Mazda MX-5 Review
Published: 24th March 2004
Mazda MX-5 1.6i
The black cloth covered sport seats have integral head restraints and are supremely supportive even when cornering at speed and the black urethane plastic steering wheel and gear shift knob whilst tactile are not as comfortable as the leather versions on the 1.8i Sport. The vinyl soft top was remarkably easy to put up and down although once I had discovered the joy of open top motoring it mostly stayed down. The 1.8i Sport model has a windblocker as standard which does make open top driving less blustery.
In terms of refinement the MX-5 1.6i has the basics speed sensitive power steering, electric windows, drivers foot rest, heated glass rear window, electric aerial, electric heated door mirrors, power door locks, fuel lid opener and boot lid opener.
The heater is particularly powerful, I drove the MX-5 with the roof down in sub-zero January temperatures and kept comfortably warm.
What more do you need? Well air-conditioning would be useful especially in the summer when it is very hot and you put the hood up to stop your head baking and in the damp winter weather when the car mists up. Apart from the lack of air-con the car is perfect anything else would detract from its basic appeal - The driving experience makes you feel special.
How It Looks - Exterior
The exterior looks of the MX-5 are timeless so much so that the rear light cluster of an earlier model is on display in the New York Museum of Modern Art. A few subtle changes have been made to this new model including a new 'shark-nose' bumper, new headlamps, rear combination lamps, changes to its air intake and an overall much more muscular look.
Unlike some convertible's the MX-5 looks just as good with the roof up or down or with the optional hardtop for winter motoring. In my opinion the only thing that spoils the look of the MX-5 is the electric aerial which apart from being unsightly is at risk of being bent when you listen to music driving along country lanes, a windscreen integrated version would be much more aesthetic and practical.
