I've had an RF club for almost 2 years. It's an absolute blast. It still makes me laugh almost every time I drive it. If your life doesn't necessitate more than 2 seats, it makes a phenomenal daily driver, especially in tight city streets. Only note of caution is that you have to drive them like motorcycles. That is, the car is so small compared to modern trucks and suvs that you have to assume no one sees you and be ready to react accordingly
Absolutely must drive a MX5 like it is a motorcycle. Mine was destroyed in a crash when a driver on her phone ran a double stop sign, clear day, completely open intersection, she never stopped claiming she did not see me. Duh, did you not see the stop signs! But, unlike a motorcycle, the MX5 has front and side airbags and they work very well as does the active seat belt tensioner. At near 60MPH into the side of an SUV, the little MX5 held up well. But I would not recommend crashing for fun as it is scary with your nose inches from a substantial obstacle. I have a new MX5 on order. Yes, assume you are invisible. It is not just the cell phones, people have just become so course and aggressive, it is sad.
@@t.k.morris I bought the ST this go around in part due to less dollars and it is much quieter top down and much more open feeling than the RF. I would say if you drive the car as a DD and live in a harsh climate, get the RF, if the Miata is a second car for pretty days and some sporting about on the track then get the ST. Frankly I would rather a hatch back coupe/fastback with a targa removable top over either.
@Tony some ahole pulled out in front of the miata on the highway and totaled it. I got a GR86 to replace it. The miata is more fun to drive, and I'll probably get another nd2rf at some point. I'm more of a coupe guy than a convertible guy, I left the roof up in the RF on all but the nicest days. If you're more into top less driving, save yourself some cash and get the ragtop
Just got confirmation from my local Mazda dealer that they found this very same car for me in red. Fingers crossed, I should have it in a week. Very excited!!
@@OVERLORDCLOWN Yes, very much. Let’s face it, it’s a toy. So far I’ve put in a Borla Racing axle back exhaust, Moss Cold Air Intake and new grill with fog lights. Yes, I’m enjoying it very much.
I purchased a 2022 soft top grand touring 6 spd with the optional terra cotta interior. Fantastic! I reluctantly sold my 16 year old RX8 6 spd and Mazda does know how to build great manual transmissions. Why did I buy the soft top? 1. Better visibility when top is down. 2. Gives you a true convertible experience. 3. Less wind buffeting when top down than RF. 4. And, less expensive and less weight.
@@93455Driver I have the sport trim and you don’t need it for street driving. I’m starting to autocross now though and considering getting one installed.
I just bought a used soul red 2018 rf about a month ago. W a 12km mileage, it looks n smells like a new one! Looking 4ward to enjoy driving this toy on weekends :). Oh yes, she gets admiring looks fr my co-senior buddies 😊
The RF is the better option. Soft tops can leak, get ripped and you get mildew smells from the outside. It might have a bit better field of vision. However, the appearance and physical placement and rear window with the RF is much better.
Great review, thanks! I also own a 2022 GT soft-top, with a 6sp manual. Every day is an adventure driving it. So much much fun, and so rewarding to drive. I test drove the RF and soft-top back to back before buying. I found the RF to actually be noisier to drive, with lots of turbulence around the side buttresses. Rearward 3/4 vision is also compromised with those buttresses. The soft top was actually better to drive with the roof off, you can have a conversation at 60mph/100kmh without raising your voice and there is very little turbulence in the cabin. Soft top takes a few seconds to raise or lower. I live in Australia, and we have very mild winters, so I don 't need the extra perceived security of a hard top. The trunk is small, but it can hold two carry-on bags plus a few smaller backpacks. My wife and I went on a 5 week road trip, and if you use soft luggage as opposed to a hard shell suitcase you'll be fine. The trunk has a small opening, but it is deep and wide. Never been an issue in the last 6 months of ownership. My car is snowflake white, keen to get away from the default Soul Red, which is just so common on any Mazda. Finally, yes the touch-screen info system is laggy, it's the original 2016 system that has not been updated, but with wireless Car Play it's fine. Reverse camera is also low-res, but in a tiny car, with the roof off it's not a problem.
@@t.k.morris The fabric is a highly durable thick UV resistant canvas with a waterproof rubber lining. It should easily last a long time. A friend has a 2010 Miata , and the roof is great. You can buy products to protect it, but luckily mine is parked undercover. You can also buy a full Miata car cover if the car is outside. Should you ever need to replace it you can go to a motor trimmer who will make one for you, or it’s available as a spare part if you have a recent model. Not something you should be concerned about, the roof will last many years.
A nice review of the RF version. I bought the 2016 MX-5 Club soft top with the Brembo / BBS package back in the 1st week of March 2017. I never had the chance to try the RF as they were just arriving at that time & were already sold off the transport truck. Besides the weight penalty the cost was also $4000 to $5000 more than a soft top. Even with the 155 hp ND1 engine its very quick with a flat torque curve thru all the gears. The best thing is its ability to corner because of the light weight. 2320 pounds for this Club model soft top. 2nd best thing is how easy it is to work on & do regular maintenance. Living in the 4 seasons so right now the winter tires are on & what I feel in winter more is the 50 / 50 weight balance the car has which is really felt when the traction is comprised by snow or ice. A really great car if you can get by with just 2 seats & a small trunk. I have been able to make it work as my daily drive for over 5 years. Hard to beat this car for the fun factor it provides.
