RF vs. Soft Top MX-5 Miata - Pros, Cons, and why I chose the Soft Top!
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- **Check out why I think the MX-5 is a BETTER sports car than the 718 Boxster! • Why the MX-5 Miata BEA...
If you're in the market for an ND1 or ND2 MX-5 Miata, one of the decisions you'll have to make is whether to get the RF (retractable fastback) or traditional cloth soft top. In this buyer's guide I'll show you the advantages of each type, and then explain why I chose the soft top for my own car.
This video applies to the ND (ND1 and ND2) generation Miatas, from 2016 onwards!
My car:
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club 6MT w/ Brembo/BBS package
#mazda #mx5 #rfmiata
Are you Team RF or Team Soft Top? Comment below!!
Team RF, sorry! 😜
@@nd2fast Nuuuuu
Team RF all day long :)!!
It seems that you chose the soft top over the RF for all the same reasons I did. We live in southern California near the beach and having a garage. I think the soft top looks better than the RF with the top down and we seldom have occasion to drive with the top up. Plus, we were buying a 2019 Gt-s and the only Gt-s within 500 miles of our house was a soft top... and, happily, in my wife's favorite color, the Soul Red Crystal Metallic.
@@waynekempton7160 That's a fantastic spec--I was intending to get a GT-S at first but then found an amazing deal on a Club/Brembo/BBS and got that one instead. And yes, SoCal + garage is a perfect combo for getting a soft top!
RF fan here. Just got a 2021 GT manual in Deep Crystal Blue. LOVE it so much! I’m a 73 year-old granny that loves ripping around in that gorgeous little car. Used to have an RX-8 years ago & I thought that was fun......but this is the most fun I’ve ever had! It’s so hot!
Love it!! I hope to still be zipping around in a little sports car when I'm 73 as well!
Ecd
You rock!
Mazda red is also really Hot! I'd go with white
@@northcackalacky4694 I really considered red, but was told by a couple people at my dealership that it is susceptible to chipping due to the layers of paint used to achieve that color. Don’t really understand that, but I’m thrilled with what I got. They had a red one available exactly like the blue, so it’s not like I was having my arm twisted to go for the blue. White is not available, at least for this year, in the RF. I’ve had it since the middle of June - love it so much! Makes me feel 18 again!
@@Lulumaikalani this is untrue. The red just shows it more readily cause of a white base coat of paint. All Mazdas. All colors. All models. Same problem. It's their new paint method with some thin waterbased paint. And this isn't just Mazda. Most Japanese automakers suffer this as well as some American. European oddly still seems solid.
I smiled reading this.😊
I live in an area with intense sun, extreme heat and cold, and high precipitation without a garage. I almost got the soft top until I saw this video. It was super helpful and well put together, nice job!
Glad it helped!
I am planning to buy a 2021 MX-5 RF Club and, although the soft top is a bit lighter and offers slightly better visibility, the RF is better in every other way, in my opinion. I like that it's secure and can't be cut open. I like that it's a much quieter with the top up. This car will be my year-round daily driver and I spend a lot of time on the highway, so minimizing sound intrusion is important to me. The RF also looks WAY sexier than the soft top to my eye. The $3000 price differential is a lot, but I've waited a long time to make this purchase and will be keeping this car forever, so the extra expense isn't a huge factor. The bottom line is that you can't go wrong either way because the MX-5 in either configuration is a special car and will bring you miles of smiles!
100% agree that both are awesome, but RF is definitely more practical for daily driving. Enjoy your MX-5!!!
Where the hell do you live where you got to worry about it being cut open? Don't you have a garage?
@@AlisoViejoMan Of course but if you actually drive your vehicle, it's not always going to be locked away. Duh!
@@AlisoViejoMan - why would you think everyone has a garage??! And you can get your soft top cut by anyone anywhere - doesn't matter the neighborhood. In fact, nicer neighborhoods are where the criminals shop. Don't ask such judgemental questions.
A smart criminal just breaks the window. lol in a matter of under a minute, all your stuff is gone, so be sure you'll have a garage for the Miata if you know you don't live in a good neighborhood
So I have owned both. I bought the first generation ND in club model with the softtop and recently bought a 2021 RF GT. For me the top down experience in the soft top is better but I prefer the security and quietness of the hardtop!
Good info from a guy who has owned both. I test drove the soft top. At the time, it needed to be my daily and weekend, so that meant a chunk of interstate and it wasn't going to work for me (ended up with a BRZ). But even in soft top, the "top down" experience felt more like a tee top because with the high door sills and tall seats behind me, it just didn't feel super "open" like you would in something with a back seat. But the top mechanism is brilliant. So easy to put up and down. Now that my fun car doesn't need to be a daily, I'll have more options on the next go-round. Still enjoying the BRZ though, although I'm always gawking when I see a Miata.
@@scottanthony3426 Do you like the BRZ as much as the Miata RF? (not considering trunk space)
@@t.k.morris I have not driven a RF. Now that I've had the BRZ several years, it would be interesting to hop into a RF. I do like the convenience of being able to put my jacket in the back seat (between the seats, so I can grab on the way out.) I don't like wearing a jacket when I drive, but live in the rain belt, so it needs to be kept handy. If I'm alone, I can use the passenger side, but when I have a passenger, that doesn't work. I was a bit tall for the soft top, in that it felt like my line of sight was a bit obstructed by the bar atop the windshield. The sightlines out the BRZ are pretty open to the front and if you get the seat on the lower side, all I see are the fender blisters.
