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mazda MX-5 Road Test Reports and Car Reviews

mazda MX-5

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Considered one of the most significant developments in the motor car industry, the Mazda MX-5 has breathed new life into the sports car sector. The Mazda MX-5, which is known as the Mazda Miata in North America and the Mazda Roadster in Japan, revived its segment of the market with numerous other manufacturers rushing to release similar class types after its initial release in 1989. The Mazda MX-5 was redesigned in 1998 and then again in 2005, though ironically the exterior of the third generation model reflected that of the original design with a clean and muscular look that was sure to turn heads.

Test drive the mazda MX-5 today!

mazda MX-5 reviews by year of make:   1992  1993  1996  2000  2002  2003  2005  2007  2008  Read all reviews

Mazda MX-5

2.0i 2009 - It’s official – the MX-5 has been at the top of its game for two decades. It’s just over 20 years since the original small sports car was unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show in 1989 and since then it’s... read more

mazda MX-5

Mazda MX-5

2.0i - It’s hard to believe that Mazda’s MX-5 has now been on sale in the UK for almost 20 years, but its longevity is no doubt a result of its brilliant dynamics. Infallible reliability, combined with eye-c... read more

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MX-5 Car Video

mazda MX-5 car video reviews, adverts and promotional videos. These car vidoes will allow you to see the mazda MX-5 in action and let you hear the opinions of all the top road test experts. Featuring car videos from MSN cars, Top Gear and other top sites.

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What Do You Say...?

mazda MX-5 Car Reviews

Emma Myers, England

Mazda MX-5 MK2.5 Angels 2003

5 star review

My Mazda MX5 is the first convertible sports car I have ever owned after 10 years of driving cars like the Peugeot 106, Fiat Punto and Renault Clio so the difference was immense. I absolutely love my car, the handling is second to none and the build quality feels superb. Although the car is nearly 6 years old, it only has 31000 miles on the clock and looks and feels like brand new. I love the extras on the Angels version and don’t have any complaints whatsoever. I did look at the MK3 versions but felt that, after spending a year looking at a multitude of MX5s of differing age, spec, trim etc, it lacked that elegance and beauty and almost felt lacking in soul. I couldn’t recommend this car highly enough!!!

Submitted: 14/04/2009 11:40:45

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Simon Greaves, England

Mazda MX-5 Sport 2002

5 star review

Having had my beloved MX-5 stolen on Christmas day I decided it was time for a change. I bought a Peugeot 206cc and regretted it. It was a nice car, well built but just lacked something. I kept the car for two months and sold it and now have another MX-5. Now I know what I was missing. It is a pleasure to drive and the balance is fantastic. I felt I must comment on a previous reviewer who could not out-drag a van. He is missing the point completely and should buy one of those annoying little Clio’s. I find a reputed 129mph top speed quite enough enough to pull away from most. However, I have not actually pushed the car past 70mph. There is no point and it is about the pure pleasure of driving as all MX5 owners know. If you see me in my little car and want a race please go ahead I will not be taking part. I shall look relaxed and happy while you grind the gears and the revs and wreck you engine. However as most of these idiots drive 1.2 Clio’s or Corsa’s be aware as you pass me with your red face and flooring your car I just smile and of course you know why! I have driven high power cars over the years raced with the best in my youth but completely missed the point about driving. It is simply not cool to drive like an idiot any more. In short the MX-5 is simply the best car I have ever driven. And if you want to out-drag a van as one reviewer then buy a more powerful van!!!

Submitted: 30/03/2009 10:07:25

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John Ong, Hampshire

Mazda MX-5 Roadster Special Edition 2008

5 star review

I have driven lots of convertibles in the past 25 years. They have included the Merc CLK, Porsche Boxster, Toyota Celica, Ford Escort and the Honda S2000. Nothing compares to the MX5 I am driving now, it’s so beautiful and it drives as well as the more expensive convertibles I have driven before and it cost less to buy and to insure and to run. It also gets lots of attention from the general public; especially when the roof is down. I would recommend this car to anyone.

Submitted: 01/10/2008 09:17:40

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Malcolm Lamont, Aberdeenshire

Mazda MX-5 1996

4 star review

Re. Martin Read’s comments about inadequate acceleration etc, surely this would have been evident on the shortest of test drives? I don’t think the 5 is about out and out power but of the "chuckability" built in to the fabulous chassis.

Submitted: 25/09/2008 09:07:50

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Martin Read, Warwickshire

Mazda MX-5 1.8i Sport 2003

2 star review

Bought the car new in 2003 after all the hype and owners’ reports. What a disappointment! Vans out drag me from the lights. OK, I agree, it is a fun car round bends but, 1800cc producing only 155 at the flywheel is just not good enough for serious fun. I drove the new 2.0 Sport and it is marginally quicker but way below what should be available to match today’s sportsters. As for the supposed boost from VVT when hitting 5,000rpm, I wish!! If I was managing 50mpg I could accept the lowly performance but just over 30mpg general driving is not acceptable. My 6-speed box is terrible. Bulking between 2nd to 3rd up and snatching on same gears when changing down. Supplying main dealer garage say it is par for the model. Funny, didn’t mention that when I was buying! Sound system useless over 60mph with hood down and not much better with it up. Had two new clutches and it still ’judders’ when reversing slowly. I am a retired Class 1 traffic police officer and I admit that it can be great fun round bends but this is just not good enough in today’s sportster market when mated to such poor power output. I am coming up to change my Mk. 2.5 and a Mk. 3 will definitely not be on the menu!

