The honest truth about daily driving an MX-5 for a year
Posted by theDartVader@reddit | Autos | View on Reddit | 108 comments
I bought an ND2 MX-5 (30th Anniversary Edition, 1 of 3,000) almost a year ago and I've daily driven it ever since. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made. But if you're thinking about pulling the trigger on a Miata or any lightweight sports car, here's the stuff that nobody talks about in the reviews.
The squeaks are real. Dashboard, doors, roof, everything creaks and rattles on rough roads. Less than a year old and it already sounds like it's falling apart. It's not, but it sure sounds like it.
Wind noise is worse than you think. I'm not talking about top-down driving. I'm talking about the soft top up on the highway. Above 60 mph, conversations require yelling. At higher speeds, forget it.
The suspension meets Eastern European roads. It's tuned for the track, which means every pothole feels like you hit a landmine. I'm in Eastern Europe, and the roads here look like they survived a war. If your daily commute has rough pavement, this will get old fast.
The stock exhaust doesn't match the car. For a sports car, the exhaust has no character at all. It doesn't sound bad, it just doesn't sound like anything. For a car that does everything else with personality, the stock exhaust feels like it's holding back.
Power is humbling at traffic lights. 184 hp is fine for canyon roads, but sitting at a red light next to a turbocharged Accord or a GTI, they just pull away without trying. It's not slow, but the stoplight pulls remind you where 184 hp sits in 2026.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. The driving experience, the steering feel, the way it makes every drive fun, it's all worth it. But these are the trade-offs.
What's the most annoying thing about your daily driver that you've just learned to live with?
I made a full video going through all 7 things if anyone's curious
TanithRitual@reddit
Gen 1 Raptor daily - Holy fuck us this thing wide. Everytime I step on the gas I see the fuel gauge go down. Do I love it? Yes would I do it again? Absolutely.
Golf R with almost 500HP - WHY DOES EVERYONE DRIVE SO SLOWLY? I still miss driving it
shoi_mintz@reddit
turbocharged accord... in eastern Europe? We didn't get these in europe at all. Unless you're thinking of modded accords
FlyBirdieBirdBird@reddit
Well, yeah. If you are a straight line bone head the Miata isn't the car for you. It hasn't been since the very beginning, more than 30 years ago.
FlyBirdieBirdBird@reddit
No, it's absolutely isn't. It's very soft. Yours may be stiffer than a normal ND because it's the anniversary edition, but still very far from a track tuned suspension.
FamousMortgage5963@reddit
I do wonder why Mazda never did a turbo version of the MX5, when they have turbo 2L engines available.
Muttonboat@reddit
They already did
it was called the fiat 124 abarth
B5_S4@reddit
The fiata isn't using a Mazda engine, to be fair.
Sihayaya@reddit
Yeah it's not anything close. A 1.4L cast iron block, SOHC with a puny single scroll turbo.
stoned-autistic-dude@reddit
But the exhaust sounds better stock. Thing is throaty.
CastorX@reddit
I partially get thus argument, but uf you spend like 400€ on an ulter muffler for the 2.0 ND and it immediately sounds better than the 124 with the base (or probably most of the legal) exhausts.
cheesynooby@reddit
More weight from extra cooling, transmission will have to be heavier because it needs to be beefier, apply this to all other driveline components. It just makes everything more expensive. Kinda goes against the simple, lightweight and cheap (relatively) roadster.
Sihayaya@reddit
I thought only mine did that, glad to know I'm not alone here lol, creaks on it be driving me crazy sometimes
mrpanda350@reddit
My ND2 with 30k miles has no noticeable squeaks or rattles
CastorX@reddit
Op drives on bad roads with the oem bilstein suspension. That combo tends to rattle.
coconutpete52@reddit
I have an old Z3 and if you ignore all the maintenance that goes along with having a 26 year old car, I would have probably still disliked driving it during the week if I had to.
