Mazda MX-5 Miata Generations: DRAG RACE

Thanks to everyone for lending us their cars:
Mk1: / fms_jphallen
Mk2: / ian_barsby_automotive_...
Mk3: www.autowerks2...
Mk4: / danielseago.photographer
MX 5 Owners Club: mx5oc.co.uk/
This one’s for you, Mazda MX-5 fans… We’ve got our hands on every generation of MX-5, and they’re going head-to-head in a drag race!
So let’s examine how these four RWD pocket rockets compare. Starting with the Mk1, it was released back in 1989, and it’s powered by a 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder that can produce 131hp and 152Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual, and it tips the scales at 990kg.
Alongside it, we have Mat in the Mk2 facelift. This was released in 1998, and under the bonnet, you’ll find a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder that can put down 146hp and 168Nm. Just like the Mk1, power is sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual, but this car is slightly heavier, weighing in at 1,065kg.
Next up is the Mk3. It’s powered by a 2-litre 4 cylinder that can produce 160hp and 188Nm, and this time power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual. It’s the heaviest car in this line-up, tipping the scales at 1,100kg.
Then finally we have the newest car, the Mk4 - and it’s the anniversary edition! It’s housing a 2-litre 4-cylinder under the bonnet, and it’ll come as no surprise that it’s the most powerful car here, producing 184hp and 205Nm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual, and it weighs in at 1,030kg.
So will it be a clean sweep for the Mk4? Or could we see one of the older cars snatch a surprise win? There’s only one way to find out for sure… LET’S RACE!
Sell your car with carwow: bit.ly/Buy-Sel...

[@carwow]

Which MX-5 generation is your favourite?

[@jaredforspeed9611]

1st gen

[@HotwheelsUser]

The og duh.

[@Theodorenoise.]

Gen 2

[@nk__]

Na

[@thebigmoist4642]

agreed@@Theodorenoise.

[@IAmTbang96]

This was unexpectedly one of the greatest Carwow videos of all time. Sam's braking was remarkable. Really wanted to see him give it another go.

[@Gobbbbb]

Did you notice his downshifting too? It certainly was remarkable.

[@MySalsaSingle]

@@Gobbbbbfound that so funny. Was really cool, I don't think i've seen anyone else downshift on the brake test. he was trying hard to win

[@mrs.marvel5269]

@@MySalsaSinglemaybe because his car doesnt have abs lol?

[@BoostedR130]

He really wanted that W. Definitely tell he’s the most competitive one of the lot and why he’s a pro haha.

[@Gobbbbb]

@@mrs.marvel5269 Yeah we know that... We're just saying that it was fun to watch how determined he was and the skill required to do it close to perfection.

[@lucazed4784]

This video is the closest to an old TopGear episode for the humor and the car related topic. Congrats guys, you nailed it!

[@purwantiallan5089]

Agree.

[@Kouroupettos243]

Difference is top gear was scripted. This one is original

[@vimtobill4156]

​​@@Kouroupettos243well tv production is bigger. This is just a KZbin channel with probably more than less of the production costs of a TV produced show.

[@phareztrinimand]

​@@Kouroupettos243part

[@BoostedR130]

Thought the exact same!

[@fuzzynutter8344]

This one got me in stitches 😂😂😂. The laughs, that radio issue (especially around 18:20) and the banter between them all is brilliant and pure comedy gold.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Approven hundred percent.

[@adilowe7873]

Am ded😂😂😂

[@brett3378]

I am 😂 hysterically

[@Mantulisme]

I like how the roof race is more competitive than the drag race.

[@ravenheart369]

Because it's about their capabilities and speed, not cars'

[@nstg8]

Because mx5's are slow as shit

[@computiNATEor]

I don’t think the ND was justified in being disqualified?

[@georgeford6439]

Your confusing us yanks across the pond with the 6 speed transaxle," and "kilos" then "81K miles." 😅

[@richieduck67]

The drag race we didn't know we wanted but needed

[@purwantiallan5089]

Yes. But wish we got LMDh drag race next.

[@zakelwe]

That was the slowest roof drag race in an MX5 NC I have ever seen though even though it won. You can put it up and then down combined in less than 5 seconds if you know what you are doing.

[@Mad_Medz]

I suppose ur right🤔🤔

[@RaggaMuffin-r3h]

Wanted it for yearssssss😂

[@TJ-W]

The comment we never want but always get

[@mmrahman82]

Probably the best episode of carwow I've seen so far. Absolutely enjoyed this, the banter between the 4 of you was hilarious. Just need to do a car tour episode and we'll be on to a winner.

