This Was More Fun Than The Hellcat? // 2021 Miata Manual Review 

"You Don't Buy One of These to Impress Other People, You Buy One of these to Impress Yourself" -> perfectly said Sarah. Poetic almost :-)

As an ND owner, you've hit the nail on the head on what the Miata is all about - Smiles for Miles!

Reality is that this car in any of its generations is one of the best cars over the past 30 years.

"You can't frown driving this thing, it makes you happy." Exactly the way I feel after buying my '16 last month. I've put about 1k miles on it since I got it, and its the most fun car I've ever had. Highly recommended. Thanks for your review.

Sarah, the LOOK on your face driving that car down the road... PRICELESS!

Every time you say “Aluminum” James May smiles.

Road & Track called the Miata the best thing you can do with your pants still on … that was about 40 years ago :-)

I've had two - older NB versions and they were/are amazingly dependable, easy to work on, and parts are inexpensive. There are lots of aftermarket modifications available. No one asks me to help them move.

"You can't frown driving this thing. It makes you happy." = gets it.

"you could wax this!" - the detail force is strong with this one!

I'm glad you finally got to review the ND with a manual transmission. As someone that daily drives an ND miata I can say I've gotten more interesting and fun interactions with random people than I did with my previous car.

Update: Sold the RF within a month to get a soft top, same car but much better! Blind spots are gone the top down, no more irritating targa roof wind noise and the feeling of a real convertible! This thing is a blast to drive, never had so much fun with all my previous convertibles. Great review Sarah as always!

Rare to see an engine that isn't covered by tons of plastic these days

Just bought a 2021 last month. I absolutely love it. I would pick it over my Jeep SRT any day. So much fun. If they stop making them I’m buying another one to put away. Mine is poly metal grey with the grey top and it looks fantastic. And yes the manual transmission is the only way to go.

Before this channel I only ever appreciated a car’s performance. Now I appreciate the design and engineering as well.

"they don't give you any vanity lights for the sunshades, because..." LOL

I know exactly what you mean about shifting and the revs still being high. It's a lot of fun.

Alright Sara, 5 Penguins means you really liked it ! I bought a 2016 Soft Top Club with the Brembo / BBS package in Artic White with the black aero effects & front splitter. The car is a blast to drive & the ND1 engine even has more torque than the ND2 down low RPMs. Its quick not fast but driving thru the gears every one gives you a pull. What you never saw coming ... its my daily driver in 4 season Northern Illinois. I put the winter tires on this car & when the snow flies its really equally fun because the chassis with the driver inside is 50 % front 50 % back in weight. So if your not in need of space this roadster has been absolutely a trouble free blast. Thru all the worst weather conditions this car has performed way beyond all I expected. Mazda really did a great job.

My '96 Miata has almost 200K miles on it. It has evolved into a track car, and it is still a blast to drive.

I have a 93 NA with a Supercharger and is definitely too fun to drive !

Love your comments about the manual transmission. There's nothing more satisfying than grabbing your own gears! Keep up the great content because we love it. 🔥👍

"Hello little veals" ...from the mind of Sarah. 😂😂😂

Yay! I was weaned on English sports cars as a kid. My parents had a new Bugeyed Sprite then upgraded to a Healey 3000. My first car was a POS 56 MGA. 20 years later it was a Fiat 124 Spider. I really enjoyed this review as I have always felt that the Miata was what British sports cars evolved into. Kudos to Mazda and thanks to you for sharing this video.

By far the best and funniest car review I have ever seen. Thanks!!! As someone who has worked in TV for decades and comedy for many of those years, kudos! Everything bout this delivery, timing etc is perfect! I love that none of the technical stuff is dumbed down. It feels like a date with Mona Lisa Vito from “My Cousin Vinny”. Love it!!

Production quality and passion are off the charts. Well done!

It's more fun to drive fast in a slow car than drive slow in a fast car. As opposed to the Hellcat. Still a pretty quick ride. You should take a look at Uncle Tony's Chrysler powered Miata, Winky.

This is why the Miata is the ultimate sports car. Fun at any speeds, relatively affordable, and just completely accessible to just about any driver. Big fan of all the Miatas, definitely a dream of mine to own one. I sat in the current model at the dealer last year, and it just clicked. Sarah, this review nails exactly what makes this little car so extraordinary.

Loved this review! I had an RF and agree, it just looks better. It’s also more comfortable and liveable day to day. Those painted tops on the doors that carry into the dash, they flow from the very visible hood and fenders, bringing the lines of the car into the cabin. A really nice design touch. They are quicker than people expect, but they also just launch so beautifully if you stamp on it from standstill. Because the diff and gearbox are braced together, there is no backlash. I did find it too small for someone who is 6’2”, not because I couldn’t fit, but because the footwell is so narrow you have absolutely no chance of ever readjusting in it. These are an absolute gem. Yeah there are faster cars, but you nail it when you talk about happiness factor.

Ok so I've always been a Mazda fan, and Miata especially, but it seems like Mazda is really killing it these days. All their models are awesome right now and have really high reliability.

