From Gearhead to Guru: Dave Coleman's UNEXPECTED Journey & Why and How to MOD Your MX-5 Right!

Gearheads and driving purists, fasten your seatbelts! This tell-all interview with Dave Coleman, a Mazda engineer who breathes MX-5, goes beyond the specs to reveal:
Shocking Truths: Debunk common myths about lowering, body roll, and more! Learn how these elements can actually enhance your driving experience.
From Wrenching to Engineering: Discover Dave's unique journey from gearhead to guru.
Unleash Peak Performance: Get insider tips and expert advice on modifying your MX-5 to achieve specific goals without sacrificing its magic.
Rapid Fire Q&A: Hold on tight as Dave tackles your burning MX-5 questions in a fast-paced blitz. Learn about must-have mods, surprising handling secrets, and Dave's hidden talent!
This interview is more than just car talk, it's a journey into the heart and soul of the MX-5. Whether you're a seasoned MX-5 owner, a curious car enthusiast, or simply captivated by inspiring stories, this video is a must-watch!
Legend Revived: 2024 Mazda MX-5 ND3 Review: • Legend Revived: 2024 M...
-----------------------
// MY AMAZON STORE with my favorite things for drivers
www.amazon.com/shop/influence...
(this is an affiliate link)
/// MERCH
Pick up some sweet merch in our store! brianmakse.myspreadshop.com
/// HELP US OUT
Gearheads! We take great pains to make sure this show sounds great, but quality post-production ain't cheap! Donate credits at auphonic.com/donate_credits?u... to keep our show's motor running. Even small donations help cover editing costs so we can keep bringing you tuned audio that captures the essence of automotive freedom. Help out fellow car nuts spreading the passion for driving - donate to our Auphonic credits today!
/// SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe NOW to Brian Makse's Channel: kzbin.info_...
/// SOCIAL
Instagram: / brianmakse
Twitter: / brianmakse
Facebook: / makseattack
Spotify: sptfy.com/brianmakse
Link In My Bio: makse.com/linkinbio/
/// MORE
About Brian: makse.com/about
Be sure to let us know what you think about this video and smash the subscribe button, if you haven’t already!
Music © 2024 Russell Soares (russellsoares.com), used with permission, all rights reserved.
#MX5 #Mazda ##JDM #MazdaMX5 #2024MazdaMX5 #SportsCar #PerformanceMods #DrivingSecrets #CarMyths #Debunked #DaveColeman #MazdaEngineer #CarInterview #BehindTheScenes #ExclusiveContent #Gearhead #CarKnowledge #MustWatch

[@Saboda53]

Dave’s heart is so “in the right place” for a car like this. When I’m out on the road, I love knowing Dave’s the guy callin’ the shots in designing my car. He so “gets” it.❤

[@BrianMakse]

Indeed.

[@alecpaul6021]

Truly the best advertisement for the MX-5 (and Mazda itself) I've ever seen.

[@BrianMakse]

That's one way to look at it!

[@maxcactus7]

Positively fantastic interview, Brian! Dave Coleman is such a wealth of auto engineering knowledge. Enjoyed this thoroughly!

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aygwm]

Engineers are really the goats of the automotive world

[@TheFlyrodder68]

Now, that's an interview. Great insight into the engineering behind the Miata. Thanks for doing this, Brian! Thumbs up!

[@BrianMakse]

Our pleasure!

[@dennisvanderben2719]

best no bullshit car interview ive ever seen, specially from someone who's working for the manufarcture. Purely amazing

[@BrianMakse]

Dave’s the best!

[@Thankyou_3]

❤ this video; I will say it again. By far, this is the best interview on the MX-5. Great channel Brian!!

[@BrianMakse]

Wow, thanks!

[@dlg5485]

This is a great interview, but you need to watch the savage geese documentary series on the MX-5. They did an excellent documentary on each generation.

[@axelfiraxa]

@thankyou_3 check out the savagegeese series on the MX5

[@georgegalea1937]

This is the only interview I have watched from start to finish. Great interview Brian. Like many have said, Dave is such a great guy. No wonder my MX5 is such a great car. I have no urge to modify mine. Thank you Dave for my mobile therapy machine ❤️❤️

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@matthewkinney5474]

I wish I could become even half the engineer this man is. Great interview!

