Mazda's MX-5 RF Is Massively Out-Selling The Traditional Soft-Top
The Mazda MX-5 RF outsold the traditional soft-top version in the UK by almost 40 per cent last year, despite being on sale for two months less.
The RF hit showrooms on 4 March last year, giving the soft-top a two-month, three-day head-start, but the electrically folding hard-top is clearly a winner with buyers. Sales figures obtained by Car Throttle show that the MX-5 RF found 2911 homes in Britain last year, versus 1787 sales for the rag-top.
Mazda’s available global sales figures don’t break things down by body style, so we can’t compare the UK’s results to those from around the world, but it’s a clear indicator of how much a tin-top roof matters to British convertible buyers – at least towards the lower end of the market.
The likes of Audi, Bentley, BMW and Mercedes have all previously stated that their customers prefer a canvas roof, because they want people to know they’re in an expensive convertible.
MX-5 buyers seem to want the extra security of metal protecting their heads – and potentially their valuables – instead of the lower centre of gravity and lighter weight of the original ND variant.
As long as the soft-top keeps its position as the original and best, we don’t mind one bit. It’s still one of this writer’s favourite new cars on sale today. In 2.0-litre Sport Nav guise, thanks, or better yet, the 1.5-litre car after a visit to BBR…
Comments
Excellent
Saw it at the dc show last year and got the chance to fiddle with the roof. I can definitely see why people would want it so much more than a soft top.
Traditional soft top Britons preferring a hard topped sports car?…….what’s wrong with this country?
I would take the RF all day over the soft top. It’s more practical/usable especially if you live where it snows and/or rains a lot.
Ei?
I have seen ND soft-tops on the roads here in Germany, but not a single RF. So this is quite surprising for me to hear.
That’s interesting because I saw an RF for the first time in New Zealand the other day I thought the soft top looks much better and I think the sales here would a agree because I see them a lot more
I’d have the regular one tbh, roof is very easy to use and is quicker, and the car weighs less which will cut fuel costs and be more fun to drive.
That’s true, but, owning an old mx5, i’m not sure how much it will leak later in its life
Mazda has made an absolutely amazing car, not sure how they plan to top this with the next generation
RF or Soft Top? Top up, the RF looks better. Top down, the Soft Top gets the nod. However, this may be due to the fact that we have become accustomed to recognizing the what a convertible looks like - top down. The buttress pillars of the RF are something that is less common, thus viewed as abnormal.
The RF vs. Soft Top is not simply a case of best looks. Whichever top keeps away moisture and rain gets my vote.
I think the RF will probably protect the cabin better from rain and moisture. Rust issues to floorpans and cabin unibody are irreversible and gravely depreciates the car’s looks and value.
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