2018 Mazda MX-5 GT // A Miata with a Cherry On Top

This week on Throttle House, I take the new Mazda MX-5 out for a spin. Turns out, it's just as fun as ever. But let's take a look at WHY it's SO exciting to drive....
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[@beejayeff8455]

Thomas, after watching this review, I bought a 2018 MX-5, and this made it the 7th Miata for me (three NAs, one NB, 2 NCs) and this one rocks! I'm an old guy, so I miss the PRHT NC's hardtop, cupholders, bigger seats, and glove box. Quit laughing! But you are right-on about the better Bose sound system, the quicker handling, and IMO the exterior! Thanks--keep on keepin' on.

[@harrismi7]

I bought a 2016 a couple months ago and it is a fantastic car. I travel for work and probably put 700 miles on it the weeks I'm on the road. I get 39 mpg and have fun at the same time. I turned the lane keeping assist turned off because I think it is too sensitive especially for a car that should be thrown into corners. I wish the light would turn off because I hate that it stays lit in the gauge cluster.

[@theotherbrad5650]

four years on....still a great ND overview. Thanks Throttle House!

[@yourmanzach2307]

Just letting you know that mazda announced the 2019 model will have 181hp! The perfect amount from factory.

[@jjlad5037]

I'm sure Mazda will find a way to ruin it.

[@Malinkadink]

@@jjlad5037 Yeah they definitely ruined it lol /s

[@JarnoScw]

@@jjlad5037 in a few years maybe. But only way to ruin it would be hybrid or electric to fully kill it. I dont think they would do a electrification mistake at the mx-5.

[@jjlad5037]

@@JarnoScw ...more likely they'll find a way to add 100-lbs in unnecessary luxury features.

[@JarnoScw]

@@jjlad5037 no they reduced the weight very nice and I personally think the Mx-5 nd is absolutely perfect

[@robertreynolds2212]

Just bought a new Miata GT today. I’m beyond excited.

[@maxcactus7]

Watching this Jan 02, 2023 and it's bloody awesome!! Fantastic unscripted review of this amazing car.

[@frankfrankenstein5933]

Best review on MX5, bar none!! I want one! Thanks!

[@acchaladka]

I did too, then I test drove one and....not right for me.

[@kavalere]

You guys really are great with your videos. I just bought a 22 MX-5 Grand Touring. Hope to one day take it out on track.

[@rubbertoe.]

but its so overpriced in canada

[@Enflu3nza]

I'd like to see your opinion on the Fiata 124 Abarth compared to this!

[@ThrottleHouse]

I will have that car in a few weeks!

[@acchaladka]

Especially about the torque feel of the Abarth. I believe Thomas and I have different definitions of the word 'torque'. It is very very rare to see a fair appraisal of the 124.

[@jjlad5037]

I've owned three Miata's...you don't need a LSD.

[@mountainbikerpaul2267]

I'm glad i read your comment, I collect my 2016 ND 1.5 Sport Nav in 2 days time, I was concerned about not having an LSD.

[@JamesLCoxe]

You don’t need a LSD until you try and do a donut in a parking lot.

[@mikeb9569]

It helps avoid torque steer in the snow, can take you out of a corner faster and helps if you want to drift.

[@DominicMuir]

Best review I've seen!

[@traumadynamics7269]

Excellent review TH, I really enjoy your detailed stream of consciousness driving experience thoughts that make up your reviews and the creative buddy direction you've taken the channel with the British guy (sorry, don't remember his name). I'm trying to decide if a new 2019 ND upgrades are enough to motivate me to get a new car or if a nice ND1 would do the trick. Supposedly, you don't notice a difference until you go over 5,500 rpm but as you note in this review, the joy is all about revving it out. Any thoughts?

[@carlosbrigett2574]

I've had a 2016 MX-5, Club automatic. I kept it for 2.5 yrs. and just couldn't take the auto any more, so in March of 2018 I traded that in for a new 2017 MX-5 Club with manual trans. I can't stay out of it! Back in 1963 I ordered my 1st car, it was a 1964 MGB, got it February of 1964. Learned how to drive in evening D.C. traffic from 7th and Rhode Island Ave. N.W., to the S.E. area of town where I lived at the time. Anyway, I had 2 MGB's '64 and '66. Then got drafted in the U.S. Army, then got married and life happened with raising kids and all. After all those years, I needed something more in life then just retiring. That's when I bought my 1st MX-5.. I added a racing muffler and had my cloth seats turned into Mercedes leather covered seats, they called it skins, but they even put the red stitching in the leather seats also. The muffler was one by Racing something or another, but it's called: PowerPulse and has the 2 exhaust pipes like the original pipes and it sort'a sounds more like a 64 Austin Healey to me. Love the sound of it with the muffler. Oh, by the way, when I bought the new one, they took my leather seats, muffler and the air filter and switched them from the old to the new one I bought in March. Thought that was a fantastic thing they did for me. I have after market rims with a set of new tires and no sensor's in the new rims. Never had a problem with the signal going off at any time. I figure, if the tire pressure was ok on the other set and the car was turned off during the switch, the computer didn't know the difference? By the way! Loved the review you did on the 2018 cherry top.

