I Drive the NEW Mazda Miata (ND3) For the First Time: Is It Actually Better?

( www.alltfl.com/) Check out our new spot to find ALL our content, from news to videos and our podcasts! Although the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata 'ND' has been on the market for a few years now, Mazda made some noteworthy changes for this latest model, called the ND3. Tommy and Kase cover all the details in this review!
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#mazda #nd3 #miata

[@jdcarguy1242]

Light weight, short gearing, FR layout. It's all an enthusiast needs.

[@LukeEdward]

TFL editor, for the first half of the video, why is Tommy’s audio, while standing on the right, coming out on the left? While Kase, when standing on the left, is coming out of the right?

[@Kryorgin]

The music is also pretty loud and annoying

[@bradythegenius2123]

I don’t think case has a mic on

[@LukeEdward]

@@bradythegenius2123 didn’t notice. But that would make it even worse because that would mean it was a choice that his audio was specifically isolated to the channel opposite of his orientation.

[@TFLnow]

Thanks for the heads up

[@cloudyview]

I couldn't pinpoint why, but the sound mix was definitely off, even on my phone 😄

[@chozar]

Great overview. Let's not forget that the Sport model is a hair under $29k. That's less than it cost in 1990 adjusted for inflation, which was $32k.

[@ErikStone1]

Miata Is Always The Answer :)

[@ricatiman]

Kudos to Mazda for continuing to bring us one of the most fun cars in the world. I grew up in the car business, selling Triumph Spitfires and TR6's and MGBs...then TR7's and 8's... believe me, any generation of the MX5 is a far better car than any of those 'classic' sportscars. They are even better than my legendary Lotus Elan.

[@mot1343]

Best car I ever owned.

[@gryphon123456]

As you grow older you appreciate car feel more than power. The Miata is a sense filler and a great car if you can appreciate a good feel car. Mustang is more for the red light rafters.

[@aperson5062]

Lots of former high horsepower car guys on the Miata forums. My car previous to the Miata was a supercharged Audi S4 with active suspension and torque vectoring rear diff. Faster car, the MX-5 is far more fun to drive.

[@Eddie-yc5yd]

I just bought nd3 red, soft top, and automatic. Unfortunately, my left knee is worn out. Good news: the auto has an adaptive cruise with a remote start. And it's still alot of fun to drive. Especially if I supercharger it.

[@dha588]

And how much does it cost to super charge? Doesn't it also avoid your new car warranty?

[@plokmko0]

A straight 6 Miata would be one of the GOATs !!!

[@jdcarguy1242]

I'd say a centrifugal supercharged 4 banger would be better. The chassis doesn't need torque, it needs to pull harder up top.

[@ALMX5DP]

I’d rather just a punched out or higher performance NA 4 cylinder. Would love a K24a swap for my NB1, 220whp and 8k redline is perfection to me.

[@cptndave1]

Why do Americans keep wanting more more more. Look what they did with their corvette. Went from a little fun roadster to I don’t know what to call it now. Mazda has kept this a true roadster in all its definition. No competition. Well done Mazda love mine.

[@user-do9ir8lv2m]

Will keep selling like hotcakes

[@OldThomMerton]

I love little Mazda's and the Miata looks like a lot of fun. Sadly, getting in and out these day would be prohibitive to my ownership . . . bad back.

[@SuperBonefinger]

Same with me and my back. I really tried to justify the Miata, but went with the larger Mustang. Still harder to get out of than my old SUV. The fun factor of driving with the top down is phenomenal!

[@chozar]

Just get in once and never come out. Problem solved.

[@dlg5485]

I've had spinal stenosis in my lumbar region for many years and I own a ND3 GT soft top manual, it's my second Miata. It certainly can be a challenge getting in and out and I usually don't drive it for more than an hour or so at a time, but I've figured out how to make it comfortable by adding some customized support to the seat and wearing a light weight back brace when I drive it. I can say unequivocally that driving this amazing car is worth the relatively small amount of discomfort I experience. I rarely notice any discomfort when I'm driving this car because I'm having so much fun. Unless your situation is very severe, you can probably make it work...and it will definitely be worth it!

