The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring Is The Ultimate Affordable Roadster For Enthusiasts

The answer will always be #Miata and for 2024, #Mazda has given the latest #MX5Miata another refresh but this one is a bit more substantial versus previous Miata's. The headlights and taillights are new, the 18" wheels have been restyled and the inside gets the latest MazdaConnect head-unit with wireless phone integration.
We're also on:
Instagram: / redline_reviews
Facebook: / liketheredline
Twitter: / tweettheredline

[@omCi]

Reviewers of these cars always say it’s small and no one over 6 ft can fit. I’m 6.1 and I fit just fine. It’s snug but I’m not rubbing anywhere or have any comfort issues. And I’m big 220 Lbs 6.1. I recently did 8 days around Florida coast road trip and it was perfectly comfortable and so much fun. Everyone should experience Miata at least for few years in their life.

[@HirsuiteUp]

At 6’ 2” 180, I used a 17 RF Club as a DD for 5 years. 45 min commute and many weekend trips with the wife were all enjoyable. Sure, it’s not as spacious or comfortable as a larger vehicle, but don’t agree with the statement that over 6’ won’t fit.

[@Saboda53]

No, the top switch is not “counterintuitive”; it logically mirrors the action of the soft top. When you want to open that, what do you do? You push it UP, off the header. Same here. And when you want to close the soft top, you pull it DOWN onto the header. Same here. Get it now?

[@Saboda53]

Considering the fact that the average American male is 5’9”, I’d say the MX-5 was designed to fit average-sized people (and even plus a bit more). So I’m tired of the “too small” comments, too. I feel for you if you have the misfortune of being 6’1” with a snug fit but, as they say, sometimes life’s not fair. Complaining about the interior space would be like a short guy complaining that the basketball net is too high. Uh no, not for most of us!

[@HirsuiteUp]

@@Saboda53 that’s the exact way I think about it. It mirrors the physical motion, not the verbal terms of up and down. As you point out, it follows the direction of the hand as if you are using the soft top. So glad you brought this up!

[@johndogg47]

when you are wearing a helmet though it is a problem. at 5'9" i can barely fit in my RF with the top up and a helmet on

[@NH_Motorworks]

Hey buddy we used to work at Avis Budget in Springfield together I remember you use to run the zip cars I remember the day you left I was popping in dead or lost communication zip cars for weeks after you left 😂 glad to see you were successful with your channel

[@xraytreker6228]

Just took delivery of my 2024 MX5 GT Soul Red Crystal Metallic soft top!!! She is a second "fun" car and is a BEAUTY!!! I like to call her my sexy little beast!!! Miata is ALWAYS the answer....Zoom Zoom!❤🚘

[@wtfx5757]

bro, that super mario shirt is fire

[@axelfiraxa]

I bought my MX5 RF brand new in june in the top trim w. the Recaro seats bilsdtein dampers and bbs wheels. the only downside is they updated the ECU as well which means it cant be tuned right away. the body control is just great! I had been drooling at the thought since 2018 and finally had the money to get it now

[@johndogg47]

the ECU is new for 2024??

[@yogibearstie]

I drove Miati for 17 years as daily drivers and they are SENSATIONAL. You must be engaged to get the transmission in the power band.

[@Charlesbjtown]

So basically, the car is underpowered.

[@AGuyJustDriving]

​@@Charlesbjtownbasically every naturally aspirated 4. You have to wind them out all the way to redline. Remember old integras/SI with 8000+ redlines? Didn't come alive until 5500 with VTEC.

[@furjaden8553]

@@Charlesbjtown Basically, you have to use the Tachometer

[@dino5254]

@@Charlesbjtown Yup, I sold my 2004 Miata for that reason, plus for a tiny car I got 25 mpg.

[@yogibearstie]

@@Charlesbjtown “it’s more fun to drive an underpowered car 100% than an overpowered car at 20%”. You have to feel your car and horse and rider must be one. Take a 500 hp Mustang, it only takes someone to mash the go pedal. It’s 100x more fun to try to be perfect, never lug the engine and never over rev it, just perfection of maximizing what you have. The handling is other worldly. It is a perfect machine for US roads and laws.

[@davideg5947]

Love the club mx5 with the brembo recaro package. Excellent review as always!!!

