I looked up an original 1970 road test for the Datsun 240 Z and it weighed 2,330 lb; exactly what the new Miata weighs. The 1970Z made 151 hp and 149 ft-lb of torque, with 0-60 times of 7.8 sec., and the original Z-car was considerably more tempermental than the Miata. Still, Car and Driver praised its virtues. With the Miata MX-5 things have progressed toward the better in the past 46 years.
I love MotorWeek. Love how they review cars, love the camera quality, love the test driving. The host and testers are both very knowledgeable and sum up the car quickly.
My Nam, I like MotorWeek, and while John Davis does a good job, I disagree on “an automatic transmission is available, but only if you must.” The only way I’d buy an MX-5 is with an automatic transmission, for I get sick of shifting gears, and my bride can’t reach the clutch. We will own one of these in the future, but an automatic transmission is required.
I'm actually slightly surprised that it "only" did 6.8 second 0-60 when it weighs less than 2,400# with RWD and almost 50/50 weight distribution. Even just 155hp I'd have though maybe it could squeeze out a 6.5 with modern tires and powertrain designs.
tryhardnoob, I disagree. I’ve worked in the auto business for over 23 years, and manual transmissions are in the minority. Over 70% of Americans drive automatic transmission vehicles, and I don’t blame them. Automatic transmissions are getting almost equivalent mileage, and the demand for manuals isn’t as high as it once was. “Stop and go” driving will wear out a clutch, and if you break your hand, arm, foot, or leg, you can’t drive. I have owned one manual transmission vehicle, and I don’t want another. My wife wants one, and she can’t reach the clutch; an automatic transmission is required in our car. Mazda was ignorant when the first didn’t offer an automatic transmission on the MX-5, for it drove away customers.
Their times were always slower than most mags. 5.9 is the best time I've seen for this car. That being said, Mazda nailed it. I just wish they opted for a small turbo I-4 with about 180HP.
mk2mister2 True. But we also have to check what simpler upgrades will start surfacing as soon as the car hits the streets, such as computer upgrades and such.
+ali zinati Good point. But I felt that they should have went with a smaller turbo 4 cylinder engine (like a 1.6L with 200HP similar to what is in the Veloster Turbo). The compression ratio of this 2.0L is so high, which leaves little margin for a forced induction upgrade. That notwithstanding, I read that the amount and width of the torque band is impressive and might be better than the 2.5, not to mention possible weight savings.
I mean, the 2.0 in the miata and the mazda 3 are different. Not in mechanical design, but engine tuning. They can just do the same with 2.5. That would make the miata have almost if not 200hp. Which is A LOT.
hi, i am afraid to get the automatic and lose the thrills of driving. i need to know the shifting speed in the automatic. is it laggy? is it reliable to play with shifting all the time? plz give us your experience/info.
+Elie Nehme I don´t want to be offending but why the f.... do you want a miata with an automatic gearbox??? That just goes completely against the whole point of the car.
+Eric Xavier i really dont know why some mags report thoose numbers. even 6.8 seconds are quite quick for the power to weight ratio and even a bit faster than mazda´s officials figures. it wont do 5.8 to 60. definitiely not.
I drove the club addition today. I wont be buying. There is no real steering feel, its too light and the steering wheel is too skinny; just as this review states.
Ray Cheng It is not be the fastest car out there and yes it is slow but an 15s car can get into 3 digits speeds without a sweat. It is sufficient power for its weight and that's all you really need. Not every car need 500-600hp to be fun. Faster cars will get you into trouble quicker in the city.
I wonder if the automatic would be faster than a manual, since both have 6 gears. It happened to the Mazda6, when Motor Trend tested the manual and automatic versions. The automatic was faster for 0-60 in 7.4 seconds compared to the manual's 7.7 seconds.
I love it! Glad it's still rear wheel drive, too. Did NOT like hearing "an automatic transmission is available, but only if you must." I get sick of shifting gears after a while, and I will not buy one WITHOUT an automatic transmission; you can shift it manually with the automatic, and my wife can't reach the clutch. Yes, it's a sports car, but some folks like me want to take a "less active style of driving." If you break an arm, hand, leg, or foot, you can't drive a manual transmission.
A lightweight 1.8 T engine making 240 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque would make this car so much more fun to drive... all the while it would get good gas mileage..Also, those LED DRLS look so dated.. C'mon Mazda.
But the skill of the driver is what make the car go fast and win races right? Hence speed. BTW, I think what you are trying to say is racing isn't always about HORSEPOWERS. The Miata is the most raced car in the world because it's very capable little care that is extremely balanced and tossable. But it never hurt to have a little more horses.
