Long-Term Owner's Review: ND2 MX-5 Miata 

Anybody watching this video, look no further; this is the most informative and comprehensive review. This is the ultimate review of ND Miata. BTW Thank you, your channel has tons of information!! I subscribe and👍👍👍

This is one of the best and most well spoken reviews I’ve seen on the ND2! One feature that I think is cool about the engine that wasn’t mentioned is Mazda put an oscillating feature on the throttle body to counter act low speed bucking when you’re crawling along in 1st gear. I don’t think I’ve heard of any other car with that feature and it’s a cool idea. Makes it very smooth in stop and go.

Possibly the most comprehensive ND owners review I have seen on RU-vid. Useful info. Great job!

Really thorough review, great job. Your opinions and mod choices always align with mine. All the best with your recent move.

I loved this car when we did the review together. Really happy to see you still have it and happy to see you're still really enjoying it! It's a great daily, and makes everything so much more fun

I own a 2017 RF GT and I've watched many ND/ND2 videos, and I have to say... BEST MIATA OWNER REVIEW VIDEO EVER!!! With the amount of detail provided for every aspect of this car, I'd swear you were one of Mazda's Miata factory engineers! Excellent!

Beautiful car, love the color. Very in-depth review. Thanks. MIATA is always the answer!

I made my initial comment of my vision/experience only letting this play in background realizing what an ultimate review this is of miata nd, particularly with the advice of us taller drivers which need that room, great insight depth will watch entirely

After watching this, I'm definitely going for the MX-5. The GR86/BRZ twins are also a good alternative if you live anywhere else in the world, but in the Philippines the twins are priced at a national non-negotiable low low price of US$43k vs the MX-5's US$35k They're supposed to be competitors but pricewise and with your review, the MX-5 is the clear winner

Absolutely EXCELLENT and comprehensive video! Thanks for that!

Thanks for the video, lots of information I didn't get elsewhere, and I've been looking at it for quite some time. Thanks again!

I have an ND1 but your observations are spot on.

As many others already said, great video. One of the best ND in-death videos. Many useful information and details. Good job, thanks 👌

outstanding review indeed!!! this is one of those few reviews where you can watch over n over again without getting tired of it like those select movies you can watch 100+ times and never gets old.i fully agree about the screen vs being lower with taking your eyes OFF the road and line of sight very very important piece there,again outstanding review!!!

This is by far the best, informative MX5 ND review I have ever come across, well done mate and your effort is greatly appreciated. Someday.... I ll look for a ND2.

I’ve watched A LOT of Miata reviews. This is clearly the best one I’ve seen. Learned a few things here I had never heard before. Very informative!

I am picking up a brand new ND2 next week and just stumbleded over your long term review. I have to say that you're doing a really good job creating content! I really enjoyed it. Kudos to you!

I’ve watched pretty much every review of the ND on RU-vid and I declare you the winner. Exceptionally detailed video bro

Great review! I bought a 2021 RF in October and it was videos like this that helped with the (easy) decision to buy. Mine has been in the garage since Thanksgiving and has only 750 miles on it so far. Awesome review!

I especially appreciated the POV camerawork for the interior, not something I've seen from other reviews. Thanks!

Great level-headed and well informed review. Not just a love fest. No idea how you explain so much, so well, and while driving!

The only video which has shown the thin paint coating issue. Great info that no other videos give. Very insightful!

What an incredible comprehensive review I felt like I was experiencing the ownership Well done! 😀

Excellent comprehensive review! I had a ND2 GT manual soft top and I absolutely loved it. I stupidly sold it after only 6 months for a nice profit. I am already planning on getting another ND2 in the future.

thank you for the nice & detailed review, answered all my questions💯

I recently ordered a 22 GT convertible and your excellent revue allows me to know I did the right thing as I part with my 2000(SE). Thanks for such a good revue.

