Ahh, the Mazda MX5. The car of hairdressers, 'pro' drifters, and people who comb their hair sideways and can't afford a Porsche. Never has anything before had such a cult following in the car world.
Yes, the image at the start of this article is actually of my Mazda MX5 mk 2.5 Sport. A simple car, with a 1.8L engine in the front, an LSD in the rear, and heated seats in the middle. What more could you want?
Let's start with the good, shall we? The car wasn't what I'd call 'slow' but that wasn't really down to the engine. It was a light little car, with around 150bhp, so it didn't take much effort to get up to speed. The gearbox was solid and felt precise each time you changed gear, and the diff in the rear made getting the car a little sideways was a doddle.
In the winter, the heated seats were a real bonus to have, and the driving position made you feel like you were sitting behind the wheel of a pure bred racing machine, as you slotted in behind the steering wheel.
Unfortunatly though, for me, that's where to good points end. I'm 6'4, so getting in and out of the car was a little tricky, there really is not much room for movement if you're over 6'1, and the novelty of the soft top roof really does wear off quite quickly. I actually preferred mine with the hardtop on, even if it meant I got CONSTANTLY mocked because it was a different colour. (I'm not bitter, honest!)
The ride was uncomfy, the boot was too small, the whole car rattled non-stop and I never felt particularly connected to it. As Jeremy Clarkson said in the Christmas special a few years ago, 'the car is still a machine to me'. It's a shame, but I think the car was too overhyped for me. Go to any forum, or trackday, or ask any car enthusiast, and ask 'What's the best budget sports car' and everyone will say 'The Mazda MX5', then give a long list of reasons as to why. But most people forget that these cars only truly come alive when you throw money at modifying them. In stock form, they leave you with a lukewarm feeling of disappointment.
Driving: 7/10
Interior: 3/10
Exterior: 5/10
To Live with: 2/10
Overall: 5.5/10
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Comments (1)
I have to say, still one of my favourite cars and still on my wishlist!