I have a 97 M Edition. I love it! My wife and I can go all day in it with no physical problems. I've done a few performance mods so keeping up with V8's on the highway is no problem either. Out on the back roads the V8's can not corner like the MX-5 does. If I put $20k into my 97 I'd have a supercar that would out perform and out run bigger heavier muscle cars.
He forgot to mention how the "roll bars" are only cosmetic (according to Mazda) which means if some drunk driver hits you and rolls over the car (it's so small & light it wouldn't take much to do this) you would either break your neck from the weight of the car coming down on you..or just lose your head. And don't think the "hard top" would protect you in a roll over..it's made of lightweight plastic.
Mazda doesn't care about your safety in this casket on wheels. Unlike BMW, MB, Audi, or VW.
My understanding is that the driver side roll bar can support 2.7 times the car's weight, and the passenger side roll bar supports two times the weight.
@winemkr I wish this was true, but I personally contacted Mazda and asked them if the roll bars were "real" and able to function as such, and they called me back after checking with their corporate headquarters and stated No, the roll bars were purely cosmetic and do not offer roll over protection.
Truly disgraceful a large car company like this wouldn't offer this protection, especially when you consider how aggressively these cars are driven. Thank goodness euro car makers offer it.
@TheNickko11 Are you 12 or a teenager to make such a stupid comment?
Do you think Mercedes Benz, BMW, Aston Martin, Lotus, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche put roll bars or pop-up roll bars on their convertible cars because the people who buy their cars are "girly" or "gay"?
Congratulations! You just let everyone know what an ignorant, uneducated idiot you are. =)
Mazda needs to work on their interiors. My 95' Miata has a two-tone full leather interior. New Miata interiors are just a sea of Tic-Tac plastics. Hopefully Mazda gets their act together with the 2013 model.
@ajeemama for overall day to day use, the miata would probably be better. From a performance standpoint, the camaro would probably be better. It is all up to your personal preferences
@RedAffinity I hear what your saying, it just really surprises me Mazda won't put proper roll bars in these cars. When you look at how much they charge for such a small and light car, they can easily afford to do it right. And when you look at the demographics of who buys these cars (young enthusiastic drivers), they really should have real roll bars in them. Glad your safe in yours and thanks for the info.
@RedAffinity UPDATE: I just received an email from Mazda and my local dealer was correct, the "roll bars" are ONLY cosmetic. Here is what they said: "I'm calling from Mazda Customer Assistance, and I just spoke with you regarding the 2012 MX 5. I did confirm internally here along with my supervisor as well, that the the roll bars are just cosmetic. Again this is cosmetic they do not serve a purpose in terms of safety protection. So, again, their cosmetic."
@RedAffinity Your information is going against what my local Mazda dealer told me, but for everyone who purchases this vehicle I certainly hope you are correct. I have emailed Mazda about this and called them as well, because I would like clarification on the subject. I knew there were bars underneath the plastic caps, but whether those bars are made to support the vehicle weight like a real roll bar is the issue. I will get back to you when I hear back from Mazda on this.
@RedAffinity The interior of the new Miata's are horrible. My 1995 Miata has a two-tone, full leather interior. Even if you opt for the leather seats in the new Miata, you still get a dashboard made of Tic-Tac boxes. That said, the Miata was never about luxuries (but a handsome interior is never a bad thing).
The "roll bars" on this car are only cosmetic..they won't protect you in a rollover. And the roof is entirely made of plastic..so again..no rollover protection.
The lack of roll bars alone prevent me from buying this car. I'm not sacrificing my safety for good looks..and there's a reason euro convertibles come with roll bars as standard safety equipment.
If you don't mind dying in a rollover..or having your head cut off..enjoy this ride.
@Nightbird I own a Miata and participate in clubsport events with my local Miata club. I've rolled it a total of zero times. You might want to consider driving school if rollovers are such a big issue for you.
@marshknute Rollovers are not an "issue" for anyone..they are an unexpected hazard that happens without planning. Just as air bags and ABS is now standard in cars..so should be roll bars in convertibles. This is why Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi & Volvo make them standard equipment -they wouldn't spend the money on them if they felt they weren't necessary.
I lost a dear friend in a Miata when he was hit by a drunk driver & the Miata rolled, crushing his head & snapping his neck. That's why I care.
"The shifter still has that great tight little feeling"
Is that really the best you could do to describe what is probably the best modern shifter?!?
Also, the MZR 2.0 engine is heavily modified from what you'll find in a 3, although technically, like you said it is the same basic engine architecture.
