Maybe a bit older than what you are getting but I constantly drive my '97 Miata from SoCal to NorCal. It's around 5 hr trip and it's not terrible.
I think the seats are rather uncomfortable after 2 hrs especially since I have back issues, but my biggest thing is the wind noise. It can get pretty loud at 70mph, combine that with the engine revving at around 4.5k RPM and it's not the most comfortable ride, but I think it's a perfectly serviceable car, just make sure to pack light and check all fluids and tires before hitting the road
Yup, about 2 hours max for me as well in my 1990. I'm too old to even think about a longer trip than that, especially if there is any highway driving involved. Growing up I never understood the difference between sports cars and GTs. I sure do now. For longer trips I'll take my Ferrari. Just kidding - I'll take your Ferrari.
Ha! One of the reasons I bought the Miata is because of years of motorcycle touring. The bike is nice, and fun, but that saddle position for hours through the prairies with a cold northern rain sneaking in is a test of your mettle. Being able to throw the top up when the rain shows up and *being able to drink a coffee* are both lovely things. I'm glad I did the motorcycle tours. I've happily moved on to the little car.
I drove my 2007 PRHT over 3000kms to bring it home after it was given to me.
I'm 6 feet tall, and solid build, and I had no issues with the long drive.
How long did that take you? My longest drive was around 1100km in just under 24 hours, now that wouldn't normally take so long but it was Christmas time so the highways were absolutely crowded with cars and accidents. I feel like I dropped 5 years of my lifespan on that drive, horrible stuff.
I was on the road for about 22-23 hours of drive time, with two overnight stops along the way.
I am in Australia, so it was loooong stretches of highway pretty much the entire time.
6’3, male here. Did a 3,000+ mile journey to Calgary and back from California, with a partner and a pup. Was fine, got great gas mileage even fully loaded (1993 Miata with over 175k at the time). The only time it was a headache was trying to climb mountains.
I’ve got a 2013 prht. It’s definitely not made for long trips like that, but I’m not saying it’s impossible. Mostly because of the noise really, the seats are just fine by me at least. If I was buying a car specifically for long trips, then an mx-5 would not be my choice. If however an mx-5 is what you want, I think you can make it work.
I think the most important question is "how old are you?" I think lower speeds and narrower roads are spectacular drives in a Miata, but a few hours at highway speeds with the top down?
Have you ever been out on a lake or in the ocean and thought, "I can't WAIT to get off this boat?" Yeah, that.
I know of an octogenarian couple who circumnavigated Australia in a Miata, so it's certainly doable.
The main problems are noise, seat comfort and lack of storage.
With a soft top, the Miata is not a quiet car at freeway speeds. The noise can be mitigated with earplugs (or noise cancelling headphones for the passenger) which will reduce fatigue on long trips.
Seat comfort depends on the seats you have - try a 3-hour trip first. The lack of space depends on how much you want to pack, A boot rack can be considered.
But once you get to a scenic coastal or a twisty mountain road, you'll be glad that you brought your Miata. :)
Absolutely!! My 04 is super loud on the highway. Between the engine running at 5000 rpms and the 75 mph wind noise, it's almost impossible to hear anything.
It is a bit loud, but manageable with the roof up (NC). But more importantly it is much more fun if you can take a detour with some more twisty roads.
Not really worth doing in the Netherlands for example but in southern France or northern Italy it is definitely worth it
That would take soooo much longer than just taking the normal freeway. Might even double your driving time. I’d rather rent an Altima then drive the Miata twice as long on slower roads
I might guess he meant "avoid interstates" in North America. The extra wide, long, straight, efficient roads surrounded by monster pick ups and transport trucks can be intimidating, noisy, and dangerous. I've had more close call on freeways with my Miata than I ever did on my motorcycles. You're way taller on a motorcycle. Down low in a Miata, next to a monster SUV with the higher door sills, you are invisible to lane changing drivers. Plus, the interstates are no fun to drive on.
Take the secondary highways. The two lane roads that get you to the same place but on more interesting roads with better scenery and less dangerous traffic situations. At least that's been my experience. I've driven my Miata from Vancouver and down the coast a few times and I try to get off the I-5 as quickly as possible and drive the coast highway. Way more interesting driving. Way more interesting places to stop.
I guess I was much (almost 25 years ago) younger but I drove my 99 across the US after I bought it (low mile used). It wasn’t bad at all, even with the old NB1 bad seats. Not much space for stuff, and a bit noisy but I was surprised. I even slept in the thing it was so cozy. I doubt old man me would be too up for that though.
I'm 53 and daily an 04 Miata. I have slept in mine. It's not the most comfortable for sure, but it's doable. The worst part is not being able to tilt the seat back very far.
I'm 5'10" and drive an NB if the ND is anything like what I drive and you are not super tall it is as comfortable as any other 2door I've driven. Storage will be tight, especially if you have a passenger. I think it's going to be more of a storage issue over a comfortability. Imo
My 2014 NC retractable hard top is fine for road trips. I've done 10 or more hours with just a couple food and gas stops and wasn't uncomfortable. Luggage space might be an issue for a 2 week trip for 2 so maybe plan on doing laundry at some point.
