We May Have Reached Peak Mazda MX-5 | 2024 ND3 RF

Did you need another reason to drive an ND Mazda MX-5? The 2024 "ND3" MX-5 gives you a few more, but is it too little, too late?
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The Last Circuit.

[@Saboda53]

Okay, the reason why the touchscreen is more dangerous is simple: touching the screen, you need to raise your arm up and over to the screen, where you then have to AIM your jiggling finger at a tiny point on the jiggling screen. Like it or not, this requires a bit of physical dexterity and, yes, brain power. Using the controller knob, you don’t have to aim your finger at anything. So, cognitively, it’s way less distracting, as less of your brain is involved in completing the task. (Added bonus: no filthy fingerprints.)

[@dlg5485]

Nonsense. It's just like ANY other task. The more you do it, the more muscle memory takes over and it just becomes second nature. The reason why most people hate the control wheel is because you still have to look at the screen to see where the 'cursor' is, so you may as well be able to touch select. In vehicle safety is subjective and it depends almost entirely on how responsible the driver is.

[@morstyrannis1951]

@@dlg5485 it’s not even vaguely comparable. With physical switches they’re always in the same spot. You can feel the switch and know you’re on the right control without looking. The switch is a large target you can find with, at most, a glance. In contrast a touchscreen screen is smooth and featureless. The icon you’re trying to touch will not always be in the same location. And there’s no way of knowing what icon you’re touching without looking. If you believe otherwise there are peer reviewed studies conducted with academic rigour. They found that operating Apple CarPlay, or the Android equivalent, caused as much driving impairment as 80mg% of alcohol - the legal limit in Canada.

[@DrewM91105]

@@dlg5485 Actually, no, not nonsense. Just like ANY other task, you get very used to (muscle memory, you know) reaching for the control wheel so it's second nature. And do I have news for you. Glancing at the screen with a quick look is a whole lot different than reaching for the screen with your arm reaching out (off the steering wheel and off the shift leaver) and your finger pointing. The latter takes a lot of focus, muscle control, and -- here it comes -- attention. All that attention while going fast down a road is a very bad idea when you could just reach down and turn a knob. Don't believe me? Glance at your computer screen. Take a lot of time and effort? Not at all. Now reach for your computer screen, and using one finger, touch the icon in the farthest right-hand upper corner. At 70 mph, or on a twisty road, which would be safer? That's right, glancing is much safer. Add a well-rehearsed knob turn before you glance, and it's so much safer to do it that way it's not funny. This seems so completely obvious, it's hard to believe anyone could not understand it.

[@tonyireland2234]

Don't get one then.What car do you have ?

[@dlg5485]

@@DrewM91105 Maybe you're just 'special'

[@inferno14u]

I'm 6'2 and driving is fine although I wouldn't be able to wear a helmet. The passenger side is unbearable.

[@dannyphamous]

Great review!

[@lynnlittle8671]

I bought a 2023 RF Club with the Brembo/Recaro/BBS package (manual transmission of course) a few months ago. I have ZREO regrets, I love my Miata. If they go EV or hybrid, the Miata is dead.

[@Slickpete83]

*we need the turbo engine from the Mazda 3 sport in the next mx5, that or LS3 swap kit hahahaha*

[@Saboda53]

Seriously?? No, you don’t. 0-60 in 6 seconds is plenty fast. 🙄

[@Slickpete83]

@Saboda53 *yes seriously, next question...*

[@fahmidnd2]

@@Slickpete83 Nah, I thought the same until i got one. Coming from a turbo car nothing beats the instant response from an high revving NA motor.

[@Slickpete83]

@fahmidnd2 *yes your right, but it would be cool to get Lotus type power to weight from a Mazda mx5*

[@dlg5485]

Absurd. That would be WAY too much power (and weight) for this car, which would ruin the intended character of this masterpiece.