[@Miikiiaa]

Thank you so much for the carwow team and Mat himself to make this become true, I'm pretty surely that everyone obviously wanted to witness a generation drag race of this classic beautiful MX-5 from Mazda, Mazda themselves have really come along.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Wish we also got a drag between Viper GTS-R and Viper GTS 2002.

[@Miikiiaa]

@@purwantiallan5089 Hmmmph yes, I do wish for that as well one day!

[@ken_pham]

true

[@robinholmescnx]

They just get better each generation.

[@speakingsoftly]

Right across the range. I just got a new 3 and the interior is phenomenal

[@surron-ta]

This is the most relaxed drag race ever. Dudes grinning looking at eachother while racing lol😂

[@audriusbaranauskas6227]

Racing driver Sam truly lived up to his name with that brake test!

[@madmaz8890]

As a mk1 owner this is by far my favourite video, just shows how fun these little cars are ! Tons of character 😂😂

[@wanderingmercurymarauder761]

No such thing as an mk1, you either have an NA6 or an NA8.

[@hoover2501]

​@@wanderingmercurymarauder761 Nerd

[@Goves10]

@@wanderingmercurymarauder761 There's literally such a thing as a Mk1 or M2,3,. "the word mark is used to note a defined level of development or a model number" By your logic there is no such thing as an NA,NB,NC or ND since those are just from the VIN numbers

[@davidhayes4814]

MX5 s …. The perfect antidote to EVs and SUVs….

[@thelonebeed]

This is cope and I have a Miata

[@matt25675]

@@thelonebeed no, no it’s the truth.

[@ALCLCFVIS]

two ND's (1.5 and 2L) and two EV's (Megane and SS9+). You have no clue what you are talking about, lol

[@1982craigyboy]

It’s more a case of the perfect accompaniment to EV and SUV

[@axioncreative]

100%

[@frankelyespinal100]

I like the first GEN Mazda Miata Especially because it’s pop-up lights, and the overall design of the front and back it looks cute

[@friday_xo]

I love how Mat mentioned in the 911 S/T video, how much he loves the MX-5 gear box and shifter, and here it is, a MX-5 drag race video 😅

[@purwantiallan5089]

MX-5 gearbox somehow more convenient than Gen 7 NASCAR Stock cars.😅

[@ehmar]

Honestly, Thank You guys! As a Mk-4 RF owner - this was exactly what I needed! Made my year!!

[@Kev27RS]

The RF version is stunning! 🤩

[@FinancialFreedom-sq8sr]

So I’m about to buy a 22 rf, is yours still stock?

[@emanuelferreira6875]

Now this is something else. Affordable pleasure trough the decades

[@purwantiallan5089]

Very affordable. Only $18.900 on Mazda MX-5 1980s and $20.600 on 2022 MX-5.

[@emanuelferreira6875]

@@purwantiallan5089 your right, thats why i don't have an ND. I refere in comparison to the other cars they dragrace

[@injarulislam16]

I don't even watch these drag races to watch fast cars at this point. It's just the jokes and the conversations. Amazing!

[@WaveManMike]

As a Mazda and VW salesman, I’m fully on board!!! 🌟

[@Theodorenoise.]

W

[@purwantiallan5089]

Big GG!

[@JohnJoannou-xq5rq]

This was better than any Top Gear races, the drivers all had a really good laugh, and we got to see all the gens of the Mazda MX-5! Carwow is the best! Keep it up, Matt and the team!

[@richardread6729]

Loving the banter between all the drivers, good laughs and innuendo… reminds me of the Top Gear trio. Very entertaining 😂

[@iantownsend500]

The ND is stunning in that anniversary orange paint, the NA looks good with those wheels as well

[@juraj_b]

The editing was spot on in this one! Kudos to the team 😄

[@BufferThunder]

The mark 1, a silly little fella who is a zippy car with a great face. The mark 2, a sleek more mysterious brother to the mark 1 The mark 3, . . . . The mark 4, A true cruising vehicle with great handling and a awesome driving experience.

[@robertjuries6680]

Carwow never ever disappoints

[@pietroghezzi3281]

Not sure about that

[@SSHHABBA]

It does

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@WyvernABCwhy u dont like those MX-5 cars? Its actually cool.

[@kendelllewis9941]

This was so much fun to watch😂😂 You guys truly made my day lol😅

[@JWL-UK]

Hands down the most entertaining drag race of 2023. I will never view the MX-5 the same again!