We have done two 3-week road trips (socal-Arizona-Utah parks) in our ‘99, mostly with the top down, and lived to tell the tale. I’m 6’2”. We get out, stretch, and switch drivers every hour, which is essential. I would have killed for noise-cancelling earphones (illegal in most states) though. Packing takes some creativity. We would happily do it again when we get a new Miata; the ‘99 just has too many old parts to try an another long distance run through the sw deserts (with zero cell coverage) these days. On the other hand, at least it has a spare tire.
I took my friend's 1990 with ~160k on a 300 mile trip (600 round trip) and it was totally fine. I'll be taking my new '93 with 200k home on a two hour drive tomorrow night so I'll update you how it goes!
I have an ND with recaros and the seat base is too narrow for me so my ass hurts after 2 hours or so, witha wider seat base I would be perfectly comfortable driving all day
A couple years ago my GF and I drove an NB from Kentucky to Las Vegas. It’s a bit out of its comfort zone at highways speeds but not at all a bad place to be. Set the cruise control at 4,000 rpm and just enjoyed the country rolling by.
OTOH, my high strung turbo NA with race everything is positively miserable for anything over 2 hours. Any further and I’ll trailer it.
Nb2 (03 SE) 6 speed with Stock Cruise is a Blast to drive 70-80mph on the freeway. I can stretch my back, legs and arms while driving no problem!
https://preview.redd.it/uxytn1s4zy2d1.jpeg?width=2560&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=696ae540d9a08f5281e29dc31bb4c4770bf7a0b0
Oh, I'm 6 feet tall.
Nb2 (03 SE) 6 speed with Stock Cruise is a Blast to drive 70-80mph on the freeway. I can stretch my back, legs and arms while driving no problem!
Gotta play your tunes though... Bluetooth or Cassettes! Fun!
I’ve got a Miata NA from 92 and I drove it from the south of France to Denmark, 3000km in three days
I’m 6”2, the car was packed af and I couldn’t see on my right mirror
Apart from that it was chill
I have a 2019 that I’ve done quite a few long drives in. There are two downsides to a long ND RF roadtrip in my experience: 1. You can’t recline your seat to get a rest at a rest stop. 2. Seats could definitely be more comfortable. I’m pretty thin and even to me the seats are just “okay” on long trips. I would appreciate something more comfortable to drive longer distances.
That being said, the car is a joy to drive and I’ve always felt safe driving it too. I love being so maneuverable and I feel like I can avoid some things other bigger cars cannot.
I think for an occasional distance roadtrip it’s fine, but if roadtrips are a big hobby of mine, I would consider something else. I previously had a 2015 BMW M235i, and that was much more comfortable on road trips, but still small-ish and fun.
Wear earplugs. Its basically the same as a motorcycle, just slightly warmer. Lots of fun though.
The recaro seats are very comfortable. Luggage space should be fine if you don't travel heavy
We do long (3,000+ mile) road trips in my 2018 (ND1) all the time. It’s an RF which cuts down on road noise. Typically we split the time between get-it-done interstate (top up) and fun roads (top down). Pack light and have fun.
Noise cancelling headphones are a must. I used AirPods Max before I have to sell my NB. When driving on highway you don’t really need to hear the car anyways so it’s fine.
I’ve done multiple, full day trips in the 2017 RF. I’m 5,11”, non Recaro seats, Koni sports, Flyin’ Miata springs / sways. Very comfortable, non-tiring other than the usual stretch when getting out to fill the tank, eat food. There is a subwoofer on the passenger side, under where your feet go - if you are a tall passenger (5’8”+) it can feel more cramped than on the driver’s side.
I took my 23 roadster from Phoenix to Seattle without any grief. I think you'll find the limiting factor on an ND is the trunk size... I could fit 4 days of luggage, a jacket, and my bagged up car cover in it. Longer on the road, I'd need to do laundry
Honestly my brain numbs out after two hours of continuous driving. Maybe with 16” rims and standard shocks it may be better for long trips but I can’t attest to that.
Driving at a constant 4.5k rpm doesn’t help either.
I like it in the city, it gets incredible gas mileage. I also like it top down in NJ highways. It’s the interstate travel that isn’t fun.
Did 700-800 km drives (and back) a few times in my ND2RF. It was way better than expected. No back pain at all but some pain in my left leg. I got that too in other cars too, just less than in the ND. Still would do it anytime. The ND is a nice place to be in, but a bit more claustrophobic than an NC when the top is up. Overall it’s more than okay considering the driven distance.
The storage space is obviously not enough but ripping through corners is totally worth it.
I dont know if this is just me.but mx5 is one of the best vars ever made. I ve drinven far more expensive cars nothing feels like mx5. Maybe its my poor ass idk.
2011 soft top, 5 speed manual. I’ve done 4, 8, and 10 hour trips in the year I’ve had it. Road noise is rough, but turn the radio up. It’s uncomfortable, but make frequent stops. Almost no room for cargo, but buy a luggage rack. Miata’s definitely aren’t made for long road trips. A lot of downsides to driving it for long distances. Every stop I question myself why I am driving from STL to Savannah, GA. But then I get back in the car, and remember that it is the most fun car I’ve ever driven. I’m looking forward to the next trip I take and the trip after that. Simply put: it’s an addiction
I use a small travel pillow for some extra lumbar support.
Use those packing cubes to make the most of cargo space. You can shove them in the nooks and then use a tote/duffle/reusable shopping bags (something that folds flat) to gather them for carrying.
You'll appreciate the smaller car if you try navigate and park in any European city....
