Hi Brian , wasn't sure I'd like this base model review but I loved it. I have the cloth seats in my 2016 MX-5 Club & agree they are very good. My only complaint would be more side bolstering but then again on long drives without really serious high speed cornering they might be less comfortable. Hell of a deal for the base model ! Every thing you need to put the grin on your face in that car. BTW my local Mazda dealer keeps sending my post cards in the mail saying how much they will give me for my 2016 Club to put me in a 2020 Sport every month. They are wasting the paper on me as I totally love my daily driving 2016 Club here just outside of Chicago , Illinois. Cheers Brian !
@@BrianMakse No straight trade unfortunately. The upgraded engine / andoid, carplay / adjustable steering column are not enough to make me pay for a 2020 MX-5. Really happy in my 2016 Club with the Brembo / BBS !
The more advanced other sports cars get the more I rewatch this review and think I really want to find this car in this exact spec and just have a simple car that’s fun to drive
I'm the original owner of a 2019 MX-5 Miata Sport in Soul Red. Couldn't be happier with the purchase. The next trim up (Club) was not worth another $3,500 to me when I ordered my car. It has everything I need, and I have never moaned the lack of an LSD in this 181hp vehicle. The 16" wheels are great for durability and soaking up imperfect roads.
Great review Brian. I am with you 100% on cloth seats. I just spent months trying to find a quality car with cloth seats and they are sooooo much better but so rare. Cheers
My previous two Miatas (NA, NC) were cloth and loved them. My wife was adamant about leather, so I was willing to try it out for ND-2. It's not as grippy as the cloth for sure - but goshdarnit, I've got a Miata so can not complain!
I just had a new soft top put on my 2011 Sport model with cloth seats. It's what a sports car should be. No electric top, no steering wheel controls, etc. It does have an upgraded head unit but other than the radio, just plain fun to drive. I told my son (who drives it to school) when he buys it from me, I'm going to get an ND Club with the soft top to replace it. Great review.
I have a 2020 MX-5 Club RF, in Soul Red, and I love it. Her name is Maggie, since the women in my neighborhood say she's a chick magnet. A spectacular automobile!
From the first minute you will miss the power, but the overall experience is ... well it's not a race but they're kind of the perfect little machine in all the ways. And the new engine revs properly like the originals in the NA... you keep thinking you broke it but it was just the limiter bouncing.
I traded a 2007 Corvette for my Miata. The thing was fast, and the black paint looked beautiful after a wash and wax. With 400 hp you'd think I'd never get bored. First problem, automatic transmission. I didn't that would matter to me, but it did. Second, if the dealership hadn't have sold me a 2 year warranty, I would've had to spend thousands for all the problems that showed. I was concerned what other problems would come up after the warranty ended. At about 2 years after I get in a Miata for a test drive and I was giddy as a school girl. I thought I would've loved the 370z, and I did. The engine felt great. The Miata somehow still stole my heart. I was surprised.
Mazda México has made the trim options weird for the MX-5 too. It's largely similar to the Canadian model (km/h speed & odometer) with 2 big differences on the trim specs. The only Soft-Top trim you can get is the base 'i Sport' model with 6-speed manual, cloth upholstery and you cannot get the Automatic at all whatsoever. If you want an Automatic, you have to buy the Hard-Top RF, and even then, the only trim available for the RF is 'Grand Touring', which also means no cloth upholstery for any RF there. No Club model on either Soft-Top or RF. Interestingly, you also cannot get the 6-speed manual on the RF model, it's Automatic-only for México. No LSD, Recaro, or BBS package either for any MX-5. Soft-Top base price in Mexican Pesos is quite literally a steal at MXN$405,900 ($19,080 USD/$25,140 CAD at current exchange rate Sept. 13, 2020)
I own a 2017 MX-5 RF GT and I still love it. No LSD, which I would've preferred, but wasn't available for the GT for some reason. I have to agree, though, it rarely seems to make a difference. I do prefer the leather seats over cloth though. Top down or top up, I love to drive it, and the wind noise when the top is down doesn't bother me. At 155 hp I find I don't want to change the engine. While 180+ would be nice to have, I don't feel like I'm missing out, and mine gets 35 mpg. Since it's the daily driver, it's nice to have decent fuel economy and still have fun. My car has the Soul Red paint. So beautiful. You wouldn't believe how many compliments I get for my car.
