"Chris Landry" (ckl550)
03/05/2020 at 12:55 • Filed to: Mazda, Mazda MX-5, Miata
11
51|
"Chris Landry" (ckl550)
03/05/2020 at 12:55 • Filed to: Mazda, Mazda MX-5, Miata | 11
| 51 |
So there I am, sitting in the back of the shuttle van as the driver pulls into the Enterprise lot. This visit marks the second time in a month that I have graced the rental car counter with my presence, as my 2007 Infiniti G35 has been hit by a careless driver yet again. I step out of the van and quickly survey the lot on my way inside. Much to my surprise, I see a Miata staring happily back at me.
Now, I’m already well aware that my insurance policy’s rental car coverage will cover up to and including a truck, so I was pretty sure the Machine Gray Metallic MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring was within my grasp. As the agent collects my information and reviews my coverage, she kindly informs me that I can choose between a Jeep Wrangler or Grand Cherokee.
“What about the Miata?” I ask, failing to stifle my enthusiasm. “The Miata? Sure,” she replies. Party.
We walk outside and perform the ritual rental-car walk-around during which I discover that this particular Miata is a 2020, and has just over 500 miles on the odometer. I hop in, push the starter button, lower the top despite the 58 degree weather, and proceed to blast the ever-appropriate anthem “Icy” by Kim Petras. I’ve reached my final form.
This being a rental car, it came equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission, which I must admit is very well programmed. Despite that, and having never driven an ND generation Miata, I knew the car would be fun to drive. What I did not know was just how much I would love driving it in any situation.
You see, the beauty of a small car is that you don’t need big numbers to have big fun. For 2019, Mazda bestowed the MX-5 with 181 horsepower and higher redline of 7500, up from 155 horsepower and 6800 RPM. With the automatic, that’s good for a 0-60 sprint in a respectable 6.5 seconds, but between you and me, that’s not what this cars bag is.
No, the real fun of the Miata is how immediately it responds to your inputs. Weighing in at just under 2,500 pounds with the automatic, there really isn’t that much weight to throw around. It’s short too, so squeezing into that open spot in traffic is done as soon as you think about it. Suddenly anything larger than this car feels unnecessary, excessive, gluttonous.
But this is the RF, or “Retractable Fastback” in Mazda-speak, so what’s that like? At first glance, you realize that your view over your shoulder is entirely blocked by the part of the roof that doesn’t retract. Fortunately its 2020 and Mazda has fitted the MX-5 with blind spot monitoring, so it’s mostly a non-issue. Press the button and the targa-style roof retracts fairly quickly into the trunk, giving you that open-air driving experience without feeling as exposed as a traditional soft top. Think of it like a big sunroof.
I became increasingly convinced over the course of the week I spent with the rorty little two-seater that it met the vast majority of my motoring needs, all while managing to make even the most mundane commute an absolute joy. It’s hard to imagine having anywhere near as much fun on-road with either the Wrangler or Grand Cherokee I was presented with before driving away in this thing. So next time you hit that rental counter and you can’t decide what to pick, remember...
Miata Is Always The Answer.
Chris Landry is a lif elong automotive enthusiast and an aspiring architect. When he’s not annoying his dog Eleni, he’s reviewing cars with his pal Jake over at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Arrivederci
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:05 |
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It absolutely is! I still need to get out and drive a ND2.
TysMagic
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:06 |
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good choice here! I still have no regrets about getting rid of my ND RF, but I definitely enjoyed it while I had it. I appreciate the honesty and respect for the auto trans. I agree and found it to be appropriately responsive of what I asked it to do.
Jake Margle
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:10 |
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You’re telling me she can read AND write. Wow. Her power. Nice article Christopher. Happy you dusted off the ole typwriter.
someassemblyrequired
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:11 |
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Surprised they had an RF, but I guess it makes sense - they probably hold their value better than the softtops, especially with the auto.
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Chris Landry
> Jake Margle
03/05/2020 at 13:12 |
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Your honor she’ s LITERATE
Discerning
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:15 |
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I really like the RF, but I barely fit in it and I’m only 6.’ I wouldn’t really fit if I was wearing a helmet.
I’ m still hopeful that Mazda will make a true coupe variant. Even though it will never happen. Oh shoot, there goes all of my hope. Womp womp
Milky
> Discerning
03/05/2020 at 13:18 |
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Soft top and roll bar. It’ d be cheaper too.
