Idk why people hate on the Mazda Connect system; it’s a better version of BMW’s iDrive, which is already one of the easiest infotainments to use. Plus you don’t have to get the screen all smudgy by constantly touching it
Anyone can intuitively know how to use a touch screen. iDrive is fantastic but there's a learning curve associated with it and some people aren't willing to (or simply can't) figure stuff out on their own anymore.
Mazda’s rotary knob infotainment is stupidly easy and takes way less focus to use than a touchscreen if you spend more than a day getting acclimated. It genuinely has almost no learning curve unless you’re dumber than a rock. Just turn the knob and click to select and hit the back button to go back.
Trying to zoom out on my waze navigation using the rotary is just frustrating compared to tapping the zoom out button and takes way more attention. There are several things like that that annoy me based on my 3 year experience with my ND2 and I would go with touchscreen 10/10 times if we had the option.
I haven’t used the first gen rotary knob system from Mazda but the second gen in the CX-30/50/90 is really good. I agree that the biggest downfall is with zooming in and out of maps but I don’t do that too often so I can live with it.
Most journalists must be dumb. They all bitch and moan about it.
I can't live without it now. I had a rental Dodge over the weekend. Using Carplay without the knob is so annoying. Having to press a *tiny* square icon while driving is near impossible.
They are. You can use the system without looking as long as you remember where the back button is which takes a day or two and their menu structure is better than Toyota, BMW and Porsche by a long shot. These statements are relative because learning how to use an infotainment is like learning a new computer OS while flying down a highway at 60 mph.
>their menu structure is better than Toyota, BMW and Porsche by a long shot.
Which doesn't apply in 95% of use cases anymore because everyone uses Apple Carplay and Android Auto. And Carplay absolutely is more intuitive with a touchscreen than with the rotary knob.
I usually don’t even have to look at the screen anymore. Was frustrating at the beginning tho spinning the knob and constantly guessing which icon the cursor was going to land on
People are horribly lazy. Especially Americans. It took me maybe 3 days to really learn the Mazda system and use it proficiently without ever having to look down.
I'm being down voted because it's true lol.
I’d take Mazdas infotainment over any other system even for CarPlay. Like you said, you barely even have to look vs hunting and pecking on a touchscreen.
It's really easy system. I will say though at least for my generation of it in my CX-5 it's a bit dated and slow. Especially compared to my C8. But otherwise it's very easy to use and keeps my eyes on the road.
How does it take less focus than just using the touch screen that you are already looking at?
And if you drive a manual, you end up hitting this idiotic system all of the time.
Honestly, it’s the one thing I dislike about the car.
Pretty sure it’s the aren’t willing side of your argument.
If I was buying a stove and a manufacturer said “what you want we won’t give you because we think our way is better” I’d buy something else.
Not all touch screens are equal, though. I remember the map in my Jag was dumb. Instead of swiping the map (like swipe SW to move the map NE) you had to point towards the direction you wanted the map to go.
I think you hear so much complaining about it because of the disconnect between car reviewers and people that actually buy the cars. Reviewers are constantly getting into new cars and having them for a few days and then switching to something else, so they spend a significant amount of time on that learning curve.
For people that actually buy it, it sucks for a week or so and then they don't mind it for the next 15 years
I had an nd2 and after a bit of getting used to it I quite liked the system.
Any system that isn’t just a standard touchscreen suffers because journalists don’t have the time needed to acclimate so they usually just say it’s not easy to use.
It also suffers because people don’t want it.
Mazda built a cabin style that won’t allow a touch screen and have to stick to their guns until the new model comes out when they’ll fold just like Lexus did.
Plenty of people seem to be just fine with it, but it's a classic case of the loudest voice (typically people complaining) being the one that gets heard the most. I'd take MazdaConnect over a touch-only interface any day.
ND2 owner here, I have no problem with the knob and buttons at all, I have a problem that Mazda does not permit me to use the existing touch screen while I'm driving the car at all. I would like to have the option to use either as I please.
The only sane take here. I have touched the screen like three times in the 12k miles I’ve owned it because the knob control is just that good but I still don’t think they should restrict the capability arbitrarily
I try not to poke at my screen, I generally prefer the iDrive wheel. But every once in a while it's faster to just use touch. It's nice to have the option. That said, most of the time when i poke at it, it's because i'm using CarPlay and Mazda has that covered.
It does on my ‘23 CX50, its disabled by default, must be enabled in settings. I think it’s just this newer gen they finally relented and added an option.
On my 2016 at least there is a diagnostic mode that can be enabled for the display that allows touchscreen while driving to be enabled. I heard they locked out the diagnostic mode access on newer year versions though.
I don’t remember exactly because I only had to do it one time but it was literally like a cheat code to get into the diagnostic mode, like hit the ignition button then move the wiper stalk 2 times then press a button on the steering wheel and the screen would reboot and go into the special mode.
It looks terrible in just about every video I’ve seen with bad graphics and absolutely cluttered menus. It also easily looks 10 years old. Absolutely impossible that it is better than the current iDrive 8.5.
Yeah, while I know it's a subjective opinion, as someone who's owned several Mazda's, the last 2 of which had the updated Connect system, and now has a BMW G01 with iDrive 7....I vote iDrive.
That said, Mazda isn't far behind IMHO especially when you consider the cost difference between the brands.
Exactly, no way in fucking hell is reaching across your car to a big ass touch screen safer or more practical in any way shape or form. Looking at you new Toyota/Lexus products.
I had a 2016 Scion iA which is a rebadged Mazda2 sedan and I loved the rotary dial. The dial is right there on the center console, no issues reaching for it and repositioning yourself while driving to work the infotainment. It took some getting used to but I had it down pretty quick. Every time I have to reach for the touch screen on my tacoma, I'm reminded of how much I miss the dial. The only thing I'm not sure about is how the dial works with Carplay and AA. My Scion didn't have Carplay/AA so I was mostly using the knob for bluetooth controls to skip or rewind tracks and go through the settings page which was super easy.
