The Answer is Always Miata - /TUNED

Ask any car guy, what would make a good first car? Miata. What would make a good weekend car? Miata. What would make a good tuner car? Miata. What would be a good race car? Miata. What could I drive that Chris Harris won't like? Miata. It seems the answer is always Miata. This week, CJ Wilson Racing and Continental Tire invite us to Austin, TX to test two of their best Miatas on the track.

[@DJLeeland]

If that V8 came out of a Lexus LS-400, then technically speaking, it still has an "LS swap." :P

[@MajorAddiction]

Plot twist

[@richard-mai]

I applaud!

[@MrCTruck]

Loophole

[@robb5522]

I never got the Miata. Until I got one cheap at an auction, a 1991, on a rainy October night. So it was cheap. Now that I have owned one, I don't know how I didn't get them in the first place. For the money I don't think they can be beat. You can't have a bad time driving a Miata.

[@esowaych]

should actually be: M iata I s A lways T he A nswer

[@china1013]

Nice

[@bartvanriel6767]

good one

[@MrTay675]

You should be paid by Mazda for that

[@esowaych]

Tay I agree. I deserve at least $3m CAD and 76% of Mazda's future profits.

[@syamilsyaje]

Damius McRuckerton i

[@Starky513]

haha, Matt I felt for you.. I can't imagine how nerve racking it was to go onto a foreign track in a foreign race car in freezing temperatures with water everywhere... None the less, the video was great. Awesome job.

[@decnet100]

That V8 (1UZ.-FE?) sounds absolutely amazing. I wanted a V8 Miata Mk1 before, now I NEED to have one.

[@YouArentSlick]

This guy builds track Mx5s for a living and you guys are over here telling him how the car is "unbalanced"? You think he's gonna read these comments and think "huh I didn't know that, thanks for the tip kids" lol nothing wrong with adding a little power to a really light car . That v8 makes like 280ish hp with bolt ons and it barely changes weight balance. Driving a stock Miata is real fun, until you hit the highway. Then shit gets real depressing lol

[@chadm528]

Exactly!! Those engines weight under 400 pounds wet.

[@jiroweiler5883]

This kids are crying because a guy trew a big hp engine on a miata... Better not tell them about the existence of the Catterhams or the Donkervoort.

[@ClintDavis]

You guys are really stepping up your game with the video production. LOVE it even MORE!

[@acomp80]

This was great! Great job Matt! It made me brush off the snow on my Miata and take it for a quick yet sideways spin! Keep up the good work!

[@Borderline5440]

Miata Is Always The Answer (^^^^^ Miata!)

[@bumblebee__]

The ad before the video was about the new Miata. Good times. The ad made me cry.

[@bumblebee__]

yeah..

[@d1sturb3d119]

Awesome job Matt. The video really got the point across. The race car definitely looked unforgiving in the wet. Just goes to show it can take experienced drivers by surprise too.

[@triathlonSDhsp]

so badass when the driver mentions "this is too fast" as corner entry - then @ apex, rolling hard into the gas - perfectly neutral, breaking adhesion with authority! very well produced.

[@nukesaway4806]

I immediately wanted a Lexus v8 in a miata . Until he explained it and I said, LS swap.

[@ViolentKasle]

Same bro

[@armymatt83]

+Nukes Away lazy

[@mark26syd]

The australian company that sells the gearbox conversion kits is: Dellow Automotive There is also a company in Australia the specializes in fitting supercharged 1UZ's to MX5/Miata's called: Bullit Cars

[@TheTexican05]

Loved this!!! Matt's commentary is so honest and accurate. Harris Hill is 28-min from where I type this. Very cool, and our winter was murder this year for Texas...

[@brotato_tx]

I met Matt Farah and his team on Sixth Street the night before this was filmed. I just want to say thanks for being so friendly and BSing with me and friends. Great video, as usual. Keep up the good work! 

[@scrustle]

That V8 MX-5 was amazing! Kind of like an Shelby Cobra, if it was instead made by the Japanese in the early 90s. Very unique sound to it. Sounds almost like a small plane in a way, but deeper. The blue finish on the race car looked really nice too.

