All The Car You Need? | 2022 Mazda MX5 GT Sport Tech

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Mazda lent me the MX5 GT Sport Tech for a few days to see what I thought. A perfect car for sunny summer days on small roads.
Follow me: / sammooresphoto
Enjoy,
Sam
Show Notes:
00:00 = Intro
00:28 = Walkaround
01:15 = Interior
04:23 = Drive Time
12:30 = Parked Up
13:06 = Roof Up
17:20 = Conclusion

[@vroom1013]

It IS a touchscreen! 😁 Mazda disable the touchscreen when the car is in motion so the driver is not distracted. Love the Mk4 MX5. Probably all the sports car anyone needs, especially on today’s crowded roads.

[@sammooresphoto]

Woa….waaat

[@zzkamikazezz]

@@sammooresphoto ye, one of the most annoying things of this car!

[@vroom1013]

@@sammooresphoto yep. Mazda have realised that having the driver take their eyes off the road to poke around on a screen isn’t the greatest idea, so have disabled the screen when the car is in motion. All the important functions are still able to be controlled either using physical dials or the buttons on the wheel. I wish more manufacturers would do the same.

[@mkkoper]

@Vroom 101 What? I own the car. It takes so much more tome odf the road to look at the screen when you use the dIal instead of simple touchscreen mode. This is the most bizzare reasoning for me. The way Mazda did this is way way more hazardous.

[@jeffatturbofish]

One of the reasons that my wife ended up buying a new Honda CR-V instead of the Mazda CX-5 is she hated the touchscreen so much in my 2021 MX-5. They use the same system in all of their models. Works great for people like me who want to have fewer distractions when I'm driving, but for the rest of world, not so much. She still loves driving my MX-5 but will complain every time about the touchscreen.

[@erickelly4107]

The reason the MX-5 cost so much less than other sports cars is due to it not being total OVERKILL by comparison, its a car you can actually drive and enjoy on normal public roads without losing your license / life. It doesn't make sense to jam in a big / powerful / super expensive motor when the N/A 2.0l w/ 181hp is actually optimal (not overkill which is typically the case with sports cars these days). The brakes don't have to be so big, the wheels / tires don't have to be big, etc. It's not that Mazda somehow had to "cut corners" it's just common sense and NOT building something only truly accessible / fun via going balls to the walls around a race track. The 6MT in the ~ 30K MX-5 is actually far more "solid & refined" than the vast majority of sports cars costing $$$$$ more so people should take that comment as a brain fart. Not saying that that isn't a more expensive car (Arguably the 6MT in modern Porsches) but to insist that the 6MT in the MX-5 is somehow not as "solid & refined" in general just doesn't match reality. The MX-5 doesn't cost and arm & leg NOT because the gearbox isn't as "solid & refined" (its actually very solid / refined unless for some bizarre reason the EU spec version is different than the U.S. spec MX-5) ) it's relatively affordable because Mazda's goal wasn't to build a "numbers car" but a "driver's car".

[@nec4608]

In a few words Collin Chapman’s concepts

[@bispal]

3 of my favourite things, an MX5, Ranmore Common Road and a Sam Moores review. Thanks. That feeling of being one with the car is what mazda call "Jinba Ittai". I have been down that road hundreds of times in many cars including my own MK1 MX5 and my 675LT. The MX5 is perfect for it, possibly only bettered on that road by an S1 160 Elise. The 675LT grounds out and is a little wide but does do a good job too. The point about Boxster v MX5 is a debate I constantly have with myself having owned 3 of each and currently owning 1 of each. As I write this I am on the terrace of a villa on the cote d'azure after driving 2 days over the Alps ( the long way) to get here in my Boxster. For pure driving pleasure the MX5 wins, the Boxster though is just so good at touring, 2 decent boots and AC mean my 26 year old MX5 would not be possible for these trips, so we use my 22 year old Boxster. I have done the trip in my 981 Spyder too but my wife, and me, prefer the 986. I would rather be in the MX5 for the alps and parking space in Antibes its more fun and agile so next time I might try an ND with AC and a boot bag.

[@jeffatturbofish]

I loved my 2010 MX-5 with PRHT so much that when I retired it, I just got a newer version. This time, I went with a soft top just to save more weight and earning more fun. More smiles, more road trips [2,000 mile road trip with plenty of 600 mile day trips], better gas milage even when traveling at a high rate of speed. In the past year, I have put over 12K miles on it and I still can't stop smiling when I drive it. Same with my wife who took it today to run some errands on some nice twisty roads. She still hates the computer but loves the fun.

[@sammooresphoto]

Awesome to hear from people really enjoying the cars

[@chrissengland]

Always had an mx5 alongside my German cars. Great fun!

