Your point about visibility with the roof down, and that you can hear as well as see, is a brilliant point, and why I like your channel. I don’t watch videos to find people that think just like me, because I wouldn’t learn anything. Great job!
You can never do enough MX-5 videos Brian ! Well done explanation of the KPC system. I really love my 2016 Club in 4 season Northern Illinois & agree on the seats .... cloth seats almost have a hammock feel to them. Now you still say the Base is Ace. I get it with prices today. Just remember in 2016 when I bought my car with the Brembo brakes / BBS wheels the price was right. Added a Verus Engineering Air Oil Separator from Flying Miata to keep the intake valves clean. One other thing I added that is brilliant is the active exhaust with a corny name " Hush O Matic " axle back exhaust also from FM. I leave at 5:00am for work & the neighbors appreciate it. WOT & you get a nice exhaust note that never gets old.
There's an entire episode about 'base is ace' hence the reference in this episode. It's definitely in the MX-5/Miata playlist on this channel. I think you'll like it!
I have a 21 RF GT manual. I take it out on evening drives on country roads and get 40 mpg. This car is such a pleasure to drive. I have no regrets, MAZDA you did a wonderful job.
Picked up my Club Miata 3 weeks ago. Ordered it back in March and I can't find one regret for doing so. I thought with the Club I would have a harsh suspension, but not so. I thought the Recaro seat was going to be uncomfortable, but it fits me like a glove. Already have taken it to LA and Frisco, and I feel this car is like an extension of myself.
I love when I come across a RU-vidr who actually knows what the hell they are talking about. This guy has some real world experience with HPD and it shows in his review. subscribed.
Exactly, it's such a refreshing change from everything else, including the new GR86/BRZ. They feel light on their own, but they're hundreds of pounds heavier.
I wish the American base model for the Miata was like the Canadian one with 17 inch wheels and the color matched interior door panels. Canadian base model is absolutely perfect imo, I’m jealous.
I'm going up to Stockholm this Friday to pick mine up! (In soul red crystal, of course!) Driving the scenic route back across the country to Gothenburg.
Love your honest and down to earth reviews. Booked to take a 2023 ND 2.0 184 for a test drive. Tomorrow! Oh and btw: I’m 6’4” tall. I already have a 2017 RF 2.0 which I absolutely love. But intrigued enough by your review of KPC to go and find out for myself. And yes I fit! Just! I may scooch down a smidge with the roof up, but it isn’t an issue. So don’t let anyone tell you you don’t fit - try it for yourself that’s the only way you’ll know! And if you don’t mind scootchin down a smidge in the seat, yiu too can have a blast just like all these reviews tell us. I’ll let you know if I trade in my RF!!!
@@BrianMakse I test drove an ex demo 2023 ND 2.0 Homura spec (UK) BBS, Brembo brakes, and that lovely Soul Red. Took delivery of it this week. Traded my RF. still getting used to not having the targa! But the extra performance, and Road holding is noticeable. Not sure if it’s just because it’s a virtually new car, (1100 miles) so very tight or whether it’s the new tech. But loving the car. Thanks for your reviews.
Brian...you're killing me. I'm just barely 5'10" and I cannot fit into this freaking car! I'm so jealous of those who can, I'd love to experience this car's amazingness. Another awesome (albeit tortuous) review! 😀
Interesting that Mazda went the software route to fixing the lateral roll issue. Installed stiffer sways front and rear from Good-Win Racing in my 2020 RF GT and that solved the issue mechanically. But I’m also an active solution kinda guy than a reactive/software solution kinda guy 🤷♂️
Well, it doesn't solve a roll problem, but rather enhances the motoring experience. Sways give you a completely different dynamic and feel than some clever brake trickery. That's the beauty of the MX-5, though, because with the depth of the aftermarket, you can tune your car any way you like.
The change I wanted is a factory sway bar option, better cup holders, and the ability to fold down the screen into the dashboard. Oh well, great job all around everyone and can’t wait to order mine in a couple of years.