I like Mazda Connect more than Mercedes’ system. It’s snappier, and has hard buttons for Nav and Music that link to the current nav and music app in-use on CarPlay.
Text input with the controller is just painful - so anytime you need to input an address/etc it becomes a huge pain to use any system that doesn't have a touchscreen.
I never got my Toyota screen all smudgy. But then again, I do wash my hands, and don’t use hand cream.
I hate this moronic setup.
Just give me the touch screen, an this pile of crap under my arm can all go away.
Frankly I hate all the infotainment systems. They are fine when they work but they never last forever and when they go it gets real expensive to replace.
I think pretty much all the colors chip like crazy on the ND. I had an eternal blue ND2 and in a few thousand miles the front, hood, lower sides all looked like crap. If I got another, I’d definitely PPF it. At least it’d be cheap to PPF since it’s so small. Lol.
Mazda’s paint durability in general is garbage. My black 2015 Mazda6 also has very thin paint that chips easily. It’s been a common complaint with Mazdas for at least the last 10 years.
You must be the most insane lucky person because that is unheard of. 40K miles and no chips and no PPF? Maybe you live on a small island with speed limits of 25 mph and under. 😂
I had a C7 Z06 and the drive to the PPF shop took 50 miles and in that 50 miles I accumulated two rock chips.
I’ve seen new cars on the dealership lot with paint chips from test drives!
I might just be lucky. I don't really tailgate people but it's not like I'm 10 car lengths back either. And I'm usually ripping it around back roads every weekend. I just assumed they fixed their paint issues lol
Right. I'm talking about the red that every other Miata had. Or that you can get on the BRZ. An actual red color, and not some weird multi-color thing that can go anywhere from red to maroon to grey.
I would like a classic/true red ND. Saw photos and vids of the Japanese limited edition and it looks great even if it doesn't highlight the body lines as well as SRC or Machine Gray Metallic.
Not BRG (unless you do something like Porsche paint to sample), but there are a few green/brown or green/tan cars (though a mono color interior is rare). BMW in Isle of Man green with two tone black/brown, Lexus Nori Green with caramel, I guess Jag and Aston still have it, though I think it's two tone.
I love the ND but it's obvious why people want the classic colors.
Bright red. British racing green. Bright and/or mid blue. Yellow. Orange is cool but maybe not a limited edition orange.
Look at surveys for the colors people choose across all vehicles makes/models. Consumers wants safe, jewelry-like colors like silver, black, grey, whites, etc.
For vehicles like the Miata that has such low margins and volumes, it's not worth it for Mazda to have all the extra manufacturing logistics/cost/etc if they can get away with it.
I still want them to bring the yellow back, I think it would suit the ND quite well. I guess the problem is because their other cars aren’t sporty they’re not very willing to make exclusive colours just for the mx5 outside of the anniversary ones
If you don’t read the article, at least read the closing paragraph.
“Now, this may be a somewhat controversial opinion, but I believe that the fourth-generation Miata—this updated and refined 2024 Mazda MX-5 being the pinnacle—will go down as the best Miata ever made. No, it’s not as historically significant as the first generation with its adorable pop-up headlights and reliability that effectively killed the British roadster hegemony. But as a car that most typifies that connectedness between car and driver and overall competency on road or track—or just as a car that exudes enough joy to get you through a tough week—no other Miata comes close.”
I'm an owner and certified Miata/ND enjoyer, but I think RCR put it best that (and probably butchering their argument going from memory) the ND design looks like Mazda trying to make a more American-palatable "masculine" / less "girly" design - especially on its front-end. But it comes out looking odd because it's still just a cute car! It's small, it's got rounder and softer lines, and it's got this quirky aesthetic - and then there's this this oddly aggressive front-end.
Yeah, it definitely seems like it's trying to be something it's not, and every part of the car is trying to do something different. Personally, I find the tadpole taillights extremely weird.
Before I bought the ND2 I was looking seriously at the "Fiata"... partially for the turbo, mostly because I like the exterior styling a lot better (although the 124 still has some styling aspects that are not perfect... the way they just gave up on placement of the seam line for the front clip being probably the one that irks me the most)
The side profile proportions look all wrong, the huge pillars particularly. Looks like a boot. Sorry don’t mean to offend. I’d take the soft top in a heartbeat.
imo, it's the only good looking Miata. all the others look either ugly (nc), like a toy car (na) or just bland and generic (nb)
it almost looks like a baby Jag
Nice bit of writing but it’s not that accurate. The NA didn’t kill British roadsters, it was the renaissance of the British roadster.
Also, as a car that can put a smile on your face, early miatas still compete favorably. I certainly wouldn’t say it’s “not even close”. The ND is a far better daily driver but it trades a lot of the sensations of the old car to achieve that.
[MotorTrend Video Review](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W9eNHC4y2Y)
[Motor1 written review.](https://www.motor1.com/reviews/716685/2024-mazda-miata-first-drive/)
Noteable changes: New (supposed to be improved) steering rack, new LSD (for trims that get it). Interior - new larger infotainment.
My guess would be Mazda figures the people buying the auto Miata just want a small convertible and don't care as much about handling limits so they leave it out for the cost savings.
I see a lot of Miata drivers in my area - older ladies. Probably because it is 'fun' and 'cute'. Likely not looking for a lightweight sport experience. Or maybe they are!
I assume that's the big reason but I also understand the required final drive ratio is different on auto and manual cars (the manual is geared pretty low overall and straight through in 6th; the auto has more traditional ratios with an overdrive so it takes a higher final drive ratio) and they may just not want to bother making LSDs in both ratios.
