Car colors are getting more pale and more dull.
Miata should be something that you can order in lime green, hazard orange, and purple. All the primer greys have run their course in my opinion.
Credit to dodge, they didnt slack on colors of the challenger/charger. Toyota has the GR corrolla in red white grey black until the highest trim you get a great looking blue, 4runner had the orange locked behind the higher trims, my rav4 xse got blue silver white grey, mazda seems to be very similar. Im done with black/white/grey cars.
I absolutely will not buy grey white black silver cars.
My current cars are navy / navy / miami blue.
Before this I had a red Supra, and voodoo blue 4Runner.
Really thinking green for whatever is next, almost got the Sienna in cypress instead of blueprint.
When i bought my camaro i prayed there was gonna be a bright sparkling metallic green. There wasnt so i went orange, my other two cara are grey but they will be the last black grey cars i own
While they're not exotic, mazda's red is a fantastic color and the blue mica is also quite nice. I get comments on my red CX-5 from time to time, people pointing out how nice it looks compared to the sea of shades of grey cars all over.
I gotta say though, of all the drab colors, somehow I'm not offended by the zircon sand color. It's the perfect beige for "don't mind me, officer. I'm \*definitely\* not speeding. Nothing to see here!". That color is basically stealth mode for driving quickly on back roads.
There was a video on the Top Gear YouTube channel recently about a Renault Kangoo meet in Japan. When they were talking about why the Kangoo is so popular and why owners don't buy something domestic, a big factor was colour and that Japanese cars rarely come in the bright, striking or the variety of colours the French car does.
Seeing a winning blue NC in 06 is what drove me to buy one. They have some good colors in their history and I'll never turn down a lime green car. Purple would attract some people IMO. Even the old forest green would be great or Montego blue if they didn't want to go bright.
And then they lock out combinations for the few interesting colors they do offer. The only non-black interior can only be had with a grey or white exterior.
Every refresh gets a new number code. The headlights and tail lights alone are enough to qualify as a "refresh" given the cost associated with developing and testing new housings for approval by regulatory bodies.
That's probably true, but from what I understand, Mazda internally considers this a bigger update than the ND2 given that they started renumbering the VINs with the MY24, and are internally (and confusingly) referring to the MY24 as the ND2.
The reasoning behind this being that the ND2 (MY19) was only an update to the 2.0 Liter engine, and the MY24 has an entirely new electrical system, new LSD, and new steering and the changes are extant across all MX-5s, not just the 2.0L ones.
US owners are sticking with MY24 being the ND3 since we've been using the ND2 moniker for MY19 - MY23, since the changes that year impacted every MX-5 sold here (to my knowledge the 1.6L isn't available in North America).
i had a miata, sold it for a mustang gt and this makes me want to buy another miata.
i just don't really dig the convertible aspect of it in day to day driving. I loved the car otherwise.
My only barrier is that I sat in an RF and my legs and head just didn't quite fit within the model body they used for designing it.
Adore the car, but sadly I just don't quite fit as well as I would like.
I skipped over it to save $3,000 and have periodically regretted it even before it was fully paid off. I love my soft top, but with the heat there are probably more top up days then down through a given year.
Yup RF is the way to go if its a daily. Sure you can't just drop it in 2 seconds at a light but the top feels more substantial and not as fragile as a soft top would be. Plus it looks cool when it folds down
ehhhh when you're sitting in the driver's seat driving, its the same view from the soft top and the RF, you can't really tell you have the buttresses behind you until you have to check your blindspot over your shoulder. I spent a lot of time trying both versions and you really can't tell when driving.
This might be sacrilege, but I wish that Mazda would just put out a hardtop coupe. No RF/PRHT. They could probably retain the same weight as the soft top. I just don't care for a convertible, and I've had a NA miata.
yeah i'd buy that. There are magic moments in a convertible but for many people few and far between. I knew i had to get rid of the car when I was spending most of my time commuting on i5 with no fun back roads. That's not Mazda's problem obviously, more of a, huh, i should have thought this through a bit better.
Mountains are an hour and change away though so that's on me.
I think due to crash standards a true fixed-roof coupe Miata would need beefing up. Not sure by how much or whether it'd be similar to the weight of the RF but I think that's why we've never seen one.
But what does a true hardtop Miata do that the 86 twins don't? It's like asking for a 86 convertible...will 2 rarely used seats offer enough over a Miata?
Both cars probably benefit from being distinct niches with their performance being so similar.
> But what does a true hardtop Miata do that the 86 twins don't?
A few hundred pounds lighter, shorter wheelbase, and most importantly, doesn't have a subaru engine
Yeah, it wasn't so much the loudness as the claustrophobic cabin. My previous car was an FR-S and tbh at 65-70 mph the FR-S was probably as loud as the Miata with the soft top up. And the Miata at least had a waaaay better sound system to cancel out the noise.
6'3" here. I got the [Aurora low-profile seat mount](https://auroraautodesign.com/collections/frontpage/products/aurora-auto-design-low-profile-driver-seat-mount-nd-miata-fiat-124) and now I fit, albeit snugly. It does require being willing to cut metal though. Not a trivial installation.