[@dlg5485]

I really appreciate the fact that the Miata's suspension is tuned to the softer side from factory. I'm not a track rat, preferring the empty back road experience, and the out of box suspension is perfect for that type of driving. I'm not saying I'd never track it or mod it, but if I did, it would be a complete upgrade, including tires, coilovewrs, anti sway bars, cross bracing, etc. just as Dave suggested in this interview. You can't half-azz it.

[@BrianMakse]

Funny thing is that a stock MX5 works perfectly fine as a track car, too.

[@dawnpoint]

What a cool dude. Great job, thanks for the interview!

[@BrianMakse]

Any time!

[@bradcomis1066]

"I've been teaching race driving for over 25 years" I heard that and immediately subscribed!

[@BrianMakse]

Cool! My on-track resume is even better lol. Have you checked out some of the how-to vids on the channel yet?

[@Horm999]

I’ve been watching a lot of videos eyeing up the MX-5 for a fun weekend, road trip car. This video has fully sold me on one after hearing Dave talk about their primary focus on developing this car was based on the fun of daily driving. Also REALLY MISS driving a manual and desperately want to get one again before they all but disappear. GREAT VIDEO!

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed this. Did you catch the ND3 review?

[@EricGCraig]

What a great interview, thanks Brian and Dave.

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jasondixon9095]

Great great video On the MX5

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks! 👍

[@amospizzey1]

We are so lucky to have such brilliant men to give us these fantastic cars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@BrianMakse]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@Bonsai-Miata2020]

Great interview. I actually learned a bit. Would love to see both of you at Miata's at the Gap the first week of August every year in North Carolina. Thanks Brian. I have always enjoyed your videos and your stlye

[@BrianMakse]

Cheers. Glad you enjoyed.

[@sunnyvalentino]

What a treat. I enjoyed this a ton!!!!! The modification of MX5 and the interplay was insightful, but there were too many gems to pick a fave

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@hardyk2010]

Watching this from my 07 NC Miata.. so enamoring to see what an enthusiast is behind this ingenuity.

[@BrianMakse]

Don’t watch KZbin and drive at the same time!

[@hardyk2010]

@@BrianMakse don't report me! Pretty please?

[@CleaR-Motorsport]

So good! Thank you for putting this together, Brian. As interesting as it is useful. Enjoyed it so much, the video is now linked in my email signature 😎 Every MX-5 / Miata fan needs to see this!

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks! I guess all the prep and getting up at 5am that day to make it happen was worth it!

[@veefource]

This is awesome, can't beat Dave Coleman's insights from Mazda's point of view. This did leave me wondering why Mazda offers the factory lowering springs though if this isn't good for the handling. It's also one of the most well regarded changes within the community too 🤔

[@BrianMakse]

It's not that the springs aren't good for handling. There are always compromises with any major changes in components. I'd hope those springs are engineered to match the damper rates and, given that we're talking Mazda, I suspect they are.

[@brianthegiant1]

@@BrianMakseFYI they have stopped offering the lowering spring kit in the UK for latest 2024 models. Not on the options list anymore, and Mazda dealer will not provide it.

[@Koishishibaman]

Great interview with Dave. Amazing insight on the Miata. Makes me want another. Had a 90, 92 autocross, and my favorite. A 93Le. That one was special. Had Jackson racing sways, fcm bump stops, original bilstiens. Intake, headers, hiflow cat, rb exhaust. Really fun to drive. Miss that one. I am thinking about getting another one. Either a Nb, or the big money 24 club with the brembo package. Currently diving a 19 mustang Bullitt with magnaride suspension, with Ford racing up grade. Springs, sways, flash module for computer. H pipe and factory active exhaust. Loud, corners, great fun. Just a bit heavy😂

[@BrianMakse]

The Bullitt ain't so bad at all...but an ND3 would be a nice complement to that in your garage.

[@Sideways_Singh]

Back to back dave interviews n beautiful canyon driving n understanding cars n the miata, insta subbed with notifications on. This channel is epic.

[@BrianMakse]

Awesome thank you!

