Mazda MX-5 Review // Andrea learns to drive stick. 

To clarify, Andrea did switch to running shoes to learn to drive this car.

“Slow down! Slow down! Cause this is all new...” LoL. Awesome!

"It could be a marriage breaker!" Oh man! 😅 I remember the first time learning how to drive and my dad barking "Don't chew out my clutch!"

The Miata is a great car to learn to drive a manual. Light clutch pedal, the precise feel of the shifter, and no worries about rolling backwards. I love my Soul Red 2016! Years ago when I got my permit my mom had a Camry with a manual and she tried to teach me, she was probably more nervous than I was, lol. Eventually I got the feel for it by practicing in an old Beetle. Once I got the hang of it I took my driving test in the manual Camry. And I’ve pretty much always had a manual transmission vehicle since then.

Three cheers to Mazda for keeping this car that has the essence of fun sport car that will last forever with the manual transmission. Even Scotty Kilmer likes it

Hi Andrea and Zack, great video! I learned to drive MT by watching the bus drivers in South America, while going back and forth to school, way before I was a teenager. A few years ago, I taught my oldest son to drive MT in a 2001 Miata I still own. A couple of years ago, when he bought his dream car -a 2001 BMW M3, he called me to thank me for teaching him to drive manual cars. That call reminded me that cars can form strong human connections between two people that go beyond the practicality of showing someone how to use the machine. Those memories for the two of us are priceless. PS. Andrea, keep it up! A few things are sexier than seeing a woman drive a MT well.

Now Zack can get the MX-5 with Andrea’s full support. Yay!

You two have a really wonderful dynamic together. It is great to see a married couple enjoy working together. You two keep it real and let it roll. Keep it up! Thanks for all the great content. #marriagegoals

Well done Andrea! With all of the cars/SUVs/trucks over the years that have spent time in my driveway(s), my Wife has yet to figure this ‘ manual’ transmission stuff out. Oh how I’ve tried. But in her defence, it has always been a difficult YJ manual or some other less forgiving car (or my Carrera). This Mazda or any Honda Civic are both excellent cars to introduce inexperienced drivers into the world of standard transmissions. It truly is a skill. And everyone knows that women who drive a stick, are somewhat ‘hotter’. You did great. Thanks for taking us along for your learning adventure. Thanks.

Totally different content from an automotive journalist!... teaching wife how to drive a stick shift while reviewing a car... 👏 cheers to Andrea for her learning commitment... Better late then never... Zack, mate you just summed it up in the middle while explaining how a Manual transmission becomes the soul connection between a man and machine. Loved that bit 👍

Fun video. I really enjoy teaching people how to drive manual. I taught all my siblings. I also first learned how to do it on a Mazda, a 1986 323.

1 Cool car + 2 cool people = A very cool video.... Great job Andrea on the driving and awesome motor,wheel,clutch explanation & instruction there Zack....

Good Job Zack 👍 you are very patient and Andrea Picked up very quickly well done Andrea

Good job Andrea. I drove a manual for years in England before moving to Canada. Now I am little fearful of driving one after 30 years driving only automatic. May try now after watching this video. Good coaching Zack.

I love the base MX-5! And, I’m impressed with the way you guys compliment one another while reviewing the car! 🤟🏼

Fun video, guys! Andrea has been such a great addition to this channel. Congratulations on learning to drive a manual, Andrea! Now I am waiting for the video where you guys pick up your own Miata.

Europeans watching this be like 😂😂😂 But kudos to you, Andrea! Great job!

You guys crack me up! I love your chemistry! I remember when I had to learn how to start driving a manual transmission vehicle. It was way back in the mid-80's, and my automatic 1979 Mustang was having issues and was not driveable, so I had to learn how to drive my Dad's manual trans 1985 Mitsubishi Montero, a two-door with the "Urban Gorilla" spare tire cover on the back! I did catch on quickly how to drive a stick. After selling my Mustang, I bought a barely used 1986 Mazda RX-7 with the stick shift. I enjoyed that car so much that I upgraded to a 1988 GXL manual Mazda RX-7 two years later and drove that car for six years! Your video brought back great memories of driving my 5-speed manual Mazda!

