The MX-5 is a "driver’s car" and it’s better to experience it as a manual! An automatic feels wrong on a MX-5. Unfortunately some people can’t drive a manual, so an automatic is a good alternative in this case.

I'm sold. Hahaha

So I've heard. Great knowing this since miatas tend to live in a family for quite a while.

Hello, I just purchased a brand new red 2024 mx5 rf gt automatic as well. I would like to ask if you have any regrets so far? I’ve been trying not no regret not getting the manual club, also if no regrets, do you use it for daily driving?

As a fellow ND2 owner, it’s a very close 2nd best. Of course, you mentioned “of any car you’ve driven”, so try to get behind the wheel of an S2000 and you’ll see what I mean.

Why are there so many complaints about the gearbox being too notchy when the oil is still cold? What's the deal?

​​​​@@aerotus888a lot of second hand miatas will have had transmission services by now and who knows what oil is in them For whatever reason the ND gearbox is very particular about gear oil viscosity in cold ambient temperatures. I have a hunch stock mazda gear oil is a 75w80 or 75w85 but this isn't published anywhere, the manual just states if mazda oil isn't available use 75w90 but cold shifting will be effected. If you put in a heavy 75w90 it will be notchy especially first to second until the oil has heat in it. I always thought all 75w90 oils were the same, but if you look at different brands product data sheets you'll see potentially huge differences in cold temperature viscosities. One brands 75w90 can be nearly impossible to select second gear on the first shift on a cold winter morning whilst another will be a bit notchy but fine. If you have a gear oil like Motorcraft xt m5 Qs oil with friction modifiers it behaves more like a 75w85 at cold temps and will shift smoothly in the cold but have similar high temp viscosity as a 75w90 Once the oil is warmed up though it's very good. It has a very mechanical feel. Some people like it though and some don't. If you want a more smooth shift you need lighter gear oil and a heavier gear knob

@@Jake-im2lv Thanks I mean it's normal for a gearbox to feel worse when cold but is the issue just a minor gripe? If so I'm not worried but if it takes ages to warm up and people have difficulty changing gears that's a problem!

I’m 70 soon and have had nd MX5for 6 years manual of purse so much fun

Nice spec! Why the extended paddles? I didn't find any issue with the stock ones.

@@BrianMakse Its just easier to change gears with the extended paddles - they sit a little closer to the back of the wheel and wrap around a bit more making it easier to trigger them with a finger when you are turning. They look cool too!

There isn't much to say about it. It's subtle, not transformational.

@@BrianMakseTotally incorrect, it shifts quicker and makes it quicker to drive in sport mode. It is much more important to know all the cars features before you review it than to blab on and on with word salad to extend the video. Talking about how much better the manual is without even using the sport mode on the automatic is a big mistake. Also all new automatics get better gas mileage than the manual transmission’s.

Yeah I agree, i love the sport mode in my ND it is a huge difference over not using sport mode and the fact Brian says "its subtle" shows his bias. I did Back of the Dragon in sport mode then in manual shift mode. Much preferred sport mode, let me do more aggressive steering

@@Notfiveo0 Indeed, huge difference in sport mode.

How is the maintenance ? Is it reasonable or will it burn a hole on the wallet?

@@CloudyMischief it’s reasonable not bad at all

Great questions and lots to unpack, and much specific to the MX-5. This auto is not faster than a human for a couple of key reasons. 1, it uses a simple torque converter, technology not know for rapid gear changes. 2, the final drive and gear ratios are totally different than the manual. The manual is easier to launch quicker in this car because once the clutch is engaged, there is no play in the driveline, unlike a torque converter which adjusts hydraulically. Also, you can start a manual more aggressively with a slight amount of wheelspin to 1) get the engine to a more optimal range of RPM and 2) get maximum traction (a slightly spinning tire is a faster tire, which is another story for another day). There's no 'sport mode' that makes any car quicker. In the MX-5, it simply changes the auto's shift algorithm so that it shifts at higher RPM. Other cars have different 'sport modes' that change throttle response and transmission shift times. What the manual delivers is the precise engagement of the clutch from the driver. The driver doesn't have any control over the torque converter, which is only reacting to the algorithm instructing it to do its sloppy job while the transmission changes gears. Yes, you can shift a conventional manual without a clutch, except for starting, but it's definitely not quicker unless you're willing to abuse the synchronizers and gears in the transmission. Yes, there are some cars that offer automated gearboxes and manuals where the autos are quicker. BMW M cars and some Porsche sports cars come to mind, but quicker doesn't tell the whole story. We're talking about road cars, which most people driver for pleasure, not racing cars that need automated gearboxes for maximum performance. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Man thank you for the education. I appreciate your kindness

Your roads are spectacular! Keep the manual!

I will buy the automatic as well. Manual is only if you have another car and this is only your toy. As a main car I will buy it automatic. You have so much more time and energy to keep your eyes on road and your hands on the steering wheel.

I have driven 2013 NC manual. Still do. Wanted to buy nd auto as my wife does not drive manual. Ended up buying 2022 nd manual. No regrets. Soon will be 64. Live in TN. Still fighting. Not struggling. Mx5 is fantastic. Manual transmission makes it more special.

@@Yannisphotoforce You don't take your eyes off the road to shift, do you?

@teekay_1 My opinion is, if you like donuts drifts and powerslides the manual will give you what you want. If you want touring and speed in race just go with the auto.

Thanks for sharing!

Welcome aboard!

Get yours at makse.com/shop and represent!

I'm sad.

I’m in the same boat. I drove a manual NB daily for 12 years, replaced it with a PRHT GT 6AT mostly so my kids could enjoy it. I miss the manual but have grown to appreciate the 6 AT.

