HERE<\/a>. And if you have, then you already know that this front-engine rear-wheel-drive beauty is smart, contemporary and easygoing, boasting such marvellous curves and lines that you would hug it if you were sure no one was looking.<\/p>\nMoreover, its nimble 2.0-liter SKYACTIV is wonderful and plenty capable of moving the car at a nice clip. Still, it\u2019s not the 155 ponies that make this car a delight to drive \u2013 weighing only 1,058 kilograms it hardly needs any more horsepower \u2013 but rather it\u2019s the feedback you get while driving the MX-5, the connection to the road that is sorely lacking in most cars these days.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.11″][et_pb_row custom_width_px=”830px” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ custom_padding=”0||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”17px|||” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-Front-6.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”500ms” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”fade_in” sticky=”on”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_divider color=”#aeaeac” _builder_version=”3.11″ custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_css_main_element=”width:130px;” hide_on_mobile=”off”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.11.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||on||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”1em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”130px” custom_margin=”|||” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]It boasts such marvellous curves and lines that you would hug it if you were sure no one was looking.
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.11.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||on||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”12″ text_line_height=”1.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”130px” custom_margin=”0px||20px|” custom_padding=”0px|||” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.10.2″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0|0px|18.5px|0px|false|false” _builder_version=”3.10.2″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.11.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”48″ text_font_size_tablet=”38″ text_font_size_phone=”24px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height=”1.3em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”900px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”16px||30px|” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]”Mazda stiffened the suspension on the RF to accommodate the added weight, and in the process reduced body roll”
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.10.2″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” _builder_version=”3.10.2″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.10.2″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”17px”]What we really want to talk about, though, is the RF variant and why it raises the bar in a lot of ways. Having already driven the convertible, I figured it couldn\u2019t be that different. After all, it shares the engine, the six-speed Tiptronic transmission, the stunning long, sweeping hood with the LED daytime running lights and the slanted Bi-Xenon headlights, the 17-inch spoked aluminum rims, the twin exhaust, and the magnificently crafted leather interior that\u2019s simultaneously inviting and sophisticated.<\/p>\n
Pretty much the same thing, right? Oh no, not at all. The RF is actually more enjoyable to drive for numerous reasons, and I will spell them out for you. If you need to make a sandwich or grab a coffee now\u2019s the time, before I start.<\/p>\n
All set? Let\u2019s start. You may have noticed that the RF features an electric hard top, which when retracted renders the MX-5 a Targa. Yes, like the Porsche, minus the glass enclosure in the back. For that top to fold down, the entire rear canopy swings back, allows the roof to retract then closes again, leaving no trace of the top. Thirteen seconds, that\u2019s all it takes.<\/p>\n
Of course, it took about 3 seconds to manually open the canvas-top convertible, or however long it would take you depending on your agility, but while the canvas-top MX-5 is noisy on the highway, even with the top up, the RF is not, at least while you\u2019re traveling at reasonable velocities.<\/p>\n
But the RF\u2019s roof mechanism comes at a virtual price in the form of extra weight, about 45 kilograms to be precise. But I say virtual because you really can\u2019t tell the difference; the RF is just as nimble as its ragtop counterpart and in fact actually handles much better.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.11″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”980″ custom_padding=”34px||0px||false|false” column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-Front-2.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.11″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”980px” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ custom_padding=”30px||34px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”6px|||” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-Side.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-Front.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-Rear.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.10.2″ custom_padding=”0|0px|28px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” _builder_version=”3.10.2″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.10.2″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”17px”]You see, Mazda stiffened the suspension on the RF to accommodate the added weight, and while it absorbs bumps and potholes as easily as the convertible, it doesn\u2019t have as much body roll. That translates into even more delightful motoring, especially on Lebanon\u2019s curvy mountain roads.<\/p>\n
Now add the fact that you can have a bona fide coupe whenever you want and an open top ride when it\u2019s sunny out, you\u2019ll find it very, very hard not to be enamored by this car, which I was forced to borrow twice from Lebanon\u2019s Mazda dealer.<\/p>\n
The first time was meant to be an extended weekend that rolled from Thursday well into the middle of the following week. The plan was to try out the car, have it washed, hold a photoshoot, then wash it again and film it in action.<\/p>\n