@ilovecats748 Yes and no: the 1989-1993 had the 1.6 engine. In '94, all American models received the 1.8 featured in this guy's Miata. Elsewhere in the world, customers could choose either the 1.6 or 1.8 engine. The current car is available with only the 2.0 in the US, while a 1.8 130 hp variant is available overseas.
freaking tard
msamjith85 4 days ago
Maybe it's just a sunglass holder?
besteli1 4 days ago
Fuck. I didn't know the roll bars weren't real... But were they ever functional? Did they say "x year had functional ones"?
r0y02 6 days ago
why does he think from 1997 to 2011 is 20 years??
TheBakerSkater1996 1 week ago
I have a 97 M Edition. I love it! My wife and I can go all day in it with no physical problems. I've done a few performance mods so keeping up with V8's on the highway is no problem either. Out on the back roads the V8's can not corner like the MX-5 does. If I put $20k into my 97 I'd have a supercar that would out perform and out run bigger heavier muscle cars.
lorendad 1 week ago
Comment removed
dkrol997 2 weeks ago
2:43 ...... really? that's where it is. coulda fooled me.
patsfan8012 3 weeks ago 7
Still prefer the looks of the MK2.5.
chrisc7503 3 weeks ago
He forgot to mention how the "roll bars" are only cosmetic (according to Mazda) which means if some drunk driver hits you and rolls over the car (it's so small & light it wouldn't take much to do this) you would either break your neck from the weight of the car coming down on you..or just lose your head. And don't think the "hard top" would protect you in a roll over..it's made of lightweight plastic.
Mazda doesn't care about your safety in this casket on wheels. Unlike BMW, MB, Audi, or VW.
Nightbird 1 month ago
@Nightbird
My understanding is that the driver side roll bar can support 2.7 times the car's weight, and the passenger side roll bar supports two times the weight.
winemkr 1 month ago
@winemkr I wish this was true, but I personally contacted Mazda and asked them if the roll bars were "real" and able to function as such, and they called me back after checking with their corporate headquarters and stated No, the roll bars were purely cosmetic and do not offer roll over protection.
Truly disgraceful a large car company like this wouldn't offer this protection, especially when you consider how aggressively these cars are driven. Thank goodness euro car makers offer it.
Nightbird 1 month ago
@Nightbird are you gay or some sort of girly man?
TheNickko11 1 month ago
@TheNickko11 Are you 12 or a teenager to make such a stupid comment?
Do you think Mercedes Benz, BMW, Aston Martin, Lotus, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche put roll bars or pop-up roll bars on their convertible cars because the people who buy their cars are "girly" or "gay"?
Congratulations! You just let everyone know what an ignorant, uneducated idiot you are. =)
Nightbird 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Nightbird are you gay or some sort of girly man?
TheNickko11 1 month ago
Mazda needs to work on their interiors. My 95' Miata has a two-tone full leather interior. New Miata interiors are just a sea of Tic-Tac plastics. Hopefully Mazda gets their act together with the 2013 model.
marshknute 1 month ago
Great, tight little feeling.
BraulioRy 2 months ago
that guy was being a jerk about the old car. if it was that bad no one would have bought it in the first place
axlplayer14 2 months ago
my dream
MartinSiry 2 months ago
which is better the chevrolet camaro or this
ajeemama 2 months ago
@ajeemama for overall day to day use, the miata would probably be better. From a performance standpoint, the camaro would probably be better. It is all up to your personal preferences
axlplayer14 2 months ago
@0:45
I didn't realize that 1997 was 20 years ago...
uRabbit 2 months ago 19
@uRabbit
he meant 20 years ago since the first Miata, which was the 1990 Miata
the 1997 Miata was the same model as the first 1990 Miata.
tychang8669 2 months ago
Comment removed
gamedog99 1 month ago
@uRabbit I was born in that year, that must must mean i'm 20!
BIG10717 2 weeks ago
Great review! Honest opinions and details others leave out.
TsuruCrane 2 months ago 3
Really solid review. One thing I'd say is to stop looking all over the place when talking to the camera. Otherwise, great job.
yeldm23 2 months ago
@RedAffinity I hear what your saying, it just really surprises me Mazda won't put proper roll bars in these cars. When you look at how much they charge for such a small and light car, they can easily afford to do it right. And when you look at the demographics of who buys these cars (young enthusiastic drivers), they really should have real roll bars in them. Glad your safe in yours and thanks for the info.
Stay safe!
Nightbird 3 months ago
@RedAffinity UPDATE: I just received an email from Mazda and my local dealer was correct, the "roll bars" are ONLY cosmetic. Here is what they said: "I'm calling from Mazda Customer Assistance, and I just spoke with you regarding the 2012 MX 5. I did confirm internally here along with my supervisor as well, that the the roll bars are just cosmetic. Again this is cosmetic they do not serve a purpose in terms of safety protection. So, again, their cosmetic."
Sad..Mazda should be ashamed of this.