I love this car, a cheerful car. I owned one 20 years ago,enjoyed it very much.

She did great on that left hander from the stop sign when alone in the car....excellent!!

What a great video. It deserves to be watched by a lot of people. Greetings from Romania

Great car to learn how to drive ‘stick’. The clutch and gearbox in the MX5 is just spot on ❤️

Way to go Andrea, manual drive! Thanks guys, great video!

I just stumbled across this looking for my new vehicle. In October 1989 I remember seeing the debut of the Miata in Road & Track magazine. There was a full 2 page ad for it right in the center so you could un-staple it hang it up. That was on my wall till 1993 when I bought my first of 3. The base started at $13,800 as a 90 model and in 93 I bought mine fully loaded (but with no hardtop) for 18000. That car went 300k miles till I was t-boned. Bought a used 93 and that went to 250k before hit again. Last in my garage has been a 97 M edition but it was a northern car so a few more problems and a lot more rust. Wonderful cars but after 30 years of driving a Miata in what has become very heavy traffic where I live has driven me to finally give in and buy an automatic.

You guys are funny! Way to go Andrea, you did great! I hadn't driven manual in a long time and when I was looking for new car a couple years or so ago, I was considering getting a car with manual. I took one out for test drive and was surprised I didn't really mess up having not driven manual in long time! I think they are easier to drive now then they use to be.

M/T is the fun way to this small sports car You can do it, Andrea

Nice job Andrea! I was nervous for you before you going but impressed how quickly you picked it up.

She did really well and with a great attitude! Love to see it.

"...All the fancy press cars." Dammit, that's what I've been missing.

Great teacher. I am trying to encourage my wife to learn stick, because I want to own an MX-5 RF.....SOON!

Andrea, great driving, Zack great teacher, both best video ever of yours.

Think subtitling the video something like “How to teach your spouse to drive a manual” May get a lot of hits. I know I have definitely looked up that type of video in my past. Great video as usual.

I hope my partner and I still joke with each other like this when we're older (you're not "old", Zach, you know what I mean!)

You couldn't have picked a better car to learn how to drive a manual transmission 👍

This brought me back to the 60's when I had to teach my older sister to drive a manual. Problem was it was in a Bronco 6 cylinder with a column shifting 3 speed. It had very little torque and was on oversize tires. My method was to start her off in low range in the dirt to get used to the shifting and clutch. Once she was reasonably proficient, we headed off on pavement. That was my first mistake. I should have had her practice more in high range. Anyway, we had a couple of bucking episodes on pavement, but she quickly got the knack of keeping the revs higher when taking off. Modern cars with computers now try to keep idle speed constant and you can take off slowly in most of them by just letting out the clutch very slowly. That Miata probably has almost twice the power and torque of that old Bronco and weighs less so it should be the ideal started car to learn how to use a manual though Andrea did a very good job.

Thank you Mazda for this great manual shift sports car! I learned to drive at 14 in an old WW2 Jeep. Had a Spitfire as a young man. "Content" - guess Millenials can't go 10 minutes without a screen to look at. An "enthusiast doesn't want the distraction of all those gadgets. My 2000 Miata is great! Just basic fun driving.

Good stuff Andrea👍, great review as well (you have great patience Zack). There is a definite connection that one gets when you drive a manual transmission vehicle that is hard to emulate in an automatic transmission vehicle and the Miata was the perfect car to provide that experience.

Way da go Andrea. Great job girl. Making Zack like a true amateur. Kidding Zack. Thanks for sharing.

Congrats Andrea! ☺️

Great job driving the manual Andrea.

GREAT video! I am so happy you guys kept some of the growing pains of learning manual in the video and not just showing the good bits. Good job to Andrea, and good job to her instructor! Now you guys can get a manual family cars? Save the manuals.

If you haven't done it, I highly recommend you to teach your ladies how to drive a manual. It's a great bonding experience and the only time where you get to tell her what to do. Take advantage of it.

