2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club RF - What's New Review

2024 Mazda MX-5 Model Year Update :

"ICONIC" represents that which is well established. The Mazda MX-5 signifies the most iconic roadster ever produced. The current and fourth generation of the two seat Japanese sport cabrio continues the combination of light and nimble with a judicious amount of raw sensations transmitted between machine and driver.

Whether equipped with soft or hard drop top, the eighth year of series ND Miata hasn't messed with the Jinba Ittai formula, however it brings a couple notable changes beneath the skin. A mild late summer had Roadblazing.com editors frequently toggling the targa top open switch in a Soul Crystal Red 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club RF.

NEW FOR '24 (Club model exclusive):

• Revised limited slip rear differential
  • cam mechanism includes new variable ramp angle conical clutch
  • enhanced clutch lockup when slowing in turns reducing oversteer
  • milder clutch lockup when accelerating out of turn for reduced understeer
• Dynamic Stability Control Track mode fully disables DSC
• larger 8.8" inch center upper dashboard infotainment display
  • wired Android Auto, Apple CarPlay touch screen control
  • Alexa voice control
• Brighter instrument cluster
• Revised exterior lighting
  • Boomerang LED front DRLs
  • Clear brake lamp center
• Tandem contrast stitching on seat inserts, middle dashboard, middle upper door card, center console saddle

2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club - Track Upfit Re- Driven Review

SLIDING TOP STEED BRAKES FOR POSTURE: An old racer’s recipe for cheapest way around the track isn’t about power but rather about lowered unsprung weight and improved grip. It follows then that the elderly racers at Mazda would follow up their already lithe ND MX-5 Miata RF retractable folding top

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

CARRIED OVER, MOSTLY UNCHANGED:

• Performance 2-seat sport roadster
• standard manual folding cloth convertible top, optional power retracting targa roof
• Skyactiv G 2..0L DI DOHC petrol I-4 engine + 6-speed manual helical transmission, rear driven wheels, available limited slip rear differential
  • (Available 6-speed torque converter automatic planetary transmission & steering wheel shift paddles)
• Power ratings remain at 181 horsepower, 155 pound-feet @ 4000 r.p.m.
• 32 miles per gallon observed combined driving fuel economy (3.1 gal. / 100 mi.). Highway range is 404 miles.
• Front double wishbone, rear multi-link suspension + four wheel disc brakes, front vented (available front Brembo 6-piston fixed calipers)
• Collision avoidance braking, Blind spot warning, Lane departure warning, Rear cross traffic alert

BOTTOM LINE:

• $41,970 price, as tested 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club RF (+ Recaro seats, BBS wheel Pkg.) 6-speed manual in Soul Crystal Red + leather trimmed microsuede ( Sport manual from $30,150)
• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty; 5 years, 60,000 miles powertrain warranty

LIKES ABOUT THE 2024 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA CLUB RF:

• Iconic two seat sport roadster
• Mako shark silhouette
• High revving inline-four petrol powerplant + feather lightness
• Heel to toe friendly pedal offset
• Rowing the baseball stitched shifter head of the manual gearbox satisfies with positive short throws through all six gears, a firm clutch with short pedal travel and just enough raw sensation.
• Front double wishbones allow optimal geometry for sharp turn-in. Bridgestone Potenza S rubber offers plenty of stick. Quick damper compression with a civilized ride. Stops on a dime, with progressive pedal reaction.
• Avant garde retro interior
• Low fuel consumption
• Grippy, well bolstered heated seats
• Traditional needle in dial high contrast instrumentation
• Audio speakers inside seat headrests
• Logical infotainment menu flow

NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2024 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA CLUB RF:

• Occasional cabin panel rattle
• Hard dashboard top
• Meek engine note
• Sparse trunk space
• Sparse center console bin, awkward glovebox location between seatbacks, no door pockets, shallow center console bin
• Barely a lower center stack smart phone shelf
• Transmission tunnel intrudes into passenger footwell
• No USB-C and Android Auto - Apple CarPlay projection is wired
• Barely there driver assistance
• Sunwash susceptible instrument cluster
• Lacks performance apps

2019 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring - Bottom Line Review

More than one century ago the earliest automobiles earned the nickname [or mockery] “Horseless carriages.” In the years since, driving has developed into a less sensory, more automated human activity. Responding to the trend of motoring disconnect, in 1989 Japanese automaker Mazda arrived at the Chicago Auto Show responded with

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton