2019 Mazda MX-5 The Practical Roadster
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
Lok-Man Chiu
Great review. I have the 2017 MX-5 RF and dont regret it one bit. Ive always liked convertibles but never enjoyed the thought of soft-top maintenance. The NC Miata had a PRHT, but I didnt dig the bubbly looks of older generations of the Miata. So when the RF was debut for the 2017 model year I couldnt pass it up (wife loves it too)Its really a very well balanced vehicle. I enjoy it everyday as a daily driver, make excuses to run errands just so I can drive it more, has instant steering feel, gets 34. 5 MPG real driving (I do not autocross or go to the track but still have some spirited driving. The RF Club is relatively stiff, but still bearable on smaller road trips, and the MX-5s relatively small trunk space forces us to pack only what we need. One aspect highly considered for most when deciding between Club or GT (at least for RF models only, is the available Brembo/BBS package. This package was only available for the Club version (back in 2017-2018 RFs, not sure about 2019. Part of the package is the Aero Kit that makes the look of the ND MX-5 look aggressive, has 4 pieces: front splitter, 2x side skirts, rear diffuser, and the lip spoiler. Each component costs about 500 with the lip spoiler at about 300, and the Club comes standard with 2 of the 4 components (front splitter and lip spoiler, while the GT comes with none of these. Ive seen some GT owners wanting the aggressive look but that requires them to dish out an additional 2, 000 or so for the entire package to get it installed afterwards. I know to some 2, 000 extra might not be much more after spending over 30, 000 on the vehicle itself, but thats one factor that made me opt for the Club even though I dont plan to autocross/track. For those considering, do NOT get the automatic if you can help it.
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Great review. I have the 2017 MX-5 RF and dont regret it one bit. Ive always liked convertibles but never enjoyed the thought of soft-top maintenance. The NC Miata had a PRHT, but I didnt dig the bubbly looks of older generations of the Miata. So when the RF was debut for the 2017 model year I couldnt pass it up (wife loves it too)Its really a very well balanced vehicle. I enjoy it everyday as a daily driver, make excuses to run errands just so I can drive it more, has instant steering feel, gets 34. 5 MPG real driving (I do not autocross or go to the track but still have some spirited driving. The RF Club is relatively stiff, but still bearable on smaller road trips, and the MX-5s relatively small trunk space forces us to pack only what we need. One aspect highly considered for most when deciding between Club or GT (at least for RF models only, is the available Brembo/BBS package. This package was only available for the Club version (back in 2017-2018 RFs, not sure about 2019. Part of the package is the Aero Kit that makes the look of the ND MX-5 look aggressive, has 4 pieces: front splitter, 2x side skirts, rear diffuser, and the lip spoiler. Each component costs about 500 with the lip spoiler at about 300, and the Club comes standard with 2 of the 4 components (front splitter and lip spoiler, while the GT comes with none of these. Ive seen some GT owners wanting the aggressive look but that requires them to dish out an additional 2, 000 or so for the entire package to get it installed afterwards. I know to some 2, 000 extra might not be much more after spending over 30, 000 on the vehicle itself, but thats one factor that made me opt for the Club even though I dont plan to autocross/track. For those considering, do NOT get the automatic if you can help it.
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Stephen Hendricks
Ive made a number of critical comments about Mazdas vehicles, especially their SUVs. So let me say that if the company produced nothing but inferior vehicles (and they certainly dont) other than the Miata, Id still pull for them. There are lots of good cars these days but few iconic vehicles and the MX-5 is one of them. It doesnt need more power with a turbocharger. It doesnt need AWD. It comes as close to a true classic sports car as anything on the road. Kudos to Mazda for holding fast to its mission. As far as transmission choices are concerned, like Alex I often disparage the obsession with MTs. In this case, though, an AT is a sin. Simple as that. Unless youre missing a left leg, get the MT. And stop drinking in your car. Thats not what its for. Now if they could just figure out a way to add a glove compartment where it belongs. I cross-shopped the MX-5 last summer. Though I loved driving it, I have a wife, a daughter, and a big dog. I really like to take at least two of them with me when I go somewhere. That led me to replace my MK6 GTI with the MK7. 5. I love it but every time I see a Miata, especially the newest generation, I get a little misty eyed.
