@@Jesusprayerwarriorbw It is weird to see how many cars have no hight adjustment especially cars that are more typical women cars are set for the standard 5,7" male and can't be changed.
You're an MVP, doing this to your own video. Cheers from Canada, your first cousins in the north. I have the same opinion of this car, wish i loved it but alas.
Bought one two weeks ago. BIG shout out to its bluetooth system. When you're on a phone call, the call audio comes out from behind the driver's head making it incredibly easy to hear a conversation going 70mph with the top down on the highway. Each person I talked to couldn't believe I was driving a convertible down the highway because the microphone quality on this MX-5 was so awesome!
Some of the smaller issues mentioned can be solved by purchasing a trim level above. The seats get an upgrade, sound system packs more punch as well and you get parking sensors. But basically it's good to see someone reviewing this car in a more "sane" version as the MX5 is all about thrills per buck. Usually reviewers get the biggest spec there is to review which might not be that entirely realistic with what buyers often are purchasing. Though I got to admit, I have a full option ND1.
CarExpert I’m sorry but that is not an excuse, and the issue is more important than the op makes it out to be: it basically makes your review useless. You say things with certain authority which are clearly false, and pertain only to the trim level you are reviewing (the keyless entry bit being a case in point). It’s not at all good to see this review, as it paints a bad picture, making the review not only useless in that regard, but actually counterproductive. Thankfully, it can easily be fixed by putting some titles over the video to clarify the point.
😅 It’s a review of the base model. That’s the point of a review, so you know what you don’t get and so you can make an informed decision on what to buy.
CarExpert oh please. You don’t point out it’s the base model: you just pronounce inaccuracies as if they are truths. I’m not one of your fanboys, so i can see what happened. Unless fixed, this is nothing like an “honest” review. Ridiculous.
“Oh the key doesn’t work as a proximity sensor to enter the car...” uhm, except it does. Just your trim level doesn’t have the option. Entirely different!
Paul and Igor and team, you guys are killing it! You're very quickly climbing to be one of the best and most enjoyable auto journalism sources in Australia. Keep it up!
The Mazda MX-5 range kicks off from AUD$35,890 (US$25,000) plus on-road costs for the entry-level MX-5 manual. The range caps out at AUD$49,900 (US$33,500) plus on-roads for the top-specification MX-5 RF GT with an automatic gearbox. This car on the other hand, the MX-5 RF kicks off from AUD$41,200 (US$28,300) plus on-roads and comes standard with a 2.0-litre engine and six-speed manual transmission. Buyers can pick from six colours with all but Machine Grey and Soul Red costing an additional AUD$495 (US$340).
Great review Paul and team. I enjoyed a test drive in this very car (ECA 851) a couple of weeks ago. So impressed that I’ve offloaded my 550 hp HSV and ordered an RF GT. It might take a while to get here, but so be it. I totally get the MX 5 philosophy. What an engaging drive this thing really is. Anyone who still thinks these cars are underpowered really doesn’t understand why this car exists.
I drove the soft top and the hard top version and ended up buying the soft top. Hard top has very limited over the shoulder vision and as far as the non electric top function, it is about 3 seconds to fully open or close the top manually with ergonomically placed latches and handles that make it quite simple and convenient. He mentions the wait time and "don't try this at a traffic light" but I like that if it starts to rain, I can generally have the top up practically before the second raindrop hits. My 2021 replaces my VERY well driven 1999 and I couldn't be happier!
I'm biased, since I've owned my MX-5 since 1994. I bought it new, and drove it last night. I've driven every generation at least once, and the latest is by far the best. Handling, power delivery, interior quality have all been brought to the top of the scale with the newest car. At the same time, Mazda haven't abandoned the formula in pursuit of unnecessary creature comforts, larger size or huge amounts of power. It was a sublime design the day it came on the market in 1989, and it's only better in every way in the newest iteration. Driving my car back-to-back with the new one really reveals the progress, although I still am happy to own my car because it amounts to 85% of the new car -- and the core values are still intact. This bodes very well for the expected service longevity any owner of the new car can expect. Well done with the review!