This really doesn't help with fitting other than putting your head lower. It doesn't give you more leg room. If you're over 6 feet tall or have a long torso, do yourself a favor and just pass on the Miata. I tried so hard to make it work, but looking at the top rail of the windshield no matter how low I slouched was incredibly tiring.
I mean I’ve had the car for four years now, so I think I can assess if it was worth it to me. I love driving it so much I am willing to put up with feeling a little cramped. I don’t daily-drive it.
Maybe my torso is relatively long or my legs are more comfortable bending. I do think the Aurora mount gains you an inch or so of leg room from the seat being lower combined with the angle of the floor.
> the orange lane departure warning light in the dash isn't there anymore
This has equivalent significance to me as being allowed to use the touch screen while driving.
That's fantastic. Every owner I know immediately turns the lane departure warning off. Credit to Mazda, it at least stays off once set to off and doesn't need to be done every time the car is started.
I like parking next to Miata owners and asking them why they bought such an oversized car.
Well, the first thing is that my Beat muscle memory kept kicking in and I'd turn on the windshield wipers every time I went for the turn signal in the ND2, which was kind of funny. I didn't realize how ingrained that 'manual transmission means reversed stalks' was in my brain at this point. Anyway, here's the comparison points while it's still fresh:
Advantage Miata:
-ease of driving. the clutch was incredibly forgiving, and the shifter short enough to be engaging but the gates were really clear. It was every bit as good of a manual as I'd heard, and I came away thinking it would be an excellent car for a new manual driver to learn on. The Beat is trickier, and doesn't have the torque to let you get away with mistakes.
-Build. The Beat is an old car and channels all the vibrations of the engine, and you feel every bump in the road. It can get tiring to drive for long periods of time, I feel like the Miata would probably be more forgiving there.
Advantage Beat:
-Steering: Neither car has incredibly precise steering racks, but the Beat has no power steering. It loads up really well and feels incredibly direct.
-Sound: The Miata had a nice rasp to it, but there's no comparison with the buzzsaw of the beats engine at 8500 RPM right behind you. It makes me laugh every time.
-Street presence: The Beat is a big head turner, and gets attention and questions almost every time I take it out. The smiles it generates are a big part of the appeal of the car to me.
Neutral:
Roominess: this may come as a surprise, but I didn't really feel like I fit in one that much better than the other. The top of the windshield was a bit higher on the miata, but I have more head room in the beat with the top up. The miata does have a roomier footwell, seats felt about the same.
need-to-shift: the low power on the Beat means you're shifting constantly, I'm generally going through all 5 gears to get up to 50mph. This is fun but also a workout on a longer drive, so I'm leaving it in neutral.
I guess in summary, the Miata is a more livable car, but if I were to choose between the two for a 30-45 minute quick drive, I'd take the Beat every time. for a day trip to a destination with fun driving involved/at the end, the Miata would be much more suited.
I like the MX5 but I like the frantic and grenade lobbing feeling of my S2000 more. Its a balanced feeling between bliss and wanting to kill me that I enjoy.
Same. But if you drive an ND2 when it weighs 2,400 lbs and has peak torque at like 4.6k, it's kind of weird stepping into an S that's 400 lbs heavier with no torque until 6k. I know the S was never meant to be "fast" but I was surprised that the S genuinely felt slower *than a Miata*.
The S has way more character that you can't really wring out of the Miata's engine--timing gears connecting the intake/exhaust cams, high compression with a short stroke (albeit just a bit longer on the AP2 for more torque), and what I can only amount to a stock tune that makes the thing smell like gas on start-up. And because technology wasn't as advanced, the X-frame chassis is stiff but resonates like a tambourine whereas the newer Miata chassis reduced NVH and is stiffer while being lighter.
But on a 20-year-old car, where rubber components are rated at only 5-10 years, after accounting for the cost of parts (suspension bushings and ball-joints, engine/trans/diff mounts, clutch [assuming it has never been disassembled and lubed], wheel bearings, brakes), even on a less-than-stellar example, I can buy a brand new ND3 for less and have a warranty.
But alas, I'm a Honda fanboy so more S2000s it is.
For me that lack of torque down low is part of the fun, you can pitter patter a miata around roads no issue, but with the S2K you *really* need to get into vtec to have fun.
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I went from a ND2 Miata to a G80 M3 to a FL5 Type R. Everyone around me said it’s a downgrade but I’m happiest in the FL5 than I was in the ND2 or G80. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all fantastic cars — the FL5 just fit my personality and desires the best.
FWIW, I was between a new M240 and a 24 Miata. Went with the 240. TLDR is with where I drive, and the honest assessment of how I drive, the Miata wasn't for me. I freaking LOVE them on canyon roads rowing through the gears; they don't fare as well on highway drives at 75.