I have a 2019 version WITH the BBS wheels, Brembo brakes, and it tickles me watching you enjoy this Miata. Yes, the Brembo brakes rip your face off.

This is definitely one of my favorite car reviews you have done... you look so happy the entire time. :-)

Your face and smile whilst rowing the gears made me smile.

👍❤️ Every time I drive my MX5 I get out with a smile on my face.

I bought a 2019 6 speed manual RF. I can agree that it is impossible to be unhappy while driving one. The automotive equivalent to a Wodehouse novel.

Don't forget to compare it to the 2022 BRZ when it comes available to the public!! Can't wait!

Perfect 5.0 Penguins! A true driver's car. Your enjoyment was evident and infectious.

I adore my 2021 MX-5 RF GT. Great review

(13:40) *SnT:* "Are you getting a drink of water? *COW:* "Just keep moooooving along, girl."

Great review. Super fun. How many times in car reviews have your heard "You could wax that." Twice in this one alone, and I couldn't agree more.

What an impressive company Mazda is, to continue building this fun, low-volume sports car for driving enthusiasts.

There’s nothing better than the look of pure joy on your face when giving it the beans! Makes my day!

Beautifully designed engine with no stupid covers. Gorgeous

Love the new camera angle. Great that u go the extra mile, and go over everything under the car. Great vid as always.

I bet mazda engineers felt very pleased while watching this review. Working on a car like this is probably one of the most satisfying jobs.

Mazda continues to keep a real roadster alive. With your reaction and shear joy for this car, I agree with another commenter… cancel the Bronco and get yourself a 5-penguin dream! 👍

The engine bay is so old school, I love it

Hi Sarah, I’m thinking you should cancel the Bronco and get this Miata, you’re so happy in the car.....it’s for you.

"One of us, one of us" Sara, you should add a Miata to your garage 😈😁

Funnest, and funniest, informative review this month. Nothing like a car and it’s reviewer having loads of personality.

In '98, I bought a base model and absolutely loved it. No power steering, no AC, no power windows or locks, no nothin'! Just power disc brakes and a steering wheel air bag. That's it. The rest was just pure Miata!

I bought an RF to impress myself. Unforeseen consequence: It's the only car I've ever owned that catches compliments and starts parking lot conversations.

The MX-5 has always been one of my bucket list cars. It's also the sports car bargain of the century....and that 2.0 is a masterpiece since Mazda upped the power and redline. I will definitely own one of these at some point. And I totally agree, the RF does look a little sexier, but the raw connectedness of the soft top is better.

I have a '96 (First Gen). I love it, even needing more HP. Such fun to drive! I look forward to an ND purchase in the future... once depreciation kicks in! Thanks Sarah!! As always, I enjoy the effort you put into your content!

As someone that has image searched full under-body views of cars many times, thank you for including it in your reviews now. I have not a clue how this works, but if that alone is searchable, it will help someone in the future. I own a NB, that was custom ordered with an automatic, with 3,000 original miles on it, so torn on what to do with it once it's fixed.

I’m debating this car with myself but if there was ever a time to scoop one up before everything goes EV this is it.

I love your reviews Sarah. Nobody else is going to keep my attention while stopping in the middle of a driving review to talk to cows. Keep up the great work. B-)

I've owned a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata turbo and by far it was the most fun vehicles I have owned or driven!

Great review Sarah , I liked the new camera angels ...I'm a big beliver in driving a slow car fast ,not a fast car slow ... Driving a slow car fast your will have a smile all day long and you don't go to jail 🙂

In 🇬🇧 it called the MX-5. Awesome car they got right the first time round

I love how much effort and care you put into the video editing side itself. Muting music on beat to show how quiet it is or to briefly let us hear the car. Never change Sarah, no matter how much youtube might want you to :)

10:08 Sarah is the only automotive reviewer I know on RU-vid, who show the under carriage of the car.👍

Painted body interiors are one of the coolest touches of classic cars that we miss today, so cool that this has it. As far as being "more fun than a Hellcat" well yep, driving slow, analog cars fast beats the heck out of driving numb, fast cars.

Reminds me of my old 1969 Fiat 124 Sport Spyder, just up to date, getting onto a busy freeway from a slow on-ramp by redlining second then dropping into fifth.

Just sold my ls3 swapped corvette to buy one of these. I appreciate you leaving the cow part in. That’s exactly how my wife and I are going to be using it.

"On a dark desert highway; cool wind in my hair".... At last a worthy successor to the Honda S2000! Only change I would make is to have a red interior. The S2000 is 20 years old now, but did have 240 hp and an electric roof. Love manual trannys - you drive the car rather than it's driving you. The Hellcat may be hellishly powerful; but is too brutal to be as fun to drive.

I am impressed, it even has a life saving REAL hand brake, not that potential killer the electric parkbrake, an accident waiting to kill someone.

These are perfect computer cars that you can nail on a track and a hard choice between these and the Toyota 86 Yes you can get more HP cars, but very few of them are as fun. I'd get the hard top convertible is the only other thing.

