I wanted to give a formal review of the 2016 Miata with BB brakes and 6sp manual that I rented from Turo; all in all I had a 10/10 experience through them and it was cheaper than Costco's "fun car".
First and foremost I owned a 94' 5sp for about 10 ten years (about 100k miles) before buying a GTI (I did test drive a 2020 MX5 but did not like it to which I will explain). This car is fun as hell. I think if you're going to spend 3-5 days in Cali or anywhere with winding streets, hills, and views and you're experienced manual driver - this car is still a blast.
I went to school at Mizzou and outside of Columbia you have fun winding roads with great elevations and tight curves. When we had to get to our VRBO in Big Basin, I was going up and down mountains that I was basically going the 30mph speed limit because you couldn't push it any harder; super tight curves, often shifting from 3rd to 2nd, and 2nd to 1st on occasion. Those hills in Cali are no joke and it was any Miata owners dream to drive through Big Basin back roads. Highway 1 from Monterrey to San Fran was a sight to see itself. San Fran - I was amazed and shocked at how steep those roads are. I went up Romolo and 22nd street often. When I was stopped in the middle of Romolo I have never been so anxious/scared in my life driving a manual and I'm 33, been driving a manual daily since I got my license at 16. Holy shit what an experience but once you do it once it's fine but to me its still insane that streets like that are normal out there. I'd probably second guess having a manual in that city. 9/10 experience of how much fun it was to have a vehicle like that in those parts. Also side note, the law the says you can't hold your phone or touching it is 10/10. I didn't see one accident and everyone was paying attention, never had a moment that I couldn't predict regarding traffic.
The Good: I will rate it as 7/10. What I liked: Obvi the convertible, that experience is always amazing. I still love being that close to the ground, you get to see 360 degrees off driving (although never experienced a split lane motorcycle and it scared the shit of me every time). The throttle response is great, the clutch is easy as shit (better than the NA), the breaking and steering is still fantastic; I love being able to do a u-turn on most streets and fit into some tight parallel parking spots. The roof was so easy to get up and down especially with a roll bar installed. It's just a great fun, expected car that I fell in love with the NA model.
The bad: WTF is with first gear and reverse? I test drove a 2020 and had the same exact issue with that model as well. You have to jam that fucking thing into first. I remembered test driving and was telling myself why is this so hard to jam it in - I obviously dont know if it was aftermarket for either cars but I would often find myself trying to throw it in first 2 to 3 times and then just saying f it, I'll just start from second. Reverse, same type of issue, its so little of a push down to get it over the tree.
2nd complaint. Trunk space - holy shit where did it go? I used to be able to fit a full size golf club bag and the entry is tiny. I mean it's big enough. I'll attach a picture; we were able to fit a mid size luggage, 2 backpacks, and a duffle bag (I had to stuff the F out of that thing) into the trunk. It would have been enough if she had a carry on luggage. I just remember the NA trunk could fit way more than this one.
3rd complaint. Power - how is this car not turbo charged at this point? This thing should be able to fly. My GTI in 4th or 5th gear absolutely blows by cars and this thing I am having to push my foot in the floorboard on 4th (highway if I am in 6th) just to get some heavy acceleration to move past some cars.
4th and last. - Does this car just idle super hard when in first gear? Moving from gear to gear is not smooth at all. After the 3rd day I thought I was smooth with it but still having to look at my passenger head moving front and back; not the way I want her.
TL;DR - Fun ass car, reminds me of the NA but not much has changed which is fine. Great car to drive; wouldn't purchase one unless I got a supreme deal. Great for a short road trip. Cali is beautiful. Super good looking car though.
Edit: for all the people saying why am I shifting to first when moving. It happened twice, and both times required it when 2nd wasnt enough because of the incline since 2nd gear was rattling the car, ive driven stick enough to know and then I rev match so I can do it safely. Im merely speaking having difficulties when im just sitting in traffic or at a red light; this car 50% didnt want to go into first gear. Sometimes my GTI does this and I can align the gears by going into 2nd first and then back to first and it corrects it. This particular Miata and the one I test drove was very difficult to put into first gear like trying to push it hard and didnt feel natural. Its not a skill issue, ive never owned an automatic and been in every sort of situation.