[@danielthomas8507]

yes bro at last!!...love this channel and MX5's...i have a 91 mx5 with a supercharger, its done nearly 400k kms and still rocks along amazingly, had it for years and will never sell it , sold my boxster to kept my miata that says it all....best sportscar for the money...cheers Sam.

[@sammooresphoto]

Awesome, 400k Kms…bloody hell that’s good going 😂 💪🏻

[@martinboulden4388]

Great video Sam.

[@sammooresphoto]

Cheers 👊🏻

[@paranormalpendle5920]

I've just collected my GT Sport Tech RF and it the only car I've ever just wanted to get in and drive. I absolutely love it.

[@sammooresphoto]

Awesome, enjoy!

[@rreichar1]

Nice review!. I had honestly never considered buying one of these. I am coming from a series of somewhat expensive German cars that were certainly faster and much more expensive. After some frustrating service issues during the pandemic I threw up my hands and traded/sold a couple of cars for a lovely Toyota Truck. It was fine but I missed having something that wasn’t 100% utilitarian. When thinking about what my next car should be I came across the MX-5 RF. I read and watched some reviews and bought one sight unseen. This is the car I should have bought in 2015. I would have saved a large pile on money and avoided even more frustration. One of the more entertaining cars you can buy. for any price.

[@sammooresphoto]

Enjoy! Great things

[@tanner1ie]

Very nice video, it'd be great if you could ask Mazda to give you the retractable fastback now to compare it to, to see is it more refined and whether you can feel the weight difference between the two versions... 🤔😀🤘 . P.S. I THINK the 2.0L model "only" gets blisten dampers to go along with the standard suspension, rather than completely different suspension, while again I think you get the dampers and the diff in a version of the car fitted with the 2.0L, not specifically because of the spec (of course certain engine choices are often locked into certain specs). Also do you know does this one have the optional sports exhaust fitted and if so, does it make much difference to the sound and ANY to the engine power or power band... The sports exhaust is an extra €1,000 here in Ireland, but is PROBABLY worth it, however you can also buy a €2,000 sports trim pack with a front lip, rear spoiler and two other things - it'd be interesting to know do they have ANY effect on aerodynamics or are they a waste of money... I've always liked this generation of MX-5, though it does look very cosy compared to the last model, but I have a renewed interest in it because we can buy the improved 2.0L engine in the normal car for the first time here in Ireland now, since it was added to the car internationally (short of the literally ten 30th anniversary edition models that were released here) - we could only buy the less rev happy 160 2.0L option before that, until they ran out, then could otherwise only buy MX-5s with the 1.5L engine for several years. Anyway, very nice video as said, and I hope to see more MX-5 videos, among others in the near future 🤔😀🤘 .

[@brandonbuckley5390]

I am honest in awe of this car, it looks absolutely fantastic, cannot wait to own one in the next year or two!

[@Corinthian44]

Buy one , don't worry about winter , get the top down , you won't feel cold I promise you , and best of all , you won't regret buying it !

[@jrms60r]

@@Corinthian44 yep I just bought one and drive it with the top down at 50 degrees with the heat on and I’m never cold. Love this car!

[@renechitofernando899]

Great car and great review

[@sammooresphoto]

Thanks

[@zzkamikazezz]

Love mine. Ex Exige and elise owner and after three years it still isnt going anywhere. Mine has lowered seats (and rare recaro seats) BBR Super 220 kit so it revs to 7800 and 20% shorter final drive on top Ohlins road and track, uprated anti roll bars and a few other bits. It’s an absolute blast where I live in Norfolk

[@sammooresphoto]

That sounds brilliant

[@zzkamikazezz]

@@sammooresphoto my take on what I wish lotus would make now, a modern day Elan.

[@hypnotechno]

nice! I've got the paco rails for soon to be lowered recaros. How is your experience of lowered seats?

[@zzkamikazezz]

@@hypnotechno it’s how the car should have come!

[@hypnotechno]

@@zzkamikazezz good to hear. I also ordered a guardian wheel

[@NicRobertsYT]

The more you do these videos the better they get! Love to have a go in one. Imagine if they made a A110 convertible...

[@sammooresphoto]

Imagine!

[@sammooresphoto]

and cheers bud, I learn something every time

[@noelmannion4433]

Will watch later. I’ve had a Mk.1 and will be surprised if you don’t enjoy it, personally I’d go for the soft top.

[@sammooresphoto]

100% soft top

[@andreaperaldo6702]

You can open and close the roof from the seat. It’s much easier and quicker 😉

[@sammooresphoto]

Yeah I did that the day after this, was surprised how easy it was

[@josequezada2821]

yes

[@ScottALaFollette]

The white seats, door panels and lower dash brightens the interior giving a sense of greater space. Unfortunately the exterior color blends into the pavement. A car this small should be offered with several “loud and proud” colors for greater visibility and safety.

