Mini Cooper S Cabriolet vs Mazda MX5 - Fifth Gear

For #ThrowbackThursday Jason takes part in another shoot out, pitting the Mini Cooper S against the Mazda MX5.
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[@parisjohnson5012]

I chose the MX5!

[@scottwalton6215]

I must say, I'm surprised the Mini beat the MX-5 on that circuit but unless you're racing for pinks, it's irrelevant. Both are cool cars but notice that the driver enjoyed the MX-5 more and said it "felt faster". In real-world, daily driving, THAT is what really counts: driving enjoyment! I have a 2006 that looks identical to the test car and I gotta tell ya, I drive it like I stole it most of the time and it is undeniably the most fun you can have outside the house with your clothes on! :-D

[@bombaya85]

Don't care, I would still choose a retractable hardtop mx-5 any day.

[@danielanderson7481]

Nasty McJackass Me too! The MX-5 is everything a convertible should be!

[@leeandjancruise]

We have both of these cars except our MINI is a JCW hatch and is used all year round, the MX5 2 litre is used just in summer, love em both so horses for courses.

[@MrMazda-ih8cw]

Really think that Fifth Gear would have run the current Top Gear close in the rankings - always liked the show. As far as the Mini/MX-5 comparison - no contest!

[@alexbrewer4570]

Miata Is Always It's also rear wheel drive, as are 90% of fun cars The Answer

[@waynekempton7160]

So, are you going to do the same comparison with the 2019 and up models of these same cars?

[@cosmotraumatika7474]

Why the unequal comparison with the heavy RT on the MX-5 vs the rag top Mini Cooper? Race soft top vs. soft top! Either that, or throw three heavy 40 lb sandbags into the back of the Mini Cooper and re-race. I'm pretty sure that fraction of a second will quickly disappear and you'll find a fair comparison has the Mazda ahead by at least 1-2 seconds. For reference, consult the 0-60 speed on the soft top vs the RT. There's over a second difference between Miata's.

[@Emoryyy123]

Jamie Saker Thank you! I thought the same thing! Plus this guy honestly can't drive... I've got an NC soft top with stage 2 suspension running on some sport comp 2 tires and it fucking grips...

[@JP.708]

@@Emoryyy123 can't drive? You do realise who that is don't you?

[@stephgagnoulet3133]

Can anyone tell me which track it is?

[@StephenButlerOne]

The new hard top MX5 fx (think it's fx) is a stunning and the one I'd have all day.

[@alanthomson1227]

Had both and loved both , totally different so not comparing like with like I would have any , in fact I’ve had an ND 2.0 for six years .

[@Heron11177]

Wow That... that was a freaking surprise indeed.

[@dwarf365]

re-uploaded?

[@majahe50]

I agree. Mx5 all the way. Mini is a TART

[@arricammarques1955]

Miata the ideal motor, superior reliability than a Porsche!

[@rickmanley767]

Haha, is that what he said? I thought he called it a “Tard’s car”. As in retard. Lol

[@MrSupercar55]

I own an MX-5 and it is fun to drive :)

[@Catbunz]

Whats the point of reuploading a 480p clip in 1080p? You have the source material, why not just upload it properly?

[@maartenyzer4121]

Fuzaneko was in not only on videos back in the days..

[@spventures9395]

Wasn't really a test of true handling though, too many long straight corners so it's hardly surprising that more power won.

[@jarnosp32]

They should have used the 4th generation mx5 :(

[@maartenyzer4121]

Jarnosp32 it is old vid..

[@broken_biscuit6716]

MX 5 any day more a custom to a track day plus you look less of a hairdresser.

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

So the BMW is better by 0.6 of a second. And the Mazda is better at everything else. Wonder how much faster the BMW would be with a turbo? Oh hang on, it already has one!

[@lepystudio8974]

bmw?

[@jamesmac8424]

@@lepystudio8974 Mini is built by BMW.

[@marck5612]

Forgotting 300+kg more for the mini 😂

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

@@marck5612 How could I forget, mini actually means heavy. If I was an English person, I'd be horrified that BMW built some overweight car with a Peugeot engine using plastic internal parts (I couldn't make this up if I tried) and tried to crash in on the famous made English mini that captivated the motoring world.

[@marck5612]

Hatchback Cooper s is 1130kg, cabrio versions are simply too heavy (and ugly imho)

[@themancuniancandidate2744]

Something else to consider, is that you could do this in the MX5 day and day out. Try it in the Mini and see how long it takes to break. I give it 3 days max.

[@avalkyrie9462]

FACTS

[@trustgtr33]

mx-5 for sure, the mini engine are known to break often

[@colliedogjoy]

Toto, maybe you mean RX8? The MX5 never had a rotary..

[@josiahsawyer1519]

Toto Geenen no

[@clairehislop5873]

My favourite car/brand

[@roninsanati1397]

What year is mx5

[@hagbard72]

Mazda wins on reliability. The Mini has none.