Marcus Hui Well, that really depends. Up the hp and you will have other parts not able to keep up (i.e. brakes) or pass into the production line. And of course--Cost. With just force induction alone, prices can jump several thousand. And If you want to get into the band wagon of Miata upgrades, you're probably well over 40k after all expenses. At that price, other car options open up, a lot. I think Miata is fine the way it is. Keep cost affordable for a relatively fun sport car. It is a MIATA after all.
LOL!!!! Have you driven a slingshot? Have you driven an MX5 ND? I've owned a Slingshot SLR, a Spyder F3 Limited and now a Miata Mx5 ND Club with the "Sport Package" (Brembos, 17" BBS wheels, Recaro seats etc...) Yes, the Slingshot is a completely different animal but to compare it with the MX5? Seriously????? Come on man, you must be joking!
Love the new looks but this car is grossly underpowered for the money . They need to add about 50 hp a tunable suspension with a stiffer option to get rid of the body roll and get rid of that stupid screen sticking up out of the dash
I'm guessing you missed the part about it starting under $26,000...and since when is the fr-s practical? Have you seen how small those things they call a backseat in that car are? Granted it does have more storage space, but practical....barely
The BRZ/FRS is good if you want something a bit bigger and don't want a convertible. But it's not that much more practical than a Miata as the back seats really are useless. Believe me, I checked. Lol.
+Buck Futter they tested the miata nd against the brz and the miata actually had a faster quarter mile and lap time.... so the miata is actually better
Hell I just bought my 26000 miles S2K (2007) for 21000 now that a way better deal lol. And I agree I would def choose a brz over this, probably not a bad car but way overpriced
I just voted negative. Not for the car, just for the review. The footage was great but, it's not a road test. The presenter doesn't even drive it, and it looks just like a cheap tv commercial You can do it better.
Авто/Мото
I'm amazed by the low curb weight, especially for a modern car.
XenomorphLV426 It weighs less than my 99 miata and has bigger everything, and more electronics.
no glovebox
It’s between the seats, more space than most traditional glove boxes
@@bobreno4042 but a pain in the ass to get to. 😂
Automotive purity. So rare in the modern era.
Yes, it is rare to have a car that sucks so bad at cornering and acceleration that it came in 184th place in C&D's lighting lap tests 😂
@@TasteMyStinkholeAndLikeIt you must be a Troll
@@hondamanvtec2894
You must be an ignorant fool and never seen C&D's lightning lap tests.
@@TasteMyStinkholeAndLikeIt Autism Speaks.
I like it. Mazda is keeping it real
I looked up an original 1970 road test for the Datsun 240 Z and it weighed 2,330 lb; exactly what the new Miata weighs. The 1970Z made 151 hp and 149 ft-lb of torque, with 0-60 times of 7.8 sec., and the original Z-car was considerably more tempermental than the Miata. Still, Car and Driver praised its virtues. With the Miata MX-5 things have progressed toward the better in the past 46 years.
I love MotorWeek. Love how they review cars, love the camera quality, love the test driving. The host and testers are both very knowledgeable and sum up the car quickly.
My Nam, I like MotorWeek, and while John Davis does a good job, I disagree on “an automatic transmission is available, but only if you must.” The only way I’d buy an MX-5 is with an automatic transmission, for I get sick of shifting gears, and my bride can’t reach the clutch. We will own one of these in the future, but an automatic transmission is required.
If nobody else is gonna say it John Davis aged pretty well. Also this is one of the last pure drivers cars out there
The looks have really grown on me. Neat little car.
Mazda Miata is the best and the most fun car for the buck
best car ever made or will ever be made
Great to see they've gone back to the culture of the first generation in this edition.
Motorweek... the track looks like it has been super neglected! What's going on?!?!
TJC450 first thing I noticed about it too lol, cut the grass growing from the cracks at least haha
Hi,
Is it possible to add a hard top on the new miata.
Is the soft top good for all seasons?
This Miata looks like mini jaguar f type
And handles like a dollar store shopping cart.
TasteMyStinkhole what?
I’ve had mine a year and love it!
Do you still have it?
this dude still alive.
NICE HELMET BEN!!!!!
I love it!
Can someone explain to me why Mazda is still using the old fashioned antenna rod?
xulisvoosmuas and still has the same rubber door bushings as the 1st gen miata
Fixed Hard Top BRZ/FRS fighter please
Oh my God this guys been hosting this what, 50 years?
One of Mazdas best cars ever
I'm actually slightly surprised that it "only" did 6.8 second 0-60 when it weighs less than 2,400# with RWD and almost 50/50 weight distribution. Even just 155hp I'd have though maybe it could squeeze out a 6.5 with modern tires and powertrain designs.
I'd love to have one..
I like it, but holy body roll in that slalom!
But I still can't find one at my dealer :(
0:15 bruh John Davis be morphin
It should be illegal to buy an automatic miata.
tryhardnoob what if you have a disability?