@@BrianMakse Since the first time i glimpsed the ND2's dashboard screen, I assumed it could be folded down. Wrongo bongo! I'm also totally with you on cloth seats. Owners of the ND have assured me the screen does not interrupt field of vision, but when I sat in one, I wondered what mechanic might have the gifts to remove it. I don't need infotainment or whatever. I pretty much want the experience of a TR roadster, without the British engineering. I love the "base is ace" concept, but have planned for so long to get a Club, I can't imagine going Sport. I have no desire for the Sports package either, as it puts me in the Recaro seats. I also prefer the stock grey look in the wheel well.The Brembo red seems sort of obnoxious, since I am not a track guy. So I'm thinking Club soft top, cloth seats and maybe Crystal Blue Mica, because the Soul Red is too loud for me. I'm a musician, but a sedate one! I was hoping there was a way to disable the KPC, but you've convinced me it isn't the enemy. I will, however, turn off any of what I deem to be nanny technology. I don't want beeps or buzzers going off. It's bad enough that my computer and phone try to boss me around at home. My phone never comes out in my car, unless I'm pulled over. I love the motto "Base is ace," but c'mon, Club isn't the way to go if you have the extra $? Come at me! Incidentally, my saying is "cloth is boss!" You can use it, though!
@@BrianMakse The navigation system ( SD memory card bought on E Bay - sorry Mazda ) has saved me from really getting lost taking road trips though & the screen is the right size to see it without messing around with the display. Used the Bluetooth system to connect my phone to the car & while I'm not a big phone user the integrated seat speakers / microphone worked really well. Sorry but integrating technology into a really fun sports car - well Mazda did it right in my eyes. Agree all the driver nannies in cars today unnecessary in the MX 5 where driving is the focus. I need the screen for navigation Brian !
Always great reviews and the base Miata is by far the best sports car for the money.I did order a 2023 with the lsd and bilstein shocks.And yes RED paint .Its nice to see Miata reviews from someone that actually knows cars and can drive them better than me but Miata is about how it's at one with you not how you compete with any other car. It doesn't have to.
I have a 22 RF GT and really the only thing I wish they would have done as standard would to be able to start off with cloth seats in the GT rather than leather.
ND2 is a fun Light hearted car , It gives you that feeling… that you had when you was 12 yrs old*driving a go kart” and that is a feeling that’s hard to come by❤️
Awesome review! What an excellent car, but we all already know that. I've had an NA, NC, and got my Soul Crystal Red ND Club in May 2021.I changed the OEM exhaust to the Roadster Sport and stock springs to the lowering Progressives. It's been 19000 miles of happiness, commuting and everywhere else. The only thing I wish Mazda would offer is a British Racing Green color, like what was available in the NA. I will switch when that happens.
Appreciate your thoughts on the KPC system. I spent years messing around with the suspension on my GT86 to get it to ride as well as it handles and although it’s nice, I can’t wait for my MX5 to arrive and see what 225kg less feels like on the road!
@@BrianMakse Glad to hear it! Here in New Zealand we have just one soft top manual trim called the Roadster GT and it appers to be a mash up of both the US GT and Club trims. It has the safety, audio tech and leather trim of the US spec GT, plus the US Club additions like the LSD, BBS, Brembos and Bilsteins (no Recaros or spoiler kit however).
@@kiwiasian interesting product planning in NZ! I don't think you really need the Recaros tbh, the wheels, brakes and dampers are all nice to have, and since you don't have a choice, you'll simply have to enjoy them!
@@BrianMakse I just picked up the car today and put almost a 100km on it. With no alignment tweaks, and fresh out of the yard the car just feels right. It seems to like to rotate. I think I will keep this car stock for a while and just drive it!
Brian, Do you believe $5K above MSRP is worth the price for a Blue Club softtop with black cloth seats? There are no blues anywhere right now. My BF has a hold on one for my birthday gift. He said it will be the perfect car for me because I was once a hairdresser. . .He is 6'1 and I worry the cloth seats may not be comfy and that he won't fit the car but at least the car will be purchased for myself only so few worries there - please give your advice and opinions here. . .Gr8 video btw!!!
Glad you enjoyed the episode. There are several here on the channel. I prefer the base cloth seats, see the Base Is Ace episode. Your BF will fit just fine. As for price, times like these are a great test of your negotiating skills!
