WHY CCW’S EXPERTS SNAPPED UP THEIR MX-5s

JAMES SADLIER MANAGING EDITOR 2001 MX-5 1.6i

I’d always wanted an MX-5 after being mesmerised by the pop-up headlights as a 12-year-old lad; dad telling me that it was a ‘hairdresser’s car’ did nothing to deter me. It is now somewhat ironic that my own MX-5, which happens to be a fixed headlight NB, was actually his car before he handed it down to me! It just goes to show, no matter what the stigma, you can’t hide away from the fact that the MX-5 is simply a fantastic car to drive. My car’s currently having its power steering looked at – hopefully it’ll be ready for the 30th birthday bash…

CHRIS HOPE FEATURES EDITOR 1997 MX-5 Berkeley

I ran a £500 Mazda MX-5 project car six years ago in another life. It had corrosion in the usual spots (rear of the sills due to blocked drainage holes), a tired hood and a split driver’s seat side bolster, but I completely revived it over the course of a couple of months. I treated it to a set of unkerbed Berkeley-spec five-spoke alloys, the correct gel battery for the boot, plus four-wheel laser alignment, which really improved the handling. It just shows how you can improve even tired examples without breaking the bank – and it’s still on the road!

MURRAY SCULLION CONTRIBUTOR 1996 MX-5 1.8i

A lot of MX-5 fans talk about having the wind in their hair. Not me – I don’t really care that it’s a convertible. For me, its appeal was two-fold – it was cheap, and offered the holy grail of drivetrains, namely front-engine, rear-wheel-drive and a manual gearbox. The fact that it’s reliable, easily tuned and has one of the finest chassis around sums up why it’s the best-selling sports car of all time. Favourite thing I’ve done with it? Going round the Nürburgring on a summer’s day. Future plans? Sort out the rust. Buy a hardtop. And drive it more.