I was in Edmonton, Canada in the winter of 1988 when I saw the Miata on the cover of Car and Driver. I didn’t even read the article, I just said “I’m buying that car.” I phoned every Mazda dealer in Canada and they all said the same thing, that there were only 200 in the initial Canadian allocation and they were all sold out. And I said “I know, but somebody is going to back out of a deal, so take my number.” A couple of months later I got a call from the dealer in - of all places - Thunder Bay, Ontario, asking if I still wanted the car, and that’s how I got one of the initial allocation. And it was bizarre. I was literally mobbed at gas stations. People would leave notes on it when it was parked asking to buy it or just ride in it. What an experience! Both videos were excellent. Very informative. Thanks.

A lot of people actually prefer the targa top styling. It most definitely creates an open air experience.

My wife drives a 3rd gen (NC) with the retractable hard top and it's an absolute winner. It works flawlessly and takes around 10 seconds which is amazing.

The RF, you don’t have to get it. I did and couldn’t be happier.

The Mk I MX5 is the best car humans have ever built.

I had a 1974 Triumph Spitfire whose top could be put up and down from inside the car. Very easy. The MG B I had was less great and the top just got left down. I've always heard that the Fiat had the gold standard top for a classic roadster. On the RF version I'd say you should drive one before saying its close to hatchback and not convertible like. I bought one last year and no regrets. It feels plenty "convertible enough" especially if you don't turn your head around. Its got the side benefits of looking fantastic top up most notably from the rear 3/4 and gives a lot more physical security. An excellent compromise with my wife who does not care for convertibles.

FUN FACT: I knew the people at my hometown Mazda dealer when the NA Miata was originally in the showroom for sale and I was surprised how fast (5s without reading any instructions or ever owning a convertible) that manual top could be opened and closed from the driver's seat. I knew a classic when I saw it... Even I had a neighbor that bought an NA w/a manual transmission for U$800 because he knew how cheap it was to make it whole (in total it took less than U$2K all included). I suppose he even has still it after he moved. WHAT A BARGAIN!!!!

The RF just looks brilliant with top up or down. I can't think of one convertible soft top that looks really good with the top up. I am biased as an RF GT owner. The only real draw back IMO to the RF is the blind spots created by the buttresses. This is mitigated quite a bit by the blind spot monitoring. Having owned other convertibles I disagree with the assessment that it doesn't feel like a convertible. When driving the car it feels as open as any other convertible I have driven. Did I mention its just a beautiful car? YMMV

One fine winter day here in Louisiana it was around 75 degrees and I saw a convertible Mercedes with it's roof down and thought that looks nice on a day like this. I forgot I was in my wife's Miata. Soon as I remembered I put the roof down while in the driver's seat. Boy I felt dumb, but happy.

I’m lucky enough to have an NA that was built in the first week of full production in April of 1989. VIN puts it at #278 off the line. Built when I was still in high school and my 16 year old son will start driving it to high school this fall… It’s kind of fun comparing this car to other NAs…definitely has some parts and small details that changed very early in production. The top latches are a little different, Frankenstein bolts are different, some small differences in wiring/tubing routing in the engine bay… And…fingers crossed…it’s still the original crank!

IMHO the manual top is a perfect soultion for a 2 seater convertible. Electric just ads too much weight and time to put on and off. The improvements in ND might look small, but are actually just right , one might call them perfect. The top pops up so it's easier to reach, it has just one handle for the hatches (contrasted to two in NA and NB) and the electric windows wind down a bit so they don't get in the way. You had to do this manually in NB. Anyway, for me it just was less frills, shorter stops to change the state (on/off) and it made me utilise the convertible even more. Also, I live in relatively harsh climate, with winters going to -15C on some days, snow, and summers going above 40C. I did have the hardtop for NB, but after first winter was too lazy to put it on, as some sunny days deserved the top to be opened. So if you have a garage, soft top is perfectly adequate for all weather.

The E85 Z4 is a stone cold classic vehicle with looks that were divisive at the time but are now utterly timeless. Bangle's design language penned a roadster that will remain a classic forever. Luv and Peace.