[@Rangerfull3]

Cool analogy ^^

[@chadm528]

They actually used a twin turbo 1uz to power an airplane

[@charliekealoha]

THAT SOUND! Amazing. Absolutely amazing. This has reignited my thoughts on buying a MX-5 yet again LOL

[@lightbulbisbright]

Wait what? It sounds horrible to me!

[@TheGoodChap]

***** I think they both sound good. I think the v8 one is great just because its not the sound you're expecting from the miata. Seems like a lot of fun, but for a daily driver it would get annoying fast.

[@apollo305shade]

Do it! Do it! Do it!

[@ayanami808]

Great vid matt!!! good to see you in some power over drift! I loved it!

[@fkporsche1]

Great fun MX-5. lol.. Can't feel your fingers and your toes. Thanks for your review. Enjoyed your videos.

[@theeeMitchi]

Maybe I should go for a Miata NA as my first car ...

[@lowiedewind1092]

thee Mitchi look like you did bud

[@EngiNetion]

i'll buy first gen SLK or Z3. There is no Miata where i live

[@kun1o]

I did. Was a great choice

[@TheAdatto]

@@EngiNetion z3 is too heavy. You have to get an v6 too beat a standard 1.8 miata

[@EngiNetion]

@@TheAdatto i don't care, i still like it

[@LawrenceTimme]

lol matt in that seat

[@ManuelAleixo81]

I have a 2002 Beautiful green mica SVT fully stock that was desired for a very long time which I just love! ...but after seeing this video I will never sleep well again! Now I want a 1UZ so so badly that I am almost biting my own hand like mad!!! Awesome idea for swap and astonishing result!

[@BenHango]

As someone who owns a 93 Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE, it's amazing to see what that little motor can do. Great episode Matt.

[@goorgie182]

so glad my first car is a nb2 miata ^.^ just love it:)

[@AlfredvanKuik]

That V8 sounds so damn sweet. Now I'll be a little disappointed when I get into my nearly stock 1.6 miata tomorrow :)

[@bengullicksonantihero4971]

1UZ-FE is such an awesome v8. Has so much potential. Glad to see them getting the respect they deserve!

[@ghettoflyer]

Good Show Matt! Great to see you guys feature a V8 Miata ( Honestly been waiting for it) The race car was pretty sweet too. Thanks Again Matt and every one else involved!

[@mattclaw5571]

As he pulled out on the track he was thinking Dayum I need to lay off those gas station chilie cheese burritos

[@stevegoodwin9067]

As much as I love swapped V8's, the 4cyc sounded sick!

[@flush_entity]

Yeah, but i think it's because they took out majority of the stuff inside the car. Once a shaved car, you'd hear the engine more (more of... alot of things). And it would sound badass even if it's a 4 cyl. Imagine a V8. Watch those IMSA Porsche Challenge videos, they sound amazing.

[@Darren.G]

Those first few seconds in the race car, your face was screaming: SHITTING BRICKS! Good stuff, glad you linked this episode.

[@Jesusmakesmelovelife]

Matt you and your crew did a superb job with the worthless track conditions. I like that you focused on the drive ability and not power numbers. I do wish you could have enjoyed the grip of those cars. Miata's just blow my mind in turns.

[@TheGilbertsonfamily]

We say the same thing about mid-90's Cherokee's in the 4x4 world.

[@StalePhish]

Hilarious seeing the huge camera @10:43 when the in-car cameras are almost always a GoPro. Though the camera that took that shot is a GoPro because you can see its reflection in the mirror

[@TBustah]

I like Miatas, but I could never fit in one. That's why I was so stoked to learn that one of the first customers to take delivery of the Scion FR-S was even taller than me. If somebody 6' 8" can fit in it, I should have no problem.

[@Yogi_Ratava]

I've heard that so much now its a cop out. I see 6ft people fit in Miatas all the time. Plus, when it's raining out and someone needs a lift home, I don't hear them complain.

[@TBustah]

I'm 6' 5". I've actually sat in them before. I can't fit unless the top goes down, and my legs are too long to work the pedals. So, no. It's not a cop out.

[@Basketballerphx]

Nathan McMahon If you're not 6+ feet tall, then it doesn't exactly matter what you've seen. If someone says they don't fit, then they don't fit.