Submitted: 11/07/2008 11:05:22

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Kim Cross, Warwickshire

Mazda MX-5 1.8 2007

5 star review

My first soft top and I love it. I’ve had my MX-5 for 18 months on contract hire with good monthly rates. I’m normally getting bored by now but already am already fretting about when my contract runs out. I think I would buy one to keep.

Submitted: 10/06/2008 09:02:56

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Bob Montana, Cornwall

Mazda MX-5 Sports Ltd 1992

5 star review

What can I say? Every owner knows there is nothing that can compete with its looks or performance, 30+ mpg for a 1.6i roadster, bilstiens, four branch manifold 15i TSWs, goes like a torpedo and corners like a spirograph. No contest for a car of this class, we love it......

Submitted: 02/05/2008 08:18:17

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Andrew Tipping, Derbyshire

Mazda MX-5 2000

5 star review

I bought my MX5 in 2003. It was second hand, had £13,000 on the clock and was 3 years old. I had promised myself that I would have a 2 seater sports car before I was 30 and I made it... Just. I used the car as my everyday run around and had absolutely no problems with it being impractical, quite the opposite really. After all I could never drive friends to the pub because we simply wouldn't all fit in. This obviously worked in my favor. I owned the car for 5 years in total and I enjoyed every minute of the ownership. I have recently changed my car to a Mazda RX8, another wonderful car made by this company and a very thrilling ride I have to say. A couple of days after I traded the MX5 in I was driving past the franchise that I brought the RX8 from and I saw my old MX5 on the forecourt for sale. It looked wonderful and although I was in my new shiny coupe I couldn't help slowing down and looking longingly at the car I had, had so much fun in over the past years. I actually felt envy for the person who would eventually buy it. Great car, wonderful memories and although I no longer have it I still consider myself an MX5 owner. Who knows I may end up buying it back next week.

Submitted: 25/03/2008 09:15:35

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Bernard Lawson, London

Mazda MX-5 Artic special addition.. 2005

5 star review

I own the MX5 18i and have done so from new, but I'm getting rid of it. I desperately want the 2.0i sport which I have placed an order for one today. The Mk 2 Mazda MX5 is excellent but I am reliably informed that the Mk 3 is something else. I have driven the Porsche 911, a Ferrari and the Bentley Continental GT. They belong to my friends who think my MX should belong to my daughter. Of the three cars above, the Bentley is a dream. Goes like a rocket and is soooo smooth but for £130,000 what do you expect? I have to say, it's frightening watching the petrol gage moving when sitting at the traffic lights but hey, it's a rich man's car. The Ferrari and Porsche are for image, the MX5 is for fun. I cannot praise it enough. It handles the country roads far better than the three serious fellows mentioned above. Its steering is so true one can throw it into any bend and it will stick to the road like glue and it's cheap to run. When a Mini Cooper S had the cheek to take me on it became a speck in my windscreen mirror because the Mini could not handle the bends and round-a-bouts like the MX5. Fantastic car.

Submitted: 03/03/2008 15:20:03

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Carl Barton, England

Mazda MX-5 1993

5 star review

Awesome convertible, Lovely handling, Easy maintenance, Nippy engines and cheap to boot. Make sure you get one later that 1992 to avoid crank problems.

Submitted: 28/01/2008 12:22:41

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Mel Andrew, Derbyshire

Mazda MX-5 Merlot

5 star review

Having owned my Mazda Mx- 5 Merlot limited edition since 1997 and only intended to keep it three years, it’s been the best driving experience I’ve ever had - hence I still own it! Mileage has crept up over the years to £80,000 but I have not had one problem with this car. It is fast, exciting, reliable, nippy, comfortable, exhilarating, always a head turner and a beautiful addition to my life! I have had the opportunity to drive many company lease cars over the years through work and not one of them compares to my orginal Mazda Mx-5 sports car. The only reason I would change my car is to indulge myself to buy a new one with an automatic roof and larger boot space (which in realtiy I don’t need). I will will always be an Mazda Mx-5 owner / driver. Other cars just don’t compete!

Submitted: 12/10/2007 11:14:25

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Michael McNulty, Staffordshire

Mazda MX-5 1.8 Option Pack

5 star review

I currently drive the New Style Mazda MX5 2dr Convertible 1.8 Option Pack. Having owned other convertibles I must say this vehicle is by far the best. It may not offer the likes of an electric hood, however it does come with 3 Yr/60000 Warranty, ABS + EBD, Cloth Upholstery, Driver Airbag, Dual Front Airbags, Elec Dr/Side Window, Elec Heated Mirrors, High L Brake Light, Immobiliser, Passenger Airbag, Power Assisted Steer, Radio + Single CD, Rear Head Rests, Remote C/Locking, Solid Paint, Thatcham Cat 1 Alarm. To add to this I am getting circa 29mpg and I don’t hang around! The handling and Drive are excellent. Working for Acorn a car Finance Company I must say the monthly rentals you can achieve on this vehicle are good. And for those buying residual values on this vehicle are good too! Go take a look at your local dealer....

Submitted: 02/10/2007 11:01:20

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Adam Le Fondre, Durham

Mazda MX-5 1.8i Option Pack

4 star review

As far as two seater roadsters in the sub 20k bracket go, you absolutely will not get any better than the Mazda Mx-5. It has brought reliability and every day useability to a sector of the car industry which was previously sorely lacking both qualities. It’s also a cracking drive!

Submitted: 18/09/2007 14:20:31

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Ryan Campbell, Suffolk

Mazda MX-5 Mazda MX-5 2.0i Sport

5 star review

This car has surpassed my expectations, it really is the most exhilarating drive I’ve ever experienced. If you are looking for a two seater you have to test drive one of these, the car speaks for itself!

Submitted: 09/08/2007 12:08:43

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