Thank you for taking the time to make the video very detailed

Just got a 2022 miata and I’m very excited! Thank you for this i love this channel. subbed

Got here late but just in time~ Interesting and I respect your insight. Watched it all...and you have a fine fun little ride!

Nice review. Thanks for taking the time and putting in this much effort.

Thank you so much for your extensive time on this.

As an ND2 owner (May 2021) I think this review is spot on. The car is better in every way than the NC I had before except for the steering feedback - exactly my experience!

I have a 2016 soul red soft top and I am ridiculously in love with it. I am 6'3" and I still fit pretty well in there. I had an NB that was good but this is a whole new level. I agree with the door length. It's a real squeeze, even in the garage, to get into the car with the tight remaining angle. The NB was much easier to get out of. I think they could have added more detents for door position as well. And yes, the door arm rests are not comfortable. I do not mind the stock seats but they could be better quality fabric. The telescopic steering column is a great upgrade but if you have monkey arms like me it is not much of an issue. The revised motor adds needed power but I have never felt that mine was lacking in power particularly. I would mention that the 5 link rear is spectacular at tracking. I do feel that excessive lateral body movement translates into the rear end settling outward in turns and the body lean is noticeable. It does "set" after the swing and lean but it is a soft spot. Older models felt more planted and confident in the corners. (The other attributes of the car make up for it!) I feel that this is partially due to the pillow ball bushings at 3 outer points on the links, and perhaps the other bushings could be stiffer. I blew one out and replaced it with a neoprene blank. There are no replacement single bushings form factory, they make you purchase the whole outer knuckle so you have to get creative. I think there is a race spec bushing set issued by Mazda out there as well for dear price. Larger sway bars are a really good upgrade to these cars. Helps markedly with the body lean. Upgrading to the Bilstein shocks makes a load of difference as well. There are quite a few used sets on evilbay from folks that went to coil overs. I find the car to be just fine with the Bilsteins. Finally, the trans and rear differential oils need to be changed far more often than you would think. The fluid gets dark and burnt quickly. This may be due to the oil Mazda uses to produce a smoother "cold" shift. I have found the Lucas synthetic 75/90 gear oil to improve the notchy synchro feel and the shift to reverse, and it runs just fine in cold weather in the front and rear. I really think it should be changed every 30K. Even 50K is too long in my opinion. They really are fantastic cars to drive and I get so many compliments and people looking at the badging to find out what it is. I take it out often in the high mountain roads here in Northern NM it always puts a smile on my face. Cheers and thanks for the in depth review!

Great review. Very informative in both practical and enthusiast perspective. Well put together well done!

Great video. Thanks for the time and effort put into sharing about this platform.

Very good review! I own a 2020 RF GT and you are spot on about both the advantages and issues of this car.

I neglected watching this video because i didn’t recognize the creator. But can confidently say this is likely the best ND2 video published. I now own a 2021, and this video has helped me learn everything i need to know!

Best ND2 review ever. Thank you!

Best review, thanks for the time and effort.

Your knowledge of the different Generations by owning / driving these roadsters & working for the dealership is fantastic. Your 30th Anniversary Edition sure has some nicer features. Yes the paint can be an issue but when I bought my 2016 Club with the Brembo / BBS package also added the PPF that the dealer sub contracted to a shop 2 blocks away. It was $900 extra for the front that was laser cut to the car. Well worth the cost. Like you I bought an axle back exhaust from Flying Miata that has a butterfly valve that opens when you step on the gas. Really sounds good when you want it but won't bother the neighbors at 5:00am. Honest in depth review !

Wonderfully done, just hit 1k on my 22 RF GT - Mazda should be paying you and every salesperson owes you a thank you. Great job!

I think I would watch you review any car even if I wasn't interested in it! Awesome stuff!

Wow, great in-depth review! I own a 2021 and totally agree with everything you said. I found that the tiny center space below the infotainment controls is a great place for my sunglasses. The only thing I would add is that I wish the seatbelt had height adjustment because it digs into your neck if you are under 6 ft tall.