@@scottanthony3426 I went today and checked out the Miatas. Soft top had a little more room than the RF, but I need more room for sure. I am about 6'1" and I had to squiggle in the car, kind of like playing the game twister. Once seated, it felt great like custom fitted into a race car.
The RF looks better with the top up. The soft top looks better with the top down, and top-down driving is the main reason most people buy a Miata. The RF has three main advantages: parking lot security (thieves can't simply cut the top open to get into the cabin); long-term durability; a (very slightly) quieter cabin with the top up. The soft top has these advantages: a much better top-down driving experience, since it's a true convertible and not just a coupe with a hole in the roof; much less noisy wind buffeting with the top down; more headroom; none of the RF's massive blind spots and claustrophobic feeling with the top down; much faster to put the top up or take it down; weight reduction equivalent vs the RF of driving solo vs having a passenger; slightly quicker acceleration; costs thousands less.
Honestly, the only solid reason for getting the RF is if one has to park the car outside every day, either at home or work. Then, sure, I wouldn't want to expose the soft top to thieves, and, especially, the elements. Perhaps if one lives in Seattle or Portland, where the top will probably need to be up more often than not since it's always raining, sure, the RF also makes sense there. Excepting those two scenarios, the soft top is superior the vast majority of the time one is behind the wheel.
Bottom line, unless one prioritizes top-up driving over top-down driving, which is anathema to the entire MX-5 experience, then the soft top is the superior option for most people. One would really have to value that top-up look in order to forego the far greater number of advantages the soft top brings to the table.
The best car I have ever owned. I've had 5 over the years and haven't had not one car problem in over 20 years.If your looking for a car that is dependable and will never break down.... This is the the car you will definitely want.
Team soft top! Soft top owner for over 20 years and multiple Miata versions. I wouldn’t dream of anything else. I like the ease of dropping the top. I like the look better and it just feels more like a roadster. I haven’t had any issues with noise or temperature change (I do live in Southern California). Taking care of the top hasn’t been an issue for me. I have covered parking and a car cover if needed. Con I have had assholes break into my car. In twenty years on two occasions my roof has been cut. Both times replaced the top. It is a pain in the ass and a custom job. Pro. On both occasions the custom top has been much higher quality than the stock version.
I went with the soft top. My primary goal is to have the best top down driving experience. The targa style RF just doesn't feel the same. This is also a 2nd car and I have a garage, so the advantages of the RF are minimal.
RF for me too fella. Way more benefits here in Scotland where the winters can be quite harsh!! Great video as usual 👍
I test drove both the soft and hard top back-to-back and preferred the soft top for the following reasons:
The soft top can easily be thrown up and down even while moving in about 2 seconds as opposed to the RF's 15 second wait time, so I am more inclined to actually put the top down when I want to
The soft top has slightly more headroom than the RF. I'm 6'3" and that extra little bit of space made all the difference.
While the RF has less road/wind noise with the top up, on the highway at higher speeds the RF with the top down has significantly more wind noise than the soft top.
The RF with the top down does not have the sort of visibility or feel that I am familiar with and prefer in a convertible.
I'm 6' 3" as well and considering getting one of these. Have you felt cramped since you bought it? Looking at this as a daily driver.
I think I would go for the RF purely for security reasons and more resistant to vandalism (car parked on street). As a resident of Northern Europe where the weather is damp and cold I feel more insulation is provided by the RF . I always think that the RF is like a miniature Corvette Stingray Coupe of the 60s . The other reason I would buy the Rf is to behold the slick retractable mechanism of the roof ; origami in motion !
This was a great video. I think you and I are exactly aligned. I recently test drove both and I'm FULLY on the soft top side. I think the RF looks better than the ST with the top up, but the ST with the top down looks the best out of all of them. Like you said, the ST with the top down is fully wide open; seemed like the RF wasn't actually that open feeling. Also, maybe it's my seating position, but the RF B pillar seemed huge. Luckily I also have a garage and this would be my second as well. But yeah, the ST with top down is just fantastic. Thanks for the vid!
Thanks Justin. Glad you enjoyed the video... and more importantly, glad you enjoyed driving the ST with the top down!
Soft top. No question. 5k cheaper, lighter, lower center of mass, much better situational awareness (top down) and the conversion takes under 3 seconds!
The MX-5 ND2 is my 3rd car in my garage and It took me at least 7 months to make my mind to finally buy a 2019 Soul Red Crystal MX-5 RF GSP (canadian Club version). At first I wasn't convice to buy a convertible but after trying different MX-5 models and colors (int/ext), I felt in love with this one for 2 main reasons other the fun factor. 1st reason, the climate. I live in Canada and having a hard top extends my fun to the maximum by driving this car from March to December (garage queen during winter). 2nd reason, the head turn factor. That car is not a Ferrari but at least once a week when I park at the store (even on traffic lights) I am getting ask what is that car and how great looking it is. Top up or top down, this car just looks great and exotic for a tenth of the price of a Ferrari! It never happened before to me with a soft top version.
Dan, totally agree re: the RF's ability to be driven in more weather conditions and the exotic look of the RF top. It really does look like very few other cars on the road.
I could NEVER put my MX-5 Club soft top away for the winter ! Winter tires transform the car into a great handling fun to drive car. The 50 / 50 weight balance is a big help.
I own a 2020 Tesla Model X and a 2021 Miata RF which I LOVE as my daily driver. It took me a 2 months to decide between the soft top and RF. But I fell in love with the security, the looks and styling of the RF. Though the cost was around $45, 000 for the RF Grand Touring....still well worth the investment.