[@fsfaludi]

So I’m retired, and as such you tend to gravitate toward creature comforts as you get “less young”. So I have a very comfortable Ford SUV hybrid. But I realized I sort of sleep-walked my way into this and am still just continuing to sleep-walk in my driving. Then I heard about the MX-5 which I somehow equated to more of a girlie car. To be honest I test drove the (girlie named) Miata when it first came out but at the time “my thing” was acceleration, so big surprise…I opted for a 4 year old C4 Corvette and for added fun it was a convertible. And I kept the car for over 30 years! It looked good and accelerated well and I only drive it when I could take the top down. Then somehow I noticed an MX-5 KZbin video come up and decided to play it. It basically immediately clicked in my mind that it was fun to drive and so I watched several more videos and it was universally praised as being fun. So I test drove a top of the line 2021 model, asked about the new (2024) ones…test drove it…and purchased one the same day. It was the base model but all that mattered was that it was a 6 speed manual and a convertible and there was enough about it I liked, especially not having to lay out thousands more for a fancier version. It had the essence of what I was looking for. So on a long road trip to Florida for example the SUV is perfect but now I’m just waiting for those nice weather days and go looking for some curvy hilly roads to enjoy a fun drive and life in my Miata.

[@d33pNacho]

I bought a '24 ND because I believe the crazy and nonsensical environmental laws will cause future models of the MX5 to loose their appeal and essence. A heavy / complex / full electric ND just doesn't make any sense and should never be built. If I was Mazda I'd rather go turbo with a small engine than electric. They also need to improve storage space inside the cabin and trunk! BTW I'm 6ft tall (184cm), fit perfectly inside with height to spare in the soft top. Bought the European equivalent to your GT trim and liked the wheels better in real life than on video. Last but not least: I've never driven such a special car, a car that truly is an experience to enjoy even at low speeds. As a car lover from an early age I've dreamt with owning a ND Miata since it was released, it being THE driver's car by definition (atmospheric, RWD, convertible, lightweight, yet usable on conventional roads and cheap to run). In my country it's quite uncommon to find mid-income citizens owning a second car and almost impossible to spot convertibles. Most people just buy domestic appliances with wheels in the form of boring and practical SUVs.

[@roliepoliecolie2200]

My wife drives her new exact spec as this one to work down the freeway. Yes indeed, you can definitely scoot outta people's way.

[@nicholasweber7523]

Would be a good daily. I have a 800hp 2019 sti built by metro performance SoCal if you’re ever in Cali again

[@Flying_Fetus]

Thank you for not calling it a Miata.

[@DrewM91105]

Huh? It is a Miata. Everyone calls it a Miata. But we aren't supposed to call it a Miata? What kind of alternate universe do you inhabit? Is this like what pronouns do you prefer? Ot is it like all the words you aren't allowed to use anymore 'cuz someone might get upset? It is, isn't it.

[@curtis4994]

it is a miata lol

[@FFFaHHHaDDD]

May I know when will Mazda announce 2025?

[@pickes]

Did you blur your speedometer?😅

[@tonyireland2234]

I swaped my 2021 RFfor an 2024 it was worth every penny.

[@Mx5pro]

I agree and approve of this review

[@TwilightLynk]

The entire point of an MX-5 is to be authentic. Fake gears on an EV are still fake. It would rip the soul out of the MX-5 and turn it into an abomination wearing the MX-5 badge.

[@14981fc]

I noticed you have a BC plate, you wouldn't happened to be the same guy couple weeks back following another ND3 accelerated spiritly through the farm lands towards Langley area huh? 😎

[@user-wf9cb5uv7g]

Imagine mx5 2.5 turbo AWD

[@braisedtoast9002]

Not to awd.

[@justinbennitt835]

Turbo engine in an MX-5 would ruin it. AWD in an MX-5 would ruin it.

[@80KG_Costco_Chicken]

The miata is still remaining a V8 or a turbo away from me, which is like a lightyear away🤣

[@FATmenDRIVEtrucks]

You're not a man until you boost a car yourself get to work or..... just pay someone the labor if you must

[@80KG_Costco_Chicken]

@@FATmenDRIVEtrucks 🤣🤣why should I take your opinion seriously? You sounds like typical guys that like to brag about being a DIY guy, yet only produce little to no results.

[@80KG_Costco_Chicken]

@@FATmenDRIVEtrucks 🤣🤣Why you think I will treat your opinion seriously?

