Mazda MX-5: PH Heroes
A quarter of a century on sale and still the evangelising hasn't stopped. Sorry
Here's to the next 25 years!
Mechanical reliability and a refreshing simplicity and affordability of maintenance have definitely assisted the model's long run in production, whilst durable engines and transmissions have made the MX-5 a popular base for modders and fettlers too. The functional cabin design hasn't aged in the same way that others have either and, whilst it may not be the answer to everything (don't believe everything you read on a T-shirt) fervently staunch denial would be needed to ignore its influence. The subsequent Porsche Boxster, Lotus Elise, BMW Z3, Honda S2000 and Mercedes SLK were premium realisations of just how profitable the basic formula could be.
Living the MX-5 dream
Happy birthday
The US market was Mazda's primary target when it launched its Hiroshima-built Mazda Miata at the Chicago Auto Show back in February 1989. Really a Californian design, the attention to detail was unrivalled for a mainstream production model. Famously, everything from the sound of the exhaust to the exact placement of the pedals was carefully planned and the decision to opt for a front-engined, rear-wheel drive layout (other formats were considered) ultimately proved a masterstroke. Two months later it went on sale in the US, whilst Japanese buyers had to wait until September 1989 for their Eunos Roadster and Europeans didn't get the MX-5 until February 1990.
Mk4 promises to evoke Mk1. We can't wait
By the time Mazda had launched its second-generation MX-5 in 1998 over 25,000 Mk1 (or NA) cars had been sold in the UK alone. And despite the loss of pop-up headlights and a slight increase in weight the next generation MX-5 did even better. Major revisions in 2001 (the so-called Mk2.5 MX-5 brought more power and a six-speed gearbox) certainly helped maintain the model's momentum, whilst numerous better-specced special editions (like the Sport, 10th Anniversary, California, Jasper Conran, Trilogy, Montana and Euphonic. Oh, and Arctic) provided the allure of individualisation. The result? 43,170 Mk2/NB UK MX-5 sales.
Best get in before the comments...
The 2005-on Mk3 model grew in size once again, so Mazda dropped the 1.6-litre engine and added a new 160bhp 2.0 version instead, selling alongside the 1.8-litre mainstay. A Roadster Coupe followed in November 2006, with climate control and iPod connectivity standard on all models, whilst the popularity of the soft-top convertible showed little sign of diminishing. Facelifts followed in 2008 and 2013 along with many more official and unofficial special editions, including the 20th Anniversary Edition, Sport Black, Sport Tech Roadster Coupe, Kuro and the BBR GT270.
To date Mazda UK has sold 44,139 examples of its Mk3 MX-5, whilst the worldwide sales figure (for all three incarnations) of 927,492 is just incredible.
Well why have you stopped driving?
A living legend it may be, but within the PH community not everyone feels the same way about the MX-5. Famously sceptical about the veneration heaped upon the little Mazda, Mr Harris did the decent thing and faced his demons by borrowing cameraman Neil's lightly tweaked NA to put his prejudice to the test.
For believers the styling, image, ownership experience and even the tuning potential are important elements in the enduring appeal. And in addition the MX-5 has always had an X-factor - it's not the fastest sports car but you and the car always intimately in tune - characterised (and mocked) with Mazda's 'Jinba Ittai' horse and rider as one catchphrase. Admittedly the steering isn't super-direct and the chassis isn't the stiffest either, yet the MX-5 is still truly engaging in spite of these minor imperfections - a characteristic shared with other PH Heroes like the classic turbocharged Subaru Impreza.
To compare it to more hardcore cars like the Elise, VX220 or even the Honda S2000 is to miss the point. The MX-5's key strengths are all to be found - in varying measure - in every generation of the car.
Trent family rather keen...
Sceptics may have a point with the Mk3 Roadster though. Whilst looking more contemporary it feels quite a bit heavier - which goes against the original design ethos - and has lost some of that original MX-5 magic. The Roadster Coupe? Even more so. Perhaps that X-factor is finally waning?
Cheap and cheerful
The MX-5 is surprisingly practical small convertible too: the boot is spacious, the engine easy to work on and earlier models are cheap to both buy and own. Off track you might return as much as 35mpg at the pumps, yet on track your MX-5 will deliver unrivalled dash for the cash. Prices for the earliest decent examples start at under £1,500, while track day 'disposables' like brake pads, oil, brake discs and replacement suspension components are relatively cheap.
... Harris took some convincing!
Make sure that your MX-5 has a pristine service history though - with oil changes vital every 6,000 miles and a new cambelt every 60,000 miles - and watch out for accident damage, flat batteries, worn HT leads, rust (especially around the doors, sills and wheel arches) and steer clear of unloved examples. Clutches can last 80,000 miles or more, but soft-tops need regular fettling - check carefully for tears, missing studs or damaged rear windows
Optional air-con is actually most useful in winter, whilst a NA or NB 1.8i model offers the best drive, especially if fitted with a limited-slip diff - many UK S and Sport models, plus Jap import S-Spec and RS-Spec Eunos Roadsters possess one.
If recent rumours are to be believed Mazda's forthcoming Mk4 model should be lighter, stiffer, faster and better equipped than the current model, promising a welcome return of the MX-5's X-factor.