Very interested in the squeaks and rattles part. I have that too, but always associated it with the car being old.
CastorX@reddit
Op has the oem suspension with the bilstein dampers. Thats why he has more rattles. Driving on bad roads (like op in eastern europe) i would recommend the non bilstein suspension, thats great on bad roads and caises a lot less rattles.
hermitcraftfan135@reddit
Interesting to hear this, an ND is my dream car. Personally I’d keep the exhaust stock cuz I hate loud cars but that’s an unpopular opinion. It’s interesting you mention the creaks/rattles, I know someone with a 2016 ND1 that’s got around 100k miles and some cheap replacement parts and it didn’t really creak or rattle any more than I’d expect for a ~10 year old cheap car, so maybe the creaks come on early but don’t ever get worse? Love the anniversary edition, that orange is beautiful
CastorX@reddit
It does rattle a bit, thats true, but… there are some plces in the dash where you can put a piece of cardboard and the noise is gone. About the squeaking: there are a lot of rubber seals everywhere in the car. Take a pice of microbier cloth and silicone spray (or grease) put a small amount on the rubber everywhere. It gets instantly better. Repeat it twice a year, it’s a 15 minutes job. The amount of rattle depends on the suspension too. If you have the oem non-bilstein suspension the you barrly get any rattle. But i hated the oem suspension so it got replaced with an aftermarket one.
I had the same idea abou the exhaust as you did. I didnt like loud exhausts… but i have to admit, putting a “sport” muffler under it is probably the mod i like the most.
BoysenberryNew7920@reddit
I am sorry if I will hurt anyone but am I the only one thinking that this orange color doesn’t fit Miata ND at all
CastorX@reddit
WHAT??
theDartVader@reddit (OP)
WHAT?
BoysenberryNew7920@reddit
Yeah sorry but to me it doesn't suit the color at all
augustusgrizzly@reddit
pretty much everything is is the same daily driving my s2k. and yet i wouldn’t have it any other way. id have to spend well over double or even triple the money i spent on my s2k before id find a car that id rather have.
jearnold@reddit
I have two MX-5s, a 2019 (non AE) GT auto and a 2012 Power Retractable Hard Top GT six speed, and I agree with you on your thoughts. I have driven both as a daily driver. I put 200k so far on my 2019 and about 10k on my 2012 (it has 84k plus when I got it and now have 94k)
But I will say that how it handles on the twisty roads and how engaging it is, is worth the other draw backs. A slow car is more fun driven fast then a fast car driven slow; or so I have heard.
I changed out the stock exhaust on my 2019 for the Goodwin Super Q twin tip and it adds so much more character. My 2012 came with a Magnaflow exhaust that has a great sound, albeit it drones which I am not fond of.
Better-Credit6701@reddit
I've taken my ND2 Miata on a 3,600 mile road trip
theDartVader@reddit (OP)
So how is it?
Better-Credit6701@reddit
Great
first 950 miles
I split it until two days each way of 950/850 mile days.
renshredder@reddit
Thank you for sharing! I'm thinking about getting either an MX-5 or a GR86, and these are the impressions I need!
General-Frosting-122@reddit
See see ya see see
BrightLuchr@reddit
The GR86/BRZ also isn't quiet. It's okay for music but you'll need to turn that audiobook up very loud. It's more effort than other manual cars I've owned: comparing to a Prelude, Mazda 3, or an Integra. Much as a love the BRZ, a tiny part of my brain admits that I'm not up for doing that much work on every drive. It is more disgustingly fast than I really need it to be.
z31@reddit
You are the first and only person I have ever seen call the GR/BRZ "disgustingly fast". I would call them quick, but not fast. They accelerate really well and can keep a lot of speed through corners, but fast is not one of their adjectives.
Also the sound system in the base models is well known for being lackluster (many would say downright bad) and even in my '22 Limited BRZ it's just "okay".
