2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Car Review 

Keep your honest reviews going sir. Appreciate your critical reviews, nice car. This is a Drivers car, haters have no idea.

Need way more videos from you, you have such a great personality and your reviews are always enjoyable!

Great photography as always. The car's styling looks great too.

I've rented the MX-5 several times at a dealership during the summer. In terms of fun it leaves behind so many much higher priced cars, it's just unbelievable. Pure driving pleasure at a reasonable price - thank you so much, Mazda!

I cannot stop staring at this. Tempting me to trade in son and yellow lab in on one.

I agree with your take. The RF is a great design experiment. I like that it's a targa roof, but for me the full experience of an MX-5 is had with the soft top. It goes up and down in literally two seconds or less, you save the weight, costs less, and you get that full open air experience. When I buy one I'll be surprised if the RF takes my money.

How Tom keeps his hair stay the same despite having the Miata's top down, we'll never know.

I actually like this better than the soft top. Still an awesome car!! Soooooo fun to drive!!

Great review! Was wondering how good the auto is, I am an amputee, left leg above the knee. I can still drive manual, but it would be easier to get an auto. Thanks

Just bought a 2017 GS Sport Package with Recoro seats, Brembo and BBS wheels! Should be picking it up next week. I was going to buy a 2005 Honda S2000… then I drove it… it’s so anemic below VTech. This will be my 7th Miata MX5in 20 years! I even had a 2004 Mazdaspeed for a few years! Looking forward to the ND!

I have a base 2017 RF here in Australia. Came with cross traffic alert, traction control, reverse camera, cruise control etc. Can't believe how light the car is despite having so much kit. And yes, it's absolutely piss funny to drive.

Thanks for talking about the "cons" for the RF vs the rag top

Test drove one today and I can testify: AMAZING. One thing that surprised me, it was a pretty soft ride over potholes and city roads, and not so much lean in the sport trim. Where I found the top-down soft-top experience loud and kind of painful after a little highway time, the RF was mellow and even pleasant. Question for Tom: how come no manual steering in this? Would be even better in twisties, and lighter, no? This will be my next car I think, coming from an up-trim Golf, it was that good.

I noticed that your Miata doesn't have air conditioning. No a/c button on the fan dial. I had a 1996 with no a/c too. Good to know you like to keep it real. Respect.

Tom! When will you be reviewing the 2019 MX-5? Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the updates!

Saw another review with two guys. The one complains about the blindspot. The other challenges him and walks around the car. "Can you see me now?" as he walks around. Never does he not see him in some mirror or directly. Finally the other guy admits, no blindspot. I don't think this unique to the MX-5 though. People are always complaining about blindspots in cars when there are none IF you adjust your mirrors correctly.

Awesome review. There's nothing like driving a Miata.

Superb handling

Great video, cool seeing your old girl strutting her stuff.

One of my friend is a extreme Miata fanboy. He owns a 97 NA and a 16 ND, both are manual and have LSD

How about driving with side windows down? On the MR2 Spyder the air stream is channeled between the A-pillar and the mirror right into the left ear, making it unusable for driving with windows down at speeds faster than 25 mph. Also, I wish the stupid tablet - which does not even have Android Auto - was optional.

Tom - I had a 1992 NA, so I have this question for you about the soft top. On the warmest days in Seattle (which may not be too many), wouldn't you rather have the hardtop over your head? When I had mine, it was in the midwest with frequent 90+ degree temps and I'd bake in the soft top of my Miata. You say, "well, put the top down then!" Putting the top down on the hottest days would demand more frequent dermatologist exams. Just sayin'...if you lived in a climate with more extreme hot weather, your opinion might change about having the hardtop. As always, well done review.

love this car. hate the price. will get a used one in 3 years.

So when are you going to upgrade to the latest MX-5, so I can snag the '90 model off of ya, Tom?!

Looks amazing.

Love your work. Thanks.

I just picked mine up. I Luv it

great review

great review !!!!

Good looking car, I have to say

Great review as always, Tom! Which would you personally choose? the RF or ST?

Man, you don't drive your original much! The clean one I bought has 130,700 miles on it now. Its so much fun. I'm using it to try and talk my dad into an RF

After test driving manual transmissions in Mazda mx-5 club and touring, Porsche Cayman, Nissan 370Z, Toyota F86, Mustang V8, Camaro 4 turbo, Camaro V6, Camaro V8, Corvette, I purchased a 2017 Corvette. The Mazda mx-5 manual transmission is unreliable (go to Mazda website for TSB on mazda mx-5). I bought a red 2017 Corvette 1LT manual transmission with performance exhaust, black wheels, red calipers, red seats, carbon badge package.

Can you lower the roof witht he keyfob?

The profile is nice but I hate fake windows. The soft top for me.

I really wish mazda would turbo charge the mx-5s

I would repaint the targa bit black. In two-tone is just badass

I'm 6'3. Could I drive a Miata?

Makes me want to trade in my FRS but I need a trunk

I was lost at no spare tire !

nice car but not available in india love to have one everyone says its awesome ..........want to drive one........

Hard Top? Soft Top? I take either one.

ST or no T!

The whole "worried about thiefs slicing your top open?" thing is kinda redundant... If a thief really wants to get into your car there just gonna break the window lol....

I would get a soft top one if I buy another one. Currently own a 2015 hard top version.

Picked up my 2021 RF a week a ago. Best driver’s car I hv driven in my life but that blind spot. Urgh! Mazda cld hv done better.

I know that it's a sexy car (I have one) but does he really need to buy 30 toilet rolls?

Heh TV, do you use your Miata to go to your 2nd gig as a hairdresser? jk

Mazda is so annoying.They don't offer a tilt/telescoping steering wheel to "save weight" but they add a hard to roof. Nothing like adding 70lbs above a cars center of gravity. for $35k this car should have what every other car currently in production in the NA market has

I like your's better.

not without a snail, sorry.

Just not enough hp.

That Targa look sucks.

what ever you say my friend, but as for me, this is not "your miata" and yeah, this - one - is a "chick's car" nice percentage of which are true drivers! (60% manual: love it)