[@driftxtz7167]

Great interview. My first car was a 1977 RX3 SP. I just got my 2024 MX5 RF. It feels similar and so much fun. Going full circle. Thanks for the awesome work.

[@BrianMakse]

Right on! Thanks!

[@YiyeTinkers]

Thank you I really enjoyed the entire 38 minutes even though I didn’t fully understand the engineering part

[@BrianMakse]

Glad to hear that!

[@russellnersesov7524]

Fantastic interview!!! Thank you

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dannyphamous]

Great interview! May every drive be a blast!

[@BrianMakse]

Cheers!

[@2688elmo]

Thank you Brian. Was fun to get to know both Miata and Dave better

[@BrianMakse]

Our pleasure!

[@terjehelle]

What a great interview!

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks!

[@sinan325]

Great interview, thank you. I wish you have also asked about manual transmission issues plaguing ND miata as well.

[@BrianMakse]

I don't know anything about that.

[@axledog7297]

@@BrianMakseno offense, but if this is news to you then you're not at all plugged into the ND Miata realm. I would pay money to hear Dave talk about this. The manual transmission in these is a travesty from a QC and manufacturing perspective.

[@BrianMakse]

@@axledog7297 even if I owned one, I wouldn’t be part of the “realm”

[@weezintrumpeteer]

GREAT interview, thank you. He's really interesting to listen to and is obviously very knowledgeable.

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garrettstupperware3754]

This is great, thanks

[@BrianMakse]

You're welcome!

[@charliecleanup]

great interview...makes me want one

[@davecarlson6275]

I agree completely. Ready to go my local Mazda dealer tomorrow!

[@BrianMakse]

Are there going to be lineups at Mazda dealers in the morning?

[@Jorge_Magallon]

Great interview. Dave Coleman is fantastic at explaining car engineering.

[@BrianMakse]

Cheers!

[@roninsc]

Outstanding! It'll be hard for you to top this.

[@BrianMakse]

That’s for sure!

[@roninsc]

@@BrianMaksebut try!

[@BrianMakse]

@@roninsc working on it!

[@NickD-ky1po]

Excellent interview

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed

[@WhiteEagle74]

Great interview. I wish I heard this interview before I lowered my NC Miata. I hated the 4" wheel gaps hence why I lowered it, but it's rough going over bumps now. I need a set of good coilovers vs just lowering springs to improve the ride quality.

[@BrianMakse]

What you’re looking for is a set of matched springs and dampers. That may or may not be a set of coil overs. I’d call Flyin’ Miata and discuss what you’re looking for. Wish we could have gotten this info to you sooner, but we published this on Sunday!

[@nikosavo1393]

Thanks!

[@BrianMakse]

Wow! Thank you!

[@MiataND3]

What a great review!😍 I'm getting my Miata ND3 next week

[@BrianMakse]

Mega! Enjoy!

[@amystrain3190]

interesting that Dave has a turbo'd NA and a na supercharger project. I'd love to here Dave Colemen's thoughts on forced induction on the ND2 and if it's even possible with the ND3 changes specifically the eu anti tampering changes. subscribed

[@BrianMakse]

Great questions for next time!

[@sutats]

Good stuff.

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks!

[@richardsims3847]

Good stuff especially as my 1.5 ST should be arriving in Spain soon.Hearing about the handling improvements in the new version confirmed my decision to wait for it.His comments on his NZ trip also pleased me as the small capacity plenty for the canyons and country roads with 90 km limit.My dog will be riding shotgun so don't want to thrown her around but take in the scenery.

[@BrianMakse]

That's a brilliant car for Spain. Enjoy!

[@richard-mai]

No words, just 👏

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@willramirez75]

Love the rando in the background

[@BrianMakse]

That’s a gentleman named Matt St Pierre and this is the second time he’s done that in one of our episodes. Feel free to look him up!

[@user-lp8vb1vs6x]

Mattole Road in California...a crappy 1-1/2 lane wide road on the Lost Coast...and a fantastic Miata road!

[@BrianMakse]

I'll have to try that next time I'm up that way.

[@2007MXV]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4WmlnVqm7WXp5Ysi=Px_EZk3CBoZkDDRs

[@alaskamc5979]

So, can I just buy the new diff and put it in an ND1? Or is that an electronic/programming thing?