Really want to thank you for this honest review. Most other people just sing the praises and I don’t think they are being completely honest.

I love the Mazda Miata , enjoy Sunday drives.

Good video. You did a nice job of covering all the ND2's features.

This is an excellent review. Super thorough and detailed. I’m planning on selling my NB1 Miata for a used ND2 next year. The interior seems much more usable in the ND2. The NB has terrible cup holders, super annoying to deal with especially if you have a passenger.

this really confirms how much I want an MX 5

Excellent review. Thank you.

super comprehensive review! so well done. Mazda paint has always been thin and quite susceptible to chipping. great job!

Very professionally done video. Great job!

I recognize those East Tennessee roads. Great place to drive. I had an NB2 Miata and have been considering the ND2. Great review.

Agree with other comments, very well done review of the car. It has helped me a lot in making a decision.

I just got a MX5 Club for a 24 hour test drive, and it's so lovely to handle. I like the convenience of the auto, but feel like manual is the way to drive this car. I recently drove an MS3 and the torque steer was challenging for me. Being a short woman, I find the Miata to be very comfortable, even with the top up. Love the color scheme on your edition, wish they would make that a regular option. Thanks for the info!

This was an excellent review. Very well done.

In my 2015 ND1 I store the flat tyre repair package in one of the cubby holes behind the seats. In the other, I store a modern flat battery jumper pack (the type that has the rechargeable LiOn batteries). Still leaves a little room left for other less-used nick-knacks.

what an excellent review! Super well done.

Thanks for the great review. I’ve got a 2016 in the GS trim which in Canada came with the limited slip diff. I love this car more than any other I’ve ever owned. My wife calls it “the other woman”. I tried previous gen Miatas but never fit, always found myself staring straight at the top bar of the window. For some reason this one fits. I’m a bit over 6’ tall.

I like this review, as a ND2 OWNER you nailed it

Thank you for mentioning the AC line, glad I'm not the only one this happened to

Ngl this is probably my favorite Miata looks wise. Btw hope you’re doing well man love the channel growth. Go knights

I am not a Miata enthusiast but I must say that this was a very well done review of the car. Excellent presentation!

You remind me why I am glad I bought a 2021 Mazda MX-5 RF Grand Touring.

Superb video. The best and most comprehensive one I have watched. I collect my 2019 RF GT in early May. I cannot wait. Much appreciated for a great video 😁

Great vid with clear information thank you for sharing.

Great review. Such an amazing car. I'd pick one of these over everything else.

Now on my 4th MX-5 from 2016 ~ 2023, I' just ordered the Goodwin Racing muffler Part# 61-1733, which is the same Goodwin muffler you have. I have to wait until my grandson has the time to come over the do the install for me. I can't do that kind of shit anymore at the age of 78. My 1st two cars back in the '60's were MGB's, a '64 and then a '66 MGB. Raced the '64 and drove the '66. All I had to do with the sound was to cut off the resonators, the stock mufflers were ok. City driving in D.C. with those mufflers were a blast with all the echoing between all the buildings in town. 👍 Excellent review!

Well done. That was very useful.

Blessed I had a chance to drive this one 🙏🏻👀

Excellent break down. This video very clearly highlights the differences between the ND1 and ND2 models, which has helped me out a lot! I have a much better idea of which ND to select.

I have a 18 club 6 speed manual. Full bolt ons supercharger. Transmission is good at 76500 miles. Corksport short shifter. Changed rear diff and Transmission fluid 30k intervals. No clutch dumps.

I'm not even done and wanted to say this is an excellent overview, lots of nuanced details that are overlooked in other videos. I just wanted to say you did a great job.

