Mazda MX-5 ND | The Buying Story and why not a GT86?

Summary

In this video, Kingsley shares his car-buying journey, starting with test-driving a Toyota GT86 and considering Porsches within a NZD 30-40,000 budget. He was initially drawn to a 986 Boxster but decided against it due to high maintenance costs. A chance encounter with a Mazda MX5 RF at a dealership led him to fall in love with its eager and responsive driving experience. Despite the ND2 model being out of budget, he eventually found a 2020 MX5 RF for sale at a price below market value. After five years of ownership, Kingsley is still enamored with his purchase and plans to share more about his ownership experience in future videos.

Takeaways

• 🚗 Kingsley introduces his 2020 Mazda MX5, a car he chose over other options like the Toyota GT86 and Porsche models.
• 🏎️ He initially considered the Toyota GT86 but found it slow and unresponsive unless driven aggressively.
• 🚘 Kingsley was interested in Porsches, particularly the 911, but found manual options in his budget to be scarce.
• 🔍 He considered a used 2003 Porsche Boxster S but was deterred by the high cost of necessary repairs.
• 🌟 The Mazda MX5 ND RF caught his attention due to its good looks and became a revelation in terms of driving experience.
• 🐕 Kingsley describes the MX5 as an 'eager, happy little puppy' that's enjoyable to drive in any condition.
• 💸 The search for a Mazda MX5 ND2 was challenging due to its higher price and newness in the market.
• ⚙️ The ND2 model's engine was more appealing due to updates that made it more powerful and free-revving compared to the ND1.
• 📉 Kingsley found a good deal on a 2020 Mazda MX5 RF on Trade Me, a New Zealand online marketplace.
• 🏡 After a quick inspection and negotiation, he managed to purchase the car below market value.
• 🎥 Kingsley plans to share more about his ownership experience, modifications, and future plans for the car in upcoming videos.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Kingsley's first YouTube video?

The main topic of Kingsley's first YouTube video is his 2020 Mazda MX5, specifically discussing why he chose the MX5 over other alternatives.

What were the alternatives Kingsley considered before purchasing the Mazda MX5?

Before purchasing the Mazda MX5, Kingsley considered the Toyota GT86 and various Porsche models, including 986 Boxsters and 987 Caymans.

Why did Kingsley find the Toyota GT86 unsuitable for his needs?

Kingsley found the Toyota GT86 to be slow and not eager to drive unless pushed to its limits, which did not meet his expectations.

What was Kingsley's budget for purchasing a car?

Kingsley's budget for purchasing a car was between 30,000 to 40,000 New Zealand Dollars.

Why did Kingsley initially rule out Porsches within his budget?

Within Kingsley's budget, the Porsches available were mostly automatics, and he preferred a manual transmission.

What maintenance issues did Kingsley discover with the Porsche 986 Boxster he test drove?

The Porsche 986 Boxster needed a new clutch, brakes, and tires, which increased the cost beyond Kingsley's budget.

How did Kingsley describe the driving experience of the Mazda MX5?

Kingsley described the Mazda MX5 as an eager, happy little puppy of a car that was enjoyable to drive at any speed and in any condition.

What engine differences does Kingsley mention between the ND1 and ND2 Mazda MX5 models?

Kingsley mentions that the ND2 model has an updated engine with more horsepower, torque, and a higher redline compared to the ND1 model.

How did Kingsley find the specific Mazda MX5 RF that he eventually purchased?

Kingsley found the Mazda MX5 RF on Trade Me, which is a New Zealand online marketplace, through a listing that only showed a photo of the gauge cluster.

What was the initial asking price for the Mazda MX5 RF that Kingsley bought?

The initial asking price for the Mazda MX5 RF was $25,000, which was significantly lower than the car's actual worth.

How long has Kingsley owned his Mazda MX5 RF?

At the time of the video recording, Kingsley has owned his Mazda MX5 RF for nearly 5 years.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Introduction to the 2020 Mazda MX5 Purchase Journey

Kingsley introduces himself and his YouTube channel while driving north of Albany, New Zealand. He explains his decision to purchase a 2020 Mazda MX5 over other alternatives like the Toyota GT86 and various Porsche models. He found the GT86 slow and unexciting, while Porsches were either automatic or required significant maintenance investments. A chance encounter with a Mazda MX5 RF at a dealership led to an immediate positive impression, describing it as an 'eager, happy little puppy' of a car that was enjoyable to drive in any condition.

05:00

🔍 The Search for the Perfect Mazda MX5 ND

Kingsley details his search for the ideal Mazda MX5, specifically the ND2 model with the updated 2.0L engine, which he prefers for its improved performance over the initial 1.5L engine. He faced budget constraints with the ND2's higher price point, but a serendipitous find on a New Zealand auction site led him to a 2020 Mazda MX5 RF manual with a surprisingly low starting price. After a phone call confirming the car's legitimacy, he made an offer significantly below market value, which was accepted. He shares his excitement and surprise at becoming the owner of the car, hinting at future videos detailing his ownership experience and plans for the vehicle.