[@BrianMakse]

Stability, traction, ABS, steering, etc, are all calibrated to work with the new diff

[@zcmdz99]

Does the sport have DSC-track?

[@ciello___8307]

Nice insight into what mazda is thinking about the future. Im happy that they are waiting on electrifying the miata until they think they can do it right

[@BrianMakse]

You and me both!

[@gerglmuff]

"bench racing is for cars you can't afford" YES

[@Janiix89]

I hope by the time I’m done watching this I find out what the thinking behind the soft sway bar is

[@Janiix89]

Hmm- I mean I drive a NC and the roll doesn’t bother me but when I test drove ND2 the body roll was so noticeable and made the car feel a lot bigger than my NC - not what I want in a miata

[@VEEZER1]

They're amazing cars but when mini vans do 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds it's hard to cope in the changing times. I wanted a bbs/brembo package and foe 38k is just insane for the amount of material is actually in the vehicle. I went with a 22 wrx only for the reason I wanted as much handling for the money. There is just too much r and r in the new vb chasis and amount of rubber that I feel will justify buying a subaru. I love mazda but that chasis is now obsolete in today's times. I would buy one still.. if it had a 2.4 boxer in it ;) Ps i had a grandfather that gave me his 1987 rx7. I wrecked it 2 times and sokd it when i was 16

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks for sharing. I hear ya. Still love the MX-5!

[@HumperMKB]

The original concept of 人馬一體 is asking the rider to adept to the horse 😊

[@BrianMakse]

Is it really? Where can I learn more?

[@lambrosstamos4494]

But do I fit, at 6'4" and 250 lbs? What if I skip the Recaro(s) and go with my favorite bucket seats and a lowering solution? This is the definitive driver's car.

[@BrianMakse]

Have you tried?

[@lambrosstamos4494]

@@BrianMakse It was the NC and let's say it wasn't that comfortable. I would love to go a bit lower. I'll make the effort when the ND3 1.5 arrives at my local dealer, here in Europe. An incentive for some lifestyle/diet change.

[@DessikaModus]

I wish the US market got the 1.5L engine. fuel economy and not having to worry about the transmission would be nice

[@axledog7297]

Or better yet... A truly improved transmission. The 2.0 MPG is excellent, no need to change that.

[@aaronbryan5095]

If carbon fiber chassis is too much for the Miata, then how about an aluminium chassis?

[@BrianMakse]

In the end, it makes crash repair much more costly, which is contrary to the ethos of the MX-5.

[@aaronbryan5095]

​@@BrianMaksehmm... or maybe keep the use of lightweight materials to the less vulnerable areas of the car, I've seen Mazda filed patents for a carbon fiber shock tower brace and the chassis in said patent looks extremely similar to the ND Miata's chassis.

[@ciello___8307]

Carbon fiber would be too expensive for the price point. Part of the appeal of mx5 is its accessible cost. Why do all that when light weight can be achieved already

[@Davan514]

Body roll was intended. Yeah because they want the average market in north america to have fun on bad roads. I can understand that’s why you need to change the sway bars if your driving style is not average.

[@BrianMakse]

The aftermarket is so deep that you can go crazy with suspension mods. I'd do a complete package from Flyin' Miata and be done with it.

[@jtherealtor]

All they had to do was put a 3-400hp rotary or V6 as an option

[@eurly93]

Sorry but Porsche manages to ride great over bad roads without crazy body roll. The Miata is soft because most buyers are hair dressers and the people who aren't buy it as a platform for modding. Mustang is similar. Way too soft from factory, but is affordable enough to mod that it can become whatever level of performance the owner desires.

[@BrianMakse]

“Sorry but I’m comparing apples to a Savile Row suit…” Ok, bro, whatever you say…

[@bitbat9]

And how much is a Porsche?

[@2688elmo]

Riding great and fun are different. My type r rides great but my mx5 is much more fun. Mx5 rides great too. You need to understand the nuances of handling and then you won’t think so simplistic.

[@911_dan2]

My f1 car has zero body roll 🙄

[@2688elmo]

@@911_dan2 cool story bro 🙄

[@quentinstacy35]

Found the link to this on 4chan/o/mg, their Miata thread

[@BrianMakse]

😱