I like the way you talk about the miata and how you put sooo much useful information in a relatively short video, you did an extremely good job with that, sir :) and you know a miata enthusiast when you hear one speak about it. I own a 2019 Miata myself (soft-top) and i just love it. Never had any problems with it, nothing went wrong, no malfunction, it just makes a squeaky noise when its cold and i drive slow. it has something to do with the wheels cause it's in a regular interval. I wonder where you got the trunk tray from?! It looks so much cleaner and more organized.

Brilliant review!

Great video

Not even interested in driving or owning one of these but I watched the video anyway because I love well-made videos of owners talking about and showing off their cars.

Great review! Started looking to buy an nd2 myself. It’s funny, all the quality issues you mentioned are identical to my 2018 mazda 3. I got paint chips couple days after I got it from the lot. The leather started to fade months into owning the car.

i drove my 2019 nd white soft top sport from stockton ca to santa monica . non stop . one tank , great trip .

I have a 2016 ND1 which I love. I do have an upgrade that I added that I will bet that most people probably have not thought of. The trunk in the car while larger than I expected but still obviously very small. I take my car from my main home to my summer home and I have to take more stuff w me than will fit in the trunk. I put a trailer hitch on my car and I tow a Harbor Freight clamshell trailer for the stuff that will not fit into the trunk. I keep my speed on the interstates to about 69 mph and I slow down on hills to reduce the strain on the engine and I have not ever had any problems. I still get about 36 mpg with the trailer.

Excellent review and very tasteful mods! I've have an ND1 since 2016 and upgraded pretty much everything over time except for boost (SC or TC). Its my daily driver and I still love it after almost 6 years. I'm a shorter guy so fits me perfect - a lot of my taller mates (6 ft +) have fitment issues with it being so little. Most of them have really quick cars (Audi RS etc) but they love driving my car just for the rawer experience. Love this channel from Canberra, Australia.

Awesome review, thanks man!

The DMF was added to stop transmission failures. Even the V5 trans in your 2019 will fail with the SMF, as some people have found out the hard way with 2016-2018s. The DMF totally solved the problem.

Yooooooooo this review was amazing

Great video!!!

Awesome and well informed review buddy nice car you have I think the new steering wheel is so much better than stock,👌😊

Looking to get one here sometime next year. I was curious, what are your thoughts on driving in the rain/ wet weather in the ND? Also awesome video! If I wasn't sold already, now I am

one of the best reviews i have seen, well done the most of the pros and cons i can confirm greetings from a german G184 ND2 ST driver (btw your ani version has no I-Stop system?)

Good video. I just bought a 2019 club as my first car

Well done, agree with the other commenters, very good comprehensive review. And I can confirm pretty much everything you said, I have an early 2019 soul crystal red RF. I haven’t (but want to) lowered mine yet as you say they do sit a bit tall from factory but not terrible. I have FM sway bars, LED lights, versus rear diffuser and Goodwin racing muffler, like you I wasn’t unhappy with the stock muffler, it was ok, but just ok. An after market muffler really wakes them up sound wise. I did PPF on the front but I’ve still managed to collect a few punch throughs even with it from rocks. Also daily drive mine and have done a couple longer road trips. I’ve got a plastic bin that fits in the “well” of the trunk I keep a spare jacket, first aid, flashlight, tire chains (since I daily this car even in winter - which, by the way, they handle brilliantly in the snow - ive never even opened the chains but they are required by law so I have them) and the like but I can still comfortably pack for 2 for a week long road trip or get 3 bags of groceries and a half rack of beer in the trunk. Costco runs however are still better left to the family truckster LOL. Your assessment of the transmission is spot on, it encourages quick shifts but even so I’ve managed to miss a few spirited gear changes and it really feels like a synchro problem. I do have the brembos but didn’t get the recaro seats in my club trim - kinda wish I had but I do notice some similar issues with the seat materials you’ve pointed out. I drive it like I stole it and still manage 29.5 MPG around town 6 month average. I’ve gotten as good as 43 on longer road trips. I worked at a Mazda dealership when the NA first launched and fell in love with them the minute I drove it, all these years later I had both the means and the lack of contradiction (read kids, dog, etc to haul around) to ownership and going on 3 years I still love this car every single time I look at it, drive it, mod it, and my wife loved it so much she got one for herself! So now we have a SCR (red) and a ceramic metallic 2019. In closing I am not a huge fan of the steering wheel either and have been looking at options to swap and I have to say yours looks fantastic! Next stop, looking up that wheel! Cheers

