Old Man reviews 2022 Mazda Miata Base Trim after owning 6 months - Sport MX-5 ND

[@40rpt]

If you are buying this car for the enjoyment of driving, and plan to drive it a lot, the base "Sport" trim is the way to go. You get 16" wheels that are much more practical for real roads, cloth seats that hold you in place but are still comfortable for long drives, and Mazda does not take away any performance features that you would actually notice in regular driving. Yeah the LSD is deleted, but the car has 181 horsepower. If you autocross (first gear corners) or drive in snow, you probably need it. But for spirited (legal) driving around town, or ripping around on twisty mountain roads in 2nd and 3rd gear, you will never miss it. The only downside of the base model is that they are so hard to find.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

1000% correct on everything you said!

[@PinChE_LoCo]

I own the club ND1 with the 17 inch wheels and recently got OEM 16 inch, and i gotta say that the 16 inch are the way to go.

[@mp9228]

I wish all car reviews were like this for people that aren't blind consumers. I think you're right that the sport is nearly as capable as the other trims because the car is already light, low, and balanced. I went with the club (no recaro) because the snowflake paint was important to me and I like getting sideways in the rain

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Yep. I watch car review videos and it took me years, I feel dumb, to realize 99% of these guys could care less, they just to it to get views and monetize. NONE of them (ie the younger guys) talk about comfort at all. Etc Etc. .... I acutally think old man Scotty Kilmore is the best. And don't even get me started with Father and Sun from New Jersey, You Auto Advocates, oh sorry, Ray and Zack, oh sorry again Car Edge.... give the WORST advice. Keep an eye out for my anti Ray and Zack video. Dont' get me started ;-). BTW, if you want my channel, you'll see I totaled the poor Miata... freaking lady pulling a horse trailer in a 2500 Chevy hit me... and I freakin' lived. The Miata's are made well. GAve up on them, love them but too small... went with a Challenger lol.

[@mattkramer4132]

Great review! I bought a new Sport ND2 in Jet Black Mica last year. The base model is the way to go… It lets you customize the car and add stuff the way you want it. I’ve added bigger 205 series tires to fill out the wheel wells, added the small Mazda OEM trunk spoiler, replaced the big antenna with a 3 inch stubby one and added a navigation SD card off eBay for $40. There’s really no need to overpay for any of the upper trims.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Agree 100%! Thanks

[@jgalt99]

Except for the LSD and sound system. The LSD is a big one if you're ever going to track it, do any autocross, or drive it in the winter at all.

[@scdbrown]

I bought this exact same car new 2021 sport soul red for my wife as a surprise anniversary present before pricing went crazy.. paid 26,500 plus tax in Atlanta.. We love it. So glad we got base trim with manual..

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Oh man... the good old days when paying sticker price was a joke. Glad you like it, so do we! :-) Cheers

[@chiparooo]

Nice point of view! Glad to hear from an actual owner vs car reviewer. Thanks for sharing!

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Word!

[@richardsims3847]

Picking up my base 1:5 in Spain this week so enjoyed finding this. Thanks from a fellow old man.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Good deal! You'll love it. I was in England on vacation last week and could not believe how many MX 5's there were, but good roads for that. That said, I totaled mine a few months back :-( but it's a tough car and saved my life, so I'm still a big fan.

[@richardsims4717]

@@fatcatscooter2584 Glad you are OK.I cannot think of another car that has such a devoted following and the owners club meetings are amazing.Unlike other sports cars its not resented.

[@rembo183]

Good review! Have you ever driven this car through a car wash? Curious about loth top keeping out water. I agree the base is best for fun. I do wish the roll bars were gloss black. How’s the standard radio work? I had a base NC Sport in 2009 and found it was terrific fun. All u need is a manual and the right color!

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Thanks! First, bad news, had a bad crash and the car is totaled but I'm fine. Hit by a Chevy 2400 pickup pulling a horse trailer with an animal (ok) in the back. It is one tough car but just too small for me... Now have a dodge Challenger. To answer your question NO NO do not put thought car was (says so in manual). Water WILL get in from the pressure around the soft top seal and can do serious damage to the car... not to mention the paint will scratch easy from the brushes... cheap clear coats on Mazda imho. Yes, gloss black is ugly. Base radio is fantastic.. car is so small does not need much and speakers in head set are fantastic.

[@DarkstarDarth]

Perfect recession roadster, got a grand touring ND1 and so happy I didnt go for them Z4's or Boxsters. 😎🤘

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Good choice!

[@stevecrawford7814]

Honest assessment of the car. Im 72 and have had a 91 Na and a 2008 NC. Both base sport models. Looking for a ND2 currently.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Totalled it last year :-( Good news is hit by a big Pickup truck pulling a horse trailer and survived. It's a freaking tough little car. But just too small for me. Went with a Dodge Challenger, need a little more steel around me :-) .