[@RabbitRacing09]

he's a tall guy also. look at the other miata video says he has same fitting problem

[@SteveTehPirates]

As someone who is 6'1" I was kinda bummed about not fitting into a Miata, but after finding my BRZ it turned out to be for the best. Did a side by side between my stock BRZ and my friend's tuned Miata. While the speed was only a hair better, the handling left him in the dust.

[@surewin1773]

Matt, I always enjoy your humble commentary. I felt that the credits were rolling a little too early at the end though because you were still in the midst of ending your piece when it started. Great piece overall.

[@dacasman]

holy shit that lexus v8 sounds amazing. way better than an LS

[@jjsorenavki7005]

+dacasman look up quad cam v8 ke corolla will come up with a young australia kids drift car, * he is pro now * but holy fuck how good it sounds!!

[@sparkalanio]

Sounds horrible what are you talking about sounds like a v6 with with headers that are choking it lsx or even the coyote sound way meaner top of that probably a better engine then this old lexus v8

[@dacasman]

boo I'm not really into the high pitched screaming V8 sounds. I like the uneven rumble of this lexus V8 personally. I don't care about how "mean" it sounds.

[@martijnbruggers8694]

+dacasman it sounds like a hellcat!

[@johnlopez128]

Martijn Bruggers gear whine/supercharger sound

[@OverpassVisuals]

Is Andris Laivins originaly from Latvia?!

[@phuse99]

I own a Miata, and I live in Austin and I have been to Harris Hill a couple times, lol, not often I get to see a youtube video where I can be like, oh yeah, that turn is so fun. It's a good feeling. And let the records show, mx-5's are great cars for this little short track, the answer IS miata!

[@martyn_g]

MX5’s just rule:) I’ve had a ND for 2 years and adore it. I’m 43, and fell in love with the original NA when I was like, 13. It’s only taken me 28 years to get one😜

[@AWSimDrifter]

The only MX5 I like is the 1st gen one and while I love the creativity of the Lexus V8 MX5, I was hoping there would be an NA 3-rotor engine in there.

[@DeathtrapCult]

wow, id never thought of a 1uzfe miata swap. awesome idea

[@BassRacerx]

it sounds like sex makes me miss my SC 400 a lot.

[@MihaBevcStraxer]

BassRacerx sex makes you miss your SC 400?

[@BassRacerx]

the sc 400 has the same engine as the miata smart ass

[@MihaBevcStraxer]

yeah, but why does sex makes you miss it?

[@cxbra]

BassRacerx I hope you dont think that a Miata came from Mazda with a 1UZ-FE! hahahahah!!

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

The white Miata kills! a LS400 V8 4.0, Matched to a MK3 Supra R134 Transmission and a rear end from a Turbo II Rx-7? This thing screams 90's nostalgia and I love it.

[@infidel900rr]

I really like both cars! great job.

[@psttech4290]

lmao come over here to the uk in January and have a crack round oulton park, these conditions will never be a problem again

[@RK1FX]

Miata + LS7 = Mother of God.

[@tonyvu3700]

Carsale

[@HoldxMyxDrank]

Great stuff, and be glad that it was 40 damn degrees there...been in the teens up here in the northeast for the past week lol

[@ravynx]

Matt! I didn't know you were making your way to my home track. Much love from the Miata/track crew here in Texas. H2R is slippery as heck in the cold and definitely the wet, I wish you were able to really tear some laps in the dry. Hopefully another time, cheers mate!

[@spillow762]

V8 swapped Miata is like poor man's F-Type

[@XenoRacing]

The first thing that comes to mind is "Oh look a bear in a Miata"

[@mrkingjesse378]

Just got my first miata. 94 NA 1.8. It’s my favorite car to drive and Im definitely lookin at the newer gens.

[@TDUsafiro]

I like the first question in the description. I just turned 18 and my first car is a 2007 MX-5 :) Fun cars!

[@bottomlayer]

A different kind of LS swap! A V8 from a car called the LS hahaha No really though, awesome video

[@enigmaPL]

I actually answered MK3 Supra for all the questions in the description. =)

[@byrdb90]

Awesome! I live close to this track and race a miata! I only wish I could have been there with you. Love tuned.

[@Queensre1ch]

Matt's face while driving the Mx5 race ... priceless !

[@jboy914]

Title should be "Miata Is Always The Answer" (MIATA) :)

[@JogieGlenMait]

The Answer is Always Mait. Now, we're talking about a racing toy car. That is cute. Beast mode on! :D

[@vanskiecahilig5414]

jajaja...