Driving a manual is only showing off to those who can’t.

@@BrianMakse NICE OF YOU TO AGREE THAT SHIFTING GEARS IS FOR SHOW OFFS.... AND PUTTING OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER.. WHICH IDIOTS WILL DO

I was going to type a longer response, but it's apparent you didn't watch this episode.

I have a nc auto and I am very happy with the car if people gave it a chance they might just be surprised I was.

That’s a shame.

Like I said, as did some other folks here, there are some people who can't drive a manual, so why deny them the experience? For the rest of us, we'll take the manual.

It is the better choice. How is it going?

Yeah I too want to hear how you’re getting on with it too!

My race cars have automated gearboxes. My road cars are manuals.

It would be pretty compelling with a tidy dual clutch gearbox.

It wouldn't be as reliable.

It's all math and you can check the specs, I'm sure it's easily accessible. It starts with the final drive, which I think is different, then each gear with have a different ratio to suit an automatic with a torque converter, which presents different considerations than a manual.

The product planners in your country know what’s up. Roadster with a manual is the best MX-5.

Ride quality is about the same, but there's a very subtle difference in body and wheel control.

Yes, it's a burden every day driving my manuals in a city of 7 million people. Even my wife drives a manual daily.

For the manuals it is.

Yes!!!!

5’10”. Fit great. Even in the racecar versions.

I’m 5’5” and I’m afraid I won’t have a good seating position to see well over the steering wheel

@@jjhi2760you’ll be just fine

@@jjhi2760 I’m a woman between 5’4”-5’5” - I own a 2021 RF Club (manual with Recaro Seats). There’s no height adjustment, but I can see fine and have no problem reaching the clutch pedal. I also learned to drive a manual with this car (age 55 - it’s never too late😎) and it was a great car to learn on.

@@jjhi2760 I am also 5'5" and have no trouble seeing over the wheel.

Thanks for watching! >>>Other than for a test like this, when was the last time during an everyday drive did you need to full-peddle-down accelerate from 0-60 in a straight line on an open road with no traffic? For me, the answer is NEVER. For me, the answer is every day. >>>A better demonstration would be more 'real-world.' For example, the rolling acceleration required during an on-ramp merge into freeway traffic; say, 35->60/70mph, or when snap passing a slow-poke on a twisty back road. In most similar situations, I bet the Automatic will perform as well (or better) than the Manual. With the Automatic, the driver need NOT worry about running out of gear range, or car limitations, etc. The Automatic driver knows the car will take care of itself which allows more attention to be focused on the setting, guiding the car, and safe driving conditions. The auto is slower in a straight line and slower to downshift. >>>Also, please comment on reports that the ND1 trans/diff power-train suffers from a high failure rate. Apparently after a while, the engine seems to overpower the rest of these important parts. For the Automatic, its computer assist system knows when and how much power is needed and applies it evenly with less component stress. Plus, the Manual' rear wheels can unexpectedly spin-out on a wet road while the Automatic seems much more stable and offer better control. I don't know anything about ND1 problems, but if it were a broad problem, there'd be a class action suit a la Porsche IMS bearings. The ND1 has much less power and torque than ND2 and ND3, and it has traction and stability control systems. Sounds like user error to me. >>>Still, I remain unconvinced that the Manual is superior to the Automatic MX-5 ND during every-day driving. Drive what you like! After driving them all, I prefer the manual. It's clear Mazda's engineers have taken great care to ensure the manual is satisfying to drive!

Easy. I don't care what other people think.

Sport mode doesn’t add power or make it accelerate any quicker

@@BrianMakse thats tragic, 5.8 to 6.5 is a huge difference for the same engine sounds like it needs a tune or remap or something.

What If you have herniated disk in neck or back should you get auto over manual

The good news is that I’m back to driving an MX-5 manual this week…for a very different kind of episode.

@@BrianMakse That sounds cool! 👍

How much horsepower does sport mode add? 20? 50?

@@BrianMakseI think they’re talking about the shift speed

I've never seen on in dealer stock. I made an assumption when I went looking that a manual would be difficult to find; quite the opposite.

48 % of Mazda Miata sold are automatics.

I believe for the ND it's about what the NC was, 50/50. Of course, with the changes to the Sport trim, you basically have to get a GT RF to get an auto from what I've seen, and that's an expensive car.

@@ADUSN The GT RF will be the collectable car though. I like it because it looks amazing, and I was willing to live with the compromise presented by the folding roof from a summertime perspective because it becomes a 4-season car with the roof in place.

@@teekay_1 Quite an assertion to make.

I think some owners make their Teslas sound like Ferraris.

Have a read through the comments if you’d like to understand.

What other auto convertibles are there at the miata price range?

I think you misunderstand why people like the Miata. I bought a Miata for the handling not for shifting gears. I take it into the mountains and drive it aggressively. Name me another car with the handling characteristics of a Miata that i should get instead?

That's a real shame.

Please don’t project your ability to drive onto me. Thanks.

@@BrianMakse Did I offend you? You assumed something and decided to be cocky. I guess this is true you, then.

@@lpolitykNo. And no.

Or if your left leg was crushed in an accident at work and a manual isn’t possible anymore an auto your only option it’s still a mx5 and fun. You better be keeping up with your prayers at night or you will be joining me in hells front room for calling his place 😊

@@arightpest3367 Okay. Ya got me there!

Imagine feeling this extreme about a transmission. You know the Cayenne saved Porsche, if it wasn't for automatics I bet the Miata dies with the NC.

It's not great...

Did you miss the eight MX-5 manual episodes?

Explain.

@@BrianMakse He means we can see your disgust for the auto this entire episode, you had preconceived bias and it was all over your face and your mannerisms the entire time