[@stevekniess3665]

Sweet little ride

[@ag4allgood]

2016 ND Club soft top owner for 7+ years & really the differential keeps the rear wheels right where they should be 95% of the time. The ND Sport & GT models didn't come with the LSD so those cars are susceptible to way more rear end sliding. So much fun to drive with the super light clutch & shifter. The ND3 is very tempting with those upgrade tweeks. The exhaust definitely needs to be changed to get the full feeling & my axle back active exhaust came from right there in Colorado - Flying Miata. Great design overall. 😎

[@markcoopers1930]

In the US ND2 GT models got the LSD in manual, not in auto. I believe.

[@bryaninnc5511]

@@markcoopers1930 When I bought my 2020 Club, the LSD was standard on the Club, optional on the GT, and not available on the Sport, and you could only get it with the MT. I believe all of that's still true.

[@ag4allgood]

@@markcoopers1930 I was referring to 2016 Models ONLY ! Not the ND2 . Therefore the 2016 ND1 models get grouped into one by this reviewer. Its not true ! That is not how the ND1s operated ! Club models had a stable rear end because of the LSD. This rear end stepping out BS is for Sports & GTs in the 2016 MY. You are correct the ND2 model GTs had the LSD. Autos never had it - never will !

[@lffit]

What a cool little car while Ford have just released their 'New Capri', a VW based SUV, nothing at all to do with their sporty original I knew!

[@damilolaakanni]

Considering that Ford named 4 different, unrelated vehicles "Maverick", it doesn't bother me. It seems normal for them to do that.

[@markcoopers1930]

​@@damilolaakanni Can't wait for them to release the "Galaxy" minivan and the "Freestyle" sport compact

[@damilolaakanni]

@markcoopers1930 the Galaxy "Minivan" technically existed. It was a rebadged Volkswagen Sharan MPV.

[@dlg5485]

I absolutely love my ND3 GT manual soft top. It's as close to a perfect sports car as is likely possible for $35k. My only gripes are that the GT seats lack support (I added some because I have a bad back) and the car needs auto downshift rev matching to take it to the next level, but that's it. The Miata isn't about raw speed, although it is plenty quick, it's all about engagement...becoming one with the driver. Those who complain that it's too slow just don't understand its purpose, which is to make you grin like a fool every single time you get in it. The magic of the car is that it's engaging at any speed.

[@co92715]

That Miata smiles so cute!

[@Spartan_Pope]

Actually the heaviest Miata was the NC PRHT. The ND RF weighs about as much as an NC soft top.

[@dangerousdave1004]

My favourite TFL team

[@user-do9ir8lv2m]

favorite*

[@shitloveaduck]

@@user-do9ir8lv2mfavourite.

[@dannyphamous]

Great review, must be great having the NC and ND together! Looking forward to the comparison video

[@kirkwagner461]

I wish reviewers would get the soft top. As a former NB owner I am not a fan of the RF.

[@bryaninnc5511]

I agree. The rag top is the way to go. If they’re going to offer a hard top, I wish Mazda would have gone with a retractable one like they had on the NC, but guessing that would not have work with the ND body.

[@jackcoughlin9081]

It might have something to due with tracking the car. The RF might get a pass while many venues might require a roll bar

[@rembo183]

I have this model and I love it. No need for more speed or a different sounding engine. It’s all about the handling. Lightweight and quick enough. My only criticism is it’s very small. I wish it was the same size as the Porsche Boxster/Cayman. A Mustang GT is ok but is very heavy, and feels large while the Miata is much lighter and handles totally different. It’s just very diffent to drive. Plus the Miata is more like a sports car while the Mustang is much more of a touring cruiser.

[@marklewandowski5996]

great car, just wish theyd make it bigger so I could fit in it without looking over the windshield

[@rondimmerman8923]

Great review from both of you . I love the design of this car and the improvements noted by Tommy. However, I’d still love to see 2 items that are glaringly missing to make it a car that’s a 4 season car, and even more fun to drive. The first, bump the HP up to 200-220. This would not be overpowered by any stretch, and with dual exhausts, would be even more fun to drive. Second, consider an AWD option available for people like yourselves, who live in a state that gets significant snowfall. I live in WA state, with not much snowfall usually, though lots of rain, and icy roads at times. To make this car a 4 season sports car would be special. Thank you both, again.