Double clutching remedies the notchy engagement of syncros on cold start

I love every iteration of the Miata, and own an NB2, but I do think my favourite is the ND2, even more than an NA6 or NA8, which are also phenomenal cars. The ND2 just takes all the things Mazda did so well in the previous generations and made it into a more performance-oriented car, which I think was an excellent decision. NAs and NBs are less performance and more playful roadster, the NC sorta loses a little bit of that but starts to explore that more performance side, and the ND took it a step further. I'm looking forward towards a hybrid-yet-still-fun-lightweight-and-manual Miata. Good review.

OMG dude. That steering wheel looks SO much better than the factory one. I think you’ve done just the right amount of mods to make the ND2 pretty much perfect. Great comprehensive review man. 👍

Its the cars incredible reliability, that's what i have found the most impressive, having owned my Sep 2021 Sports Venture Edition from new. The car doesn't come out in the winter, so stays in my garage for seven months of the year. Even when stationary for so many months, the tyre pressures have remained constant, with no loss of pressure. Of all the cars ive owned, my MX is without doubt the most reliable car ive ever owned. Everything else about the car, is just testimony to Mazdas brilliance in manufacturing superb cars

Amazing presentation ❤

Great job on this video 🙂

Great, great review video! I also own a 30th ann. ND2 soft top and absolutely love it as a fun weekend car. I have done a few very minor updates. My favorite is a custom steering wheel. Was very expensive but worth it for me. Which Goodwin exhaust model do you have? They have so many different options....

Nice review! I have the 2021 RF Club with BBS/Recaro Package in Machine Gray and I had to laugh at your liking of the cup holders. I think every other review I've seen for the MX-5, the reviewer griped about the cup holders! LOL! I think they are innovative and functional and don't mind them at all. I don't know when people became so reliant and adamant about having to have a drink in the car; it's almost like they think without one, you might die or something! When I grew up, we would drive for hours and hours before stopping to get anything to drink, and we all lived through it! Your assessment of the infotainment system is pretty spot on with my thoughts. As far as storage or the lack of it, I kinda like that, as it doesn't allow clutter! My phone fits in the cubby in front of the shifter while it's in the leather holster I use. A holder for sunglasses might be nice but I can make do! I love this little car. My 2018 had 8,300 miles and only 6 rock chips; I fixed them with Dr. Colorchip and after doing a few coats , filling the chip in, I had a really hard time finding them. My 2021 has no chips that I know of but I only have 3,700 miles on it; I am very mindful of following too closely. Talking about the road noise ... I have had a 2018 ND1 RF with BBS Package and now my 2021. I bought my 2018 in Eugene, OR and they have very rough pavement due to the amount of rain they get. The road noise on rough pavement would drown out the stereo to the point I just turned it off. On good, smooth pavement it's fine.

What a review! Learnt so much. I have a white 2022 GT on order, which arrives…I hope by this May. Have ordered the soft top as I’ve owned a few convertibles including the original NA Miata. I especially found your comments about the door length interesting .Do love the orange paintwork, but I must admit I’ve never seen that color here In Australia. I’ve not driven the two liter, only test drove the 1.5. I also agree that the trunk is quite useable. Too many people are thinking about squashing hard shell suitcases in. As you say, soft luggage will fit, and I’m sure you can do a reasonably long road trip if you’re smart about packing. Thanks again for your insights!

the orange 🍊 😍 colour is amazing 👏

Still got our 2016 . Had it from new still most sensible speed fun on the market by a mile