Mazda MX-5 (2001-2005) Review

Overview

• Next: Reliability and Quality

Mazda's MX-5 may have been little changed since 1989, bar the deletion of the cute pop-up headlamps and a few specification upgrades along the way, but it still feels as fresh as ever. That's partly because its styling is timeless, partly because it was such a good car in the first place, and partly because Mazda has thankfully resisted the temptation to mess with a winning formula. The latest major round of improvements was in September 2001, when engines gained a little more power, the body was strengthened, safety equipment upgraded and the suspension refined, besides the minor restyle.

The current MX-5 range consists of 1.6i (110bhp), 1.8i (146bhp) and 1.8i Sport models, the latter with a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox, and Mazda usually has a special edition model or two on the go with plush upholstery and extra kit. UK buyers will not be offered the hard-top Coupe version on sale in Japan, nor the American Mazdaspeed Turbo version. The MX-5 - known as the Roadster in Japan and the Miata in the States - is a popular import; if you're not buying a brand new car from a Mazda dealer, then make sure you know what you're getting, and the specification is what you want, though these days the Japanese cars are rust-proofed as well as the Europe-specific versions. But wherever you source your MX-5, it'll be good value, and even greater fun.