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Ive made a number of critical comments about Mazdas vehicles, especially their SUVs. So let me say that if the company produced nothing but inferior vehicles (and they certainly dont) other than the Miata, Id still pull for them. There are lots of good cars these days but few iconic vehicles and the MX-5 is one of them. It doesnt need more power with a turbocharger. It doesnt need AWD. It comes as close to a true classic sports car as anything on the road. Kudos to Mazda for holding fast to its mission. As far as transmission choices are concerned, like Alex I often disparage the obsession with MTs. In this case, though, an AT is a sin. Simple as that. Unless youre missing a left leg, get the MT. And stop drinking in your car. Thats not what its for. Now if they could just figure out a way to add a glove compartment where it belongs. I cross-shopped the MX-5 last summer. Though I loved driving it, I have a wife, a daughter, and a big dog. I really like to take at least two of them with me when I go somewhere. That led me to replace my MK6 GTI with the MK7. 5. I love it but every time I see a Miata, especially the newest generation, I get a little misty eyed.
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Dan Cornelius
i have a 2017 club RF. its an awesome daily driver, as long as youre single and dont need to haul any big stuff on a regular basis. i dont find the club suspension too stiff. its comfortable on long interstate drives, and bumps arent that jarring, but it is slightly reminiscent of a go-cart, which just makes the car feel alive. as for the rear visibility, i have no problems, even without the backup camera. the rearview mirrors need to be adjusted properly, of course, and with a reasonably flexible neck, aided by the lane watch nanny, theres no issue. i was hoping youd compare the old 2016-2018 engine with the 2019. i know the 2019 revs and pulls to 7500, where the original enginestarts to drop off at about 6000 and redlines at 6800. the power charts ive seen show that the engines are almost identical up to 6k. do they feel similar up to that point?
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i have a 2017 club RF. its an awesome daily driver, as long as youre single and dont need to haul any big stuff on a regular basis. i dont find the club suspension too stiff. its comfortable on long interstate drives, and bumps arent that jarring, but it is slightly reminiscent of a go-cart, which just makes the car feel alive. as for the rear visibility, i have no problems, even without the backup camera. the rearview mirrors need to be adjusted properly, of course, and with a reasonably flexible neck, aided by the lane watch nanny, theres no issue. i was hoping youd compare the old 2016-2018 engine with the 2019. i know the 2019 revs and pulls to 7500, where the original enginestarts to drop off at about 6000 and redlines at 6800. the power charts ive seen show that the engines are almost identical up to 6k. do they feel similar up to that point?
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Isaac Rodman
No way, get the convertible Club trim and then upgrade the springs and sway bars through Flyin Miata out of Colorado. The Club trim also has a limited slip differential, and if that isnt a priority for you then you arent seriously looking at this as an inexpensive sports car and rather- just a cute open-air toy. The Bose 9 speaker stereo on the Club and higher is also quite respectible; dont cheap out and get the base Sport trim. Also, make sure to replace the tires with something decent immediately; the stock tires are not able to show off what this car can do. You can now upgrade to Android Auto (and I believe also Apple CarPlay) via a dealer upgrade, to make sure You check with your old dealer for this if you need it.
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No way, get the convertible Club trim and then upgrade the springs and sway bars through Flyin Miata out of Colorado. The Club trim also has a limited slip differential, and if that isnt a priority for you then you arent seriously looking at this as an inexpensive sports car and rather- just a cute open-air toy. The Bose 9 speaker stereo on the Club and higher is also quite respectible; dont cheap out and get the base Sport trim. Also, make sure to replace the tires with something decent immediately; the stock tires are not able to show off what this car can do. You can now upgrade to Android Auto (and I believe also Apple CarPlay) via a dealer upgrade, to make sure You check with your old dealer for this if you need it.