BrightLuchr@reddit
This is what matters: it is more then fast enough to be doing 149kph at the end of the onramp from the service station... faster than the highway traffic that tends to be about 120. And since they take your car away if you get caught above 150, you don't need to go faster then that.
Calm_Project723@reddit
The prht would change some rattles and highway noise. But to me, top down, it did not feel like a convertible.
Neutralies@reddit
Can you elaborate on this? What about the PRHT version did not feel like a convertible while the top was down?
Calm_Project723@reddit
Well, there are the buttresses and hoop behind you, it is t open all the way. Only a little open window under the hoop.
To me it was more like a targa. It is still great, just different. More stiffness, less noise, I am sure, warmer in the winter, city cut proof top, quiet on the highway.
Just (to me) not really a convertible.
Neutralies@reddit
Thanks I appreciate the reply. Great information. Sounds like I'll have to drive one for myself to experience the trade off.
TheSticc@reddit
I love my GR86 and I wouldn’t have it any other way, but as the other commenter said, test drive them back to back. They both have advantages and disadvantages over each other, and it’ll 100% come down to personal preference. No review will definitively tell you which car you’ll like more. Good luck though! Either way you choose, you’ll come away a winner :)
z31@reddit
Yeah, I have a second gen BRZ and after testing out a new Miata I could not imagine swapping. The Miata felt slower and had so much more body roll than my BRZ. Some people use the fact that a Miata is a convertible as a plus, but I honestly don't get anything out of driving with the top down that I don't get by just having my windows down in the BRZ.
owowhatsthis123@reddit
Highly highly recommend test driving them back to back. I’ve always wanted an 86 but I had the chance to test drive both right after the other and the Miata kinda killed my enthusiasm for the car. It legitimately felt like a camry compared to the Miata.
It was a pre refresh 86 though so my opinion could be different but I haven’t driven the newer model yet.
jonnieggg@reddit
The 86 is a more practical car. It has a lot of boot space when that seat is down. Put some pilot sports on it and it handles like it's on rails.
rx793@reddit
Having had both as DD. The BRZ is more practical a bit daily driving but the MX5 is pure joy. Either is a fun choice.
LeJeune123@reddit
Go MX-5, I have been DD’ing all generations for 22 years, started at 21yrs old, now and having the top down is so damn nice. I’ve long distance tripped, slept overnights, autoX’ed, and continue to track my newest Miata. The wife and I learned how to pack for fun and have taken countless trips. Took a 3 day trip to Hiroshima last year to let the Miata visit home!
Even after all this time I still smile everytime I see one! Oh, the Miata wave is a thing, please follow tradition ;)
Jgl752023@reddit
You forget one of the major advantage of a miata. Nobody is jealous about them. It’s just a normal car and you’re not afraid of using it like you’ll be with a boxster. I miss my nd160…
tomcatgunner1@reddit
I daily a 2016 canyon, and there’s 2 things I have learned to deal with
My OEM headunit is gonna do whatever it wants 10% of the time, and to reset it you have to leave the door open for a few minutes
The other is
The G in GMC might as well stand for grandpa, because that’s who has to come talk about my truck at every gas station and it’s weird.
Fuzzy_Park109@reddit
I will never ever understand why they didn't make a shooting brake model ala Volvo p1800 or the BMW M clown shoe. They could have made it a Targa or brought T-Tops into the 2000's. Shit is soooo obvious.
That extra real estate for groceries, luggage, or track wheels (the commercials basically write themselves)
DiscoSimulacrum@reddit
A GTi pulls away from you? I think you may need to learn to drive. An ND is quicker than the vast majority of cars on the road, especially in europe.
strangway@reddit
No surprises here. I agree with everything you say! Although I’ve never been to Eastern Europe, so I can’t comment.
My Apple Watch has recorded 90 db at highway speed.