Heated seats are amazing. Lucked into them w my nc gt, and will never go without. LSD is also super helpful as I daily in NW PA. Thing is solid on snow w good snow tires. Almost more fun in winter!

Zack, time to try avocado toast.

Next time you and Andrea headed down that way, check out TugBoat Annie's (located at the end of Graybar Road). Great view, great service, great food, and great price!

He instructs how 🤔 drive standard pretty good.

great chemistry between you guys! loved the video

When you have a sports car it must be manual. As you said you get to know the torque and power. This is real driving, automatic cars are just transportation without driving.

Oh yes, Andrea's doin' it! So she'll now be able to review 911s and WRXs with you, Zack! ;)

Great review Andrea & Zack nice job driving the manual Miata

My wife LOVES her 2010 with the retractable hardtop and my dad still have his first year with the pop up lights and no A/C. Great cars for a fun weekend or a smaller driver. Nice Sea-Dweller as well!

Good review, beautiful little car. If you get a manual Miata, Andrea's going to love it more everyday. Miss my little manual CRX Si, have never tried the Miata, but did try the 1st gen MR2, which was superbly balanced and tossable, awesome fun. If the Miata falls somewhere in between on the fun factor scale, it's gotta be as good as they say...

What a wonderful car. The most economical way to get a sports car. Maybe I'll treat myself to one when I retire, if I don't think I'll look ridiculous driving it. I definitely will not get a manual. I live in Fort Lauderdale, which is not exactly fluid driving!

Speaking of weight and grams, many Miata ND owners who use them in amateur competition (autocross, Spec Miata, SCCA, etc) were dismayed to learn that "Soul Red Mica" adds a few lbs to the car, vs other colors.

Nice, thoughtful review. But after owning THREE soft top MX-5s, take it from me: the RF is the superior MX-5, by a nose. You get an MX-5 coupe, delightful in winter and seriously inclement weather - and significantly quieter and more composed on those long, droning, interstate drives, if those are unavoidable. But then, with the touch of a button, you get a convertible! Sitting behind the wheel, looking ahead, those “flying buttresses” are completely invisible, beyond one’s field of vision. You know that intoxicating convertible “drug” you experience when you first throw back the top in the spring? You get that in the RF. And all of it. Looks? I love the look of the soft top, but you guys are in the minority; most feel the RF is the looker of the two. That said, if I lived someplace warm and sunny - or if I were into serious autocross - I’d have opted for the soft top, since it would gain me a few tenths of a second around the track. But on the road that difference is insignificant; not something one can feel. And here in the northeast/New England, the RF is just the wiser choice.

Thumbs up for “Hand back up on the wheel!” My pet peeve, and this is why nobody drives my gt4, but me.

Way to go, Andrea!!! Great job learning how to drive stick, very good student!!! Zack, very good instructor; marriage is intact! Looks like you need make room in the garage for something new! Great video, you two!

Easiest pull away which I guarantee will stop you stalling no throttle easy the clutch up soon as the car starts moving keep the clutch pedal still The car will gain speed then you can add some go gas and release the rest of the clutch . Shown 7 people using this method not one stalled. After half an hour the throttle/clutch control becomes really easy.

I taught wifey to drive manual in my Porsche. Clutch replaced 2 weeks later 😂 just kidding, she picked it up quite quickly. Andrea sounded like Cliff Calvin from Cheers, explaining where Miata name came from. 👍🇨🇦

Hi, I am so in love with the Miata. I've always loved the Miata for many years just never owned one cause I didn't have the funds to purchase one, but I think in 2021 I just might purchase the 2021 Miata.

Interesting! Whereas most of the people in India are still very new to automatics given we’ve always had Manuals, it’s other way round in western countries.

Other shoes would have made it easier. Still great video and great job.

you were the funniest couple in a manuel car lollll

If going to learn stick start with one of the best pudding stirrers on the market . FYO the side window glass is actually drilled below the rubber seals to loose some weight. Wife's had hers since 2016. In the UK ICON spec. Here owners club has over 6000 members the majority whom are men. Power does not always mean fun and deffinately not agility.

