Why I'd Choose This Over A BRZ/86 // 2023 MX-5 Miata RF Review 

I prefer the soft top because it’s completely open all around and feels like you’re driving a go cart. Magic.

I like how you can actually see the engine. These engineers understand.

10 mm is not small its average :(

What I LOVE MOST about your content is you do such a great job of using simple layman friendly language whenever you can. It makes your videos more watchable for non-car people. My hope is it inspires a whole new generation of car enthusiasts. 👍😊

Love my 2019 RF GT, it's just a phenomenal car. I did upgrade the rear sway bar, left the front stock which made the rear end more lively, but that's an upgrade imo. My GT came with open diff, before they made the limited slip standard, so I upgraded the car to the full GT-S package myself, including rebuilding the open diff with the LSD center section. The diff rebuild was absurdly simple, even taking apart the rear end was just extremely easy. I did the whole job in an afternoon, and didn't have to change any shims in the diff, the new center section bolted right in and had perfect gear mesh and backlash immediately. Have put over 10k miles on the car since I did the LSD swap and it's been perfect.

Amazing car reviewed by one of the best reviewers on RU-vid. No punches pulled and comprehensive and technical - great content Sarah

Great review as always, looks like you enjoy sharing the info and experience with us. One thing I like that you do, because not enough people make it a habit, is that you are on an isolated road with no other cars in sight and when you pull off the road, you still use your turn signal. 👏

This is my first time on this channel. I wasn't expecting it to be so nerdy, I love it. You might be the first American I've heard call aluminum aluminium

I bought a ‘19 GTS RF in SRC/beige in May this year. Sarah, your earlier MX5 reviews were part of my research and how I discovered your channel. It all worked out great, thanks! Amazing car, people think it’s an Alfa or something since it’s just different looking. I’m not used to the number of compliments the car gets. I’ve driven 10 hour days on road trips and wished I could keep going. In a time where 0-60 means little, due to the outrageous power that’s out there, this thing combines fun at any speed and the looks of a car triple the price (IMO). SAVE THE MANUALS!

Love this video! I have owned a RF club for almost a year - it’s so much fun to drive and a blast at Autox, basically my favorite car I’ve ever owned. There’s days I just keep driving because I don’t want to go home and park it. Total blast ....

For almost a year, the RF Club in this color was the hottest car I’ve ever owned. It’s the one I let get away. Kids warranted a change-up to sporty sedans. I’m grateful for the time I had with this, though.

As long as you continue RU-vid-ing, never ever stop to make these car reviews - they are the very best in all of RU-vid! I really like your new score-system too. Thank you for doing such great work ❤ and Stay Awesome!

Just want to say I am super impressed by your review and the detail you go into the qualities of the car and it’s characteristics. You are in a different league to most of the other car reviewers on RU-vid. Keep up the great work

The most fun car to drive you can own for the money! And Miata's are Ultra Supremely Reliable! There are guys where I live that have older models that drive great and have well over 400,000 miles on them! 😳🤘

Another great review Sarah! Totally agree with you 100% I have driven my friends ND2 RF and it is a rocket! My 1990 NA brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. Even though it is 1.6 and NA, you can still have fun on the windy back roads in the country. When the lights turn green, you can rip it through the gears and still be under the speed limit! Mazda did. Great job making the MX5 for us to enjoy the basic fun of driving! The worlds most popular Sports Car! Jinba Ittai - horse and rider as one!

All very subjective, but personally I prefer the look of the ST over the RF. When I was first looking at these, I thought RF all the way--but after driving both and spending more time looking at both, I ended up driving off the lot in a ST. Lightness is a huge bonus, but I just think the rear end of the car looks more balanced and elegant on the ST. Again, very subjective--both are great looking cars!

Aloha to Miss Sarah, the hardest working RU-vidr in the multiverse. Thank you for all your efforts. Happy New Year!

Glad you like it, it's nice to hear a RU-vidr being positive about a cheap car! One thing, the diameter of the sway bar is totally meaningless without knowing where it actually attaches to the suspension system! (You need to know the lever arm length.)