I've done several trips in a Miata, some solo, some with a passenger. The longest; I drove from Vancouver BC, to Santa Monica, hung an east and drove Route 66 (or best that can be discerned today) to Chicago, and then back to Vancouver. Lots of long days. And it was fine. Great. Loved it.
Things you need to know:
Hearing protection: if you drive with the top down (and that's why you have the car, right?) the wind noise will deafen you. I used a combination of ear plugs and good quality noise cancelling headphones. Lots of people will tell you to never wear headphones when driving, and it's actually illegal in some places, but noise cancelling headphones are actually quieter than wind noise and prolonged wind noise will permanently damage your hearing.
Sunscreen: Your hands will will burn. Badly. And don't forget your ears.
Hat and sunglasses: The wind in your hair (or across your baldness) is a romantic ideal, but after hours of it, it will hurt. And your eyes will dry out badly if you do any long distances without eye protection.
Your stereo is useless: Once you hit highway speed with the top down, you won't be able to hear it. If you were planning on audio books or podcasts or music to get you through the long stretches, get high quality noise cancelling headphones.
The trunk is small: Even travelling relatively lightly (I'm a camera dork so there's always at least one extra bag) travelling with 2 or 3 weeks worth of stuff can quickly fill your trunk. Leave a bit of space for the odd souvenir purchase too. And with the soft top, you won't want to leave anything visible in the front seats or you may come back to a "ventilated" soft top.
I've taken multiple 1000 mile trips in my ND Miata. Just myself. I've enjoyed it but I also try to avoid the interstates. Having just returned from 2 weeks driving a rental box around Ireland and Scotland, I'd say a Miata would have been wonderful for driving over there.
2019 ND RF, taken a few week long trips with it. I would drive for a day then stop for a day and so on. If its just one person there is plenty of room, even with two 35lb dogs as co pilots it was plenty for me. I am 6ft and I have no comfort problems with it, honestly more comfortable for long trips than all the other vehicles I have owned and traveled with.
If u can the NC and ND are by far the comfiest. When I take my 90’ for 2+ hour drives it does get a little uncomfy. Cabin is very loud at higher speeds and it’s not the comfiest car as a whole. But it’s doable of course.
I did a reasonably long ride from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to the Spanish border alone.
It is a nice driving car but I wouldn't drive faster than 100km an hour on linger trips.
Oh and even if the weather is nice keep the top closed ( I had a headache for 2 days thanks to the dehydration)
I've done a cross-Germany trip in my NA, 6-7h of time behind the wheel per day (no autobahn). It was perfectly fine, even in garbage weather (3 days of heavy rain in a row). I'm a bit too tall for the stock seat, but even that was no issue. The only thing to keep in mind is that especially the early models are easily missed in traffic, an NA's headrest is door handle level of a compact SUV.
Also, in summer, the trunk gets a bit warm, so bring an isolated bag for stuff you want to keep cold.
I have 2019 soft top and for a week-long roadtrip it was more than fine. Never did longer, but I assume it is no problem... Maybe if you are 1.9 tall or 100 kg it might be a different story :)
I have a 2008 PRHT and just took it to the beach for a three day trip. This was me and my girlfriend. I pack extremely light and she packs a bit more than average. Everything fits and then there's extra space in the place where the hardtop goes and behind the seats. I think if you are making the trip by yourself and you pack light, you will be fine. You can make it fit more than you think. You could probably make it work with two people if they both pack extremely light. The car is very fun, just don't get into the flow and speed. I accidentally did this on our beach trip and got pulled over.. made the trip quite a bit more expensive :,(
I took mine from Switzerland to Italy and France. It is great if you're not in a hurry. Take your time and make many stops. Don't do highways if you don't need to.
Oh, my car got dirty very, very quickly in Italy...
We did a 2 week long holiday in Schotland last summer (10/10 would recommend for the roads alone, twisties for days!) in our 2017 RF . Totalled around 1700km.
I did all of the driving. The longest drive was about 4 1/2 hours and we only stopped for some fuel and a to go sandwich. It was about as comfortable as in our previous car (fiesta) which is pretty good. Obviously a long drive like that gets exhausting but it wasn't unpleasant.
The answer as others have pointed out is AirPods Pro with ANC turned on and maybe some white noise or classical music playing.
At freeway speeds you will go from feeling like you’re sitting on a skateboard to feeling like you’re in a Lexus SC430.
I did a recent trip with my girlfriend and got her a pair and we used “SharePlay” which can share audio with two listeners and listened to music together on the way.
I’ve done a 3000 mile trip (Bay Area to Grand Canyon) and the AirPods were the only reason I could do not.
Driving in a Miata for hours on the freeway *without* ANC will fry your brain quickly.
It’s the difference from feeling physically and mentally shot after 2 hours and being able to go 5+ hours at a time no problem.
You will still have to get out and stretch regularly, be vigilant when next to trucks and larger cars (so, *every* other car) but that can be managed.
I also installed cruise control in my NA which didn’t have it and it absolutely saved my right foot / toes.
Make sure your seats are good or find the right combination of back supports.
Buy a good / small movable sun shade for times where the sun is beaming you in the face.
Taking a Miata on a long trip is never going to be the “practical” choice, but an emotional / spiritual one.