We retirees with bad knees like sports cars too
The mazda 6 speed is soo good though. I didn't believe it till I tried it.
tryhardnoob, I disagree. I’ve worked in the auto business for over 23 years, and manual transmissions are in the minority. Over 70% of Americans drive automatic transmission vehicles, and I don’t blame them. Automatic transmissions are getting almost equivalent mileage, and the demand for manuals isn’t as high as it once was. “Stop and go” driving will wear out a clutch, and if you break your hand, arm, foot, or leg, you can’t drive. I have owned one manual transmission vehicle, and I don’t want another. My wife wants one, and she can’t reach the clutch; an automatic transmission is required in our car. Mazda was ignorant when the first didn’t offer an automatic transmission on the MX-5, for it drove away customers.
@carwrtr1 sports cars are meant to have manual transmission not auto. If you want auto get a sedan not a sports car
Why does this channel get a full second slower 0 to 60 times than everybody else?
Their times were always slower than most mags. 5.9 is the best time I've seen for this car. That being said, Mazda nailed it. I just wish they opted for a small turbo I-4 with about 180HP.
mk2mister2 True. But we also have to check what simpler upgrades will start surfacing as soon as the car hits the streets, such as computer upgrades and such.
mk2mister2 Or just put the 2.5 skyactiv in the car.
+ali zinati Good point. But I felt that they should have went with a smaller turbo 4 cylinder engine (like a 1.6L with 200HP similar to what is in the Veloster Turbo). The compression ratio of this 2.0L is so high, which leaves little margin for a forced induction upgrade. That notwithstanding, I read that the amount and width of the torque band is impressive and might be better than the 2.5, not to mention possible weight savings.
I mean, the 2.0 in the miata and the mazda 3 are different. Not in mechanical design, but engine tuning. They can just do the same with 2.5. That would make the miata have almost if not 200hp. Which is A LOT.
this is using 4 lug nuts instead of NC using 5 nuts, weight loss!!!!!
I thought the brz was anaemic. This would be really quick with about 220hp
hi, i am afraid to get the automatic and lose the thrills of driving. i need to know the shifting speed in the automatic. is it laggy? is it reliable to play with shifting all the time? plz give us your experience/info.
+Elie Nehme I don´t want to be offending but why the f.... do you want a miata with an automatic gearbox??? That just goes completely against the whole point of the car.
Keine Namen for terrible traffic jams
Just go test drive the automatic. Don't listen to any body that says 'you have to drive the manual' The only important thing is if you like it or not.
hanshen wang thks :)
I got this with the auto, love it! :)
So how do we stow away that tumor of a screen?
the legend returns. Please fund the rotary.... Please. Take mattresses full of cash and create the rx-7 allover again.
Can this car be your first stick shift car?
maniac32145 Yep. Really easy to drive
Summer feeling 2 016 now I go to my Mazda dealer !.....Yes we can one Live only ...
I'm trying to sell my first gen MX-5 for a down payment on one of these, the Sport trim for $25k
Did you get one?
The 2019 is much more revised with more power
The angle of DRL sucks.
Mazda advertised 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds. This driver is almost a full second slower.
ProjectM97 lol pfft fuck off that's too quick more like 7sec in real world driving
15.4s for the quarter mile ET is pretty bad. It suppose to get 14.5s by other reviewers.
I'd drive that...
TheSuperMotoHooligan Me too and I'm normally an American only person just something about it seems kinda cool.
Does this guy talk to his wife with that voice?
6.8 to 60. Talk about making good use of power to weight ratio. I'm sold with this car but would rather buy a used NC PRHT.
JOHN ERROL VILLAMOR Real number is 5.8. Look it up anywhere else.
+Eric Xavier i really dont know why some mags report thoose numbers. even 6.8 seconds are quite quick for the power to weight ratio and even a bit faster than mazda´s officials figures. it wont do 5.8 to 60. definitiely not.
Holy body role Batman!
Wow that thing is slow! Looks alright though. I guess most people don't buy this car for it's straight line performance.
Duh.
Beautiful car, but I’ll stick with my hard top convertible 2013 NC+ Silver Eagle……….
Taillights look a bit too close together
I drove the club addition today. I wont be buying. There is no real steering feel, its too light and the steering wheel is too skinny; just as this review states.
Should of put the 2.5 liter engine instead, 6.8 seconds 0 to 60 is too dam slow for a car of this weight.
Ray Cheng It's pretty good for 155 hp.
Ray Cheng It is not be the fastest car out there and yes it is slow but an 15s car can get into 3 digits speeds without a sweat. It is sufficient power for its weight and that's all you really need. Not every car need 500-600hp to be fun. Faster cars will get you into trouble quicker in the city.
I wonder if the automatic would be faster than a manual, since both have 6 gears. It happened to the Mazda6, when Motor Trend tested the manual and automatic versions. The automatic was faster for 0-60 in 7.4 seconds compared to the manual's 7.7 seconds.