[@mattsamuels3607]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Nellie-H]

Much more fun than One Million Dollar super car competition. Keep 'em coming.

[@ayushmalpeddi2793]

Honestly this was definitely one of the best drag races. It would have been even better if it was a 1.5l MX-5 ND. Regardless the top gear race was beautiful and way more entertaining than some of the other drag races I’ve seen.

[@vipermoon_]

Ah yes almost forgot about the 1.5L, available in UK. That would've been more competitive and probably would lose to NC

[@xenokyomi]

@@vipermoon_ It would also probably loose to an AUDM or JDM NB2. Since the AUDM and JDM NB2s made 152 hp instead of the 146 hp the rest of the world got, and they also had a 6sp manual, instead of the 5sp seen here. The 1.5L ND only made roughly 130 hp, and both it and the NB2 weigh roughly the same. It would perhaps loose to a non JDM/AUDM NB2 also, but it would be pretty close. Regardless it would be an interesting race.

[@William_Organ]

Same got done dirty on the roof test - his windows were up and he wound them back down to lower the roof again, the same as everyone else...

[@ChiLLaTzE35]

Spoiler: MX5 won

[@andrealves3425]

Bro, I was trying to watch the video without a spoiler..

[@rosetheblackcat]

dammit whyd you have to ruin the whole video?

[@LordSteinchen]

They always do 😉

[@jawakazi7933]

Are you shitting my pants

[@vennilahravichandran5767]

Which mx5?

[@miyoshifw27]

So glad to see this video, Matt I bought my 2006 NC AT 128K km 2 years ago and still loving it 2 days ago I've just filled it up from almost empty for 40 liters (10.57 gallons) of high octane (96 RON) which cost me 7.520 yen JPN or around 41.47 pounds or 50.32 USD Fuel consumption is between 7 - 10 km/ltr or 16.5 - 23.5 mpg Smiles per gallon they say

[@ianray8823]

As someone named Ian, it was fun to see Matt say my name with enthusiasm hahaha This channel has the best dose of variety and humor

[@BollocksToThat]

The people and the whole show is just going great at the moment. Carwow is at its best, please don't change anything

[@purwantiallan5089]

Yes. Never ruin it like Doug Demuro.

[@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

This roof thing was a stuff up… ND lowers windows automatically when u move roof… so it clearly won… 👍👍👍

[@leonfrancis3913]

That race from 50mph in the car's top gear was awesome. Loved it, Mr Watson. Very entertaining to say the least 😂😂

[@jeffs6090]

My first car was a '95 Miata M Edition. The merlot mica (darkish purple), tan leather and BBS wheels. Loved it!

[@MavAuto-Pete]

Im 99.9% sure Mat that the mk3 had VVTI as the mk2 was the last of the normal engines before the world of car manufacturers went VVTI MAD!

[@januarymorris9087]

That was the most bizarre but also epic drag race! What a great idea to leave in top gear and race to the half mile

[@purwantiallan5089]

The drag race between MX-5 Roadsters is absolutely insane! From diehard fan of Nijigasaki High School Idol Club to Carwow: Thanks for this amazing drag race!

[@TyrantSupremoDark]

Even after me not watching carwow for over a year and rewatching him again, his videos never disappoints to make me laugh and entertain me.

[@pepethefrog3689]

No speed limits were harmed in the making of this video 🤣🤣🤣

[@Ciddy1980]

A car you can use all the power all the time! Amazing cars!

[@blackporscheroadster-yw8hb]

Much prefer my 124 Spider. MX5s are very common now and lack character.

[@gunnerplaygames2305]

Haven’t seen any comments yet about the fact that CarThrottle did a similar video, 4 generations of MX5s being put through various challenges, both their video and carwows are entertaining in their own right so no hate, just good content

[@vincentpruner9572]

I have a ND. The ND won both races. The second race because the windows automatically drop a bit when you release the top latch. It also has TWO glove boxes, just not where it's convenient. I switched from a NB because of a knee issue.

[@soroceandario23]

Sam's mischievous laugh at 15:27 got me

[@Mamin28490]

As a 14 year old, this made my day.

[@purwantiallan5089]

As a diehard Nijigasaki fan, this is what we wanted the most. Coco Hayashi and Natsumi Murakami loves those Miata as well.

[@blackporscheroadster-yw8hb]

Skip school kid and start living life.

[@re14437]

Ignore the bad advice from blackporsche. Pay your dues with school for a few years, and reap the rewards of higher income for the rest of your life. THEN you can laugh all the way to the bank.

