forward to watching your reviews as I always feel like an expert on the car after I've finished watching it. Keep up the great work.

I completely agree this is the *second* best driver's car under $50K, just below the S2000 ;-)

Make an explanation vid on SLIPSTREAMS/ovetakes please (in Formula 1...). Awesome vid as always.

This video ages like a $10 wine. Always great

I had a chance to drive one of these at launch and was very impressed with the fun to drive factor. Awesome car!

WEIGHT REDUCTION BRO TRACK DAY BRO POUNDS OFF BRO ALUMINUM FIBER BRO

i want the 1.5 liter in the us

I learned how to drive a manual on a 98 Miata. Super fun cars.

I have never seen him this happy on his other videos.

It’s sad that some people sees these cars as a lady car. The same story goes to the old porsche boxsters. Both are such great cars, light and well balanced.

Wish they made a coupe

I've watched tons of the new Mazda videos but yours was the best. Thank you!!! I have finally made my mind up and this is the one!!!

I'll admit, you're getting better at this whole review business.

Eh. 2-3 years ago people said the same thing about how game-changing the BRZ/FRS was. While it certainly lived up to that, today they're a dime a dozen on craigslist and everybody has moved on. And now a new miata with even less utility? If you're watching this and seriously consider one, wait 2 years for hype to die and buy a used one from somebody who already ate the massive depreciation (it will also be low mileage because s/he couldn't even drive it to the grocery store).

44 mpg? So this is more economical than the corolla. :)

I would maintain that this is one of the most fun cars to drive above 50K too! Great video -- thanks!

I love how precise and technical you are with you specs and information. Even though I may hate to hear some of it (for instance, the 2015 sit drawback vid). However, I am a very factual person, and I want to know the exact numbers and you provide them in a very informative and educated manner. Keep it up my friend. Great vids.

0:56-1:23 HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!

What's a good used alternative for someone on a budget?

I traded in my 16 Camaro SS for 17 Miata Club. Can't be more happier!

The most informative video on the Miata I've come across. I do own one and it's nice to hear and see what you have to say about it. Well done guys.

More fun than a Fiesta?

uh ho uh ho ooo god

owning this and a FiST are essentially the best possible driving experiences from two mindsets for under 50k combined.

I absolutely miss my 99 Miata! Your review is awesome!

Overpriced

Fantastic review and amazing car! I'm very happy with my new Mazda 3 too, they're doing a good job.

My first car ever was a hand me down Miata. It wasn't fast but it felt fast because of its light weight. I fell in love with it. I really like the new model. I want to get one.

I have a 99 Nb and I must say the seats are AMAZING!! If I could put those seats in every car I own (I have 6) I would!! They ROCK!!

I loved my old NA miata, I'd really like to drive one of these ND models. Great review!

Jason, as usual I really appreciate your videos here. Thanks for posting.

my best friends father has a 2017 mx5 and a 2016 audi tts. in summer he drives the mx5 almost all the time, though his audi way more powerful, luxurious, has the harman kardon audio system, dual clutch transmission and all that stuff. he enjoys the miata a lot more even though it was 30.000€ cheaper than the audi.

My '16 Sport is trapped in the garage, snow stops it from getting to the street. A great car, I so look forward to Spring in NH!

thank you for bringing back the old style with a twist

Really like the shots and the conversations with yourself, very funny / cool concept

I really enjoyed your review. I purchased a mx5 just like the one you used for your reviews. And love it!

Looks like you had fun Driving the Miata MX-5 ! Thanks for the review. Joe

ive driven many, many cars in my life (yes yes including ferraris, Lotus, GTRs, M3/M4s etc)...and the Little MX5 is still my favorite..specially this new one...and ive only had it for about an hour from a Mazda dealer...love it

I so want one of these! It's the Spitfire Triumph wish they'd built; I think that's the comparison which should be made.

My personal experience with an NA was that it was extremely durable, too. Rotors and a clutch were the only major repairs in 140K miles. I got an ND and I expect the same.

i miss my 1990 miata now sitting at home while im off at college

I love the Miata's "laughing" grill.

Your personal style of tech info and real-world commentary is helping me to decide between a Fiesta ST3 and - perhaps surprisingly - the 1:5Lt, Sport, MX5. Not only does it weigh in at a mere 970ish Kg but here in the UK petrol is rippoffingly expensive, 60+% tax and the ST3 can be a bit thirsty if driven with some gusto, "35 mpg" imperial. Also, it's seat's can feel "over bolstered" to some. What a happy purchasing predicament.

Totally agree with you! I have a new Bullitt Mustang and a 2008 Miata PRHT. Guess which one is more fun to drive? That’s right... the Miata. It was $10k. The Mustang Bullitt was about $50k. Money spent was not related to the fun factor here. The Miata is addictive. It’s my daily driver and the Bullitt has become more of a garage Queen!

Really love youre channel the way you explain stuff is well thought out even though im not a engineer i can understand as a technician.

Love this car. Great review. Really hope more sports cars cut weight like this although Mazda over engineered this car which is why i love them. They have a torque tube on the drivetrain and forged aluminum on all the suspension. Just amazing and deserves praise. Wish they would build a rwd sedan as i need a back seat.

I once drove a Mazdaspeed miata, the only factory turbo of the Miatas. By far the greatest car I ever drove. It's a shame they're so rare but unbelievably good.

Nice to see how you improve from review to review, im starting to really like your reviews, big thumbs up :)

i fell in love driving this miata at work

Great video, Jason! I've been a long time subscriber on your channel and I really mean it when I say that your enthusiasm for this car made for a great video. Keep up the great work!

Most of your commentary could have applied to every generation of the Miata thus far. They have always been about the enjoyment of driving and with a fairly compliant suspension that results in fairly high handling, but not ridiculous handling limits and more sensory experience from ease of driving than raw horsepower. 0 - 60 in 7 seconds for the NC, or mid-6 seconds for the ND is more than capable enough for a street car. With that said, the good news about any generation Miata is that there is a robust enthusiast marketplace where stiffer suspensions are only a $1,500 coilover kit away, or $4,000 for a fully sorted turbocharger/supercharger install to get acceleration on par with some very expensive machinery. thanks for the video, glad you liked the car. I've been a fan for years, though the NC I currently have isn't anywhere near worth replacing for the ND... maybe when the ND2 comes out, invariably first gen Miatas have a few teething problems that get sorted out pretty quickly.

This is probably your best video yet. Keep up the good work. :)

I sold myself on getting a 2016 Camaro then I see videos like this and keep going back to the Miata! Why can't I choose!