The RF reminds me of the car guy saying: “If you don’t look back at your ride when you park, you bought the wrong car.” The RF is a beautiful automobile with flowing lines and stirs a driving passion in your gut whenever you see it.
Great review, Brian. Back in August, I bought one EXACTLY like your test car (including the "controversial" Zircon Sand color). After almost three months and 2,500 miles, I feel like I've barely driven it, because it's so rewarding to drive that every drive ends way too soon. I get why you prefer the soft top over the RF; I test drove a soft top Club, which was awesome--but I live in Seattle, where the RF's hardtop makes more sense much of the year. The RF Grand Touring thrills me no less than the convertible Club, so it comes down to personal preference/needs and what one wants to pay. An amazing car, regardless of how it's spec'd.
Great review 🤙 The MX5 is truly a hidden gem amongst the sports cars. Besides the MX5 the only other vehicle that comes close to keeping it true to their heritage is the Corvette C1-C7. C8 lost its heritage. Great job Mazda. You guys keep nailing on many of your models. Mazdas turned around the corner since Toyota got involved and Ford’s relationship expired. Why would anyone buy an overpriced Acura or Honda. Their quality is down and priced is up. Instead get a Mazda, you get a premium car, better in reliability and for less money.
I have a 2021 MX5 Sport soft top convertible & it never ever leaked when in any heavy rain or when going through a car wash. The RF seems to be more noisy when the top is down than when I am in the soft top. Plus the RF in a few years will start to raddle & more parts to break down. The soft top so far after 3 years does not raddle or leak & keeps me warm in the winter & cool in the summer if I have to put the air on. Also, it has been totally trouble-free & just makes me smile every time I am on a nice highway.
I had a 2017 Fiat 124 Spider for 4 years & enjoyed it on a nice highway but from day one the check engine light would go on & for 4 years, it was nothing but problems year after year & always in the shop & I could not really enjoy myself & enjoy the ride which I can in the Mazda.@@BrianMakse
I daily drive my ND2 RF and use android auto pretty much every time, so I'd disagree about the car not needing infotainment. The refreshed 2024 ND3 will have an updated larger touch screen so it should resolve the issues with the ND2's infotainment. And hopefully the backup camera will be improved also with guidelines that rotate with the steering wheel.
I am going to be buying a '24 softtop once they release, but coincidentally had the opportunity to drive an RF for a few days recently. I was very surprised at how much more closed in you feel, let alone the B pillar right by your head. The ST just feels infinitely open, and then RF felt almost claustrophobic to me, which was surprising.
This car works better for persons who are not much over average in height, unless you don't mind constantly looking at that wide bar across the top of the windshield. I test drove one (convertible) and the lack of storage (for my use) was a deal killer. No room in the cockpit for jackets and small items (if you have a passenger). Great car though, but for me, not practical. Ended up with a BRZ, which has lots of interior space. If you and your travel companion can pack light and live with stuff in the passenger footwell, it would be fun. Pretty noisy with the top down at highway speeds too. (Not that the BRZ is quiet, but much better than the Miata.) In spite of that, I still feel like I need to own one some day. Getting a bit scarier out there too, being in one of the lighter cars on the road as the number of 5000 lb+ EV's roam the highways and the lifted 3/4 ton trucks multiply like rabbits.
I'm with you on this one! If I was buying a Miata today (and I'm seriously considering either ordering a 2024 or buying a nice used one) I'd be going for the base model roadster with the cloth interior, manual transmission and the Soul Red Mica paint. We already have a 5-speed Civic and a 2WD Canyon Duramax, both with winter tires, so we have the practical daily commuter and pickup truck covered for year-round driving. A Miata would simply be a nice weather fun car that gets stored in the garage and parked for the winter so there's no need to compromise the experience with a hardtop in my opinion.
Brian, please do a video on shifting without using the clutch. I heard about this shifting technique a long time ago but I never dared to try it for fear of breaking something.
Thanks for catching that! It’s something I’m working on and because I’m neither a mechanic nor an engineer, it’s taking a bit longer than I’d like. Stay tuned, as they say.
@@BrianMakse- My new Miata RF created quite a stir at the local car show this morning! It’s the RF GT manual in Soul Red. Everyone was crazy about it in the Red! Happy I got it…such a great car. By the was you do the best review of this car.. I was tempted to get the base in the cloth, but went nuts and got the GT RF, but without the expensive and very unnecessary Brembo, Recaro, BBS package. It’s still perfect around town and looks amazing.
Thanks for the review Brian. Exceedingly few reviewers are able to elaborate on the noise experience top down of the ST vs RF. Would you mind sharing more of your observations?