This is the most professional and informative review on this car. Obviously there's a big difference between someone who actually knows car tech than the others who are just car buffs with no actual car knowledge attempting reviews. And...yes the RF top closed makes the car more rigid. You can feel this difference if you drive normally over a slightly bumpy road with top up and then top down, but you need to pay close attention to feel it.

Beans are the feeling in your gut when you eat too much beans. Cookies are how many cookies you can afford after buying the car. Wrenches are how many tools you will need to work on the car. Squids are for how much tofu you will save going up Mt Akina. Penguins is a rating on how many penguins like the car.

Excellent review! Nice pointing out the engineering details under the hood and the chassis. Thumps up for your pronounciation of the shock absorber manufacturer, spot on! 😉

I was looking for a 60s or 70s British roadster when a friend suggested I look at Miatas. I am loving my 2012 with retractable hard top. It is really fun to drive and dependable. (unlike the old British cars) I give mine a 9.8 too.😊😊

The new scoring system is much improved...and you're right, no need to explain it every time. Cute car. I remember when these things first came out...they were all the rage in So. Cal. back in the 80s.

Been watching you since I had an MR2 Turbo and now I own an RF. Glad to see you reviewing and enjoying this car.

Always love your reviews, Sarah. Happy New Year to you!!❤🎉

I daily drove an ND1 GT for over 4 years. Of the dozen or so cars I’ve had, it’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned. If you can learn to live with such a small car, it’s definitely worth any compromises you have to make. (It helped that my wife has a mid-size SUV.) Mine was the soft top but I love the looks of the RF, too.

Your intuition about the ebrake handle placement is spot on. RHD models have an identical center console setup, so the brake is on the right, closer to the driver on RHD models. That placement probably also helps with not accidentally hitting the infotainment knobs as much, too.

Seat lowering bracket is a GAME CHANGER for the ND platform and anyone over 5’10”. It transforms the car.

I knew this review was coming and have been eagerly awaiting it since you snuck in a pic of the headlight a week or two ago. I own an ND1 as well as an NA and I found you in the first place, a couple days after I bought my ND the summer before last. You had just reviewed the 2020 white 6 speed soft top GT (which mine is - just a couple years older) and I have been looking to trade out of the ND1 for an ND2 RF ever since and have test driven several up and down the east coast. I came really close last year. I had really hoped you'd give impressions of the new kinematic posture control which was the big addition to the 2022's since that's what I'm most curious about since I'm thinking of going new over a 20 or 21. Anyway, love your review as always and it's nice to see you experience the same delight in the MX-5 that those of us that own them get to experience all the time. You gave the soft top 5 cookies (and admitted it was one of the three most favorite cars you've ever driven) so I'd hoped the RF would have gotten a 10 but, 9.8 ain't too shabby. 🙂

I thoroughly enjoyed this review. Just could not breathe for a second, when it looked like you fully pulled the handbrake at highway speed😀. Thanks, Sarah!

Just wanted to wish you a great coming year and thank You for your past year's fantastic work and your personality

I liked your expertise and genuine joy in using and thoroughly checking out this beautiful car. I'd certainly like to own one.

I have a 2001 NB - daily driver with 155K on it. It has been amazingly dependable. Thank you for the review.

Just the greatest channel and content creator 😊♥️

Thank you so much for adding the 🦑! That's so much better than the sticky bun idea I floated and the reason I wanted it was because I love my Miata and your other reviews didn't tout its phenomenal handling, so I'm extra glad to see it first implemented on a Miata review. You rock, Sarah.

Amazing review, so happy to have discovered your channel. I am cross shopping the MX-5 and the GR86/BRZ at the moment and this video was helpful. Cheers !

EV makers are going to need to make 6 speed manual versions to keep Sarah happy.

This looks to be as much fun as the MGs I had in my 20s. Certainly more reliable. If I thought I could get in and out of one without herniating myself or violating the warranty on my spine, I'd be sorely tempted.

Great review. Thanks for covering the MX-5!

I totally loved this review. I love this little car, and you standing next to it makes it even better!

Great cars...I regularly drive my 94 NA (which I turboed of course) in 40 degree weather with the top down. Plenty comfortable!