I owned all 4 generations. The ND is by far the best in my opinion. I love every aspect but most importantly it drives the best and handles amazingly. The the tech is much appreciated. I have the Club with Brembo, BBS and Ricaro in Meteor Grey. Love it!

En français : Merci beaucoup c'est passionnant ! " Excellent video as usual.. I'm a Miata lover of 63 years and I intend to get one as soon as possible ! 🙏👍♥️

The original soft top may have appeared to be quick and easy to put up and down, but if you didn’t unzip the plastic window (which added time and faff) then you ran the risk of cracking the plastic

I know I'm probably going to get burnt for saying this, but I wish Mazda went with an actual coupe rather the complex and expensive RF model for the 4th gen MX-5, like how the original Lotus Elan had both a coupe and a convertible models.

Excellent vids on the MX5. Well informed and nicely presented. You'd make a good product planner!

Ofcourse it was the right choice to ditch the electric roofs. They're top heavy and luxury minded.

I owned a laguna blue 1994 series 2 1.8L MX-5 (in Australia) and it was the best car I ever owned! Perfect balance, didn't need thousands of horses to be fun, and it had enough grip but not excessive, with controllable break-away that I could drift it through big roundabouts with full opposite lock and control it on the throttle like a grinning lunatic! I still regret selling it...

I had an MR2 Targa top for many years and when you got the 2 roof pieces off it did feel like a convertible. There was wind noise though not much as a result of the wind deflectors built in to the interface between the targa top and the lids. You got to hear much more of the engine noise of the MR2 which was sweet. All in all it felt a lot like a cabriolet. It also looked amazing from outside. Proper Ferrari 348 Cabriolet vibes. I always wanted to drive fast through some populated area with the roof off and the soundtrack from Outrun playing loud through the excellent stereo just for shits and giggles. I can't tell you how special the MR2 felt throughout my many years of ownership. It was hands down the most special car I've owned. I'm in a Z4 now and it's faster, handles better, is more comfortable but it lacks the sense of real soul the MR2 had. Luv and Peace.

4th generation mx5 owner here and I am so happy the roof is still manual because it's so simple and easy and quick to open and close....just my opinion on that 👍 great video!!

I have a series 1 from 1996. British racing Green with a tan coupé and soft top. It’s still great fun to drive. No plans and no nett to change or “upgrade”.

Both videos were really well done. I bought an ND in 2020, a 100th Anniversary edition in white. It has a brownish-red soft top and red leather interior. I also have a V8 LT1 Camaro and I love both of them for different reasons. I had a TR6 back in the early 70's and the Mazda is a far better engineered vehicle. My TR6 spent almost as much time in the shop for repairs as it did with me driving it. Horrible quality but it was a blast to drive in it's time. You really never said much about the Miata's 6-speed manual. IMHO it is an outstanding tranny. My Camaro has a Tremec 6-spd (I think real cars don't shift themselves 😉) and while an excellent transmission as well, the Miata's is smoother and just easier to shift up or down. I also put an aftermarket cat-back muffler for a few extra HP and it has a nice throaty sound. I also upgraded the brake rotors and pads as the 100th Anniv. version didn't have the Brembo calipers. As I'm no kid at 71, there's a good chance both cars will outlive me. Miata's of all editions truly are fun vehicles to drive, and totally two-thumbs up in nearly every regard. 👍👍

Thank you so much for your videos. I watch your channel often. Today I watched MR2 & MX-5 sequentially. I was lucky enough owning a Mid ship (1st gen. MR2) in life. To be honest, automotive industry has gone since about ten something yrs ago. Whatever classes (from economics to luxury, super cars) they all looks same, neither non technical innovation. Over here in Japan some Japanese manufacturers emphasizing “Auto pilots system”. Some emphasizing, their new models come with Googles apps. etc…. Hence, your optional extra video do reflect billion automotive fans message from bottom of our heart. A quo., from Sir Gordon Murray nearly 20 yrs ago “Why these days endurance race cars all look same & ugly?”