[@blackporscheroadster-yw8hb]

@@re14437 Don't listen to the brainwashed gimp, kid. Haahaa....he thinks that getting qualifications gets you a job worth doing? No it just gets you a white collar instead of a blue one. NO job is worth doing and certainly won't make you rich. I have a top University Degree and it was a waste of time. Get out of school and work for yourself, don't be a slave to the system and be a loser like nomark re14437.

[@haiboj4979]

In the ND you do not need to manually lower the window or touch the sun visor for the top like 10:59

[@valeriebrentin2692]

You do need to manually lower the windows in the NC, but only a half inch and the sun visors don’t have to move…. Wasn’t very fair to either car

[@pabloestradagutierrez6073]

I love Matt’s Dad jokes😂

[@purwantiallan5089]

Matt's jokes are always iconic.

[@oscartomlinson11]

Easily the best carwow video ive seen, hilarious cast of people and genuinely funny and organic banter, and a lovely lineup of cars too

[@muscle_car_guy2338]

Wow how the walky talky was buzzing was so hilarious I couldn't stop laughing 😂

[@m4x601]

This is the most entertaining race of the month, as of now 18:15 - Nick be testing his autotune 😂

[@ManilvaRS]

Had a MK1 S-Limited imported back 06-08, paid £4k for it. Fantastic little car with some tasty upgrades on the standard MX5. LSD only really played ball in the wet though. And who didnt love popping the headlights manually giving a double flash of the main beam then popping them down against to flash someone out of a junction or say thanks to someone else for doing so.

[@S-Ltd1000]

I've owned an S-limited for the last 7 years. Not many of them in the UK or the R-limited that's in the video.

[@thetattedpharmacist3215]

Nick suits that MX-5 perfectly with the driving cap. Absolute class haha

[@EmmanuelDavid75]

Mat and co always manage to make my day thanks guys.

[@copperkeyracing6167]

Let's do an integra/RSX generations drag race, using the top performance model of each gen... so, GS-Rs and Type-Ss, not including Type-Rs since those are more limited, and Type-Rs belong in the Type-Rs family

[@TenshiR]

This was absolutely entertaining 🤣

[@purwantiallan5089]

And also bibilically epic.

[@madoxmad]

This is THE BEST drag race on the channel. Period

[@mmj6500]

Everyone had so much fun in this race

[@mentat1341]

"the owner said it's getting a new clutch next month so I just dropped it." Absolutely epic.

[@boogeyratt]

As a previous owner of an ND-2, I miss the hell out of that car. It was fast enough to keep up with a newer A4, and so so much more agile. Sam downshifting like a pro. Which, I guess, he is.

[@amazin5hot805]

I've never laughed like this in a carwow video ever lmao

[@mattsamuels3607]

Cutest drag race ever! 🎉

[@purwantiallan5089]

Viper GTS-R to Mazda Miata: Ni nen buri desu ka??

[@jaroslavmrazek5752]

Would love to see Lancer Evo generations drag race.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Or Lancer Evo All Gen vs Ford GT LM Spec II Test Car?

[@fale892]

​@@purwantiallan5089no just EVOs

[@lemcakes32422]

@@fale892 why? they stayed the same power output

[@Sklen34]

​@@lemcakes32422and obviously that's the only thing that matters

[@christianbryant5617]

The hp seems crazy by today’s standards, but how these things manage to be so quick despite the number is insane. Weight is key.. these things are just beautiful art tho

[@CapGodSama]

I'll call this one miata madness

[@purwantiallan5089]

Yes. Even Coco Hayashi also a fan of those Miatas especially the GT3 Starter car, the 2000 Mazda MX-5 LS.

[@katmanco3699]

No miatas here son.

[@bluetitan20]

Genuinely, I think this is one of the best/funniest ones yet. Well done to all of the hairdressers that gave their time in the making of this great feature film 😎 No seriously, I would love to try out a ND someday, I just think it still looks so fresh even though its been on sale since 2015!! Really loving that special edition orange colour as well.

[@Priimexv]

High gear was so fun 😂😂 you guys are great 👌👌

[@embroiledalive5232]

Love to see cars raced that we own (or could own)! They should do this for every car line that's been around for a while.

[@strebrr]

MIATA IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER I love my 2022 ND2, I hope I'll never sell it ❤

[@JamesG89]

I had 2 of the originals, both with 1.8l. they were both the Eunos Roadsters, one in blue one in silver, an absolute hoot to drive and very reliable too

[@andreagrattagliano7756]

Mat has always the superpower to buy a car which the next model is better

[@PushyPawn]

There's just something satisfying about manhandling that stiff rod with your hand, some even come with decorative caps & in many shapes.