@@CarExpertAus the only disagreement I had with you on your video was the roof. While I like the concept of the RF retractable roof, I've found the manual roof a no-brainer to use over all these years. It's literally a one-hand-at-the-stoplight deal, and I think the look of the car suffers a bit with all that extra tin and superstructure of the RF. As for upgrades, are you asking if I'd upgrade to the new car, over my 1993? Personally at this point, no, since I've done some mild mods to my '93 (Flyin' Miata suspension being the biggest one) and I've spent hundreds of hours just keeping the car clean and in top shape. The new car would be wonderful, but probably not enough of a step up from the '93 for me. But I'm also a bit attached emotionally -- it was the first thing my wife and I purchased together all those years ago, and we even drove it from our wedding reception. 26 years and five kids later, somehow we still own it, and it's better than ever! But if I didn't own the '93, I'd seriously consider a new MX-5 -- it's a completely better car in every regard. Maybe I need to own both, eh?
Seriously, right? Wonderful cars. I don't think it's hyperbole to say they're among the most successful designs in history, all things considered. They just hit all the right notes, and smacked all their design goals out of the park. I still enjoy driving mine immensely.
I have an NB1. The steering is a major plus, it is the best steering I have had in 56 years of driving. Your left elbow issue on turning left ? .... it is your steering technique, don't blame the internal design. I have no problem. Try the push/pull technique of steering ... it gives you much better control because your hands remain close to the horizontal instead of rotating around all over the place.
CarExpert I thought it was cool until I realized it was completely pointless. Everyone knows what hard feels like and nobody has a reference to your scale.
@@rocketkinger2506 Not quite! Hard and soft are at two extreme ends of the scale. Before long we'll have a table that allows you to reference one car against another. It's a handy tool to have and it calls out cheap interiors.
I have a 2017 MX5 RF GT with exclusive package. It is the most fun to drive. Exceptional manual gear box, very well balanced ride - amazing how such a light and sporty car can handle so well as well as not crash over bumps. Truly a masterpiece from the engineers at Mazda
@@CarExpertAus Malaysia. The 2020 mx5 is priced at RM 260,000, which is roughly 60,000 USD. Insane 200-300% taxes apply to all import cars. Really a sad country to live in for a car enthusiast.
Is that including "sales tax" though? They are about £24k+ in the UK and that includes VAT. You can usually haggle them down a bit too. As we drive on the left they are a straight import from Japan though, which probably keeps costs down.
Ive had my RF GT for just over 3 years now and its a great car. Personally would love a bit more power between the first and second gears but otherwise its super fun to drive. My reverse camera is better than most cars i see at this price range so not sure why you didn't like it so much. Otherwise great review and video. Look forward to seeing more
Thanks! The issue I had with the camera was when reversing at night time. The non-GT model doesn't have parking sensors, so it made it a bit tricky to park if you couldn't see through it.
I picked up a soft top Club model (not sure if the models in Australia match up with the ones here in the U.S.), and I'm loving it. Such a great driving car, and I'm really enjoying the whole top-down experience (this is my first convertible).
@@waynesimpson2074 You're half right... it's driver side only on the RF... or maybe passenger side only... but I do 100% know it's there on one side only.
Hi Paul - when you drive an MX5 is when you understand what it is all about. It is a great little car and provides one of the purest driving experiences available today. Caterham and Lotus would be the others in this league - however they are much more hard core and also they cost a lot more. If you dont want the compromises of the 'hard core' then the MX5 is the best 'all round' option that you can have as your daily drive as well as enjoy the purity of driving experience.
Sorry but your comment in the last section about roll is not correct. I know it is intuitive to think like that but less body roll does not mean more load on the inside tires. The reason why less body roll is desired is kinematics.