I got this same exact 2021 ND2 Grand Touring 6MT in red last year and I compare driving this car like driving a go-kart. Its so small, low to the ground, and can handle corners like you wouldn't believe. But I also want to mention that this car actually makes a great daily driver too! The suspension isn't as stiff as most people think for a car in this class, its enjoyable to drive on a regular basis instead of just a "weekend car". I find myself driving all backroads to and from work, it is so much more enjoyable than taking the freeway. This car is also a mechanic's dream; sure it's a bit cramped in a few spots, but Mazda engineered this car to be EXTREMELY easy to work on. Just wanted to throw out this added bonus for those who like to do their own oil changes, brake swaps, or tuning with aftermarket parts... and there's a massive aftermarket out there!
I have a ‘21 RF Club with the BBS, Brembo and Recaro package. I have owned 6 Miatas (and 4 Honda S2000s, a 300ZX, Corvette and Supra) and this one is my favorite sports car by quite a wide margin. This is my 4th ND. Pure driving enjoyment! Good….no…”fantastic” review!
As an old MGB owner, back in the '60's, I have to have a ragtop. I am on my 4th MX-5, a 2023 MX-5 GT and love it, can't stay out of it. I'm 6'1" and 78 years old. This is my toy and driving has always been a lifetime enjoyment for me. The reflexes are shot, but who the hell cares? I sure don't. I've had the new MX-5 since the beginning of May and have chalked up a little over 6K miles so far, had a Goodwin Roadstersport Race muffler installed also. Sounds similar to an early '60's Austin Healey. My 1st two cars were MGB's, a '64 and a '66, then I received my draft notice, that put an end to all that shit, up until August of 2015 when I bought a 2016 MX-5. I've been driving myself crazy ever since.
I know every boy racer out there lusts after the Club, but the GT is the trim to get, in my opinion. You get the LSD, Bilstein dampers and strut tower brace from the Club, but with a few desirable creature comforts that make it a more functional sports car...the best of both worlds. I'm planning to purchase a ND2 in 2025 and I hope Mazda decided to release a special edition for the final ND2 model year. I am very curious about the upcoming NE platform, which will likely have a 48-volt mild hybrid system, but I'm concerned about weight gain. In any case, I'm in love with this ND2. It's the best low cost sports car you can buy, period, and it will last forever if properly maintained. You can't go wrong, really.
The only change i've made on my mx5 rf gt is replace those awful brigestone POTENZA tires.honestly these tires are sooo loud i could'nt hear myself think, & foreget about listening to that sweat lil engine.i know it might be called wasteful to buy michlen S5's on a car with less 500 mi but it is the best purchase i've made since buying in jan.
A beautiful car with a colour that just nails the overall impact of the drive and the visual effect . It is quite a diminutive car though at 5'9" it would not bother me too much within . Very good and honest review . Unfortunately in Europe these are more expensive than in the US (40,000€) .
Prices sure have fluctuated since the ND first appeared on the scene. However, if you watch the market I am sure you'll be able to find a good one for the right money!
i have a 2023 mazda miata RF grand touring in black. older men tend to admire it. do they wish they had one or do they have families and need a bigger car?
After 5 months of waiting because of the supply chain issues I’m getting mine in white pearl next week, bad thing is that here in Mexico it’s only sold in automatic! transmission if you get the rf
What is thinking from Mazda that owners who would want a Rf would also want a auto . I have never even seen a rf with a auto . Seen 2 softops with auto.
There is a bit of a blind spot where the hard top fake window is. I was able to adjust the side mirrors so it did not bother me, but you may want to try it yourself before buying!
What I don't understand is why the Club is more equipped than the Grand Touring. The GT gets the adaptive lights and leather seats, but not the special color or the wheels and brakes and body trim.
I agree with you, if the GT was available with the BBS/brembo/recaro package that is the one I would order. But I believe it's Mazda trying to keep the price point as low as possible. The GT with the recaro/BBS/brembo package probably puts the MSRP around 45k. I don't see the point as buyers of this car like me would just spend the extra for the full package. Club is also build to order only, manual only, and you must get the recaro package as it's standard for the build to order. They started that in the 2022 model year. I would suspect there will be a special edition before they go to the next gen MX5 which is currently been spotted being road tested. Likely a mild hybrid.
@@chicagomike9778 i was thinking the nav should and rain sensing wipers should be standard on club and GT. They don’t add extra weight and the club is a premium product. What Miata weighs 50/50? I hear the club and GT aren’t balanced 50/50.
Had a 99 NB Sport...sold that and just got my ND Grand Touring last week. I like the look and openess of the soft top rather than the "open t top" look. All Miatas are great!! Always fun!!!
The interior views were darker than they needed to be and the camera positions were not close enough to show details. The "music" in the beginning was not appropriate.
I "ACTUALLY" thought his video was " FANTASTIC" Lol The car is fantastic though, so hard to fault him on that one. I have a 2020 RF, only 4500 miles on it. Not selling!. 😆