Wow, Miata as daily driver when you have a Model X! That's awesome
Thanks man :)!
@@Greggory1987 45k? I assume you're up in Canada?
@@CapFlipGaming Nope, San Francisco.
@@Greggory1987 Should be 40,000 OTD or so .
Also too, there's a privacy factor that comes with the RF vs. soft top. I personally chose the RF because of that reason. I can have the top down and not have other drivers able to see every inch of my interior.
I’ve got a 2020 RF and love it. I’ve found the buffeting sound is only prevalent when going 65 or more with the windows down. I raise the windows whenever I get on the highway and have great time.
I've only found that sound to happen in higher speed winds that blow crosswind while driving. Going against or in the same direction of the wind, the noise is the same as the softtop.
@@EjinRenos - not with the windows up.
@@EnochLight Well... no. But who puts a top down and rolls the windows back up unless they're on a call?
I’m on my third Miata. Unfortunately, I don’t have a garage so all of them have had issues with stains, etc. on the soft top over the years. My current one has a Beige top which is stained with black mildew spots. I’ve used every imaginable type cleaner but nothing really gets it all out. Bottom line is I’m getting ready for another Miata but this time, it’ll be an RF regardless of the pros & cons. What’s 13 seconds to put it up & down plus it’s cool as Hell how it folds up in & out. I’m done with ugly looking soft tops. There really are no cons with a Miata. I’m 61 and bought my first generation Miata back in 1991 when I was a much younger man of 31. I will always have one as they’re absolutely phenomenal cars. Just sayin……
Awesome to hear from a 30-year Miata fan. Definitely sounds like you're a good candidate for the RF. If you get one, enjoy it!
I'm on my second - ND2 soft top . If I re - did things would have got a hard top . You're one with the car when you drive them ! New one seems safer and a bit less squirrely than my 03 .
I'm 60 and am over a year and a half into my 3rd Miata. Bought the first one in 1991. If you test drive both versions, the familiarity is with the Soft Top.
What color scheme are you getting on the new RF?
Soft top all the way!
On another note, I wanted to share that I just bought an ND2 and your videos definitely played a roll in my decision to do it. Super stoked on the car and appreciate the info you've shared! Many thanks from another California boy haha
Bought a 21 base sport manual soft top soul red a year ago.. what a crazy value at $26,000.. many of your cruiser bikes will be more than that.. it’s the perfect 2nd car.. so much fun
Brilliant review. I have looked for years to answers to my questions and you just nailed it. Brilliant editing. Great video ❤
I would go soft top. Price of course. But also the quickness of dropping the top, even while driving, is nice. Finally the soft top has a deeper "glove box" and 2 cubby spaces behind the seats as apposed to 1 in the RF. There ain't a lot of room in a Miata so extra space is nice. I agree the RF looks subjectively better, but the soft top is the true roadster!
I have the soft top. I insisted on it. I drove the RF and it felt like a regular car with a large sunroof. The softop brings the outside to me. I'm able to garage mine and the noise doesnt trouble me at all. I'll replace this in a few years and again it will be a soft top.
I have owned two ND RF's and put 40k miles on the first one. I have never heard wind "Buffeting" in either car at any speed. I have heard lots of wind noise, but not the thud thud thud some cars give you with just one windows open or something that I consider buffeting. There is a gushing noise. If you drop the windows about an inch it does seem to quiet a wind noise coming from the intersection of the windows and the cross bar at highway speeds.
Second, if it is a weekend toy, soft top for the convertible fun. If it is a daily driver, the extra quietness on the highway, security, and all weather capability make the RF a good choice. Certainly if you daily drive New England winters like I do.
I'm picking up my RF in 2 days - my girlfriend has the "practical car" of our couple if we ever need to fit more than 2 people and a backpack, but the miata is still going to be my daily driver. Living in new england and having street parking makes the RF almost a requirement.
Just found your channel. Thanks for this great break down. I like the look of the RF so it's probably RF for me.
I have a 2020 100th Anniversary version which only came with the soft top. I have to park it outside as I have a 2021 LT1 Camaro in my garage. I tried parking both in my 2-car garage but the Camaro takes up too much room. It's a bigger car than you'd think....
As a result the Miata gets to stay in my driveway. I avoid 98-99% of the weather issues that would damage the soft top and the paint with a hi-quality custom-fit car cover! I get mine from Cover King which is near me in Anaheim, CA.
They aren't cheap but they do an amazing job in keeping your car pristine even when it rains which it has been doing a lot of in SoCal here in January, 2023. I have found that spending several hundred $$'s on a well-made custom car cover is the hot ticket to preserve your baby if you can't or don't have access to a garage. 👍👍
Wow! Thanks for that insight! I totally forgot about car covers! Now I'm back to square one as to which I should get....😕
sell the camaro,pocket alot of cash keep the mx-5(less headaches),then garage the mx-5 with ample garage-space left over
I have a 2016 Club soft top with the Brembo / BBS package in Artic White. I bought it in the 1st week of March 2017. The RF's were just being shipped to dealers & they were all sold BEFORE they even got driven off the trucks ! There were no deals on them either as MSRP sticker was THE price. I think the soft top does quite well as a daily driver & in 4 season Northern Illinois my thoughts were its comprimised. Well that was wrong. Use the 303 Kit with the cleaner every car wash ( manual only ) with a soft bristle brush & it keeps the top in great shape. Also the 303 Fabric Guard used in the fall one time keeps a nice waterproof finish on the top. Ice & snow have not effected the top. Truly a well designed car that handles even the bad weather days. I left my car stock height so any snow fall under 6 inches is fine. Over that I'll wait for the plows to come before heading to work. Never had the chance to test drive an RF but just by hearing the extra cost / weight / open top noise / reduced vision not a fan ! One thing I do look out for is never parking under trees. I use a sun shade in summer & winter I'll walk the extra steps to keep away from the trees. Leaves / twigs / seeds can plug the top drains causing interior water leaks. Never had one so far by following my rule.