[@ag4allgood]

Sofyan one correction to make. The soft top has a thick metal plate going over the roof extending to the roll hoops. Anyone trying to cut thru the soft top will have a long battle to get thru it. The quickest way is always thru the side windows on both the RF & soft top. Less secure ? No ! More work to maintain the soft top - yes ! The built in Alexa with voice commands tied to Google maps is really a great feature. Even warned me already of 2 objects in the highway 1/2 mile before seeing them ! The blind spot side warnings in the side mirrors is a good safety feature also. So far loving my ND3 Club soft top ! 🤔

[@davidemrich8008]

What maintenance is required for the soft top? I have one in transit from Hiroshima.

[@ag4allgood]

@@davidemrich8008 I suggest you invest in a Raggtop round brush & a kit like 303 makes for fabric convertible tops. It comes with a cleaner & fabric guard. You should never use an Automatic car wash with the soft top. Even in the manual spray both you don't want to use the high pressure on the top. I get the top wet then spray the cleaner on the top & use the round soft bristle bush to work in the cleaner. Let it stay there for 5 to 10 minutes before using a light spray to remove the cleaner. At least once a year use that fabric guard ( I use foam brushes to apply it instead of the spray ) on the top in the sunlight. Also don't be parking under ANY trees for shade. Invest in a really good sun shade like a Covercraft. The roof filters can clog with twigs / leaves / seed pods that fall off from trees. When they clog your interior will flood with water. The RF model has the same roof filters & will do the same thing. I never park under trees & have never had the interior flood. GL with your soft top coming from Hiroshima ! 😎

[@MoveOver90210]

Agreed - a red interior color would be great!

[@jettarunner4]

Machine gray with red seats

[@dtay8913]

$38,000 for a miata seems a bit pricey

[@jerbsherb4391]

That's why it pisses me off when they are trying to pass this car off as "affordable". I can get an Elantra N at that price point.

[@gerry9306]

​@@jerbsherb4391ok Goober, get an Elantra. Bahaha 😂😂😂

[@milindjetty1971]

This is fully loaded though, I don't think most people get this almost fully spec'd out with the hardtop anyways.

[@le0redd104]

​@milindjetty1971 lol the only Hardtop is a hard rollbar 😂 rf looks pretty tho haha

[@gerry9306]

Bust open the piggy bank Sparky

[@sweetdudeawesome]

Lol Sofyan, I love how you say "I wish Mazda would offer a red leather interior" like 5 times at least in this video! I'm in that club with you cause that red they have in their other carbon edition models is to die for!

[@zealotscout]

Just got my 2024 RF, absolutely love it. Shame I have to break it in, can't rev it too hard until I pass the 1,000km break in period.

[@D2MightyDucks]

I'm saving up for a 2024 MX-5 and let me tell you, the infotainment system is personally the LEAST of my worries.

[@axelfiraxa]

@@D2MightyDucks the infotainment is actually decent in practice. The rotary knob isn't that bad now that i got used to it

[@FlowStateNewOrleans]

I recently bought a 2018 Fiat 124 Spider (Lusso, Red Top Edition). Man, I wish there were a 124 based on this. I like its looks and interior materials so much better than the Miata. I wish I could get it with the updated tech,, lighting, etc. I agree on the interior color options, though. I had a Kia Stinger GT2 in Ghost Gray with the red interior. That's a good color combo.

[@wanakoplays8874]

My ND3 is exactly this spec. I love it so much.

[@RoyAnderson-k7y]

I have a 2023 GT RF I FEEL NO ENVY of the "24 model. Great cars &loads of fun ZOOM ZOOM

[@TheFlyrodder68]

So why would you even mention it? The 24 is slightly better.

[@charlesyoung9980]

Don't let Sofyan's playful "Super Mario" shirt fool you. He's all business!!

[@dlg5485]

This is the ND3 review I've been waiting for! I absolutely love my ND3 GT soft top. It's the best car I've ever owned and there have been many. Actually, the ND3 changes are substantial, if you are familiar with the ND2 (I've owned both). The new steering and diff really do improve the car's driving dynamics, and the new lights and infotainment are big improvements. I'm looking forward to upgrading the exhaust and suspension to . I'm only a few months into ownership, but I still make excuses to go for a drive. I just got home from one, in fact, just in time to find this video :) Also, thanks for giving the new GT wheels some love. I really like the more modern diamond cut design, don't understand all the forum hate.

[@axelfiraxa]

At this stage you can only change the end can. They havent cracked the ECU yet so if you mess up your air fuel ratio they cant fix it for you yet

[@dlg5485]

@@axelfiraxa I'm in no hurry. The car is great out of the box, so I'm happily enjoying it as-is for now. The tuning stuff will get figured out eventually.