Want to share your MX-5 love? Link to the T-shirt here
MAZDA MX-5 1.6 (NA)
Engine: 1,598cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual (4-speed auto Japan only)
Power (hp): 118@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 101@5,500rpm
0-60mph: 9.0sec
Top speed: 115mph
Weight: 955kg
On sale: 1989-1994
Price new (1990): £14,250
Price now: £350-£1,395
MAZDA MX-5 1.6 (NA)
Engine: 1,598cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual (4-speed auto Japan only)
Power (hp): 90@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 95@4,000rpm
0-60mph: 10.1sec
Top speed: 109mph
Weight: 965kg
On sale: 1995-1997
Price new (1996): £13,995
Price now: £1,400-£1,995
MAZDA MX-5 1.8 (NA)
Engine: 1,839cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual (4-speed auto Japan only)
Power (hp): 130@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 112@5,000rpm
0-60mph: 8.2sec
Top speed: 122mph
Weight: 990kg
On sale: 1993-1997
Price new (1993): £15,495
Price now: £695-£2,150
MAZDA MX-5 1.6 (NB)
Engine: 1,598cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual (4-speed auto Japan only)
Power (hp): 110@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 99@5,000rpm
0-60mph: 8.8sec
Top speed: 120mph
Weight: 1,015kg
On sale: 1998-2005
Price new (1998): £14,865
Price now: £2,000-£4,195
MAZDA MX-5 1.8 (NB)
Engine: 1,839cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5 or 6-speed manual (4-speed auto Japan only)
Power (hp): 140@6,500rpm (145bhp from 2001)
Torque (lb ft): 119@4,500rpm
0-60mph: 7.8sec
Top speed: 127mph
Weight: 1025kg
On sale: 1998-2005
Price new (1998): £15,995
Price now: £2,295-£4,495
MAZDA MX-5 1.8 (NC)
Engine: 1,798cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual (4-speed auto Japan only)
Power (hp): 126@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft):123@4,500rpm
0-62mph: 9.4sec
Top speed: 122mph
Weight: 1,080kg (1,075kg from 2009)
On sale: 2005-2014
Price new (2005): £15,412
Price now: £4,195-£13,995
MAZDA MX-5 2.0 (NC)
Engine: 1,999cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5 or 6-speed manual (4-speed auto Japan only)
Power (hp): 160@6,700rpm (160@7,000rpm from 2009)
Torque (lb ft): 139@5,000rpm
0-62mph: 7.9sec
Top speed: 130mph
Weight: 1,095kg (1,080kg to 1,100kg from 2009)
On sale: 2005-2014
Price new (2005): £16,412
Price now: £4,150-£18,995
Many thanks to the MX-5 Owners' Club for their help with this feature
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My mother has one, a MK 2.5 I think with the 1.8 engine. A couple of years ago I drove it for the weekend whilst she borrowed my estate. I'll admit it was quite fun at first but after 30 minutes I began to see the faults and by the end of the weekend I was more than happy to hand it back.
It was fun through the bends but the moment you exited and put your foot down and nothing happened.
My overriding feeling was it's just gutless and the engine noise is awful.
My view is if you want a car like this do it properly and get a Caterham, Elise or VX220.
What's the verdict PH'ers? Is a 1.6 NA fast enough these days to overtake without trouble, or is a 1.8 a wiser choice?
Almost all of the mk1s and 2s that you can buy now will be a little bit knackered and want a suspension overhaul of some kind yet new owners of standard cars that are 20 years old still wax lyrical. How much of it is internet hype and how much is the novelty of an affordable RWD platform car?
Certainly the performance is nothing to write home about, and as said, overtakes when making progress take some planning.
I had one for a while towards the end of last year and it was ok. Suspension was completely knackered and really needed everything throwing away to start again. For me the novelty was being able to throw the roof down at a set of lights and enjoy open top motoring for less than 1k with a very basic point and squirt chassis.
I don't think anyone could deny that they have been wildly over-hyped over the years mind.
My mother has one, a MK 2.5 I think with the 1.8 engine. A couple of years ago I drove it for the weekend whilst she borrowed my estate. I'll admit it was quite fun at first but after 30 minutes I began to see the faults and by the end of the weekend I was more than happy to hand it back.
It was fun through the bends but the moment you exited and put your foot down and nothing happened.
My overriding feeling was it's just gutless and the engine noise is awful.
My view is if you want a car like this do it properly and get a Caterham, Elise or VX220.
My mother has one, a MK 2.5 I think with the 1.8 engine. A couple of years ago I drove it for the weekend whilst she borrowed my estate. I'll admit it was quite fun at first but after 30 minutes I began to see the faults and by the end of the weekend I was more than happy to hand it back.
It was fun through the bends but the moment you exited and put your foot down and nothing happened.
My overriding feeling was it's just gutless and the engine noise is awful.
My view is if you want a car like this do it properly and get a Caterham, Elise or VX220.
The guys at work with S2000's regularly moan they daren't push their cars to the limit because they'll snap and try to kill them!
If you get bored with it stick a turbo on and it'll run rings around an s2000, s2000 also weighs 300kg more!
The point is, those are absolutely not "cars like this". The truth is, there are almost no cars like the MX-5 and haven't been since it was launched. The MR2 and MGF are the only cars you could fairly compare it with but they were flawed in ways the MX-5 wasn't (MGF on reliability and MR2 on practicality), so it was never threatened.
It's to the MX-5's credit that it gets compared to cars that are significantly more expensive to buy, run and insure, are more track-focused and significantly quicker but it usually misses the point.
I've often wondered why other manufacturers haven't copied a hugely successful formula: keep it simple and reliable, keep the insurance group down and make it fun.
Then in the MK2 the 1.6 was back up to it's full power in all markets I believe.
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