Road Test: 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata

We take the Mazda MX-5 Miata on the back-roads of Arizona to see if it's as pure, fun and simple as the original introduced 26 years ago. Tire spinning fun in the sun ensues.
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[@john_dee1431]

It's been years since this review, I know. However, as someone all about the NC generation Miata, this video is a go to review for used car comparison.

[@LysanderLH]

It's third generation, mk3/3.5, NC and not a second generation Mk2/2.5 NB.

[@markjohnson5276]

I drive a gun metal grey 2014 MX 5 NC. A ten second car. It came out of the box race ready with Le Mans paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Every time I drive it I'm in a James Bond movie. When people see it they ask, 'does it have machine guns behind the fog lights?' The license plate reads 009. It's definitely licensed to kill. Does a 'drift' nicely. Q branch read out, race ready with paddle shifters. A ten second car, does 0 to 100 mph in ten seconds. Double wish bone suspension and drive while flat tires makes her a nimble cat with tough paws. The body is made of rust resistant steel and carbon fiber (Kevlar) material. It has quarter inch metal armor under the engine and transmission. Stainless steel exhaust. A seven speaker Boise sound system keeps the Bond theme music coming thru 5 by 5.

[@Brockthedog315]

Nice review. I have a 2007 Miata. When I upgrade to my next Miata it will be the last year the NC’s were made. But that might not be for another 8 or 9 years. Hahaha. I think the NC is the best gen Miata.

[@zsb707]

So you have an NC1. Nice car 👍. The NC2 had the smiley face and this in the vid is the NC3, which looks great.

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Always a great review from Sam!!!!👍👍👍👍

[@barbaratomason708]

At 6’2” and 240 pounds, the 2014 Miata is the only Miata that I can fit (in). But I like its more substantial design. If it had an ‘integrated’ head unit, I would be happier with it.

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

You know what's crazy? My Audi S5 V8 also cruises at 3,000 in 6th gear at freeway speeds. It gets about 23 mpg @ 75 mph. I get that both cars keep it at that rev to keep you in the power band for passing, but I'd rather down shift to pass and keep the 6th gear as a true over drive cruising around 2,000 and gain a few MPG's. (Honestly my V8 torque beast could probably hold 75 at around 1,200 rpm and return the 28 mpg of the MX-5)

[@edwardjones8170]

Bang for the buck it's very hard to beat a Miata. And if you really what a convertible it's impossible to beat! Disclaimer, I've owned a 1991SE and currently race a 2000LS so I'm probably a little biased:)

[@hcwbw3]

dude if your going to come into the mx5 world don't impose your nomenclature (that is fancy for name) respect the manufacture, engineer and car culture people who are going to tune you out as soon as you say " I call it the 2nd gen., really I mean really?

[@zsb707]

Well said 👍. This is a third gen NC MX-5, more accurately, an NC3.

[@Mago84013]

You look like the freakin reviews guy on youtube.

[@Brockthedog315]

I rarely give a thumbs down. But deciding to call this second generation just because you want to is stupid.

[@TestDrivenTV]

No more stupid than a company calling a refresh of the same platform a "new generation" purely for marketing reasons.

[@gratigo1]

First

[@misterperfect6438]

Second generation... ...lol... ...when "experts" arent even experts...

[@TestDrivenTV]

We aren't Perfect, Mister ;)

[@TestDrivenTV]

But be honest, NA and NB were hardly different "generations". Mazda sold them as that for marketing purposes but if you put them both on a lift you can swap parts among their privates quite easily. They are the same damn thing.

[@misterperfect6438]

Thisway iam Mister Perfect! ;-)

[@wjjnjr]

The body style, interior ergonomics, weight differentiation, handling, speed times, gearing variations, engine evolution of the NB1 and NB2 Etc... certainly allocate a definitive distinction between the NA Miata versus a NB1 and a NB2 Miata! As a Mazda Miata MX5 purest, as well as a longtime member of the American Mazda Miata MX5 club,not to mention an owner of the NA Miata and NB Miata, our general consensus is that the NA and the NB, both being fine roadsters, definitely march to their own beat. With the Miata, handling is its biggest attribute, not some mechanicals that are interchangeable. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed your review on the NC Miata. Keep up the good work...