LJ909
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:20 |
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Great article. I’ ve been eyeing one of these my local Hyundai dealer has. Took at look at it when I got my oil changed last week. Same color as this. An ‘18 with just under 27k on the odo for $22,590.
The fact that they engineered a folding metal top on a Miata is slick as hell.
Jesus Arias
> Discerning
03/05/2020 at 13:22 |
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Didnt Mazda make a few NB coupes?
JustAnotherG6
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:25 |
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I would make this same choice in spite of the fact that I would have to retract the
roof to drive it.
Chariotoflove
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:26 |
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My question is, does the RF feel like you’re really open-air motoring, or does the remaining “pillar” leave you with the “not quite” feel of a sunroof?
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Jesus Arias
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:30 |
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An acquaintance of mine drives an NA miata because his VW golf broke down and he loves driving it. He even recommended I buy one. But from all generations which is the best for a cheap daily?
Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:39 |
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G reat write-up. Definitely an upgrade over the Jeeps.
It’s so cliche, but all the reviewers are right, the car really is incredibly fun to drive. E ven at 5 tenths, it’s so engaging.
I voted with my wallet earlier this year ;) still need to do a more detailed Oppo post about it.
WiscoProud
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 13:57 |
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Good review. I’ve always like the looks of the RF, its just too bad that my head sticks out the top like i’m in a clown car...
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Discerning
> Milky
03/05/2020 at 14:00 |
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But I want a coupe
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Discerning
> Jesus Arias
03/05/2020 at 14:03 |
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They did. And it looks pretty amazing. But they are also very expensive used (as far as a miata is concerned)
WRXforScience
> Discerning
03/05/2020 at 14:39 |
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I do not pass the “broom test” in the ND and I’m just barely 6'. The passenger seat is even higher and when I instructed a student in one at the track, the brim of my helmet was in line with the roof (luckily that particular club allowed tops down, some don’t).
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Discerning
> WRXforScience
03/05/2020 at 15:15 |
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Yeah, it’s disappointing. The ND checks so many boxes for me and I love Mazda’s products. But the height thing is a bummer. I thought maybe an aftermarket seat could remedy things, but I guess that's not the case from what I've read.
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WRXforScience
> Discerning
03/05/2020 at 16:24 |
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They can help if you’re close, but when you put in a roll bar/hoop/cage you usually lose some space for the seats which compounds the problem.
I was asked to move one of the Spec Boxsters at the track last weekend, and I couldn’t get in (first time I completely failed to get into a caged car).
glemon
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 16:29 |
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Nice write up, for some reason I like the RF better than the full convertible, and I am not really an anti-ragtop guy (I have owned a two seater convertible most of my very long driving life ).
I may have to try one out, with the three pedal option of course.
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Discerning
> WRXforScience
03/05/2020 at 16:36 |
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Yup yup yup
gettingoldercarguy
> Discerning
03/05/2020 at 16:54 |
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I’m 6'4"and fit in the soft top.
Also,
https://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/61-2717.html
Mid Engine
> LJ909
03/05/2020 at 18:19 |
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Exact same car I bought my wife; 2019 RF in blue
Jsb
> Jesus Arias
03/05/2020 at 18:43 |
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Depends on your definition of cheap, but an NC3 (3rd gen NC) is a fantastic daily for me.
seoultrain
> Jesus Arias
03/05/2020 at 19:52 |
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NC2 is the best daily, but not all that cheap relative to other Miatas.
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Stevo
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 21:24 |
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If you’re going to write a column in an automotive venue then you should at least be able to adjust your mirrors so there is no “blind spot”. Furthering the incorrect myth of a “blind spot” is just plain wrong.
Adjust your mirrors properly. I know the side of the car looks cool. But you don’t need 3 rear view mirrors.
SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 21:32 |
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I got one awhile back on Rental. Loved the car, hated that my head hit the roof throughout the rental period. Just drove top-down but it’s too small for tall drivers....
CompactLuxuryFan
> Chris Landry
03/05/2020 at 22:23 |
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Nice write-up! Just discovered Gears and Queers thanks to this
Just Jeepin'
> Chris Landry
03/06/2020 at 00:41 |
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I failed to realize that I needed to put a deposit down immediately when the 30th anniversary Miatas were announced. In hindsight I would have had a hard time handling the loan, but damn, that’s a gorgeous car.