Keeping in mind that I came from a NC with a PRHT, I picked my new ND2 [same color even!] with a soft top. Faster, lighter = more fun
When I bought my Miata ( 2009 GT) , there were two choices also. The PRH ( power retractable hardtop) & it was about $ 1700. more. I also chose soft-top &am happy I did. Mine has been pampered in a garage for 14 years & is in excellent condition. Kelley Bluebook still values it between 10 &12 K! That's pretty remarkable
I think the soft top looks better when the top is open. I prefer the RF slightly when the top is closed. I have a soft top mostly because of the price, but i do not regret it.
Imagine driving with your soft-top halfway down... that's how the RF feels lol
I agree! I also have a soft top as a secondary car that I bought this year and I drive with the top down 90 percent of the time. Better looking, lighter, and easier to put the top down. I had a Mercedes SLK 320 hardtop convertible for 13-years. Loved the car, not as fun to drive as the MX-5 (had auto trans) but when the hydraulics started to fail when lowering the top, VERY expensive to repair. MX-5 was the perfect replacement and significantly less expensive.
The RF is beautiful! If I was buying a soft top I would probably look for a clean last year NC for the extra room and better seats.
In my 2020 FT GT, there is no buffeting noise. There is a removable plastic optics int he back, I never took it out so maybe its different without it. I prefer the look of the RF and the Targa type top works for me. People have different tastes and needs, this why they make it in multiple configurations.
Ive driven sports cars, stick shift since the age of 16 (53 now). In 2006, I even special ordered a BMW 5 series in stick shift. Only one I ever saw. I had Twin Turbo 300Zx's, Mitsubishi 300GT, Porsche 911 and others. For some reason, I think this is the most fun car of all of them. it feels so refined and high end, just makes me want to drive. Love this little car.
If weight and center of mass is being discussed with the RF, then yaw and rigidity of the chassis shoudl be discussed too, cause a solid connection over the roof can improve yaw and handling by a noticable amount.
Gotta say I also love the speed of the soft top drop as opposed to the RF. The ~13 seconds feels like an eternity to drop the top on the RF.
Very true!
There is a lot to be said for simplicity as well. The RF has motors and a lot of moving parts that could eventually need repair. (Of course I used to think that about power windows 40 years ago, but as it turns out, I've never had an issue with one. I suspect Mazda's RF mechanisms are pretty reliable.) But that quick up'/down on the soft top is genius level simple.
Being kept outside for 2 years the soft top on my ND2 has developed some algea in places. Surprisingly easily remedied with the application of Milton sterilising fluid which is normally used for cleaning babies bottles!
No Miata -- no CAR -- should be parked outside. Even here in Northern California's benign climate, exposure to the elements will prematurely age a car's paint and its internal components. After three years you'll be driving an old car.
@@johntechwriter There are chemicals I use that protect the soft top / paint in any weather. My car looks like it came off the dealer lot !
@@ag4allgood may i ask what chemicals you use?
@@lynebactol2877 Hi Lyne , I use the 303 Convertible Top Care Kit. Comes with a spray bottle of cleaner I use every car wash with a soft bristle Haartz Rag Top brush. Then once in the fall I use that 303 Fabric Guard that has a spray bottle but I use sponge brushes to apply that Fabric Guard.
Wash in a manual spray booth only. Then for the outside hand wash the car / clay bar the car then use a Ceramic Spray Coating like Turtle Wax or Mothers about every 6 months. My car is a daily driver in 4 season Northern Illinois so it has seen lots of bad weather conditions. Really looks good as it approaches 5 years of use in that role !
All great points, I have some things to add if I may…
I have a Gladiator as a second vehicle and honestly with a fiberglass roof you hear everything; if you’re someone who gets bothered by wind noise then you shouldn’t be looking into a convertible (no matter the type) to begin with 😂
As for weather protection, if it’s your baby and you want to keep things as close to perfect as possible…. Invest in a really durable cover for the whole car. It’s well worth it, especially if you like in a colder climate like I do. This also helps keep things as clean as possible so maintenance is a breeze.
With vehicle this small you want to be driving much more carefully because you’ll be more difficult to spot right off from other drivers, especially if you’re behind much bigger vehicles as an example, but while to RF is great, you have huge blind spots that can make things a bit more squirrely
All these things are my opinion and everyone is able to refute them if they wish, but I just thought I’d add my two cents
This video has made the decision even harder for me! You've pushed me towards the soft top, but I haven't got a garage. Damn.
Like you, James, I chose the soft top over the RF in our 2019 GT-S. And for most of the same reasons. Since I live in California, the weather does not require me to get an RF. Since I garage my car, no need for the additional protection. If it seems to me that the area I am going is a little sketchy and I might worry about the roof getting slashed, I just drive one of our cars with a solid roof. I like it that it is a "true" convertible rather than a Targa-type, because I almost always drive with the top down.