[@80KG_Costco_Chicken]

@@FATmenDRIVEtrucks 🤣why do you think anyone will take your opinion seriously

[@user-yy9hk9od9u]

It needs more power.

[@Flying_Fetus]

It needs less mass.

[@DrewM91105]

Only 15 year old high school sophomores demand more horsepower. Drivers know it's light weight, responsiveness and good handling that matters.

[@tonyireland2234]

Drive one and tell me.

[@davidhunternyc1]

A hybrid would be good but keep the car light and keep the car simple and analog. Unfortunately, no manufacturer does this. Use the hybrid engine to drive the car only, not to create unnecessary complications that add weight and repair costs. No fake engine noises! Are you kidding? Also, I'm 6' tall and I was a passenger in the MX-5. I was miserable. I felt squeezed in like a sardine. In the age of CAD, why can't Mazda design a cabin for "taller" people? Finally, I hate the cheap plastic infotainment screen which distracts from viewing the real world. Mazda needs to integrate the infotainment screen in the dash. Make it small and nearly invisible.

[@falcodog2917]

All these "it needs more power " comments. My 430lb bike has more HP than this car and I've owed several other very powerful and ludicrously fast cars. I have never once thought "this car needs more power" when driving my ND.

[@indi.saga.]

Just LS swap it and call it a day💪

[@DeanBKK]

Nope. Straight line quickness and a unbalanced front end is over-rated. Mazda already perfected the cars dynamics as is.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

In Europe the 2024 MX-5 only gets the 1.5L 129 hp engine because the 2.0L is too dirty. Now how's THAT for an upgrade😂

[@dacmm]

That's not true. (Just checked the configurator to make sure.)

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@dacmm Eh then it's 2025 model year. The reviewers said sometime this year it will go away.

[@pickes]

@@imnotusingmyrealname4566no one knows what the 2025 model will be

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@pickes it's already set in stone the European model will only come with the 1.5L. The rest of the world will get both or only the 2.0L, just not Europe.

[@pickes]

@@imnotusingmyrealname4566can you share the source? Thanks!

[@wojiaobill]

holy shit this guy is jacked

[@AkiraSRT9]

I just can't with the way you say Mazda.

[@dftns19]

He can't help his Canadian-ness. Although I think I heard him say it properly later in the video, so maybe he can.

[@thefabulousmula]

Not until they make it look attractive and not dorky. Imagine how many they could sell.

[@AdAstra78]

The thing is, though, most people think this thing is a real looker. Sorry mate.

[@thefabulousmula]

@@AdAstra78 yeah just like most people don't buy this thing because it's a real "looker". Sorry mate

[@morstyrannis1951]

It's a shame Mazda has never figured out how to make the cockpit large enough for taller owners. I can't see why this couldn't be done and still maintain the attributes that have made the car so popular for so long.

[@sjh9812]

I'm 6'3" and fit okay in a ND I test drove in 2022. If you're walkin around at 6'6" I guess you'll have some real issues

[@Jeremyd3sa]

I mean.. the car is tiny, and there's only so much room. I imagine the cost of doing that vs. the % of population is super tall and wanting a Miata isn't worth it for them.

[@morstyrannis1951]

@@Jeremyd3sa AFAIK none of their other cars are built this tight. I’ve owned a few Japanese motorcycles that were clearly built with Japanese consumers in mind. For example, my 2008 Kawasaki Concours referred to an average rider as being 150 pounds. I don’t know a single adult male whose that light.

[@morstyrannis1951]

@@sjh9812 I test drove a 2019. I’m 6’1” 190 pounds and felt like I was doing a contortionist act to get behind the wheel. My 6’6” son could not get behind the wheel. On the passenger side he sat with his knees against the dash looking like an adult in a kid’s toy car. As always, YMMV.

[@Saboda53]

The average male (in America, at least), was 5’9” in 2020. So the car was designed to comfortably fit humans of average size, plus a little bit more. If you’re excessively tall or wide, sorry, but as they say, sometime’s life’s unfair.

[@mcleod_aka_doom1961]

EV no zoom zoom. Make sad

[@z32luvr]

S2K is better

[@tonyireland2234]

so is a Ferrari F40.

[@alexandergraham6912]

So is walking.