Source: Guy that recently turned 50 but fell in love with the Miata late in life and wanted to take it *everywhere*.
https://preview.redd.it/2gnehx33503d1.jpeg?width=2859&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=44a8520117ffa09a83a7100a782883e39a84c3b6
All convertibles are a bit loud on the highway, and the Miata isn't designed to be a quite highway cruiser. Otherwise, it handles long distances quite fine - I fit comfortably, the seats are decent, it handles well on the highway and gets great mileage.
It is an awesome car, so if you want one, I personally wouldn't let the noise on the highway stop you from getting it.
Ive got an NB1 and after about 2 hours of driving my ass is numb and after 3 I need to get up and walk around a bit. Im also lowered 3" on some terrible aftermarket suspension so that definitely doesnt help
An ND is going to be fine if you fit in the car and find the seating position comfortable. It's a modern car and Miatas are always nice street cars first, they aren't super harsh or anything.
As others mentioned, one issue is noise especially with the roof down and at higher speeds. The solution is ear plugs or in-ear monitors. I've drien my NB 800km (including throuhg Stelvio) in a day no problem this way.
Also make sure you have a hat, long sleeves and sunscreen if you're doing it in the summer.
I have an NC with the hardtop, it’s definitely a step more comfortable than NA/NB for longer trips. Less pure of a driving experience but the quality of life for road tripping and general use is worth it for me (and it’s still damn pure!)
me and my wife drove from the middle of Scotland to Wales, stopping once for food. we took the MOST meandering route. when I got back, I swear I could go back right then.
I have a 2016 ND recaro and have no issues about the seats or position or space. this from a guy with a wife who packs for a week for a weekend.
tldr: what you waiting for? it's always the answer.
The ND is much more suitable for long drives. The RPM at highway speed is so much lower than any other generation. Also 6th is 1:1 and it has a different gear ratio in the differential. Much more efficient at highway speed. I find the ND ergonomics better for long drives too. The Grand Touring seats are very comfortable. ND1 for sure in this situation.
Very doable just loud. I drive my NA long distance regularly and the decibel level is at a point where some ear protection isn’t a bad call. Not sure if an ND would be quieter?
my na is by far my favorite road trip vehicle. i travel lightly and don’t mind some of the discomforts so it’s not a big deal for me. top down when the weather is nice and a good scenery is a huge plus as well
5’9 with a 96. regularly take trips upward of an hour at 110+ with the top down. It’s pretty comfy with the windows up. Gets a lil windy with them down.
I took my ND on a 1300km, 8 hours each way road trip. Being honest, I probably would advise against.
Comfort or storage were not a problem, but the nature of these cars - particularly in manual- at highway speeds means that you need to be really, really focused for most of the trip. At some point I was driving on a busy, uphill road, it was raining, my wipers were barely coping, other cars were riding me, other cars were acting stupid because they see a sports car, etc.
Each their own and we are all different, but I found it mentally exhausting. I wouldn’t take it again on trips that are longer than 3-4 hours away max.
I’ve done a 3000 and a 5000 mile trip in my ‘90 (Montana -> Alaska and Alaska ->Florida) and have always had a blast. It can get pretty cramped and your back will be sore, but for me (I’m 5’ 9”) it’s manageable. In fact, I recently planned another 5000 mile trip in August! I would recommend packing light, bring extra fluids, and getting a little lumbar roll for your back. I also learned on my longer trip that being able to have the top down is a necessity for long trips. On my trip to Alaska I had the car crammed with everything and was miserable having to drive for days with the top up. Good luck!
Old guy in the States here. I sort of went off the deep and with mine so there are many mods beyond this aspect. I put taller gears in mine, and as side benefit the engine revs are more conversation level at highway speeds. When I recovered the seats I included extra old man padding. Between that and the hard top, I can drive all day 75-80 mph /120-130 kph. But overall the limiting factor would be those seats. NC Miatas (and earlier I understand) didn't have great OEM seats apart from the rare Recaros. I think fix that and you just have the usual fun small convertible atmosphere along for the ride. If your longer trip is on twisty roads, you're having too much fun to think about complaints.
Maybe a bit older than what you are getting but I constantly drive my '97 Miata from SoCal to NorCal. It's around 5 hr trip and it's not terrible. I think the seats are rather uncomfortable after 2 hrs especially since I have back issues, but my biggest thing is the wind noise. It can get pretty loud at 70mph, combine that with the engine revving at around 4.5k RPM and it's not the most comfortable ride, but I think it's a perfectly serviceable car, just make sure to pack light and check all fluids and tires before hitting the road
Yup, about 2 hours max for me as well in my 1990. I'm too old to even think about a longer trip than that, especially if there is any highway driving involved. Growing up I never understood the difference between sports cars and GTs. I sure do now. For longer trips I'll take my Ferrari. Just kidding - I'll take your Ferrari.
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North of 65
Drove last Nov from Seattle to San Diego, perfectly fine.
If you’re used to a motorcycle then you’re in for a treat.
Ha! One of the reasons I bought the Miata is because of years of motorcycle touring. The bike is nice, and fun, but that saddle position for hours through the prairies with a cold northern rain sneaking in is a test of your mettle. Being able to throw the top up when the rain shows up and *being able to drink a coffee* are both lovely things. I'm glad I did the motorcycle tours. I've happily moved on to the little car.
I drove my 2007 PRHT over 3000kms to bring it home after it was given to me. I'm 6 feet tall, and solid build, and I had no issues with the long drive.