[@somestuffithoughtyoumightl6985]

It is a touch screen while stationary and with CarPlay, touchscreen still works in motion. After buying the ND3 partly for this reason , I actually got used to (and kinda prefer) the dial, when center cup holders are removed

[@oceanlinerkid]

Tommy is that hearing aide beige? Ha ha! Love this car and design. Love TFL 👍

[@JojoDPena]

Love this review of the Miata 👍👍

[@darknessislight3689]

My neighbor has a beautiful ruby color one 😊 it’s such a beautiful car . I’m 6ft 5 in and I have no trouble getting in or out and headroom is not bad.

[@denvera1g1]

I would love for the Miata to have a fastback-hatch version, still could have a powered hard top, but when up, it could have far more usable storage and IMO would look better with the roof gradually coming down to meet the tail lights.

[@davidjernigan8161]

If Mazda made a full fastback hardtop it could be significantly lighter and have a stiffer chassis along with more storage.

[@yusenfei]

Thanks for the video, a little bit strange is that the positions of people and the audio channels are reversed: when the guy on the left speaks, the sound comes from the right earphone.

[@tomc8854]

On my second ND had a 2019 sport now I’m in a 2023 GT tried a couple different cars in between but there’s nothing else like it. Exhaust is a must first mod, stock is too quiet! Got a deal on a leftover soft top for ten grand less than that RF.

[@bryaninnc5511]

I wish Mazda would offer some better color choices on the Miata. Let's see, this year we have white, black (2 choices), gray, sand, blue, and red, the latter two being the only good ones in my option. It wasn't much different when I bought mine.

[@bosse641]

Nice and fun car. But why not a glove compartment? Would be very useful in this one.

[@markcoopers1930]

It's between the seats on the back panel.

[@bosse641]

@@markcoopers1930 ...but that looks more like a small locker for your phone and wallet.

[@markcoopers1930]

It fits my owners manual, baseball cap, water bottle, package of napkins, and has room to spare. Space is space.

[@bosse641]

@@markcoopers1930 ...Of course. But it would be nice with a larger glove compartment in the front.

[@user-do9ir8lv2m]

umm that thing sounds awesome

[@PookieMaliboo]

I'm waiting for that rumored 35th anniversary edition!

[@markcoopers1930]

What are the odds you think that it comes in green? Supposedly it won't be unit limited either

[@PookieMaliboo]

@@markcoopers1930 i certainly hope they offer more than the 3000 the 30th Anniv offered. I would like a few color options, but also leave those colors to just the 35th edition to stand out more.

[@jonaramaa]

The audio was weird in this video fyi. Thought it was my phone but seems like other viewers experienced the same issues. I could only hear case talk and tommy audio sounded super muffled I couldn’t understand him

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

What is the first model year of the ND3 in the States? Is it '24 or '25?

[@shkarlin]

‘24

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

@@shkarlin Thanks. Just wanted to confirm the ND2 range ('19-'23) because that will become the best deal Miata.

[@BlackNAVYAmericanVET]

GR 86 Has 1990s plastic explosion in the interior. That screams CHEAP . MX5 quality , Soundsystem ❤

[@Ann-yo5sb]

Fix the audio. Keeps switching between left and right channels.

[@KevinLaswisis]

2 carry on bags and a back or could fit or buy a 2024 Mazda MX5 & buy a 2024 Mazda CX-50 with the off-road package for the going on road trips car

[@BlackNAVYAmericanVET]

ITS STILL BEAUTIFUL,Small, small changes like APPLES IPHONE . No need to run out & buy a upgrade❤

[@warped314]

Y'all driving in Boulder.

[@ObtuseRubberGoose628]

Lost some respect for Kace here. Would rather have a 4 popper automatic mustang over a Miata? I honestly cant even comprehend that viewpoint.

[@aaronbritt2025]

The best Miata is the NB2 Mazdaspeed.

[@gaivoron]

Drive the ND1 for a weekend my gf bday gift. Drifting is not that easy in that car, sure it steps out but that's about all

[@bradfordstearman11]

Tommy, you need a haircut. It looks like you just got out of bed with static. Lol

[@robb15033]

I assume Mazda know best,….But~It is soooo easy , even for Mazda, to put a 300+HP motor inside. Not needed? Not wanted??

[@ALMX5DP]

Would mean added weight and cost. More chassis bracing, bigger or heavier suspension and brakes, beefier diff/transmission etc if an OEM wanted to develop something like that. Could use lighter materials in those areas or others to offset that but that would increase pricing even more.

