Fifth Gear: Mazda MX5 Roadster Coupe

Tom compares which Mazda MX5 is better the hardtop or the softtop.
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[@markjohnson5276]

I have a 2014 MX5. I drive it top down to 25 F. It gets to cold after that. Drove it thru the Badlands of South Dakota one summer day. It was 88 F on the outside and 98 F once I was in the park. I had the top down and the AC set for the floor. This developed a 'cold bath' of air to ride in. Cold comfort in the middle of a furnace. Also it was the first year the American freeway system increased the speed limit to 80 mph. Imagine 24 hours screaming along at 80 mph across the great American prairie. No coffee required.

[@JohnVella1968]

I've got a 2019 RF and I once drove to work at 7am (when it was still dark) with the top down. The temperature was 3°C. Why, you may ask. Because I could! 😂

[@waynesimpson2074]

As an owner I can tell anyone who'll listen ; these 2 versions of the same model were designed by a team who were determined that the driver should be able to maximise the enjoyment of the roof down, you do not need to wait for a summers day. The heater is unobtrusive and substantial enough to weld your shoes, you do not need the heated seat option. The MX5 is a dedicated stand-alone platform i.e it is not an afterthought 'chopped off' saloon derivative i.e. a BMW 3 series, Vauxhall Astra, Golf etc.. so the cockpit is designed from the outset to cocoon the driver with it's deep sides and cleverly sculpted windscreen .Keep your speed above 20 mph and there's plenty of protection from the worst of mother nature. I'm not hardcore but my 'record' for a cold bright morning is minus 4 degrees but the only reason I haven't dropped the top on a colder day is the protesting cracking and groaning noise the roof makes with ice/frost on it?! For the money, there's nothing to touch it.

[@royalspindrift]

Wayne Simpson as a fellow owner (08, NC1) I heartily agree with all points save one; the manual strictly warns against lowering the top below 5°C (41°F), for caution of damaging the material. But I too relish the gawking stares of the pitiful plebs on a warmish winter’s day as I hurtle past with the top down. Motor on, sir.

[@andreypaliy6508]

Wayne Simpson Mx5 isn’t really a “dedicated stand-alone platform” it’s a rx8 without rear seats.

[@jonathanfowler2932]

Agree. You could do without the heated seats but they are definitely a welcomed extra for the cold days! One time my roof wouldn't open because it was literally frozen up, so now I only open the roof when there's no ice/frost. The hard top looks great in my opinion and provides better security and protection (if for some reason you have it up). For rainy weather, put the windows all the way up or rain comes in the sides of the windscreen.

[@corinoliver5341]

Andrey Paliy that’s still better as the rx8 is a dedicated sports car

[@davidstorm4015]

Should have tested noise levels at 70mph, I bet there will be a much bigger difference.

[@Wargwarn]

Exactly what I was going to say

[@moart87]

As a former owner I can confirm noise is an issue

[@sajeelchughtai1765]

As a current owner, I can confirm too

[@rodfrancis9160]

YES but always quieter due to no back seat driver droning on and on and.......

[@dielaughing73]

Not sure which way you think it would go.. I can only say my PRHT is pretty noisy at that kind of speed. But hey, it's a sports car

[@mikewilson6128]

Didn't mention the security of the hard top as against the exposure to the knife wielding thief with a soft top. I've had both types and prefer the electric hard top especially using it at a set of traffic lights - just cool.

[@KoolMada]

Time to move.

[@cyril_ogude]

Loving B Tech Jeremy Clarkson

[@dracojdh]

I've owned both types. It is hardtop all the way for me.

[@TheJasonappleton]

Had a 2008 MX5 PRHT (same as the on here) since June 2020 and it's an awesome thing. Best of both worlds at the push of a button even up to 50kph (smart top module fitted) Top down whenever it's not raining even at 2 deg centigrade the heater is more than good enough to keep you toasty. And when it's raining it's just like any hard top car. Even at motorway speeds it perfectly fine talking to a passenger, listening to radio etc without effort. Looking forward to many more road trips, restrictions allowing this year.