@@BrianMakse Brian, it's sad, but many dealerships are doing it because of the supply issues. Clubs are sold out, and "blue" is virtually impossible to find in a new MX5 - Dealers know this. People are also paying over MSRP everywhere else and they know that if we pass the car up somebody else will take it - it's hard negotiating under these pretenses - there are no other add-ons to negotiate just the $5k above MSRP that these guys (sales manager) refuse to budge on. My BF left a $500 deposit hold so that we do not lose the car ASAP - also kills our ability to negotiate - if we back out, we won't find this car anywhere in the country until well in to next year. Please offer your advice and opinions.
There are plenty of ways to negotiate. What do they need other than this sale? You could always buy another car off the lot on the condition you get the MX5 at list. That’s how they do it at Ferrari - you have to buy their undesirables before you can buy the good one.
@@BrianMakse I see, interesting - purchase one of their other undesirables, resell at cost, then walk away with the MX5 at MSRP or just tell my boyfriend to call off the deal unless they negotiate in better faith even if we lose the car, then go to a more honest dealership next year and purchase another MX5 when a blue one arrives or is allocated. I like your way of thinking. Now, on to your "Base is ace" chronicles for more MX5 education - thanks so much for all you do and provide. It's highly informative. The red Club in this video is identical to the one (blue) I may receive for my birthday, with the one exception of red exterior color. It was why I landed here to begin with. Keep up the great work!
Just wrote to someone else here. I'm based In Australia. My 2022 ND arrives in 2 weeks, 9 months after ordering. Impossible to even find a demo as they've all been sold. My test car belonged to the salesman who let me take it around the block, and I bought it the same day. Allow 6-9 months for delivery.
The typical buyer does not track this car and doesn’t care about body roll issues as he cruises on back roads or going to grocery store. For those track drivers after market sway bars and other items are readily available.
Good luck finding any MX-5 that isn't an RF or automatic in Ontario if you're outside of the GTA or Ottawa. Been looking for six years, they send all the undesirable MX-5s here.
They send many of those nicer ones here you're speaking of only most of the dealerships are charging many thousands above MSRP. Could be why we're getting the nicer ones here in America. Canada prohibits that lawless BS.
Fantastic video... I like your channel... And I saving money for my mx5 for my 40th birthday soon... But, I'm leaving in Norway and the speed limit here generally is about 80 km/h but to many nice mountain roads... So can you please help me to choose between the 1.5L or 2.0L... I will not use it for track it will be more for road trips with my lovely wife... What do yo suggest? Thank you for your help... Nice Chanel... 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
@@BrianMakse Great, thank you very much for your kindness and help... I'm searching a lot in this side of Europe. The difference in price here is around 8k USD $ between the initial 1.5l and the 2.0 fully upgrade " Rcaro seats, bilstein shocks, etc... Will see what's my finally choice... Thx.. 👍🏼
@@jorgealejandromoncada52 I like JayEmm On Cars for his opinions, and I’m not sure if he’s talked about this one...may be worth sending him your question. Though be warned you may wind up choosing a 1989 944 turbo like I did.... :)
@@jorgealejandromoncada52 with the first nd release the 2 litre engine was an afterthought and didn't rev as much as the 1.5. With the new nd2 it's a different 2 litre engine that revs just as much as the 1.5 and is just as much fun but more powerful. The 1.5 remains great fun though so it's a case of how much you want to spend
I have daily driven a 2016 Club soft top in Northern Illinois. Winter tires go on & when the snow & ice fall the car shows off that 50 / 50 weight balance much easier. If the snow goes over 7 inches I'll wait for the plows. Its a blast to drive in winter overall just the top does not come down as often. Winter beater ? Its too good of a car to call it that. My tires in winter are 16 inch for more rubber sidewall to handle the pot holes. Also have Weather Tech floor / trunk mats that keep the slush in place. The soft top gets the 303 Fabric Guard every fall to help protect it. Passenger seat catches the overflow from the trunk on most grocery trips. Awesome daily car if you don't need 4 seats.