Mugur_kash@reddit
Would be interesting to find out the difference with hard top
strangway@reddit
My MX-5 is the ND RF. Sorry, I should’ve mentioned that. It’s been a long time since I compared the standard model to the RF; it was at the dealership and it wasn’t a big difference from my recollection. They had to unwrap some plastic off their only RF model since it just came out.
Mugur_kash@reddit
Oh damn, than the soft top is even more loud... I am planning to buy a used one soft top, model 2023/2025. This is quite concerning, now I understand why some people mention to use ear plugs.
Thank you for sharing
strangway@reddit
I have some Happy Ears earplugs in the glovebox, but my AirPods Pro v3 on Adaptive mode are even better.
danperson1@reddit
That is why I got a 987 Boxster S for the same price. Never had an issue with it, but it rides smoother, has more practicality, the roof is quieter, better exhaust, etc. but still gives you the experience
RocketJohn5@reddit
Every gen Boxster is a better, slightly larger, faster, more solid car than Miata. Miatas are great to learn chassis dynamics, but can be a bit small for most people. Everytime I jump in my friend’s ND with Ohlins R&T, I think “No one really needs anything more than this in the canyons, provided they fit”
Dedward5@reddit
I daily drove an Elise S1 for 2 years. A while before that a MK1 MR2 for 5 years. Drove the Elise from Austria to the middle of the UK in a day.
Falandyszeus@reddit
You forgot to include your height and weight. Very significant for the kind of experience you'll have in one.
As someone who's ~6'3/190, Those things are absolutely tiny. such a pain to get in and out of. If you are tall and the roof is up. Getting your legs under the steering wheel is quite the maneuver.
Also don't park close to anything whatsoever if you want to get out again, between the door Length and thickness, you need a pretty wide space to manoeuver yourself out. (A lot easier with the top down)
Other than that they're pretty cool, fun little racers.
kaszeljezusa@reddit
Oh shit. I always wanted one and never even thought about it. Am 190cm...
Do you have comparison to gt86/brz? Like them too, so maybe ill go that way.
MrSatan2@reddit
I'm 190 and drove an ND for 3 years just fine.
DelSolSi@reddit
I'm not the person you replied to but I'm 192cm and daily my ND. There's a few different seat brackets you can buy to adjust the seat for taller folks. On long road trips you need to get out of the car to adjust your legs, you can't do it in the car. The whole getting in and out thing, yeah sure it's awkward but like... unless you're fat and/or out of shape you don't really notice it. Although I have had people comment on how silly I look when doing so lol
TopRamanNoodl3s@reddit
I’m 195cm I genuinely never understood how anyone taller than like 175 fits in the car. My buddy has an ND2 I tried driving it and I can’t fit my legs in the drivers footwell unless they’re sideways, and then my foot can hit all 3 pedals at once. Riding shotgun I have to have one leg under the other and I’m pressed up against all the other surfaces. Even gotta sit up with my back straight cause there’s not enough headroom when my back is on the seat. I successfully managed to drive an NC at least, but even then I definitely need a smaller steering wheel, smaller seat and doorcard delete to be remotely comfortable.
DelSolSi@reddit
You probably have very long legs. I've seen guys at my height both hit their heads and and crash their legs into the dash. I'm just the right proportions that I fit perfectly fine.
kaszeljezusa@reddit
Not too fat, not too out of shape either. But there were times i had both my ACL's fucked and one i decided not to reconstruct - which i regret. So there's that. Anyway, that's just friendly talk here, as i am not in financial situation to consider it anyway rn. And if the future lets me, ill test drive ;)
Thanks though
z31@reddit
I have a '22 BRZ, they are known for fitting taller people more comfortably than a Miata, but you will still be a little cramped. And if you want to track it, taller people have much more trouble fitting a helmet in. I'm only 5' 10" (~177 cm) though and find it to be extremely comfortable.
thefoojoo2@reddit
Brz has like 2" more headroom. Significantly roomier.
vipercrazy@reddit
I am 6ft 3 and have owned a 93 mr2 for 17 years, it's snug but the interior is feels nice and is larger than these cars, I haven't been in the new Miata though. My leg gets wedged in between the door panel and the wheel on the FRS, it can't be driven normally. The other models of mr2, and the first gen Miata I don't fit either.
