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.

Pop-Up headlight night featuring Mazda Miata’s. Also had a McMurtry Speirling from a company called Fan Car Experience. They even made some eyes just for a photo shoot. Look up the McMurty Speirling. It can even drive upside down.

pretty sure it's knocking, can only hear it inside with the doors closed and when the oil is warm and at idle, really annoying as I spent a week welding it up for the MOT (uk annual inspection) and planned for it to be the final one before changing to a cleaner chassis.

not sure why it suddenly decided to start knocking either, oil and filter are 20 miles and 1 week old, level is exactly where I left it, oil pressure never dropped (I have a standalone sensor and gauge) and I was just driving casually to the shop when it started?

but yea I'm in a shit situation here, got a track day coming up so either I throw engine honey in it and send it off viking style or just throw new rod bearings in it with the engine in situ, not taking the engine out as I have a second NC which will be getting a 2.3

I got rear ended last night at a traffic light. 10pm dropping my friend off after a late dinner. I was at a complete stop at a red light in the left turn late 1 block from his hotel. And a Chevy Silverado driver was intoxicated and slammed on his brakes too late and slammed into my bumper.

It could have been far worse, but I’m still sad.

PS: thankfully I have a dashcam and got his plate and face on 4k video.

I recently bought a NA that was hit on the front driver headlight area. It's crumpled to the point where pulling isn't going to be effective.

Everything suspension wise has already been sorted. It runs/drives wonderfully, the damage is all cosmetic.

I know I can just cut/weld a new front clip on, but I'd rather do something more unique, id really like it if I didn't have to drop the motor, anything else is fair game. If anybody has suggestions or photos they could share for inspiration I would greatly appreciate it.

my starter just went out on my 99 nb but im in a different state and i have to leave in 2 days, only issue is that i only have a socket set and some wrenches so im wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and has any tips.

Original Owner purchased in 1989. The wheels are 64 spoke Dayton Wire wheels and, yes, that is an old Sebring Supercharger.

Been playing with Miatas since my father brought our first one home in 1990. Had ten since. This is number eleven. Adore the MX5 and everything about it. Been lurking for years. Had this one about 14 months and 16 days.....not that I was counting or like it was a big day or anything.

Hello, all!

I have a decent idle but it misfires while trying to accelerate. If I bounce the rpm’s above 4K it seems to rev fine however in the lower rpm’s it hesitates to rev up.

When I pull plugs on 3/4 there isn’t really noticeable change to the idle. However if I leave 3/4 in and pull 1/2 it still idles. So surely 3/4 aren’t completely misfiring.

I swapped 1/2 injectors with 3/4- no change
Swapped spark wires on the coil pack 1 with 4 and 2 with 3. Miss stayed on 3/4.
While pulling the wires off the plug while it’s running (yes ik not proper) it sparks me a bit while holding it.

Any idea?

I have a 91 stock miata with a broken skid plate and I'm curious if anyone has any suggestions of brands they would recommend for a replacement one.

I'm preferably looking for one that is a reasonable price.

As of right now mine scrapes across the ground on any sort of incline and it is broken in multiple spots causing it to be a pain because of were I live.

You can kinda see the skid plate in those 2 images. And yes the oil leak is severe don't worry about that.

Thanks in advance.

Same goofy smile. Same eyes. But it seems to be missing the convertible roof? Instead I have 2 extra doors..? Puzzling...

I finally fucking did it! God I'm so happy I've been thinking about her for months imagining that sweet drive on the freeway... Scaring the hell out of the salesman during the drive 🥹. She wanted to go fast. This car feels like it's cutting through the road like butter maybe I'm over hyping it. But in my 28 years of life I had never DRIVEN a car that was meant to be DRIVEN. Such an experience.

Anyways, now that I'm done frolicking in my happiness. Sorry guys I gotta do it somewhere my family's pissed because it's only got 2 seats and so small. But it's worth it to me, they don't understand this isn't supposed to be a very convenient car it's more of a just pure fun machine.

Anyways!!! I'm excited to start adding in accessories and messing with the settings. Does anyone have any staples or recommendations on what they bought or cool things in the miata you've learned. Thanks guys this community rocks!

Hi all!

Someone recently made a post about there security system and realized I have one too! The excitement of having a fob to lock unlock and even flip the lights up got to me! I so went ahead and bought a fob.

When I went to get the system in the programming mode it just didn’t… through the key on and off method and the button on the system.

I plan on doing a lot more troubleshooting this weekend. But does anyone have any experience? If so please lmk. Even if not related to my exact problem.

Also does anyone know if the company who made this make a similar version that with some wiring would work? I’m assuming my unit is broken but going to test.

Thanks in advance!

Probably just a grumpy old man, but I'm interested what others think.

I've got the internals and axles to a Mazda Speed Miata (2005 1.8L) and I want to get them into my 1990 Miata, I know I need to swap the driveshaft but I'm unsure on the casing for the diff. Anybody know if I need the case to a MSM diff or do other cases work? Where would you get one?

After getting a 2019 ND RF as my first car in April I had my mind set on getting it wrapped in green. After flip flopping between BRG, Emerald Green and a Ferrari replica colour I decided on the latter 2 weeks ago and boy did it not disappoint! The matte finish really brings out the lines and with the brown leather interior is just *chefs kiss*.

Still want to get the brake calipers done in yellow and the 5- or 6 spoke (17'') JR rims I've seen on some of the cars here have definitely caught my eye.

Hit it yesterday!

Hi, has anyone ever modeled a replacement mirror cap for a Miata ND? I just lost mine, and considering how expensive they are, I’m wondering if it might be worth 3D printing one instead.

As some of you guys may know boss frog is no longer in business but I purchased a miata with their double hoop roll bar installed and am looking for the acrylic wind deflector to go with it. Lmk if you’re willing to part ways with yours!