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The MX-5 is the bestselling sports car of all time and the new model proves why. Just as fun to drive and reliable as its predecessors, the new MX-5 is faster and more powerful. With its wider body and flared wheelarches it also looks more beefed up. The result is a car that has left behind any hairdresser associations. It’s still not threatening but it does look like it means business. It has decent interior space, a large-ish boot and since the best MX-5s have always been the cheapest the 1.8 litre must be the bargain of the century at £15,600.
Mazda MX-5: The MX-5 is rumoured to have begun with a conversation between motoring journalist Bob Hall and Kenichi Yamamoto, the then managing director of Mazda, in the late 1970s. The idea was to produce a cheap stripped-down roadster inspired by the Lotus Elan. Today there are three versions available: the 1.8 litre, 2 litre and 2 litre Sport, ranging in price from £15,600 to £18,900.
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A superb roadster that needs only Mazda's 2.5 engine to add a truly scintillating version to its brilliant dynamics and line up.
Never understood the inane "hairdressor" jibe. My hairdresser drives a Merc coupe. My MX5 beat two Merc coupes over the Pyrenees - easily.
Gary, Edinburgh, Scotland
Gary, Edinburgh, Scotland
I had Miatas for 18 years, got spoiled and had too much money so I got a Jag. I've spent more on the Jag in 18 months than I spent on the Miatas in 18 years......and its nowhere near as fun to drive.
PS the Jag solved the too much money problem.
steve huse, dewey beach, USA
I have always longed for one of these, but my knees would interfere with the steering wheel. They finally changed the design a few years ago, but my order was already in for the Lotus Elise and I was in love with it. Still am.
Dana Davies, Monroe, WA, USA
Nope, it's still a girls car. They should sell them in pink with a months suscription to " Top Cut ".
James, Windsor , Berks
I have a 1997, 1.8 MX-5. British Racing Green. By far the best car I have ever owned. Recently drove from Southern England to Southern Spain and it didn't miss a beat. Best fun you can have with your clothes on.
Paul, Vera, Spain
I bought my gorgeous 02 red 1.8 mx5 last year and it by the the most pun car I've ever driven! My father has a 928 v8 Porsche and yet loves to get in my car for a spin. I wear a hat to keep my hair in order, so I can cruise with the top off. Perfect!
Ash, Brisbane, Australia
i have recently bought a 1999 s reg' mazda mx-5 1.8i imported from australia in 2001. now i live in the north east of scotland about 30 miles north of aberdeen and yes it always rains and is always blowing a gale but as soon as the sun peeps out i chuck the roof down and find the closest curvy road i can find. i test drove a few cars(honda accord 1.8vtec, mk4 golf gti 1.8 20v non-turbo, lupo gti/tdi and the mazda) and drivind the mx-5 for five minutes i knew it was the car for me as i got about 400 yards down the road, came across some corners and instantly had a smile on my face. ok it has the hairdresser/women's car image but as soon as i take the person who says that out in it they soon change thier tune. so in short i would have to agree it is the best 2-seater sports car money can buy.
steven brandie, aberdeen,
Garf from S Africa, I am one of those with no hair but I have a new MX5. I wear a hat to stop my 'noggin' burning. I am also a driver with forty years experience and know how to put a car through it's paces as many a young blade has found out.
Bernard Lawson, London, UK
We have a red '94 with 70K miles. It has been practically perfect mechanically and a joy to drive all over the western USA. It even works well in Denver with proper snow tires, but we don't do that to the old girl anymore. HINT: Touring luggage is an exercise in self-restraint. 2nd HINT: try renting one in San Francisco and driving Highway 1 to Seattle. Three dollar gas, 31+ mpg and the Pacific all the way. Do it in August and throw in the Pebble Beach Concours to boot.
jerry, Denver, Colorado
I tried stepping on a Twinkie and the result does not look anything link my MX-5. Got mine a few weeks ago and I only drive it for fun. With the rag top DOWN!!! Even in this weather. Mazda figured out a way to heat the cabin effectively when the top is down. I love it. My wife loves riding next to me in the babe seat.
Mazda does not call it a Miata anymore, though everyone else in the world does, except the Japanese I believe, who call it "Roadstah." I like that.
I think the MX-5 is the second most beautiful car ever made. First is the Jag XK120 DHC. AND BTW a Mini IS NOT a sports car. Real sports cars have rag tops. And you put the top down when you drive. Always. Even in the rain.
MX-5 RULES!!!!!
Philip , Reston, Virginia USA
Agree the MX5 is great - I am a owner of 2 and would not settle for anything else - best bang for your buck and best car and driver relations when on the track or Winding mountain passes - and then again its a 2 seater and a convertible.
Perhaps those that dont like it is those with 2.7 children and no hair and probaby scared of burning their noggin in the sun.
Best small sportscar ever for the price. Garf South Africa
Garf, Pretoria, South Africa
Yeah, because, as we all know, a sports car, in the traditional sense, is AAALLL and only about looks.
Ron, tampa, fl
Honda S2000?????
Robert Hudson, Paris, France
Obviously, style is everything in roadsters... so instead of driving said flattened twinkie, we should all be riding around in Volkswagen Beetle convertibles... because we all know that THAT'S exciting to drive.
If you don't get the Miata, you've obviously never driven one on a good mountain road.
Niky, Binan, Laguna, Philippines
Nothing like a sports car shaped like a twinkie that someone stepped on to bring out the excitement in driving. It should not be a #1 out of that line-up.
MP, Tucson,
Nothing like a sports car shaped like a twinkie that someone stepped on to bring out the excitement in driving. It should not be a #1 out of that line-up.
MP, USA,