The problem with my ND3 Miata.....

Summary

In this enthusiastic review, the host shares his experience with the 2024 ND3 Miata Grand Touring trim, celebrating it as the most fun car he's ever driven. He highlights Mazda's impressive engineering, maintaining the car's lightweight status while enhancing its performance over generations. The Miata is praised for its excellent handling, responsive steering, and enjoyable driving dynamics, making it a versatile choice for both daily use and track days. The host encourages viewers to experience the Miata firsthand, emphasizing its affordability and reliability, ultimately positioning it as a must-try for car enthusiasts.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 2024 ND3 Miata Grand Touring is an incredibly fun and special car, surpassing the expectations of the reviewer, even among other high-performance vehicles they've driven.
• 😀 Mazda has managed to keep the weight of the Miata close to 2,300 lbs, a feat that's rare in modern cars, thanks to their engineering innovations while meeting safety standards.
• 😀 The Miata excels in handling and momentum through curves, even if it's not the fastest car in a straight line. Its light weight and agile nature make it stand out.
• 😀 The car's performance is backed by its affordable price point, with the base model starting at around $31,000, making it an accessible sports car compared to more expensive options.
• 😀 Aftermarket modifications, like the steering wheel and gear shift knob, enhance the driving experience. The parts are generally inexpensive and easy to swap out.
• 😀 Despite its small size and low horsepower, the Miata offers impressive driving dynamics, especially on twisty roads, where it proves its worth over more powerful but less agile competitors.
• 😀 The Miata is praised for its comfortable suspension, even on rough roads, making it a practical and fun daily driver. It's small and efficient, yet capable of providing a thrilling experience.
• 😀 The car's driving inputs, like its responsive gearbox and smooth shifting, make it a joy to drive, and the aftermarket upgrades improve the overall experience.
• 😀 The 2024 Miata is a strong competitor to more expensive cars, with the reviewer even comparing it favorably to a Porsche Cayman, emphasizing its fun-to-drive nature at a much lower price.
• 😀 The Miata's excellent reliability and low running costs make it an ideal choice for enthusiasts who want a fun car without the worry of high maintenance or repairs.

Q & A

What makes the 2024 ND3 Miata stand out compared to other cars the speaker has driven?

The speaker highlights that the ND3 Miata is exceptionally fun to drive, claiming it to be the most enjoyable car they've ever had, surpassing even their dream cars.

How does the ND3 Miata's weight compare to its predecessors and competitors?

The ND3 Miata maintains a weight of around 2,300 pounds, similar to the original NA Miata, despite increased safety standards. Competitors like the BRZ or GR86 weigh about 500 pounds more.

What are the speaker's thoughts on the Miata's horsepower?

While acknowledging that the Miata doesn't have high horsepower, the speaker emphasizes its superior handling and driving experience, making it a joy to drive despite not being the fastest car.

What does the speaker suggest about the Miata's engineering?

The speaker commends Mazda for its engineering prowess, noting that creating a lightweight car is much more challenging than simply adding horsepower.

How does the ND3 Miata perform in terms of fuel efficiency?

The speaker mentions averaging around 29 miles per gallon and expects this to increase on road trips, making the Miata efficient in terms of fuel consumption.

What are the speaker's preferences regarding Miata trims?

The speaker prefers the Grand Touring trim for its luxurious features but also appreciates the sportiness of the RF trim. They indicate that each trim has its unique appeal.

What aftermarket modifications has the speaker made to their Miata?

The speaker replaced the steering wheel and gear shift knob and is considering upgrades to sway bars and brakes to enhance performance.

What aspect of driving does the speaker particularly enjoy about the Miata?

The speaker enjoys the responsiveness of the Miata's shifter and the ability to roll through gears, which adds to the excitement of driving.

How does the speaker compare the Miata to other sports cars?

The speaker views the Miata as a benchmark for fun driving, comparing it favorably to the BMW M2, Camaro, and even suggesting it rivals a Porsche Cayman in terms of driving enjoyment.

What overall impression does the speaker have of the Miata?

The speaker is overwhelmingly positive, describing the Miata as a 'problematic' car due to how good it is, stating that it excels in almost every category, making it a joy to drive.