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Matt Clark
Word of warning to anyone who buys an automatic MX-5: unlike basically any other car on the market, automatic Miatas hold their value WAY WAY worse than manuals, and they take forever to sell even at much lower prices. Practically nobody wants to buy a used automatic Miata. (Frankly, I cant comprehend why anyone would buy a new automatic Miata) Buying the automatic will cost you many thousands of dollars in lost value in the long run.
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Word of warning to anyone who buys an automatic MX-5: unlike basically any other car on the market, automatic Miatas hold their value WAY WAY worse than manuals, and they take forever to sell even at much lower prices. Practically nobody wants to buy a used automatic Miata. (Frankly, I cant comprehend why anyone would buy a new automatic Miata) Buying the automatic will cost you many thousands of dollars in lost value in the long run.
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Con Verdis
Love your reviews Alex plenty of details and information just the facts. We live down in Australia i have owned the 1. 5 GT 2015 ND MX5 Soul Red and my wife owns a 2017 RF in machine grey. Both are manual and although not the fastest cars in a straight line they are both sensational to drive and of course as soon as you find your favourite piece of road with plenty of bends in the smile on your face is from ear to ear.
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Love your reviews Alex plenty of details and information just the facts. We live down in Australia i have owned the 1. 5 GT 2015 ND MX5 Soul Red and my wife owns a 2017 RF in machine grey. Both are manual and although not the fastest cars in a straight line they are both sensational to drive and of course as soon as you find your favourite piece of road with plenty of bends in the smile on your face is from ear to ear.
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Matt Clark
Alex, I have watched you for years and always appreciate your reviews, but one thing thats always bugged me is how you equate handling to outright grip. Grip is total roadholding in a lateral sense. Handling is the dynamic response of the car in steady-state and transient conditions. This MX-5 has less grip than many Camaros and Mustangs, most likely, but theres no way in heck it handles worse.
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Alex, I have watched you for years and always appreciate your reviews, but one thing thats always bugged me is how you equate handling to outright grip. Grip is total roadholding in a lateral sense. Handling is the dynamic response of the car in steady-state and transient conditions. This MX-5 has less grip than many Camaros and Mustangs, most likely, but theres no way in heck it handles worse.
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geoff hemingway
As far as competition goes, its very simple - there isnt any The mx5 is in a field of one, there just isnt anything else you can buy and why would you? It is near perfect. I have an nc model which I prefer to the nd and I love it - it is my daily driver and I cover 16 K miles per year in it. I drive it through all seasons and I wouldnt swap it for anything. As we day in the UK - nuff said
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As far as competition goes, its very simple - there isnt any The mx5 is in a field of one, there just isnt anything else you can buy and why would you? It is near perfect. I have an nc model which I prefer to the nd and I love it - it is my daily driver and I cover 16 K miles per year in it. I drive it through all seasons and I wouldnt swap it for anything. As we day in the UK - nuff said
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daniel benitez
Unrelated car request: when you do the child seat reviews of other cars please begin to include how rear facing child seats in the middle position fare. The rear middle is the safest seat in car. Im surprised how little attention you give to that fact. I understand most parents place in out rear seats, but many of us would like to know how the middle rear seat fares in your reviews. Thanks
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Unrelated car request: when you do the child seat reviews of other cars please begin to include how rear facing child seats in the middle position fare. The rear middle is the safest seat in car. Im surprised how little attention you give to that fact. I understand most parents place in out rear seats, but many of us would like to know how the middle rear seat fares in your reviews. Thanks
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Stan Mons
Alex, since you had the automatic this time I wouldve loved a more thorough description of how the auto performed/or not, on those nice curvy roads. How did those paddle shifters do? Did they hold gears properly in spirited driving? Ive been considering the MX5 and most likely would chose the manual, but have also been wondering about how the auto performs.
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Alex, since you had the automatic this time I wouldve loved a more thorough description of how the auto performed/or not, on those nice curvy roads. How did those paddle shifters do? Did they hold gears properly in spirited driving? Ive been considering the MX5 and most likely would chose the manual, but have also been wondering about how the auto performs.
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