Mazda MX-5: The Perfect Sports Car?

Jeremy Clarkson is quoted saying of the Mazda’s best selling and multi-award winning convertible car that "if you want a sports car, the MX-5 is perfect. Nothing on the road will give you better value. Nothing will give you so much fun." Praise from Caesar indeed.

Since its introduction in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 sports car has gone a long way to make its self stand out from the other competing convertible cars available and is deserving of the praise it receives.

The Mazda MX-5 has won many awards over the years that are certain to entice and reassure any prospective buyer that they will be getting an excellent deal when purchasing an MX-5, as well as an incredible driving experience, of course.

The long list of accolades include Wheels Magazine's Car of the Year for 1989 and 2005, Sports Car International's Best Sports Car of the 1990s and a place among the Ten Best Sports Cars of All Time and JD Power Survey and Auto Express's Best Sports Car 2010. Impressive stuff.

Now in its third generation, the MX-5’s iconic design is instantly recognisable and the current shape is an evolution of the original which was designed with lightness, agility and responsiveness in mind.

The Mazda MX-5 convertible features a Z-folding premium cloth soft-top which can be closed, latched and opened with minimum effort, thanks to the weight-saving design and an easy-to-use single central lock.

For a two-seater convertible, the MX-5 is very practical due to the neat roof arrangement that doesn’t take up much boot space.

The boot is deep and wide, so there’s more carrying capacity than you might expect from a convertible sports car. So, although the boot can accommodate a modest 150 litres, this isn’t as restrictive as you might think.

There is also the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe to choose from. Not only does it feature the world's fastest roof, it weighs a mere 37kg more than the equivalent soft-top vehicle, with the boot space remaining exactly the same.

As well as looking great, the MX-5 is a lightweight sports car with perfect handling, a nimble chassis and performance to be proud of.

Following the classic front-engine/rear-drive formula, the Mazda’s steering is uncorrupted to ensure that every drive is an exhilarating experience.

The close-gated gear change is light and precise and the fact that it has a close-ratio unit means that you can delight in snicking through the ratios.

The benefits of having a relatively small engine are the economy and low CO2 emissions that result, which is a bonus for those of you who want to buy a Mazda sports car but are also concerned about its impact upon the environment.

The two-litre six-speed manual car averages a claimed 36.2 mpg, with CO2 emissions of 181 g/km; equivalent figures for the 1.8-litre car are 39.8 mpg and 167 g/km, which helps keep fuel bills and road tax costs palatable.

Mazda builds some of the most reliable cars on the planet, so MX-5 owners should rarely have to put up with failing suspension bushes or a leaky roof.

Driving the MX-5 is an exhilarating experience that is certain to get your heart racing and the unique feeling of the wind in your hair while you drive is the appeal of this convertible car.