Great car! You can get the shirt at our merch store: teespring.com/save-the-manuals-november-2018?tsmac=store&tsmic=brianmakse&pid=369&cid=6513&sid=front
Wife has the original ND 1.5. It has 7500rpm and everything that they later copied in the 2.0 Its the lightest mx5 ever made Either way though 2.0 or 1.5 the mx5 is still the greatest roadsters ever made . Had 2 Aston Martins behind us the other day they hated that the wife sticks to the speed limits so blasted past. 2 miles later we caught up as they got stuck behind a horse truck. Trying to impress two old age pensioners with you right foot does not real work kids.
I had the choice in Australia, and went with the smaller 1500cc model because they tuned the motor properly from the start (I also preferred the ride on the 16" rims as well)
Great review with a base model ND....however I think "Track Rats" would prefer this trim since a majority of individuals would use the savings over the loaded trims and swap out the suspension, brakes, wheels, tires and add a lsd.
You could go either way on that. The base car with the base, cloth seat, adding a good suspension kit, brakes, wheels, tires, and a diff from Flyin Miata would make an excellent track car that can also be enjoyed on the road.
I owned this car for two years. It’s very comfortable for long trips, has a great interior (though mine had a simple LCD radio). I would have tried to stiffen the suspension if I had kept it. Had to give it up because the clutch action caused me hip pain, so I’d get it with an automatic now. Modern automatics are very good and there’s no penalty in the ND like there was in the NC.
I love the idea of a simple radio instead of the goofy growth out of the dash. I thought the suspension calibration was lovely. I've never driven any Miata with an auto. I'm curious, but not that curious!
Average Japanese body type tends to be longer torso in relation to limbs. When I adjust the seat in most cars here in Japan for my legs (I'm only 5'9" a nice size for MX-5) I am quite far from the wheel. If they lower the seat engineers have you go back further to accommodate legs. That space is at a premium in this car. Yes, they really should telescope that wheel more. Many cars here in Japan only go with up/down adjustment.
i wish they'd bring back pop up headlights, they were just cool. and that drinkholder is totally misplaced. they need 2 cupholders, up front within reach,for 2 people to enjoy a top-down cruise.
Thanks, Brian. Very informative! I bought mine used at 8,000 miles and am not only absolutely thrilled!!! but discovering some of the customs it contains. I hear about "roll" and see the thing squat when you get in... Mine responds like a brick on stone when I get in. Obviously, something has been done. Anyhow, you're right, it isn't a dragster but not many cars will accelerate out of a curve at 60 mph like this or have good acceleration throughout the range of speed. First thing I noticed was my fuel mileage. I drove out of the city at 6,000 ft alt to my home at 9,000 ft alt and registered 39 mpg! About half of my driving is sport driving in the Colorado Rockies, (I have a few videos), and my total overall average is 40 mpg!! Freaking MAGIC! I can't fathom how anyone could get less mileage. Could it be the altitude? Seating- I find without a racing harness, even with the tight cockpit, I tend to spin myself around in the seat a lot. For me, the pedals are rather light to the touch. Anyhow, your video has been very informative. Thanks a lot!
I am glad that the MX5 comes in a base sport model. I owned 2 of them, but I now drive GT’s. I did not think a bare bones would matter, but it did not work well for me.
