Sunset Therapy Drive in my ND2 Miata

[@wackit6756]

It’s nice to see someone really appreciate their car and it’s purpose! I bought mine almost a year ago, ('21' GT soft top) as a weekend car. Don’t know why it took me so long to get one. If you are a true enthusiast you don’t need to explain your purchase to anyone. About once a week I leave the house at 6:00 am, put the top down and drive through Santiago Canyon road, then through Laguna Canyon road to Laguna beach Ca. for coffee and breakfast. To be alone with a manual trans., music, the cool air and mountain roads, well there is nothing like it. Congrats on your MX5. 👍

[@alhuff_]

Those roads sound amazing - I'm definitely going to have to road trip over to CA to experience some in the Miata myself!

[@ibloo2425]

Im in Irvine and I have a 1990 NA Mazda Miata. I too love going on Santiago Canyon!!!

[@gregjones2472]

Well that just sounds awesome

[@DriverMD23]

Just got an ND3 and it’s just pure bliss driving for the sake of driving. Top down with the right playlist, it really is a form of therapy. You really tapped into that in this video

[@alhuff_]

Congrats on the ND3, jealous of you not having to deal with the ancient infotainment on the ND1&2 😅- You're right though, nothing beats the top down feel!

[@kirsolan]

first world problem: having to decide between loud music or car sound while driving with the top down.

[@carloscanizares101]

This is to say thank you. I’m 42, retired and am now in a position where buying a Porsche Carerra GTS is more achievable, so I’ve been shopping/specc’ing. This video was a fantastic reminder of why I got my Miata in the first place.

[@DjCheffolo]

how did you retire so young?

[@carloscanizares101]

@ I live off of the dividends from my investments.

[@raweggs2947]

@@carloscanizares101 Any advice?

[@carloscanizares101]

@@raweggs2947 not a financial advisor, sorry. But I invest in high-yield income-generating funds from YieldMax, Roundhill and Defiance. Is it risky? ABSOLUTELY! Is it worth it? To own my time, yes for me! Being retired now doesn’t mean I can’t work again, if it goes south. But as long as I make smart emotionless decisions, I’m living my lifelong dream now. After all, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

[@carloscanizares101]

Sorry, I can’t. YT keeps deleting my posts.

[@JGomez1997]

Man I test drove a MX5 off Turo and it forever changed my perspective on what I’m looking for in a car. Hoping to get on eventually my heart wants one but my brain says I need to save for more important things first

[@liljfunk21]

So what did the MX5 changed about driving beside being really small ?

[@JGomez1997]

@ I never really liked convertibles and used to think “who could possibly have fun with only 180 HP?” but man taking a car like this out on windy roads is where it really shines. Feeling the wind blowing and hearing your surroundings just makes the whole driving experience feel a lot more real. Heck even taking it to the grocery store makes the experience way more fun.

[@liljfunk21]

@ I live in Texas so I’m debating about the sun beaming on me and I use to ride motorcycles but I have a thick helmet so I’m really debating on this car

[@alhuff_]

That's exactly what happened to me 😂 - I rented one on Turo for a weekend and going back to my old car was depressing. I was in the Mazda dealership within a week test driving this one. Don't regret it for a second!

[@alhuff_]

@@liljfunk21 Totally get it. In Arizona we've definitely got the sun problem in the summers too. I spend most of summer with the top up to avoid getting burnt but come fall/winter it's top down 24/7!

[@CurtisHuffman-cj5qm]

Interesting to find another Huffman that appreciates Miata's.

[@uAidan]

came across this on my recommended and I just wanted to say I loved every second of this!! super relaxing watch, I appreciate you keeping it cool on public roads while also having a bit of fun hahah

[@alhuff_]

Thanks! Probably the best thing about this car is the ability to have some fun without putting anyone in danger or breaking any major laws

[@lucianolucidi8624]

​@@alhuff_ i agree. I love mine for this reason

[@KadirNokay]

I watch this video from time to time. Thank you for posting this. Enjoy your fantastic machine

[@mochi95121]

auto therapist is the best therapy you can get great video

[@walkerboy180]

I am glad to see another software engineer drive a miata too! Got my ND3 Club BBR a month ago! Absolute Motoring Therapy. Love it. Yet to hit the Humboldt roads with it. Great vid!

[@crxstalline_]

Gotta love AZ mountain roads. Moved here from FL recently, been so fun getting to do some real driving

[@wackit6756]

BTW I purchased on Amazon a padded center armrest (SEG Direct Console pad $16.71) I don’t have the part number, but it just rests on top of the center console, has 2 straps that are hidden, texture looks just like the MX5 and it makes driving so much more comfortable. It’s made to look like leather. Some console armrests need the whole console removed to install, but this one just sits in place. ✌️

[@richardgilmore5607]

@@wackit6756 good tip.

[@alhuff_]

Good find - I saw MX5 things has a padded armrest replacement but it's $150. I'll have to check something like this out!

[@rous3369]

Hope I can buy one of my own next year. This video is exactly what I needed, would love to see more

[@UrdnotAkongo]

2:11 Sir, making it look like an RC car was the my very first mod. I added a little red flag at the top of the antenna. Plus it added to the vertical visibility of the car. I just find it funny Miata drivers complain about being invisible, while at the same time doing a very popular mod which makes them even more invisible. Go figure

[@JAPANTougeTour]

Nice touge run! This video captures the fun of driving a Miata.

[@MajorAddiction]

I love how popular the stubby antenna is. A lot of people probably think that it's OEM. Got the GWR also but the single exhaust. Love the car man, soul red is perfect.

[@skreezyi]

i also have a 2023 miata and drive it nearly everyday and yet i still love watching videos like these of it in my spare time, it's just that good of a car 💯 these roads are just perfect, it feels like a racetrack

[@magmag1059]

Exhaust sounds fantastic!

