Shed Of The Week: Mazda MX-5

Well what on earth else was it going to be this week?

It's common to mock the Mazda MX-5 - but why is that, exactly?

Try this test: put together a list of cars that combine the concepts of fun, reliability and accessibility quite as successfully as this cheeky little chappy, now into its 25th year of production. That list will be pretty short. Actually, it's hard to think of any cars to put on it. Such a list would certainly not include any of the affordable European sports cars that inspired the Mazda, up to and including the Lotus Elan. Even the best handling car in the world would be as much use as a chocolate spanner if its driveshaft doughnuts are constantly up the spout.

Heated rear screen still works; bonus!

In fact, the MX-5 was bang on the money long before it even came out in 1989. That's because it was conceived from an enthusiast point of view rather than an economic one, and by a journalist would you believe. Way back in the mid-1970s, Bob Hall of Motor Trend magazine told the boss of Mazda that his company needed to build something that would rekindle the adventurous spirit of sports motoring. When Bob later took the shilling in the shape of a job at Mazda, he was given the chance to realise his dream. The car was designed in the balmy, laid-back atmos of Southern California, and you can practically smell that in the way an MX-5 feels and drives. Countless awards later, we must be nearing the million cars made mark, if we're not already past it.

Shed has owned several MX-5 Mk1 and 2s. Literally nothing has ever gone wrong on any of them. His last one - identical to the one you see here, but a 1.6 - took him and Mrs Shed to an odd place halfway down Italy. That trip showed even the lower-powered MX to be perfectly happy cruising at a sprightly pace on the autopistas, and great fun on the long route home via some of the more obscure Swiss alpine roads. Mrs Shed doesn't do tunnels, you see. It's something to do with her waterworks, apparently.

Lack of AC helps keep this rust free apparently

Anyway, what with Dan currently being out in the Land of the Rising Sun paying homage to the latest iteration of Mazda's timeless sportster, estimated price £20K, it seemed timely to offer one at somewhat less than a twentieth of the money.

Our Shed looks like a solid car that will give plenty of joy to the next owner. The vendor is saying all the right things, including the fact that the drainage channels are clear (so the sills should be all right) and 'ono', the magic letters that could mean an even bigger bargain. Who cares about the nick in the hood - which unless Shed is very much mistaken, is a replacement mohair item with the desirable glass window. Shed's MX had one of them. Lovely, it was. The only downside to it is that the extra weight makes it a bit more of a shoulder stretch lowering and raising the hood from the driver's seat, but the boost in cabin luxury is more than worth the trade.

Talking of cabins, internal space planning in the MX-5 is a work of simple genius. Considering how little the car is, there's no feeling of being cramped. There's plenty oddments space and the boot is extremely useable (unlike that of the MR2). The Mazda's unfeasibly big steering wheel is less sporty than it might be, and the rim material can separate from the wheel, which is less than ideal from a handling perspective, but the first time you turn into a corner in an MX and then have to turn out again because you've turned in too early, or the first time you snick through the cogs with that nobby gearshift, you'll forget all about the wheel, the scratches on the bodywork or any other objections you may have had to MX-5 ownership. You'll be a convert.

Damn. Not dented though at least

And at a few hundred quid for such a sound example with a long MOT and three keys, it's not exactly a big risk to take. You could easily pile twenty thousand more miles on it over the next couple of years and sell it for the same money you paid for it. There's a vibrant aftermarket and limitless online support and advice, not least from our very own PH forums.

When Shed owned his Mk 2, his neighbour often took the opportunity to poke fun at it, and at him. You'll never guess what that neighbour has just bought. That's right: an '02 MX-5. Naturally, Shed challenged him on his apparent change of heart. "Well, it's all based on jealousy innit," he mumbled sheepishly. Turns out he always wanted one but he was too embarrassed to admit it.

Here's the ad.

Lovely little car, 3 previous owners, all non-smoking.

Non A/C model which means the engine bay is immaculate. Models with A/C are prone to rust.

Heated rear screen is in perfect working order.

Drainage tubes always kept clear, so no water ingress inside car.

All electrics work perfectly.

Always serviced to schedule.

HPI clear.

Comes with 10 months MOT & 2 months tax.

3 keys.

Part service history.

Uprated bright white headlight bulbs.