The pros and cons of the folding metal roof of the Mazda Miata RF – Jalopnik

Since the Mazda Miata first hit the market in the late 1980s, it has been the solution for many car enthusiasts looking for something that offers old-fashioned driving thrills without breaking the bank. Currently in its fourth generation, the humble roadster continues to deliver everything people have always loved about the nameplate, with simple rear-wheel drive, a punchy four-cylinder engine and lightweight, minimalist construction.

However, the market for two-seat sports cars isn’t exactly huge, which limits the Miata’s sales potential. To broaden its appeal and keep the model alive, an RF version was introduced during the fourth generation production run – with the ‘RF’ standing for Retractable Fastback. It’s a folding hardtop version of Mazda’s evergreen Miata, and has been available in the US since 2017. We believe everyone should drive a Miata at least once, but whether the RF is the right model for you depends on what you want.

Understandably, there are several pros and cons to both the old-fashioned soft top and the folding metal roof of the RF model. While some may be immediately obvious, other pros and cons may not be as apparent.

Starting with the benefits, the RF’s metal roof offers significantly more protection from the elements than a traditional soft top, which can be particularly attractive if you live somewhere that tends to be cold. Of course, both cars have heating and can be equipped with heated seats, but that extra level of protection should make everyday life a little more comfortable.

Secondly, that metal roof also ensures that less noise creeps into the cabin, at least when it is raised. A quieter cabin may not be what you want on a winding back road, but for the daily commute it’s certainly a plus. That metal roof also provides an extra layer of security, as soft tops can be particularly attractive bait for vandalism.

Some people may also prefer the sharp look of the RF. This is a subjective point, but if you fall into that camp, it might be one of the car’s most appealing points. Finally, the entry-level Mazda Miata RF comes with a large selection of standard equipment, such as a nine-speaker Bose sound system, heated Recaro seats and 17-inch gunmetal gray wheels. By comparison, the non-RF Miata only offers 16-inch wheels, cloth seats, and a six-speaker system on the entry-level model.

On to the cons, and the first is a big one; the Mazda Miata RF starts from $37,850. That price is subject to taxes, title fees, license fees and rate-influenced destination charges. The soft-top Miata starts at just $29,830, not counting the same additional costs. That’s a difference of $8,020, which is a significant premium. Moreover, that smart roof also entails other costs, although not monetary costs. The appeal of a Miata has always trumped the sensations of its light weight, and while the RF is hardly a portly choice, it does outweigh the entry-level Roadster by 103 pounds.

That roof adds more than just weight, as it also takes about 13 seconds to drop the roof. By comparison, the Roadster’s soft top can be swung down by releasing the single catch and simply throwing it backwards. That’s hardly a major negative for the RF, but it’s still worth pointing out. Some owners also note that when the roof is down, the wind noise is actually quite invasive – probably because of these cool-looking rear buttresses. We’re all for that wind-in-the-hair experience, but the noise that comes with it isn’t the greatest.

Ultimately, the biggest downside brings us back to that price point. It’s not exactly a fair comparison, as the Roadster comes with a simpler base trim. A fairer comparison would be between the Club versions of both cars. In this case, the Club Roadster costs $33,330, which is much closer to the RF’s $37,850 asking price, although the $4,820 difference is still a significant gap.