A car that is so underrated 🤔

Always enjoy your reviews. Thanks for being informative and entertaining at the same time.

I could see myself in this vehicle, it is so sporty looking and I love the color. Another great review by Sarah!!!!!!

Nice review! I have 6 month old soft-top GT, I personally prefer the look of the soft- top, and when the top is down, you get the full open top experience. I also drove the version with the Brembo package, I didn't think it was worth the extra $$, the Brembo brakes seemed pretty similar to the standard brakes, and by the way, only the front brakes are Brembo brakes... and the standard seats actually felt more supportive than the Recaros. I also prefer the satin chrome wheels on the GT as opposed to the black wheels. So folks, save your $$ and go for the GT spec, unless you absolutely must have red brake calipers.😁

What a great car! You communicated your enjoyment clearly. The landscapes were amazing, the air looked so clear. I can picture this car in your future with miles of smiles. I love the new scoring system.

I did not realize how scientifically important the “bolster test” is, until now. Nice review covering geekery and practicality with a few cheeky bits thrown in. Subscribed!

Love the bilschteines. It puts out heat quickly. Watching the moisture burn off the exhaust tips on launch was proof. Quick cars that have the driver close to the ground, accentuate the feeling of speed and handling. I agree the brake and seat upgrades are a must. Thanks Sarah, fun review.

I think you choose the BRZ/86 if you crave a little more headroom and have one car as it's a much better car as far as doing car things that normal people expect. I find having back seats weird going from RX7s to MR2s and now I'm in an ND. Both cars are excellent street vehicles though. Went from a '16 club to a 17 RF supercharged I could get 37 mpg in the club, but the RF is sitting at 28 and I really preferred it without the supercharger. I wish they made second gear slightly shorter and just got rid of first gear. The only other complaint would be more clear coat would be greatly appreciated. Mazda knows how to make cars feel a certain way and it feels proper. I like body roll in Mazda cars because their suspension design and camber curves help to keep the tires relatively flat leading to massive mechanical grip in turns. I get why people feel the need to have lots of camber on their setups because their camber curves didn't work well and so you'd prefer to kill roll for more control. I think for most of us humans some roll communicates so much and makes the car so much easier to feel it communicating its limits whereas harder less travel suspensions, especially on shorter wheelbases, can have much narrower windows and less communication before the car gives us which is great if you're skilled and at attention, but comfortable is fast for 90% of people out on track.

I really like this style of review I feel like I own the car at this point. Every inch of the car was reviewed!

Happy Humpday Sarah!!! That car looks like so much fun!! Great review as per always!! Stay excellent!!!😎

I was looking at a new BRZ or a similar config to what you have here loaded with the RF top. The reason why I'm considering the BRZ more, is so my wife and my little girl could all get in the vehicle.

The RF's are about a perfect 50/50 not only f/r but l/r as well. Having owned both a club RF ND1 and a softtop ND2 (rip) They're fantastic little cars. Key word "little" .. the bmw 128i I replaced my ST with seemed huge at first and its considered a small coupe. Anyhow, Great review and if I were to entertain another ND it would be another RF. Oh, wheels are 4x100 .. but I'm sure the comments section I didn't read has already mentioned that :D

I'm so glad I found you! Great review!

A buddy of mine got the FIATA version of this, and loves everything about it. It's really an excellent car. Nicely done, @sarah -n- Tuned.

Always love your car reviews, informative and entertaining. Love your rating categories too. Thanks Sarah!

Love the look of the seats and I agree that’s a beautiful engine and the car itself is beautiful

Another fine review. I truly enjoy and appreciate your videos. So much great information. 👍

Ommmgggg I really want this car now! Thanks for an amazing review Sarah!

