Category: Roadsters 
Price Range: £15,000 to £19,050
Entertaining drive regardless of driver ability, style, "wind-in-the-hair" ability, no true rival, folding hard-top roof now available.
Limited standard kit, soft-edged suspension.
Mazda returns with a thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic sportscar, and with nothing else to compare it to, you really can't go wrong.
Mazda has worked hard to make the MX-5 accommodate two people of larger shapes and sizes and has eked out more leg and shoulder room by increasing the wheelbase and exaggerating its "coke-bottle" rounded interior shape. This means that six-footers have just about enough space to find a comfortable driving position; any taller and you will have to scrunch up a little.
The steering wheel adjusts only for rake (up and down) and the fixed rear bulkhead limits any seat back angle adjustment that could otherwise be achieved.
The simple Z-fold roof of the regular MX-5 can be retracted in a matter of seconds by releasing one central latch and throwing the roof back behind you. The electrically-operated plastic roof in the Roadster Coupe takes 12 seconds to fold away behind the rear seats, leaving the bootspace untouched.
The boot holds just 150litres worth of luggage, so go easy on the packing when going on holiday. It will, however, hold one set of golf clubs - or, as specially requested by European customers, two cases of wine.
Standard kit on the 1.8-litre model is limited to a vinyl roof, 16-inch steel wheels, two airbags, ABS, alarm and immobiliser, electric windows and mirrors, plus a single CD player with four speakers. An £800 option pack adds a cloth roof, 16-inch alloys, leather trim highlights; steering wheel mounted audio controls, scuff plates and two more speakers.
2.0-litre models add a limited slip diff, traction control and side airbags, with the option pack giving the same extras.
Sport trim is available on the 2.0-litre only and adds 17-inch alloys, six-speed gearbox, front fogs, upgraded suspension and leather seats.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Mazda MX-5
wrote on 12 09 2007
wrote on 27 02 2007