I don’t think I said that. I said the more body roll you have, the more weight that is transferred to the side of the car it’s rolling towards. That results in less friction on the unloaded side, which results in less traction.
@@CarExpertAus I think I said the same think but from other side. Anyhow, more body roll does not mean more weight is transferred. It only means the vehicle has less roll stiffness. On the contrary, if you use stiff anti-roll bars to reduce roll, you eventually remove weight from the inside tire during roll which will reduce the friction. It's a bit complicated but trust me, I am a vehicle dynamics engineer :) thanks for the review
I'm considering one. Whereas I do prefer the manual operation of the roof (It's a lot more engaging and quicker), I'd probably buy the RF as it'll be parked outside and used in winter, neither are things that soft tops really like.
Close mate had the NB MX-5, and I get it. Also good to see you feeling Mazda's "Jinba Ittai" in the steering, and very glad to hear that the manual is still excellent. He'd skipped the NC, and when the ND was launched, umm'd and aah'd between it and the Fiat 124 Spider. Issue being that the ND launched with just the smaller engine, and you had to go with the Italian to get the extra power - the lack of power being an issue you also mentioned. I'd go the soft-top (for less weight), in red with tan leather, with the 2.0L petrol engine thanks. Nice work on the sly joke with the roof too Paul.
I’ve had the first generation, 2 of the 3rd generation and I have the 4th generation. The MX5 is my jam!! I am not a fan of the RF but if I lived up north I would consider the RF. The reason why I love the MX5 soft top for the experience of nothing there to block my view. In my opinion the RF is not a true convertible.
RF indeed blocks you view, detracts from the "open air" immersion, adds complexity/weight/cost. They are not as quiet as the soft top with the roof down (turbulence). Security may be the only reason to buy the RF, if you park on the street overnight. A lot of "mature" people own MX-5's, and they may not have the manual dexterity required to raise/lower the soft top (from a seated position). Fun, comfortable and sporty car in which EVERY drive feels special.
Hence the term, "retractable fastback." =) It's like the T-Tops on a Trans Am or the removable (but somewhat clumsy) top on a 914 Porsche. Anyhoo, I LOVE the shape of the RF, mine is a daily driver in the southern US so the "top" is up most muggy afternoons. Cheers!
@@ElroyMcDuff I still think the NC hard top is the way to go if you need the hard top. Anyone can drop the top from the seated position, the worse is you have to pull over to put the top up.
Just found your channel guys, good job and nice content....hope you making more interesting reviews and bring us more scent of new models. Greetings from Greece!
Soft dashboard tops are more likely to disintegrate over time due to the heat they have to bear. You may not remember but I remember the cars of the 1970s. Sure materials are better, but sun beats dash top, always. A hard surface may well be much more durable.
My NC PRHT model looks like the Lotus Elan ought to have looked, and when I put the roof down it looks just like a sports car should, NO roof, but I don't have the inconvenience of the soft-top. I also have full leather seats, BOSE sound, and a GLOVEBOX!
As a "car" the NC hard top is the best of the lot, as a Miata...... well not so much. The NC is the one I would get as an auto for committing in heavy rush hour traffic. I am not a fan of the targa top Miatas as you do not get the top down visibility. They are NOT LONGER A CONVERTIBLE.
I cant believe how expensive the Mx5 is in most of the countries. I bought mine for US$ 16,000 in 2017 (2.0 Sport trim). I love it but theres no way id pay more for it...
In my opinion the most suitable trackday car is an mx-5, if you are wondering let me explain. When all other cars rely on engine power, the mx-5 only relies on its road holding
Love how you just flick that antenna LOL. Why do they have an antenna design from over 10 years ago. I am ok with the design in general except I think the spacing of the tail lights could have been wider and push it out a bit more cause the current looks is disproportionate. Also had Mazda also offer a higher powered engine it would certainly have been a little pocket rocket.