I just bought one of these identical the sport in red 2021 and it's as much car as I wanted it to be, I did test drive the Club edition and those brembos are truly amazing but i'm very happy with my sport.
l love my 2016 ND Grand Touring AT! I drive it like I just stole it. It has an aftermarket Roadster Sport suspension, adjustable Koni shocks and performance springs from Goodwin Racing. That package lowers the car about an inch and a half. Goodwin racing front and rear sway bars, a Shock Tower brace that does not come with the 2016 GT model. That combination in the suspension takes out virtually all the body roll. Wilwood 6 piston front brakes slow the car just enough to carry speed into the corners. Roadster Sport Super Street Twin Tip axle back exhaust gives the car an AWESOME exhaust note. The 17X8 4X100 Koenig Hypergram wheels matched with General GMAX AS05225/45/17 tires give the car great street and track performance and an AWESOME profile. I put a Versa Tuner tune on it that enhances the torque up to the 7200rpm range. Yep, it pushed the rev-limit into the range of the 2020. I drive it in manual or manual sport about 99% of the time. The AT doesn`t have the manual`s launch just all the fun and equal handling in the mountains without all the clutching. The car way out performs my ability to drive it! I have ridden with AUTOCROSS instructors driving my ND to prove it! My buddy has the same car with a header for performance on the track. We both AUTOCROSS our cars. Don`t knock it until you try it!!
I absolutely love the MX5 I had the first one out and kept it for 20 some years had three hundred thousand miles on it still ran like a trooper but at my age I needed something more reliable traveling. Now I'm looking for a 2014 automatic silver with cloth seats
If you can stretch the budget, I would suggest looking at an ND. I have driven all but the NB and it is unbelievable how much better the ND feels than the NC. Regardless they are all excellent cars!
Tha is for the great video. I’m looking at buying a Miata for the first time but unfortunately there’s almost no stock in Atlantic Canada so no real opportunity to test drive the various trim levels. I was wondering specifically about the real benefits of an LSD and this video plus the comments gave me great insight.
I've heard the same thing about dealer stock on the east coast. Regarding the LSD, how are you going to use the car and what is your driving style? I just drove the GS-P/Club and I genuinely don't think you need it unless you drive like an idiot like me.
I haven’t bought a nd because I thought I needed a club or better and I always want leather. Now after reading these reviews I realize I can have a base model and it will be fine. I can even lease one easily. Thank you for the info. Still I love leather look and feel . Will test a 2021 soon.
@@BrianMakse Actually, in the U.S. choices for 16" tires that fit the Miata are getting more and more limited, even in the stock 195/50R16 size, but seriously limited if you want to upgrade to a 215/45R16 or 225/45R16.
@@RCotaku69 Tyre sizes between the 17"/16" are not the same circumference. In Australia, the 1500cc gets 195/50R16 whilst the 2000cc gets 205/45R17. If you want to use the 16" rims on the 2 litre model, you would have to use 195/55R16 tyres.
@@MrBenHaynes In the U.S. the base model, the "Sport", comes with 195/50R16. All models have 2.0L. 16" wheels will fit on all models without the Brembos. Many people use a 205/50R16, but I believe that halfway defeats the "feel" of using 16s. I have 215/45R16, which are almost exactly the same circumference as 195/50R16, but the choices for that size (and 225/45R16) are severely limited. My point was that "Options for . . . tires of all types is nearly endless for 16s" is simply not true in the U.S. anymore, sadly.
I'm actually one of those Americans with a 2017 base model ND--also with an automatic gearbox. Let me explain. I wanted an MX-5 without the infotainment, leather seats or six speed. Hard to find. And I agree, the 16" wheels are fine--more sidewall, more comfort. The reason I opted for an auto is because I have non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy and cannot feel my feet. It's very hard to work a clutch pedal. Also, two of my last three cars were manuals and daily driving in horrific traffic was a nightmare. And on top of all that, I'm 6'4" which makes it near impossible to drive that car with a stick. I just wanted a car that handles well and was fun to drive--and it ticked all the boxes. It does have bluetooth, cruise and the automatic door lock thingies. And Mazda knocked $6,000 USD off the price. I paid $20,000 and change for it. I've had it two years and absolutely love it, although I cannot wear a winter jacket while driving it and shoes with thick soles can be a problem! HAHA!