SuitableFault692@reddit
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TheCrudMan@reddit
Try daily driving an NA and then go back to your ND2 and you won't feel this way about anything you said.
theDartVader@reddit (OP)
In my region, NA is a real rarity
Spong_Durnflungle@reddit
Counterpoint, I've got a 2019 RF, and there are no squeaks or rattles in it except very occasionally when the weather is just right. Normally, it's just like new. 42k miles.
Other impressions are mostly the same, except I put an aftermarket axle-back on early in it's life.
HURCANADA@reddit
I disagree with most of this as. I daily an ND2 as well.
No squeaks and rattles, and I am actually faster in the city in my Miata compared to my high horsepower cars because it's a lot more reactive to all inputs. The suspension is also more comfortable than my 981 Cayman's on city pothole roads, but yes it's not a Camry.
Wind noise, exhaust sucking, peak fun I agree with. I put a race exhaust on mine and it fixes the noise issues.
Spong_Durnflungle@reddit
Yeah, I don't find the wind noise as bad as OP does, but mine's an RF, so not apples to apples.
My shocks also are not that tough to live with, but I'm in NC, USA so my roads are pretty great, which may also explain my lack of rattles comparatively.
I think the ND2 is well-suited to daily driving if you value the drive. It's very rewarding.
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FLDJF713@reddit
Creaks and rattles are common on a Japanese car.
I daily drove an ND for years and did some very long trips in it. Loved every moment and I regret every day I sold the car except for the safety aspect in Texas with tons of lifted trucks.
I used to play a game with friends on Instagram. “Will it fit in the Miata”. I would pick up a Christmas tree or piece of furniture. It was a fun game to get over the limits of it.
Even as you say with power, I loved being able to floor it and rip gears and still be compliant to the law. My WRX VB I can’t. At 2nd, I’m at 60mph. Mustang V8? I’m well above that.
Wind noise was my only actual complaint. At 75 or higher for 30+ mins, I would have ringing in my ears after.
Chrono978@reddit
I drive it in the simulator, I know what you mean with the speed, I can grab a drink and finish before having to up shift.
BonezOz@reddit
My wife is an older GenX and she's been dailying a 3rd Gen MR2, and it's loud, engine noise, road noise, exhaust noise, rattling noise, etc... Like the MX-5, above a certain speed, in the MR2's case about 30kph, you can't hold a conversation. But the most fun part? Folding yourself like a contortionist getting in and out of it.
It's our daughters car, but she's in Canada doing backpacker things, and probably won't be back for a year or more. I'm seriously considering having a quieter exhaust, something closer to stock, installed.
Jeffreymoo@reddit
I have an ND1 and a 2012 86. Both are great drives with different character. The 86 is more practical, more powerful and handles well. The ND is lighter, more nimble and has more fun factor. I track both of them. Both hold their own against much “faster” cars.
NixAName@reddit
I went the opposite end.
Two heavy moderately powered cars. A 1UR-FSE powered crown majesta and a twin turbo 2UZ-FE LandCruiser.
Fuel economy sucks unless I'm on the freeway and then the crown gets 6.3L per 100km.
I love both of them and the only reason I'd upgrade is if I bought either the 2UR Century or the IS 500.
_pcakes@reddit
crazy for you to say that about 184 horsepower. I own an NA6 miata but also a geo tracker that makes 80 horsepower. literally 80 and it weighs about the same amount. It's like driving a tractor the way it takes off from a light
rtshtbtshtdrtyldtwt@reddit
I wish my NC was slower so I could redline more
munche@reddit
The entire Geo brand was infamously extremely slow cars even for the time they came out. Hell there's a whole Simpsons gag where someone is chasing a car and gaining and Flanders says "It's only a Geo!!"