[@axelfiraxa]

@@dlg5485 i certainly hope so! I got mine in June and was browsing bbrgti's web site for the Super 220 pack and was disappointed to read that they dont expect to have a solution to the ND3 maybe ever. I hope a US provider may figure it out though. BBR confirmed that the internals are the same betweend the ND2 and 3 so if someone cracks the ECU the upgrades will be apliccable. I too am happy with the current setup though and am not really worried about not having more power.

[@gerry9306]

The return of Soyfan! With the funny lookin shoes no less! 👍

[@DanDiMaggio]

am I the only person who hates the new wheels? I've owned 2 NDs and I far prefer the previous wheels.

[@smithchuck]

Nice review, as always. Just out of curiosity, what was the black thing that kept popping in and out of the right edge of the frame as you were doing the interior review?

[@hellogellojello]

Yay a car that doesn't just serve the top 0.5%!

[@owenmcdonald5922]

The soft top with a stronger colour is so much better looking.

[@re14437]

19:38 evil mastermind laugh had me dead 💀

[@Mr1wd]

Adaptive cruise control is available on the manual for other markets. US got the short end of the stick again

[@AP-lh1bq]

I bought a sport trim today. You can’t beat this at $30K.

[@cbotten106]

I don't know about flocking to showrooms but they sell. Great car.

[@iLLustrious85]

I was actually around when Sofyan bought his Miata back then

[@Kai-lp5ej]

Same

[@wazgoodjj]

Sofyan looks his driving a POWER WHEELS 😅

[@rmartin987]

If the next gen is the last one they should make one last Mazdaspeed version

[@jettarunner4]

Let’s hope not.

[@kartikyadav7421]

Is it okay to use regular fuel with this model instead of premium?

[@davidmartin1051]

Red interior, definitely.

[@annaleykiste]

My mom bought one kislux and she loves it. It had been there for over 10 years when she went out with it.

[@DrRyan82994]

they could have included adaptive cruise. my manual civic has it lol, i guess it's not as good as it would be in an auto but it's not useless. it actually stays in cruise even if you need to downshift. but if you're on the highway sticking to 6th gear it works the best

[@LetsGo-wl5zo]

I prefer bit more power then the extra luxury.

[@michiganborn8303]

Don't care for the color because that grey has been too much between Toyota cement and Harley Davidson Battleship grey. I loved that beautiful cherry red that Mazda put on some models like the CX-7. Looks like a fun car to drive up the PCH but I think I'd be miserable in the comfort department because I'm 6' - 2" and not a small guy.

[@m1977v]

I’m 5”7 165 and I have NO problem with “barely” fitting in the car! No problem with legroom either. Not sure what this dude is talking about! Then to say someone 6ft wouldn’t be able to drive it! LOL I also am part of an ND Miata club and there is a guy 6”4 and another 6”2 who daily their Miatas. So don’t believe this guy about barely fitting, go drive one and you’ll see you have enough driver space to be absolutely comfortable.

[@alostreflection21]

Any fat people? I'm fat 5'11 3 bills, but want this car 😂

[@rembo183]

I own a 2023 RF GT manual in Soul Red. It’s a great driving car and the only affordable roadster. It’s selling for $40k in this GTRF trim not cheap. That being said it’s a lot more affordable than a Z4 or Porsche Boxster. So is this 2024 worth trading for? I’ve been told NO! I 11:14 feel that most of these changes are not that big since I already own a ‘ 23. Plus I only have about 1200 miles. It’s not a daily driver. I only drive it occasionally. Frankly, it’s so darn small. I’m 5’9” but it still feels very cramped and hard to get in and out of. I’m keeping it because it’s my only chance to drive a sports car and enjoy a thrilling ride. This red color is truly incredible!

[@futurefunk88eddins96]

Ever try a corvette?

[@rembo183]

Yes but too expensive ​@@futurefunk88eddins96

[@SimonGonzalOS]

Love Mazda

[@davidemrich8008]

I have a 2024 Sport soft top coming in from Japan in black. I have a 2024 CX-5 as back up vehicle.

[@KAYJAYSTUDIOSYT]

THE ANSWER REMAINS MIATA. EVERY QUESTION. EVERY TIME. Though it is time for a turbo version.

[@davidmccarthy6061]

Being old enough to remember when Saab and Volvo were affordable for the regular family budget, it now seems Mazda has moved their cars upmarket a bit to far. Which is what killed the last gen RX-7 so quickly. I guess after four Mazda's there won't be another for me.