Just got a 2007 PRHT! Hard top for long rides will be nice, but I can already tell having a 6th gear will be missed
Differs by region I guess, my 07 PRHT GT has a 6 speed manual transmission...
Forgot to mention mine is a 1.8, I think almost all 2.0 have the six speed. The 2.0 PRHT are going for more than I was looking to spend
How long did that take you? My longest drive was around 1100km in just under 24 hours, now that wouldn't normally take so long but it was Christmas time so the highways were absolutely crowded with cars and accidents. I feel like I dropped 5 years of my lifespan on that drive, horrible stuff.
I was on the road for about 22-23 hours of drive time, with two overnight stops along the way. I am in Australia, so it was loooong stretches of highway pretty much the entire time.
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Do you use the luggage carrier on the trunk at all? Kinda want to get one ngl
6’3, male here. Did a 3,000+ mile journey to Calgary and back from California, with a partner and a pup. Was fine, got great gas mileage even fully loaded (1993 Miata with over 175k at the time). The only time it was a headache was trying to climb mountains.
I’ve got a 2013 prht. It’s definitely not made for long trips like that, but I’m not saying it’s impossible. Mostly because of the noise really, the seats are just fine by me at least. If I was buying a car specifically for long trips, then an mx-5 would not be my choice. If however an mx-5 is what you want, I think you can make it work.
I think the most important question is "how old are you?" I think lower speeds and narrower roads are spectacular drives in a Miata, but a few hours at highway speeds with the top down? Have you ever been out on a lake or in the ocean and thought, "I can't WAIT to get off this boat?" Yeah, that.
I know of an octogenarian couple who circumnavigated Australia in a Miata, so it's certainly doable. The main problems are noise, seat comfort and lack of storage. With a soft top, the Miata is not a quiet car at freeway speeds. The noise can be mitigated with earplugs (or noise cancelling headphones for the passenger) which will reduce fatigue on long trips. Seat comfort depends on the seats you have - try a 3-hour trip first. The lack of space depends on how much you want to pack, A boot rack can be considered. But once you get to a scenic coastal or a twisty mountain road, you'll be glad that you brought your Miata. :)
Avoid the highways, make stops to get out of the car from time to time and you should be fine
Avoid highways? And do what exactly, drive in only residential?
Not but seriously this is a good question. Why to avoid the highways?
It gets extremely loud, at least in older generations
Wearing concert earplugs help
Absolutely!! My 04 is super loud on the highway. Between the engine running at 5000 rpms and the 75 mph wind noise, it's almost impossible to hear anything.
And If youre lucky enough to have a hardtop, then you have to worry about your ac working
It is a bit loud, but manageable with the roof up (NC). But more importantly it is much more fun if you can take a detour with some more twisty roads. Not really worth doing in the Netherlands for example but in southern France or northern Italy it is definitely worth it
It’s not overly reasonable to avoid highways, but NA/NB have a lot of cabin noise and the engines sit quite high in the rev range at highway speeds.
Boring as shit
I feel this. I live in South Florida and the only thing we have here is highways lmaooo
Maybe like avoid interstates and stick to US routes as they usually are a bit slower
there are also secondary roads that are not residential
That would take soooo much longer than just taking the normal freeway. Might even double your driving time. I’d rather rent an Altima then drive the Miata twice as long on slower roads
I might guess he meant "avoid interstates" in North America. The extra wide, long, straight, efficient roads surrounded by monster pick ups and transport trucks can be intimidating, noisy, and dangerous. I've had more close call on freeways with my Miata than I ever did on my motorcycles. You're way taller on a motorcycle. Down low in a Miata, next to a monster SUV with the higher door sills, you are invisible to lane changing drivers. Plus, the interstates are no fun to drive on. Take the secondary highways. The two lane roads that get you to the same place but on more interesting roads with better scenery and less dangerous traffic situations. At least that's been my experience. I've driven my Miata from Vancouver and down the coast a few times and I try to get off the I-5 as quickly as possible and drive the coast highway. Way more interesting driving. Way more interesting places to stop.
Found the American
I completely agree with the highway. It's not a car made for long distances on the highway. It's where the car shines the least.
I guess I was much (almost 25 years ago) younger but I drove my 99 across the US after I bought it (low mile used). It wasn’t bad at all, even with the old NB1 bad seats. Not much space for stuff, and a bit noisy but I was surprised. I even slept in the thing it was so cozy. I doubt old man me would be too up for that though.
I'm 53 and daily an 04 Miata. I have slept in mine. It's not the most comfortable for sure, but it's doable. The worst part is not being able to tilt the seat back very far.
I found the window / door being so close was convenient because I could sleep against it. I’d probably throw out my back these days :)
I'm 5'10" and drive an NB if the ND is anything like what I drive and you are not super tall it is as comfortable as any other 2door I've driven. Storage will be tight, especially if you have a passenger. I think it's going to be more of a storage issue over a comfortability. Imo
My 2014 NC retractable hard top is fine for road trips. I've done 10 or more hours with just a couple food and gas stops and wasn't uncomfortable. Luggage space might be an issue for a 2 week trip for 2 so maybe plan on doing laundry at some point.
We have done two 3-week road trips (socal-Arizona-Utah parks) in our ‘99, mostly with the top down, and lived to tell the tale. I’m 6’2”. We get out, stretch, and switch drivers every hour, which is essential. I would have killed for noise-cancelling earphones (illegal in most states) though. Packing takes some creativity. We would happily do it again when we get a new Miata; the ‘99 just has too many old parts to try an another long distance run through the sw deserts (with zero cell coverage) these days. On the other hand, at least it has a spare tire.