[@raoulduke7844]

Y’all look like a cute couple with your new Miata 🥰

[@bigsmith7349]

Let me see 38 grand I can buy a new 4x4 ranger. Or a shit box 2 seat car think I'll go with a ranger lol

[@tillyfoxtrotter]

"i'm such a skinny dude" You were, not so much today.

[@andyleo8418]

Very true. He got that "relationship 15lbs" 😂

[@larshamilton40]

2 guys, one Miata...

[@frederickbrown8154]

Not the best looking. The softop looks better.

[@Stackali]

when only one of you talks one of my ears is lonely and when they other talks the other ear is lonely

[@thonvuth809]

❤❤❤

[@RT22-pb2pp]

Better than what?

[@WheelBearingsCast]

It's better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow

[@ALMX5DP]

Where does driving a fast car fast fall?

[@BFord-ho3pq]

@13:40 - Mustang offers a more fun experience? Um no. I have both, and the Mustang is like driving a really fast pool table.

[@drags666]

Um yeah. Mustang does offer a more fun experience.

[@tomearly111]

Great car all around but I can't help thinking how amazing it would be with 200+ hp. and more torque. Not out of the realm for an engine that size.

[@1FiftyOverland]

Ugh those stupid screens!!

[@markcoopers1930]

It's a great screen compared to my ND2. Semi wish I waited.

[@1FiftyOverland]

@markcoopers1930 no its not. Screens should be IN the dash, not plopped on top like an afterthought.

[@DMN3901]

@@1FiftyOverland When applicable. There's no option here due to space constraints.

[@1FiftyOverland]

@@DMN3901 no they could fit it

[@user-un6wm4oh5s]

First 😊

[@9663mu]

What a big accomplishment posting first! You must be so proud jr. Lifetime achievement award for you. Happy 11th birthday.

[@dentman67]

Great cars always. Sadly, they've always been underpowered for a real sports car. They don't need to power HP monsters, but 290-320 HP range, and they would be amazing

[@markcoopers1930]

So as much HP as a Mustang in a chassis that weighs 1200 lbs less? That'd bump the performance to lotus emira territory and probably the price along with it

[@dentman67]

@markcoopers1930 yes. It's fairly easy to achieve. Look at GM's 4cyl in their trucks. It produces much. The car is so good that it's what it deserves.

[@ALMX5DP]

No doubt 300bhp would be amazing in something like this but it’s definitely not needed for a sporting driving experience. This is all about handling and toss ability it’s just that most of our environment isn’t conducive to exploiting that.

[@chriscarson8056]

Can’t wait to have an NO Miata.

[@alexsystems2001]

Please take both of your shirts off and re-do the video… thank you. Then maybe wash the car too…

[@tobysemler]

MX5s are awesome but for anybody with a life - i.e. over 25 and under 60 - they are useless. We never have time to go for a drive for the sake of driving by ourselves, and we need occasional back seats, at least, to take the wife/girlfriend, and kid/s. As much as I love MX-5s, they weren't even on my shortlist.

[@jackcoughlin9081]

Dunno bout that. Just hit !00K on my 2019 DD. Was such a great DD that I’ve ordered a ND3 which should arrive in August. Both soft-top, manual, with Recaro package.

[@tobysemler]

@@jackcoughlin9081 and you can take your partner for a drive or your kid for a drive, but not both. Not fun.

[@jackcoughlin9081]

@@tobysemler Dunno bout that Many/most think the Miata is the epitome of fun

[@tobysemler]

@@jackcoughlin9081 If you have a life, you have to leave it behind in a Miata. Good fun for kids and retirees but that's about it.

[@tobysemler]

@@jackcoughlin9081 Or yeah, a good third or fourth car if you have the garage for it.

[@spartanchirho]

Tommy, are you taking prenatal vitamins? Bro, I've never seen someone whose hair grows so fast!!

[@petermavus4131]

Poor man ‘s Corvette

[@TheMeanmarine13]

hair dresser spec 😂. All joking aside, my mom has a newer one and it was actually fun on curvy southern Ohio back roads.

[@markcoopers1930]

Corvette? No. I've driven ON more golf courses in mine than driven TO golf courses with it.

[@ScoobyFermentation]

Corvette is a poor man’s Porsche 911

[@hagbard72]

Audio is reversed. Anyway, wouldn't ever buy an RF.

[@nlken7175]

It's an Old man car or certain gender only buys theses. It's so funny Tommy's wearing the correct shirt to drive it.