[@ag4allgood]

Hey Fat Cat Glen you are right in today's Over MSRP world of car Buying the Sport is the economical way to go. You enjoy 90% of the MX-5 handling capabilities & those cloth seats are definitely comfortable. Owner of a daily 2016 Club soft top with the Brembo / BBS package bought in March 2017 ( my car was made in late 2016 ). I have a set of dedicated winter wheels / tires that are now stacked on a dolly in the garage. Great car for a single older guy ! Insurance is cheap & it gets about 27 to 28 mpg mostly city driving.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Thanks, it's almost impossible to get a Sport if you even wanted one. It happen to be the one available and I happen to be cheap lol.

[@stephendpersaud]

I got the base nd2 as well. The only thing I changed was the speakers and a sub. I couldn't really hear my radio 70mph+. Now it sounds great.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Glad to hear. Dealers were ripping people off as we all know. This car drives almost exactly the same (the base) vs Club. Enjoy

[@victorr4844]

Picked up a gt for 32 out the door. I need that lsd and adaptive headlights are amazing.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

You did well man!! I ended up getting $4K back from the dealership on mine... they did not feel it important to get me my title within the state limit of time so .... to avoid any "Imperial Entanglements" I told them send my 4 large and I'd leave them along lol. So guess I paid $28 OTD for my sport... pretty happy with that. I watched a video of adaptive headlights, they look cool.. Enjoy.

[@tsstereo5082]

Except when the adaptave headlight bulb burns out..then they have to replace the entire module because its so complex..and this costs about $800 per side to fix.

[@jamievidd775]

Yup I drove a club and then a sport. Sport drove great and much better ride on the freeway. Got a Sport in red $1100 off msrp.

[@genxkevin]

I just bought one. Im 6' 220 and older. this car fekin rocks man. poor mans porche IMO... put a goodwins exhaust on it... way too much fun. you have to drive this car to understand.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

agreed 100% I had a 2000 Porsche Boxster S before this, except that the Boxster was a little bigger inside, an not by much... feel this car is more fun and much more dependable.

[@keiserious]

Soul Red Crystal is a water based paint for reducing the process and environmental friendly, that’s why it chips so easily and the only downside of the sport trim, it doesn’t have LSD.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

I drove both LSD differential and mine.... absolutely no difference in handling imho... plus I don't track it so I'm happy. Yeah, the pain is the weak spot. That said, I just had PPF installed last week and very glad I did. Thanks for the comment!

[@johnarnold6623]

I can’t wait for my kids to leave the house so I can get a car like this. My only worry is getting out.

[@HisMajesty99]

Random question, but did you buy this from Joe Myers Mazda in Houston?? If so, SUPER small world, because I tried to buy the same exact Miata trim/color from them back in May. They were one of the few places I could find that had that particular model in stock. But the next day, they said “Sorry, the Miata Sport was Sold on Saturday. A customer came from Phoenix and bought the vehicle.” Are you the guy from Phoenix? 😂😂😂 Btw regardless, great video, and congrats on the great car! Happy for ya!

[@lloydbennett702]

Thank you for the review on the Sport Model, there is a $5000 price difference between sport and GT and I want cloth seats and don’t want to wait months to order a Club model

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Agree, I ordered a Club start of '22 when all the dealers were being jerks, and Club was "only one" you could even try to order / buy... such BS! So happy with the "Base" drives exactly like the Club, much less expensive. Maybe if you track it many times a year worth price for Club, otherwise, IMHO, waste of money. Fun car. Thanks !!

[@bacnguyen8352]

@@fatcatscooter2584 even if you track the club, you'd be replacing the bilstein suspension, 17in stock wheels/tires for more track oriented setups. Some even get aftermarket LSD's cause the stock LSD can't handle the track abuse

[@fatcatscooter2584]

@@bacnguyen8352 Good advice, I love keeping my car stock personally (Old Man thing I guess lol) but I did a little google searching, and you can pretty much buy on line everything Mazda offers, and I think for less. I know some people like all the bells and whistles, but, to each his own. Thanks again! G

[@baccy81]

I wish the inside of the door would be plastic like yours in the base model, unfortunately, here in Australia you have to have the metallic painted in all trims. I hate painted interiors, it feels like being in a bumper car at the carnival

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Thanks, that's good to know, as I watch videos on the mx5 from other countries... I see slight differences in trims... that being one. Yeah, I'm not crazy right??? Here in Phoenix AZ, it's so hot, that metal burns up your arm... plastic still hot but not as bad LOL. Take care.