[@gunnarsandberg8132]

Mazda wins on rust

[@betsyduane3461]

The Mazda is 100x more reliable

[@SLAMTRON]

Too bad you didn't choose an MX-5 with the fabric top, you'd have had more of an Apples to Apples comparison and taken that .6sec or so off the Miata's time.

[@SLAMTRON]

My Copper-Red '06 GT has 24K original owner miles and might be up for sale soon.

[@emilianomontanari283]

0.6 sec could be due to different tires, or driver momentum. And nobody who drive a Miata in that way would take the stock suspensions. Anyway time lap is la kcal. The Better ice cream become the worse one cause 60 kcal more?

[@angelocardoc]

Take Zoom Zoom any day over that other junk

[@mtljmbTUBE]

A sample of 1, in statistics, is worth exactly... nothing. Do 30 laps in each, average or total the results, potentially have 3 pilots do each 30 laps... then maybe the comparison would be relevant. Otherwise this is at most a hint that maybe the Mini has better mechanics to run that circuit. Oh and give both the same tires... just that would be sufficient to tilt the result. Anyhow, the one obvious real conclusion is that the MX-5 is more fun to drive.

[@Babebabedoll]

Look in side mini and mx5 don’t just look out side lol

[@1000sofusernames]

I the real world the difference is nothing. You chase a driver in the Mini and you'd not get dropped off.

[@jamalraja9157]

Hate minis for reliability. Otherwise seems like a cool daily.

[@hawkrider88]

I've had both. If you're ever considering one or the other as a daily in-town driver....the Mini wins easily. The seats are more comfortable, the extra interior room and back seat makes it better for anything much you need to carry and the extra bottom-end torque is really nice on city streets. Last, the factory stereo system (the upgraded Harmon-Kardon) sounds much better. The MX-5 is a better sports car on curvy roads and when the driving isn't stop and go on city streets. The ride is smoother in the MX-5 and the RWD feels much better than the front wheel drive Mini. Last, but importantly....the MX-5 is super reliable. Mechanical reliability on the Mini appears to have improved since 2014...but the jury is still out. And they are VERY expensive to work on and repair. Just do your research and if you're buying a new Mini....be sure to buy the factory long-term warranty that covers all parts and labor.

[@angelmarie6544]

My dad has a Mini Cooper

[@2x_Sol]

angelspawscomedy I don't remember anyone asking you?

[@2x_Sol]

Both of your comments are irrelevant.

[@nerad1994]

ShyGuy lol fuck off anyone can comment anything

[@User-gy6kc]

Fifth not bad

[@flohri]

So early! Notification Squad

[@MaxMarcotics]

I'd like to see a mini take a corner sideways... without under-steering and landing in a tree

[@kasperkjeldsen2294]

I go for the Mazda :)

[@2lazeblue]

how is this even a comparison

[@MilesPrower69420]

unfair. why not use the Mazda speed mx5 with a factory turbo?

[@TG-pd3ft]

'Tart's Car'? Plato you want twatting for that

[@jeffmakor7135]

These shows with their quick shift cutaways is supposed to make for dynamic viewing. Its crap to watch and the producers should be strapped to a flaming cannonball allowed to fly.

[@radekw708]

You didnt drive the mazda right :P Mine is 2006, 170hp

[@mistreku]

driver's choice, always RWD!

[@FromePublishing]

no contest ---- MX5 is just better fun :)

[@Babebabedoll]

Mini the best

[@petersothern4693]

I like tarts

[@Lee-70ish]

It's not a mini . Look at the bloody size of it.

[@Nickoboss29]

And that was the R56 lol

[@unmea69l8er]

Purpose built sports car loses to saloon!

[@Nickoboss29]

They had different tires

[@AndyC3.0]

I drive a BMW Z4 3.0 si coupe, Miatas are definitely not a match ! They just don't have the power to keep up. Any twenty-year-old BMW Z3 can and will absolutely Destroy both of these cars on the track. Miatas are junk!

[@ulisesavila2879]

Of course! At double or triple msrp. Z is in a nother league that's for sure. But also is reflected on prixe

[@kila_whale]

Unless it's Z4M they handle awful, all that power only good in straight lines, in a track MK1 Miata will absolutely destroy a 3 little Z4.

[@AliveGhost13]

i win

[@flohri]

AliveGhost13 Mine was almost 10 Seconds earlyer but er are defineatly the two First

[@flohri]

Ethanmeister they are in fact huge, how Could you know?

[@ethownzbh]

I mean, how couldn't I?

[@marjantrajcevski9163]

First

[@Taradash4L]

OMFG mini cooper looks ugly af , i would still choose mx 5. Why ? Looks more expensive , better for chicks and more exotic.

[@HectorSanchez-vv6cf]

Check the mini coupe....