That's a great reason. Glad you're loving it! How's the auto itself? I've never driven one. What I did do was schedule an MX-5 test during our Canadian winter. That should be fun.
@@BrianMakse The auto is crisp and smooth and when I'm feeling frisky I use the manual shifting option in sport mode. It's just such an enjoyable car to chuck around back roads, I truly believe anyone can have a good time in this car whether you are rowing through the gears or just letting the auto do the work.
I luuuuuuuve this vid thanks. Australian NC owner, base model with the 17s, leather, LSD etc we got standard. Just added aftermarket coilovers with 6 kg / 4.5 kg springs. 1. Agree on the 16s vs 17s - insufficient side wall for general compliance. My old forester glides over stuff that throws the MX off line. 2. That colour. Yeah. They look awesome! 3. Telescoping wheel? Finally. 4. I've got one inch lowering brackets for the seat to install. There is a 2.5 inch option if that isn't enough. 5. That engine. It's been described as the engine they should have always had. The NC engine is so disappointing compared to the 1.6 NAs even if more powerful. It's the one reason I'm interested in an ND. 6. It's not just the overall weight. From the NA onwards they had a focus on getting the weight close to the centre of rotation (looking from above). On track tyres the turn-in is hilarious. The MX5 is unique I think. It's made me stop lusting after other cars. It's like my driving car needs are now sorted. The way it looks is just a bonus.
I went from an NC to ND2. I can tell you the NC isn't far behind the ND, and the NC is a step above the NB and NA. The steering is improved but with much less feedback. My NC wheel would jerk in my hands over bumps whereas the ND the feeling is very muted. I find it keeps the car much more stable, but many people complain the lack of feedback in the steering. It is faster than the NC, but engine characteristics aren't wholly different. Torquebands are similar, starting around 3.2 to 3.5k rpm till redline, the higher redline I don't even notice because I rarely push it to it, the gearing is a bit questionable because final drive is 1:1 whereas the NC was an overdrive for cruising, however at highway speeds is much lower in rpm in the ND, settling around 2.2k where my NC hit 3.5k. And while we're on transmission talk, many ND1 owners are scared and many talk of NC swaps. We've yet to notice issues with the ND2, but it's a known issue of poor metallurgy and maybe poor measurements causing failures. The NC could safely handle 280 hp and the ND we're not even sure if it can match that yet... given failures on stock power.
@@BrianMakse IL Motorsports cat back, lowering springs and racing beat ARB's going on next week l, also full set of wheel spacers and a HID kit and I'll be putting a big brake kit on her soon
Love my 19 base model 0 options! I’m in the U.S. got it for 24,000 out the door. I do prefer cloth seats also because I live in Phoenix Arizona and leather would be torture! Tops always down , just so much fun on twisty up and down mountain roads.
Joel Remland sounds pretty good, although I usually listen more to the Borla exhaust !😁. It does have the headrest speakers only on the drivers side though.
Great Canadian content 🇨🇦on the base miata. What should be standard on Canadian cars is heated steering wheel and seats on those very cool spring and autumn weather drive with the top down.
I can’t remember where that is discussed. Get a lightweight set of 16 inch wheels with a really good tire and you’ve got lower unsprung weight at each corner so that dampers can do a better job. You’ll have the same or better level of grip and predictability with slightly more compliance. Wins all around. Big wheels and low profile tires are all about carmaker and tire producer profit.
Refreshingly great review! I’m curious how exactly the LSD feels in comparison to this base model, driving dynamics and feel, and if its worth the extra 5 or so k?
I don’t think you’d notice it anywhere except for low grip corner exits. Unless you’re tracking the car or adding more power, I don’t see the need for it.