[@whybag]

I've wanted a Flyin' Miata since I was a freaking teenager. I can only imagine what a Miata would be like with the new aluminum LS engines out.

[@Floor226]

Great episode! Harris Hill is awesome! I've done some laps there in my si!

[@Revitalyzed]

Track day bro!

[@dongypooh]

It's the BEST-!

[@Revitalyzed]

dongypooh Gotta get the Hoosiers bro! Hooshiers! Bro, you coming bro? Track day bro!

[@Borderline5440]

Is it just me, or is it incredibly funny to hear such a big sound coming out of such a little car?

[@PaulinhoThompson]

I've owned a couple of MX5's and they are great little cars, sadly I think I out grew them in size lol :D great video as always Matt

[@Jesusmakesmelovelife]

+Scrustle great analogy, 90's Jap Cobra, and I completely agree that the engine sound is great. Same way I like Subie boxer engines smooth rumble.

[@abidib]

FARAH your good shit bro

[@turboman69]

HOOSIERS BRO, TRACKDAYS BRO.

[@kylefranko6022]

TRACK DAY BRO.

[@stephenaustin8781]

TUNED MAN!! The coolest car show ON THE PLANET!! :oD

[@chapellefan2]

I have a miata, and those are my BF Goodrich tires at 2:04....love this episode!

[@banddude121]

Thank god that it doesn't have an LS V8. So boring to see LS after LS in builds.

[@BillsandBongs]

That guy needs a Big Mac lol.

[@cbk0verk1ll]

you need to stfu

[@bramthun12]

weight savings bro

[@harshalchoudhari4298]

Hhn TV ha

[@apollo305shade]

Hahahaha

[@tomrobertson4611]

Northern Illinois Street Racing well that escalated quickly xD

[@tomelis16]

Nice to see a Latvian guy making it for himself. Keep it on Andris. Greetingsfrom LV

[@OkulSmoK]

Awesome review and it surprised me, that Matt can drive pretty well :)

[@matthijsgerretse3217]

so annoying when people say ''the awnser is always Miata''... it's ''Miata is always the awnser''. I mean... I'm pretty sure you spell Miata as Miata, and not Taiam...

[@edwinbrycepillay7291]

Miata Is Always The Answer

[@ferreira94a]

Should change the title. M -Miata I -Is A -Always T -The A -Answer

[@ronisprincess]

Fantastic idea opting for the 1UZ !

[@LucaCarMods]

That thing sounds AMAZING!!!

[@MrHeatscore94]

Where i come from these are classified as women's cars, but damn with those mods..

[@MrHeatscore94]

Don't be all defensive just cuz you own one, im sure your very comfortable with your sexuality..lol.. trophy wife's or gays drive these..nothing against gays or women, just a fact..a fairly well known one, no matter where you come from.. There yah go princess

[@carbonbonds3019]

jj coolj lol @ you liking your own comment though. Good job.

[@MrHeatscore94]

LOL!! nope.. now get a life.. and stop making assumptions when your beaten..or is that all you got..

[@carbonbonds3019]

jj coolj you realize people can see who liked your comment right? lol just lol.

[@MrHeatscore94]

Carbon Bonds go get a life bud, you got nothing.. Thanks for the argument..Not worth my time tho..

[@PumpkinSpicedShart]

Have you guys got any plans to shoot in 4K?

[@JFdotMUSIAL]

Great question.. And yes.. We've already started. Inside Koenigsegg is entirely in 4K, wait a month :)

[@rcmakingtracks18]

Brilliant, im so very glad and lucky to own a mx5 nc2, love it...

[@zabzinski]

That fucking helmet gets me every time Matt! hahaha You're a legend for thinking of that, having it custom made, and then wearing it on camera. Never change man, never change.

[@TheDriver458]

V8 in an unsuspecting Miata. People's faces go ._. to O_O once they hear it.

[@RareBrink]

fucked up the title. The expression is "Miata Is Always The Answer" because as an acronym it is MIATA.

[@lewisholliday4430]

Awesome Video

[@GardevoirEx1]

It was kind of funny to see you inside the Miata right after the other driver lol. It really gives a sense of perspective on just how huge you are.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Especially exaggerated because Marc Miller is really small.

