18 Sep 06
With the roof up, the cabin is a much quieter place to be than the rag-top MX-5. With it dropped, taller drivers will still get a bit of buffeted around the top of the head, but it's no different to any other drop-top.
The bane of convertibles - the dreaded scuttle shake - is also virtually non-existent, which can only be a good thing.
The engines remain the same 124bhp 1.8-litre and 155bhp 2.0-litre petrol engines, which are brisk, if not blisteringly fast, and although the acceleration times are slightly down - the 2.0-litre takes 8.3secs to reach 62mph, instead of 7.9, and the 1.8-litre 9.6secs (9.4) - you'll struggle to notice the difference. Top speed has increased marginally to 133mph for the 2.0-litre, thanks to the improved aerodynamics of the rear end.
Slightly softer suspension is fitted to take account of that extra weight, but again, you'll struggle to notice the difference. What's most important is that the MX-5's exemplarily handling characteristics remain unchanged. It's still a great driver's car - not one of the fastest out there, but it sure as hell is one where even the most mediocre of drivers can have a ball - all without risking their licence.
Its tomfoolery quotient is still in place thanks to a very lazy stability control system that only slaps you on the wrists when it really has to and can even be switched off if you have the patience to keep its button pressed down long enough. It's all too easy to kick the back wide out of a corner, while being easy enough to bring back on line with a little adjustment of steering or dab of the brakes.