[@jetdog80]

Sounds great, was thinking of getting one myself as a second car. Any downsides of owning one? Any modifications you think would improve your driving experience? Thanks in advance!

[@MaiTayFoX]

Just saying but decibels being a logarithmic scale 2dB is actually quite good, 3dB would be 2x quieter

[@JETZcorp]

My understanding is that 6dB represents a factor of 2. So 3dB would be less than a 25% reduction.

[@Unfinished_sentenc]

Best video! Thank you

[@hogey74]

My mx5 mechanics in Brisbane have a completely stock, auto one of these as a loaner when my soft top nc is getting seen. I was pretty hard core about the "right one" to get but my eyes were opened. The roof is great and the auto is fine. If the hard roof and auto would make you consider an mx5, omg just do it. It's a practical car that is vastly nicer to drive than average. And there is so much love for these things. Every wonky or failed part is an opportunity to upgrade.

[@barryhill1044]

Trust my word here, The rag top is just as cosy And In my opinion. Looks better, Just as a Roadster should look ! In winter I put an hot water bottle up my jumper on a bitter cold day Before the car warms up lovely and cosy . Heated seats on and the heater blowing hot air within 2 miles. Or after a 2 minute tick over,

[@rodfrancis9160]

Bought one of these for the first time yesterday and the little extra noise through the soft top kept me thinking if i had shut the door properly. It seems to rain almost everyday since I bought it, so I throw a water proof hood cover for extra dryness.

[@Brockthedog315]

That was a humorous and enjoyable video. Ouch when you got blasted by the firehouse. I’ll stick with the softop. Am sure it would be good to have the hard top every so often but I mostly love the total simplicity of the Miata. Softop keeps that mentality.

[@buijs1967]

Hardtop ruins the lines a bit, if you have a garage i would take the soft top. The softtop also opens and closes quicker and at "any speed".

[@dennisrichards2540]

not only that but you can get a removble hardtop that bolts on and looks much nicer than the electric one.

[@TheJasonappleton]

Good luck getting it back up while driving at any speed 😕

[@JETZcorp]

@@TheJasonappleton I've done it at slow surface-street speeds, but it was sketchy and I didn't want to do it again. At highway speeds forget about it.

[@hcwbw3]

I have a2014 PRHT and I had a 2003 rag top. I belive both pipe in engine noise (sound) to enhance the driving experience. But at higher speed above 50 or 60 MPH it seem the hardtop is quieter besides the obvious rag top wind noise, it might be that the wind and speed push back or leave the sound behind the mx5 with the hard top. As soon as you go below 50 or 45 ish mph you hear the difference.

[@dielaughing73]

The earlier NCs (like my 2007) don't have that sound tube for 'piped-in' engine noise, and I'm quite glad about that

[@ekim000]

30 in 3rd harldly seems useful as a test of quite. 60 in 6th would make more sense to me. My wife drives one the hard tops and I'm thoroughly impressed with it.

[@hogey74]

I changed my mind about these folding rooves after having one as a loaner. I still prefer the soft top but that folding hard top was really good I thought. The one I had was an auto which was also better than I expected. In some climates, and if the MX5 was my only car, I'd have a serious look at the hard top. I am not as keen on the RF model of the new ones, but I haven't driven one.

[@Spookieham]

Hard tops are very popular here in Australia for summer use (with AC) as you will burn to a crisp with the top down. Also when it rains here it can REALLY rain. The one benefit is rust is almost unknown

[@dielaughing73]

The PRHT is fantastic. And it seems pretty bulletproof too. As another Australian I agree about keeping out of the sun. It's also blindingly bright with the top down.. I do most of my top-down driving in the evening and early morning unless it's a very mild day.

