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Consumer Reviews for the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Read recent reviews for the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Mmm, Mmm, Mmm
New Miata Owner, 09/09/2023
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Picked up our new 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF 2 weeks ago. Very first impression on the way home from the dealership - feels like driving an MG or Austin-Healey but with modern creature comforts and Japanese reliability and quality. That was of course the original mission for Mazda some 24 years ago, and it still applies today. I was concerned on that first drive (175 miles) that I got a … lemon when the temp and fuel gauges didn't appear to be working, only to find out that the instrument cluster lighting control hidden in the driver's instrument binnacle also serves as an on/of switch for the temp gauge (9/13/23 update: I just discovered that the temp gauge button actually switches the digital gauge range between full scale and operating temperature only, presumably to get a better handle on potential overheating when at a track day) and that since I was getting better than 40 mpg, it took about 75 miles before the needle moved below full. Some of the most comfortable seats I've sat in, even though they only have basic manual adjustments - we got the GT trim with the leather seats. I'm 5'-10" so no problem with fitting in, but it is tight with very limited storage - not really a problem given the mission. I did find that unless I kept my left foot on the dead pedal, it leaned against a crease in the hard plastic of the door panel, and in general I was expecting less hard plastic and more soft-touch surfaces. It's probably a convertible thing, but the sun visors can't be moved to the side windows - I've learned to always bring a ball cap to deal with sun glare. The easiest clutch I've ever used - you've got to try to stall it, which my wife found very surprising and forgiving. The shifter is the closest I've experienced to a gaming simulation setup but still exhibits mechanical feedback - super short throws and close ratios. You'll want to shift often to get it into the right ratio for spirited driving, but it's also happy to stay in a high gear and has a surprising amount of torque if you want to be lazy. I'm still in the break-in period (although Mazda doesn't have a specific break-in period, just says to vary the revs and avoid full throttle and harsh braking for the first 600 miles - sounds like a typical break-in period to me), but this thing likes to be wrung out and is very satisfying doing so. I haven't gone beyond 4-5K rpm, but it pulls stronger and stronger the higher you take it - wonderfully linear response as you would expect from an NA engine that has been massaged for sporty driving. It feels very similar to my long gone bugeye WRX once the turbo boost kicked in, thanks to its light weight and eagerness to rev. I cross-shopped a BRZ/GR86 after driving my son's 2017 BRZ - very similar driving feel, however we really wanted the option to go topless, and found the MX-5 to be a more dedicated sports car with classic flair. Wind buffeting with the hard top retracted is minimal, especially with the windows up. The body panel surfacing is considerably better looking in person than in photos - looks like a mini Ferrari and just feels special. Very neutral handling at the somewhat lower cornering limits that I've driven it so far - looking forward to exploring its limits and chassis dynamics under more spirited driving conditions. I did notice that on poor pavement it can get quite choppy - probably due to the short wheelbase and suspension tuning. The steering weight is just right to my liking, and extremely accurate with a nicely tuned center - not overly darty. Steering feel and communication is numbingly de rigueur as with most modern cars with electric steering - definitely not like the old MGs, but you can position it exactly where you want to and it's fairly telepathic. I found the lane keep assist very bothersome until I learned that it can be turned off - surprisingly once off it stays off even after turning the car off and back on again. Overall a delightfully modern and sporty driving experience that I plan on enjoying to the fullest.
More about the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Edmunds has 553 Used Mazda MX-5 Miata RFs for sale near you, including a 2018 MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring Convertible and a 2023 MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring Convertible ranging in price from $21,950 to $34,990.
How much is the used Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?
- There are 553 used Mazda MX-5 Miata RF vehicles for sale near you, with an average cost of $28,410.Edmunds found one or more Great deals on a used Mazda MX-5 Miata RF near you, starting at $21,950.That's $6,460 less than the average price of a used MX-5 Miata RF near you. Learn more about the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Is the used Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?
- The used Mazda MX-5 Miata RF received an average score of 4.7 out of 5 based on 59 consumer reviews at Edmunds. If you want to learn more about the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, read Edmunds' expert review. Learn more about the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
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