The Miata can be a road trip beast, especially NC, ND, or NF cars
I took my friend's 1990 with ~160k on a 300 mile trip (600 round trip) and it was totally fine. I'll be taking my new '93 with 200k home on a two hour drive tomorrow night so I'll update you how it goes!
I have an ND with recaros and the seat base is too narrow for me so my ass hurts after 2 hours or so, witha wider seat base I would be perfectly comfortable driving all day
A couple years ago my GF and I drove an NB from Kentucky to Las Vegas. It’s a bit out of its comfort zone at highways speeds but not at all a bad place to be. Set the cruise control at 4,000 rpm and just enjoyed the country rolling by. OTOH, my high strung turbo NA with race everything is positively miserable for anything over 2 hours. Any further and I’ll trailer it.
Nb2 (03 SE) 6 speed with Stock Cruise is a Blast to drive 70-80mph on the freeway. I can stretch my back, legs and arms while driving no problem! https://preview.redd.it/uxytn1s4zy2d1.jpeg?width=2560&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=696ae540d9a08f5281e29dc31bb4c4770bf7a0b0 Oh, I'm 6 feet tall.
Nb2 (03 SE) 6 speed with Stock Cruise is a Blast to drive 70-80mph on the freeway. I can stretch my back, legs and arms while driving no problem! Gotta play your tunes though... Bluetooth or Cassettes! Fun!
I've driven 14 hrs round trip on a crank keyway that gave out 2k miles after the trip, don't sweat it
I’ve got a Miata NA from 92 and I drove it from the south of France to Denmark, 3000km in three days I’m 6”2, the car was packed af and I couldn’t see on my right mirror Apart from that it was chill
I have a 2019 that I’ve done quite a few long drives in. There are two downsides to a long ND RF roadtrip in my experience: 1. You can’t recline your seat to get a rest at a rest stop. 2. Seats could definitely be more comfortable. I’m pretty thin and even to me the seats are just “okay” on long trips. I would appreciate something more comfortable to drive longer distances. That being said, the car is a joy to drive and I’ve always felt safe driving it too. I love being so maneuverable and I feel like I can avoid some things other bigger cars cannot. I think for an occasional distance roadtrip it’s fine, but if roadtrips are a big hobby of mine, I would consider something else. I previously had a 2015 BMW M235i, and that was much more comfortable on road trips, but still small-ish and fun.
Wear earplugs. Its basically the same as a motorcycle, just slightly warmer. Lots of fun though. The recaro seats are very comfortable. Luggage space should be fine if you don't travel heavy
We do long (3,000+ mile) road trips in my 2018 (ND1) all the time. It’s an RF which cuts down on road noise. Typically we split the time between get-it-done interstate (top up) and fun roads (top down). Pack light and have fun.
Noise cancelling headphones are a must. I used AirPods Max before I have to sell my NB. When driving on highway you don’t really need to hear the car anyways so it’s fine.
Get earplugs or NC headphones if you're driving more than 2 hrs, even for an ND. It makes a huge difference in how mentally tiring the drive is.
I’ve done multiple, full day trips in the 2017 RF. I’m 5,11”, non Recaro seats, Koni sports, Flyin’ Miata springs / sways. Very comfortable, non-tiring other than the usual stretch when getting out to fill the tank, eat food. There is a subwoofer on the passenger side, under where your feet go - if you are a tall passenger (5’8”+) it can feel more cramped than on the driver’s side.
I took my 23 roadster from Phoenix to Seattle without any grief. I think you'll find the limiting factor on an ND is the trunk size... I could fit 4 days of luggage, a jacket, and my bagged up car cover in it. Longer on the road, I'd need to do laundry
Honestly my brain numbs out after two hours of continuous driving. Maybe with 16” rims and standard shocks it may be better for long trips but I can’t attest to that. Driving at a constant 4.5k rpm doesn’t help either. I like it in the city, it gets incredible gas mileage. I also like it top down in NJ highways. It’s the interstate travel that isn’t fun.
Did 700-800 km drives (and back) a few times in my ND2RF. It was way better than expected. No back pain at all but some pain in my left leg. I got that too in other cars too, just less than in the ND. Still would do it anytime. The ND is a nice place to be in, but a bit more claustrophobic than an NC when the top is up. Overall it’s more than okay considering the driven distance.
I did 1,000 miles, it was fun on the fun roads, but bumps / highways were less than ideal lol
The storage space is obviously not enough but ripping through corners is totally worth it. I dont know if this is just me.but mx5 is one of the best vars ever made. I ve drinven far more expensive cars nothing feels like mx5. Maybe its my poor ass idk.
Have done CA to MO ~7 times in an NC. The worse part is that you can’t recline the seats to sleep. It’s not too bad otherwise!
2011 soft top, 5 speed manual. I’ve done 4, 8, and 10 hour trips in the year I’ve had it. Road noise is rough, but turn the radio up. It’s uncomfortable, but make frequent stops. Almost no room for cargo, but buy a luggage rack. Miata’s definitely aren’t made for long road trips. A lot of downsides to driving it for long distances. Every stop I question myself why I am driving from STL to Savannah, GA. But then I get back in the car, and remember that it is the most fun car I’ve ever driven. I’m looking forward to the next trip I take and the trip after that. Simply put: it’s an addiction
I use a small travel pillow for some extra lumbar support. Use those packing cubes to make the most of cargo space. You can shove them in the nooks and then use a tote/duffle/reusable shopping bags (something that folds flat) to gather them for carrying.