[@LaethitiaDuthye]

kislux You are so well-informed about luxury accessories and bags. You've obviously done your due diligence and the comparison to the US is very informative...because of course, I live in New York. thank you very much.

[@DiroPhoenixFan]

when I was kid, I knew this was one of the best downhill car in the world, unfortunately for performance you have to lose comfort😂😂😂

[@dino5254]

I'm going to get the Civic Hybrid 0-60 at 6.2 seconds plus 50mpg.

[@pianohadam4793]

Miata roadster looks funny to me actually though😂 I don’t like that there isn’t a lot of storage…..

[@NisuUuno]

Its been a decade. Time for a completely new one

[@EuGostoVer]

2018 mazda3 GT manual has adaptive cruise control. No reason why this car shouldn't have it too

[@xxxpensive1415]

38k seems like its luxury

[@halveiga9990]

I can see next gen being the “NE”, “E” for “Electric”.

[@justinphillabaum4245]

These prices are crazy. I wanted a new car, but opted for a used Buick Lucerne with low miles for close to $9k…..which is still overpriced by about 3k IMO. Waiting for the suffering to take hold and force these companies to bring their prices down

[@Karmazov]

What about the payload capacity of only 340 lbs ? Looks like this car is only meant for the driver. If you add a passenger than you will go over the payload limit.

[@kerry1383]

If it’s in neutral, you don’t need to press the clutch to start. .

[@deej628]

Yes you do.

[@kerry1383]

@@deej628 no, you don’t.

[@deej628]

@@kerry1383 I literally have a 19 rf that I tried this on last night so unless something changed on the newer years…

[@trippinwithdumas1382]

Zack Spencer (motormouth) is over 6' says it's fine.

[@jeffreyiancampbell842]

Biggest update ever? It was the ND2 engine.

[@Guzzzr]

is there a lot of wind buffeting with the top down? how noisey is it top up and top down? at 65 top down is it too noisey to have a converstation? the soft top convertible quieter top down or top up?

[@14981fc]

24 soft top here, no problem with conversation at 65mph top up or down, 85mph gets quite loud top down, i usually turn off music altogether. haven't tried top up at 85mph yet since it hasn't been rain much for the last 3 months. i heard the RF gets quite loud with the top down (B pillar stays up thus the wind noise), and much quieter with top up compare to soft top

[@liveox9]

Are they buttons or actual buttons? Stop adding “actual” as an adjective

[@AGuyJustDriving]

Miatas used to be affordable. Not paying over 40k for an underpowered go-kart. Words used to mean something

[@Saboda53]

How ‘bout $40K for the most fun car you can drive, at any price? Sounds fair to me.

[@AGuyJustDriving]

​@@Saboda53purely subjective

[@seraphim.angel.]

i bought my nd24 in July all black sport trim for only 30k. soft top is the only way to go dont get the rf

[@elementkx]

I HATE HATE HATE my cx-9's NON-touchscreen media system. It annoys me every time i drive it. It's my wife's daily, so I don't have to really live with it unless we go on a road trip, otherwise I would trade it in a heartbeat. Requires like 10 steps on the stupid dial just to change the radio station. And don't even attempt to use the Android Auto that was meant to be touched.

[@mycathasawhitetoe]

Dude it works so much better on apple CarPlay. Android auto is probably the same. Just toggle between maps and music apps. Voice commands for calls and texts.

[@jessicapage2218]

11:27 and 12:36 That's a bit of a concern as far as quality goes. Really wasn't expecting that from mazda.

[@JYYP-jz7qq]

it happened to me when I first bought my Miata (2023) but went away after a couple days

[@dlg5485]

I suspect this press car has outdated software and needs updated. I updated the infotainment software in my 2024 ND3 the day I picked it up and it has never frozen or glitched on me. This car has been sublime to own, not a single issue.

[@alexandergraham6912]

STOP CALLING IT A TOY. It isn't made by Fisher-Price!

[@johnnyk6906]

wheels look cheap after market. waiting on what next gen will bring as I am running out of patients waiting while I have gone back to NC3 from ND1 on my fifth Miata.

[@hongchan1202]

I still prefer my GR86. Little more useable space and cheaper.

