Should you buy one?

If you don’t need something more practical and do want a lot of driving enjoyment for not much money, especially with a convertible roof, you should buy a Mazda MX-5. It’s without a doubt the best way to get drop-top roadster fun on a small budget. And in the entertainment stakes – if not outright speed – it can compete well against much more expensive machinery as well.

Beyond that fundamental purpose, the MX-5 also has an outstanding reputation for reliability, owners love them, and they offer cheap running costs. Add those sharp, distinctive looks into the package, and it really is a remarkable piece of automotive engineering.

No wonder there aren’t any direct rivals any more – it’s just such a difficult car to compete with.

What we like

Nothing at this price point can touch the Mazda for sheer fun factor. It doesn’t have the performance of a similarly priced hot hatchback (nor the practicality), but there’s little to match the appeal of the MX-5’s simple folding roof, perky engines and fantastically driver-focused experience.

As cars become increasingly complex, the MX-5 is refreshingly simple when you just want to get in and have an enjoyable drive.

What we don’t like

It is very small inside, which is something you need to check out for yourself before committing to buy. The lack of storage in the cabin and the small boot may require careful thought at well. But none of that is particularly surprising given this is a really tiddly car… Basically, we love it.

140