A Miata with a folding metal roof

The Mazda Miata RF takes the same formula as the Miata (roadster form) but adds the luxury of a folding metal roof. Does this mean that it’s the best Miata you can buy?

The Miata RF uses the same engine as the roadster, a 2-liter four-cylinder pumping out 155hp. We’ve said this with the roadster and we’re going to say it with the RF as well. It may not sound like much but trust us the Miata RF is still lightweight and can get from 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds which is only 0.3 seconds slower than the roadster. We found it to be impressive regardless of the extra weight of the folding metal roof adds on. What we found even more impressive is that despite not having tons of torque available at low revs, the engine still revs sweetly and really does shine through when driving in tight corners and bends. It helps give you more confidence where it matters the most, you can’t get this type of thrill from Audi, BMW or Mercedes.

Driving the Miata is a unique driving experience in which we will never forget. The steering feedback is so linear and responsive that it can make many expensive options look overpriced. The chassis is the sweet spot on the Miata, we were able to sling it into corners and bends with pure confidence and with the amount of horsepower the engine produced it didn’t feel underpowered. Some will say that a turbo engine would be nice but we say the turbo engine is best ditched because this engine is just silky smooth and revs so sweetly. There is some wind noise that intrudes into the cabin as well as some road noise but it is far from a deal breaker.

The interior doesn’t feel as cramped as you’d expect a small roadster to feel. The driver and passenger seats both offer plenty of support and adjust ability. You won’t feel snugged inside the cabin with the roof up either, although taller drivers may want to test out headroom with the top up to see if they are still comfortable. Over the shoulder visibility isn’t as good  as the roadster while overall visibility outward to the rear is a little compromised but luckily there is parking sensors to help take the sting out of that. The Miata really isn’t a large car to begin with so you shouldn’t struggle much at all parking it. The infotainment system is actually quite easy to use with many of the menus easy to find but it can be a bit distracting while on the go. Also, the materials used inside of the cabin feel top-notch. Something you would expect from Mazda and after all they do have some of the best interiors for their price range. The boot space is adequate, but let’s face it people aren’t buying this car for practicality.

The standard Club trim comes with LED headlights, leather-wrapped shift knob, sports tuned suspension and power retractable fastback roof. You’ll have to step up to the Grand Touring trim to get auto on/off headlights, automatic climate control and Bose premium audio system. Picking between the two trims depends on the depths of your wallet. The Grand Touring seems pretty pricey on paper but offers the most standard features to back up the higher asking price. The RF isn’t as noisy as the roadster and should appeal to those who may want the added security of a folding metal roof rather than a fabric one. Ditch the automatic and go right for six-speed manual as it’s cheaper and makes the most of the engine’s overall horsepower output.

The Miata is one of those vehicles you have to test drive or own before you go to your grave. It’s really a special vehicle that every driving enthusiasts will love; pure driving pleasure that’s simple and yet elegant. Bravo Mazda!


Likes: It handles like a dream. Engine doesn’t have much oomph but it makes up for that with excellent driving dynamics. Low running costs.

Dislikes: It’s somewhat more compromised than the roadster version.

Our pick: Go right for the Grand Touring trim. The price difference between that and the Club is a mere $1k difference.  You get more standard features and plenty to rave about, as long as you ditch the auto gearbox.

The Mazda Miata is a real gem

The Mazda Miata is one car that every driving enthusiast should test drive or own in their lifetime.

The sole engine option for the Miata is a 2-liter four-cylinder pumping out 155hp. It may not sound like much but trust us when we say that it is plenty. The Miata is lightweight which translates to a 0-60mph timing of just 5.8 seconds which is wicked fast in our books. It doesn’t have the torque of a turbocharged engine but it certainly has the revs which makes it sounds so much better than any turbo engine we’ve driven. We didn’t get the chance to test drive the Miata with a manual gearbox but from what we’ve heard it really is the only way to go with this vehicle. The auto gearbox does the job good but it doesn’t replace a manual gearbox and it makes us want to go back and try to test drive one with a manual gearbox to compare between the two.

Driving the Miata is a unique driving experience in which we will never forget. The steering feedback is so linear and responsive that it can make many expensive options look overpriced. The chassis is the sweet spot on the Miata, we were able to sling it into corners and bends with pure confidence and with the amount of horsepower the engine produced it didn’t feel underpowered. Some will say that a turbo engine would be nice but we say the turbo engine is best ditched because this engine is just silky smooth and revs so sweetly. There is some wind noise that intrudes into the cabin as well as some road noise but it is far from a deal breaker.