Love this, and all your brilliant videos about iconic cars. (My brother has his 2017 MX5 garaged because he says he can't afford the road tax😭)

Now you have covered the MX5. It's now time for the Godzilla aka the Skyline GTR.

I have a 2017 MD RF Club, I think it is an extraordinarily beautiful car, much more so than earlier Miatas, and more than earlier roadsters for that matter. Just because you're building a car that holds to certain principles doesn't mean it has to look like earlier versions of the type. De gustibus, eh? I don't think "simplistic" is an adequate description of Mazda's design, I think elegant fits better. I agree that the top down RF is more of a Targa top than I would like, but I live in Texas where good air conditioning is more important having a true roadster. You can only put the top down for a few days during our annual weeks of Spring and Fall, anyway. Being quieter is a bonus for these old ears. Although I do wish they had the fully disappearing hard top of earlier versions. I don't think either the "Farina" 124 or the Alfa Spyder were sold here, unless it was in tiny numbers in limited locations. Could be wrong.

I own 2 MX-5's currently; - 1993 Eunos Roadster & 2019 30th Anniversary RF. I've driven all the gen's and tracked a few too. For me, the RF looks like a baby F-type and the most common question people ask me is "what is that car!" Having had my 1993 car since 2008 - first car! I've driven NB & NC cars extensively and the ND was the only one to tempt me away from the 'timeless' NA. The NB is a better sports car than the NA hands down (the extra rigidity is worth the weight), but it's barely different overall and looks significantly worse. The NC is a super cool car but in stock form I call it the "MX-5 for over 50s with bad backs" they tune up extemely well but they're a bit wafty to drive and too cavernous/roomy inside. To drive, the ND is most similar to the NA/NB. More raw than the NC and like the NA you wear it like a glove. The 'RF' roof really isn't the issue you think it is - the main reason I believe you feel less exposed than in early generations is the higher door line (thanks side impact standards). It also wows people who watch (maybe not as many smiles as pop-ups though!) Average Joes with little car knowledge think it's something far more special because - lets be honest - where else can you get a folding targa hard top? McLarens, Ferraris, etc. It works for the 911 Targa too! (though that's canvas). Didn't like the 124 spider though - the engine feels every bit the laggy 1.4 turbo it is, and something is seriously wrong with the stock suspension on those. They're much better when re-mapped. I don't think I'll ever sell either :)

Well, you are producing some great material. Thank you. Not only this MX5 edition, but many others from you. Your stiff British approach is warming, even if cold. It’s a great program of interesting history in the world of Dream and Drive. Thank you! I am subscribed!

I have a 2021 soft top and I’m glad it’s not motorized. I can put it up and down with 1 hand in a second flat. I live in Florida where weather is temperamental and the manual soft top is so fast I can put it up and down between rain clouds :p I also think it fits with the ethos of the car well. Loved the videos!

What you said about project goals really resonated w/ me in a more general sense. Not just automotive projects.

I'm a Mk1 owner but love love the Nd. Not sure about the RF though, I ran a smart Brabus roadster coupe for a couple of years and that had a similar roof setup. I always felt like it acted as an air scoop at speed. There are a lot of special editions. Some more special than others. Personally I think the Eunos Limited cars are the best, RS-limited, R-limited, S-limited, Vr-limited, G-limited etc and also the rare JDM M1 versions. The UK limited editions are a bit cloth cap and driving gloves for my taste with the exception of the Lemans version. As for competing with itself, it's true. Had a guy on one of the Facebook groups yesterday weighing up buying a 97 R-limited over an ND. The mk1s are slowly creeping up in value for decent examples.

Always well thought out true expert analysis.

Yes it's amazing that you can put the soft top up and down from the driver seat

One thing that was never mentioned was that US never got the ND Miata / MX-5 with the SkyActiv 1.5L as almost everyone in US that knew about the engine figured it was TOO UNDERPOWERED for American customers, so Hiroshima relented and gave the ND in US with a 155hp NA-2.0L (same output but) modified from the 3, CX-3 and CX-5. Sometime during the cycle it was updated (without much weight penalty) to the 180hp (even more hp than the Mazdaspeed Miata with the T-1.8L) it has now in '22.