[@Aymiraguitara]

I have been considering on getting a Mazda MX 5 Miata. Honestly the cars look so cool and fun to drive !

[@Jeffe4506]

It’s amazing I don’t think I’ve heard someone say one bad thing about these lol I think I’m might get one… never seen better reviews on car in my life

[@KadirNokay]

Wish I had one as well. Fantastic video.

[@KadirNokay]

Oh man. Wow. Nice.

[@Moriggia]

For me is the best car in the world ❤.

[@jimw2542]

That sounds awesome with the baffle. My bro has same exhaust but it's a bit tinny, but he also bought it third party so he's probably got a lot of unknown other mods bc the guy went nuts. I personally love my HoM midpipe and catback with valve controller, but this is hella lighter. Nice vid! I'm surprised you can dig into those stock tires so much; I ran through them in 5k miles. Put on ps4s -- they're less playful but hug the road better. Cheers!

[@aidanjack3094]

Sounds amazing I have a manual 2021 Mazda 3 right now and am planning on getting a nd2 when I get out of active duty as a little treat to myself. God I can’t wait for a summer car

[@HallowellsSpeedShop]

That’s such a fun road! Used to do it all time in my Si, and I have a video on my channel in an S550 doing it.

[@ThatSubaruDude]

Awesome video bro. I live in az too lol

[@andrewstevenson6540]

Well done Japan for still producing a lightweight fun sportscar with a clutch pedal and handbrake ❤

[@CapFlipGaming]

I'm still so bummed I had to sell mine. It's the perfect time of year to drive in AZ.

[@kenesu1281]

❤🤙🏼

[@richardgilmore5607]

Thanks for the drive. I plan to pick up an used Mx5 likely a 2021 or down to 2018. I drove a stick in my 20s (now 67). Do you think I will pick it up again. It was always the first gear from start that grave me issues back then. I assume now a days it more redefined to get into it.

[@IceNFire09]

The Miata is very easy to drive. Clutch pedal is very light. The engine is a bit down on power off idle compared to something with more torque, so light feathering of the throttle while setting off works best. That being said, I've only stalled mine 3 times in the 3 months of ownership after driving autos for 14 years.

[@richardgilmore5607]

@@IceNFire09 well, that a confident builder. It was my main worry. Hopefully I can drive a used with a stick and make a choice. I don't mind auto with the paddles and stick slide. I am not trying to race anyone. I more a steering and top down type of guy. I have to deal with winter so the car will be a 3 season car. I have an SUV so that still my daily driver and soon to be others half car.

[@IceNFire09]

@@richardgilmore5607 If you're going to be just cruising around town top down, then sure the auto will fit the bill just fine. However, if you plan on taking it on some curvy back roads, I HIGHLY recommend getting the manual if you can wing it. The car is just so much more engaging.

[@richardgilmore5607]

@IceNFire09 I will keep that in mind

[@alhuff_]

My main other point of reference being my manual '93 F150 - I wouldn't call it easier but it's definitely way more enjoyable to go through gears. Even though it isn't a truck where you have enough torque to get going from a stop with basically no gas, the Miata is super light and it's very easy to find the bite point of the clutch. I stalled a few times when I first bought it but after a month or so I never stalled again. I definitely can't say the same for my truck lol I think the best part of the Miata is the manual transmission, and a lot of other people seem to think so too. But that means if you do go automatic, those are probably a *lot* cheaper on the used market.

[@weezintrumpeteer]

Great footage and drive! Does your ND have the stock exhaust, or is it modified? Sounds really nice.

[@NDEEZMiata]

What road is this, I haven’t driven it before 🤔 Also FWIW try giving it a bit more of a blip on those downshifts, you’re pretty consistently under revving. 🤙 3rd to 2nd requires a pretty hefty stab on these car if it’s high in the RPMs…it’s tricky to nail it. 60% of the time every time 😂 These ND2s are such a great car for our mountain roads, I never wish I had something faster. If anything it’s on those roads I wish we got the 1.5L….it’s almost got too much power for a road like tortilla flats. Best car therapy I’ve had so far…I find excuses to go drive way more often than previous cars.

[@sinan325]

Is it Goodwin Roadstersport race exhaust?

[@carlcarlssen4299]

dude why do u keep like regripping the wheel every second?

[@RuiDuarteyamamoto]

I miss my 1.5 ND. This just shows you dont need much for a good sports car.

[@georgekappland2935]

AZ local here... Where were you?

[@jdm3gee14]

It seems like tech guys will go for this more analog of a car. lol. I'm a sys admin and I'm eying this and the BRZ. I come from a WRX so its an upgrade in fun but downgrade in day to day needs.

[@alhuff_]

We’re actively breaking the stereotype of tech bros in teslas!

[@sk8absence]

download offline maps, very helpful to see what's ahead if you're not very familiar with the road.

[@aaronbb1749]

Have you had any transmission issues? I wanna buy a used nd2 but I’m worried about that

[@garya7893]

If i had roads like that in New Orleans i may not be selling my E30 That looks fun

[@IceNFire09]

Baton Rouge here, so I'm right there with you lol. I've been satiating my appetite with Autocross. And if you can get away for a few days, Arkansas has some FANTASTIC roads.

[@alhuff_]

I definitely felt that struggle when I lived deeper in the city. Now that I'm further up north in AZ I can drive out a bit to find roads like this a lot easier. Definitely worth it every time.

[@daniele3233]

Which phone holder are you using?

[@aliali-ce3yf]

you have 3 cars, and you're a little more than a year out from college?

[@johnpulawski35]

guy talks like topher

[@G2Merica]

Stop talking and drive

[@vbkngx]

Nice video man.