[@bugeyewrex6138]

MIATA IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER* M.I.A.T.A.

[@designanddirection]

Great show - but it would be so much better to occasionally see some stats. 0-60 in a straight line. Etc etc etc.... PS - the wet weather = UK 6 months of the year. The presenter is being a bit of a wimp.

[@ohiodaysmedia]

great video, keep it up!

[@SuperHappyChef]

Damn, that V8 sounded incredible. Great video.

[@minnsminns]

Personally don't like them but I'd admit they're a good car if they've got some power. Problem is that most of the stock ones don't have any power.

[@FrameByFrameStudios]

That's why they are fun. Because they don't have power. Momentum cars.

[@ruskeee]

You can push a stock Miata to its limits on a twisty canyon road and have a blast. Try doing that in a powerful car and you'll fly off the road.

[@minnsminns]

I own a similar car that you can push to the limits of grip and speed and have a blast, so I know where you guys are coming from. It just seems a waste to have such great handling but lack power. Why not have both?

[@ruskeee]

minnsminns Step 1: Buy a used Miata Step 2: Upgrade suspension, brakes, tires Step 3: Install supercharger Now you have a ~2,500 lb. car with around 200 whp, good torque curve, and world-class handling, all for less than the price of a new Scion FR-S.

[@ruskeee]

IsoHD More power potential, yes. But superchargers provide more linear power delivery, which I think suits the car's character better. But it all depends on the purpose of your build, of course.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

The V8 sounds lazy

[@istolam94]

I think it sounds peppy

[@McFearless80]

super bumpy track. Nice video.

[@pcasso87]

Glad you made it out to H2R Matt. Wish i had my FR-S out there ;)

[@StarCoreSE]

This engine sound definately doesn't fit to the MX-5 imo. Sounds too much like a muscle car engine. It doesn't have the fineness of Japanese cars.

[@youtouchmeiyellrat]

well, murica

[@1300Rvideo]

Well no v8 is going to have a miata's personality

[@shadow7037932]

Well obviously, but I think most people would take the performance over the sound.

[@craca96]

are you talking about the v8 miata? because thats why its not a regular miata

[@chadm528]

These engines have a very unique sound, which is absolutely amazing especially if itb equipped. Im confused by your statement "fineness", when i think japenese engine the first thing that comes to mind is a loud straight six shooting flames and making ak47 noises (jz,rb) while badass im just not sure how that falls under fineness. With that said, this car can sound a lot better with differenr exhaust setup

[@olbear303]

LS engines boring!? Put a 427 in there and then tell me how boring it is.

[@gwot]

I'm pretty sure what he meant by "boring" is that it's overdone, there're so many of them that it's boring and nothing special. Not that it's an boring engine.

[@flush_entity]

Boring as in its been done way too many times. LS in everything now a days. Now VH45 are coming along, so is the 1UZ. All reliable V8s but again, everyone is going that route. "Boring" as to say, going with the trend.

[@JasonJacksonWright]

Touche Sir! Touche! :) Awesome review!!

[@stanleykinzinger]

the TIG welds on the strut mounts we're beautiful

[@PLxFTW]

Track day Bro. Bro, track day. Track day. Bro? Bro. Track day. Track day bro. 5 sets of tires bro. Yokohama bro. Sumitomo bro. Hoosier bro. Hoosiers. Got some Hoosiers for the track day. Bro. CONES. Left foot breaking bro. Roll bar bro. Bro?

[@frostybrew13]

your comment confuses me so much I have to ask what are you trying to say

[@zareff]

frostybrew13 I think it's some forum miata speak...

[@joshssauce]

zareff It's a Miata thing frostybrew13

[@12345JJBB]

what the fuck is that first song damnit

[@apollo305shade]

Lol

[@12345JJBB]

do you know it

[@mattsmith4322]

Somebody's gotta know... Come on now.

[@AbsolutelyPants]

Jake B Alone With People Around - Foretaste

[@12345JJBB]

AbsolutelyPants definitely not.

[@ketchup5344]

They are great cars, for driving, racing, cruising and if youre like me, virtually living in ❤

[@TheCivilizedAnimal]

omg Matt !! I LOVE THE HAIR HELMET !