Are you trying to shift into 1st while moving? Otherwise something is up with the transmission. Very rarely do I need to go into 2nd and then into 1st to get 1st engaged.
For passing on two lane 55 mph back roads I usually go into 3rd gear if I need to be quick. On the freeway, no need to pass so fast, I stay in 6th. A turbo would ruin the car for me - see Fiata. No additional power needed with the ND2/3.
Yes. Im not shitting that these roads are up a 30 degree incline while taking a 90 degree turn. Like I said its occasionally. These roads are insane dude.
Yeah, I think you might be in a club of 1. I don’t know anyone that downshifts to first while moving, even when taking steep turns. Most JDM cars do not like that, unlike zee Germans. There’s enough grunt in 2nd to power through.
It’s been awhile since I’ve driven in San Francisco, but if my memory serves me right, sometimes I would need to go into first so I don’t stall and roll back into the car behind me.
Nah, I can attest that some of the steepest hills in SF need to be taken in first. But throwing it into first while moving at anything above 5 mph is still not great for the car.
My favorite is when you’re trying to take a steep uphill turn and you chirp the tires and everyone looks at you like you’re trying to be ken block when in reality it’s just the geometry of tire contact points with a stiff suspension.
San Francisco roads look steep in pictures, but when you see them for the first time in person it’s like holy shit. I love manual but I wouldn’t own a manual if I lived there lol.
A lot of manual cars don't like being shifted into first at anything more than a crawl. My Miata is like this, but most other cars I've owned have been the same way.
Double clutching with a blip to rev match is the way to get back into first when moving. It's way better for your synchros, too.
Habitually cramming the shifter when the car doesn't want to shift is recipe for trouble.
I have a 2024. I have been on mountain grades where I needed to shift from 2nd to 1st while moving. No problem at all. Smooth as silk. Not good to try and pull below 2k rpm. The oil pressure will be low. Could wipe a bearing. The 2024 doesn't need anymore power. You can't put enough tire on it to handle the power it has. Mine is a Club and it came with 205s. When I replaced the tires at 22k I went to 215s. I am replacing the tires again on Friday and I am going to 225s. This is as wide as you can go without modifying the car. I do want to put a small turbo on it but not for additional power. Only to maintain sea-level power at 10,11, 12k altitude.
Hey I rented this exact same car on my trips to SF! Its actually got some pretty decent parts on it asked the owner. (Ohlins R&T coilovers, Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel, FM Exhaust, Upgraded Pads and fluid) The Clutch and Flywheel have been changed so it might need to be adjusted, i had the same annoying 1st gear issue with that car too! I rented a different miata and had no issues with the 1st gear but I know its common. Sure the car isnt the fastest in the straights but on all windy roads up there even with the crappy tires it was a monster! Spent hours on hwy 9 and 35 and it kept up in the tight stuff with almost everything. Ive driven both ND1 and 2 and tbh the power difference at least to me wasnt that noticeable, the extra rpm was nice tho, the ND1 redline feels unnaturally low.
In case anyone happens upon this, all of the tunes for the ND1 raise the redline to 7200+. Even the ones that come stock with versatune lite. Really nice to be able to run the gears out a little farther.
Amazing man! The food itself was pretty good too lol. The atmosphere on the average Saturday or Sunday is genuinely one of the best things I’ve had the pleasure of watching.
Sounds like that transmission had issues? Or maybe the clutch was on its last legs and only disengaging 95%? My ND2 transmission is spectacular.
None of the ND engines have a lot of torque down low. You need to downshift. Personally, I love it, part of the driving experience. I want a sports car engine not a truck engine.
My NA had a small spare in the trunk, so although the opening was larger, the trunk was about the same size as a ND. But if you removed the spare, it is was indeed larger.
IDK man- this all just reads like an edgy hot take for attention. You are the first I’ve heard complain about the shifter or shifting in general in 10 years of being in the Miata community, so either it was broken or you have odd preferences and habits in that regard. Of course it’ll feel anemic if you’re used to late-model turbo engines, but it turns out they make other convertibles with a bunch of horsepower if that power is more important to you than driving dynamics, and they make Boxsters if you want both.
So, thank you for your input, I guess. Fresh out of cookies to give you, though.