😅 I’d say it’s just a platform thing. The in glass antennas wouldn’t work on the soft top so it’s easier to just use the one aerial design for both variants.
@Ryuichi Tanaka Yes, but this is why Euro cars are always just that slightly more desirable because they will always make a more power variant of an already good platform, you get the choice.
Almost everyone replaces the antenna with a stubby version. They cost about US$20 and are a screw in replacement that takes about 30 seconds to change.. Maybe the OEM one is better if you live in the middle of nowhere.
Well done Paul another great great Video. I like cars with the diff. In the rear it does look 👀 good, it looks like a Toyota 86 . 5 years warranty & the RF anytime for me . Mazda have a very good engine. My son got an old model ( m.X 5 ) he loves 🤍it a soft top 🤍 white in great condition. 🏁.
Nice video, you might want to revisit the current 2021 model, it could solve a lot of your criticisms about it lacking standard features in the car your drove...now has Bose speakers in the headrests, parking sensors and more.
I did a test drive today and I'm 1m87, I barely use two hands on the steering wheel while driving so turning didn't annoy me at all but indeed the center console could be just a tad bit lower. I think I have about 4 cm distance from the roof so it did feel a bit claustrophobic. I just did a 30 min test drive with the dealer sitting next to me, think I need to try it alone for a full hour to see if I'm really sold on it or not.
I have a MY2017 one for 2.5 years now, got a decent leasing rate at the time from Mazda so basically a new car at the time which sat in stock for a while. It's the 1.5L version in GT-M spec, which is adequate enough for the flat country I live in (Netherlands). I'm 1.92m and just fits, however if you're a very large person or someone with very long legs it'll be challenging. Due to it being a lease I really can't fiddle a lot with it, and I agree with the bodyroll - if it were my own I'd address it by adjusting dampers / springs. Other annoyings things are fixed by model year updates (steering wheel only adjusts vertical in mine, and the doors hinge 2 times instead of 3 now). I still got PDC at the rear instead of a camera but that is totally fine. BOSE audio system is fun with the speakers in the headrests, a nice gimmick. The hard thing will be to find a car that gives as much driving pleasure for the same price, there is really not much that comes close. Where I live cars like the Renault Megane RS or VW Golf GTI are a lot more expensive, and smaller cars like a Polo GTI or a Mini Cooper don't come close to the very good seating position you find in the Miata. If anyone has a suggestion I'd love to know :P
The Mazda engine will last a lot longer than the GT86 boxer engine. Also the Mazda is a new modern design. The GT86 is quite an old design now, with a few small updates,
nice review. First review where I can actually see that blue color. With the black roof and the sportier apparence packages it would look even better I suppose. thanks 👍🏼
Switched out of Saab cabriolets after 20 years and went to buy an MX-5. Unfortunately I took my wife car shopping with me and we ended up with the wrong 5 - a CX-5. Now I just have to wait until the 3-5 years is up and I’m straight back to get my convertible fix. Problem is I cant find a dealer with a demo!!
As someone who remembers hard steel dashboards I appreciate the hardness test. Mazda could do a lot to improve the softness of their dashboards. This is in so many ways a good car but the interior is a bit cheap looking. Lack of interior colour and detail is notable and unattractive. Many other makes and models also have less than special interiors.
Wow, such an easy review. I tried to watch others and they are a bit ovwrwhelming, this one is simple yet comprehensive. Most just talk about performance and barely look at gbe rest
I really like the Porsche Boxster but I love the Miata! Why? Because it’s as much fun or more and it’s so affordable!!! The Boxster is twice or three times the price, depending on trim and engine choice. When you consider the maintenance, repair costs and insurance you have a truly expensive proposition. Meanwhile the Miata especially used without a warranties practically free in comparison! It’s an incredible bargain and more bang for your hard earned bucks.
@CarExpert I guess the interior plastics are hard because its just about the cheapest hard top convertable worth buying (if you can fit in it) and the engineers expect the interior to get rained on at some point in time?