Owned Miatas ( each generation) for 27+ years, I don’t live in an area that has majority of warm weather, I get all 4 seasons, including lots of snow and drive year round including in snow, love the handling and sporty feel. All my prior Miata (gen 1-3, ‘90, ‘99 and ‘09) were all soft top with detachable hardtop. I chose the RF for my location. Have a ‘17 RF LE & ideal and yes it’s true the ST does take a beating if parked outdoor, and hard to keep clean, I had the tan ST, and it was hard to take stains out. RF top is super easy to keep clean. As for the Wind buffering is in both types ST and RF if you have windows up on the highway. The ST with top down has way too much cabin wind turbulence and OEM windscreen is useless and I’ve installed aftermarket windscreen (taller ones to be tad over seatback) and works great. Noise in the ST is much louder and RF is more sound insulated and more ridget than ST. I notice on prior gen with the detachable hardtops the body had less flex.
You buy the RF for added security, and appearance, otherwise, the full soft top convertible is the best option.
Its cheaper to buy either new, or on the second hand market, and really the whole point of owning an MX5 is for the full open top sports car experience,
There's no doubt the RF looks magnificent, and looks stunning from every angle, and that electric folding roof mechanism, is a masterpiece of design, but none of this really matters.
When the sky is a beautiful clear blue, and its baking hot outside, you want to roll down the side windows, and pull the roof down completely, and just cruise along without a care in the world.
I can see the point of the RF, but when you have owned a opened topped British Sports car in the distant past ( a lovely rust bucket of a Triumph Spitfire) you just have to go with the full open topped experience, less to go wrong, and much cheaper to repair if things do go astray.
2019 Soft top❗️, bought it new zero options 24 G best bang for the buck out there. RF might be OK for a cold climate but it’s really just a power targa , totally different experience.
I have a 2023 soft top. I absolutely love this car🥰 and I prefer soft top due to less blindspot and more open feel😊
Haha glad to hear you choose the soft top, i already owning for 2 years now, an beautiful ND 1.5 TS+ and its so good. But before i bought this one, i tested it out the RF, and its alsoo to powerfull and like you said, its not an real convertible looking car... i mean its an targa convertible, im just like you, so happy having this beauty ND... and above mine has the red color that mazda always advertising the ND. Greetings from the Netherlands, and some flash lights and honking from mine little cadilac, and above all, have fun everyday in ur beautiful Miata!
After a hard nights sleep trying to decide which version that I wanted to buy, I came up with an entirely different choice. I am going with the Mazda3 Premium Hatch with a manual. I just got to have more room and my wife doesn't want to even ride in the Miata. It will be my car but if she won't ride in it, that would defeat my purpose since I am now retired. And I have to travel to see some of my family. The Miata would not hold all the luggage and gifts we normally take. But due to market conditions, price and availability, I will probably not get one right away. Maybe another nights sleep to think more about it! I have a Honda ST1300 v4 motorcycle to ride so that gives me plenty of outside air time, but I dare not travel with it any more nowadays. Love the conversation here though.
I still have a 2002 NB for over 20 years and love the top down moments. Today I just bought a 2021 ND Sport and I chose a soft top for easy manual operation, nothing to break, so nothing to fix until I need a new top.
How long did the 2002 soft top last?
Very helpful comparison. I live in Florida. I don't have to worry about winter temps and have a garage. I like the soft top because it has less rear view obstruction. Thank you.
Absolutely - with the ST top down, I agree that the openness of the cabin towards the rear is just awesome!
Both are really good cars. We recently went from an older soft top to an RF. The RF works out better for longer drives and for inclement weather. But if I was buying for nice weather and drives under 50 miles, I’d spring for the soft top.
I was convinced I needed an rf, but now I can't "unsee" how much better the soft top looks with the top down..
I would not say my ND1 is loud on the road. Its livable and driveable. Its a 2nd tho. Yes, agreed the RF has to be quieter. And, I agree with you on the astetciics of soft tops vs RF. Great review!👍👍😎🇺🇸
Love the soft top when it’s open, but I live in a predominantly wet place so the RF provides that open top thrill on fine days but the security and weather proofing on wet days, I have never had buffeting as such, however ther is a bit of roar just behind you at the top of the buttresses, nothing that can’t be helped by cranking the radio and remembering you are in the best sports car you can get for the money
Miata owner since '02. Kept in a garage and driven on pretty days for joy? I can't shout this loud enough: soft top! But...daily driver? Trust me on this - hard top. Have your top slashed a couple of times, the car cleaned out, radio stolen, trunk emptied, glove box door broken and you'll join team RF, too.
I'm Team Soft Top. My 2020 Club is my 3rd Miata. When considering the trade-in of my 2008 Soft Top, I really thought I was going in to buy the RF. After driving them, the decision to go with the Soft Top was an easy one.
It’s been said before, but the soft top looks better with the top down and is more fun to drive with the top down. BUT the RF looks better with the top up and is not as fun to drive. You’re final point is a good one…if you have this car as a second/weekend car, then some of these factors and how we prioritize them change. I sold my 2018 soft top Club and so miss it. Just a big Mazda fan, now driving the ‘21 CX 30 Premium.
The last generation of Miata had the phrt . This top was perfect . I have a rf now but it’s not as good a top as the phrt was .
Well a few clarifications on my part. Any soft top, no matter how unused, how well cared for, and what material... will be needing replacement in its lifetime. Cleaning a softtop can also be very challenging for new convertible owners. What works on cloth tops may not work for vinyl and what works on vinyl won't be compatible with cloth. You can very easily damage your top using the wrong products without knowing what material your top is.
