Mazda MX-5 roadster: fun to drive
What the motoring press is saying about Mazda MX-5 roadster
Price: £18,495 - £23,695
Pros: Super reliable, loads of fun, relatively affordable to run
Cons: Cramped interior, very small boot, a bit dated
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4.2/5, Carbuyer "The Mazda MX-5 is perfect if you want an open-top two-seater that's fun to drive and reasonably cheap to run. There's a new model on the way, which means
Mazda
is offering some very generous discounts on the current car, too. Many see the Mazda as offering the traditional thrills of a classic British sports car, combined with the reliability of a Japanese model.Two versions are available, each with a different roof. As its name suggests, the MX-5 Soft Top has a folding fabric roof, but the MX-5 Roadster Coupe has a folding hard-top roof. As a result, the latter is a little quieter on the move, more secure and only marginally heavier.And it's that weight that explains the brilliance of the
Mazda MX-5
on the move. Even though it's been on sale for a long time, it's still one of the most entertaining cars to drive you can buy – at any price. Couple that lightness with steering that responds immediately to your inputs, a wonderful manual gearbox and just enough power to make the most of the brilliant chassis, and it's no surprise that across three generations, the MX-5 has become the world's most popular roadster."
5/5, Auto Express "Mazda's designers did a superb job, because the simple lines haven’t been ruined by the transformation. Engineered with the help of experts at Webasto, the 20mm thick two-part plastic composite roof weighs only 18kg more than the fabric hood. Add the electric motors, and in total, the hard-top adds an impressively low 37kg to the MX-5's overall bulk."
4/5, What Car? "Speed, agility and bullet-proof build quality - everything you could ask from a roadster. The MX-5 gives you all the fun and style you'd want from a roadster. It's well made and cheap to own, too. The light body and rear-wheel drive chassis give it outstanding balance and just keeps on gripping through corners."
4/5, Parker's "The third-generation of the MX-5 is the most sophisticated yet. The classic charm of the original has been bought up to date and it's now a much easier convertible to live with everyday thanks to a comfortable ride, modern and functional interior and less wind noise in the cabin."
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