So I finally caved and bought a 2022 Miata ND last month but the interior is honestly driving me insane with how little space there is. Like, I knew it would be tight but I had no idea there literally isnt a single spot for my phone that doesn't feel like I'm gonna drop it into the abyss between the seats. I tried using the cup holder but then I cant shift gears without hitting the charger cable which is just a disaster waiting to happen. I have a long road trip coming up in about two weeks to visit my sister in Seattle and I really need a decent GPS setup because my sense of direction is genuinely nonexistent.
I've been scouring Amazon and the forums and I think I've narrowed it down to the CravenSpeed Gemini mount or the MX-5 Things dash mount. The CravenSpeed one looks super sturdy and I like that it clips right into the dash, but I'm worried it might block some of the infotainment screen or look kinda bulky? Then there is the MX-5 Things option which looks way more discreet, but I'm nervous about the install process because I'm definitely not the handiest person when it comes to taking apart dashboard trim. My budget is around 60 bucks give or take, but I just want something that wont vibrate off the dash when I hit a bump on the highway or flying around corners on backroads. Has anyone here used either of these for an ND? Im lowkey terrified of breaking a plastic clip or something while trying to mount the thing so any advice on which one is easier to live with on a daily basis would be a life saver...
Honestly, after spending way too much on mounts that either shake like crazy or ruin my dash plastic, I suggest you stop overthinking the expensive specialized kits. Theyre often overpriced for what you get. Unfortunately, my experience with those complicated bolt-on options was just constant rattling on backroads. For my road trip, I just went cheap and reliable.
Congrats on the new Miata! The interior space is definitely an adjustment, but the driving experience makes it totally worth it. Honestly, just skip the stress of taking your dash apart if you aren't comfortable with it. I have used the CravenSpeed Gemini Phone Mount for Mazda MX-5 for a while now and it is absolutely fantastic! It feels rock solid and honestly doesn't block the screen as much as you'd think. It sits right in the perfect spot for navigation without being in the way of your shifting arm. It is super sturdy even when you are taking corners hard. Definitely worth the investment for your upcoming road trip! It fits your budget perfectly and is way less of a headache to install than those trim-heavy mounts.
Honestly, I had such a frustrating time with the bolt-on mounts in my ND. They always ended up rattling or just feeling way too intrusive during spirited driving. If you want something that actually stays put without needing to dismantle your entire dash, you might be better off with a simpler solution. I ended up ditching the bulky stuff and went with the Belkin MagSafe Car Vent Mount PRO for a clean look. It holds my phone rock solid even on rough backroads, which is exactly what you need for that road trip. If you prefer a magnetic base that you can stick anywhere, the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge4 Magnetic Wireless Charging Mount is another reliable pick. It saves you the headache of plastic clips and fits the tight Miata cockpit way better than those oversized dashboard units.
> I'm nervous about the install process because I'm definitely not the handiest person Honestly, I feel that. I tried a suction cup one and it was a disaster, kept falling off the windshield mid-corner. I switched to the Scosche MagicMount Dash instead. It just sticks on with adhesive, no prying or scary trim removal needed. It's held up great for months, even on bumpy backroads. Way less stressful for someone who doesnt want to break anything.