The wind noise for the RF. This is the biggest exaggeration of a con for the RF. Many people fail to understand the aerodynamics involved to cause such a noise. It only happens in wind speeds over 10mph (measured at a standstill) and you must be heading crosswind. My RF never has this noise if I am going with or against the direction of the wind. And this noise is so minor you have to have your radio off to really notice it. It's not like... BMW Supra noisy that's for sure. Otherwise, top up windows down, or fully down, both the RF and softtop are exactly the same in wind noise.
Now the RF i enjoy the looks of. I've been asked when I first got the car, "is that the new Supra?!"
No. No, it's not. It's a Mazda.
"Is that the new RX7 or RX9?"
No. its an MX5.
"That car is so exotic it must've cost over 80k right?"
No. 35k actually.
Its looks resemble the old 70s Corvette fastback minus the flip up lights. And a bit like a Lotus without their signature style. Many compliments over its looks, does not ever get called "miata" which is great given that named died in 2005, and always seems to turn heads. The look on S2000 owners faces when they fail to outrun this car is priceless too, regardless if you got a softtop or not.
In the end, go with what you like the looks of, and don't listen to critics too much.
no worry, rf will fail at some point, i own NA, NC n ND, eos, 206cc, r170 , mini r53 i would choose manual softtop
@@farkumaxis9064 Look up the amount of NC PRHT failures there are. Almost none. Or such a small amount it has never been a big enough deal that owners ever fret about. Not like older cloth tops that have failure, like Porsche's Boxster transmission gears that crack in half. Or BMW's electric motor failures. But all things fail at some point no matter what they are.
For anyone reading this, PLEASE test drive an RF before deciding that the wind noise issue is overblown.
I have driven various RFs about half a dozen times now, every single one has almost deafening buffeting around 50+ mph. It's "fine" for a bit, but after 15-20minutes it wears you down and you need to put the top up.
I am not sure how true the "10 mph wind at standstill" is. Maybe it is true, but every time I've driven the RF it's the same story; loud as hell above 50 mph. I personally think the issue has to do with height. Shorter drivers have their left hear further away from the buttresses, and thus their experience is much quieter. Taller drivers (6ft+) have their left ear much closer to the top of the car where the wind hits.
PRHTs do fail and we're starting to see issues as they get older. I'll see a post about top issues once a week in the NC groups. The RF mechanism *will* eventually break, it's a highly complex mechanical part. It's a risk owners will have to accept as NDs get older and older. Replacing a soft top isn't cheap, so who knows what's cheaper in the long run.
@@tealruby1 You must have the radio off or maybe sensitive hearing. After 3 years of RF ownership the only time I have an issue with wind noise with the radio on, is in high speed wind that is measured not while driving, and the wind must be approaching the car from one if the sides.
Your only valid point there is taller seated drivers may experience higher noise. I am not short by any stretch, however my head does not poke up over the car while sitting. And anyone with their head directly in the wind will hear it much more loudly. However, the same would apply for the roadster. So their experience wouldn't matter for roadster or targa top MX5.
As for Prht failures, everything fails in due time however they still are far in between and fewer than other powered top convertibles. The general replacement cost of parts that will fail are 350 for each side motor and less than 50 dollars for any limit sensor. The RF top is different in design however remains mostly the same. Except there are 4 motors now, two cheaper ones for the fastback section and two others for the targa roof. All 4 are about the same price as the Prht motors. Sensors remain the same. The only other failures that could happen are hinge mechanisms and the softtop has those as well.
An oem softtop is around 1200 and will experience failure every 5 to 8 years. While some patching may work sometimes, some owners may not wish to patch and want better peace of mind and will replace.
Again. This all boils down to preference and a person wanting one over the other shouldn't be hassled by their choices. And exaggerating issues to get people to avoid even testing it is the worse.
@@EjinRenos I blast the radio, and I share the opinion of the RF being much louder with my other friends with NDs.
It could be a sensitivity issue, or maybe you forgotten how much quieter a soft top is.
In any case, I strongly recommend people test driving an RF before placing an order or a deposit. For me it's night and day difference, I could never live with an RF. Too noisy. The only solution I've found is using a race bucket seat, which covers the left ear and prevents the wind noise.
I'm about to purchase my first new car, ever, and it's going to be a 2021 MX-5. This was extremely helpful, thanks, James! I still think I want to test drive each with the top "down" so I can experience the difference firsthand, however. Great channel you have. I hope to see you on the road sometime in So Cal!
Awesome!! Enjoy your MX-5!
Get the RF man!
Put 40k miles on an 2018 RF GT then traded it in for a 2021 RF GT I've put 20k on so far. Not once have I heard wind buffeting going whup whup whup at any speed. Wind noise is there but it is no louder on the highway with the RF than a 4 door sedan with all the windows and the sunroof open. Which is pretty loud, but I do it all the time.
My take after having a Miata RF for several years and talking to many other owners. If it is a toy car that you drive only for fun on sunny days like it is for you, then get the soft top. If you are buying it to be a daily driver, or a primary driver, then get the RF.
Love the RF styling...simply stunning. But to have the soft top is to have a true Miata Roadster.
The top is a one finger operation. Albeit, a bit hot in the Mojave summer, but a total joy in these mountains towering over your head.
Try it sometime.👍
Yup, fully agree on all points, and I recently opted for the ragtop on my 2023 GT. It was mostly due to that open, freeing feeling you get when driving with the top down. With the RF, you don't quite get that.
That was the sincere video I was looking for! Thank you! Great job!
Great video. I personally bought an RF. One, because there’s no way my would have let me buy the soft top and Two, living in Portland, OR means rain six months a year. Since I often have to drive the car with the roof up, the increased quietness, stability, and security were mandatory for me.
