Mazda MX-5 / Miata: The Last Perfect Sports Car? - Carfection + 

The MX-5 is one of the few new cars on the market I'd go right ahead and buy without any hesitation.

that last quote hit home real good. I was able to find fun in driving a beater 5-speed Camry, and I loved it. It's not a thrilling car at all. But I still found it a blast to drive.

ND Miata is absolutely lovely! What I love the most, is the row of buttons to turn off every bit of modern "necessity" such as ESP and Start/stop. They're all in the same place, easily reachable and no "press and hold and press twice again" -stuff. Mazda knows what we're up to with the Mx-5!

I wish this would motivate Honda to release a new S2k!

And the 2019 have 24hp more

It's always a treat to hear Alex detail vehicular nuances. So the closing message was "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one your with".... So true.

Miata Is Always The Answer

a sports car for reality

They didn't get you the 2019 model with an imporved, more revvy 181 hp engine?

Closing sentiments are spot on. I've had some rubbish cars but have had some fun in each.

the 181 hp version is going to be amazing

Something has happened and overnight i have become obsessed with the 86/BRZ. Out and out sportscar. Drop dead gorgeous. Gotta have one.

Good to see Alex back! Fitting that he features the MX-5 as well!

Not the last perfect sports car. THEE perfect sports car!

affordable, lightweight FRs are being relegated to history. and that's a goddamn shame, really.

A video with a moral. I can't ask for more.

Love Alex. And he didn’t even use the word “Naff”.

It is fun to follow the supercar market, but what I really want/need is an ND Miata Club (have an NA). I have no need for carbon fiber, paint-to-sample, limited-edition exclusivity and am glad that the local Mazda dealer isn't going to make me beg and plead to buy one of their cars over MSRP. No 'relationship' required. But...if I could, I might try something higher powered (starting with a 911 GT3, then a McLaren 720s), but, in truth, it really isn't necessary. Even then, I would always have a Miata in the fleet. I am thankful that not-wealthy folks can actually afford cars like Miatas/124 Spiders/GTI's, etc. Really happy at the moment with my NA and Mk7 GTI manual.

More manufactures should use this recipe for a car! Its old but its gold. This is a proper driving experience where you can have fun without risking your license!

I'd like to think that even if I were a billionaire, I'd drive this car

Another truly excellent video Mr Goy: I hope you will not suffer for broadcasting the hidden but certain truth that low, wide, punishingly powerful cars (Ferraris. Porsches etc.) are often a nightmare to drive on narrow country roads and frequently hugely stressful to drive in a major city. Also that any serious attempt to explore the range of a 500 BHP, other than on a track, is highly likely to end in disqualification, if not worse. And finally your message “love what you drive” is a recipe for motoring serenity: thanks so much for posting.

MX-5 + reviewer = big smile on face.

That's it, that was the landmark review, I'm gonna get one now....

Light simple fun and most important humble

I have an M240i xDrive, loaded, and I wish I had bought a Miata.

I’ve been praising Miata’s since their debut. Great fun, decent resale and when you own one you have pretty much unlimited access to all your friends cars, even those that dismiss the car, so you could say it’s practical too. I’ve owned three generations in and around much more powerful sports cars and yet they only really are fun to drive on the track. The Miata is fun to drive to the shops.

i own an ND mx5 and love it. i also own a new AMG c63s and also love it. however, i hate the way this video's narrated. stop making excuses of how the cheap little mx5 can give u lots of fun compared to a super car. just don't talk about super cars to excuse the "humble" mx5 and just focus your journalistic info on what a great car the MX5 is in its own right.

I bought a mk1 back in 2011. Kept it for 6yrs, never went wrong, never let me down. Had a barrel of laughs in it and sold it for more when I was done. What's not to like about that...

Miata is allways the answer!

Bought one last year, crashed it earlier this year screwing around with the traction control off on a cold night. So, I bought a club edition a couple months ago. Funnest car I’ve ever had!!!! I rarely put the top down. It’s all about the way it drives.

Great video Carfection and Alex! Its a pity that Mazda didn't give you the latest 2019 version MX-5 with its updated 2.0 engine with 181hp/151lbs ft that revs to 7500rpm... Oh well, no worries!

Carfection- the perfect video

I have so much love for this car. Also the RX-7, and The RX-8

Always love the reviews from Alex

This is the first video of the newer design that makes it look great. Don't know why but I now like it better.

Thank you Alex, pls do more auto films. Just damn hell miss yours.

The return of the king! Hope you're well Alex?

the one thing about new sports cars is they are not much fun when driven slowly but i am glad they are still being made.

I love it

I have been driving mine since 1999. Cant agree more.

I agree with our conclusion, i have quite some fun with my mom's Fiat Panda, it's very light and quick. Even if it is a front wheel drive, i have made them spin a few time :p

Have you guys got a new camera? This video is stunning

I drift a 2008 Chevy Tahoe in the wet occassionally. I really want sway bars and a locking diff. Then i'll be happy whenever its slippery out. Because drifting a long-wheelbase vehicle never meant to go sideways in any weather ever is just that much fun. Need a fairly wide road though.

I have a 2014, drove it from Sioux Falls SD to Rapid City SD in 4 and one half hours at 80 mph. No caffeine required. Nothing passed me.

I sold my NB and got my childhood dream car, a 911 997.1. And while there is a world of difference in just every single aspect, it's been really hard to admit to myself that I probably had more fun in the miata than in the Porsche. That's how good these cars are. In a couple of years I will trade the 997 for a ND I'm pretty sure.

Upgraded to the 2019 Rf from an NC its most fun car i've ever owned.