Hi Brian, you mentioned KPC seems to work within a window of operation. How quickly can the system react? Sounds like you can beat the system if you're too quick with direction changes, particularly if the bend is tight (eg. a slalom) But what about a mid-high speed chicane? Would it work on the 2nd bend of the chicane, say turning right after the initial left turn entry? Reason I ask is because in my 2020, high speed direction changes at 50mph+ can give this excessive rocking motion. When I expect the leaning car to come back being flat, it feels as though the car begins leaning the other way even though the wheel is pointed straight and the road has become straight. And when that happens, for a fraction of a second it makes me think the car is about to spin or lose control. If KPC can bring more confidence in those situations, then it's an excellent thing.
Great question, but I don't have an answer. I did a lot of reading on the subject, but didn't speak to Mazda's engineers about it. There are definitely parameters within which the system operates, but I don't know how to define that box. Personally, I like the way the MX-5's suspension works and the roll, pitch, and yaw that you get. When I drive one, it's like I've got a professional dance partner taking my lead.
@@BrianMakse Thanks Brian. I wish Mazda had more geeky information about their technology like Porsche, for example, does with theirs. But I agree with you about the handling. Non-KPC cars are already incredible to drive so if KPC improves it even slightly, then it's a fantastic bit of technology.
@@BrianMakse Yes that weight minus the curb weight.But to be honest the passenger side is smaller so no one of that weight would really fit.So what does that mean of the rf it weighs something like 100 lbs more.And all models don't have the same shocks.
My 2017 RF has problems with the Infotainment system (it changes screens on its own, won't remember FAVORITES, USB mp3 konks out after a minute !?!) - anyone else have these issues? Mazda won't make good on it even though I only have 12K miles...grrrr!
I just got my 2023 Miata . It seems to me that when I turn off the stability control the kpc is also turned off.Does anyone know if this is true. I'm not a race driver but if someone is I don't think this is a good thing.
I love my 2022 Miata. Putting premium fuel in your turbocharged Mazda 2022 Mazda MX-5 RF GT engine gives it more horsepower and torque. With regular fuel, the 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G turbo-four produces 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. With premium (at least 93 octane) fuel, the engine produces 250 horses and 320 lb-ft of torque.
You missed the parts about 1) the system doesn't slow you down 2) and that it's disabled when you turn off traction control. How exactly do those DFV dampers work anyway?
This generation of MX5 is way too small in the interior. I’m 6’4” and there is no way to get in that thing with a roof on it. The last generation was a far better car for us normal size folks
You obviously have never driven an NA. I have both and the ND is way bigger and more comfortable. I am actually a hair to big for the '91 I have (6'-2" and need a diet)
@@stevepolson2409 I have driven many na Miatas. I was way more bendy back then. Now not so much. The last na Miata I drove had a cage and a Kirkey race seat in it so it’s not a real comparison. The nc is a far better car space wise. And yes I can use a diet too 😁
Instead of this KPC nonsense, how about they give the car actual swaybars instead of the toothpicks it has from the factory? I love the ND so much that i just bought my second one after having to let one go on a bum lease contract. I think it's a fantastic car ... however ... it leans too damn much. There is no excuse for it, and i really wish people would stop making excuses for it. It makes mazda think this is somehow OK, and it clearly is not.
Tell me you know nothing about satisfying vehicle dynamics without telling me you know nothing about satisfying vehicle dynamics…but, hey, put some vaguely-engineered aftermarket junk on your car and let me know how that goes.
@@BrianMakse Right ... like their race cars right? Vaguely engineered aftermarket junk. The cup car isn't road legal, just so you know. I DD'd an elise for years. And a speedster/vx220 before that. The roll in the stock miata chassis is not only annoying, it is detrimental to it's handling. The outside of the vehicle gets peak load way after turn-in. That's why it is often described as unruly. That is not a good thing. The chassis is truly great for the money. Double wishbone front, multilink rear. Front-mid engined. Low weight, etc. It's just set up in retarded way. Once it's properly set up, it is actually very good. Until then ... well ... not so much. If the vehicle dynamics are so great, then why do the cup cars come with all the upgrades? ... including SWAY BARS. Dude i had a 1989 nissan laurel that didn't roll as much. Problem is you can't find an actually honest review. I guess people like it initially because it's so much different from what they are used to driving, and that's fine ... as a novelty ... i guess. But it gets old real quick.
A 2019 MX5 prices are getting more expensive but they hardly ever break down & still much, much cheaper than any 986/987 Boxsters which tend to break down & cost a small fortune to fix.