James, excellent review. If I could make one additional (relevant) point it would be that those of use who live in colder climates (I'm from Canada), there are not many days where it is possible to drive with the top down, due to the weather. For those of who do not live in sunny California, an RF version is a must. Again great review James. Thank you for that.
You covered it all - points really well thought out. Especially the nagging feeling of extra weight up high in the RF. One reason I like the soft top better too. But I hesitate to buy one, even though I've wanted an ND for years. I park outside at work and what you said about cleaning the cloth, and how it degrades in the sun, kind of worries me. I've never owned a soft top so I have no idea how long they last when exposed to the elements.
DB, thanks for watching! Whether you decide to go for soft top or RF (or a different fun commuter car altogether) I hope you enjoy your ride!
Get a car cover that’s breathable and water resistant will do the trick
Good points to bring up. I also have the RF and like it more for the things you mentioned.
I have a soft top , this is the best review about this topic I have ever seen , It is so spot on . I agree in every aspect , I love the RF but I always feel like its an extra girl in my car , Great video
This video was made for m. I had a 2016 soft top Miata club version. I traded that in on an RF 2020 grand touring. I agree with all of your pros for the RF and I agree with the noise factor but let me add one more thing. IF you could drop that top from the key fob that would’ve been a huge advantage. But as I’m sure you aware that is not an option. you have to be in the car with the car running. I’m older and a little heavier and with the soft top I was able to reach in and open and then drop right into the car. You can’t do that with the RF and for an older driver that’s another advantage to get the soft top. I also agree the wide open feel when you’re on the road is much more advantageous. it’s my second car also and I’m not gonna drive it on a cold or rainy day if I’m going to drive the car it’s gonna be sunny and warm and I want to top down and I want that open airy field. Last weekend I drove to Northern Virginia, traded in my 2020 Grand Touring RF on a Soul Red 2022 Grand Touring MX-5 soft top. Love it!
I personally would like just a fixed roof if that'd be cheaper. I have no love for the convertible factor since I basically live in a forest of a city where it gets hot, cold, and sometimes very wet. Good weather comes for only several days of the year here.
Why am I watching this, I’m not buying a Miata but I’m more informed. Great job posting this video.
If you had to park your car outdoors would you have still chosen the soft top?
I love the mx5 but I am really struggling between the two.
Love your videos.
Thanks v10mclaren! If I had to park outdoors I’d choose RF. It would stress me out too much to know the soft top is baking outside under the sun haha
I had a 2019 ND2 RF Club. Loved it. But sold it so I can upgrade to one with the Recaro/BBS package. Waiting for my next RF....inventory is low right now.
"I'm not made of money," You made my day. Thanks.
I just drove an MX-5 for the first time today. I am 6' tall and 210lbs. One thing I noticed between the soft top and the RF is that the rear view mirror is slightly larger in the RF That extra inch on the mirror makes it slightly harder to see forward under the mirror. We both preferred the open air experience of the soft top better than the RF. But, the RF does look cooler just sitting there parked. I have also heard about nasty wind buffeting with the FR models. That would drive us crazy.
The perfect Miata is soft top but I will be getting the RF for practicality reasons.
Thanks for objective review. It helps me make a more informed decision.
Got my 2022 Soft top, loving it 🍻
Desire to purchase a 22, but read and was informed they will not be available for some time. Are they available now?
@@andrewfuentes9785 that's what I got here, same same for me
Great video. Interestingly, pre-owned examples of the RF in the UK seem to be less than the ragtop version. It's certainly a great looking car in both guises. However, like you, I like the freedom of the ragtop when the hood is down. The RF targa arrangement does seem to be a bit of a letdown after the ragtop. Staying that, I'm not ruling out either version as my next 'toy' but at the moment, the ragtop is winning!
About 12 years ago, I had stayed in San diego for learning English.
At that time, I found very sexy used car. It was mx-5 miata NB(soft top)
That had an unfixable problem. But in my memory opening top was fantastic.
After coming back my country(south korea) I've forgot for long time about mx-5.
These days I've been looking for new car and It will be RF.
I am sure my first hard top will also give me pleasure
Good luck finding the perfect RF for you!
The appearance of the RF is the only practical advantage to me. Like James, this is a 2nd car that’s garaged for me. My daily is a gr86 so I have the two main competitors in the segment of very few rwd true sports cars…..this provides me the top down and hard top driving experiences.
The RF also cuts into the already limited headroom. Important for me as a 6 footer.
Lastly - the top up ST experience feels luxurious compared to the NB Miata I used to have. So the top up experience is plenty quiet for my purposes.
Good video
I really like the points you made. I have test drive both Soft top and RF, personally prefer the Soft top, because it gives me a better view.
To me, a garage is a place to park the car, instead of using it as a storage room or other purpose.
Soft Top every time. I have an MX-5 MK3.5 NC Soft Top and love it. The RF is not a convertible, it’s a Targa Top a la Porsche 911 Targa.
I have an NC Miata. I'm 6'3" tall and test drove an NB and felt like I was in a sardine can! My knee was 1/2" from the dash!
Then, I test drove an NC. I felt like I had about 2" more room in every direction! So, an ND might not be a good fit for me, as I've heard they are smaller than an NC inside. I haven't tried because I love my NC so much and don't see a need to pay way more for an ND.
My point of this comment:
I bought my NC with the factory, color matching removable hardtop. So, I have the best of both worlds!
