The tiny modern classic sports car that celebrates the art of driving by keeping things brilliantly simple
The humble Mazda MX-5, the low-powered terrier snapping at the heels of cars with larger, more computery engines.
What is it that we love about these pesky little blighters?
Introduced in 1989, it’s been around so long it’s practically an automotive institution – like the Fiat 500 or that inexplicably popular Mercedes G-Wagon.
But unlike those, the MX-5 hasn’t just survived – it’s thrived by sticking to its guns.
Or rather, its lack thereof.
Yes, under the bonnet of this delightful machine, you’ll find an engine that packs a 1.5 or 2.0-litre engine that musters up a mere 132 to 181 horsepower, depending on the year and model.
And you know what? That’s perfectly fine.
In a time when you can buy a family saloon with more power, the MX-5’s approach is refreshing.
In a market flooded with ever more powerful and complex machines, the Mazda MX-5 stands out by keeping things brilliantly simple.
James Russell - The Motor Grid
It’s not about the raw, unadulterated power – it’s about balance, poise, and the sheer joy of driving.
Driving an MX-5 is like slipping into a pair of well-worn, perfectly fitting shoes; everything just feels right.
The steering is razor-sharp, responding to your slightest input with an eagerness that makes you wonder if the car is reading your mind.
The weight distribution is spot on, and the lightweight chassis allows you to fling it around corners with abandon.
There’s no need for a ‘Drift Mode’ or complex electronics to keep you on the road. It’s just you, the car, and the tarmac.
Mazda’s decision to keep the MX-5 simple wasn’t just a stroke of luck, it was a masterstroke of understanding their audience.
The people who buy MX-5s aren’t looking to set Nürburgring lap records, they’re looking for a car that makes them smile every time they take it out for a spin.
They want a connection to the road, a feeling of being part of the driving experience rather than just a passenger in a mobile computer.
The MX-5 has kept its key audience by focusing on the fundamentals of driving pleasure.
It’s a car that invites you to take the long way home, to seek out winding country roads just for the sheer enjoyment of it.
The Japanese Lotus Elan
Since debuting in 1989, more than one million examples of the Mazda MX-5 have been sold. This light-weight, two-seater sports car, with its technologically modern take on the classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports roadster, has won fans from all around the world. It’s the world’s best-selling two-seater roadster, and still regularly wins awards.
Four generations of MX-5 have spanned more than three decades of production, during which Mazda has released over 50 special editions of the MX model. Inspired by the Lotus Elan of the 1960s, Mazda’s aim was to replicate the steering feel, purity and build of the Lotus with its own convertible. But now, in 2024, the MX-5 is far more than a Lotus knock-off; it’s an icon in its own right.
Autocar once desribed it as “the world’s most written-about and, arguably, most desirable affordable car” and today, the cheapest examples can be found at three-figure sums, making it one of the most cost-effective ways of experiencing the thrill of driving.
It’s not a car that you brag about in terms of raw stats.
Instead, you brag about the experiences it gives you.
The wind in your hair, the sound of the engine as you push it through the gears, and the sheer joy of a perfectly executed corner.
And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, the aftermarket tuning community is there to help you turn your little Mazda into a 300 bhp beast.
BBR GTI in Brackley, for example, will happily lighten your bank account while turning your MX-5 into something that’s not just delightful, but downright exhilarating.
In a market flooded with ever more powerful and complex machines, the Mazda MX-5 stands out by keeping things brilliantly simple.
It’s underpowered, yes, but in the best possible way.
It reminds us that driving isn’t just about getting from A to B as quickly as possible – it’s about the journey, the feeling, and the pure, unadulterated joy of the open road.
And for that, the MX-5 is nothing short of brilliant.
Need help or advice on buying your first modern classic car? Ask James Russell at The Motor Grid.