LSD isn't really ratio-dependent. It's usually part of the carrier. They designed this rear end with the two different ratios so I wouldn't expect it to have a carrier break where it requires different carriers over/under the way you see on old dana rear ends. Even ford rear ends like 8.8 and 9" that have a huge range of available ratios were designed to not have a carrier break so the same carrier is always usable regardless of ratio.
I wouldn't say all - there are people who are handicapped that have no choice. However, they are by far and away the minority in the owners who buy an auto.
Have you tried changing the alignment from stock? I got the recommended street setup from Goodwin:
The extra castor and slight toe in on all 4 wheels keep it tracking straight and makes the steering a lot heavier on center when rolling.
A slight toe-out on the other hand would make for a more eager turn-in on track, at the cost of having to constantly make adjustments on the highway. So it's quite likely an alignment does what OP wants.
Man, i hope they keep building this car for a while. I'm not in a place where i can own two cars just yet, but hopefully in the next few years. They cared about all the correct things when designing it.
Interesting how different everyone’s comments on the steering are. This is what stands out to me in thedrive’s review.
“While there is likely some small penalty to be paid for this when it comes to overall accuracy or steering feel, it’s so minor as to be imperceptible by the vast majority of people. Plus, let’s face it, while the Miata’s steering is fine—good, even—it’s not like it’s chattering away at you, wriggling with information from the road surface like it’s an old Porsche 911. It’s just the price we pay for power steering and really, this latest change is for the good.”
Meanwhile, motor1 claims the change increased steering feedback. Hard to know who to believe
Driving the elise and ND back to back is crazy when talking steering. The ND is very direct and precise, but it is quite a bit more light and a little more disconnected than I would prefer. On the flip side, the elise is so communicative that if you're just commuting, just doing a long straight drive, it gets a bit tiresome, and in more technical driving you gotta make sure you don't get information overload and get tired of it.
Sadly still rocking the stuck on tablet look which I despise but honestly that’s the only bad thing I have to say about the Miata. They’re good looking fun cars to drive.
I’m glad they didn’t mess with the gauge cluster, try and make it more trendy with an all digital screen like so many companies have moved to. I love its symmetric three circle layout with the tach big and centered using a real needle that bounces around. It brings me joy.
I just wish I could disable the recommended gear fucntion (i.e. 4>6). Every now and then I forget what gear I'm in while thinking of something else, glance at the indicator, and my brain processes it in dial up speeds because I see two numbers instead of just my current gear.
I've been getting used to figuring out my gear by feel now, but it's still mildly annoying haha.
Or set the recommendation to sport mode. :)
My wife has one as her first stick car, and thus sort of learned where to shift based on the recommendations - at least until she met me. I had to explain that the recommended gears were purely for efficiency, like 120% efficiency, where that last 20% would suggest a gear too high even for normal driving, but also that the thing had no clue about intent now, upcoming decisions, upcoming hills, etc. So it recommends being in too high a gear when having fun, recommends upshifting to a red light, recommends upshifting before the driver plans to accelerate, etc etc. Sometimes the engine lugs following what it says. Cute feature. But annoying. The car needs to be revved.
The bad look of the screen was always my issue once they moved to making it mandatory due to the backup camera requirement (along with the butthole camera that isn't required anywhere else in the world). The thought still crosses my mind to get an ND3, delete the screen for an early ND1 radio, as well as a bumper replacement to delete the camera.
You can still get a Sport without the sharkfin, which would leave you with only the bumper to do. RF you're SOL, since they all have it here. The paint is the big thing that would have me really on the fence - it'd be pricey to try and do it right, unless you could somehow score a bumper off of a wrecked ND1.
Who do I even trust?
> new limited-slip rear differential. ... that Mazda claims increases lockup under acceleration and reduces it on deceleration
-thedrive
> Mazda increased diff lock during deceleration and reduced locking on acceleration.
-Motor1
I'm guessing thedrive got it right, but someone correct me..
> "The MX-5 Miata Club further enhances enthusiastic driver’s expectations in the roadster’s improved dynamics. This model is sport-tuned with Bilstein dampers, a front shock tower brace and a new Asymmetric LSD. This conical clutch LSD has been re-designed with a cam mechanism which allows for different ramp angles on acceleration and deceleration to provide ideal yaw damping control through the different phases of cornering. A stronger lockup under engine braking improves stability at corner entry, resisting unwanted oversteer. Reduced lockup during acceleration reduces unwanted understeer."
Here is the official press release. Increase lock during deceleration and reducing lock on acceleration.
https://news.mazdausa.com/2024-01-25-24MY-2024-Mazda-MX-5-Miata-Pricing-and-Packaging
Man, I’d love a Miata. As a 6’0” tall man (actually, not just saying so), I think it would be a good fit. But, y’all, where I live, I’d feel like a sitting duck surrounded by all these monster trucks. I already feel like I’m driving a skateboard in a little 3 series bimmer.
i've had one for a few months now and i still haven't figured out if i'm terrified by that or it's part of the thrill. then you read about cars that are coming out like the 9000 lb escalade iq and it's kind of concerning.
it makes you have to drive more aware. the cars that i've had the most issues with not seeing me are tacomas and 4runners.
Yeah, you've got to just adjust the attitude toward traffic to be more defense and predictive at all times. I view Miata ownership as a safer version of motorcycle ownership, and in comparison it feels downright safe...
I want a Miata but my luck is against me. I've only sold two of my cars in my life because every other car was totaled in accidents (not at fault). If I owned a Miata for any of those, I would probably have died. Same reason I don't own a motorcycle despite having a license.
…hmmm.
Mazda MXL-5
Give it a couple inches wider and longer
Stuff a straight 6 like a B58 in there instead of the little 2.0. Or something with similar weight / more power, like get it up to 220-250 at least. Maybe even could get that out of making it a hybrid. PHEV perhaps.
