Hello
I am thinking of buying a 2016 Recaro or a RF, at the moment have a 2012 Sport Tech which I love.
Getting a bit bewildered by all reviews and am thinking Recaro only a limited number made and all those great extras, but it’s the soft top that I’m not sure about.
Anyone got any feedback to give on either models, I’d welcome some fellow Mazda lovers advice
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I’ve had a Recaro since Jul 16. Only 600 were produced with 200 in Soul Red and 400 in Ceramic Metallic. They were top of the range when they were introduced, with almost all of the accessories available. The major addition was the Recaro seats which I find very comfortable and good support when taking it round the track. The only extra I would recommend is the addition of Carplay/Android Auto. No problems with the hood other than the front edge can rub on the hoops behind the seats but there is a fix or 2 for that.
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Thanks very much, I was so impressed when I took it out for a test drive. Just think the manual soft top is making me think twice and the security aspect too.
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The soft top is very easy to drop or put up. I would think if someone is going to break into your car it wouldn’t make any difference soft or hard top!
Re the security asap I do get. Clearly it depends on where you live and park the car etc. apart from that what else about the manual roof worries you? For me it is a major advantage to have a simple lightweight mechanism. Will this car be your only car? That would be the only reason I would personally consider an RF.
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Just bear in mind, a number of people find that the RF is more noisy inside with the roof down. I think most RF owners tend to be those that really would prefer a coupe, soft top people are those that truly want a convertible. I’ve got a Recaro and wouldn’t entertain an RF.
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That’s very true and maybe I listen to the scare stories too much, the car would be garaged too and not left out
Less to worry about then!
No although my only car my partner also has a car (RCZ) and he does borrow mine if needed! Also my car is garaged and only used once/twice a week.
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The RF equivalent is the 2017 Launch Edition, again, a limited edition, (of 500 I believe) in either Soul Red or Machine Grey. Same Recaro seats, BBS alloys, a Piano Black roof and a 2.0 litre engine. There are some spec differences but virtually the same as the Sport Recaro.
We were very tempted by the Launch Edition RF but went for the Sport Recaro soft top in the end.
I’d echo the comments about the RF generating more wind noise than the soft top when the roof is down. Whilst the RF is very pretty with the buttresses, it’s difficult to describe it as a full convertible in the way the NC Roadster was.
I have had a Sport Recaro for a few years, bought second-hand, after two Mk3’s with metal roofs. I expressed some doubts about the security with a soft-top before purchase but it was put to me that, “It will be alright. After all, it’s not a Ferrari, is it?” Having left the car parked around town, etc, with no problems, I stopped worrying. I agree with other members, too; it’s so quick to raise or lower the soft-top, it just seems so much more convenient than the metal roof, and you are not carrying the weight of a (mostly unused) metal roof around with you.
Compared with the Mk3 car it does feel lighter, (the roof?), and a little more agile to me. I feel that the steering seems a little insensitive around the straight-ahead position but improves away from that. Also, I miss the seat-lowering lever of the Mk3: One sits comparatively higher in the Mk4 with no facility to lower the seat and I feel turbulence around my head, neck and shoulders with the top down, whereas I could reduce that to affect just the top of my head in the older model. And, of course, there is very little accessible storage space in the cockpit of the Recaro which is occasionally irritating.
I am very happy with the Mk4 Recaro overall and like the way it looks with the paint-scheme and the additions to the bodywork. Buy one, you won’t regret it!
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I have owned a 2016 Soul Red Sport Recaro since July 2020. I had BBR’s Super 200 conversion fitted last year and some modifications to the suspension and brakes. Apple CarPlay was added around that time as well. I’m very happy with it and personally think that Soul Red looks amazing, but it chips and scratches easily. The Recaro seats were a big draw for me when it came to choosing the car. I never really worry about the security (or lack of) with a soft top but I’m careful about where I leave any car and don’t leave items on show.
Good Morning - yes I think not having the heavy roof mechanism will make a difference. Go to view a Recaro on Friday 
and only hope it going to live up to the video the dealer has sent me. Really appreciate all this the feed back I’ve been given
Totally agree about the colour Recaro Red and I was warned to stay away from it by the guy who does any paint work I need doing and also by the local Mazda dealership! But it’s a fabulous colour. Really looking forward to going to see the one I’ve reserved. If I have it it will be kept garaged. I’m also looking at maybe having a conversion done, would you recommend it.
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One of our local members has a 30AE that they applied a PPF to from new and the paintwork still looks amazing. I’ve had my Sport Recaro paint corrected and ceramic coated, so I’m hoping that it won’t deteriorate too much more - I think that the previous owner lived in the countryside and that took its toll. It has lots of light scratching and stone chips.
Yes, with reservations. I’m very happy with how the car drives but the process of dealing with BBR could have been smoother. They were very busy at the time and it was hard to get hold of Neil and iron out a couple of minor issues, but it got sorted in the end. If I were to do it all again I would find a specialist nearer to me and have them do the fitting of BBR’s parts (or an alternative) so that I could more easily go back in case of problems.
I’m thinking of having this done to the paint work for the Recaro too if I have it and I so hope it’s OK and I do! Really interested in your thoughts re the conversion too. I don’t want to go mad but just thought a little extra power could be good and have looked at some of the reviews where the company do the work at your premises, not sure we’ll have to see.
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If you have any specific questions then send me a PM and I’ll do my best to answer them.
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I had the BBR Super200 done a few months after buying it new in Jul 16. Had no problems with it and it gave another 50hp and would certainly recommend it. Mines a bit more modified now though and is #572!
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■■■ that looks stunning, don’t think I’d be able to go quite that far 