5 Reasons Why I Prefer The Soft Top MX-5 Over The RF

This guy is hard selling me my midlife crisis car. And it’s super affordable. Thanks Jason!

I am a grandmother in Canada and I subscribe to your channel! I learned to drive on back country roads in a push button start Corvair back in the 60s. My dad sold cars and was a car enthusiast and I inherited his passion. Just want to say I love listening to your technical but easy to follow explanations on every topic surrounding automobiles. I'm sure your mom is proud of you. P.S. I'd like to know what you think of Scotty Kilmer. He's not as techie and sharp as you for sure but he appreciates a good thing I think. Keep up the good work dear

I picked up the RF earlier this year and prefer the hard top for both its looks and functionality. Though the driver side blind spot issue was REALLY annoying, solved with a little convex mirror.

I think Mazda is to be congratulated on still producing a small, lightweight 'British' sportscar. The argument over which is best all comes down to personal preference. I believe you can weight up the options to all eternity. My advice would be to purchase one within budget and enjoy the car for what it is, whether it is an NA or ND. Happy motoring...

I drove both, including the FIAT 124 Abarth. I also briefly owned a silver NA. I've been a convertible and Miata guy my whole life (except for my almost 8 year torrid affair with a FIAT 500 Abarth), but when I drove the RF....I became a 'Hardtop all the way' guy. I already loved the looks of the RF more, but I loved how the cockpit felt with the roof up. I loved pushing that button and watching it fold away, Q Branch style. The amount of open air was a perfect amount, loved the back window that goes down too. Either way, Mazda has perfected the convertible top in both manual and electric, both in soft and hard tops. Kudos.

It also depends on the prospective owner’s situation. If you’re only looking for a weekend toy I think the soft top is the obvious choice. But if you’re looking for a daily driver year round car I think the RF is probably the way to go.

You can tell when someone does a good review when based on their description, you can decide that you want the opposite of what they want. Thank you for presenting the differences clearly and understandably and helping provide us with good information and equipping us with things to think about on a test drive. :)

The RF is probably easier to live with on a day-to-day basis. Since it would be nicer to drive on the highway (less wind noise, etc), and you won't have to worry about maintaining the soft top. If the Miata is your 2nd or 3rd car, then go with the soft top. If it's your only, or 2nd car, then you're more likely to consider the RF.

All true, but the RF looks very nice. Personally, i'd love to see a fastback (coupe) version.

Insanely appreciate your videos, man. I'm always learning from this channel.

That hardtop looks so much sexier

Is by chance the Hardtop more aerodynamic than the soft top? Just curious.

All valid points in my opinion, good video. I've test drove both and the wind noise was considerably more in the RF with the roof down due to that B pillar, which is why I bought the soft top instead.

I'm 6'7 and took driving school in a miata. Don't ask how

2020: he buys this car. Money where his mouth was.

I've owned both and I prefer the hardtop. I love the look and the convenience...and the soundproofing.

The RF was the MX-5 I've always desired...and reason I finally purchased one! Since I daily it all year around a soft top isn't really an option IMO. And when it looks that much better too...! :D Those marginal pros with the soft top on a perfect day compared to the all day every day usability with the RF isn't enough of an argument for me. Then you only will want to use it on those days. Now I enjoy my MX-5 RF everyday no matter the weather or the length of the drive, a much bigger win in my book. And the fact that you still can take the top down on those perfect days still is just a plus. ;)

I’m sure the ND will have plenty of clean looking aftermarket removable hardtops in time anyway.

Exactly my points when choosing mx-5. Blind spots and feeling of open space where my major reasons to go soft top.

Thanks for those great points in comparing the soft top and RF. Nice job! Ironically you actually convinced me to go with the the RF. I came across 2 other small differences between the ST and RF: the glove box between the seats is about half the size in the RF (might be a big deal since this space is so small anyway!), and the trunk is a slight bit smaller too in the RF (can't remember the numbers but something like half a cubic foot maybe). Anyway, thanks, this was one of the most concise and yet informative comparisons I have seen. rb.