[@Kai-lp5ej]

The key fob doesn’t have to be that big its pretty hollow

[@marklloyd4153]

I would buy a used one at half the price or less send it to Tampa where a guy installs a 6.2 liter V8 into it

[@snacking5908]

$40k for a tiny car with a hard plastic interior and no updated tech and an old small engine. Mazda may as well just discontinue the Miata at this point. This car should be $30k tops

[@Kai-lp5ej]

Time to update mazda cmon

[@ericrojas1476]

Man mazda really just needs to do a full touch screen

[@Bren39]

Perfect car for a 5'7" guy. 😂

[@Saboda53]

And perfect for a 5’8” guy, a 5’9” guy, a 5’10” guy and a 5’11” guy. The average height of an American male in 2020 was 5’9”. If you’re much over 6’, I guess you don’t get to play.😭 But hey, sometimes life’s unfair.

[@BojanPetrovicvft]

Dear God does anyone really worry about 0.2 seconds slower against soft top? Remember targa construction will save you breaking a neck 🧣 in soft tops

[@axelfiraxa]

the hard top also literally makes the body stiffer and addresses some of the body rigidity issues of the soft top version

[@DominionAnako-bb7ry]

$36,000 best price , it saved you less money

[@faheemabbas3965]

This is fully loaded btw

[@wackit6756]

Is that Primer Grey? 🤣 Last year the new color was baby poop Green / Tan. CANT MAZDA GIVE US SOME REAL COLORS?

[@markg1531]

Hybrid would be a big mistake and the end to the real Miata.

[@paulrod53]

Were still waiting for an rx8 remake

[@thewirah1]

Great looking car except for the awful wet putty paint job.

[@planbparadise2046]

All the extra goodies you want the Miata to have will make the car heavier - you should try the base 1.5 (132hp) version of the Miata (without all the extra goodies). More fun using all of the power all the time everywhere and light as a "feather" 😘 I wish you could still get the basic version without the infotainment system as we could (here in Europe and Asia) when it was first launched 🤩

[@gabrielflores1149]

For 0-60 testing purposes you do need to cut out that 3rd gear shift. Losing precious time!

[@wny9521]

The key fob to my 2023 Miata drives me nuts. It is always disconnecting from its base. This is the WORST interior/exterior color combo Ive ever seen.

[@vipermoon_]

A lot of mistakes for a prior mx-5 owner, oddly

[@msmarshall854]

ANYONE NOTICE all the babes commenting on this video???!!!!!! I'll be clicking that link for sure! LOL

[@axelfiraxa]

Yes, profiles created a few hours ago. I reported them as spam

[@trousersnake1486]

Its a thurst trap. They are bots.

[@msmarshall854]

6.2 vs 6.4 seconds is kinda meaningless------it's measuring margin of error, or the weather, or your shifting technique for these particular launches. It will never be exact.

[@gerry9306]

Thx Sam 🙄

[@msmarshall854]

@@gerry9306 Yes, thank you :)

[@dfe8286]

38k for same Hp as a 2003 mazdaspeed miata

[@seanhershey3390]

Nice primer…ugh.

[@zunedog31]

$39,000

[@BB2001hjk]

Mazda with RWD and 2 doors. Toyota with RWD and 2 doors. Nissan with RWD and 2 doors. Honda with FWD and 4 door turds

[@ahmedxkhan]

You could literally get a cpo e350 benz convertible for this price. WORLD difference.

[@smok3sho587]

Enjoy the shop

[@Mitsbuchanan]

But then you would look like a retired grandpa at the Villages 😂

[@ahmedxkhan]

@@Mitsbuchanan lol still fun though

[@zmarko]

Not a fan of the wheels.

[@witsendcottage595]

Not a convertible....just saying

[@MrBroadcast45]

Not worth 38k for an outdated bodystyle

[@faheemabbas3965]

This is fully loaded.

[@yrre7]

S2000 or Miata 😂

[@bobbowie9350]

This always looked like a fiberglass kit car. The rear still looks weird and wobbly.

[@tapper701]

Odd looking/proportions, interior on lackluster side = Pass !

[@shanewilfon6860]

Gaih azz car😂

[@Domepeezy]

Almost 40k for a Mazda lmfao

[@smok3sho587]

Acting like honda and toyota don't sell vehicles for 50k themselves Room temp iq comment

[@dennischeng4391]

This comany defines 'laziness'

[@BojanPetrovicvft]

Uhmm no Sofian MOST OF US WON'T BE USING 🍏 car play statistically outside the USA majority of phone users are ANDROID. What is for granted in the States is not set in stone for Europeans let alone other continents. Flat 🌎 or not we still got 7 of them.

[@pradeepmagan6951]

Cheap Boxster

[@blsstre]

How could you come to work with shorts and slippers! Totally unprofessional.