Hi James I just wanted to say I enjoyed your video and you're very informative on the information that you bringing I just wanted to tell you great job man and I hope like life is going well and you are awesome

I like longer gearing. 5 speed is ideal IMO. I'd rather have more torque and less gears. I had an older car weighing 1800 lbs, 150 ft/lbs of torque and it was lots of fun with 4 gears. Get on a curvy mountain road and the 6 speed gets tiring after awhile.

Great honest review ❤

I agree the soft top looks better. My local Mazda dealer had a late model ND in dark green with a dark tan/brown top that was to die for. This is a mystery to me because AFAIK none were made so it must have been custom. Anyway, I would likely go with the RF since it would be my only car and for an only car I'd prefer the quieter more solid interior experience.

All great points, I have some things to add if I may… I have a Gladiator as a second vehicle and honestly with a fiberglass roof you hear everything; if you’re someone who gets bothered by wind noise then you shouldn’t be looking into a convertible (no matter the type) to begin with 😂 As for weather protection, if it’s your baby and you want to keep things as close to perfect as possible…. Invest in a really durable cover for the whole car. It’s well worth it, especially if you like in a colder climate like I do. This also helps keep things as clean as possible so maintenance is a breeze. With vehicle this small you want to be driving much more carefully because you’ll be more difficult to spot right off from other drivers, especially if you’re behind much bigger vehicles as an example, but while to RF is great, you have huge blind spots that can make things a bit more squirrely All these things are my opinion and everyone is able to refute them if they wish, but I just thought I’d add my two cents

I have a 2023 soft top. I absolutely love this car🥰 and I prefer soft top due to less blindspot and more open feel😊

CX-5 👍🏽👍🏽

Great review! Thx!

3 years later, can we get an updated on your x5 on how long it lasted?

Hi James. This video and the 25,000 one is very helpful. I have a cx30 now and at the 5K mark. When do I go for an Oilchange? 8k or 16k I'm very indecisive as every dealership has very different approach. Any suggestions would help. When did you go for your first oilchange, Thanks in advance

I really want an RF. I’ve always had such a hard on for Targa tops I think I would just have to do it.

I've got a 22 gasser FX4 with the tow package. Best utility Maverick! The motor really does feel effortless. Great power and economy.

I'd have to get the RF for how bad the weather is in the UK

Hello?

Test drove one today mpg was poor….

Yup, fully agree on all points, and I recently opted for the ragtop on my 2023 GT. It was mostly due to that open, freeing feeling you get when driving with the top down. With the RF, you don't quite get that.

nice car! walmart is selling royal purple for $33 a jug now, it's good stuff

Excellent review. Thanks! I may finally be ready to upgrade from my 2012 128i.

Great video. You've covered the upsides and downsides of the adaptor very well.

Hi, can it play video while driving??

22 awd 4k for me, when i test drove the hybrid it was too slow. Plus living in the northeast, need the awd for the winter

James, excellent review. If I could make one additional (relevant) point it would be that those of use who live in colder climates (I'm from Canada), there are not many days where it is possible to drive with the top down, due to the weather. For those of who do not live in sunny California, an RF version is a must. Again great review James. Thank you for that.

Great review and agree 💯 on the engine overpowering the traction. Have the AMR version which is a beast but better handling and chassis much more adaptive. The looks and sound are unlike any other and AM exclusivity part of the allure.

My MK7 Golf R was recently stolen and totaled. Been looking for something around 40K. Was thinking of a low mileage F22 m240i LCI... Or a new G42 230i with the $3,150 M sport package, and The $1,900 dynamic handling package which would add up to about $42k all in. Sure, I'd be getting the B58 in line 6 in the F22, But it'll be pre-owned. I've also heard that the 230 does feel a little more playful and light on its the m240i. Or maybe just get an OG M2 and be done with it lol

Thank you, thank you for sharing and posting the video.

On the battery. New batteries dont last like the old ones you are lucky to get 2 to 3 years on the new one i had old interstate and die hard batteries last for a decade before failing. The new ones are made cheaper but cost more and last half as long. I had a new deka only last a year be suddenly failed. The new ones don't warn you either it used to be you would have a couple hard starts then nothing these new one just quit working all together at one moment.

Thanks!

I feel great driving my 2021 Mazda6 GTR Carbon Edition.

Which trim level is this and year?

How much did u pay 4 it,?

Did you ever had a time when your gas cap door didn’t open. The dealership says there is not a fix.

Excellent video 👌

I just bought that exact car yesterday. Just to add something to DIY oil changes, make sure you hear that click when you unscrew the "new" oil container and don't blindly start dumping the oil in without checking it. I got used oil in a container once from the auto supply store. Someone had scammed the store and brought it back for a refund as unused. The oil I got was darker than a coal miner's arse. Luckily for me I caught it right away and the store believed me when I told them what happened.

Nice 😀👍

Would you pick this Taos or a Mazca CX30? I can't decide! I wish the Mazda was a bit bigger or that the Taos had better interior materials...

Porsche never listens to its customers. The long gearing killed alot of sales

You don’t need jack stand for that, you need a stopper on your tires when using a ramp. Jack stands are used when you jack up your car. Hahaha

2023 GT Soft Top LOVE MINE!!!! Thanks for the video.

i prefer the v6 style front grille to the ss style. so this lt1 with the 6.2l v8 is the best of both worlds to me. too bad 2020 was the only year with that dark green color

Dodged a bullet with that on turbo? 😅 becus you'd be at the gas station even more? hahah !

The RF is for people that can't commit to a convertible. Come on! Give in to your hidden desire to be 'that guy'.

mine leaks oil, has electrical issues, funny looking wheel tilt, windows crack, parasitic battery drain, handles bad.

Last month I purchased a CX5, while I do love it I kind of wish I had got the cx30. Only reason I didn’t get one was because I wanted the Bose. Maybe my next purchase will be the 30.

James!! I recently purchased a certified used Mazda CS-30 Carbon Edition 2023 with just under 7K miles. LIKE NEW and I absolutely love it. I've added lower air air grill and also ceramic coated the exterior. Thanks for all of the videos and your impressions. It is an amazing vehicle and I am happy about the great deal I made.

For there is no contest. It has to be the soft top. Its so easy to erect and put down. Its fits beautifully. Its way lighter than the hard top. And most of all , you are in a convertable. The RF looks beautiful closed but for all the extremely complicated mechanism you end up with an open space about a foot wide. Total overkill. They should have offered a soft top and a coupé.

Great update! Since I just found your channel, I had commented on your red CX 30 but you now have a black one which takes care of the ugly black cladding. Like you I’m totally impressed with my CX 30 turbo!.

I agree that the black cladding on the wheel arches is an eyesore with the lighter colors. I got the beautiful dark blue and they don’t stand out at all. I got the turbo model and like you use sport mode around town. So No hunting for gears. After two years, I love this car, still, and as far as the gas tank, not really a big deal I just pulled into a gas station and fill it up. On road trips I take a break after about 250 miles anyway. The interior iis really high quality especially for the price!

Trying to decide between M240 and this 230i M sport.. Also CPO or new, or just used? Thanks!!

Thank you for the good pointers. One question I would like to ask is should the car/truck be hoisted up level to ensure all the old oil being drained out completely or would it has the same result with having the car/truck front wheels driving onto the ramps (as in your case) for accessibility. Thank you for your clarification

Great review good sir. About to have to buy a new car for my college junior as my 08 Altima finally gave up after 275k miles. -🥲I know terrible right? The 3 or CX30 will be the likely choice. Well done and thank for the information.