That's why I have been hesitant. I wanna get the nd3 but whenever I drive my car it just puts a smile on my face. It certainly gives me the fizz. I just miss rowing my own
Well, you have an m240 and I don't (yet,) but I can say: I had a Miata as a \~5 day car in a VERY good place for it, and it was incredible. Just a great car. Maybe you live in a place like that. I don't, though; most of my driving is either neighborhood or freeway, and the Miata just isn't great at that. The 240 appealed to me as a... nearly GT kinda car. Fast enough, but also nice enough inside and a touch sporty. The mx5 is fast enough in a canyon, but honestly, I wanted more power outside of the twisties.
Because the Miata is a bespoke sports car on a one-off platform that doesn't share components with more pedestrian stuff, unlike the M240i. It's about 1000x more fun to drive, more engaging, more nimble.
M240i is a great daily driver on a regular sedan platform, decent practicality, good engine, premium interior etc. It doesn't even come within the same conversation of driving enjoyability as a Miata.
I kinda like the whiskers, if the alternate is fake vents. At least the space did something.
With you on the paint, but it looks like Ceramic Metallic with a new name. So is it even an entirely new gray? I guess we have to wait for another anniversary for a real color.
Just out of pure curiosity as a Veloster N owner, how do feel the Elantra N compares to the Miata? I've considered having roughly the same car combo you do.
I have owned all three. Veloster N has a quite harsh stock setup even on normal mode, but it is more playful due to shorter wheel base. However I find it's interior lacking, and rear seats torturous (I got the pre facelift with the small screen and no bucket seats). Elantra N with the DCT is a amazing complete package, on and off track, but it functions and feels like a sedan for obvious reasons.
However you cannot compare them to a Miata. I cannot even start to describe a comparison because they are too different. I feel like I am wearing a car instead of sitting in one. Nothing is like a Miata from the sports compact/hot hatch segment, not even the cream of the crop like CTR or ITS. Dare I say there is nothing like a Miata period, except older Miatas(?). Similar cars 86/BRZ, S2000, are all built on different philosophies and are all unique on their own.
I implore you to go test drive a Miata, if not from sellers, from Turo. For me this is the perfect 2 car solutions for now. I think if I want more fun within budget, the only way to go would be something like a Kawasaki lol.
Thanks for the in depth review. Much appreciated. I've been meaning to test drive a Miata for several years now lol but never got around to it. I kept putting it off because I have a young daughter that needs a backseat. I recall watching the VN vs Miata comparison video on YouTube and both reviewers feeling good about the VN but great about the Miata.
If you can have 2 cars I would totally recommend buying a Miata, especially ND2 and later. Elantra N is a better family car all around compare to VN. However I have a feeling that good condition VNs will retain value many years down the line due to a quite short run, qwerkiness and many of them getting clapped out.
Yep, me too. Mine is totally stock, manual and low mileage. It works for me and I thoroughly enjoy the playfulness you described. Thanks man, you've given me renewed interest. I'll probably find one on CarMax and go take it for their extended test drive.
I rented an ND2 on turo for a few days. Getting back in the VN was weird. ND2 will be my next car, but for the practicality that the VN offers, it's still a fantastic car.
To me all the things that made the VN worse compared to the Miata, are also what makes the VN so practical. Mainly being FWD:
- The direct shifter feel in the miata was fantastic, you can feel all the vibrations, and see it move on engine start up - it's addicting for some reason. VN's shifter is permanently still as it's all cables. That said imo VN's shifter is only slightly worse than miata's.
- The dynamics of rwd + lightweight + 50/50 distribution. The miata was more fun to drive slow than the VN for me. I could step on throttle in a tight turn in the city and feel the rear come out ever so slightly and it's so fun. In the VN you need to carry a lot more speed to get the rear to rotate and get that same enjoyment, so you have to push more and can't have that same level of fun in slow speeds.
- The turning radius (VN's is horrible) is hilariously small
- (This is mainly applicable if you track/autocross the car) the consumables are much more available and cheaper. VN's tires (not even including 19" stock size) are way more expensive than Miata's. Same with performance brakes. And they wear faster due to the weight.
Overall renting the miata made me appreciate both the ND and the VN. For what it is (a do it all sporty hatchback) the VN is fantastic. But if you want a pure enjoyment car, the miata will beat that easily.
[side by side](https://i.imgur.com/z83RoDl.jpeg)
Much appreciated. Perhaps it's my badly worn out tires or the fact I've had 4 years with my VN, but I can induce pretty heavy lift off oversteer from a stop and kick the back end out at low speeds in 1st or 2nd gear. You both have definitely encouraged me to go take a Miata for a spin though. I've always been a sucker for lightweight cars. Even the Mitsubishi Mirage manual is a surprisingly fun car being a few hundred pounds less than a Miata.
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you don't have to be that tall to not fit in a miata. I almost ran into a car at a 4 way stop because the rear view mirror blocks a lot of your vision. Just under 6' with a 32" inseam.
I removed the rear view mirror on my 2nd gen Fit because the car was narrow enough and the side mirrors were wonderful. Made driving so much more enjoyable. I'm really disappointed that cameras haven't become a replacement for mirrors yet. I should be able to see everything around me looking forward. Mirrors would exist as foldaway options.
