December report: Mazda MX-5

• Mileage total: 7,950
• Mileage since last report: 750
• MPG overall: 30.3mpg
• Costs: £0 so far
• On fleet since: June 2008

In pictures: life with our Mazda MX-5

Where have we been?

The mileage has been fairly low this month, especially so after our marathon journey in October to France and Belgium, which added nearly 3,000 miles to the MX-5. This month I've been using the Mazda mainly for commuting and for short weekend jaunts, yet despite the excellent heated seats, I haven't put the roof down for ages. Which is a shame since this really is an all-year convertible.

However, someone who did make full use of the MX-5 was executive producer of MSN UK, Peter Bale, who borrowed the MX-5 when we had an influx of test cars recently. Peter normally runs a very potent BMW 135i Cab, so it was interesting to hear his verdict on the Mazda.

What has impressed?

The hardtop roof of my RC version was an instant hit with Peter. He said: "The hardtop was superb. Hard roofs in London have to be a good idea. However, I don't like the slight hunchback look the roof gives the MX-5 but I would get used to it I am sure. Inside it drops away instantly, though not on the move like the BMW's soft-top.

"Out on the road it was delightful with its short-throw gearbox and high transmission tunnel flattering the driver, making every gear change a flick of the wrist. It is that slow speed around town motoring that makes the MX-5 an urban delight and a terrifically fun alternative to say a GTI or small hatchback."

Opting for the RC needn't be the compromise in performance and dynamics you might expect either. The 2.0 Sport RC as we test only weighs 37kg more than the canvas-roofed car.

What’s not so impressive?

The driver's carpet mat recently worked itself lose and jammed open the throttle as I was driving up to a set of traffic lights. I knocked it out of gear and pulled the mat away from the accelerator pedal to avoid a massive collision, but the brrp, brrp, brrp of the engine bouncing off the rev limiter was not only embarrassing but slightly frightening, too.

The mats fix to the floor using a button, which I've reattached now so hopefully it will stay in place; I don't fancy this happening as at 70mph on the M4.

Getting back to Peter's drive of the MX-5, he wasn't overly impressed with the performance of the 2.0-litre engine, though as he admits himself, he was rather spoilt with the urge of his 3.0-litre twin turbo 135i. "After the BMW the MX-5 felt underpowered, although that's not entirely surprising. It also felt light and perfectly poised. Even around the car park it felt it had a perfect weight distribution."

Other MX-5 niggles that Peter pointed out were the fiddly-ness of tuning the Bose stereo and the "snug but perfectly formed interior, which suffered from being a little plastic" - though the "tan leather seats were a nice touch against the green/grey paint".

What’s next for the Mazda MX-5 RC

Time is drawing to a close for the MX-5. We're going to take it to Wales then Cambridge over Christmas and New Year, so I hope to get a bit of roof-down action if the rain stays off.

I also want to see if I can get another 2,000 miles or so on it before I had the keys back because 10,000 is a nice round number for properly testing a long-termer - and it also gives me an excuse to take it out for yet another 'I'm just off to get some milk, dear' two-hour blat in the countryside.

Photosynth of our Mazda MX-5
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All our Mazda MX-5 RC reports

A mad month for the MX-5
The sun smiles on our MX-5
Mazda MX-5 arrival
MX-5 v BMW 135i Cab
Is the MX-5 the perfect compromise
Why I chose an MX-5

More long-term reports

New arrival: Skoda Superb
Month two: Honda Accord Tourer
Citroen C5: Vive la Différence!!!
Final fling for Clio Cup
Our BMW 135i M Sport Convertible