I've owned my 2018 mx-5 soft top since 2018 as my only car, its been absurdly reliable, economical to operate. I would have definitely gotten the RF had I wanted to spend the extra money, but after owning it, the soft top goes up and down so fast with just that one handle that I don't actually think I'd want to motorized. But I know I'm a weirdo and agree that for most people the RF would be better considering it wouldn't be their DD lol

bonjour, Your reviews are really nicely done, you explain mecanics and others features in a relevant way. This car is amazing mostly in very twisty roads, it jump from one curv to the other . I am French and the smalls twisty roads are made for this car (you don't have this kind of roads in US). This car put smile each time I drive it, cruising or on more speedy driving. You may just fit in the car, as you are tall ! Thanks for your video Happy new year

Great review , love my 2019 nd rf as my daily, its so much fun and a perminent smile when driving is guarenteed :)

I finally got to spend some quality time with a ND2 when I rented a 6spd soft top on Turo while visiting Vegas. I loved everything about it, but felt it was a little lacking at the top of the rev range. I could be spoiled though, since my NB has a Rotrex supercharger which pulls pretty hard all the way to redline.

Wicked nice chase view of the front end! Nice touch! 🤘

Ah, Sarah, you're talking my language! I can't afford a new ND but six years ago I bought a PRHT (Power Retractable Hard Top) NC model and I love it to bits! It had 150,000kms on the clock then, and it now has 220,000kms. Apart from tyres and servicing I've only paid out for one repair; a new right front wheel bearing. It's my four-wheeled motorcycle, and my wife, who doesn't ride any more, loves it as much as I do. Fabulous around town, amazing touring car (several +3,000km trips), 12 seconds down and 12 seconds up for the roof and because it doesn't have the rear turret of the ND, (a Mercedes SLK-owning friend says his takes 25 seconds!!) it looks just like a proper convertible, but has none of the disadvantages. BOSE six-stacker CD player, all leather everything, I'm rambling, aren't it?

Love your review Sarah ! I didn't have the chance to test drive an RF as they were already SOLD coming off the transport truck at the dealership when I bought my 2016 MX-5 Club soft top in Artic White with the Brembo / BBS package in the 1st week of March 2017. Am I disappointed ? NO ! The whole design concept was to reduce weight. My car weighs 2320 pounds & that is over 150 pounds less than a similarly equipped RF in that Soul Red color ( its a fattie - 15 pounds heavier than Artic White ) ! Also cheaper by $3500 to $5000 without the blind spots & much more headroom. While winding this car to its redline is where the newer ND2 engine excels. The ND1 has a slightly better low end torque curve .... meaning I think I'd kick some RF tail in a race 0 to 60 mph. BTW , I added a axle back active exhaust system from Flying Miata & its really a blast. Also a Verus Engineering Air Oil Separator ( AOS ) to protect the intake valves. Don't forget to get at least the front done with PPF highly recommend that. Its a DD in 4 season Northern Illinois - Love it !

Came for the car review, stayed for Sarah!

Very nice review of the Mazda Miata. Think they are just as popular today as they were when they first introduced back in the 80's. I totally agree with you that an EV version of this car would indeed ruin its reputation for what the car represents.

Loved the review.HAPPY NEW YEAR MISS SARAH!!!🎉

I just watched your last video, don't give up on your air mattress, you just need an air pump, I use a foot pump to get enough pressure in my mattress. Thanks for all these years of entertainment Sarah have a happy New Year and a very rewarding New Year.

Own a 1993 NA6 Miata. It's a smile machine. Love the Miata/mx5 line. Great history too.

Did the factory give you an advance copy? I understood we couldn't even order the '23 yet ...? I love your car reviews! You show things no one else does, and you are a true car enthusiast! Thanks for this review,

My mind is blown with the new scoring system. 😂 happy new year Sarah.

I’m impressed that you pronounce aluminium correctly and embrace the metric system. Rockin it!

Surprise! This is the first car all year that I actually like. From the side it looks a little like the old Datsun 240Z. If I could ever afford it I would buy this car, it's well built.

Not very practical as a 2 seater but the style/color make this one of the best looking vehicles available, it seems very fun to drive and seems to be a great deal with the quality and price. It's sadly easy to find much crappier vehicles at twice the price. Nice goin', Mazda.

Flippin love these little beauties Sarah. Great review of a great car and Happy New Year to you.

lol the smallest one I’ve ever measured…….. on a car. Like how you snuck that in

Super fun little car! The only thing that comes close is a Honda S2000.