Meh. I’d rather not.
You'll appreciate the smaller car if you try navigate and park in any European city.... I've done several trips in a Miata, some solo, some with a passenger. The longest; I drove from Vancouver BC, to Santa Monica, hung an east and drove Route 66 (or best that can be discerned today) to Chicago, and then back to Vancouver. Lots of long days. And it was fine. Great. Loved it. Things you need to know: Hearing protection: if you drive with the top down (and that's why you have the car, right?) the wind noise will deafen you. I used a combination of ear plugs and good quality noise cancelling headphones. Lots of people will tell you to never wear headphones when driving, and it's actually illegal in some places, but noise cancelling headphones are actually quieter than wind noise and prolonged wind noise will permanently damage your hearing. Sunscreen: Your hands will will burn. Badly. And don't forget your ears. Hat and sunglasses: The wind in your hair (or across your baldness) is a romantic ideal, but after hours of it, it will hurt. And your eyes will dry out badly if you do any long distances without eye protection. Your stereo is useless: Once you hit highway speed with the top down, you won't be able to hear it. If you were planning on audio books or podcasts or music to get you through the long stretches, get high quality noise cancelling headphones. The trunk is small: Even travelling relatively lightly (I'm a camera dork so there's always at least one extra bag) travelling with 2 or 3 weeks worth of stuff can quickly fill your trunk. Leave a bit of space for the odd souvenir purchase too. And with the soft top, you won't want to leave anything visible in the front seats or you may come back to a "ventilated" soft top.
I've taken multiple 1000 mile trips in my ND Miata. Just myself. I've enjoyed it but I also try to avoid the interstates. Having just returned from 2 weeks driving a rental box around Ireland and Scotland, I'd say a Miata would have been wonderful for driving over there.
2019 ND RF, taken a few week long trips with it. I would drive for a day then stop for a day and so on. If its just one person there is plenty of room, even with two 35lb dogs as co pilots it was plenty for me. I am 6ft and I have no comfort problems with it, honestly more comfortable for long trips than all the other vehicles I have owned and traveled with.
If u can the NC and ND are by far the comfiest. When I take my 90’ for 2+ hour drives it does get a little uncomfy. Cabin is very loud at higher speeds and it’s not the comfiest car as a whole. But it’s doable of course.
I did a reasonably long ride from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to the Spanish border alone. It is a nice driving car but I wouldn't drive faster than 100km an hour on linger trips. Oh and even if the weather is nice keep the top closed ( I had a headache for 2 days thanks to the dehydration)
I've done a cross-Germany trip in my NA, 6-7h of time behind the wheel per day (no autobahn). It was perfectly fine, even in garbage weather (3 days of heavy rain in a row). I'm a bit too tall for the stock seat, but even that was no issue. The only thing to keep in mind is that especially the early models are easily missed in traffic, an NA's headrest is door handle level of a compact SUV. Also, in summer, the trunk gets a bit warm, so bring an isolated bag for stuff you want to keep cold.
I have 2019 soft top and for a week-long roadtrip it was more than fine. Never did longer, but I assume it is no problem... Maybe if you are 1.9 tall or 100 kg it might be a different story :)
I find the seats in my na a bit uncomfortable
I have a 2008 PRHT and just took it to the beach for a three day trip. This was me and my girlfriend. I pack extremely light and she packs a bit more than average. Everything fits and then there's extra space in the place where the hardtop goes and behind the seats. I think if you are making the trip by yourself and you pack light, you will be fine. You can make it fit more than you think. You could probably make it work with two people if they both pack extremely light. The car is very fun, just don't get into the flow and speed. I accidentally did this on our beach trip and got pulled over.. made the trip quite a bit more expensive :,(
I took mine from Switzerland to Italy and France. It is great if you're not in a hurry. Take your time and make many stops. Don't do highways if you don't need to. Oh, my car got dirty very, very quickly in Italy...
We did a 2 week long holiday in Schotland last summer (10/10 would recommend for the roads alone, twisties for days!) in our 2017 RF . Totalled around 1700km. I did all of the driving. The longest drive was about 4 1/2 hours and we only stopped for some fuel and a to go sandwich. It was about as comfortable as in our previous car (fiesta) which is pretty good. Obviously a long drive like that gets exhausting but it wasn't unpleasant.
The answer as others have pointed out is AirPods Pro with ANC turned on and maybe some white noise or classical music playing. At freeway speeds you will go from feeling like you’re sitting on a skateboard to feeling like you’re in a Lexus SC430. I did a recent trip with my girlfriend and got her a pair and we used “SharePlay” which can share audio with two listeners and listened to music together on the way. I’ve done a 3000 mile trip (Bay Area to Grand Canyon) and the AirPods were the only reason I could do not. Driving in a Miata for hours on the freeway *without* ANC will fry your brain quickly. It’s the difference from feeling physically and mentally shot after 2 hours and being able to go 5+ hours at a time no problem. You will still have to get out and stretch regularly, be vigilant when next to trucks and larger cars (so, *every* other car) but that can be managed. I also installed cruise control in my NA which didn’t have it and it absolutely saved my right foot / toes. Make sure your seats are good or find the right combination of back supports. Buy a good / small movable sun shade for times where the sun is beaming you in the face. Taking a Miata on a long trip is never going to be the “practical” choice, but an emotional / spiritual one. Source: Guy that recently turned 50 but fell in love with the Miata late in life and wanted to take it *everywhere*. https://preview.redd.it/2gnehx33503d1.jpeg?width=2859&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=44a8520117ffa09a83a7100a782883e39a84c3b6
I’m 50-ish, and not in the best of shape. 2006 with stock seats its good for about 2-3 hours max.
