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Mazda MX5 1.8i
Or: The Return of the Two Seat Speedster
When I got the call informing me that I was to road test Mazda's facelifted speedster I thought to myself: "Great, a japanese sportscar. This should be fun". But the car shattered my cynicism to pieces. Let me say without reservations: It's the best car I've ever driven (granted , I never drove a Ferrari or a Lamburghini).
What's the differnce between an MX5 and a girl? With the MX5 the pleasure lasts longer. And pleasure is definitely the right word. It's hard to believe that an innocent 4 cylinders 4 valves per cylinder 1.8 litre engine can provide serious push, but the featherweight MX5 is by no means underpowered. It accelerates with vigor at the touch of your foot. It handles amazingly , so well that without looking at the beautiful dashboard you can never tell how fast you're going. The driving experience is made even better by one of the smoothest gearshifts in the world , accompanied by a soft perfect little cluctch.
The MX5 continues to amaze. Its seats are as comfortable as they get and the room is a lot more than would be expected of a two-seater. At 32 miles per gallon (12 km/litre) , it is no way near as wasteful as most sportscars,especially the american models.
I usually wouldn't let a review end without some complaining. I tried my best to prove that something is wrong with the MX5, But nothing is. It was a great car before and the new version is better, stretching the maximum speed a little further to 127mph (190kph) and making it look even sharper and more brilliant than it did. I was tearing up when I had to return it.
Giving the MX5 my thumbs up seems stupid. It's the best sportscar in the world and it certainly doesn't need my approval, which I give enthusiastically nonetheless.
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