2008 MAZDA MX-5 reviews

Mazda MX-5 2.0 Coupe hard top convertible 2008

The Middle East is a great place for anyone who likes cars. They’re cheap to buy and maintain, and petrol’s cheaper than water (a fiver for a full tank of super unleaded in Kuwait, anyone?) I’ve owned a number of cars over the years, new and old, exotic and mundane. The MX5 is right up there with the very best I’ve ever owned (a gorgeous 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo, a bulletproof 1994 Porsche 911 and a magnificent 2008 Golf GTI with a PDK gearbox). The Mazda’s reliable, cheap to maintain, and tremendous fun because of its rear wheel drive, light weight and eager engine and gearbox. The only niggles I’ve had are: (a) the engine’s a bit rattly sometimes for a car with only 30,000km on the clock, (b) the clutch squeaks (probably only needs a squirt of WD40), (c) the gearbox occasionally feels a bit notchy. and (d) the cabin’s a bit rattly (not helped by inevitable expansion and contraction caused by 50 degrees heat in the shade, no shade, and ice cold AC). However, these niggles pale when you drop down a gear and grin like a lunatic as the car’s size and handling flatter your driving ability and shorten your daily commute. I’ve wanted an MX5 for 15 years. However, I was crushed when my 2 younger brother’s derided them. One said it was a hairdresser’s car, and the other said I should wait until I could afford a proper sports car. I was young and stupid and so I submitted to the peer pressure. I should have ignored them. The Mazda is a great little car. Everyone should have one!