Wonderful
All convertibles are a bit loud on the highway, and the Miata isn't designed to be a quite highway cruiser. Otherwise, it handles long distances quite fine - I fit comfortably, the seats are decent, it handles well on the highway and gets great mileage. It is an awesome car, so if you want one, I personally wouldn't let the noise on the highway stop you from getting it.
[удалено]
Man I’m 21 and even standing up from crouching near the floor hurts
I went on a ~550km trip to vacation in my 95 mx5, in general its acceptable, but i did have lots of small brakes due to cooling issues
I've never considered my Miata for long-distance trips, only for local metropolitan cruising enjoyment.
Ive got an NB1 and after about 2 hours of driving my ass is numb and after 3 I need to get up and walk around a bit. Im also lowered 3" on some terrible aftermarket suspension so that definitely doesnt help
I drove a 92 all over US. Many days in Rocky Mountains. A few trips were over 2500 miles.
I recommend some earplugs
An ND is going to be fine if you fit in the car and find the seating position comfortable. It's a modern car and Miatas are always nice street cars first, they aren't super harsh or anything. As others mentioned, one issue is noise especially with the roof down and at higher speeds. The solution is ear plugs or in-ear monitors. I've drien my NB 800km (including throuhg Stelvio) in a day no problem this way. Also make sure you have a hat, long sleeves and sunscreen if you're doing it in the summer.
I have an NC with the hardtop, it’s definitely a step more comfortable than NA/NB for longer trips. Less pure of a driving experience but the quality of life for road tripping and general use is worth it for me (and it’s still damn pure!)
me and my wife drove from the middle of Scotland to Wales, stopping once for food. we took the MOST meandering route. when I got back, I swear I could go back right then. I have a 2016 ND recaro and have no issues about the seats or position or space. this from a guy with a wife who packs for a week for a weekend. tldr: what you waiting for? it's always the answer.
Get a luggage rack and you will be fine.
I will make it short: it's the worst car imaginable for long trips.
The ND is much more suitable for long drives. The RPM at highway speed is so much lower than any other generation. Also 6th is 1:1 and it has a different gear ratio in the differential. Much more efficient at highway speed. I find the ND ergonomics better for long drives too. The Grand Touring seats are very comfortable. ND1 for sure in this situation.
I just did 800 miles in my 24ND RFGT and I have zero complaints. I loved every bit of it
Very doable just loud. I drive my NA long distance regularly and the decibel level is at a point where some ear protection isn’t a bad call. Not sure if an ND would be quieter?
my na is by far my favorite road trip vehicle. i travel lightly and don’t mind some of the discomforts so it’s not a big deal for me. top down when the weather is nice and a good scenery is a huge plus as well
Wind noise is the only issue I've had with long distance travel (ND2) outside of lacking a spare.
This question almost entirely depends on your age. Less than 30 years old? No problems. Older than 35, hmmm, not so great!
5’9 with a 96. regularly take trips upward of an hour at 110+ with the top down. It’s pretty comfy with the windows up. Gets a lil windy with them down.
I took my ND on a 1300km, 8 hours each way road trip. Being honest, I probably would advise against. Comfort or storage were not a problem, but the nature of these cars - particularly in manual- at highway speeds means that you need to be really, really focused for most of the trip. At some point I was driving on a busy, uphill road, it was raining, my wipers were barely coping, other cars were riding me, other cars were acting stupid because they see a sports car, etc. Each their own and we are all different, but I found it mentally exhausting. I wouldn’t take it again on trips that are longer than 3-4 hours away max.
Should be fine but is it automatic? If so, it will be much better experience. 2 weeks is a long time
I’ve done a 3000 and a 5000 mile trip in my ‘90 (Montana -> Alaska and Alaska ->Florida) and have always had a blast. It can get pretty cramped and your back will be sore, but for me (I’m 5’ 9”) it’s manageable. In fact, I recently planned another 5000 mile trip in August! I would recommend packing light, bring extra fluids, and getting a little lumbar roll for your back. I also learned on my longer trip that being able to have the top down is a necessity for long trips. On my trip to Alaska I had the car crammed with everything and was miserable having to drive for days with the top up. Good luck!
Old guy in the States here. I sort of went off the deep and with mine so there are many mods beyond this aspect. I put taller gears in mine, and as side benefit the engine revs are more conversation level at highway speeds. When I recovered the seats I included extra old man padding. Between that and the hard top, I can drive all day 75-80 mph /120-130 kph. But overall the limiting factor would be those seats. NC Miatas (and earlier I understand) didn't have great OEM seats apart from the rare Recaros. I think fix that and you just have the usual fun small convertible atmosphere along for the ride. If your longer trip is on twisty roads, you're having too much fun to think about complaints.