[@areasevenpro]

Hurts his hand from knocking on the plastic roof.

[@deprezzed9657]

areasevenpro hahahaha

[@dracojdh]

Its not plastic..

[@areasevenpro]

@@dracojdh What is it, then?

[@dracojdh]

@@areasevenpro polycarbonate

[@areasevenpro]

@@dracojdh Which is a type of plastic.

[@hagbard72]

No switchblade test?

[@brianpiersol9412]

I own a 2011 MX5 in Pennsylvania. Can you tell me what regulation requires the amber side lamp in the front fenders (Europe)? Is it connected to the headlights or the turnsignals? US MX5's do not have them... Thanks, Brian

[@nightrvn]

its the turn signals, ours don't have them on the front bumpers like the US ones.

[@andrewwilson8317]

How much boot space do you loose with the roof down?

[@joeyconservative]

Which ts easier to break in

[@pummyy]

how about a hail test ??

[@Cl3gster]

Having just bought one, imagine my surprise to find it staring in a fifth gear episode! Quality

[@arricammarques1955]

MX 5 inspired by the Lotus Elan. Superior build quality.

[@divusaugstus]

I own an MX5 of 2006 build - roadster coupe and I luuuuuuuve this car. But… about 2 years ago the power hardtop made a horrible clunk as the deck opened and everything stopped. I managed to force it to close and it hasn’t worked since. Mazda want a ridiculous amount of money to fix it so I now have a beautiful coupe but I really miss the roadster. My car was bought new and has only 120k on the clock so I’m a bit miffed.

[@razvandavid1510]

That is something that I've wondered about the hard top. How many times can you close and open it until it breaks down? How many cycles until that happens, you reckon?

[@ronellington6246]

these cars are very well built and reliable including the roof. Obviously anything can fail but its very rare for the PRHT to fail. As someone who had to replace two cut soft tops I can tell you that isn't cheap either

[@divusaugstus]

@@ronellington6246 well, my NC now has a working PRHT {-) and got out of it for 700 AU. I’d been quoted absurd amounts 3000 etc, people pricing themselves out of a job. Anyway the car is awesome(er). Happiness is a warm MX5

[@dielaughing73]

​@@divusaugstusif you haven't done it already, replace the little nub thing that helps locate the deck lid (rear middle). The earliest PRHTs had a poor design for this part and it would bind up and cause issues like yours. You can get the redesigned piece from a Mazda dealer (or cheaper online) and it's a five minute job to replace.

[@ekim000]

30 in 3rd harldly seems useful as a test of quite. 60 in 6th would make more sense to me.

[@kf-dk5pb]

Had a mk1 in the day and boy you didn’t want to go over 60 on the motorway in winter, was an absolute endurance. Electric roof is best of both worlds regarding everyday living.

[@JETZcorp]

The later ones like this NC1 are better about that. As some others have said, the heater can melt steel. The big thing if it's REALLY cold is having something over your ears, but IMO that's not necessary until around freezing.

[@b-dogs1038]

Put a bit of water on this Man & he turns into a woolly mammoth.

[@rishivaja9288]

Apparently if you park your car on the roadside, insurance premiums are higher for the soft top too.

[@TheChenny73]

MX-5’s are one of the cheapest cars to insure. I’ve read it’s because most of them are toy weekend cars which are garages.

[@rodfrancis9160]

@@TheChenny73 yes, my MX-5 insurance was £100 less yearly than my old 1.2 fiesta.

[@oil_rich]

Convertible hardtop isnt for quiter, but more likely for safety and weater protection

[@pernasstrom3997]

Any difference in luggage?.

[@dracojdh]

The hardtop does not interfere with truck space.

[@benfranklin4111]

Nice

[@martinobeirne4591]

Does it reduce boot size?

[@Sophos1964]

Nope. Amazingly, the hard top folds into the same space as the soft top.

[@scottastell9415]

That was a fun review.