I'll probably never get to drive any roadster but I love my 1.3L 2010 Mazda 2. It's great fun unladen. The 1.5L sport must hilarious. Classic case of a slow car driven fast.

My girlfriend owned and loved the NC with the electric folding roof and loved it. She now has the ND and loathes the manual roof. We both find the roof operation awkward. We’re both regular gym goers but still struggle slightly. She would rather the additional 40kg and have an electric roof. I have the BMW Z4 M40i and I feel she will buy the same but as a 2.0 in the future.

I love my NC2. Luckily I like baby elephants and beer too.

MG Midget tops could be put up/down by a seated driver. (Mark 1 tops excepted)

It's not the styling of the ND that has led to lower sales. It's the fact that most people have lost a passion for driving - they want to buy the most cushioned disconnected vehicle as possible - the SUV.

I was well aware when I bought my 2012 NC Kuro last year that the special edition probably didn't make it very special, but it did have a colour combination that I liked and that the standard car didn't have so I'm happy with it. It's great fun to drive, but that almost goes without saying.

The very first time I saw the Mazda Miata (MX-5), I instantly knew, it would be a major hit.

The manual soft-top is a fantastically simple iconic design, with no motors to power saving significant weight and less to malfunction……!

i personally think we will see roadsters die out again, modern car company philosophy is to share components, platforms etc but with the car market moving away from hot hatches, saloons etc towards 4x4's and SUV's there just wont be any platforms available for roadsters, we've seen soft top 4x4's and they havent done spectacularly so i do think the mx5 will be the last affordable roadster around.

Mazda still has three models of Miatas in 2022, not two as you indicate. There is the base "sport" model with fewer extras and the very fancy "grand touring" model both of which dealers stock but there is also still the racy "club" version but now only available as a special order. The sport and the club are now manual-only, the automatic has been discontinued on those models and is now only available on the grand touring model.

I think the RF is for people that don't really care about the open top but want an affordable FR coupe, considering the only alternative currently on sale is the 86/BRZ.

As someone who traded in my NC with PRHT for a ND2 with soft top, there is just something about throwing back the soft top in about a second compared to 13 seconds for the PRHT. Plus, it doesn't weigh as much...

I own a 92 Miata now, but my ‘76 Fiat 124 Spider’s soft top was even easier to use than the Miata’s top. It was lighter and easier to lower and raise quickly. Frankly, it was also just as fun to drive, though it had the usual Fiat reputation of breaking down; usually it was a broken clutch cable that left me stranded. By comparison, I’d trust my 30 year old Miata to drive cross-country with no problem.

The rf feels like a full convertable when you sit behind the wheel and the manual roof is much faster in case it starts to rain, you can put it up in 2 seconds with one hand from the driver seat

My '94 NA Miata with British Racing Green and tan interior was an absolute blast. It only missed AC to have top equipment on it. For two years now I've been seriously thinking of buying one just like that - the North American MX5 with tan leather interior, electric windows 2 airbags, speakers in the seats etc. Frankly, it's difficult to find rust-proof 1.8L 130HP NA, period. They're cheap because most of them have rust problems and fixing it isn't easy. With each passing year, I see less and less of those. I wish I didn't sell my Miata :(

The only car for me ! I've had four since 2008 . my only car , and always driven, all year round with the top down , (84 years old now ) . I disagree with your opinion of the latest model , it's still great . I don't think there is a better looking car on the road , and I wouldn't swop mine for anything else , except another MX5 . If sales really are flagging , I might just replace my 2017 model with a new one .

The MX-5 RF seems to have been a smart choice because I see more of those than the soft top. It has amazing looks with the top up and still gives you most of what the soft top does when it's down. Personally I like the soft top but clearly people love the look of the RF.

I adore my fiat 124 spider which is my first roadster, and love the Italian style, but Japanese build and relatability!!

I love my 140HP NB. And it looks like the Dodge Viper of my dreams when I was young, while being much more fun and convenient to drive daily. Don't ever try an MX5, you'll be obsessed with it ! :D

I like the idea of the manual roof for 4 reasons: it's light, it's less expensive, there's less to go wrong & it's cheaper to fix when it does go wrong, which is important when the car gets old.