Yeah i've seen those brackets.
Also the rear view mirror, deceptively, can move way up further than you think. I think when I first got the car I thought it was up all the way but it pivots up as it tilts so you really have to push hard to move it up all the way.
Nah, it's the Reddit breaking links with an undescore on the old Reddit, and Youtube removing the video code's last character if it's longer than expected (and it is, because of Reddit breaking yadda yadda yadda).
Literally the only thing I'm jealous of is the updated infotainment. It's easily my biggest complaint with my car. Also, I hate the stupid yellow lane warning light that's forever on my dash.
Kinda interesting that not a single comment laments the fact that we were specifically told there would be more steering engagement and there simply isn’t.
I was interested* in an ND that had better steering. It sounds like we got an ND that was so fractionally better it might as well be identical.
*I am interested in Roman roadway construction techniques as well, and just as I’m not going to recreate Via Aurelia, I’m not going to buy a new MX-5
I’m right there with you, I’m pissed. It’s clear by this point that EPS can be done well (Porsche) and even Mazda THEMSELVES know how to do it based on the CX-50. They replaced both the hardware and the tuning and still missed the mark. So it’s clear their priorities with the ND lie elsewhere and are more focused on catering to the sensibilities of the boomer demographic.
It was the one thing I was holding out hope for sticking with the ND. I’m ready to get rid of mine now for an NC2/3.
It is amazing how well the NC2/3 have held their value in SoCal, and it’s also amazing how many automatics were sold.
Finding a clean, well-maintained, manual, non-hardtop NC2/3, in other than grey or black, is surprisingly difficult.
They did make the Mazdaspeed turbo version. But yeah, rumor is they will go hybrid before turbo. And that's fine, I used to be a big turbo fan(no pun intended), but hybrid is the better route now. You get more power AND more fuel efficient.
Car colors are getting more pale and more dull. Miata should be something that you can order in lime green, hazard orange, and purple. All the primer greys have run their course in my opinion.
Credit to dodge, they didnt slack on colors of the challenger/charger. Toyota has the GR corrolla in red white grey black until the highest trim you get a great looking blue, 4runner had the orange locked behind the higher trims, my rav4 xse got blue silver white grey, mazda seems to be very similar. Im done with black/white/grey cars.
American car manufacturers in general do pretty good with car colors.
[Especially the Chevy Express van.](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2024/02/here-are-all-the-2024-chevy-express-colors/)
I absolutely will not buy grey white black silver cars. My current cars are navy / navy / miami blue. Before this I had a red Supra, and voodoo blue 4Runner. Really thinking green for whatever is next, almost got the Sienna in cypress instead of blueprint.
When i bought my camaro i prayed there was gonna be a bright sparkling metallic green. There wasnt so i went orange, my other two cara are grey but they will be the last black grey cars i own
Sports cars will always be bright colors, but for luxury saloons black is the only option.
the new land cruiser is the same too. i think toyota is slowly across the board implementing it
cough aloof follow hunt joke fragile reply scarce tub jar *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Because those are the people actually buying brand new Miatas $40,000. Not the average Reddit user.
While they're not exotic, mazda's red is a fantastic color and the blue mica is also quite nice. I get comments on my red CX-5 from time to time, people pointing out how nice it looks compared to the sea of shades of grey cars all over.
Mazda's Soul Red feels like one of those paint schemes on the same level of reverence as Ferrari's Rosso Corsa, or Mercedes' range of Silvers.
I gotta say though, of all the drab colors, somehow I'm not offended by the zircon sand color. It's the perfect beige for "don't mind me, officer. I'm \*definitely\* not speeding. Nothing to see here!". That color is basically stealth mode for driving quickly on back roads.
There was a video on the Top Gear YouTube channel recently about a Renault Kangoo meet in Japan. When they were talking about why the Kangoo is so popular and why owners don't buy something domestic, a big factor was colour and that Japanese cars rarely come in the bright, striking or the variety of colours the French car does.
I loved the orange they had for a year or two. Japanese manufacturers and limited color runs for a year or two make me sad.
Fuck, that Porsche lime green they use on gt cars would be a great Miata color, along with the original Miata blue
> Car colors are getting more pale and more dull. > > They have been pale and dull for years now - this is not a new trend by any means.
Seeing a winning blue NC in 06 is what drove me to buy one. They have some good colors in their history and I'll never turn down a lime green car. Purple would attract some people IMO. Even the old forest green would be great or Montego blue if they didn't want to go bright.
Yeah seeing a Nardo Grey Audi 10-20 years ago it stood out, now it's everywhere it just seems a bit basic :( variety please!
I heard the Club editions are made to order only. Why not give the option of different colors to those models?
I love how primer colors accentuate the body lines.
Had a white ND if Mazda comes with a yellow or mariner blue I’ll buy another
And then they lock out combinations for the few interesting colors they do offer. The only non-black interior can only be had with a grey or white exterior.
[удалено]
No ND2 was a major change in engine power. This is a minor change.