@@BrianMakse Thank you. I am fairly new to driving a stick, so looking at the base model for driving around city and don't think I need LSD. I'm with you on the 16" wheels and tires with more sidewall. The roads here in South California aren't all that great. :) Also CLOTH SEATS yes!!! I am not the only crazy person!!
No! I own one, and LSD is not a factor in real world driving. If you auto-cross, yes, you need it. This is a superb driver’s car. If I could do one thing, I’d delete the electric assisted steering. Manual steering rules in a lightweight car.
These are things on this channel. Leather is hit in the summer, cold in the winter and. It the best surface for enthusiastic driving. ~In general~ a 16” wheel/tire can be had lighter than a 17” with no loss of grip, plus a more compliant ride. Hope you stick around.
@@BrianMakse Thank you for your reply. I was kinda sure that is what you meant about the leather but, I really didn't know the smaller wheels, being lighter, add to better performance. Great video.
I have a 2016 soul red base model with silver rims. I think the black wheels ruin the stretched out sleek look it should have. The darker rims *not solid black ) look best with machine grey. Then the black chrome wheels look best. This car is short and by using dark rims on the red color , makes the car look shorter and stumpier. The same with the cut off design of the RF, which looks like a buick Opel of the 70’s or an older Corvette of the 80’s , and the corvette had a longer sleeker body lines. The fastback RF design was an after thought that goes too far back to stunt the original flowing lines that are found only on the soft top. You cant just change a perfect design and think everthing will be peachy
If you choose the right wheel and tire, the 16" package will be lighter than the 17s, so you get the benefits of lighter unsprung weight and a more compliant ride with predictable handling and similar levels of grip.
You mention that you prefer the 16” wheel spec. Can you elaborate? I’m torn between a club or sport and was intrigued why 16” would be preferred (is it simply the softer ride?). Thanks, love your Channel!
Plenty of variables but generally, the smaller wheel/tire package is lighter than a larger diameter wheel set up, which drops unsprung weight and makes it easier for the dampers to control each corner. There is generally more compliance in a 16 vs a 17. Hope that helps.
@@BrianMakse Thanks for the quick response! So would you say that getting the LSD (in the club or GT package) is really overkill for someone like me looking for spirited driving but no intention of tracking the car? I know some people like the LSD for snow and ice but I live in Florida so that's not an issue. I just don't want to have buyers remorse, wishing I'd spent the extra money. I presently drive a 2019 VW GLI (aka, "a GTI with a trunk") which is front wheel drive and has the LSD. It seems that an LSD might be more useful for FWD cars given traction issues on spirited take-offs.
@@jameswainberg7324 Love having this kind of conversation, James. I've been kinda successful in racing, particularly in FWDs, so I understand what you're saying. The only time you'll notice the lack of LSD is in low grip, low speed situations. Gravel, rain, sand, whatever. Otherwise, you'd never miss it. Straight lines or corners in the dry, no problems ever. That said, if you want the best mechanical spec, you'll always long for the LSD.
The Club here is an RF and seems to have huge wind problems with top down at speed on highway. It’s like a wind tunnel! The regular convertible has much less wind with top down.
Does the basic model has Apple CarPlay?? The dealership in my country only can order basic model automatic transmission even though I want the manual transmission. I am thinking about getting the basic model and modify it to reach the club spec.
enjoyed your review!! I'm curious about your thoughts on cloth seats. I drove a 2019 with cloth and didn't really like it and got a 2019 with leather. Love the car! How come you like cloth seats so much? Do they wear better? More comfortable for you?
Thanks. Leather is hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and you slide around on it when you're hustling it. I can't comment on wear, but I think some owners have in these comments. Regardless, cloth is my top choice.
