MAZDA MX-5 MkI (1989-98)
There’s nothing quite as brilliant as an MX-5 MkI and with prices reflecting that, now is the right time to buy
‘ You’ll never tire of exploring the little roadster’s handling’
Taking inspiration from the Lotus Elan and aiming to re-invent the market niche previously filled by the ‘Spridget’, the MX-5 is an uncompromising driver’s car and one of the greatest roadsters in history. It was certainly a strong seller and deserved to be with its great blend of feel, handling and performance making it a delight to drive. It has bombproof reliability and great practicality – not least an effective manual soft-top that can be flipped up or down with one hand, without leaving the driver’s seat. Enthusiasts debate whether the original 1.6 feels livelier than the 1.8, so sample both to narrow down your search. Both engines are linked to a delightful shortthrow gearshift and while talk of riflebolt gear changes is a little hackneyed, there’s no other way to describe it. A flick of the wrist and instantly you’re into the next ratio.
As for the handling – it’s nothing short of a revelation, feeling precise, agile and beautifully balanced.
Want to carve an apex-perfect line? No problem. Want to bring the tail into play for added adjustability? An absolute cinch. In fact, you’ll never tire of exploring the little roadster’s handling repertoire and it’s all possible without the need for license-losing speeds. The key thing, though, is choosing a car with powerassisted steering – whatever the purists might say, the non-assisted set-up spoils the agility. Things are pretty fine in the cabin, too, feeling snug rather than cramped, and the driving position is faultless. And so what if the interior is a sea of shiny plastics? Quite frankly, you’ll be having too much fun to care.