Make sure the ignition is turned off before shagging on the bonnet as it has bonnet actuators that kick up the back up to deflect things over the windscreen

Entertainment and knowledge. Thank you Ms Sarah.

Bought my Miata new in '92, absolutely stripped (no air, no stereo, steel wheels, crank windows) and loooooved it for seven years. Fast forward decades of teaching/coaching; bad back, bad knees, bad neck, 6'2" (half legs) and like a lot of people who need a two seat rag top which is now my '14 Vette Z51, conv. 7MT which is my Miata offspring. Test drove a new one in 2018 and would have gladly switched back BUT, knees in my face with the left one getting wedged and a very loud back less then 30 minutes after I test drove it. If I could fit, I wouldn't have quit (Miatas). Don't get me wrong, I truly enjoy my C7 but you can't drive/push it on normal roads but the heart still yearns...."sigh"

"No one was launching first gen wrx at 6000 rpm" 👀 lol 😆

This video just came up in my feed here at YT and it's no doubt because I own a 2020 Miata 100 Year Ann. edition and have watched lots of Miata videos. I'm floored by this lovely young lady's approach to car reviews. Sarah, I'm already a fan after watching just half of the clip. Keep 'em coming girl. You're awesome! 👍👍

it's always more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow!! :)

This car gave me the same vibes and joy that my GT86 gives me when I drive it. It’s like a puppy; always wanting to play

we almost bought a silver one 2 weeks ago with the hard top. they discounted the crap out of it, almost 5000 off MSRP. I went back the next day and it was gone. And then I threw up

The answer is always miata! I've had mine for 20 years. 😎

Haven't watched a review in a bit because the car didn't interest me, but the MX-5 is very common in the UK and old ones are great for amateur racing or as a weekend car. I'd love an original because of pop up headlamps 😂

I had a 1992 NA Black and Tan SE for 18 years before it was rear ended. I miss it everyday. There is nothing like a miata. There is no substitute for reliability, fun factor and customization.

You played the song of my people. Thank you.

I have a ‘21 Miata RF in a manual. Of all my 10 cars I’ve owned, it’s by far the most fun I’ve ever had driving. It’s a blast.

It needs the Brembo brakes, Sparco seats and a Flyin' Miata hairdryer.

As someone who had a Mazda as their first car, in manual, I know that feeling of driving fast and having a blast all within the city speed limits. Great review, and 5 penguins is high praise! Also it’s weird watching James May in your garage

Drove one in '94. It's the funnest car I've ever experienced.

I can relate to your Miata driving experience. My first brand new car was a 1991 Mazda Protege with a 1.8L engine and 5 speed manual transmission. It was quick and fun to drive.

3:02 Infiniti had this a decade ago. I know, I know, totally different car. Nice review btw

2006 w/ Auto. Every time I got out of the car; I would say, "damn, that was fun". And best top ever Sarah.

that's my favorite car! I want one so bad

The Ricardo car seats hurt my tail bone , they are sooooo thinly padded * the GT seats are perfect ❤️❤️

Love it. And I've been cursed to love cars I have no hope of fitting into. I was too tall for this by the summer between 7th and 8th grade. But still love it - sounds way better than expected.

A really nice little car. Mazda has really brought it a long way. Nice to see. I've never seen a top that easy to put down either. You didn't even have to get out. Sweet.

It's such a pretty car. Out of all the cars I've owned I miss my NC the most. Such a fun car with some sticky rubber. But the manual is the only way to go. People who buy these with ATX have no sole. I wish Mazda would bring back a mazdaspeed version of this.

I had an NB (1999) for 9 years. In addition to it being a daily driver, I autocrossed and track day-ed the heck out of it. Never caused me any problems and was a TON of fun to drive. The car isn't "fast" when compared to other cars, but it's just so nimble and responsive, that you can't help but have fun driving it. And it may be the _perfect_ car for learning how to race, as you _must_ drive the best line, hit apexes, and carry as much speed as possible out of corners. The car will teach you how to drive fast because you can't just stomp the gas pedal and make up for missing that apex.

Great review Sarah, love the MX5 great fun little car; great choice in roads. 😊👍

You’re the best Sarah! And so is the Miata! I own a RF manual. And you are right . . . you can’t drive a Miata without smiling!

So Sarah, if you had to choose between the Miata or a NSX, (price excluded), which would it be? The other commenters were right, the look on your face while you were driving was pure joy. Great review as always.🤗🤗🤗

37 people don't know what real fun is. Had a RF nd1 and traded that up for soft top nd2 in mid 2019. I love these cars for all the same aforementioned reasons. Simple, engaging, fun. Sways, springs, konis and wilwood brakes f/r .. perfection.

Not the same thing, but this makes me miss my Mazdaspeed3 even more.

Love my 2014 hardtop Miata 6 speed. I smile bigly when I drive it.

I was so excited to watch this review cause I knew you were going to be all giddy about it. I love your reviews but especially this one. Have you reviewed the Fiat 124? If so, which do you prefer? Thank you

OMG the back.... you are right.. I can't un-see it!! Burned in my vision from now on!