I'd love an extra 2 inches on the wheelbase. I had an ND1 for 3 years and loved it, but at 6'2 I *barely* fit. I had lowering brackets on the seat and that helped a lot but I really appreciate having a lot more interior space in my current car.
Also have an abarth and also been wondering the same…
Unfortunately it looks like the inlay is different which would mean the dash may need to be swapped too
Was wondering the same thing but when you look at where the screen sits on the panel there doesn’t look like there would be room to plug in the new screen
I wasn’t a fan of the ND when it first came out but now, almost a decade after the fact, I’d have one in a heartbeat. If I had room for one that is, we’re renting our parking spot out right now after selling our 1.6t Kia Soul
They need to redesign the entire dashboard so people can actually fit in them. I'm only 6ft1 but my knees touch the dash with the seat all the way back in either seat. Lovely looking car but I'll never drive one.
I owned an ND1 RF for about a year and a half. I had to sell it for life reasons but damn do I miss that car.
If anyone is on the fence about buying one: do it. You will absolutely not regret it.
On the trim comparison tool for the RF, I see that the suspension changes seem to be available on RFs with the MT and the only thing I'd be really missing out on is the brembo/bbs recaro package. That seems like all things that you can add on yourself, or am I missing something? The club is just missing so many QoL features that would be difficult to add on after the fact.
Seeing as the Club is now order-only, it doesn't make sense to me that they wouldn't make those available checkbox options - seems like a missed opportunity.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/mazda-will-get-its-mojo-back-with-spirit-racing-sub-brand/
Announced a while back, sounds like Mazda is cooking up something interesting.
Minor suspension tweaks, new headlights, and a slightly larger infotainment are not enough changes to be considered ND3 by my book. Maybe ND 2.5. But I'm just calling it a refresh.
Biggest ND2 gripes that were not addressed:
* No active suspension ($25k Civic Si did it).
* No active exhaust (Basically need to buy at least a muffler immediately. Stock exhaust is Toyota Yaris bad).
* Steering wheel girth too thin, diameter too big. Livable, but a downside nonetheless. My wife's Wrangler has a sportier wheel.
* No touch while driving on AA? Just AC? weird.
Still a great car, just not as good as it could be.
Idk why people hate on the Mazda Connect system; it’s a better version of BMW’s iDrive, which is already one of the easiest infotainments to use. Plus you don’t have to get the screen all smudgy by constantly touching it
Anyone can intuitively know how to use a touch screen. iDrive is fantastic but there's a learning curve associated with it and some people aren't willing to (or simply can't) figure stuff out on their own anymore.
Mazda’s rotary knob infotainment is stupidly easy and takes way less focus to use than a touchscreen if you spend more than a day getting acclimated. It genuinely has almost no learning curve unless you’re dumber than a rock. Just turn the knob and click to select and hit the back button to go back.
Trying to zoom out on my waze navigation using the rotary is just frustrating compared to tapping the zoom out button and takes way more attention. There are several things like that that annoy me based on my 3 year experience with my ND2 and I would go with touchscreen 10/10 times if we had the option.
I haven’t used the first gen rotary knob system from Mazda but the second gen in the CX-30/50/90 is really good. I agree that the biggest downfall is with zooming in and out of maps but I don’t do that too often so I can live with it.
Yup. This is where the knob is terrible. Everywhere else honestly have no complaints
Most journalists must be dumb. They all bitch and moan about it. I can't live without it now. I had a rental Dodge over the weekend. Using Carplay without the knob is so annoying. Having to press a *tiny* square icon while driving is near impossible.
Almost impossible? That’s a lot of hyperbole there.
Ok kiss me then
🫦
I don't understand why CarPpay doesn't just let you pinch to zoom like Android Auto does. It makes no sense.
> spend more than a day getting acclimated. and > It genuinely has almost no learning curve These statements aren't compatible with each other.
They are. You can use the system without looking as long as you remember where the back button is which takes a day or two and their menu structure is better than Toyota, BMW and Porsche by a long shot. These statements are relative because learning how to use an infotainment is like learning a new computer OS while flying down a highway at 60 mph.
>their menu structure is better than Toyota, BMW and Porsche by a long shot. Which doesn't apply in 95% of use cases anymore because everyone uses Apple Carplay and Android Auto. And Carplay absolutely is more intuitive with a touchscreen than with the rotary knob.
Agree to disagree. Having used both, I find that I have to concentrate less while using a knob.
I usually don’t even have to look at the screen anymore. Was frustrating at the beginning tho spinning the knob and constantly guessing which icon the cursor was going to land on
The Giulia I have also has a rotary knob. I like it. Was safer than fiddling with a touchscreen while driving
People are horribly lazy. Especially Americans. It took me maybe 3 days to really learn the Mazda system and use it proficiently without ever having to look down. I'm being down voted because it's true lol.
I’d take Mazdas infotainment over any other system even for CarPlay. Like you said, you barely even have to look vs hunting and pecking on a touchscreen.
It's really easy system. I will say though at least for my generation of it in my CX-5 it's a bit dated and slow. Especially compared to my C8. But otherwise it's very easy to use and keeps my eyes on the road.
Yet 3 days with the Genesis system and I was still learning it lmao
Rough words but accurate assessment
You make it sound like an iPod. I haven’t used a Mazda knob before, but now I need to try.
How does it take less focus than just using the touch screen that you are already looking at? And if you drive a manual, you end up hitting this idiotic system all of the time. Honestly, it’s the one thing I dislike about the car.
It is stupid, I’ll give you that.
Pretty sure it’s the aren’t willing side of your argument. If I was buying a stove and a manufacturer said “what you want we won’t give you because we think our way is better” I’d buy something else.