Nightbird 3 months ago
@RedAffinity Your information is going against what my local Mazda dealer told me, but for everyone who purchases this vehicle I certainly hope you are correct. I have emailed Mazda about this and called them as well, because I would like clarification on the subject. I knew there were bars underneath the plastic caps, but whether those bars are made to support the vehicle weight like a real roll bar is the issue. I will get back to you when I hear back from Mazda on this.
Nightbird 3 months ago
@RedAffinity The interior of the new Miata's are horrible. My 1995 Miata has a two-tone, full leather interior. Even if you opt for the leather seats in the new Miata, you still get a dashboard made of Tic-Tac boxes. That said, the Miata was never about luxuries (but a handsome interior is never a bad thing).
marshknute 3 months ago
The "roll bars" on this car are only cosmetic..they won't protect you in a rollover. And the roof is entirely made of plastic..so again..no rollover protection.
The lack of roll bars alone prevent me from buying this car. I'm not sacrificing my safety for good looks..and there's a reason euro convertibles come with roll bars as standard safety equipment.
If you don't mind dying in a rollover..or having your head cut off..enjoy this ride.
Nightbird 3 months ago
@Nightbird I own a Miata and participate in clubsport events with my local Miata club. I've rolled it a total of zero times. You might want to consider driving school if rollovers are such a big issue for you.
marshknute 3 months ago
@marshknute Rollovers are not an "issue" for anyone..they are an unexpected hazard that happens without planning. Just as air bags and ABS is now standard in cars..so should be roll bars in convertibles. This is why Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi & Volvo make them standard equipment -they wouldn't spend the money on them if they felt they weren't necessary.
I lost a dear friend in a Miata when he was hit by a drunk driver & the Miata rolled, crushing his head & snapping his neck. That's why I care.
Nightbird 3 months ago
This is a car that's dying to be an ev.
Broker650Lee 4 months ago
this guy is good!
randomguy11011 4 months ago
"The shifter still has that great tight little feeling"
Is that really the best you could do to describe what is probably the best modern shifter?!?
Also, the MZR 2.0 engine is heavily modified from what you'll find in a 3, although technically, like you said it is the same basic engine architecture.
TheJabrother 4 months ago
@TheJabrother s2000 shifter is 10x better
rsxzx6r 4 months ago
I don't think it has electric power steering!!
TheJabrother 4 months ago
I think the "useless" cubby hole in the back is for your stash haha
boringlecture 5 months ago
haha that's exactly what its for@boringlecture
Backlashking8 3 months ago
The front of this car looks like the stay puft marshmallow man from Ghostbusters
gillmanjr87 5 months ago
I've owned a 1965 MG Midget, a 1960 MGA, and a 1970 mgb , i ALSO OWN A 2006 mx5 gt.
Mazda hit the nail on the head.
This car is the best 2 seater in the world.
I don't need no stinking out of the box wanna be MG's . I drive the natural progression of morgans garage .
That would be the Miata!
winemkr 5 months ago
And 20 years later, it still looks the same. I don't hate the car, but really, you don't think 20 years later it would look MUCH better?
ruinx23 5 months ago
Opening the roof... you don't select "one" of the two buttons on the dash, you select the right button. The left one closes the top.
HunterXray 5 months ago
he looks really cramped in the seat.
jsiszero 6 months ago
why they discontinue the s2k ! sob
great132 6 months ago
Ahhh i do love my honda s2000's engine :)
SooperKinky 7 months ago
I am 6 foot 2 and I could not fit in the 1997 miata so 2011 is probably the same!
josh1303 7 months ago
@josh1303 Actually, it's not the same. The 2011 is slightly larger, and has more headroom. 1997 was 14 years ago...
Don't be a stupid American - do some research.
sargeantmalakian 7 months ago
@sargeantmalakian
Fuck this car it might have more head room but I doubt it be comfortable for my height!
josh1303 7 months ago
@josh1303 They've actually made it larger than the one made back in the 90s. So try it out, you may have just the right amount of room in there.
redman6657 7 months ago
Comment removed
CaptainGSR 5 months ago
@josh1303 wrong, unless you're fat. lose weight and enjoy.
nicknickk 5 months ago
The first miatas were 1.6s...
ilovecats748 7 months ago
@ilovecats748 Yes and no: the 1989-1993 had the 1.6 engine. In '94, all American models received the 1.8 featured in this guy's Miata. Elsewhere in the world, customers could choose either the 1.6 or 1.8 engine. The current car is available with only the 2.0 in the US, while a 1.8 130 hp variant is available overseas.
marshknute 7 months ago
because the s2k exists..i will never buy this
ricebag 7 months ago
its just.. am to tall for it :(
saaaaaaaao 7 months ago
will be my 1st car .... if i ever got a degree
saaaaaaaao 7 months ago
Fair review
plazmixplazmix 7 months ago