[@edhcb9359]

If the base model had heated seats as an option it would be all I need.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Yes, totally..... I'm in AZ so I forget....HOWEVER, I will say, the heater is so freakin' hot in the car, that even on cold desert days, I really don't need a heated seat IMHO. Take care.

[@edhcb9359]

@@fatcatscooter2584 The heaters blowing on your face don’t make your back feel better on long trips.

[@stevem9603]

Thanks for your review. It was difficult to find one on the MX-5 sport. I am close to pulling the trigger on a new 2022 MX-5 sport (manual, same color as yours). I had the same issues that some of your viewers reported pertaining to price jacking. The best deal I have found at the present time is at a dealership about 50 miles away (there are 5 within a 15 mile radius of my home, but all selling higher). As it stands, 31K OTD. The only option I added was the purchase and installation of the alloy footrest, brake, clutch, and accelerator pedals in lieu of the standard rubber (included in OTD price). Do you think this is a good deal? Also, I noticed that several of the 2022's that I've looked at have rust on the rotors (I'm in FL), which I assume will go away with regular driving? I'm going to ask the dealership to clean them if I decide to buy. Thanks a lot for your video. Very helpful.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Yes, $31K OTD is actually $1K less than I paid... and I'm pretty darn good at this game. Yeah, I love that alloy footrest option (I originally had a Club Trim on order with that option) but the local dealer in Phx was jerking me around so I found this car on cars.com , jumped on a plane, and picked it up in Texas and drove home. BTW, the rust, yeah, just surface rust, it's the humidity in Florida, the first few miles you drive, it will come right off.... just from sitting on the lot, don't even think about it. Let me know how it goes!!! make sure if it has locking rims, they give you the key. My other advice, if you get it... go to a window tinting shop that does that clear guard stuff and have them do it on the door edges.....(ie have door edge guards installed). As I mention in the video, the doors open super wide, super fast, and only a tiny spot to grab the door... you don't want to ding the car next to you :-)

[@stevem9603]

Thanks for your inputs! I picked mine up today in Orlando (thought car was in Lakeland, but it's their sister store) dealership as Tampa dealerships were low on stock and they were over priced, jerking me around and not following up. Traffic on I-4 was horrible on the way back and I noticed my first two minor dings on the front hood (very tiny, but noticeable). The service department did a great job installing the alloy pedals and I convinced salesman to include the all weather floor mats . The only disappointment was the "free navigation for 3-years", didn't specify I needed to purchase an SD card which he surprisingly advised me I could purchase on Amazon. If you have any suggestions on one, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the advice on the door edges, and man, you were right, those doors swing very wide and I'll have to make a conscious effort to hold it when I park next to the wife's mini in the garage. Love the car so far. I'll send you a few photos. Thanks again!

[@ag4allgood]

I had PPF put on the front of my 2016 Club to protect the paint. I paid $900 to have it done thru the dealer in 2017 - but it was well worth the expense to keep it looking good.

[@dannyphamous]

Great on point review!

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Much appreciated!

[@maciejr2194]

Nice, thank you.

[@lloydbennett702]

How is the base stereo and does it have wireless apple car play?

[@fatcatscooter2584]

I think the stereo is very good. Remember, I'm a middled aged old fart who's pumping Duran Duran and Beastie Boys, and it' sounds great. Speakers in the headrest work well (reminded me that the old Fieros in the 80s had the same setup). For the price of the car, I'm very happy. I have an Android phone, and as I recall wireless for both, I happen to plug mine In as the slot is right next to the phone "holder" area next to shifter. Everyone complains the infotainment system is old, but actually it's simple which is exactly what you need for that car, as it's a stick, a sports car, and just small over all, you need as little distractions as possible IMHO. One last thing on the sound system, I use my phone over the speakers with the top down, even at highway speeds (with windows up) and I've never had so many people tell me how clear they hear me and I hear them great, again speakers built into seat headrest ). Thanks!

[@jasonmok4110]

But you need LSD to do drifty stuff, also for snow.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

So you need a Posi-Traction rear end to drift and for snow... umm ok. Interesting? But thanks for the comment, catch you later man!

[@nartin86]

I am currently going back and forth between buying a Sport or Grand touring and would like to save several thousands. I have heard that soft top is thicker on Grand Touring than on Sport, is that true? I need a thicker and quieter soft top for freeway commute. Is Sport less comfortable than with Bilstein? I need to commute 100 miles round trip everyday. Do you feel if the performance is worst at corner without LSD? Thanks a lot!!