So yeah faster than a car that was famously slow in 1992 is a super low bar
_pcakes@reddit
My NA miata is supercharged making some 180 horsepower and it feels like a rocket. I have 8 inch wheels and continental extreme contacts and I get wheelspin when I launch it. I can break into a drift if I floor it through a corner. It feels stupid dummy fast, and then I read ND drivers talking about how slow that is... it's just crazy to me. Maybe the power curve is really bad or something? maybe they don't know they're supposed to floor it and use the whole rev range?
combong@reddit
lol I drove my NA for the first time in months today and thought “yep it’s slower than I remember”
Shot-Bat-6410@reddit
I'm selling my BMW X5 2019 anyone interested?
Evening-Bug-6392@reddit
Just think of it as "you dont have to ask people footage if you have one"
evileagle@reddit
Everyone talks about all of those things in the reviews.
You bought a car that was seriously damaged in an accident, so rattles etc. aren't unexpected.
Wind noise is better than any other convertible out there, by a wide margin. Especially with the top up.
The suspension is tuned for the road. Maybe just not the surface of the moon roads you have in Eastern Europe, and maybe your previous experience with soft sedans makes you think this.
Stock exhaust is stock, and it's a little 2.0L naturally aspirated engine. Easy fix.
If you thought this was a good car for racing from a stop, misunderstand the intent.
Candid_Condition_799@reddit
Didn’t you post this word for word like a week ago?
Gh07ms3@reddit
He definitely did and got trolled
HuskyPurpleDinosaur@reddit
Is it true that when you drive a small car you get a lot of rude remarks from people saying that you're "compensating for your big penis?"
AylaPinkVelour@reddit
love your color!
i love this but the headroom is something I cant get past. i got to ride in my friends last year and I loved it but cannot get past that part.
MessyFTW@reddit
I daily my RF round year in central Europe. Long trips we have Jeep My car is Miata... I would not swap for anything else... Wind is OK until 140km/h on motorway in RF 😉
fitnessCTanesthesia@reddit
Tbh sounds terrible thank you for your insight.
honeybakedpipi@reddit
Biggest thing with pot holes is wheel size / tire sidewall thickness. Also the nd Miata is very soft from factory compared to other sports cars.
Sad-Fee191@reddit
I mean it's a perfectly fine car if your a woman or a homosexual man
verdegrrl@reddit
No trolling.
sorry_but@reddit
I can only imagine troll accounts being owned by bored teens for shits and giggles.
Also it's you're.
Sad-Fee191@reddit
How is it trolling when youre serious?
Also it's youre.
TeaOfIcedLemonS@reddit
Just say you can't afford it mate
Sad-Fee191@reddit
I definitely cant afford to be seen in one
TeaOfIcedLemonS@reddit
Why not, think it fits you perfectly personally
Sad-Fee191@reddit
Not really. Suits you just fine
TeaOfIcedLemonS@reddit
Thanks
Cusp-of-Precibus@reddit
Found the most insecure man in the room. This dude is so insecure he cant wear anything that has pink on it because " Thats Gay" . 10 bucks dude is a repressed closet homo.
Sad-Fee191@reddit
Pink isn't gay but like the Miata its only worn by women and homosexual men. You do sound pretty upset though, maybe you're a tad repressed and are struggling to come out?
Cusp-of-Precibus@reddit
I will drive a pink Miata wearing a rainbow suit and still be comfortable heterosexual. Now get out there and let that fabulous gay man you've kept locked up inside out and be your true self. Go buy that Miata and move to South beach and be happy. You deserve it.
Sad-Fee191@reddit
Sounds like you've been thinking about it for a long time. Just go out there and be the biggest homo you can be
ccarr313@reddit
I came from a GR86. So the suspension seemed soft to me. At least until I replaced the springs and sway bars.
The creaks are real. Just like an 86. Good times.
Fresh613@reddit
Post a selfie