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Arrivederci
> someassemblyrequired
03/06/2020 at 09:12 |
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Auto Miatas seem to do worse on the used market for NA/NB/NC. It’ll be interesting to see if the ND follows that path.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Chris Landry
03/06/2020 at 09:51 |
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Unless you have 3 kids, of course.
One day...
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someassemblyrequired
> Arrivederci
03/06/2020 at 10:45 |
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I think the RF changes the Miata math a bit - rather than a second car it really could be your daily - and in many places that means the auto makes more sense. Also I think the ND’s auto setup is a lot better than the NC’s, which TBH, was good for its time, but time has moved on.
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Chris Landry
> Chariotoflove
03/06/2020 at 11:08 |
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I’d say it provides a happy medium, possibly more usable throughout the year.
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Chris Landry
> glemon
03/06/2020 at 11:08 |
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Thank you! Can’t wait to get my hands on a manual.
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Arrivederci
> someassemblyrequired
03/06/2020 at 11:09 |
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I thought I read that the ND uses the NC’s Aisin autobox, though I’m sure the programming and internals are probably a bit updated/improved.
Either way, definitely will be interesting to see if that trend continues. When I bought each of my NCs, the auto was routinely 10-15% lower.
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Chris Landry
> SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
03/06/2020 at 11:09 |
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At 5'-10" I found myself to fit quite nicely with the roof in place.
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Chris Landry
> CompactLuxuryFan
03/06/2020 at 11:09 |
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Be still, my heart :)
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Chris Landry
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/06/2020 at 11:11 |
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Miatas for everyone!
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SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
> Chris Landry
03/06/2020 at 11:19 |
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I’m only 6' 1" but admittedly slightly “longer” from the bottom of my ass to the top of my head. I was thrilled to get the keys to the rental, but less thrilled to be hunched over driving for a few days.
However, you will note, that I kept the car for the full four days as I liked the car a lot.
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Chariotoflove
> Chris Landry
03/06/2020 at 12:07 |
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Bet it’s way more quiet with the top up.
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Chris Landry
> Chariotoflove
03/06/2020 at 12:28 |
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I would imagine so! Definitely feels like a fixed-roof with the top up.
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Chariotoflove
> Chris Landry
03/06/2020 at 13:06 |
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That was my only gripe about the soft top, that when you had to put up the roof and go on the highway, it kind of punished you.
CaptDale - is secretly British
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/06/2020 at 18:53 |
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That means 2 Miatas and you leave the least favorite kid at home. Or alternate them.
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> CaptDale - is secretly British
03/06/2020 at 20:40 |
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I actually kind of like the idea of a 2-seater to kind of force some one- on- one time with each of them.
M
> Discerning
03/06/2020 at 21:37 |
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Put in a racing seat
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Discerning
> M
03/06/2020 at 21:45 |
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My understanding is that it’s a PITA with the side airbags in the stoc k seats and sensors. Also seems it doesn't lower the seat height all that much more than stock.
Slocrfast
> Discerning
03/07/2020 at 10:59 |
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I’m 6’1” and with a 1.25” seat lowering bracket I fit perfectly in my Soft top ND. I also cut the plastic trim piece that hit my right leg and gained 3/4” of leg room! I love that little car.
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Discerning
> Slocrfast
03/07/2020 at 20:19 |
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I don’t know about the soft top, but I was going to need more than 1.25" to be able to wear a helmet in an RF with the top up.
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M
> Discerning
03/08/2020 at 16:24 |
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Definitely is. Just depends on how much you want it.
A custom seat like an ultra shield with a lowering bracket can take a few inches off easily. The seat will likely be very comfortable even for long drives, but using a race seat in a DD is almost always a pain for most people.
You will lose the seat airbags, but killing the lights isn’t all that complicated, just a bit of electrical work
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Discerning
> M
03/08/2020 at 20:14 |
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So you are certain that the seat can be lowered enough to where a helmet will fit and not make contact with the roof of an RF? This is something you have seen or read? Because the forums seem to disagree with that.
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M
> Discerning
03/10/2020 at 23:43 |
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No, I’m not certain. You should definitely consult an expert. Talk to a custom seat maker and see what they’ve done, but I can’t be sure what will apply to your specific criteria. I know that people, especially car enthusiasts, can pull off pretty much whatever they want with enough determination and work