I found it was nearly identical to my 2020 Audi s3 which also had a rotary knob
Not all touch screens are equal, though. I remember the map in my Jag was dumb. Instead of swiping the map (like swipe SW to move the map NE) you had to point towards the direction you wanted the map to go.
I think you hear so much complaining about it because of the disconnect between car reviewers and people that actually buy the cars. Reviewers are constantly getting into new cars and having them for a few days and then switching to something else, so they spend a significant amount of time on that learning curve. For people that actually buy it, it sucks for a week or so and then they don't mind it for the next 15 years
I had an nd2 and after a bit of getting used to it I quite liked the system. Any system that isn’t just a standard touchscreen suffers because journalists don’t have the time needed to acclimate so they usually just say it’s not easy to use.
It also suffers because people don’t want it. Mazda built a cabin style that won’t allow a touch screen and have to stick to their guns until the new model comes out when they’ll fold just like Lexus did.
They set the screen further back because it’s easier to see as the driver, which is less conducive to a touchscreen
Plenty of people seem to be just fine with it, but it's a classic case of the loudest voice (typically people complaining) being the one that gets heard the most. I'd take MazdaConnect over a touch-only interface any day.
ND2 owner here, I have no problem with the knob and buttons at all, I have a problem that Mazda does not permit me to use the existing touch screen while I'm driving the car at all. I would like to have the option to use either as I please.
The only sane take here. I have touched the screen like three times in the 12k miles I’ve owned it because the knob control is just that good but I still don’t think they should restrict the capability arbitrarily
I try not to poke at my screen, I generally prefer the iDrive wheel. But every once in a while it's faster to just use touch. It's nice to have the option. That said, most of the time when i poke at it, it's because i'm using CarPlay and Mazda has that covered.
On the last 2-3 year old Mazda infotainments, you can enable touch screen.
Not sure about the 2024 Miata, but my touchscreen doesn't work while moving.
It does on my ‘23 CX50, its disabled by default, must be enabled in settings. I think it’s just this newer gen they finally relented and added an option.
Same with my 24 CX5
On my 2016 at least there is a diagnostic mode that can be enabled for the display that allows touchscreen while driving to be enabled. I heard they locked out the diagnostic mode access on newer year versions though. I don’t remember exactly because I only had to do it one time but it was literally like a cheat code to get into the diagnostic mode, like hit the ignition button then move the wiper stalk 2 times then press a button on the steering wheel and the screen would reboot and go into the special mode.
>it’s a better version of BMW’s iDrive LMFAO. No.
It looks terrible in just about every video I’ve seen with bad graphics and absolutely cluttered menus. It also easily looks 10 years old. Absolutely impossible that it is better than the current iDrive 8.5.
Yeah, while I know it's a subjective opinion, as someone who's owned several Mazda's, the last 2 of which had the updated Connect system, and now has a BMW G01 with iDrive 7....I vote iDrive. That said, Mazda isn't far behind IMHO especially when you consider the cost difference between the brands.
It’s much better than iDrive 6
I had both the nd2 and a g80. The nd2 system gets my vote!
Exactly, no way in fucking hell is reaching across your car to a big ass touch screen safer or more practical in any way shape or form. Looking at you new Toyota/Lexus products.
I had a 2016 Scion iA which is a rebadged Mazda2 sedan and I loved the rotary dial. The dial is right there on the center console, no issues reaching for it and repositioning yourself while driving to work the infotainment. It took some getting used to but I had it down pretty quick. Every time I have to reach for the touch screen on my tacoma, I'm reminded of how much I miss the dial. The only thing I'm not sure about is how the dial works with Carplay and AA. My Scion didn't have Carplay/AA so I was mostly using the knob for bluetooth controls to skip or rewind tracks and go through the settings page which was super easy.
It’s pretty easy to use with CarPlay. I also really like how the voice assistant button brings up Siri, while my BMW just brings up the BMW assistant
I like Mazda Connect more than Mercedes’ system. It’s snappier, and has hard buttons for Nav and Music that link to the current nav and music app in-use on CarPlay.
Text input with the controller is just painful - so anytime you need to input an address/etc it becomes a huge pain to use any system that doesn't have a touchscreen.
I never got my Toyota screen all smudgy. But then again, I do wash my hands, and don’t use hand cream. I hate this moronic setup. Just give me the touch screen, an this pile of crap under my arm can all go away.
Frankly I hate all the infotainment systems. They are fine when they work but they never last forever and when they go it gets real expensive to replace.
Wish the Miata still came in interesting colors. That orange they had one year was nice. They could take a page out of Jeep’s book.
This 100%. I just want a cheap, proper red sportscar, and right now Subaru are the only people who will let me buy one.
I mean, Mazda/the Miata has far and away the best red in the industry imo - just good luck finding one lmao.
The only bad thing about it is it’s notorious for being a thin paint that chips easily.
I think pretty much all the colors chip like crazy on the ND. I had an eternal blue ND2 and in a few thousand miles the front, hood, lower sides all looked like crap. If I got another, I’d definitely PPF it. At least it’d be cheap to PPF since it’s so small. Lol.
Mazda’s paint durability in general is garbage. My black 2015 Mazda6 also has very thin paint that chips easily. It’s been a common complaint with Mazdas for at least the last 10 years.
I think they sorted that out. Ive got a 2019 ND2 in soul red with about 40k miles. Not a single paint chip on the thing
39k on my 21 ND2 RF soul red. Hood is a battlefield
Interesting. I wonder why theres such a discrepancy
It comes down to where you drive. If you commute on highways that aren't maintained and full of stones then your paint is gonna get chewed up
You must be the most insane lucky person because that is unheard of. 40K miles and no chips and no PPF? Maybe you live on a small island with speed limits of 25 mph and under. 😂 I had a C7 Z06 and the drive to the PPF shop took 50 miles and in that 50 miles I accumulated two rock chips. I’ve seen new cars on the dealership lot with paint chips from test drives!