Keywords

💡Mazda MX5

The Mazda MX5 is the central focus of the video, particularly the 2020 model owned by the speaker. It's a lightweight sports car known for its responsive handling and fun driving experience. In the video, the speaker explains why he chose the Mazda MX5 ND2 RF (hardtop model) over other sports car alternatives like the Toyota GT86 and Porsche Boxster.

💡Toyota GT86

The Toyota GT86 is mentioned as a sports car the speaker initially considered. It’s known for its rear-wheel drive and affordable sports car appeal. However, the speaker rejected the GT86 after test-driving two models, finding them slow and not as engaging unless driven at high speeds, which contrasts with the eager nature of the Mazda MX5.

💡Porsche Boxster

The Porsche Boxster, specifically the 986 model, is another car the speaker considered. It’s a more luxurious sports car brand, but the speaker eventually decided against it due to potential high maintenance costs. Despite liking the driving experience, the speaker found that the need for a clutch, brakes, and tires made the Boxster too expensive for his budget.

💡Manual Transmission

Manual transmission refers to the speaker's preference for cars that require manual gear-shifting. The speaker emphasizes his desire for a manual car over an automatic, stating that while he respects those who drive automatics, he wanted the more engaging driving experience that comes with manual transmission, which influenced his choice of the Mazda MX5.

💡ND1 vs ND2

The speaker distinguishes between the Mazda MX5 ND1 and ND2 models. The ND2 refers to the upgraded version, which features improvements to the engine, such as more horsepower, torque, and higher RPM limits. These enhancements made the ND2 a more desirable option for the speaker, contributing to his eventual purchase of the vehicle.

💡2.0L Engine

The 2.0L engine is a key factor in the speaker's decision to purchase the Mazda MX5 ND2. Initially, the MX5 was planned to only feature a smaller 1.5L engine, but Mazda included the larger 2.0L engine at the request of the North American market. The speaker values the increased horsepower and torque of the 2.0L engine in the ND2, which provides a more exhilarating driving experience.

💡Budget Constraints

The speaker's budget is a recurring theme throughout the video. He discusses how his budget of around 30,000–40,000 New Zealand dollars limited his car choices. The speaker eventually found a secondhand Mazda MX5 that fit his budget after some negotiation, despite its higher market value.

💡Test Driving

Test driving plays a critical role in the speaker’s decision-making process. He test-drove both the Toyota GT86 and Porsche Boxster before deciding they didn’t suit his preferences. The test drive of the Mazda MX5, however, left a lasting impression, as he describes it as a ‘revelation’ due to its eagerness and agility at any speed.

💡Secondhand Cars

Secondhand cars are mentioned as part of the speaker’s buying strategy. Due to the high cost of new cars, he browsed secondhand listings, including the one for the Mazda MX5 he eventually bought. His car purchase was facilitated by finding a well-maintained secondhand Mazda MX5 through Trade Me, a New Zealand auction site.

💡Trade Me

Trade Me is described as New Zealand’s version of eBay, where the speaker found his Mazda MX5 listed for sale. The platform allowed him to negotiate directly with the seller and eventually purchase the car at a price he could afford, even though it was slightly below its market value.

Highlights

Introduction to the YouTube channel and the first video about the 2020 Mazda MX5.

Initial consideration of other cars, including the Toyota GT86, and why it was dismissed.

Discussion about considering a Porsche, including driving experiences and budget constraints.

Explanation of why the Porsche options, specifically the 911 and Boxster, were ultimately not pursued.

First encounter with the Mazda MX5 ND RF at a dealership and initial impressions.

Comparison of the driving experience between the Mazda MX5 and the Toyota GT86.

Explanation of the differences between the ND1 and ND2 versions of the Mazda MX5.

Details on why the ND2 engine was more appealing, including improvements in horsepower and torque.

Challenges faced in finding a Mazda MX5 ND2 within the budget, including price differences in New Zealand.

The process of discovering a potential Mazda MX5 ND2 on TradeMe and initial interactions with the seller.

The emotional journey of making an offer on the car and the surprise of having it accepted.

The experience of flying to another city to pick up the car and the excitement of driving it home.

Reflection on nearly five years of ownership and satisfaction with the Mazda MX5.

Teaser for future videos about ownership experiences, modifications, and future plans for the car.

Closing remarks encouraging viewers to like and subscribe for more content.