So what about the 2021 base model vs this? Same engine and spec? Buy a three year-old model and install a supercharger and better dampers? Methinks it may be time for another review? ;)
@@BrianMakse you are too kind. If like to add the Fiat 124, which deserved much much better and is also in this competition. Just waiting for a few more paycheques and a slow down in the convertible market. Also making an effort not to buy another 944.
Only you can answer that. I’ll suggest it’ll depend on whether you value the security of the hardtop and how often you’ll be putting the top down. The roadster is the better open air experience.
My bet is, cool canvas beats hot steel for a roadster top in a hot sunny climate. I live in California, and my base-model Sport’s powerful standard air conditioning keeps the car very livable on 100 degree summer days.
The trick is finding the right wheel and tire setup. A lightweight wheel paired with a proper performance tire is the winning combination. If you want to get super nerdy, the spring rate and the weight of the tire should be considered.
Base model is great for those wanting to build their MX5. The open differential will start to show itself in rain with tires that have started to show their use and age. I came from a mustang with limited slip and laughed in rain as late nights coming home from work I'd rip open to see how fast I'd say I was going till I let off the gas to only be really going half that speed...in a solid straight line. When I got my NC sport, the one wheel peel showed quickly in the first rain as it pulled to the right on worn asphalt roads without trying. I learned quickly you had to extremely baby and super gently apply the accelerator and learn to feather it whereas my old torque loaded mustang did not. The NC MX5 was supposed to be my wife's car and it scared her how easy it is to lose traction even on new tires on poor roads in the rain. My ND with lsd doesn't have this issue, even on worn out roads that are known to be slippery. I have had wheelspin sometimes but the lsd keeps you straight, and quickly regains full traction without the Tcs on. So again, my opinion is if you're gonna get a manual transmission daily, or in regions with no slippery roads, or not looking to fully customize your car, the club is a must if only for lsd. If you're okay with a weekend car, an automatic (heresy for this car) or looking to make your own racer out of the car, the sport may be a cheaper option for a builder.
Got to agree, if you want to dance the car around (and enjoy the full capabilities of the car and expand your limits), get an LSD. If you're buying used, the price difference is negligible.
Brian I just subscribed. Please try and review the 2lt Corvette C8, I really think its a bargain, and I want your opinion of the mid engine handling vs. a small car like the Mazda ND. Yes I know that the acceleration is way different, but I am wondering about the handling given the mid engine , big tires and flat torque curve. Also, I hear the C8 manages to get very good gas mileage, for what it is, has 2 trunks and adaptive suspension, I would love your opinion on all of this
Cool, thanks. I'd love to, but after covering every C7 here and in major magazines, the GM folks failed to provide me with timely seat time with C8, which is the name of the game here on RU-vid. As such, it's not a priority for me.
I've had an NC MX5, intended for the wife yet it scared her and she ended up with a 986 Porsche Boxster S, whereas I upgraded to the ND2. And I still preferred the MX5 because it was more thrilling and brought smiles to my face driving it. The Porsche sounds better, is faster, feels much more powerful, but it had a lack of substance that the MX5 has. For one, the turning. It took two full rotations of the wheel to u-turn in the Porsche whereas it took one in the Mazda. The steering effort was also higher. I sometimes needed two hands on the wheel to move it, whereas the MX5 I can drive with two fingers; almost zero effort to move the wheel. Now where the Boxster shined against my Sport NC was high speed. I felt the rear end of the older MX5 feel like it wanted to come off the ground at highway speeds. My ND doesn't have this feel, but i still worry with the lack of aerodynamics in the form of rear down force and no spoiler. The Porsche with its automated spoiler that comes up at highway speeds you can feel it keep the car planted. It felt like a more refined ride overall but.... I was always more confident in the MX5. Both of these cars have near 50/50 balance and both are terrific drivers cars. It's easy to see why Porsche copied Mazda roadster and made their own improvements and why their car still exists today whereas almost every other roadster has vanished. That said, I have heard the C8 suffers balance issues and feels very rear end heavy. Combined with the power available, it's probably why so many test runs of the car crashed during their prototype phase. The only other thing I can put between the two cars is reliability , which GM cars are not known for. In the 4 years and 250k miles I had on my NC, a 2008, i only did tires and oil changes with one repair... the clutch pedal assembly. Cheap, thin aluminum that broke one day. I thought the slave or master cylinder so I bought both to replace.... upon replacing the master, I noticed the real issue. 125 dollars later, back on the road.