And, the factory hardtop is way more thick and insulated than it sounds like a PRHT is, and especially the soft top. It's really easy to take on and off, except it takes two people. Not because it's heavy, it's not, but because of it's size. And, I'm almost 67 and surely not gonna attempt to take it off by myself! Lol
I do like the PRHT's, but the youtuber who made this video is correct, the PRHT is way more money, even used. And he's right, it's about 3 thousand more, and that was the case when I bought my NC, WITH the factory removable hard top! $3000 more, not for a hard top, I got that, but just for the automatic retracting feature! 😮 Of course, I shopped a long time and bought mine on the East Coast and had it shipped to the West Coast. I had a professional inspection company completely go through everything in the car before I bought it. Worth the small fee.
Oh, and you guys thinking of buying a Miata.... They're way, Way cheaper East of the Mississippi! And especially in certain other states.... Like Texas, where pickup trucks are King! Lol Search your favorite car Internet sites and use ANYWHERE as your distance from you. You'll quickly see what I mean!!! And, I highly suggest you make a list of the options you really want. Then, stick to your list, get EVERYTHING YOU WANT, and be patient until you find the exact car you want in the acceptable color you desire! There's plenty of them for sale. It's worth it! 😎🤘
I can say that with the RF that up to about 60 MPH the RF has very little additional noise in the cabin with the top down.
2023 GT Soft Top LOVE MINE!!!! Thanks for the video.
Yoo, first video from you I’m catching so far and it was super helpful my guy.
100% know i am deciding on either a 2017 soft or RF soon so i really needed this.
You’re the man. - i still need to get a solid test drive in both first though but soft top is looking like the lead thus far.
Like your garage ! I had a 10' X 20' oriental rug that the my 2006 MX5 parked on. The car was red with a black racing stripe down the center of the entire car. Also had oil paintings on the walls. My neighbors kept stopping and taking pictures if the garage door was open. The Mx5 was named "Lady Bug" and yes she was extremely pampered and spoiled !!
Did you put a blanket over her on cold nights ?
@@ag4allgood Surely you jest. The garage was heated an air conditioned. Lol
Nice video. I have the RF but I agree with what you said. And I love how fast you can drop that soft top!. Just a tip because yours sounds like the factory exhaust. I swapped out the axel back muffler with a Goodwin Racing with a Roadster Sport Super Street exhaust and WOW what difference in the whole experience. Best $500 I've ever spent. It transforms the car for me. And you can install yourself in about 20 minutes.
I spent a little extra & got the Flying Miata Hush O Matic active exhaust. It does not open fully until WOT then its louder. Early morning pulling out of the garage down the quiet neighborhood street does not wake up neighbors. Perfect sound too ! Agree the axle back exhaust makes a big difference over stock exhaust.
Any links of where to purchase your choice? Part number? etc....?
Soft top for me! I'm like you and lucky to have a garage and this not be my primary vehicle. The top on mine will only be up when in the garage, too hot, too cold or raining the rest of the time it will be down.A sunroof doesn't really replace that convertible experience and I know a fastback wouldn't either. If it had to live outside...pity the thought...I would consider the RF.
have watched your video over and over again, still can’t make decision which top I should get😂
I bougth a ST miata because is very quick to open the roof.
There is another difference you did not mention. The calibration of the suspensión is diferent in both models. The ST is more tail happy, and the RF is more refined.
Wow, I did not know that the ST is slightly more tail happy. Always great to learn new things from the comments!
From other reviews I have listened to, it is associated with rigidity that the soft top does not have. One person said it was like Mazda softened it up to make it feel that way for enjoyment and still be able to keep traction. More like body roll in a bigger heavier car. ????But, I do not know? I am trying to decide which one I want to buy! I am leaning towards the RF because of daily driver security, easier maintenance for the roof, looks, lots of rain and snow around Chattanooga and no garage to park it in yet.
I came for the Miata video but I had to leave a comment because I grew up in Tierrasanta and recognized that you were driving there haha
The miata was conceived as a convertable, thus the issues with wind noise in the rf when the top is down at speed. The rf would be a better choice in a larger city due to security issues tho.
Thank you very much - very good and honest breakdown of pros and cons. Helped me solidify my choice!
I west through all the same things when making the decision. It's like you read my mind, I came up with all the same reasons to get the soft top
Sweet! Enjoy your MX-5 with the top down!!
I'm certainly team RF because I'm not so into the open air experience but if they made a model that was a complete coupe with larger interior and trunk space I would definitely buy that.
The Miata is a very specific type of car, designed for the buyer who prioritizes driving enjoyment above all else. What you describe would be a totally different kind of vehicle, incompatible with the Miata formula.
This is a great video, you are very well spoken!
Deciding between a base soft top vs a GT soft top. The RF doesn't do it for me after cost, appearance, weight, another thing that can break & lack of vision. I was not aware of the single ply vs double ply soft tops. That might be enough to steer me to the GT. Another issue is that dealers carry way more new GTs than base. In Phoenix currently, I'm only seeing 1 base available vs 20-30 GTs.
I'm in The Netherlands. Sunshine is a rarity here, especially compared to California! Cloudless days - we get perhaps 10 to 15 of those per year. I do have a garage (a rarity as well here, I'm blessed) but the looks of the RF are so cool. And - I'd use it top up 85% of the time anyway. More of a concern would be the very limited luggage space, since htis would become my only car. Now in a series1 (E81) 1-series Beemer, I definitely look for a car with at least similar levels of fun and "feel". Good vid, thanks!
Thank you for this great video, s/o from France ! 😎 i already wanted to get a ST but this was an interesting video!!