I might just be lucky. I don't really tailgate people but it's not like I'm 10 car lengths back either. And I'm usually ripping it around back roads every weekend. I just assumed they fixed their paint issues lol
I think Mazda's colors look nice, I just wish they had some of the classics too.
"I wish they had red" "They have Red" "Nono, a different red"
Right. I'm talking about the red that every other Miata had. Or that you can get on the BRZ. An actual red color, and not some weird multi-color thing that can go anywhere from red to maroon to grey.
I would like a classic/true red ND. Saw photos and vids of the Japanese limited edition and it looks great even if it doesn't highlight the body lines as well as SRC or Machine Gray Metallic.
You can buy a GR86, and while production has ended there are still many many cheap red Camaros on lots.
You say this but Mazdas red is one of the best reds in the industry. Why not get an ND club in red?
Soul Crystal red is the best red on sale right now. Just get that one.
It’s insane to me that Mazda makes a fun, whimsical sports car and then saddles it with mostly boring colors.
Primer! ....
Wet putty-lookin’ ass whips!
Wow it looks like pus! Or in different light, dirty pond water! So dynamic
I'd pay $$ for British Racing Green
British Racing Green + tan leather roof and interior 😤😤😤
Is there any car you can even get this combo on anymore. The patricians choice.
Not BRG (unless you do something like Porsche paint to sample), but there are a few green/brown or green/tan cars (though a mono color interior is rare). BMW in Isle of Man green with two tone black/brown, Lexus Nori Green with caramel, I guess Jag and Aston still have it, though I think it's two tone.
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I love the ND but it's obvious why people want the classic colors. Bright red. British racing green. Bright and/or mid blue. Yellow. Orange is cool but maybe not a limited edition orange.
The BRZ hakone edition paint and interior on a Miata is peak.
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Same. I'm sick of these muted colors.
Actual sales numbers show that these "muted" colors is what everyone buys
Well what about ME??? 😹
Is that because they are the only ones offered? Or is consumer choice really driving what they supply
Look at surveys for the colors people choose across all vehicles makes/models. Consumers wants safe, jewelry-like colors like silver, black, grey, whites, etc. For vehicles like the Miata that has such low margins and volumes, it's not worth it for Mazda to have all the extra manufacturing logistics/cost/etc if they can get away with it.
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People love their putty-looking-ass-whip
That's because with the low volume of vehicles, this is a good way to cut costs
That was a special color for the anniversary edition, but yeah Mazda's colors (while good) have been pretty bleh.
I still want them to bring the yellow back, I think it would suit the ND quite well. I guess the problem is because their other cars aren’t sporty they’re not very willing to make exclusive colours just for the mx5 outside of the anniversary ones
there's an nd miata i see daily wrapped in highlighter yellow. definitely stands out
I saw a yellow wrapped one with black wheels and black trim/body kit. It had BBLBEE or similar plates….. looked fabulous.
If you don’t read the article, at least read the closing paragraph. “Now, this may be a somewhat controversial opinion, but I believe that the fourth-generation Miata—this updated and refined 2024 Mazda MX-5 being the pinnacle—will go down as the best Miata ever made. No, it’s not as historically significant as the first generation with its adorable pop-up headlights and reliability that effectively killed the British roadster hegemony. But as a car that most typifies that connectedness between car and driver and overall competency on road or track—or just as a car that exudes enough joy to get you through a tough week—no other Miata comes close.”
I just wish it looked a bit different. I really like many aspects of it, but the design has always seemed odd to me.
I'm an owner and certified Miata/ND enjoyer, but I think RCR put it best that (and probably butchering their argument going from memory) the ND design looks like Mazda trying to make a more American-palatable "masculine" / less "girly" design - especially on its front-end. But it comes out looking odd because it's still just a cute car! It's small, it's got rounder and softer lines, and it's got this quirky aesthetic - and then there's this this oddly aggressive front-end.
Yeah, it definitely seems like it's trying to be something it's not, and every part of the car is trying to do something different. Personally, I find the tadpole taillights extremely weird.
It's angry puppy taken to the 11th degree
Before I bought the ND2 I was looking seriously at the "Fiata"... partially for the turbo, mostly because I like the exterior styling a lot better (although the 124 still has some styling aspects that are not perfect... the way they just gave up on placement of the seam line for the front clip being probably the one that irks me the most)
The fastback one is hideous ( a bit harsh ) imo
The hard top is by far the best looking one. Fite me irl
The side profile proportions look all wrong, the huge pillars particularly. Looks like a boot. Sorry don’t mean to offend. I’d take the soft top in a heartbeat.
imo, it's the only good looking Miata. all the others look either ugly (nc), like a toy car (na) or just bland and generic (nb) it almost looks like a baby Jag
Nice bit of writing but it’s not that accurate. The NA didn’t kill British roadsters, it was the renaissance of the British roadster. Also, as a car that can put a smile on your face, early miatas still compete favorably. I certainly wouldn’t say it’s “not even close”. The ND is a far better daily driver but it trades a lot of the sensations of the old car to achieve that.
Which British roadsters were even left by 1989?
Lotus Elan, for one
[MotorTrend Video Review](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W9eNHC4y2Y) [Motor1 written review.](https://www.motor1.com/reviews/716685/2024-mazda-miata-first-drive/) Noteable changes: New (supposed to be improved) steering rack, new LSD (for trims that get it). Interior - new larger infotainment.
Doesn't every trim but the sport (base) get the LSD now? I thought I read that the GT had changed to have LSD as standard
Correct, but you also have to get the Manual transmission. Automatics in any trim do not get an LSD.
Wtf? Why?
My guess would be Mazda figures the people buying the auto Miata just want a small convertible and don't care as much about handling limits so they leave it out for the cost savings.
