I don't get the hate about the roll, $400 for a set of stiffer anti roll bar, but you can't go softer. most customer will enjoy the roll under normal driving conditions, enthusiasts will mod the car anyway so it's a win win
+Luis Cerezo When he said "4.0L" in that microsecond before I realized it was a flub: My mind flashed a lifetime of driving a Miata with a 4.0L, it was glorious.
Quite impressed to hear clear voice while driving with top down, windows down. I bought a miata GT today, I drove it through the canyon behind my house. It took me a few runs through the canyons to get comfortable with the body roll. At first, I thought I may put some OHLIN coil over for this new Miata. But now, I starting to think this body roll could be a good fun. my other car in my garage is a GT3RS and I do enjoy driving this new Miata. Starting to like it more than my other NC Miata. Although the NC has better steering feel, a bit tighter feel than the ND. Thanks for your review. 👍🏻👍🏻🦅🇺🇸
Good review but you didn't mention the body roll was a deliberate design requisite ,although I agree if you are getting the sport it should be a ridged plank on the bends and be set up as such. for me the softer roadster ride adds to my driving experience but then I'm in the uk and our roads are some what different.
I talked to a Mazda engineer and he explained the ONE MAIN REASON why Mazda went for smaller/simpler/slower instead of larger/more powerful/faster. The is what he said: THE POLICE STATE AND SPEEDING TICKET QUOTAS. Yes, you heard me correct. He said that he has a lot of friends who are getting more and more speeding tickets these days then they used to, and that has taken all of the fun out of driving. So Mazda had to design a car that was fun to drive SLOWLY. So they did just that.
+Honesty Counts that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. So your telling me that because this car only has 155 hp you're going to be less likely to speed ? You're gonna get a ticket in this car if you're going 5 miles over the speed limit end of story. You don't need a shitload of horsepower to speed in this car
Thanks for the review. As an ND owner I n only agree about the body roll. It is the thing I dislike most about the car. It can be very unsettling on corners with opposite camber. I also agree about the light steering although around town this is nice, it's really only an issue at highway speeds. I disagree about the power though. I can overtake anything whenever I want. I ride bikes and can drive this just like my bike. It weighs so little the power to weight ratio is very healthy. I read that Mazda designed in the initial body roll and if someone could produce a kit to remove it I'd be very happy.
Nice to hear a guy 6'3" 220 can fit in these. I am 6'2" 220with an S2000. I'm ok too though I admit I often daydream about what it would be like to drive one at 5'6"...lol. These Miatas give me hope for the future since there are no longer S2k's being produced. I really like them! I wasn't too crazy about previous generations though to be fair I have never driven any of them. I imagine I would like the lighter weight feel of the Miata as one advantage over the S2k.
I've never been too much of a fan of the Miata, but this one made me rethink it. It looks great and reminds me a bit if the 4C. Regarding the body roll, most performance cars under $35k need a little improvement somewhere and that's where the aftermarket comes in. Same with all the pony cars, brz/frs Etc.
For the most part, I enjoy watching the reviews of autos as some of them are quite informative and entertaining; however, complaints about monitors and body roll for a car with this level of performance, and looks given the price are ridiculous.
+toshibavoodoo Two more important factors then price of the cam: - in front of the camera: is quality "glass" used as lens? - behind the camera: is quality "human" used as cameraman? Sure, he is in this case. :)
+James Gessner body roll was engineered into the chassis... its for feedback reasons and daily driveability. you honestly can "fix" it with some coilovers.. and if your serious about your Miata/MX-5 for autocross or track days.. you will have already have done that.
I'm surprised by its cost and about the fact that it's more expensive than the BRZ. Here in Mexico, it's about 18,742 USD (350,000 MXN), while the BRZ is 27,578 USD (515,000 MXN). Yay for cheap Miatas :D !
are you guys still going to release the camaro review video? Curious because i am the same build and wanted to know if you had visibility problems? Bless your sweat heart and skinny jeans
Still amazing though that with today's technology Mazda is able to squeeze in airbags, ABS, traction control, and all other safety features and not add much weight to the car.
anti-rollbars...but body roll is not always a bad thing , I think the miata was intended to have some body roll because the shift in the weight distribution helps the miata finding some grip...maybe, I'm no scientists or engineer haha!
Yeah that makes sense! Maybe also to compensate the electric steering. What feedback is missing from the wheel is made up through the chassis and body roll.
+Giulio Imparato You're correct, body roll isn't necessarily a bad thing with a low-mass car. The factory Miata suspension is tuned for the road, not the track, so as to give better traction on uneven surfaces, which is why it's such a good momentum car. Body roll can also be useful feedback for a new driver, as it communicates load transfer when going around a turn.
+Apothecarx Compoundrx It's more up to date, of course - Also, it doesn't need to be revved to death to make power. The S2000 is a great car, but this Miata is newer and nicer inside. I mean, either way, you're getting something fun.
