2020 Mazda MX-5 RF | COLD WEATHER TEST!

We waited until winter to drive the Mazda MX-5 RF and guess what happened? It didn't snow...

I didn't know that "Miata" was old german for "reward" before I bought my first MX5. Funny, 'cause I bought it as a gift to myself for having quit smoking! Cost of cigarettes and the payments on the car were about the same. Quit smoking and buy an MX5.

Yeah, I got an RF and honestly it's purely for the looks. There's just something about the RF that looks like a mini exotic. Great designs.

Driving my MX5RF all year on snow, if there is any, which is even more fun 🤩 Of course open roof as far as it is not snowing or raining too much. Temperatur is not an issue at all with the great heating and seat heating.

Love my RF. Spring needs to hurry up and get here!!

Wow, really great review! Loved the video and your voice is very calming. Only 30k subs!? What?! This channel has the same feel and quality as some 500-800k channels. Keep it up!

I have a Club with an LSD, because the whole world is my racetrack.

Hey Brian " What do you love " ? Yea its the convertible roadster ! I daily drive a 2016 MX-5 soft top Club down in Illinois with the winter tires on it the car is STILL a blast in snow ! I got the Naughty bits ( Brembo / BBS package ) & I use that limited slip differential constantly in winter. Now tell me I don't need the lighter wheels or the Brembo's ( yes I use the benefits without tracking but don't tell that to the local Police ) ! BTW with the windows up & heater blasting the top comes down often below 32 degrees F. One other thing , during the COVID 19 Pandemic this car has been a total mood changer. Feeling down or just not altogether jump in take a drive ... it cures your mood !

Having driven both, it all boils down to what someone likes the look of more and how much you know to care for convertible soft tops which can be a lot of work if you don't know what you're doing. Both have the same wind noise on normal days. The only time the RF is louder is on windy days with crosswinds, and its not by much. It seems like much because it becomes surround sounds versus just in the front because of the windshield. In USA at least, the base model RF is a club spec. The more expensive with leather seats and fancy features is GT spec. Softop base spec is Sport which has no LSD, standard brake calipers, and standard struts with cloth seats. If you're looking for a sports car in manual, LSD is a must. If you want an auto cruiser, the base is fine. If you're building a car, a base is fine unless you're okay with the oem upgrades of the club and want to save on a bit of money and time. If you like the safety features included extra of the top trim, then go for that I guess.

Great review Brian. I agree with you on the Roadster as far as the purity of what the MX-5 is supposed to be, but at the end of the day, I still opted for the RF and haven’t so far regretted my decision. In an ideal world, I’d own one of each, but I don’t have the garage space for another one unfortunately. I do think the Club spec is the sweet spot for getting the best bang for the buck. The LSD over the open diff in the base Sport is worth the slight price increase. If I had the option to spec mine like you can in Canada, I would probably opt for the GS-P package you were driving since I would probably take mine to the track or Autocross occasionally.

Great honest review, and well produced video. I hope you gain more subscribers, you deserve it. 1. If you really like the raw experience of feeling the surroundings like wind, noise, temperature change, unobstructed views... the RF is not for you, the RF is like a "targa" 2. Bilsteins, only noticeable on track. 3. Brembos, very useful for spirited canyon driving, zero fade. 4. LSD, makes the car feel different in canyons, maybe is a placebo effect on my mind. Right before Covid I did a 6K miles solo-camping-trip touching all California's National Parks and landmarks driving exclusively on backroads. I couldn't have picked a better car!

I'm getting an RF because I live in the northwest; 2024 is likely the last manual available, and I plan to keep it forever. I imagine using it as a daily driver for 5 years, taking it out on sunny days, then pulling the cover off when I'm ready to give it to a future kid. I want the waterproofness, the top-notch brakes, the Recaro seats, and ultimately, something that will wow someone when I awaken it from its slumber. The fastback is the clear winner

underrated channel.

I have winter wheels on mine.. it’s amazing. snowed >6” last night and had no trouble getting to work- didn’t even shovel lol

Great review, thanks! Looking forward for a rel winter review with snow all over the place. I live in Quebec, and looking forward to drive it all year around (if faisable).

“No Sport button” Brilliant!

The wheels and brakes look amazing together.

"Scuddled" lol. Go figure dead of winter and no snow. Fun review! Like you, I get the why of RF however I'd stick with the pure openness of the roadster...like my nb :)

You'll want an lsd and rf if winter driving it. Also, the rf is quieter if doing lots of highway driving. I agree the brake and wheel options i think are a bit pointless unless you like the looks of them and the entry level car is a good value.

I share your love of Miatas. I have a 1997 and a 2019. Neither of them have ever been driven in snow. I would love to be driving them now, but I can't bring myself to subjecting them to road salt. Both of mine are soft tops. One advantage to the RF is if you do drive in salt you can go through an automatic car wash. Can't imagine doing that with the cloth top.