The interior doesn’t feel as cramped as you’d expect a small roadster to feel. The driver and passenger seats both offer plenty of support and adjust ability. You won’t feel snugged inside the cabin with the roof up either, although taller drivers may want to test out headroom with the top up to see if they are still comfortable. Over the shoulder visibility is good while overall visibility outward to the rear is a little compromised but luckily there is parking sensors to help take the sting out of that. The Miata really isn’t a large car to begin with so you shouldn’t struggle much at all parking it. The infotainment system is actually quite easy to use with many of the menus easy to find but it can be a bit distracting while on the go. Also, the materials used inside of the cabin feel top-notch. Something you would expect from Mazda and after all they do have some of the best interiors for their price range. The boot space is adequate, but let’s face it people aren’t buying this car for practicality.

The Grand Touring trim which was our tester car came equipped with LED headlights, auto-dimming driver’s mirror, 17-inch alloys and leather trimmed sports seats. You also get a 7-inch touch screen display, keyless entry and rain sensing windshield wipers. The cheapest Miata you can buy is the Sport Trim which for many people is enough while the Club Trim does offer a bit more kit standard for not too much more cash. We’d certainly choose between those two trims with a six-speed manual gearbox rather than this configuration that we had as a tester, it’s nothing wrong with it but we’d ditch the auto gearbox.

The Miata is one of those vehicles you have to test drive or own before you go to your grave. It’s really a special vehicle that every driving enthusiasts will love; pure driving pleasure that’s simple and yet elegant. Bravo Mazda!

Likes: It handles like a dream. Engine doesn’t have much oomph but it makes up for that with excellent driving dynamics. Low running costs.

Dislikes: We didn’t bother listing any because they’re most likely just nitpicking. It really is that good.

Our pick: Go right for the entry-level Club Trim which seems to offer decent value for the money. Ditch the auto gearbox and go for the manual, you’ll save money and also you’ll enjoy the Miata even more.

Popular cars among (LGBT Community)

Honda CR-V

Likes: The styling inside out is much better than the outgoing model. Turbo engine offers the zip that we love with decent running costs.

Dislikes: Infotainment system is too fiddly to operate.

Overall: The CR-V is a great option in the compact crossover segment.

Ford F-150

Likes: Rugged exterior looks with comfortable interior. It’s literally the workhorse you’d want to drive with turbo engines that has amazing flexibility.

Dislikes: The more expensive versions seem pointless. It can be quite daunting to drive especially on any road or parking lot that's not wide open.  

Overall: It offers something for everyone in the pick-up segment.

Jeep Wrangler

Likes: Go anywhere capability with interior to match, iconic Jeep styling with removable roof panels.

Dislikes: Build quality is iffy. It isn’t as great on-road as it is off-road. Endless limited editions that make no sense.

Overall: Wait for the improved redesign for 2018.

Subaru Forester

Likes: Rugged go-anywhere all-wheel-drive. It’s literally built to last. Turbo engine is the best way to go here.

Dislikes: Exterior styling is a little on the 'blah' side. 

Overall: Great value for the money and a vehicle not afraid to get dirty.

Subaru Outback

Likes: It’s the best of the best when it comes to crossover wagons. Refinement has been improved as well as interior build quality. Both engines are up for the job.

Dislikes: We can’t really think of any.

Overall: The original wagon that started a whole segment that’s booming now.

Mazda Miata 

Likes: It’s literally the best roadster money can buy.

Dislikes: None

Overall: This is one car that you have to drive before you go to your grave.

BMW 3-series

Likes: It sets the benchmark for luxury sports sedans.

Dislikes: It’s expensive with options and well the best form (wagon) is sold in limited numbers.

Overall: You’ll love it or loathe it.

VW Beetle

Likes: It’s iconic in shape and styling. The interior is modern VW chic. Turbo engine offers plenty of zip as well as low running costs.

Dislikes: The 2-liter turbo engine option is no longer offered. It’s not as practical as the Golf and it’s not even as sporty as the GTI.

Overall: If you want style of practicality then this is the car for you.

VW Jetta

Likes: Roomiest rear seat and boot space in this segment. The new 1.4 turbo engine is light years better than the old 2-liter engine. Legendary VW build quality.

Dislikes: It’s bland to look and even more bland to drive. Old fashioned trunk hinges eats into boot space. It feels built to a price on some trims.

Overall: Those who don’t want a Civic or Corolla will be pleased with this. 

The best and the worst.

Our favorites and least favorite cars we’ve driven.

Favorites:

Sedan: The BMW 3-series for the longest was one of my favorite sedans but the Jaguar XE is literally out for blood. This sedan is not only as dynamically great as the 3-series it is also so much better than the 3-series at the highest end of the range. We love the turbo-diesel engine you can get with this sedan and we also love the 3-liter supercharged six-cylinder that sits at the top of the range. It’s just the best engine choice of the XE range, if you’re willing to spend the cash that is. We’ve driven several sedans over the years and well the Jaguar XE has to be far my favorite. I just wish that Jaguar improved the infotainment system it is just a complete and utter disaster, also the cabin is quite narrow too.

Wagon: The BMW 3-series touring is a real gem but the Saab 9-5 wagon is what really stole my heart. I remember when I first test drove one in 2006, which was the facelifted version. It also came equipped with the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumping out 260hp. I loved this engine as it had so much torque at low revs and was also the better option compared to the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-class. I surely wish that Saab was still around as they would be wildly popular now that automakers are shifting to turbocharged four-cylinders.

