2019 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring RF: New car reviews

Revising the MX-5’s engine made a great car even better–more power, more revs and more fun. Putting a retractable hardtop on it turned great roadster into a great coupe. This is all review for the class.

Our latest tester? The loaded Grand Touring RF. Pause. Fitted with an automatic box. We're curious what our friends over at Flyin' Miata and Good-Win can do with this.

Our test car also received something called Interior Package for A/T: alloy pedals, stainless steel door trim plates and a red engine oil cap. It added $425 to the price, bringing the final tally to $36,325.

Other staff views

Maybe more time in this is provided just to reinforce that this is a great car. You can read all of our past reviews–it’s a common theme here.

So let’s play a game: How would you spec out your own MX-5? Roadster or RF? Autocross-ready Club package? Go for the Brembos? Loaded Grand Sport RF? Would you add the GT-S package? Or keep is simple and then toss on some more power courtesy of Flyin’ Miata or Good-Win Racing?

Comments

te72 Reader
5/14/19 9:28 p.m.

This one is pretty easy for me, RF GT-S. I daily either a hardtop NB or a soft top NB. In the winter, the hardtop is fantastic. Any chance I can, the top is down. But, I like the Club's upgrades, limited slip is a requirement for winter driving if you want to actually get around.

I'm used to stock NB brakes, so I doubt I'd spring for the Brembos. As weird as this sounds, I'd prefer cloth to leather, although the ND seats are worlds better than the early NB seats, so sliding out of them is less likely a concern...

Brett_Murphy GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
5/14/19 10:07 p.m.

I know that is how much cars cost, but wow. The wife's Mazda6 was less than that, and it had everything but Nav... oh, wait, that was 7 years ago.

JG was praising the gearbox in the Supra. I'd love to know how the automatic is in the Miata from a driving standpoint, It isn't like I'm really competitive enough in autocross for the transmission to matter, and automatics and boost go well together.