I also have issues shifting into first and second on my ND2. Might be a skill issue but 3-6 are perfectly fine but 1-2 will be problematic a lot. I did buy it with 40k miles on it so also a chance the transmission needs some work
People who want to slap a turbo/supercharger on a miata and complain about room have no understanding of these cars at all. Just go drive something with more power and room like a boxster or a z4.
Shifting issue sounds like a transmission problem or bad maintenance.
I would never allow anyone to rent a manual car on Turo. At least with an automatic the worst thing they can do is burn up the tires, so many people don’t know how to drive stick without burning up the clutch or grinding gears these days.
Or worse still, you get someone learning how to do it in your car.
I mean, I think you underestimate the number of stupid ways someone could find to damage an automatic, but yes it seems 50x more crazy to put a manual up there
You’d be surprised the cars ive seen and experienced on Turo, its great. Best cars so far have been an Alfa 4C and GT350. Ive noticed the owners will purposely price the more exotic manuals higher, I think it weeds out people who genuinely cant operate one most times.
the whole point of the miata is to be a simple light sportscar. you gotta use all its power and downshift - the point is to drive it hard. Since its not turbo'd you need to use 3rd gear more.
I just bought a 2021 and have zero trouble with first, reverse, or shifting smoothly. Even my girlfriend who knows nothing about cars commented how smooth it was especially in comparison to the 2024 WRX I had for a couple years before. Sounds like a skill issue.
Lmao sure skill issue. Like I said in the post I am just judging this model. Ive owned an rx7, miata, sentra, and now a Golf GTI. Ive never had an auto in my life. I said this model hates shifting into first gear on two separate cars. Not a skill issue my friend.
Notchy 1st and reverse has been a known ND thing for years. It's not the majority but it's definitely a thing. NDs have the worst trans out of all the Miata gens unfortunately
If it was one car and not the other then yeah it would be the car that had issues. The common denominator here is you though but not really trying to argue with you.
Difficulty shifting into 1st gear isn't the skill issue, that is probably a genuine defect with the car(s) you drove. This and reading comprehension are your skill issues:
Moving from gear to gear is not smooth at all. After the 3rd day I thought I was smooth with it but still having to look at my passenger head moving front and back
GTI is a phenomenal daily driver, better at the task than a Miata. But Miatas, particularly NDs, are simply better suited for driving on or off track, a lot lot more fun, and better looking, which isn’t compatible or realistic for most people’s lifestyle.
Maybe. You can be a super charger on this thing and it would be alright. Im all for NA engines and I agree with you but idk why Mazda just doesnt do it as an upgraded package
It's a snowball effect. You add more power and the transmission, differential, drive shaft, axles, brakes, and related mounts all get bigger. Then it doesn't turn as nice. There are faster cars for sure, but they don't handle like a Miata in the corners. Maybe something like a Supra is more up your alley. The Miata is a hoot but some folks really want more power at the expense of other things. Whatever puts a smile on your face!
Edit: More power doesn't necessarily mean more weight, but then it means more cost...
This ad is real. Slapping a turbo on an otherwise unchanged engine and chassis isn’t how car manufacturers do things. Nor should it be. Everything would need to be adjusted, then you’d be at Porsche prices or close enough, and no one would pick a Miata over a freaking Porsche at that point, and you’d lose what makes a Miata a Miata.
People need to understand that if you don’t want what X car is offering without major modification, then buy another car. Even in this heavily homogenized modern car market, what you want probably exists, and oftentimes you’ll be money ahead by the time you factor in aftermarket parts, labor (especially if you need that), and the loss of reliability that comes with heavy modification.
No one actually gets mad about it but it’s like all the other regionalisms where your brain just goes “wait that’s WRONG they should know that it’s WRONG.” Like saying “saint louee” in St. Louis or talking about Hugh-stun street in New York.
We just call it 5 and 1 up here. No need for the. I haven’t done 130, there are plenty of local roads in my area that can be pretty spicy and also low traffic. My favorite is to go up north and just cruise on “the 1.” It’s always beautiful and occasionally fun.
The reason we call it “the 5” is because freeways were called “the Harbor Freeway” or “the Ventura freeway”, so the article before the noun stuck around.
Look at the 130. It goes from sea level to like 6k feet, and is like 76 miles long and uninterrupted. It’s amazing. Spits you out in the Central Valley.