One of my favourites. Happy New Year Sarah 😎👍🇨🇦

Thanks Sarah! That’s a cool mechanical top. I sold my 91’ to buy my 93LE twenty years ago. I put a wood Nardi steering wheel on it and can’t see ever letting it go.

I always admired Mazda's Miata/MX-5 as an effort to build a 60s-70s British sports car without the mech/elec "gremlins. It remains true to that mission: light and not "over powered," with great tossable, fun handling. Each successive design was elegant and simple. I'm glad you liked it too! I suspect Mazda might be heading into EV territory with the next iteration.

Yeah due to the changing of the times "Zoom zoom" has been downgraded to "just trying to "feel alive" I hear Mazda's next mantra will be "hang in there don't y'all die on us" .. you got some strength in them long legs to punch that brake pedal hard enough to make you lose your shit girl ❤️ 😅

i didnt think youd come back to the rf. but here you are and the miata family has been waiting lol

Very nice review ,and Happy New Year to you

Cool little car. I am getting the GR86. On the allocation wait list. Hopefully I will get it soon. Great technical and drive review.

Having previously owned an NA ('95 R package) and a '13 FR-S, I'd choose this over a twin as well. Lack of suspension adjustment capability from the factory is inexcusable in an enthusiast car, especially when even most NPC penalty boxes have it.

First of your videos I've seen, I was thinking what you were saying almost every time a half second before you said it, subscribed! Gonna buy one of these.

Another fun and informative review.

Great review. I'll point out you gave the BRZ 4.8 cookies (so 9.6 out of 10) which crushes the mx5's 8.1 on value and you gave the BRZ 4.9 penguins (yes I went back and looked) which TIES the 9.8 given here...! All great, great cars that will be sad to see go in the not-too-distant future! Much love!

As someone who has owned both the brz and the club pack miata, I'd get one of each. They both served as my daily / autocross / bike transport vehicles, and both are amazing. For driving experience, I think the miata squeezes out a win though...Drop that top, feel the wind and listen to the exhaust wail as you row through the gears. For utility and comfort, well the brz takes that easy since it does have more room and the drop down rear seats: you CAN fit 4 tires back there easy! I like the looks of the RF and its extra security top, but it doesn't feel like a convertible even with the top "down". You always have the pillar in your peripheral.

Enjoyed another great review by Sarah That little car ripped. Thanks🐧🐧🍷 HAPPY NEW YEAR!🍷🍷🇺🇸

Most interesting review I've seen and I Iove the pointer! Great assessment under the lift.

I initially wanted Soul Red RF like this since agree it’s best looking. Dealer had no idea when they’d get one and I needed a new car so I went with White Club soft top. Im now heavily biased but think it’s a close second in terms of looks because of matching black of wheels and trim with soft top and the contrast with white body. The weather is so temperamental in Florida that the soft top going up and down so quickly and while moving is a nice side benefit and I think I put the top down more than I would with the RF.

Like the NA/NB, the ND bolt circle is 4 x 100mm. The NC was 5 x 114.3mm (4.5”).

Nice work Sarah. I like your presentation of this amazing car. I own an 1,5 Liter 2017 MX5 RF in soul red. I'm happy every day. This thing about the coming future for this car, could be the same experience if Mazda engineers could run it on Hydrogen. I remember that they made same test with an RX8 model in the past.

At 10mm that sway bar is going to be lost so quickly. I’m surprised it’s still on there.

Got one since 2019, but we now only have the 1.5L 132hp in France. They stopped selling it with the 2.0L the same year the RF came out, because of CO2 regulation (EURO6). They are very rare here (mainly import), but the 1.5 is still excellent.

Outside of NA, there's an additional panel that goes onto the brackets under the car. Don't know why we don't get it here, but it probably would help MPG and road noise a bit.

The big brake kit from Flyin Miata is around $1,100 and is even lighter than the front Brembo calipers. There is a larger weight savings at the rear. For that $1,100 you get Wilwood four piston calipers front and back and braided stainless hoses, a much better option than the Brembo front only option.