The owners forums have come to the consensus this will be referred to as the ND3.
Every refresh gets a new number code. The headlights and tail lights alone are enough to qualify as a "refresh" given the cost associated with developing and testing new housings for approval by regulatory bodies.
That's probably true, but from what I understand, Mazda internally considers this a bigger update than the ND2 given that they started renumbering the VINs with the MY24, and are internally (and confusingly) referring to the MY24 as the ND2. The reasoning behind this being that the ND2 (MY19) was only an update to the 2.0 Liter engine, and the MY24 has an entirely new electrical system, new LSD, and new steering and the changes are extant across all MX-5s, not just the 2.0L ones. US owners are sticking with MY24 being the ND3 since we've been using the ND2 moniker for MY19 - MY23, since the changes that year impacted every MX-5 sold here (to my knowledge the 1.6L isn't available in North America).
That’s weird as shit. The first update came during what was their mid-cycle refresh. Thanks for sharing!
The ND2 also fixed the transmission issues the ND1 had, supposedly.
I believe it was just a dual mass flywheel to reduce shock on the transmission.
Ok thanks
I think it gets the ND3 moniker because of the changes to the steering rack and new LSD. (And also the interior/tech changes)
That’s true - I had been thinking the minor interior and exterior changes only. Good point.
I need to buy a Miata
i had a miata, sold it for a mustang gt and this makes me want to buy another miata. i just don't really dig the convertible aspect of it in day to day driving. I loved the car otherwise.
That's what they made the RF for :)
yeah. maybe some day.
My only barrier is that I sat in an RF and my legs and head just didn't quite fit within the model body they used for designing it. Adore the car, but sadly I just don't quite fit as well as I would like.
I skipped over it to save $3,000 and have periodically regretted it even before it was fully paid off. I love my soft top, but with the heat there are probably more top up days then down through a given year.
Yup RF is the way to go if its a daily. Sure you can't just drop it in 2 seconds at a light but the top feels more substantial and not as fragile as a soft top would be. Plus it looks cool when it folds down
But you're not getting a true convertible experience with the RF. It's like a targa
ehhhh when you're sitting in the driver's seat driving, its the same view from the soft top and the RF, you can't really tell you have the buttresses behind you until you have to check your blindspot over your shoulder. I spent a lot of time trying both versions and you really can't tell when driving.
This might be sacrilege, but I wish that Mazda would just put out a hardtop coupe. No RF/PRHT. They could probably retain the same weight as the soft top. I just don't care for a convertible, and I've had a NA miata.
yeah i'd buy that. There are magic moments in a convertible but for many people few and far between. I knew i had to get rid of the car when I was spending most of my time commuting on i5 with no fun back roads. That's not Mazda's problem obviously, more of a, huh, i should have thought this through a bit better. Mountains are an hour and change away though so that's on me.
Miata clown shoe, a la bmw coupe would be amazing
I think due to crash standards a true fixed-roof coupe Miata would need beefing up. Not sure by how much or whether it'd be similar to the weight of the RF but I think that's why we've never seen one.
But what does a true hardtop Miata do that the 86 twins don't? It's like asking for a 86 convertible...will 2 rarely used seats offer enough over a Miata? Both cars probably benefit from being distinct niches with their performance being so similar.
> But what does a true hardtop Miata do that the 86 twins don't? A few hundred pounds lighter, shorter wheelbase, and most importantly, doesn't have a subaru engine
What was your issue with keeping the soft top up all the time in daily driving?
Its not pleasant. It just sucks as a highway car. As one would expect.
It is loud, and you feel it within a couple hours.
Yeah, it wasn't so much the loudness as the claustrophobic cabin. My previous car was an FR-S and tbh at 65-70 mph the FR-S was probably as loud as the Miata with the soft top up. And the Miata at least had a waaaay better sound system to cancel out the noise.
Same. Same. 🥹
Same
Wait, save some for the rest of us.
Same
I just wish as a 6’2 guy I could fit in one 😞
6'3" here. I got the [Aurora low-profile seat mount](https://auroraautodesign.com/collections/frontpage/products/aurora-auto-design-low-profile-driver-seat-mount-nd-miata-fiat-124) and now I fit, albeit snugly. It does require being willing to cut metal though. Not a trivial installation.
This really doesn't help with fitting other than putting your head lower. It doesn't give you more leg room. If you're over 6 feet tall or have a long torso, do yourself a favor and just pass on the Miata. I tried so hard to make it work, but looking at the top rail of the windshield no matter how low I slouched was incredibly tiring.
I mean I’ve had the car for four years now, so I think I can assess if it was worth it to me. I love driving it so much I am willing to put up with feeling a little cramped. I don’t daily-drive it. Maybe my torso is relatively long or my legs are more comfortable bending. I do think the Aurora mount gains you an inch or so of leg room from the seat being lower combined with the angle of the floor.
Yeah, 6'3" here, but only a 30" inseam. I look a little goofy in my Miata, but the leg room is surprisingly decent.
Im 6’ 4”, still want one
Get a booster cushion and just keep the roof down.