[@jeffreymartin2021]

Great review. Really like your work.I am the owner of a 2017 MX5-RF and feel your are spot on. Those cup holders are very annoying! Athough it looks great and offers more protection the rear Butress does create wind noise.

[@MrMazda-ih8cw]

Still believe the RF is top of the line of the MX-5s even though love your review. Thanks for sharing!

[@yamasa0607]

Your face on NC gets thumb up!

[@Juergen_Mueller]

Hopefully before the next model change, Mazda will inquire about the body measurements of Central European men. They sit like the coachman on the box in this dollhouse.

[@timothycoyne5874]

I bought a new ‘18 ND GT 18 months ago, and it’s my favorite car ever of the dozen or so I’ve owned. Every drive is fun, even a 15 minute commute to work. Love this car!!

[@planbparadise2046]

Base version no LSD 132 HP 1.5 L engine

[@Fajar-qg1hd]

Mazda Transmision is the best in the world..

[@MikeDawson1]

I absolutely love my 2016 ND Club model!

[@joanna6866]

no 2016 is nd

[@MikeDawson1]

@@joanna6866 what are you saying?

[@longrifle98]

My S2000 begs to differ on the shifting experience :P

[@ThrottleHouse]

I dunno. This one is pretty good. Would have to side by side them

[@stephenhendricks103]

I envy you, man. I've wanted an MX5 for twenty years. The closest I've come was a great (but flawed) RX8. With a wife, a daughter, and a dog I have to have a car that allows me to take at least two of them with me. So it's a GTI for me.

[@garbinator09]

Man! You and me both! I must be going through a time in my life I want more excitement versus practical. At age 63 I have never owned a performance car. Recently, I talked my wife into test “RIDING” an MX5 and right away she began complaining about how bad the passenger seat felt to include sitting leg positioning. Man I about had a stomach punch inside hearing this. I have watched, even re-watched every video, even read for hours the Miata Forums and NOT one negative about lack of passenger comfort. I stopped the car, we exchanged positions, I right away I understood her complaints. Damn! After all the time spent convincing her the MX5 would be the perfect car to tour Highway 1 and the great Route 33 over the curved mountainous vista overlooking the coastline... I remain stumped.

[@stephenhendricks103]

Gary Bowen: I feel your pain. If I were you I'd look seriously at a GTI or "R." My wife, kid, and most importantly, our dog loves the GTI. But if you're committed to a rear wheel drive vehicle (which I can understand) and don't need a real back seat take a look at the Toyota/Subaru 86/BRZ. The Subie is a bit underpowered (imo) but it handles very, very well. Of course, it sounds like you're in California so a roadster may be a necessity for you. If so, you should look seriously at the Mustang convertible. The 2.3L EcoSport doesn't get much love from the Mustang crowd, but it's a fine and very quick ride. The Mustang doesn't need a five liter engine and with the performance package and self-adjusting dampers, it handles superbly. Let the Mustang GT fan boys sneer; in my opinion it's a worthy competitor to European roadsters at half the price. (Take a look at Alex On Autos youtube review of the 2.3L Ecosport Mustang. It's illuminating.)

[@garbinator09]

Stephen Hendricks - I will look further for sure. As a retired guy, I have plenty of time to research these choices, I do like the looks of the new VW type R. The other important aspect is our local VW dealership in my opinion is operated very professionally. The Mazda dealership seems to hire “DORK’S to peddle their product line. Very illiterate sales people. The other issue I have is environmental. During the summer we get well into three digits temperatures lasting weeks at a time. I test drove a MX5 during a 104 day and, well, the black soft top, the small air conditioning system, did not make me a very happy sports car enthusiast. I may decide to continue driving my 2012 2 dr JK and might even remove doors and hard top just to get that openness feeling due to the heat wave letting up some. Besides, I must admit its far easier climbing in and out of my jeep than any low slung car. My wife will not let me have both. My jeep and the Miata. Limited funds as always.

[@IAmTheHound]

@@garbinator09 The MX-5 is a sports car, for chucking round corners etc. What you want for your trip, which would be fun to drive and also comfortable for your wife, is a grand tourer. Plenty of options available, especially if you go used.

[@jasonfeingold2314]

It begs you to run out the gears. And you cannot refuse

[@joekawasaki]

The cup holder position mirrors where i place drinks in my nb. The passenger foot well is the standard spot(3d printed by a forum member), and larger lidded bottles between the center console box(rear), seat bolster, and the parcel shelf wall. The rear position is easier to get to with the left hand.