I like your point about how the Miata has gone from evoking the nostalgia of previous cars to becoming a classic and a source of nostalgia itself. I’ve owned a couple of them, and they are great cars. One area where I think Mazda missed an opportunity is in not building up the “Mazdaspeed” branding. Only one official Mazdaspeed Miata model is a shame. In addition, Mazda could have been selling a comprehensive line of Mazdaspeed performance upgrades to satisfy the obvious market for performance minded owners. Certainly, third parties have filled that need well, but a decent portion of that market could belong to Mazda itself.

ND is probably the best Miata ever. And you can see the sales bump when the ND was introduced.

Really enjoyed your MX-5 videos! Back in the early 1990s, I had a Mazda MX-3 which was a 4 seat 3 door car that looked like a slightly larger MX-5 hatchback. It had a wonderful V6 1.8L engine and was a LOT of fun to drive - and you could take a reasonable amount of luggage with you. You didn't see many in the UK, but seemed more popular in North America. Later I had a Mazda Xedos 6 - Xedos was Mazda's attempt at a premium range, similar to Lexus. There was a 6 and a 9, aimed at the BMW 3 & 5 series respectively. It was a very well equipped car with a 2L V6 engine, although the styling was generally bland but with a rather odd looking front grill. Obviously, Xedos didn't take off as a premium range - I wonder if failed attempts at premium brands by mainstream car makers would be a topic for a future video?

Had a Miata some 20 years ago, had 993 targa Porsche, Volvos since, would still consider any of the Mx-5 models funny enough the 3rd or a 4th gen rfc are the ones online the most :-)

I agree that the biggest competition for the MX5 is a used one as they are cheap, easily too maintain and once the itch has been scratched they can be moved on easily.

I thoroughly enjoyed both videos but perhaps it is due to a difference in perspective that I disagree with the notion that the ND/ND2 "has lost its way". The ND was a very conscious effort to return the the original formula of light weight and fun. I feel that the 'harkening back to the roadsters of the 60s and 70s' was necessary at the time of the NA but by the time of the ND, the MX-5 had established itself as the benchmark and no longer needed to be tied to the older generation of roadsters. I do agree with "not getting" the RF, my first ND2 was a 2019 RF (at my wife's request) and while it was fun, the restriction on visibility and the power top just did not do it for me. I then got a 2020 soft top and grinned every time I got in it to go somewhere. I have now moved on to my third ND2, a 2022 soft top. My only gripe with the ND2 MX-5 is with the traction control. It needs to go away. Permanently. Yes, I know how to disable it for 10 ignition cycles, but it just needs to be removed entirely in the name of fun. The only other option would be changing values in the car's firmware, something I can't do to a company car.

I wondered if the MX6 would show up in this MX5 story. Interesting car with it's small 6 cilinder engine.

Re: the other car companies who had created an easy, one hand operation, two-latch top: the Alfa Romeo Spider had nailed that for decades by then. :-) I have Alfa Spiders and a Miata (NA8) track car, and I love both models - such fun to drive.

Observations - well done! The NC's weight is not an issue to anyone that objectively reviews the car (8X Top 10 Car and Driver). The early NC's weigh about the same as the MazdaSpeed MX-5. The actual "tub" of the NC is lighter than the NB. The Skystice twins, probably the closest Miata competitor, took a great deal out of NC sales - heavy marketing in the US vs almost none for the NC. It was suspected than PRHT eventually outsold the soft top. Now that Mazda releases those numbers, its clear that the RF significantly outsells the soft top, at least in the US. The ND will go 10 years, maybe more. As for styling, the Miata has drifted in and out of the brand styling, sometimes for the better sometimes not. I think with the ND Mazda put their styling stamp on a roadster, eschewing the Elan and its progeny. But there's little that reminds me of the prior Miatas in the ND. Only the future will tell as to whether they made the right move.

I have the Fiat 124 Spider, and the OEM top is easy to put up and down from the diver seat. It was purposely designed that way to be an upsell when compared to the MG, TR-6 and other British cars.