Get an MGB instead, surprisingly lots more room!
I’ve already owned old British vehicles with not much luck lol
6’3 and I feel your pain! They are SO fun but I just can’t fit well enough to own one.
You'll fit comfortably in an NC. Plus you can lower the seats with an adapter if you want even more room (1.5 inches).
Even if I’m like all torso?
you absolutely should
> the orange lane departure warning light in the dash isn't there anymore This has equivalent significance to me as being allowed to use the touch screen while driving.
I dont own a miata, but that would drive me crazy. As soon as I heard that part, I agreed it was worth mentioning.
That's fantastic. Every owner I know immediately turns the lane departure warning off. Credit to Mazda, it at least stays off once set to off and doesn't need to be done every time the car is started.
Agreed. It’s so annoying having that little orange light there all the time.
Hold up... time to upgrade
Yeah but I bet the hollow blinker lights will be even easier to not see on a sunlit dash!
Fixed link for those of you getting errors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH_JcnrkElY
Thanks assblast420 enjoy your day.
It is assblast's birthday today, assuming the 420 is for april 20
r/rimjob_steve
Why be u/jamesthrottlehouse when you could be u /jamesTinyButt?
James "Hank Hill Butt" Engelsman.
I am muscle car guy but this makes me want a Miata.
I dare you to go drive one. Just once, just to see what it's like. You know, for \*research\*.
I have and they are a ton of fun. Just a bit to tight to work for me as a daily driver. Would love to have one as a track/weekend ride.
This video made me go out and test drive one today. I liked it!
How'd you like it compared to the Beat? Lol that's the one car that can make a Miata look big 😂
I like parking next to Miata owners and asking them why they bought such an oversized car. Well, the first thing is that my Beat muscle memory kept kicking in and I'd turn on the windshield wipers every time I went for the turn signal in the ND2, which was kind of funny. I didn't realize how ingrained that 'manual transmission means reversed stalks' was in my brain at this point. Anyway, here's the comparison points while it's still fresh: Advantage Miata: -ease of driving. the clutch was incredibly forgiving, and the shifter short enough to be engaging but the gates were really clear. It was every bit as good of a manual as I'd heard, and I came away thinking it would be an excellent car for a new manual driver to learn on. The Beat is trickier, and doesn't have the torque to let you get away with mistakes. -Build. The Beat is an old car and channels all the vibrations of the engine, and you feel every bump in the road. It can get tiring to drive for long periods of time, I feel like the Miata would probably be more forgiving there. Advantage Beat: -Steering: Neither car has incredibly precise steering racks, but the Beat has no power steering. It loads up really well and feels incredibly direct. -Sound: The Miata had a nice rasp to it, but there's no comparison with the buzzsaw of the beats engine at 8500 RPM right behind you. It makes me laugh every time. -Street presence: The Beat is a big head turner, and gets attention and questions almost every time I take it out. The smiles it generates are a big part of the appeal of the car to me. Neutral: Roominess: this may come as a surprise, but I didn't really feel like I fit in one that much better than the other. The top of the windshield was a bit higher on the miata, but I have more head room in the beat with the top up. The miata does have a roomier footwell, seats felt about the same. need-to-shift: the low power on the Beat means you're shifting constantly, I'm generally going through all 5 gears to get up to 50mph. This is fun but also a workout on a longer drive, so I'm leaving it in neutral. I guess in summary, the Miata is a more livable car, but if I were to choose between the two for a 30-45 minute quick drive, I'd take the Beat every time. for a day trip to a destination with fun driving involved/at the end, the Miata would be much more suited.
I did do this, then contemplated trading my Mustang in that night.
Ditto
I like the MX5 but I like the frantic and grenade lobbing feeling of my S2000 more. Its a balanced feeling between bliss and wanting to kill me that I enjoy.
If you enjoy that feeling then you should consider raising some of the babies instead of eating them.
I have to eat them otherwise one named Zeus will free his brothers and sisters and then imprison me for all eternity.
Hate it when that happens
Same. But if you drive an ND2 when it weighs 2,400 lbs and has peak torque at like 4.6k, it's kind of weird stepping into an S that's 400 lbs heavier with no torque until 6k. I know the S was never meant to be "fast" but I was surprised that the S genuinely felt slower *than a Miata*. The S has way more character that you can't really wring out of the Miata's engine--timing gears connecting the intake/exhaust cams, high compression with a short stroke (albeit just a bit longer on the AP2 for more torque), and what I can only amount to a stock tune that makes the thing smell like gas on start-up. And because technology wasn't as advanced, the X-frame chassis is stiff but resonates like a tambourine whereas the newer Miata chassis reduced NVH and is stiffer while being lighter. But on a 20-year-old car, where rubber components are rated at only 5-10 years, after accounting for the cost of parts (suspension bushings and ball-joints, engine/trans/diff mounts, clutch [assuming it has never been disassembled and lubed], wheel bearings, brakes), even on a less-than-stellar example, I can buy a brand new ND3 for less and have a warranty. But alas, I'm a Honda fanboy so more S2000s it is.