The take-way from this video on the MX-5 in general, and specifically the current generation MX-5 , is right on-point. But I am surprised that the reviewer didn't evaluate the 2019 model year car with the 181 bhp 2.0L engine.

Love mx5's they are fucking awesome....my 91 has 356k Kms still going strong, will get a new one to go with my classic one day

This kinda reminds me of the old Top Gear, which is a big compliment

Great message at the end

I own a 1.6 mx5 na as my first car and it is honestly the best car you can imagine in terms of fun for the money. If you don't need much space or drive on the Autobahn all day...go for it. You can fit groceries in the boot/trunk if needed, drive to the Nürburgring, show that cute girl on your passenger seat how badass you are with a small drift in the parking lot ;) and then drive home comfortably even on rough roads. Insurance is also ok

I’m 19 and I was skeptical before I purchased my 1995 NA, but boi oh boi, they don’t make them like they used to!

Good to see Alex back, about time!! One of my favourite car journalists, up there with Chris Harris, Steve Sutcliffe and Matt Watson. Personally I think Mazda needs a turbo model, that's the one most people want especially after seeing the BBR one.

A car many just won’t understand by reading a spec sheet- have to drive one to know

Love the point where every driver laughs out loud reviewing the mx5. 4.09

It’s a shame that the Sportscar market that the Miata sits in isn’t that well populated. We can only hope to see the Silvia and S2000 come back at a price point and performance that’s competitive.

I have the great Renault Mégane r26 and also a little 205 1.1 and I have quite the same amount of fun in both but in different ways.

Perfect summary of why I bought one.

Outdated review! It's now got 181hp and a higher redline on the 2l! Apart from that, I quite liked it.

My state's speed limit on highway is only 80kmph or apprx 50mph. Even then accidents happen very often.

I am a simple Slav, I hear Lada, I press like

This is a cheaper alternative to the Alfa 4C, and a bloody good one at that

More Alex, please.

Whoever is complaining that the new Toyota Gr86 only has 231hp should watch this video! It is exactly the same story..!

So light, so nimble, so perfect.

Ah well, I guess there's some love for my Megane II CC inside of my heart. It's not perfect by far, it's heavy (about 1500kg) and it got a small engine (1.6l ,113HP). Yeah, the engine is sluggish and there are only 5 gears, that means on the motorway the engine starts to make itself noticeable, especially at 100mph+. But, I can go anywhere I want to and even put the top down if I feel like it. It's not the fastest but it's alright I guess. It's not the prettiest, it's also not the ugliest, it's got it's own kind of looks. But in the end I think that it's flaws make the car special, the small powerless engine that has to be revved to get the thing moving. The fact that at startup sometimes it makes a weird noise and won't start first try (dephaser pulley). That the heated seats take a couple of minutes to get warm and after they're warm the car forgets about the heated seats being on and after another couple of minutes it suddenly remembers that it has to heat your butt up and turns the heat back up again. The oil filter randomly got loose after 10k miles. It defindetly isn't a special car that'll be remembered, but if I were to wake up and it would be gone...I'd miss it. A lot.

The perfect every day sports car, period, and especially with the new revised 2.0 l engine with a whisk over 180bhp, it gives you even more top end fun. BTW are Alex back for good or still freelancing?

very well said.

Mazda! Please bring the MX-5 to India 😭!!

It's A lot more fun to drive a slow car faster than a fast car slower.

Just sold my Ferrari 360 Convertible for a new MX5. Can’t drive the Ferrari fast and always worried of knocking something on the narrow roads so end up driving more slowly!

Well said alex!

er… BRZ? MX5 is as it always has been - a 8 or 9/10ths car. The dynamics ultimately collapse under pressure..but great is you are single and under 5'9 and 12 stone, and have no other possessions.. not even a 'manbag'.. I owned one and chose the 1.5 and BBr'd it to 158bhp - sweeter engine than the 2.0 It was fun, but just too cramped and pretty miserable with the roof up... but it was great fun on a nice day for sure..and I loved the soft suspension - you could 'ski' along, pitching and squatting and leaning on the outside rear tyre coming out of a corner - really nice. BRZ much more involving as a proper junior sports car...and 10/10ths - gets better the harder you push it.

Great reviewer.

Miata with the 2.5L petrol would be great. The 2.0L is fine too. Can't speak to what the 1.5L is like

Nice. Please plan a test of the 181hp engine! I need some of that carfection guidance on that car!

I have a new GT86 and this is the only other car that i would buy without exitation.....

Why not test the new 2019 engine?

Why've you released a new video with an old model? They've just brought out the update with more power and higher redline. It's already been tested elsewhere.

Slow car fast>fast car fast.

Prefer the GT86/BRZ, worse mpg, 0-60 but the handling is sharper and the feedback it better than the MX5 where the rear suspension tends to wobble a little while the GT86 feels more planted

I love small light cars with good suspension, nd miata is a blast to drive. I haven't drove na or nb yet :/

Nice video .. preloved Elise anyone ... Alex - do you still own an Elise 😉

Miata is the way to go.

Long live the Miata!

What is the reason to publish test of ND1 when ND2 was realesed 2 months ago?

You should review the Subaru BRZ

1:13 was watching a voice crack vid before this vid

180 hp on the 2019 (at least in North America)

The perfect car for twisty back roads.

What about the Lotus Elise???

What about the Alpine A110?

¨This is my dream affordable car

or a lotus elise?

I HAVE MARK 1 for $999. Love it!!!

What about the Abarth 124?

great car but I prefer the look of the RF

Hi Alex!!

If you want to have a good time in a Miata, you should find a decent NC and take it to Flyin' Miata and throw $5K-$10K at it.

I think MX-5 is the most amazing car in under 2.0L class.