The price has jumped up faster than inflation and it’s not an inexpensive run about like the earlier generations

About the styling of gen 4: I heard in another Youtumentary (KZfaq documentary) on Miata that they chose to make gen 4 look a bit aggressive to shed the image of a cute car for girls. I didn't like it at first, but I do now.

I think gen4 cars are the best of the series.

The RF looks so good but would certainly feel different than the soft top.

Both my Dad and my oldest brother had Fiat 124's...I paid attention and bought an MX-5...still own it...early NA's are purely "drivers" cars....modern electronic "aides" make bad drivers adequate...

I’ve loved these Miata videos you’ve made and have agreed with your passion for this car but as a Miata RF owner I’m biased in saying this but I would have to disagree with your opinion on it. I absolutely love this car more than anything I’ve ever driven including my Triumph motorcycle. I however have never owned the soft top and would love that one maybe even more but that shouldnt detract from the fun one can have from this RF version.

Fingers crossed there’ll be another one

I was 21 yrs old when I got my 1990 red Miata. Many cars have come and gone in my life now that I’m 54 but I still have my Miata with 258,000 carefree miles on her, and I never have plans to sell her

"NC got very heavy" - it's 1110 Kg - 45kg more than the NB according to Wiki. Richard Hammond on Top Gear gave the increase as even less. But other than this, excellent work and videos

I want the simple soft top. Power tops will fail at some point and how hard is it really to take it up and down?

Original Fiat Spider AS, BS and CS had a very easy soft top, that could be opened/closed from drivers seat. I had 3, bought from the US and converted them to RHD. Nice cars

I strongly disagree! The RF ('targa') offers the same 'open air experience' as my previous convertible with a fully retractable hardtop. Imho, the RF is a real eye-catcher, designwise it's a future classic. I absolutely prefer it over the soft top version (ND).

yay that is me

Still in production for 2023 and likely to continue until 2026 when we should see a fifth generation. I had a 2018 and I plan to buy a 2023 or 2024. The ND2, the 2019 update, is the best MX-5 I’ve ever experienced. I absolutely adore the fourth generation and I’m glad Mazda didn’t give up after the third generation (which has come into its own with track enthusiasts). As always I think the best trim is the most basic and lightest one, so even though I had a Club last time I’ll be buying a Sport this time.

The Mazda Roadster made a coupe called Mazda Roadster Coupe only in Japan. The two roadsters having easy to open from driver seat are Toyota MR2 \ MRS Spider, Honda S2000. The Dodge Demon Concept was the planned but, got canceled. Also, the GM was planned the Chevy Stingray but, got canceled too. The Mazda Miata the magic could be gone in the near future.

Well I’ll stick to my LandRover Series 3 Swb because the roof came off and I can lower the windscreen and I can enjoy the drive anywhere! And remain in the speed zones without a ticket! Thanks 🙏🏼

I have a true red nc and I have just treated it to a magnolia leather interior it really lifts the inside.

The 124 top back then was very easy. One hand.

Metal folding hoods (fashionable in the mid 2000s) seem to have fallen out of fashion, Audi and BMW dropping them in favour of fabric - as well as Mercedes in it's larger cabriolets. I think it's because modern fabric hoods are so good and noise absorbing that that to buy something more expensive, complicated, potentially troublesome, heavier and (in most models) eats cargo space seems a bit unnecessary. Plus thirty years ago my Dad warned be any fabric hood wood be slashed to ribbons if you parked on the street at night ( this was a worry of a couple of friends of mine thinking of BMW convertibles) but in reality this never happened so people don't even worry about that aspect anymore!

Think the RF version looks great and I believe it's more popular n outsells the convertible version now.

I could see a retro-styled MX5 that looks more like a Spitfire. Not like the Abarth version, more curvy lines.

I'm a RF owner, maybe the car is not the original concept but...if you want a new car, rwd car, coupe/sports car style, reliable, cheap to maintenance and with a reasonable price and low litres/100km...there aren't many options, in fact, the RF is the only one to buy!!! No one can beat it because doesn't exist!!! (Toyota could have the SFR concept but it didn't pass the prototype phase, and the tobaru could be the only rival).