[@vossler360]

In the interest of accuracy, the 2006 MX-5 in Club trim had a curb weight of 2441 lb, which isn't far from the 2016 MX-5 at 2332 lb. But I do appreciate that the newer MX-5 has less weight than the previous generation.

[@ThrottleHouse]

There were a few different nc weights for sure. But also don’t forget. 100 pounds in a car that small makes a big difference.

[@jjlad5037]

Consider that the 1990 Miata had a curb weight of only 2100lbs......still the best of all the MX-5's.

[@chrishisted1851]

How does the NC hold up in comparison to the ND? On the used market, is a 2016 or 17 worth the premium over an NC?

[@lycangoon5286]

Great video. I just got the mazda mx-5 rf gt. Feels amazing driving the coast and so smooth.

[@stingswhenipee3137]

i put on roadsport swaybars and progressive springs (mild)for under $400. also i put on the edelbrock supercharger, now 211whp. that part wasnt cheap but its perfect imo now. i am in love. open dif is perfectly fine btw. my only real complaint is the autolocking is unreliable and the lane departure is is annoying.

[@Soltsevorot]

This was a nice review! Thanks

[@mrkeno1000]

the soft top much better looking than the RF besides that what the miata was designed to be a soft top roadster

[@slh950]

are they MX-5's in Canada or Miata's? i hate the name Miata

[@effa114]

slh950 MX-5!

[@slh950]

@@effa114 same as Australia

[@mikefields2243]

Have one...love it!

[@waclosh]

You got the blip on downshifts all wrong. You should blip as you go out of the higher gear so that you will HAVE blipped as you go into the lower gear. The way you are doing it in your vids, you are saving your clutch and car balance, but you still wear down your synchros. If you blip going out of the higher gear, you will acutally feel that you are NOT using the synchros through the shift knob itself. It will just slide into the lower gear with NO resistance at all. I love you and promote your channel everywhere I can, but you need to re-learn this to retain your carguy glory ☺

[@ThrottleHouse]

No idea what you are trying to say. If you do what you are saying it will have no effect on the synchros in the box. You would have to declutch in neutral then blip to match the input shaft for the lower gear. That’s a “doubleclutch” downshift which is not necessary. The way I’m doing it is bog standard practice. Don’t forget that when you have the clutch in, the only thing your blip does is increase engine speed and thereby flywheel speed. The input shaft of the transmission is disconnected. Therefore no effect on synchromesh will happen.

[@larrymorgan6778]

Bro why you granny shift in’ and not double clutchin’ like you should?? 🤦‍♂️

[@inFAdepT]

Hey TH, I know that it's out of the scope of this video but do you have a preference on which reasonably price automatic car is somewhat responsive and fun (can be used or new)? I'm looking for a daily 4/5 door car that can have a little fun once in a while.

[@ThrottleHouse]

Lots of autos nowadays are fun! Any Mazda auto is decent. A mini maybe?

[@inFAdepT]

Alright cool, i'll check them out. Thanks!

[@SOMEBILO2]

I was expecting him to say e46 auto lmao. They are dirt cheap!

[@jjlad5037]

BRZ/FRS.....but still manual with the manual

[@miatarf4676]

2:28 u said gears not years lol

[@topspin242]

What a great review.

[@giantman]

Sweet Juice!

[@dwiftingwithshiny1895]

wish ppl would stop using the word “fun” to describe every thing on a mx-5 🤣

[@jjlad5037]

Damn...they just had to ruin the MX-5 with that stupid big screen. It's OFF my list!

[@stingswhenipee3137]

jj lad it doesnt feel obtrusive and clunky. i dont really pay any attention to mine. i dont usually have music on because i like to hea my supercharger

[@mikeb9569]

My list only had MX5. There's nothing like it.

[@DoctorChange106]

GOOD REVIEW, GREAT CAR, LIGHT OH YEAH - but the idiot driver is in the gutter - not center of lane, not near the yellow line, near the fu__ing WHITE line GEESH

[@ThrottleHouse]

Lol it’s so you can see the car. On video.

[@palmtreeesrsexy]

have I somehow missed a review of an NC Miata Mx-5 on your channel? I would love to see one if you haven't already done it. specifically on a 2009-2012 grand touring PRHT manual

[@2Chickaboom2]

I agree with your minor ergonomic quibbles on the ND but wouldn’t be a dealbreaker for me. I’ve had some extended country road time in one recently and enjoyed it. What is keeping me from an ND is the fact my 150k mile ‘06 NC still makes me smile. I’ve changed just enough to make me happy but left enough stock to keep it reliable as a daily driver. Best thing is, parts are cheap and plentiful. Door panels getting ratty? Carpet holes getting annoying? Pop on some newer ones from a part out. Easy-peasy.

[@mikeb9569]

130,000 on my NC and no rattles. Have only replaced battery, brake pads, and serpentine belt (still looked new) no issues. Just pure amazing driving joy.