Thanks! Yes, you can get an auto, but don’t! Learn to drive a manual because this car is so good that way. I taught my son how to drive manual in an afternoon and we’ve got a episode coming out with tips and tricks, but you can always find lessons somewhere. Totally worth it for this car.
The NA Boxsters are lovely, but they're significantly heavier so there's less mechanical feel. The additional power and grip are a decent trade off, though!
Agree with most of your comments/points, but this is not the "base" model/car. It is the club model with is the middle model for the soft-top. The sport model is technically the base model....just saying.
@@BrianMakse In your video, the vehicle clearly has Apple CarPlay apps on the display (something that does not come on the Sport/base model) and iit has the inner upper door painted body color (something that does not come in the sport/base model). Again, how are your correct here?
Clearly, I’m misleading you because I look and sound American, but I’m Canadian. Sorry, as we say in Canada, that you don’t recognize the Ontario, Canada plate on the car.
and as others here...i am 1000 percent with you on the basic cloth seats and the basic car. as a person who gives away a lot of sweat,i HATE leather. it cracks. it fades. its is sticky. and my so-called best in the world Bridge of Wehr" leather in my MKS is ricepaper thin, cracking and sensitive to anything other than air. as for a simple car, in the case of a roadster, or any car you want to keep and pass along to family, age is brutal to cars over-sexed with gadgets and tech. looking at a classic today with a 8 track, or my lagging MKS map is embarrassing. like a woman repaired by cosmetic surgery, you can tell the age by looking....
Paul, as I’ve learned, there are different grades of Bridge of Weir. Speaking of a car overladen with gadgets and tech, wait until next Saturday’s review!
Well done video! My nearest Mazda dealer is 80 miles away. Please, Brian, your opinion. How tall are you? Or, if you don't want to answer that, I am 6'0", 170 lbs, normal proportions. Do you think I would be a good fit in the MX-5 convertible?
Thanks, Robert. You’ll fit just fine, remember it’s a small car and that’s the point. I’m 5’9” and there is plenty of travel left in the seat for my seating position. If you’re thinking of one, it’ll be worth the trip for a test drive and test fit!
For me it's the sidewalls - this is a light car and they can get thrown around on choppy roads. I've got two sets of 17s for my NC and I am after some 16s for a better ride for daily driving.
Thanks Brian, I am really hoping to make a wise decision between the base and the GS-P model. I know you said if I don't have to track it then the base is the best way to go. Though my intention too was to put coil-overs, wheel change and muffler. So in your opinion should I go for the base? Thank you.
Leather is soooooooo much better than cloth. Looks better, love the smell of leather, if you spill something you can just wipe it off the leather, with cloth the spill quickly soaks into the seats. Leather all the way.
I’ve answered this a few times in the comments. You generally can do a lighter wheel/tire package in a smaller wheel diameter setup that benefits the dampers as well as ride quality without compromising grip or control.
Leather is cold in the cold, hot in the heat, and you slide around on it. For me, I would get lightweight 16" wheels and a really good tire, resulting in a wheel/tire package that weighs less than the 17s, making it easier for the dampers to control wheel motion, more tires gives the car a more compliant ride, all without any loss in grip.
@@mattbrown9484 Again, for me, it's outstanding. For everyone else? We really don't care on this channel because mileage is perhaps the worst metric by which to measure a car. This is a channel for driving, not fuel consumption cheapskates.
someday. ya, i am in the end days of a 08 solstice GXP (with tune) rebuild, and it has been a fun car to work with. body and paint have been fun to redo. it has THAT look and power beyond anything a roadster needs...BUT I WANT THIS MAZFA!!!!! someday.........