I owned an NB and an NC electric-roof both from new, the NB for 3 years and the NC for 14 years. I now own a new (bought last year) ND soft top and it is the best of the lot. The NC was better in every way than the NB, but was beginning to rust underneath towards the end of my ownership, but none of them ever failed in any way - nothing ever went wrong. I think the NC aged badly style-wise - looking a bit bloated and 'boaty'. There was nothing wrong with my NC but I fell out of love with those looks, and the far more attractive (in my eyes) ND persuaded me to upgrade - as did its 181bhp engine! The soft top roof is a delight - I'm 73 this year and a big lad too, but I fit the car perfectly and find the roof very easy to operate and much quicker than the 10 seconds the ND roadster took. And I agree the RF is not an open car - it's a targa top. No good for me! The ND also has many modern features the NC lacked - auto wipers, engine start/stop, active headlights, nav, reversing camera, side traffic warning, cruise control, 6 speeds, keyless entry.... and loads more. And that colour! So many people have commented on the fabulous Soul Red Crystal Metallic paintwork. It looks stunning as a car; only yesterday an old guy in a wheelchair was passing as I was getting into it... "best looking car in the car park, that", he said. The only real comment I got about the NC was "it's very inoffensive - not an aggressive line anywhere". Hmmm. Perhaps the ND has finally put paid to the MX5's 'hairdresser' or 'girlie' false image?

Interesting car and the story. Didn't know the "Jimba Ittai" philosophy goes that far back, or did I misunderstand? I've heard that term only maybe last 5-10 years. Mazda produced also other pretty radical looking cars back then the MX-5 Mk1 was on sale, like 323F with popup headlights & the next gen 323 Forte, MX-3 Coupe, and even the little 121 Sedan was pretty unusual looking car.

My dad has a 2015 ND MX-5, and I feel that the open-it-from-the-driver's-seat roof is definitely one it's best features. I have a 1998 Fiat Punto Cabrio and, while the roof is electro-hydraulically operated, it takes an age to raise and lower, and can only be done with the handbrake applied. I don't actually like much else about the ND, though; it rides far too harshly and, while it has the "creature comforts" the Punto doesn't have, it's nowhere near as comfortable. My brother, having ridden in both of them, agrees.

I have owned 3 99 models and an 07 model, 99's are by far my favorite. I hate the looks of the new ones because the side panels and doors are so damn high, it would look so much better if they were shorter like on the 1st n 2nd gen models

Rf is the best looking mx5 so far

I liked how you could do full circles in a residential street with my daughters... just like a damn go~cart...early 90s they hit a grand slam with this... RWD put the ball OVER the fence for me.

regarding ND losing its way. I agree. However, you considered where the Fiata (NE/NF) came from? Do you really believe that Fiat spent any R&D money on its styling or do you think the design just fell in their lap? Perhaps the front end styling of the Fiata was actually the succession to the NA,NB,and NC styling.

I disagree with changing the original goals. Sure, they may be limiting, but we often get the most out of creative people by setting limits.

As long as Mazda has joint ventures with Stallantis or other car manufacturers there will be a light on the horizon for another generation of the MX5. Stellantis includes not only FIAT but also Peugeot and Opel. They could consider a new version of the Peugeot 504 and 306 Cabrio. At Opel a new generation of the Opel GT is welcome.

On the soft top, the Honda S600 and S800 had a similar design. They may have referenced them. One killer problem for the MX-5 is that’s it’s unsuited to people over 6ft tall. Why they couldn’t add another 2 inches to the wheelbase is beyond me…

I briefly sat in the RF version at CIAS the year it came out. I thought it was a lovely looking car, but at 6 feet tall and long through the body, short legs, it's not a good fit for me. The top of the windshield frame sits at eye level for me . Same with the normal MX-5 and the Fiat 124 based on it. A shame, really. Great videos sir, on a very interesting series of automobiles. My hat's off.

MX-5 should also be affordable... adding more complex materials like composits will make it more expensive...

Wise words regarding the definition of goals there. I completely agree.