I hope there's a metal top to buy instead of that fabric one. I really hate the look of a cloth top on any conertible, but a folding metal roof can be gorgeuos and cut down on wind noice when driving on the hiways. I personally have a hard time with convertible designs, it just doesn't look right to me but that's my opinion and don't crucify me for it :)
+TheBlizzbeast They just released a Fastback Targa version of it as the "2016 Mazda MX5 Miata RF(Retractable Fastback)" Basically a Miata with a Targa top They will start taking orders this fall so prepare your wallet!
just buy a turbo kit.... why tf would you spend so much on engine and labor when a turbo kit more than doubles the power and you keep the cars perfect balance. if you want to feel like you just got rear ended by bullet train just upgrade the engine internals and get bigger turbos...
I like to know how many bag this car have actually driven it! I drove it, and bought one. Picking it up in 4 days. 1) body roll issue - it’s only an issue if you make it an issue 2) not enough power? Rubbish. In these over sanitised, over policed roads, it’s ample - if you buy “X” car that is the fastest, “Y” car gets released and “X” car is out of date.. so what’s the point in going for the fastest?! In built obsolescence;) so you may as well buy the car that is bags of fun at the limit of our roads speed limits. 3) The car’s looks ... amazing. I don’t actually mind it looks like an F-Type, because I can’t afford one anyway😂 4) it’s real cheap to run - compared to say A WRX, it drinks less fuel, goes through less tyres, costs less to service 5) it’s built in Japan, so it’ll last. 6) if you disagree with me, I don’t actually care. I’ll be off driving in my MX5 with a smile on my face to give a toss😏😂
I love this car. I saw it on the road today in Houston. I'm going to wait two years, let somebody else pay the bulk of depreciation, then buy one from Car Max with an extended warranty. It's going to be this 2016 M-5, and I have the patience. The last two-door sports car I had was the 1990 Toyota MR2. I never liked the unisex look of most Mazdas, but I love this one. I'm so ready for a convertible again too. I want this to be a second fun car. Just a toy only for good weather driving. And it will be the standard and a convertible. Those are two criteria that are not up for discussion or negotiation. Colors and other details I can be flexible on. I never drove a 6 speed though. Had several 5-speeds in the past, as well as automatics. I don't understand a 6-speed standard. I guess I have to experience it.
I don't get the criticism of shifting gears. Shifting gears is what makes a manual transmission fun! There are some manual cars where you just stick it in 2nd and do nothing.. Boring!
To call a gerbil in a exercise wheel "king" is going a bit far. Certainly it beats anything in that genre of the past, beats the Triumph, beats the Fiat Spider, MG, etc. by a mile. A turbo could stop the excuse factory of "it is about the handling."
+Wavestrike Electronics I think that what he meant by "king" to mean "king of affordable driver's car." And I don't think that your description of the 2016 Miata is quite accurate, as the current Club edition is not only faster than the BRZ/FR-S, but it's also faster than the turbocharged Mazdaspeed Miatas from 2004-05. But ultimately this car is all about the driving experience, not necessarily the stopwatch.
gravitycavity Oh, I get it. I have a BMW Z4. The same driving goodness as a MX, though with 335 horsepower. You are free to write BMW and tell them they are messing up a great "driver's car" by putting way too much horsepower in. Nobody would listen to this nonsense!
I'm 6'3" as well (1.9m) and about 220 lbs (100 kg). I just bought a 2016 Club and was worried about my size. I have to put the seat all the way back but I fit fine. Wouldn't take it cross country, but I have no issues driving it around town and on the backroads for a sunday drive.
AGAIN. roadsters aren't designed for power, drop the top and head for the mountains. buy a pickup truck if you want 1000HP and ten trillion ft lbs of torque.
is not that man. 33k is alot of money. you can get a nice car for that money. wrx a mustang eco boost an older miata an build it to your liking. Or you can just way for the price to come down and buy it when it actually make sense. A miata is a big compromised. By tye way i like the new miata it looks great.
I owned an NC This ND is dull. The reviewer is right that the steering is light and awful. No feedback! Driving position is bad. You're too low in the car. its a creepy feeling. Mazda managed to make visibility in a convertible poor; even with the top down. You must have your right-foot very straight up in order to not trip yourself up when shifting (heel and toe is silly). Cannot get leather in the Club trim and Nav, you might as well get Nav with that stupid monitor there anyway, is hundreds of dollars. If the GT had a limited slip it might make sense to add better suspension components but GT cannot have limited slip added. Mazda F'd up this car.
from what i can tell, na and nb drivers like the nd, but nc drivers not so much. i think that was the point. being an na driver now, if i get an nd, i'd end up buying new suspension components and pulling the fuse for the power steering anyways and i think mazda already knew thats where it was going for a lot of people. maybe just stick with the nc until something more similar comes along, thats what i did.
depowering the steering rack is a common mod on na's, and its never been easier to do than with electric power steering. the folks at mazda arent living under rocks, they know what goes on in the community is all im saying. i just seems like they built the nd with na owners in mind