[@peter-radiantpipes2800]

Funny because I live in “the American Riviera” as it’s called here. Kind of silly but true and there’s not a ton of convertibles. My first car was a Mustang GT convertible, all new and loaded. Problem is after the fun wears off a few months in you pretty much never use them. I would though, love to have an older Jeep or Bronco and remove the top, doors, windshield for beach days.

[@JJF1973]

It’s perfect if you live somewhere where criminals don’t cut your top open all that time. I had a ‘99 and a had to put 5 tops on it due to criminals in the 10 years I owned it. . Now I have a hardtop nc. No problems with breaking yet.

[@jessedinoia8001]

In Sydney Australia, it can get above 40 deg celcius so I welcome the AC the hardtop comes with. I wouldn't like to sit in traffic while my top melts around me or looking like a lobster with the roof down on the hottest beach days. It gets down to 0 at nigh sot the roof keeps the car warm inside. Anything in between is roof down weather. What more could you want?

[@Spookieham]

Agreed - you need an AC and a roof in summer here in Perth if there is any possibility of being stuck in traffic. Even on the open road it's a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Nice in the evening though when the sun goes.

[@God-dt7om]

Smashing car

[@selgeaus]

The first shot I thought it was a young James May..

[@SSNewberry]

I am a hard-top guy. Works like a dream. (NC 16)

[@johntate5050]

Hello hard top guy. Is there anything else you like hard? I have a fungal toe infection.

[@allimikej]

Isn’t this guy Jay Emm

[@nigel274]

Think the softop looks a lot better on my opinion. Hard top looks sort of boring...spoils the line. Can see is practical

[@arricammarques1955]

Driving in Reading? Your forgiven.

[@ayaanjahangir365]

wooookieeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@themancuniancandidate2744]

I have a 2007 hardtop at the moment and despite 200000kms on the clock it is every bit as reliable as a Rolex. I've had a soft top version before, and I think the hardtop just edges it, in terms of quietness (it is MUCH quieter at freeway speeds) and lack of exposure to sun/vandal damage. They are both amazing, and neither will disappoint.

[@SLAMTRON]

4:36 Twenty minutes of sun? My, aren't *_you_* the wishful thinker 🤙

[@rodfrancis9160]

20 Seconds more likely...😄

[@johntate5050]

@@rodfrancis9160 It's always hot in the UK in summer.

[@radekw708]

The hard top just doesn't look as good

[@CZESAR99]

Crazy English with that horrible gray weather in London hahahahahaa they buy more convertibles 🤣💪🏼

[@stristan6302]

A brilliant example of stating the bleeding obvious.

[@Exito.618]

hard top looks 10x better 😅

[@kfm908]

I have a 2012 retractable.l I will never buy another rag top MX5

[@kCI251]

All they did was drive back and forth on a shitty unused road, what the bloody fuck?

[@diegoalejandrorodriguez622]

rest principal flesh cotton lost coach opera improvement house usual lonely blue.

[@ketchup5344]

Yes indeed! No blue touch start flash cotton opera? Of course sidewind over red not lonely blue dont you think? Peaceout✌🏽

[@MrTarook97]

Guys your videos are being filmed by a potato right?!

[@greekgamer4u201]

reupload of really old videos..

[@demon1954]

Had to stop watching when he said the hard top was metal.

[@johnmcdonald7046]

Well thar's 5 mins of my life I'll never get back........

[@bumblebee-mygt867]

Jeremy Clarkson with a beard. Just not cool and not as funny as the original.

[@Kabal1247]

meh, worst MX5. NA FTW!

[@mikewilson6128]

Can u translate into English ?

[@kanatsizkanatli]

if you upgrade them 14 inch alloys whit skinny tire, small brakes with no abs and then you add a roller, extra bracing, a reliable turbo and a hard top, better interior, aero and a tune Then and only then do you get a car approaching the nc and still you're car won't have the luxuries, safety and structural rigidity.