[@neelzhome8431]

As a big MX-5 fan, I really enjoyed this one.

[@keenandersen6603]

I would like to see a RX7 generation dragrace 😊😊

[@abyssus3332]

Do one with all the generations of Lotus Elise!!! ❤

[@kamata93]

Finally....after 3053 days of asking for an interior camera while revving the other cars.....Such a game changer

[@ludosys4903]

Roof test is executed a bit ridiculous, let the owners do this. ND wins hands down with NC a good second. I talk from 10 yrs NC/ND ownership. But apart from that, great dragrace and surprised to see what kind of leap in progress the ND has taken against the others that were relatively close in competing especially NC / NB.

[@njasicko]

For sure, Sam should have been done in 5 sec and not have even touched the window’s except slight up when done. still a fun video as an owner of a ND2 cup car and ND2 FR

[@S-Ltd1000]

Having owned an NC I have no idea what that guy was doing with the roof, they are super quick to put up and down. My current NA is a bit of a pain.

[@kyleb104]

It's just a couple of seconds process in my NA, but it's got a tinted strip instead of sun visors and I've never had to adjust the windows (fortunately since it doesn't have power windows)

[@phootie98661]

NC3 PRHT with an mx5things rooftop controller is the way.

[@jacobbest5752]

Been waiting ages for this race thankyou so much Mat!!!

[@audiman6875]

You need to do a race like this with cars that actually have older versions that are faster or as fast as the new.

[@billgorman481]

The RT problem...wonderful to play along!!! Great to see Rory again!

[@heisnelson6473]

Claim your here within an hour ticket.

[@chartreux8673]

Has there ever been a drag race where everyone laughs and has so much fun? A race that symbolizes driving an mx-5

[@R1CHK1N]

You guys need to do a collab race with @MatArmstrongbmx where he brings down all his rebuilt cars to see which one is the fastest. The Lambo, Aston, Maserati, Mclaren etc. Maybe even get Tavarish over as a guest driver.

[@purwantiallan5089]

What about a collab race with Coco Hayashi and Gran Turismo 3 Team and Oracle Red Bull Racing team?

[@techbaffle]

10:28 I don't know why the MX-5's not moving after the countdown was so funny 😂😂

[@Subieguy30]

I would’ve love to see the 05 Turbo Mx-5 model in this just to see how it got on with the mark 4

[@philrichmond5919]

Or the predecessor, the MX-5 SP developed by Mazda Australia and the local motorsports operation. Only 100 made but with 157kW it was a match for a Honda S2000.

[@TheMx5Channel]

Owned a NA, used a NB as a rental when the NA was in the shop, bought a NC because i wanted more luxery and now with fuel prices i want a ND. But i feel like the NA is the hero car, the NB is the build car, the NC is the track car, and the ND is the best modern car. But the roof opening in closing can be done in like 10 seconds you guys need to practice :D

[@HighOctaneSpeedShop]

The Miata always reminded me of a mini Dodge Viper 🏁

[@USMC_Reaper]

The best happy boi drag race we all needed

[@Beilnda-x8m]

If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand.

[@mados3639]

Same with all MR2 generations ? Well, I guess if you puts your hands on a MR2 MK2 GT-S, we already now the winner but it could be fun anyway

[@game-tj6rw]

The sweetest drag race

[@dimitrisl2256]

This race was much more interesting than e63 m5 and rs6 seriously 😂 18:18 siiiiii ronaldo at carrow race 😂😂😂

[@SamandAlbie]

Thought I’d hit the jackpot not getting an advert before the video started. The 6 adverts in the video changed my mind😂

[@rain-bender4712]

After 40 years of driving I'm thankfully at a place where I realise actual speed means very little, it's the sensation of speed that matters. I think I prefer the Mk2. It just looks like the quintessential 2 seater sports car to my eyes.

[@ggm-i8y]

"Mine has one WOOOOHOOOOOO NM of torque." I can't 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheMkBroadcast]

At 3:32 the way Matt looks at the walkie-talkie is priceless 😂😂

[@Guccaaa]

one of the best videos from carwow

[@igorico]

One of the best episodes ever. Great chemistry among the guy, Cheers

[@ghostking0019]

Fantastic race haha loved it

[@jochenkey]

„Bee or wind“ 😁