Convertible: The Mazda Miata is one of those vehicles you have to drive before you die. No seriously! It is one of the best roadsters money can buy. The engine may not have much in terms of horsepower but the Miata is lightweight which means that it doesn’t really need much horsepower to get this thing going. You can toss it around sharp corners and bends with confidence thanks to precise steering and sharp handling. I loved my time in the Miata and if I were looking for this type of vehicle I would’ve bought one in a heartbeat.

Hatchback: The GTI is the best hot hatch money can buy. It offers a thumping turbo engine rated at 210-220hp. It’s inexpensive and yet it feels classy and refined. We know you can buy a Ford Focus ST for similar money, but for some reason the GTI just felt so much more fun to drive than the Focus. Maybe because the GTI can balance it’s horsepower while remaining agile. The Focus ST did remind us of the 9-3 Viggen which had suffered from torque steer. The Focus ST isn’t as bad as the 9-3 in terms of torque steer and the chassis being overwhelmed by the amount of horsepower the engine is producing.



SUV: The best crossover we have ever driven is the Volvo XC90. The first generation of the XC90 was also a particular favorite of mine. I loved the eight-cylinder engine that Volvo offered in it for a short period of time. It was the most efficient eight-cylinder engine at the time. Secondly, the redesigned version that appeared two years ago was and still is the crème de la crème of the SUV segment. It carries the style so well. The driving position is superb and the overall quality of the new XC90 has been dramatically improved to the point it made us put it on our top list. You want something refreshingly not German well this is the best of the best here. The 2-liter turbocharged/supercharged four-cylinder pumping out 315hp is the best engine to go for in the range. The entry T5 is okay and the T8 Hybrid can get quite expensive.

Least favorites:
Sedan: The Chevy Cobalt is probably one of the worst sedans I’ve ever driven. It was cheap in every literal since of the word. The 2.2-liter four-cylinder offered decent flexibility but was bogged down by an ancient four-speed auto gearbox. The interior was just rubbish and the overall driving impressions were just ‘meh’ at best. You could quite literally go get a Toyota Corolla and have a dependable appliance that was much better to look at and easier to live with. The only reason people bought this is because it came with deep discounts, and well that’s should be the only reason you’d consider one. Everyone else please look elsewhere!



Wagon: The Suzuki Forenza Wagon was supposed to be the new vehicles from Suzuki that helped it gain more traction in the U.S. against cars like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. However, this car didn’t gain the traction that Suzuki needed as they ended up discontinuing it. The Forenza Wagon looks like a decent buy on paper as it is cheap, plenty of space and supposedly had low running costs. However, in reality the Forenza was none of these things except for having a spacious boot. The engine was weak and running costs were particularly high for a low output engine. Maybe it was because when you drive it, majority of the time you’d be driving with your foot completely down to keep up with faster paced traffic. Suzuki no longer builds cars in the U.S. and well if you were thinking about this, we strongly suggest looking elsewhere as this one is not a vehicle you’d want to waste money on.

Convertible: The Chevy Cavalier Convertible has to be the worst convertible I had ever driven. The looks and the price alone is what made this a popular option. The Chevy Camaro was better to drive, hell even the VW Cabrio was better to drive. The only redeeming feature the Cavalier Convertible had was it had a roomier backseat. The chassis felt like it was made out of cardboard while the engines were actually gutsy and very durable. We still wonder what the hell happened when Chevy brought the Cobalt along. It would’ve been cool to see a SS version of the Cavalier, we know that it would’ve stepped on the Camaro toes, but still a SS version would’ve been awesome.



Hatchback: The Daewoo Lanos used the same platform as the Suzuki Reno. The Reno was a slightly better car to drive but that wasn’t saying much. I loathed the way the Lanos looked and it felt like a cheap car. The interior was an absolute joke in terms of quality and well the Lanos only came with a three-door version as you’d have to venture to Suzuki to get the five-door version. Daewoo was short lived here in the U.S. before it was bought out by Chevy and eventually became Chevy in Europe. I think that Daewoo could’ve survived as an automaker if they actually took the time to make their interior better and also didn’t use crappy engines. The 1.6 in the Lanos was terrible.

SUV: Saab is a special brand that was way ahead of its time. However, when the 9-7x was first launched I was truly disappointed with Saab. The styling wasn’t what made me disappointed. It was the engine choices, instead of offering the unique turbocharged four-cylinders that Saab was known for. Saab decided to go with the GM derived engines from the Trailblazer and they were god awful engines. Saab could’ve put a 2.8-turbo six-cylinder from the 9-3 at least and pumped it up to 300hp, with a twin-turbo version pumping out at least 400hp for the Aero. I don’t understand why Saab took the lazy route with this crossover. It had such potential that was just wasted away.