Tim Joseph most likely. Modern automatics shift faster now as compared to a decade ago.
Red Cyclone's Fury lol 500-600hp? I think your forgetting that subaru gets 200 out of a 2.0
I love it! Glad it's still rear wheel drive, too. Did NOT like hearing "an automatic transmission is available, but only if you must." I get sick of shifting gears after a while, and I will not buy one WITHOUT an automatic transmission; you can shift it manually with the automatic, and my wife can't reach the clutch. Yes, it's a sports car, but some folks like me want to take a "less active style of driving." If you break an arm, hand, leg, or foot, you can't drive a manual transmission.
Sounds like you’re the audience Jon was referring too. Nothing wrong with an automatic transmission. I’d just never buy a Miata with one.
So it has a 2.0L with 155hp.. wile subaru gets 200 out of a 2.0 in the frs.. Wich is also faster despite weighing 400 more lbs.
everything just fine but it needs more hp about 250 will be just great
Elvedin Osmancevic No.
why not 100 hp more will be enough
The car already was on its traction limit during the acceleration test. The tires are not wide enough for more power at lower speeds
Needs a supercharger and you're right... Way to steep price wise
Nice review, great action shots and overview. .."Yeshua / Jesus is the way "
simpan
lol that face... at least you can't see it from behind the wheel
A lightweight 1.8 T engine making 240 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque would make this car so much more fun to drive... all the while it would get good gas mileage..Also, those LED DRLS look so dated.. C'mon Mazda.
Come on Mazda !!!!!, Turbo that shit , 0 to 60 in 6.8 just ain't gonna cut it now a days
Slickpete83 Wanna drive fast? Buy Porsche. MX-5 is not about speed.
GURken If it's not about speed then why is it the most race car in the world? Cause it's cute?
Marcus Hui Racing isn't always about sheer speed, but the skill of the drivers. Hell, Japan has a series that races 35-hp Daihatsu Midgets.
But the skill of the driver is what make the car go fast and win races right?
Hence speed.
BTW, I think what you are trying to say is racing isn't always about HORSEPOWERS. The Miata is the most raced car in the world because it's very capable little care that is extremely balanced and tossable. But it never hurt to have a little more horses.
Marcus Hui Well, that really depends. Up the hp and you will have other parts not able to keep up (i.e. brakes) or pass into the production line. And of course--Cost. With just force induction alone, prices can jump several thousand. And If you want to get into the band wagon of Miata upgrades, you're probably well over 40k after all expenses. At that price, other car options open up, a lot.
I think Miata is fine the way it is. Keep cost affordable for a relatively fun sport car. It is a MIATA after all.
Polaris slingshot...
LOL!!!! Have you driven a slingshot? Have you driven an MX5 ND?
I've owned a Slingshot SLR, a Spyder F3 Limited and now a Miata Mx5 ND Club with the "Sport Package" (Brembos, 17" BBS wheels, Recaro seats etc...)
Yes, the Slingshot is a completely different animal but to compare it with the MX5? Seriously????? Come on man, you must be joking!
Weak engine as usual.
that thing has fucking brembo brakes?! im assuming theyre like the wal-mart versions of brand-name samsung tv's.
Dummy.
the FIAT 124 looks nicer!
The FIAT turbo engine and prev gen mazda gearbox make for a more reliable car.
Love the new looks but this car is grossly underpowered for the money . They need to add about 50 hp a tunable suspension with a stiffer option to get rid of the body roll and get rid of that stupid screen sticking up out of the dash
dash top I-pad like after thought ....Mercedes POS imitation
$30,000 for a 150hp car with limited practicality... FR-S/BRZ is a better deal.
What is the weight ratio on the FRS and BRZ though?
I'm guessing you missed the part about it starting under $26,000...and since when is the fr-s practical? Have you seen how small those things they call a backseat in that car are? Granted it does have more storage space, but practical....barely
The BRZ/FRS is good if you want something a bit bigger and don't want a convertible. But it's not that much more practical than a Miata as the back seats really are useless. Believe me, I checked. Lol.
+Buck Futter they tested the miata nd against the brz and the miata actually had a faster quarter mile and lap time....
so the miata is actually better
Hell I just bought my 26000 miles S2K (2007) for 21000 now that a way better deal lol. And I agree I would def choose a brz over this, probably not a bad car but way overpriced
I just voted negative. Not for the car, just for the review. The footage was great but, it's not a road test. The presenter doesn't even drive it, and it looks just like a cheap tv commercial You can do it better.
Ugly dark red color that are on sleepy sedans instead of a cherry red sports car.
Is uglier than the previous model.
Fiat better and cheaper
Really? I can get a well equipped EcoBoost Mustang for that price and it would shit on this.