You are here home car reviews mazda reviews mazda mx-5 1.8i sport review

Mazda MX-5 1.8i Sport Review

Published: 11th October 2003
Mazda MX-5 1.8i Sport

MX 5 1.8i Sport


How It Drove - Performance

The Mazda MX-5 is a car that begs to be driven and the more you drive it the more addicted you become.

I would not say that the car is quick (0 – 62 mph 8.4 seconds - 129 mph), but that is subjective and depends on what you are used to driving. For me driving isn’t always about speed, it is what you do with it that makes driving fun. Put the roof down, select your favourite music and go for drive, that is what the MX-5 is all about and, if you enjoy driving it is not going to disappoint you.

Around town the MX-5 is easy to drive although the gearbox can be a little notchy in slow traffic. However, on 'A' and 'B' roads the car comes into its own, the 6-speed gearbox is perfectly matched to the 1.8i engine and delivers the power in a precise manner allowing you to perfectly match each gear change in the correct power band. This is helped by the new V V-T (Variable Valve Timing) which adjusts the intake valves boosting low speed torque and high speed power.

The MX-5 is more than capable of Motorway speeds but road noise can be a problem and because of its low seating position larger traffic can be intimidating.


Wednesday 3rd December 2008 - carpages.co.uk © 1999 - 2008 - mazda car research & motoring search engine