[@newtypeJP]

get a gt if you going to do 100 miles a day. st is just budget. if you love your miata dont cheap out on it.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

Thanks @nartin86 as the title says, I'm a crabby old guy (not that old ;-) and the whole reason I did this video. I've been in every trim level and go out on rides in the Phx area every few months with other ND2 owners. Sport for the price is the best. There is so little difference between the trims as the car is so small. To answer your questions (and I do 70 miles, mostly highway, each day. Either in the Miata or on my Vespa scooter lol. No, soft top is exactly the same, not true. This is my 2nd Miata (had NB, new) and Porsche Boxster soft top. This has least noise of the 3. BTW, often make calls doing 70 with top down (windows up) no problems hearing or people hearing me believe it or not. NO, sport is more comfortable with stock shocks vs Bilstein... this is a great question and why the "young people" who I see doing the videos don't get. Stock shock are softer, so much smoother ride (for a tiny car) but handle very well on curves. Bilstien are only going to help if you're doing track days, ride is much harder and with just slight, and I mean, slight improvement. Bilstien are great quality, so no knocking that. Driven 2020 MX5 with limited slip and mine, on curvy roads (I.E. out to Canyon Lake here in the Phx area), can tell no difference. At a track day, you'll notice a slight difference. Cheaper Sport, perfect car for everyday driver, slightly more comfortable, almost no performance difference... I'm telling you, the base is more comfortable... and don't get me going on the Racaro (spelling?) seats, stock cloth seats in the Sport SOOOOOOO much more comfortable. Hope that helps. I love my Miata, and so happy I got a more comfortable car for less money. The 20 something year olds want to race it, they are welcome to "not cheap out" as NewtypeJP says below, but I've got more gray hair and think I know what I'm talking about lol! Take care!! G

[@nartin86]

@@fatcatscooter2584 Thanks a lot man. That answered a lot. A local dealer is offering me 31K OTD for Sport trim, and looks like I'll take this one. However, I test drove a Grand Touring Manual (first time in Miata) today and everything was great, including highway speed. One thing I was not expecting was the high bite point on the clutch. I would love to have a high bite point if I don't have to press the clutch all the way down because my legs are short. This is what didn't make sense to me. Do you have to press the clutch all the way down just to get the bite point so high? Or can I press the clutch down 50% to reach the bite point only? Thanks again!

[@fatcatscooter2584]

@@nartin86 Hi, sorry just saw this today. By Bite point, if you mean when the gear engages and you can let out the clutch, Very little, 1/4, maybe 50% at most down on the clutch peddle, you'll hear over and over from other reviews (and having owned 2), that's one of the reasons people love them. I think the "kids" lol, call it heel / toe shifting, where you can just use one foot for very quick shifting... these Mazdas are made for that. Freaking dealers!!!! Beat them up, they tried to rape me on price, I ended up getting every penny over sicker back after I got the car home. Don't be afraid to shop around and find another dealer, and can always have one shipped from another state. BTW, get a manual, not automatic.... having driven a manual all my life, this is the easiest car to drive manual on (and to learn to drive manual if you need to). The automatic (I test drove a RF hard top) auto and it was a DOG. Anyway, hope I helped. G

[@nartin86]

@@fatcatscooter2584 would love to be able to buy from another state and have it shipped. However, I have never heard of dealers allowing purchase and paperwork online; plus the tax situation of 2 states.

[@John-iv3sr]

Are your wheels 17 inch or 16inch, in Australia all models come on 17's

[@fatcatscooter2584]

As I recall, in the USA, all base/sport trim have 16", all others have 17" But what's an inch between friends, right? ;-)

[@ivorwm2291]

Great car

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

What's a base model? The 1.5 liter?

[@fatcatscooter2584]

No, as video is titled, "Sport" is the base in United States. 1.5 liter is not offered on ND2 in United States. I've noticed many countries have slightly different trims (Canada are not same as US). Base is lowest, then Club finally Grand Touring for the soft tops. Thanks! G

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

@@fatcatscooter2584 I follow the Miata (own a NC 2.0 Touring) and noticed Mazda designed the ND with the high revving 1.5 The US customer however is interested in more power (why?) so they put in the standard 2.0 as delivered in the '3' which is not exactly a sporty engine (ND1). I wondered however if the 1.5 went to the US/Canada. So that's a 'no'. Speaking to Mazda dealers here, they prefer the 1.5 for it feels more nimble and has better steering. And is fast enough for road use.

[@fatcatscooter2584]

@@asphalthedgehog6580 Good points, I'm actually not exactly following what you are saying here, but that's normal for me LOL. ND "2", I think you know, the 2.0L engine is upgraded vs the ND 2.0 L here in the US. If you watch a variety of videos, such as Miatas last few years in US vs Canada, you'll see a ton of differences between cars... Manufactures sometimes have weird logic of why they offer what. Anyway, any Miata you get, plenty of performance and bullet proof! Take care.