Over the series of ND episodes here, I think I’ve accurately represented that, but the next step would back to back testing with an audio meter, which really isn’t my thing.
Can tell you are a race car driver, you always look stuffed into any vehicles cockpit. Not splayed back in a relaxed reclining mode. Up on the wheel, another very good review Brian.
I have driven extensively in both, and I definitely prefer the soft top. While the RF looks nice, the open air driving experience is more like driving a car with a targa roof, so you don’t have the full open air experience that you get with a soft top. I like having the 360° open feel of the open soft top. Also, as Brian said, the RF is loud when opened because that pillar is very close to your left ear (as the driver). Closing the windows helps to reduce the wind noise, but then you feel even more closed in. I drive my MX5 with the top open over 90% of the time, so soft top is the way to go for me. But if you are an MX5 buyer who will not drive with the top open that frequently, then they are both good choices, so pick the one that looks better to you.
@@RbNetEngr - I live in Florida and it’s really very hot and humid most of the year. I like top up when it’s over 90 and high humidity. That’s probably at least 1/2 yr. It’s also cold here several months too down below 60. So I like both. Just traded my 08 PRHT for the new RFGT. I wish they still made the total hardtop like my old one but sadly they don’t. Settled for the RF an did I love it. No bad wind below 50. Use it on local roads with speed limits at 45
I currently own an NC.2 which i drive daily during the summer. I am shopping for a coupe to replace my winter daily, the RF looks great but I need a little more room and the flexibility of letting my wife drive it(automatic). If that wasn't the case RF hands down.
You lost me at not needing the infotainment system. I personally believe more digital interfaces the better. It looks cleaner and it’s more convenient for than manual buttons. Even though it’s considered a sports car, I believe it is still in a tier where it is easy to daily drive and therefore should include a good level of convenience and comfort to suit daily casual driving.
Wonder why folks think its only a midlife crisis man shouid buy this. Driving takes a good chunk of our time, why not just have a piece of engineering that makes you grin hopelessly while driving it
Couldn't agree more. I have an RF that I bought in 2019 when I was 66. But I bought my first Miata in 1991 when I was 38. (And if I could've bought one when I was 17, I would've done that, too! I bought a new Fiat X1/9 when I was 28.) On my fourth Miata now! Great cars like this are for those who are young, or young at heart. 🙂
I am confused on the true definition of “Sports car”? Seems to be a lot of opinions on that. MX 5 meets some of the criteria and does some very well. If it doesn’t need to be a convertible, perhaps the twins BRZ/GR 86 do it better?
Wind noise is much better at slow speeds around town like about 35-45mph. That’s actually the speed limit in my town. You still have a great driving example at lower speed because of the thrilling handling.
Hi Brian, I’m ordering a 2024 soon and am torn between getting the Recaro package or not. Do you find these regular seats to cause your head to tilt forward uncomfortably? Are the Recaros comfortable enough for us bigger guys on a longer drive? Thanks, and I appreciate all your MX-5 videos especially.
Great questions and I have some additional insights. I think overall the Recaro is the superior seat in terms of both comfort and support, assuming you prefer leather. I prefer the base seat in base trim because you can get cloth instead of leather. One thing I learned this summer is that the shape of the Recaro actually does cause your head to tilt forward...but only when you're wearing a helmet. Glad you appreciate our content! Hope you stick around!
@@BrianMakse Thanks Brian! I have a test drive of a 2023 model this Friday, with Recaros. Looking forward to testing out the comfort of the seats while on the move and navigating 3 pedals. Cheers
Great car...BUT..... there seems to be a big problem with drainage....water getting into the inside floor..too many RU-vids showing this...hope Mazda improve this
Does the glovebox compartment lock itself automatically when you lock the car, or you have to do it manually every time before you get out of car? That mazda key seems to have only buttons and not am actual key like those traditional keys.
The steering wheel looks huge - is it actually large (VS the wheels in the GR86, heck, even the Crosstrek Wilderness I drove) or is it an illusion coz the cabin is small?
Yes it’s not a true convertible but it’s close and looks amazing with the top up. Plus you can drive it in car wash you’ll have no issues with a cloth top which looks like crap if you leave it outside.
Vito, I’m all about the roadster too. There’s a simplicity and purity to that driving experience. So easy to drop and raise the roof. I appreciate the reasons people might prefer the RF, but it’s not for me.
You’re just teasing me now. I’ve been thinking about the Miata a bunch lately and you’re fulling the fire. I have 1972 MGB GT and it is fun because it is old and catches attention but I’ve been thinking of a Miata for driving fun. Studying a 2013 club miata or spend big and get 2019+ RF. If I got new I’d spec GS-P RF in that beige and with Recaro package.