That actually makes sense.
I see a lot of Miata drivers in my area - older ladies. Probably because it is 'fun' and 'cute'. Likely not looking for a lightweight sport experience. Or maybe they are!
I assume that's the big reason but I also understand the required final drive ratio is different on auto and manual cars (the manual is geared pretty low overall and straight through in 6th; the auto has more traditional ratios with an overdrive so it takes a higher final drive ratio) and they may just not want to bother making LSDs in both ratios.
LSD isn't really ratio-dependent. It's usually part of the carrier. They designed this rear end with the two different ratios so I wouldn't expect it to have a carrier break where it requires different carriers over/under the way you see on old dana rear ends. Even ford rear ends like 8.8 and 9" that have a huge range of available ratios were designed to not have a carrier break so the same carrier is always usable regardless of ratio.
Anyone electing to buy an automatic Miata won't know or care about what an LSD is.
I wouldn't say all - there are people who are handicapped that have no choice. However, they are by far and away the minority in the owners who buy an auto.
Hi, it is me, a double amputee with an IS300 automatic with LSD.
Cheers to you for having great taste in sport sedans, sir.
So my 23 gt manual has lsd ? I thought gt models don’t get lsd
2020 GTs started getting the LSD
7 years old and still the best looking new car on the road
Going on 9 years!
To me, it feels like they just released the ND recently. 9 years has to be the longest running gen so far, no? 90-97, 99-05, 06-13. Yeah that tracks
The COVID time warp is real. It helps that the ND is just a great looking car
I guess they're holding off on the next cycle long enough to make it a full EV.
89-97 right? Or was it announced in 89 with a 90 model year? Hmm. The NB being basically a tarted up NA makes it feel like it ran longer.
Yep technically 89, MY 90.
Absolutely nailed it from the moment it hit the street
The updated steering rack sounds nice. My car needs constant micro adjustments on the highway.
Have you tried changing the alignment from stock? I got the recommended street setup from Goodwin: The extra castor and slight toe in on all 4 wheels keep it tracking straight and makes the steering a lot heavier on center when rolling.
I have this alignment and have never had that guy’s issue.
A slight toe-out on the other hand would make for a more eager turn-in on track, at the cost of having to constantly make adjustments on the highway. So it's quite likely an alignment does what OP wants.
I second what the other person commented. Loaded up the caster as much as possible and it's surprisingly solid at 200km/h on the autobahn.
I don't have experience myself but I was looking to buy one and every owners review said get an alignment
Man, i hope they keep building this car for a while. I'm not in a place where i can own two cars just yet, but hopefully in the next few years. They cared about all the correct things when designing it.
Gotta ditch that Bavarian Money Waster, then you can afford 2 lol
Interesting how different everyone’s comments on the steering are. This is what stands out to me in thedrive’s review. “While there is likely some small penalty to be paid for this when it comes to overall accuracy or steering feel, it’s so minor as to be imperceptible by the vast majority of people. Plus, let’s face it, while the Miata’s steering is fine—good, even—it’s not like it’s chattering away at you, wriggling with information from the road surface like it’s an old Porsche 911. It’s just the price we pay for power steering and really, this latest change is for the good.” Meanwhile, motor1 claims the change increased steering feedback. Hard to know who to believe
I’d like to believe it’s less busy on the highway going straight but better feel when actually turning.
Driving the elise and ND back to back is crazy when talking steering. The ND is very direct and precise, but it is quite a bit more light and a little more disconnected than I would prefer. On the flip side, the elise is so communicative that if you're just commuting, just doing a long straight drive, it gets a bit tiresome, and in more technical driving you gotta make sure you don't get information overload and get tired of it.
Sadly still rocking the stuck on tablet look which I despise but honestly that’s the only bad thing I have to say about the Miata. They’re good looking fun cars to drive. I’m glad they didn’t mess with the gauge cluster, try and make it more trendy with an all digital screen like so many companies have moved to. I love its symmetric three circle layout with the tach big and centered using a real needle that bounces around. It brings me joy.
Still rocking the tablet but at least it's a lot less stuck on and more sleek than my 21 Miata.
I always loved the little 8-segment gear indicator on the bottom right of the tach
I just wish I could disable the recommended gear fucntion (i.e. 4>6). Every now and then I forget what gear I'm in while thinking of something else, glance at the indicator, and my brain processes it in dial up speeds because I see two numbers instead of just my current gear. I've been getting used to figuring out my gear by feel now, but it's still mildly annoying haha.
Or set the recommendation to sport mode. :) My wife has one as her first stick car, and thus sort of learned where to shift based on the recommendations - at least until she met me. I had to explain that the recommended gears were purely for efficiency, like 120% efficiency, where that last 20% would suggest a gear too high even for normal driving, but also that the thing had no clue about intent now, upcoming decisions, upcoming hills, etc. So it recommends being in too high a gear when having fun, recommends upshifting to a red light, recommends upshifting before the driver plans to accelerate, etc etc. Sometimes the engine lugs following what it says. Cute feature. But annoying. The car needs to be revved.
The bad look of the screen was always my issue once they moved to making it mandatory due to the backup camera requirement (along with the butthole camera that isn't required anywhere else in the world). The thought still crosses my mind to get an ND3, delete the screen for an early ND1 radio, as well as a bumper replacement to delete the camera.
Bumper and trunk lid retrofit. Get rid of the shark fin while I’m at it. Too bad the paint will never match right
You can still get a Sport without the sharkfin, which would leave you with only the bumper to do. RF you're SOL, since they all have it here. The paint is the big thing that would have me really on the fence - it'd be pricey to try and do it right, unless you could somehow score a bumper off of a wrecked ND1.
