23 Mar 04
As soon as you get out on the road, however, it's apparent why this car retains so much appeal. Even with the 1.6-litre engine, it is an uncompromised sports car: the steering is precise, the short-throw gearshift action quick and accurate, the few electronic aids unintrusive - and the balance afforded by the front mid-mounted engine layout remains just perfect, staying just the right side of potentially scary rear wheel-drive oversteer (the downside of those much-loved old Spitfires) without drifting into dull predictability, thanks to the beautifully-controlled, agile suspension. The 1.8-litre models have more muscle mid-range, and make better motorway cruisers, but in truth, they're not really a few grands-worth more fun, and the optional six-speed gearbox also seems a superfluous spend when the basic ingredients are so good. The MX-5 also manages to combine its back-to-basics driving experience with a decent level of comfort and refinement; even the ride is generally settled and forgiving, despite the large alloys and low-profile tyres.
Most crucially, though, the MX-5 has a purity of handling so rare these days - not least because the ongoing safety legislation upgrades and the race to pack in more high-tech gadgets or comfort items have led most manufacturers to make their roadsters heavier and fatter to accommodate all their extra kit and to meet the crash test requirements. I'm usually all for evolution, development and moving the game along, but sometimes, that's not necessarily the most gratifying move. The MX-5 may be 15 years old, but it still feels fantastic and it just proves that Mazda got it right first time round. Let's hope that the company has resisted the urge to tamper with a winning formula in the future. And any suggestions as to what Mazda should be working on next? Well, I reckon the firm needs an NSX-rivalling super-coupe in its range, preferably with a rotary engine...