Soon enough Andrea will be driving a manual Corvette around the track!

What I like most on this convertible is the price. It is well priced in my view. Nice auto for a nice weather joyride.

I’ve tried to teach my wife on a manual car and a motorcycle. Now a motorcycle is a total different concept, but I think easier because you can feel the clutch with your hand more. Then again I drove a tank but it was an automatic, but I drove 10,13,15 and 18 speeds in semis so shifting is in my nature. In England I learned to drive in the army on a manual in a Nissan Micra. My buddy failed his test in it and the last I saw of the civilian examiner was my buddy running down the runway chasing him for failing him 🤣🤣 I was stuck in the back seat trying to get out because he left the handbrake off and the thing was rolling. Zack should have told you, once you’ve driven a manual, automatics become kind of boring.

I wish I could fit 😔😞 into this machine ! I would buy one right now ! Stay thin , and enjoy the ride !

It feels so good! Nice to see!

Fantastic video and dynamics

She has been lucky to learn to drive with one of the best manual gearbox

Well done Andrea

I was going to ask about footwear, answered. Your a brave man Zak 😁😎

Team Ponytail Andrea !

The car is called the "Roadster' in Japan. The "Miata" name is only in the US. Actually Mazda doesn't use the Miata name any more but people will not give it up.

Great job Andrea...get yourself a manual Miata so you're able to practice....i am sure you'll beat Zack in a race soon! :)

Great job, Andrea. I have no damn idea how to drive a manual and I think it comes down to my generation (the millennial generation) not being exposed to manuals, or at least not nearly as much as earlier generations. I would love to learn, but there's a catch here in that I have no car to learn on and I don't want to purchase a car that's a manual that I have no idea how to drive. Thankfully, automatics have gotten so amazing in recent years in select cars. Anyhow, you did great!

Good for you Andrea 👍 your doing it 👏 👍

I'm surprised she hasn't driven stick in the past! I would have expected that you or someone would have taught her in the past.

Still love the chubby little shifter on the OG Miata. Short throws, light clutch, and super tight turns...thinking about finding a good Eunos from Japan.

I always felt a bit too big for the Miata and I'm only 6' even.

Great job Andrea!!

Good job Andrea! It’s about time!! 👏🏼Hahha at first I was like... wait is she pulling into a road with cars on her first time?! Great job on the b roll of you driving solo. Are y’all tempted to get another 911 now?

I think all car manufacturers should include a traffic camera in cars. It would be very useful.

Zack, that wasn’t the greatest explanation of the MT operation but whatever, Andrea loves it! Kudos.

Just sold my NC for more than I paid for it 4 years ago. Will now look for a replacement MX-5

Wow, those shots with Andrea driving solo and Zack recording from the road. Excellent Andrea!

Looks fun to drive 👏👋

In summary: Andrea talks dirty, drives a stick, and loses her cherry. Zack, I give you credit for teaching manual without wrecking the relationship!

16 Club owner here. You think chic car until you show up at an SCCA Autocross. Miatas everywhere. Your making me want to go for a drive. It is a drivers car. Would like to see a comparison to the 124 Abarth. My Prior car was an 06 911 Carrera S stick. Prior to that, 04 Viper. Miata is every bit the drivers car of those prior cars. Just easier to autocross parts wise.

She should set the rpms at 1500 for every start in first. It's much easier

Not bad taking off on 2nd try.. I remember when I learned I wasn't quite that quick

Wish I had a Miata to learn stick in!

Great to see it stayed with a manual hand brake too, instead of terrible electronic ones.

I taught my wife MT on my Evo X.

Flying Miata out of Boulder Junction, Colorado will drop an LS in an MX-5 for you and turn it into a total beast!

I found it much easier and safer to get the clutch/gas pedals feeling if you practice in a car park.

That car is so light and has so much torque that getting it to stall must take some doing...

subscribed already! love your video.

Welcome to the 2%er. Andrea, and I like my 2019 Rf GT gts