[@sammooresphoto]

Agreed 100%

[@stms4411]

Kinda interesting to see a car person of means be astounded by what you can get when something is simple. It seemed like a revelation to him when he operated the convertible top. It’s actually criminal that someone would call themselves a car person (or petrol head as Brits would say) and be unfamiliar with the Miata 32 years after it’s debut.

[@sammooresphoto]

I think it is interesting something so simple still exists with electric motors replacing absolutely everything in a car. I’ve not spent time in the road cars but I’ve raced a few early mx5s.

[@stms4411]

@@sammooresphoto - less is more sometimes. As a 981 boxster owner I will attest that owning a brz along side of it gave a ‘baby cayman’ experience that was different than what Porsche could do. Of course the quality and chassis development is next level in the Porsche, but there’s a playfulness in the brz that the boxster doesn’t possess. It felt lighter, even though it’s essentially the same curb weight. Now that the gr86 and brz have been significantly improved - drive one of those If you want to see a what a commitment to simplicity (and largely an antidote to an EV) can provide. I’d submit that it’s better than the Miata still.

[@uci812]

Thanks for sharing, wish someone would test drive and compare a GT manual and a GT automatic for comparisson.

[@sammooresphoto]

Sadly I’ve not driven the auto so I can’t tell you

[@tartanwallpaper]

Great video! 👏🏽 Multimedia screen is touch screen when stationary?

[@sammooresphoto]

No, only dial control

[@mountainbikerpaul2267]

You're right Gordon, unless they have changed it for the 2022 model, most ND's including my 2016 ND do allow the touch screen to work when stationary.

[@tartanwallpaper]

@@mountainbikerpaul2267 I thought that was the case. Wondered whether engine needed to be switched off but ignition on, or just stationary with handbrake on?

[@mountainbikerpaul2267]

@@tartanwallpaper To be honest I spend most of the time wringing it's neck on the back roads where i live so haven't paid too much attention to the touchscreen, but I am quietly confident it works as long as the car isn't rolling 👌

[@TomBTerrific]

I really like the car. Only thing missing is there should be a measurement device in every show room stating if your height is above this line you can not buy or drive this car.

[@sammooresphoto]

Haha, this seems to be a real thing for everyone. I’m 6ft and didn’t notice anything

[@johndundon2300]

It's not as simple as a height 'cut-off' though, much depends on your body composition, long in the leg or in the torso; arms etc. I'm a stocky 5'11" and fits me like a glove.6'2" pal has no issues. Another is same height as me but slim, and he finds it tricky. You need to sit into one. Don't make the mistake of dismissing it out of hand.

[@sammooresphoto]

@@johndundon2300 Agreed

[@DreamDosage]

Most people aren’t over 6’3”… so no need

[@WizardTerence]

There is a way to activate the touch screen for when the car is moving. Have to hold down certain buttons to enter the developer menu.

[@Lbjdlccp]

Nice👍

[@ScottPC]

You can pick up the MK4 2.0 so cheap now! Well worth a used one.

[@Corinthian44]

Having owned 4 new mx5s since 2008 , earlier this year , I was tempted to buy a new one . I only need the SE Nav spec . I found the model I wanted had black wheels as standard , which I don't like . To get the alloy looking wheels , you need to buy the Sport model , £2000 more , but with heated seats and climate control ( in the UK ) . Although I'm 85 , I drive, all year roud with the top down , so both these mods were completely useless to me . I decided to stick with my 2017 model , which cost £ 19000 , compared with a replacement of about £28000 .

[@MiniEggs1999]

How does the quality of the leather feel compared to your Merc ? Thanks

[@sammooresphoto]

Honestly quite similar,not quite as nice but a bit difficult to compare as the interior is so different

[@BranGrizz]

I'm so jealous you can option the bbs on a gt in UK. Here in US Mazda is hell bent on giving us the fewest number of options. If you want the premium bbs, youre forced to get the club trim which forgoes some tech (the rear view mirror stuff etc) and also the white interior is not even available here in 2022

[@sammooresphoto]

Wtf, that’s rubbish

[@jeffatturbofish]

@@sammooresphoto yeah, you are correct. It isn't about tech that they could add, it is about the driving experience. It is so good, that I can't wait to drive to work in the mornings, even when I could work from home and know that I will get to the office, turn around on some nice twisty hills and come back home. I don't give a crap about the tech, just let me drive some more. I don't even have to have a place to drive to. Just the joy of driving itself. I had a NC but damn, this is just so much more fun to drive. And I put a 100K miles on the old NC. This is my retirement car. A car that I will enjoy until I will own when I no longer will be driving to the office. Or even not driving to the office and working from home. Or just going for a drive. Damn this is a good car

[@sammooresphoto]

@@jeffatturbofish I love it, that's what these things should all be about

[@dad89821282]

It’s a touch screen, only when you stop the car

[@chickenlips605]

I love that color...does anyone know, and only in the UK?