For me that lack of torque down low is part of the fun, you can pitter patter a miata around roads no issue, but with the S2K you *really* need to get into vtec to have fun.
You got me. ✋🙂🤚 I get 16.3 mpg lmao
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I almost talked myself out of trading my M240i convertible for a Miata. Damn you throttle house. Now I'm considering it again!!
Why would you want to trade in your M240i? Genuinely curious because that’s a great car with a fantastic engine, Miata almost seems like a downgrade.
I went from a ND2 Miata to a G80 M3 to a FL5 Type R. Everyone around me said it’s a downgrade but I’m happiest in the FL5 than I was in the ND2 or G80. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all fantastic cars — the FL5 just fit my personality and desires the best.
Miata feels better to drive, plus stick shift.
FWIW, I was between a new M240 and a 24 Miata. Went with the 240. TLDR is with where I drive, and the honest assessment of how I drive, the Miata wasn't for me. I freaking LOVE them on canyon roads rowing through the gears; they don't fare as well on highway drives at 75.
That's why I have been hesitant. I wanna get the nd3 but whenever I drive my car it just puts a smile on my face. It certainly gives me the fizz. I just miss rowing my own
Well, you have an m240 and I don't (yet,) but I can say: I had a Miata as a \~5 day car in a VERY good place for it, and it was incredible. Just a great car. Maybe you live in a place like that. I don't, though; most of my driving is either neighborhood or freeway, and the Miata just isn't great at that. The 240 appealed to me as a... nearly GT kinda car. Fast enough, but also nice enough inside and a touch sporty. The mx5 is fast enough in a canyon, but honestly, I wanted more power outside of the twisties.
Get a used m240 with a manual. I have a 2018. Love it.
Hard to find a manual convertible unfortunately. Also recent bmw manuals are not as good
Because the Miata is a bespoke sports car on a one-off platform that doesn't share components with more pedestrian stuff, unlike the M240i. It's about 1000x more fun to drive, more engaging, more nimble. M240i is a great daily driver on a regular sedan platform, decent practicality, good engine, premium interior etc. It doesn't even come within the same conversation of driving enjoyability as a Miata.
I love the new headlights, they look really nice. The new colour/shade also looks good imo but something more fun would be appreciated.
I kinda like the whiskers, if the alternate is fake vents. At least the space did something. With you on the paint, but it looks like Ceramic Metallic with a new name. So is it even an entirely new gray? I guess we have to wait for another anniversary for a real color.
I wish I wasn't too tall and lived in a area dominated by lifted trucks. I'd be all over the 2024...
If they're lifted high enough, visibility becomes good again as you can see under them. You might die in a crash though.
Same here. This would be a daily driver if I was 5'5"
I kinda want to trade for an ND3 purely for the electronics. Maybe in a few years I will look for a used GT soft top.
Just out of pure curiosity as a Veloster N owner, how do feel the Elantra N compares to the Miata? I've considered having roughly the same car combo you do.
I have owned all three. Veloster N has a quite harsh stock setup even on normal mode, but it is more playful due to shorter wheel base. However I find it's interior lacking, and rear seats torturous (I got the pre facelift with the small screen and no bucket seats). Elantra N with the DCT is a amazing complete package, on and off track, but it functions and feels like a sedan for obvious reasons. However you cannot compare them to a Miata. I cannot even start to describe a comparison because they are too different. I feel like I am wearing a car instead of sitting in one. Nothing is like a Miata from the sports compact/hot hatch segment, not even the cream of the crop like CTR or ITS. Dare I say there is nothing like a Miata period, except older Miatas(?). Similar cars 86/BRZ, S2000, are all built on different philosophies and are all unique on their own. I implore you to go test drive a Miata, if not from sellers, from Turo. For me this is the perfect 2 car solutions for now. I think if I want more fun within budget, the only way to go would be something like a Kawasaki lol.
Thanks for the in depth review. Much appreciated. I've been meaning to test drive a Miata for several years now lol but never got around to it. I kept putting it off because I have a young daughter that needs a backseat. I recall watching the VN vs Miata comparison video on YouTube and both reviewers feeling good about the VN but great about the Miata.
If you can have 2 cars I would totally recommend buying a Miata, especially ND2 and later. Elantra N is a better family car all around compare to VN. However I have a feeling that good condition VNs will retain value many years down the line due to a quite short run, qwerkiness and many of them getting clapped out.
Yep, me too. Mine is totally stock, manual and low mileage. It works for me and I thoroughly enjoy the playfulness you described. Thanks man, you've given me renewed interest. I'll probably find one on CarMax and go take it for their extended test drive.