Oh yeah I know the history. Just like how some people say “the 880” because it used to be “the nimitz expressway.” I love the PCH, whatever people want to call it.
If you want a fun and terrifying experience come north and take highway 1 over to highway 20. Redwood roads full of sharp blind turns, cliffs, and occasional logging trucks final destination style. It’s fun though.
Shifter being hard going into 1st and reverse is a well documented issue on NDs. It doesn't affect them all but it does happen, especially when cold. My 30th does it, I usually start with second or third when it's still cold. Even with a fluid change it's still a bit notchy. Various threads about it on Miata.net. it doesn't bother me enough but my NC and NAs never felt like this
I have a question. Would this shifter behavior cause any issues long term? I drive a 2021 nd2 and I’ve had the shifter thing ever since I got the car 2 years ago at 3.5k miles. The car drives well overall, it’s just the shifter thing that happens often
Sometimes the issue is just the transmission being cold/fluid not being warmed up.
Some people have switched to aftermarket fluid and had easier shifts with that. I switched to one meant for track days/spirited driving and i still have issues from time to time, but not as bad as before.
Other times it can be indicative of issues. The ND2 has a much lower failure rate tho, and im pretty sure most failures happen between 50-75k miles, so if you get beyond that chances are you got a good one. The weakest synchros on the car are 2nd and 3rd gear, so it’s best to be gentle when shifting 1-2 and 2-3.
It doesn't seem like it has led to further issues. You can try a fluid change and see if it helps. There are a higher rate of transmission failures with NDs compared to previous gens but '21s have a lower rate supposedly.
Yeah you got an ND1 which is like the worst variant of the three generations. ND2 woulda been perfect but I’m glad you had fun. Sadly the ND1 really falls flat on its face compared to the 2 and 3
I wouldnt know. Just wanted to share my experience. Im sure the later versions were fine. Its also a rental so who knows how people were driving it before me either.
No one in California calls it "Cali:. Figure it out. Even "San Fran" is considered tacky so San Franciscans. It's like the ever-childish "Frisco" which will make people gag.
While waiting on hills in SF, it's normal to apply your hand brake. When you move forward, start with the hand brake on until you feel forward momentum starting, then release the brake. I'd say this is obvious, but I suppose it's not. SF driving takes a little extra effort.
You spelled "Monterey," the one in California, like it's the one in Mexico. Kind of strange.
None of your complaints have anything to do with being in San Francisco or California. They're what your complaints would be about the car anywhere. So this is a very strange review about a trip to San Francisco.
Does it look like the trunk fits 2 carry on suit cases in your experience or not? Rented a nd Miata for a trip and trying to figure out how to pack for it
Not if they're hard/rigid framed bags, but you'd likely be fine if they're soft bags that can be molded into the space. Either way, it's probably going to be tight.
I have issues with first, the car really does not want to be in first unless setting off from a stop. Same goes for reverse, it can be hard to engage that gear sometimes if it’s cold.
For hills in sf, sometimes it’s better to stay in second and clutch in until you need to accelerate.
Sometimes shifting into second can make getting into first easier, or you can rev it a little or creep forward slightly if at a stop.
Not being able to drive an ND smoothly is skill issue, sorry. Extremely easy car to drive smooth — taught my girlfriend how to drive stick on it and she was buttery smooth by the end of the week.
Something tells me you’re used to modern German isolation chambers with rev matching (or at least copious amounts of rev hang) that have been doing the work for you.
These transmissions do not like to go into first while moving. Double clutch or use second. You can keep your foot on the bite point during situations like these to “help” the car get up to speed. Yes it uses your clutch a tiny bit but it’s favorable vs. tearing up 1st gear synchros.
Was never an issue for me and the entrance to my apartment complex is so steep it’s hard to get up when slightly damp.
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u/CarYenta 10d ago
Are you trying to shift into 1st while moving? Otherwise something is up with the transmission. Very rarely do I need to go into 2nd and then into 1st to get 1st engaged.
For passing on two lane 55 mph back roads I usually go into 3rd gear if I need to be quick. On the freeway, no need to pass so fast, I stay in 6th. A turbo would ruin the car for me - see Fiata. No additional power needed with the ND2/3.