[@andrewstevenson6540]

I believe its Polymetal. Not certain.

[@andyhart5669]

You think the gearbox in a manual 718 feels better, really???

[@sammooresphoto]

It think it has less of a plasticky wobbly feel

[@user-gp2dl9op4z]

How tall are you?

[@randomhobbyist99]

Test drive one. Loved it. But this car is made for people 5.9’ and under. Barely fit at 5.11 😢

[@sammooresphoto]

It seems just going by height doesn't quite work as i'm 6ft and fit fine. I must have a short body, and also make sure the seat is slammed to the floor obs.

[@randomhobbyist99]

@@sammooresphoto yea only way I was able to fit is to have the seat fully reclined back and also on the floor. Fun car though It’d be awesome to have. A used Boxster is also another great alternative for those a bit taller.

[@sammooresphoto]

@@randomhobbyist99 yep, and has that porscheness to it. But both brilliant.

[@andrewstevenson6540]

I own one and I'm 5'11'' also saw one reviewer that was 6'4" saying it was tight but he was still fine.

[@randomhobbyist99]

@@andrewstevenson6540 my head was over the windshield 🤣. Idk man might just be me.

[@markahomer]

If only Triumph and MG made cars like this now. I think you've just sold a bunch of MX5s...

[@sammooresphoto]

It would be so good if there were more things like this but at least we have the mx5!

[@andrewstevenson6540]

The 1500 Spitfire was my dream car as a kid in the 70s. I've now got the 1500 MX-5 and it's a sweet little pleasure to own and drive.

[@zenjitsuman]

I want a car that can do 0-60 in no more than 4.5 sec. Mazda needs some kind of force induction. At least 240 hp Why they don't do this has been a question many have asked for 10 years now.

[@deasystems]

I think Mazda wants the MX-5 to be maximally responsive. FI is not compatible with that goal.

[@andyhart5669]

The answer is simple. That kind of power isn't needed in such a light car. The MX5 is perfect for everyday fun on the road. But if you want the speed/power you crave, it's one of the easiest cars to mod and 240bhp is easily achievable.

[@larryhouse3776]

Just get a motorcycle. 0-60 in 3 seconds for a half the money.

[@andrewstevenson6540]

You can get turbo/supercharger kits but you're going to empty the 45 litres much quicker and possibly wreck the gearbox and rear diff. These cars are plenty of fun as standard and there's other options for people chasing numbers.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Great review. For me, the Miata MX5 interior is an ergonomic mess. The car needs to be a bit longer and wider so the seats can recline back further, the cup holders could then be in front of the shifter on the console where they belong, the strange hump in the floor on the passenger side would be reduced or eliminated, more leg room for taller drivers. The leather seats are of horrible quality and are not supportive at all. For the asking price, it should have been designed better.

[@grahamcrane83]

At 5 foot 8 it feels custom made for me. Love the car (including the interior).

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

@@grahamcrane83 I am 5ft 8 and it feels like a prison.

[@jimmoriarty6964]

Steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car lol

[@damonkatos4271]

They’ve priced me out of the game at 35k Fuck new car prices

[@tameracingdriver]

do what i did, spend £6k on an NC with some engine bits and a few small suspension / chassis mods. I got a launch edition with full red leather, and IMO the best looking NC, the BBR Super 200 package so its running 200 bhp, Eibach lowering springs and uprated brake pads. It's an absolute riot for a fraction of the price. I wouldn't mind a Super 225 ND2 RF at some point but the price will have to fall considerably first.

[@andrewstevenson6540]

You can pick up very low mileage cars in great condition as some people keep them as weekend cars.

[@petermartin9494]

No Brembo brakes...

[@sammooresphoto]

No brembos, stopped fine though

[@pradeepmagan6951]

Should have got the RF much better car

[@danielthomas8507]

No way mate the convertible is the true spirt of the mx5, the RF looks cool but is not what a mx5 is all about IMO.

[@formulafrank659]

@@danielthomas8507the RF is a convertible, it’s an electric retracting hard roof

[@andrewstevenson6540]

All cars have a diff...you'd wreck the tyres and crash otherwise 😂

[@fahmidnd2]

The base doesn’t come with a LSD

[@xXmakeyourmoveXx]

Do you have one of the worst reviews I have ever seen for the Mazda Miata.

[@final_mile_music9713]

Don’t know. Does he?

[@guadalupe9581]

pr໐๓໐Ş๓ 👀

[@bigbosd7857]

How tall are you?

[@sammooresphoto]

6ft