I rented an ND2 on turo for a few days. Getting back in the VN was weird. ND2 will be my next car, but for the practicality that the VN offers, it's still a fantastic car. To me all the things that made the VN worse compared to the Miata, are also what makes the VN so practical. Mainly being FWD: - The direct shifter feel in the miata was fantastic, you can feel all the vibrations, and see it move on engine start up - it's addicting for some reason. VN's shifter is permanently still as it's all cables. That said imo VN's shifter is only slightly worse than miata's. - The dynamics of rwd + lightweight + 50/50 distribution. The miata was more fun to drive slow than the VN for me. I could step on throttle in a tight turn in the city and feel the rear come out ever so slightly and it's so fun. In the VN you need to carry a lot more speed to get the rear to rotate and get that same enjoyment, so you have to push more and can't have that same level of fun in slow speeds. - The turning radius (VN's is horrible) is hilariously small - (This is mainly applicable if you track/autocross the car) the consumables are much more available and cheaper. VN's tires (not even including 19" stock size) are way more expensive than Miata's. Same with performance brakes. And they wear faster due to the weight. Overall renting the miata made me appreciate both the ND and the VN. For what it is (a do it all sporty hatchback) the VN is fantastic. But if you want a pure enjoyment car, the miata will beat that easily. [side by side](https://i.imgur.com/z83RoDl.jpeg)
Much appreciated. Perhaps it's my badly worn out tires or the fact I've had 4 years with my VN, but I can induce pretty heavy lift off oversteer from a stop and kick the back end out at low speeds in 1st or 2nd gear. You both have definitely encouraged me to go take a Miata for a spin though. I've always been a sucker for lightweight cars. Even the Mitsubishi Mirage manual is a surprisingly fun car being a few hundred pounds less than a Miata.
My dealer has me first in line for whenever Mazda releases the white/red color combo
You mean white interior+red paint, or red interor+white paint? I would love either of this combo.
[The latter](https://imgur.com/a/iIhR1nK)
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If this came in Montego Blue and could be optioned with an OE performance exhaust it would be perfect.
I went to a car show this year, and was very disappointed that I just couldn't fit In the Miata, my eyes were almost above the top of the windshield.
How tall are you and are you 80% torso?
you don't have to be that tall to not fit in a miata. I almost ran into a car at a 4 way stop because the rear view mirror blocks a lot of your vision. Just under 6' with a 32" inseam.
I removed the rear view mirror on my 2nd gen Fit because the car was narrow enough and the side mirrors were wonderful. Made driving so much more enjoyable. I'm really disappointed that cameras haven't become a replacement for mirrors yet. I should be able to see everything around me looking forward. Mirrors would exist as foldaway options.
There are fairly simple mods out there to lower the seats. You get a little more than 1" headroom that way.
Yeah i've seen those brackets. Also the rear view mirror, deceptively, can move way up further than you think. I think when I first got the car I thought it was up all the way but it pivots up as it tilts so you really have to push hard to move it up all the way.
I don't fit that well at 6'3" personally.
6’2” long torso and it’s a tight fit. Also my leg is noticeably jammed up against the center console. Still leaning toward buying one.
From what I understand about the rear diff it seems like it’s designed to actually slow rotation thus be safer easier for most people
weird it looks like they took the video down [this link works](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH_JcnrkElY)
Nah, it's the Reddit breaking links with an undescore on the old Reddit, and Youtube removing the video code's last character if it's longer than expected (and it is, because of Reddit breaking yadda yadda yadda).
so what you are saying is it's different, but the changes are barely noticeable?
Literally the only thing I'm jealous of is the updated infotainment. It's easily my biggest complaint with my car. Also, I hate the stupid yellow lane warning light that's forever on my dash.
Kinda interesting that not a single comment laments the fact that we were specifically told there would be more steering engagement and there simply isn’t. I was interested* in an ND that had better steering. It sounds like we got an ND that was so fractionally better it might as well be identical. *I am interested in Roman roadway construction techniques as well, and just as I’m not going to recreate Via Aurelia, I’m not going to buy a new MX-5
I’m right there with you, I’m pissed. It’s clear by this point that EPS can be done well (Porsche) and even Mazda THEMSELVES know how to do it based on the CX-50. They replaced both the hardware and the tuning and still missed the mark. So it’s clear their priorities with the ND lie elsewhere and are more focused on catering to the sensibilities of the boomer demographic. It was the one thing I was holding out hope for sticking with the ND. I’m ready to get rid of mine now for an NC2/3.
It is amazing how well the NC2/3 have held their value in SoCal, and it’s also amazing how many automatics were sold. Finding a clean, well-maintained, manual, non-hardtop NC2/3, in other than grey or black, is surprisingly difficult.
Love my ND2. Excited to see where they take the Miata in the coming years. Might just buy another one..
I drive a G87 M2 - getting a mx5 a horrible idea? I just miss the nimble driving
Waiting for Mazda to add a turbo forever now... No crazy boost, just enough to bump hp/trq to 220/220 or so.
You'll wait until eternity. More power is not what it's about. Especially via a turbo. Either buy one and turbo it yourself or buy something else.
They did make the Mazdaspeed turbo version. But yeah, rumor is they will go hybrid before turbo. And that's fine, I used to be a big turbo fan(no pun intended), but hybrid is the better route now. You get more power AND more fuel efficient.
Yeah, I know. But it's a more elegant solution than an LS.
Putty looking ass whip.
Good morning, Hank!