@@BrianMakse it has been a humiliating, humbling and wonderful learning experience...? so, two "finished" cars ago, i put the car into the sun to harden and suddenly...there wer ripples all over the hood. Not sure why but they tell me earlier contamination or undried layer of something. then...the LAST "finished" car was getting a little touch up of a sliver ( i painted racing stripes on hood and boot) was suddenly destroyed by an exploding silver paint can! the paint splatter and sprayed out from the base of the cap, where it meets the can, all over the hood. the green areasas well as silver. i went to bed. sending pics to automotivetouchup the next morning gave apologies and a new can rushed out. today the last coats of clear finished. we will see, please send your best hopes out for me, brian, as i am in need of a little love from somebody...cause i ain't gettin it from my wife, who is fed up with the loss of the garage!!!!!!
I had a 986 Boxster S and NC now ND2. I preferred the MX5. Always more thrilling to push hard, no worry about being pulled over because hot exotic car. Your point isn't invalid for being cheaper as my old 2008 MX5, in 200k miles and 4 years of ownership I only had to replace one part: the clutch pedal assembly. The Boxster I got for the wife, while it can be costly in parts (spent 1k in first year replacing headlight switch, water pump, spark plug tubes, aos, and convertible parts) it is the EASIEST car I have ever worked on. It scared me because i never worked on German much less a midship car, but i love working on the Porsche. Even the spark plugs are easier than any car I've worked on including easy access mustangs and other large engine bay cars. The Mazda has a small bay, making working on stuff a bit of a challenge. With the Porsche, if you source parts from the manufacturer and not thru Porsche, it's not that expensive. Water pump is a pierburg, if bought with a Porsche name on it, 450 usd. If bought from Germany thru pierburg, 200 usd. Same goes with other expensive brands. Had to replace the horn on a Mercedes. They use fiamm, like 95% of the automotive world. Thru Mercedes with their star stamped a pair of horns is 80 usd each. Bought thru fiamm with no star on it, same model, 20 usd a pair.
That's far from the real base model that you can drive in other countries. With 132hp and a small 1.5 liter engine, the ACTUAL base model is lighter than the model you're driving right now and you have to push it real hard to feel any level of sportiness. It doesn't have a ton of equipment either, that big screen you've got in yours is not part of the base package. Forget also about big, fancy wheel rims. The japanese intended it to be that way, they never liked a big engine fitted to their MX-5, all they needed was the most enjoyable cheap convertible in the market. That car you're driving would be almost top of the range in many places.
@@BrianMakse it was designed with the high revving 1.5 131HP engine. For the US market they put in the standard Skyactive engine as can be found in 2 liter Mazda's. But that's not a high revving sporty engine. Luckily they copied the engineering details of the 1.5 to the 2.0
@@BrianMakse I've seen this car in another review. Fantastic car. If you were to get this car on the road in the Netherlands, you would probably have to pay about $100k on CO2 tax. So engine swaps here: forget it. Most cars here are 3-cilinders now.
I can't believe Mazda is going to ruin the formula by making this an EV for the next gen🙈 Beyond the fact it's already their smallest car and nearly most fuel efficient, (if you count the Mazda 2 which isnt sold in North America) why add weight and kill the soul of this thing? There are two iconic, one of a kind cars in the world..MX5 Miata and Porsche 911. Making either of those cars EV is like removing the soul and leaving a zombie (World War Z fast type, but still) behind😞
@@BrianMakse I certainly hope so, but torque and straightline speed have never been a part of Mazdas successful formula for the Miata. There are other cars with much more horsepower and torque, but none with the sheer driving enjoyment of the MX5. Makes me wish I had never sold my 3rd gen🙈