I had five days to do all that and I had cleared my schedule, having planned everything down to the last detail. But you know the saying about God laughing while we make plans? Well it rained. the entire time. Can you picture my face, having a new Mazda MX-5 at my disposal for five days and ready to do all the things most people wish they had the time and opportunity to do, and I instead I was subjected to the downpour from hell? I felt like Noah, and I was not amused.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, on the last day the rain stopped, and we rushed to get ready, washed the RF, grabbed our gear and drove up to Zaarour. I immediately started cursing \u2013 it was freezing, the sky was overcast and everyone was already hungry.<\/p>\n
Then I had a thought. I\u2019d film the car in that atmosphere and use the footage to make a gloomy, mysterious video about the MX-5 because, you know, people would enjoy seeing a little black car in a gloomy environment. In case you missed it, that\u2019s sarcasm.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.11.1″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”980″ custom_padding=”0||0px||false|false” column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-interior1.jpg” align=”center” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ background_color=”#f7f7f4″ custom_padding=”42px|0px|37.0156px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ transparent_background=”off”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ custom_padding=”0||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”30px|||” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-interior2.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”500ms” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”fade_in” sticky=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-FL.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ custom_margin=”34px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”500ms” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”fade_in” sticky=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-Rim.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”500ms” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”fade_in” sticky=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-RL.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ custom_margin=”34px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”500ms” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”fade_in” sticky=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.10.2″ custom_padding=”0|0px|2px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” _builder_version=”3.10.2″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.10.2″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”17px”]But I had no choice. It was what it was, and I couldn\u2019t exactly return the car with nothing to show for it, so we rolled the cameras, grabbed the footage, did the photography and when it started getting dark we headed back down to Beirut, where we finally got a bite to eat.<\/p>\n
I later started going over the videos and images, and after working on them for a couple of days using every trick I knew the brighten the footage and saturate the colors, they still looked like something out of \u201cStranger Things.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is a happy car, and the last thing I wanted to do was to choke the life out of its carefree existence, so we rescheduled and I borrowed the MX-5 again a couple of months later and drove right back up to Zaarour, for consistency\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, this time it was nice and sunny, and we captured some great footage as well as some adequate images. I even managed to get a few drone shots, which tend to be problematic when it\u2019s windy for obvious reasons. But we got what we needed and I was satisfied. The problem, however, was that I\u2019d spent so much time with the car I got attached to it.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.11.1″][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”980″ custom_padding=”0||0px||false|false” column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MX-5-RF-Front-5.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.10.2″ custom_padding=”0|0px|2px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” _builder_version=”3.10.2″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.10.2″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”17px”]I mean can you blame me? Shiny black MX-5 RF, black leather interior with red contrast stitching, 17-inch dark gray rims with red Brembo calipers, six-speed Tiptronic transmission with paddle shifters, music streaming and Bluetooth.<\/p>\n
Then there were all the other goodies like Sport and Eco driving modes; keyless entry with push-button start; leather wrapped shifter, handbrake and steering wheel with audio controls; a nine-speaker Bose sound system; blind-spot monitoring, a 7-inch touch display screen; heated seats; rear parking sensor; Traction Control System (TCS); Dynamic Stability Control (DSC); Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS); Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); as well as driver, passenger and side air bags.<\/p>\n
All that for $55,490, including value added tax and registration, with a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Yes, it costs more than $55,000, but if you could be assured that for as long as you drive an MX-5 you\u2019d be one of those people who are always cheerful, free of stress, and others are delighted whenever they see you, wouldn\u2019t it be worth it? In my opinion, considering the circumstances we\u2019re living in, anything that relieves stress is well worth it.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Want To Discover Joie De Vivre? Drive An MX-5<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27786,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[75,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mazda","category-reviews","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27779"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27779\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27816,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27779\/revisions\/27816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fastmates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}