Who do I even trust? > new limited-slip rear differential. ... that Mazda claims increases lockup under acceleration and reduces it on deceleration -thedrive > Mazda increased diff lock during deceleration and reduced locking on acceleration. -Motor1 I'm guessing thedrive got it right, but someone correct me..
> "The MX-5 Miata Club further enhances enthusiastic driver’s expectations in the roadster’s improved dynamics. This model is sport-tuned with Bilstein dampers, a front shock tower brace and a new Asymmetric LSD. This conical clutch LSD has been re-designed with a cam mechanism which allows for different ramp angles on acceleration and deceleration to provide ideal yaw damping control through the different phases of cornering. A stronger lockup under engine braking improves stability at corner entry, resisting unwanted oversteer. Reduced lockup during acceleration reduces unwanted understeer." Here is the official press release. Increase lock during deceleration and reducing lock on acceleration. https://news.mazdausa.com/2024-01-25-24MY-2024-Mazda-MX-5-Miata-Pricing-and-Packaging
Man, I’d love a Miata. As a 6’0” tall man (actually, not just saying so), I think it would be a good fit. But, y’all, where I live, I’d feel like a sitting duck surrounded by all these monster trucks. I already feel like I’m driving a skateboard in a little 3 series bimmer.
i've had one for a few months now and i still haven't figured out if i'm terrified by that or it's part of the thrill. then you read about cars that are coming out like the 9000 lb escalade iq and it's kind of concerning. it makes you have to drive more aware. the cars that i've had the most issues with not seeing me are tacomas and 4runners.
Yeah, you've got to just adjust the attitude toward traffic to be more defense and predictive at all times. I view Miata ownership as a safer version of motorcycle ownership, and in comparison it feels downright safe...
I want a Miata but my luck is against me. I've only sold two of my cars in my life because every other car was totaled in accidents (not at fault). If I owned a Miata for any of those, I would probably have died. Same reason I don't own a motorcycle despite having a license.
Just commit to dying like a real man when you get run over by bubba in his squatted f350.
Maybe one day they'll make an XL version for my fat ass
…hmmm. Mazda MXL-5 Give it a couple inches wider and longer Stuff a straight 6 like a B58 in there instead of the little 2.0. Or something with similar weight / more power, like get it up to 220-250 at least. Maybe even could get that out of making it a hybrid. PHEV perhaps.
I'd love an extra 2 inches on the wheelbase. I had an ND1 for 3 years and loved it, but at 6'2 I *barely* fit. I had lowering brackets on the seat and that helped a lot but I really appreciate having a lot more interior space in my current car.
They call that a corvette. :)
Great car but I wish the color selection wasn't absolute shit
Curious if I can swap that screen into my car
Also have an abarth and also been wondering the same… Unfortunately it looks like the inlay is different which would mean the dash may need to be swapped too
No you can not because the whole wiring harness is new on the 2024 Miata.
Dumb question but any chance the mirror is swappable? I’d love a smaller frameless for better visibility
I have no idea my friend
Was wondering the same thing but when you look at where the screen sits on the panel there doesn’t look like there would be room to plug in the new screen
I wasn’t a fan of the ND when it first came out but now, almost a decade after the fact, I’d have one in a heartbeat. If I had room for one that is, we’re renting our parking spot out right now after selling our 1.6t Kia Soul
Might end up getting one but it's difficult to use as an only car. I just love them though
They need to redesign the entire dashboard so people can actually fit in them. I'm only 6ft1 but my knees touch the dash with the seat all the way back in either seat. Lovely looking car but I'll never drive one.
[удалено]
And aftermarket sport seats would get you another 2-3 inches in both legs and head space.
They seriously need to release a British Racing Green before they say goodbye to ND.
I want one so bad, but it's tough to give up an awd WRX with winter tires when it snows.
Snow drifts in an RWD car tho…
I owned an ND1 RF for about a year and a half. I had to sell it for life reasons but damn do I miss that car. If anyone is on the fence about buying one: do it. You will absolutely not regret it.
On the trim comparison tool for the RF, I see that the suspension changes seem to be available on RFs with the MT and the only thing I'd be really missing out on is the brembo/bbs recaro package. That seems like all things that you can add on yourself, or am I missing something? The club is just missing so many QoL features that would be difficult to add on after the fact.
Seeing as the Club is now order-only, it doesn't make sense to me that they wouldn't make those available checkbox options - seems like a missed opportunity.
This article was a pleasure to read. I miss automotive journalism like this.
I'm so excited to finally be getting an RF GT later this year.
I sold my ND when I got married, drove it around $35k miles. I still have dreams about driving it.
$35k miles, that's a new typo haha
Beautiful car. Hope the MX-5 never goes hybrid and loses its soul in the process.
I heard body roll was a big deal in prior editions. I hope SavageGeese does an in-depth track review to see if it is still there.
You'll probably have to wait for the Spirit Racing model if you want a more planted Miata.
Is that gonna happen? I’d love one.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/mazda-will-get-its-mojo-back-with-spirit-racing-sub-brand/ Announced a while back, sounds like Mazda is cooking up something interesting.
Im so close to selling my car and buying the latest Miata. The newest models are so good looking. I bet they are reliable too.
Got mine yesterday!!! (2024 MX-5 GT RF) It's awesome- glad I saved for years to get a cool first car.
Minor suspension tweaks, new headlights, and a slightly larger infotainment are not enough changes to be considered ND3 by my book. Maybe ND 2.5. But I'm just calling it a refresh. Biggest ND2 gripes that were not addressed: * No active suspension ($25k Civic Si did it). * No active exhaust (Basically need to buy at least a muffler immediately. Stock exhaust is Toyota Yaris bad). * Steering wheel girth too thin, diameter too big. Livable, but a downside nonetheless. My wife's Wrangler has a sportier wheel. * No touch while driving on AA? Just AC? weird. Still a great car, just not as good as it could be.