Transcripts

[Music]

hi I'm Kingsley and you join me on the

roads north of Albany which is just

outside of Oakland in New Zealand um

welcome to my YouTube channel God knows

if it'll be any good but we'll see what

happens um first video I wanted to make

was about my car my 2020 Mazda MX5

md2 uh and why I purchased an MX5

as opposed to some of the Alternatives

that were out there now I didn't think

of the MX5 originally I thought of the

Toyota

GT86 so I went and drove two GT86 that

were for sale and very quickly

discovered that they weren't really for

me unless you were absolutely driving

the nuts off it

thrashing it they felt very slow and

they just didn't feel very eager to me I

I didn't get into a

GT86 and love it like I thought I would

then I went down the path of Porsches

and I've always wanted a Porsche I still

want a Porsche and someday I hope I will

own a Porsche you know my budget wasn't

High my budget was about 30 to 40,000

New Zealand Dollars which is about

I'm going to put on the screen below

what it is in US dollars cuz I couldn't

tell you off the top of my head I found

that a lot of the Porsches at that price

were titronics they weren't manuals and

look I have no issue with people that

drive automatics I not a gatekeeper of

car culture if you like an automatic

more power to you I wanted a manual 911s

as I say a manual did not exist but what

did exist a little bit in that price

bracket

were Cayman and boxers spe specifically

986 boxers 987 Cayman did exist in

manual form at that price point and I

found a very nice what I thought was a

very nice 2003 boxer s and I went and

drove it and I really liked it I liked

it a lot straight away but I'll get it

inspected I'll take it to a Porsche

specialist and get it checked out cuz I

know that the bills can build up pretty

quickly on like that and sure enough the

specialist said to me look it needs a

clutch uh it needs braks and it needs

tires so all of a sudden this car that

was a very good price became not such a

good price and I realized that maybe at

that stage of my life a Porsche was not

for me and then one day I was driving

past a Mazda dealership and they had a

MX5 ND the RF the hard top which if you

haven't guessed already is what I'm

driving now uh they had a RF parked on

the for court and I looked at it I went

God that's a good looking car that's a

cool looking car but I thought well

how's it going to drive

and I can't describe what a revelation

it was it was unlike the GT86 it was

eager at any speed at any speed it was

this happy little puppy of a car car

that just wanted to go it didn't matter

if you were in traffic if you were just

cruising around back streets it didn't

matter if you were on a Motorway on a

back road wherever you were this car

wanted to

[Music]

move I love this B Road

it's a bit wet so I should be careful it

drove beautifully it was an eager happy

little puppy and I thought this is the

car I want but then I ran into an issue

which was at that point the indd

especially the RF was still a very new

car and secondhand ones were out of my

budget and what I also learned very

quickly is that in the ND there's an nd1

and an nd2 two now now there's a three

but we'll get to the three another time

at the time there was just the one and

two and the indd 2 was what I wanted for

a few

[Music]

reasons the first reason that I wanted

an indd to was the engine so when mezda

built the ND MX5

it was initially meant to only come with

the smaller engine the 1.5 L now I've

driven a 1500 MD and it's a wicked

little car you floor it basically

everywhere and there's nothing wrong

with that I think that's a great way to

be for a car but at the last minute I

have heard that Mazda of North America

said you have to put a 2 L in this car

or no one's going to buy

it in America so sure enough Mazda

weakened and put a 2 L in the MD but all

they did was they took the 2 L out of

the Mazda 3 and dropped it in and what

you ended up with was you ended up with

about a 6,000 RPM Red Line 65 I think uh

it it wasn't a sports car engine it was

just a 2 L Mazda engine so for the nd2

Mazda updated a lot of the engine it

revs more freely it's got about 25 more

horsepower it's got more torque uh and

it's just more what the ND should have

probably had in the beginning so I knew

for that reason alone I wanted an ND to

but that made my search harder again

because the n2s were even more expensive

and were basically brand new and you

weren't getting one in New Zealand for

less than about $50,000 which was just

you know that was wildly out of my out

of my price range at that point so I

kind of resigned myself to that's the

car I want eventually but I'm not going

to get one anytime soon and then I was

browsing tradem me which is like the New

Zealand version of

eBay all of a sudden this listing was

there and it was only a photo of the

gauge cluster there was no photo of the

car and it said 2020 Mazda MX5 RF manual

I mean great and it said start price

$25,000 but that was without a

that was not the price of the car but

even then it was low and the listing

basically said uh I bought the car I'm

not using it very much my wife wants

something different so I'm

selling and I rang the guy and I said

hey just checking that you know

everything's legit and I had a chat with

him and he was a straight up bloke and

everything seemed perfectly legitimate

I'm going to offer the maximum that I

can afford now the maximum that I could

afford

was

about 5 six grand below what this car

was worth and then I had that moment

where anyone who's bought a car on the

SP of the moment they know this moment

where you throw out a price and you know

the guy is going to say no and your

brain goes that's fine it wasn't meant

to be and then you have the moment where

the guy you've approached goes yeah yeah

I think we can work with that price and

all of a sudden you're simultaneously

excited but you're also going I've

just bought a car a very expensive car I

flew down to the city this guy lived in

in New Zealand I picked up the car and I

drove it home and I have now owned it

for nearly 5 years and I have loved

every second but

that experiences for another video I

look forward to bring you more videos

soon about my ownership experience few

things I've done to the car and the plan

I have for the future thanks for

watching if I didn't bore you absolutely

shitless please like Please Subscribe

and I'll see you all very soon