Long-Term Owner's Review: ND Mazda MX-5 Miata

This is a video I have been wanting to make for a long time and took quite a few tries (and days) to shoot and edit. I'm super excited to present my thoughts and experience about owning this 2019 ND2 MX-5 Miata over the last two years!

I go through the driving experience, interior ergonomics, reliability, material quality, and have a Q&A session at the end. Let me know what your thoughts and questions are in the comment section below.

Thank you all so much for watching and helping my channel grow over the last several years!

SUMMARY: The Miata is STILL the answer! This is the third Miata I've owned and one of many that I have driven. It's a true dual-purpose car: a fantastic daily driver and amazing weekend warrior. Mazda has done a fantastic job of keeping the Miata true to its roots, and we should all be thankful that they still make this car. It's still simple, lightweight, reliable, and a blast to drive! It's thrilling, engaging, and easy to drive hard. Sadly cars like these won't be around much longer and I feel so lucky to own it. Every car person should own, or at least drive, one of these in their lifetime!

Use code "Ian&Lasfit10" for 10% off at checkout!

2019 Engine details:

0:00 Introduction
0:33 Driving Experience
6:05 Drivetrain
12:46 Interior and exterior Design
15:30 Interior Ergonomics and Details
26:29 Reliability and Material Quality
30:35 Maintenance and Running Costs

[junlee]

Anybody watching this video, look no further; this is the most informative and comprehensive review. This is the ultimate review of ND Miata. BTW Thank you, your channel has tons of information!! I subscribe and👍👍👍

[wholelottamiata]

This is one of the best and most well spoken reviews I’ve seen on the ND2! One feature that I think is cool about the engine that wasn’t mentioned is Mazda put an oscillating feature on the throttle body to counter act low speed bucking when you’re crawling along in 1st gear. I don’t think I’ve heard of any other car with that feature and it’s a cool idea. Makes it very smooth in stop and go.

[dude]

I neglected watching this video because i didn’t recognize the creator. But can confidently say this is likely the best ND2 video published. I now own a 2021, and this video has helped me learn everything i need to know!

[Sydney_D]

Possibly the most comprehensive ND owners review I have seen on Youtube. Useful info. Great job!

[byhsu]

Beautiful car, love the color.

Very in-depth review.

Thanks.

MIATA is always the answer!

[cphillips]

Great level-headed and well informed review. Not just a love fest. No idea how you explain so much, so well, and while driving!

[impreza]

After watching this, I'm definitely going for the MX-5.

The GR86/BRZ twins are also a good alternative if you live anywhere else in the world, but in the Philippines the twins are priced at a national non-negotiable low low price of US$43k vs the MX-5's US$35k

They're supposed to be competitors but pricewise and with your review, the MX-5 is the clear winner

[MrBTRDAYZ]

I own a 2017 RF GT and I've watched many ND/ND2 videos, and I have to say... BEST MIATA OWNER REVIEW VIDEO EVER!!!

With the amount of detail provided for every aspect of this car, I'd swear you were one of Mazda's Miata factory engineers! Excellent!

[peterlewis]

Its the cars incredible reliability, that's what i have found the most impressive, having owned my Sep 2021 Sports Venture Edition from new.

The car doesn't come out in the winter, so stays in my garage for seven months of the year.
Even when stationary for so many months, the tyre pressures have remained constant, with no loss of pressure.

Of all the cars ive owned, my MX is without doubt the most reliable car ive ever owned.
Everything else about the car, is just testimony to Mazdas brilliance in manufacturing superb cars

[onlymarkallen]

I have a 2016 soul red soft top and I am ridiculously in love with it. I am 6'3" and I still fit pretty well in there. I had an NB that was good but this is a whole new level. I agree with the door length. It's a real squeeze, even in the garage, to get into the car with the tight remaining angle. The NB was much easier to get out of. I think they could have added more detents for door position as well. And yes, the door arm rests are not comfortable. I do not mind the stock seats but they could be better quality fabric. The telescopic steering column is a great upgrade but if you have monkey arms like me it is not much of an issue. The revised motor adds needed power but I have never felt that mine was lacking in power particularly. I would mention that the 5 link rear is spectacular at tracking. I do feel that excessive lateral body movement translates into the rear end settling outward in turns and the body lean is noticeable. It does "set" after the swing and lean but it is a soft spot. Older models felt more planted and confident in the corners. (The other attributes of the car make up for it!) I feel that this is partially due to the pillow ball bushings at 3 outer points on the links, and perhaps the other bushings could be stiffer. I blew one out and replaced it with a neoprene blank. There are no replacement single bushings form factory, they make you purchase the whole outer knuckle so you have to get creative. I think there is a race spec bushing set issued by Mazda out there as well for dear price. Larger sway bars are a really good upgrade to these cars. Helps markedly with the body lean. Upgrading to the Bilstein shocks makes a load of difference as well. There are quite a few used sets on evilbay from folks that went to coil overs. I find the car to be just fine with the Bilsteins. Finally, the trans and rear differential oils need to be changed far more often than you would think. The fluid gets dark and burnt quickly. This may be due to the oil Mazda uses to produce a smoother "cold" shift. I have found the Lucas synthetic 75/90 gear oil to improve the notchy synchro feel and the shift to reverse, and it runs just fine in cold weather in the front and rear. I really think it should be changed every 30K. Even 50K is too long in my opinion. They really are fantastic cars to drive and I get so many compliments and people looking at the badging to find out what it is. I take it out often in the high mountain roads here in Northern NM it always puts a smile on my face. Cheers and thanks for the in depth review!

[larrybuttress]

I’ve watched A LOT of Miata reviews. This is clearly the best one I’ve seen. Learned a few things here I had never heard before. Very informative!

[gzknk]

As an ND2 owner (May 2021) I think this review is spot on. The car is better in every way than the NC I had before except for the steering feedback - exactly my experience!

[jimbrennan]

I recently ordered a 22 GT convertible and your excellent revue allows me to know I did the right thing as I part with my 2000(SE). Thanks for such a good revue.

[Cam-pend]

Not even interested in driving or owning one of these but I watched the video anyway because I love well-made videos of owners talking about and showing off their cars.

[MaxSpeedMike]

I loved this car when we did the review together. Really happy to see you still have it and happy to see you're still really enjoying it! It's a great daily, and makes everything so much more fun

[elissaoconnor]

I just got a MX5 Club for a 24 hour test drive, and it's so lovely to handle. I like the convenience of the auto, but feel like manual is the way to drive this car. I recently drove an MS3 and the torque steer was challenging for me. Being a short woman, I find the Miata to be very comfortable, even with the top up. Love the color scheme on your edition, wish they would make that a regular option. Thanks for the info!

[MonsieurClaville]

I am picking up a brand new ND2 next week and just stumbleded over your long term review. I have to say that you're doing a really good job creating content! I really enjoyed it. Kudos to you!

[mikeb]

I have an ND1 but your observations are spot on.

[gibbleway]

I made my initial comment of my vision/experience only letting this play in background realizing what an ultimate review this is of miata nd, particularly with the advice of us taller drivers which need that room, great insight depth will watch entirely

[gregalee]

I owned a '21 ND RF and replaced the stock Bridgestone Potenza run-flat tires with Michelin Pilot Super Sports. The difference in ride was amazing. The sidewall in the non-run flat tires is supple, where the Potenzas felt rigid and unforgiving. I wouldn't go back.