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- On fleet since: June 2008
- Total mileage: 2,040
- Official combined mpg: 34.5mpg
- Actual mpg: 26.2mpg
- Costs: £0 so far
- Engine: 2.0
- Trim: Sport
- Performance: 0-62mph 7.9secs/131mph
- Power/torque: 158bhp@6,700rpm/ 138lb ft@5,000rpm
- Insurance group: 13
- List price: £21,100
- Options fitted: Bose sound system (£555) and metallic paint £375)
- Price as tested: £22,030
- Pros: excellent handling; nippy engine; added security of hard-top
- Cons: no trip computer; snug cabin; indicators don’t always cancel; horn in middle; no RDS
GALLERY: our new Mazda MX-5 long-termer
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I had a few reservations when we ordered a Mazda MX-5, primarily surrounding its image. I know the MX-5 is a great driving car, and the newer shape looks muscular and purposeful, but it is still seen from some quarters as being 'a bit girly'.
All that was soon forgotten, though, when the first glorious day of the year came and I slipped the metal roof back. This is proper motoring - and the MX-5 is, quite simply, the best value roadster on sale.
Image © Microsoft
Indeed, I'm enjoying it so much that I've put more than 1,500 miles on it in just under a month. I appreciate it best on a balmy Sunday afternoon when I can take it on a good drive in the countryside with the roof down.
My girlfriend loves it too, and even though she's not much of a convertible fan, she will zip the roof back at the first hint of sun. It's so quick to open and close the roof, too; undo the central catch, hold down the button and in 12 seconds you're ready. The roof also sits in its own separate compartment, leaving the boot with the same 150-litres of space.
So far, we haven't had any issues with the relatively small amount of room, and that's included a couple of weekends away.
First impressions
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Our plan is to run the MX-5 for the next six months, taking in the summer and the first few months of winter. I perversely quite winter like putting the roof down on cold days, and the heated seats - which seem to warm up in just a few minutes - and powerful heater will make that all the more rewarding.
As for the drive, the 2.0-litre engine has started to loosen up and spins more freely than when it first arrived, but you still need to rev it hard to get its best. My last long-termer was a Skoda Fabia diesel, and I'm so used to changing up at 3/4,000 rpm that this is the natural way I'm driving the Mazda.
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This is great for fuel economy, especially since the MX-5 prefers a drink from the more expensive super unleaded pump. And we're currently getting 26.2mpg instead of Mazda's claimed 34.5mpg - but then I've never driven a car that has ever got near the manufacturer's claims.
Still, I can live with this consumption, especially since most of my driving is short schleps into London, trips to the shops and invigorating blasts at the weekend. On a long journey and cruising in sixth I've no doubt I can get this figure above 30mpg. A challenge for next month maybe?
Image © Microsoft
So, any foibles or negative points about the MX-5? Well, a trip computer is missed as I like seeing a rough estimation of fuel economy when I'm driving, plus I like to keep an eye on the range. A temperature gauge would also be handy.
Other irritations include indicators that sometimes don't self cancel, the lack of RDS on the radio which means I have to retune the station I'm listening to on longer journeys, and the tiny horn that takes up only a small proportion of the steering wheel and is hard to locate when in a road-rage situation!
What do you get for your money?
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When ordering this car we were given a choice of blue, black, two different reds and the grey we have here. I think I made the right choice, because the MX-5 wears it so well, the colour looking subtle and even rare.
As for the choice between the canvas hood or the Roadster-Coupé's metal job, that was easy - I'll go for the fixed roof everytime for the added safety and security. This model's a Sport, and that means you get a limited slip differential, climate control, heated leather seats (in this case a kind of vintage light brown), 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and front fogs. It's well kitted out.
What’s next for the MX-5?
I fancy a long weekend in Wales; starting in the south and working north, I'll stick to the B-roads and see what the MX-5 is really all about. Maybe I'll even hit that magic 30mpg I want to see. I'll be taking it down to Goodwood, too, for the Festival of Speed, and will twin test it in the near future - against what, I don't know as the MX-5 is short on natural rivals in this category.
More pictures of the Mazda MX-5 Roadster-Coupé from Live Search
More long-term reports
Goodbye Skoda Fabia
Tyre trouble strikes the Cup
Meet our new MX-5
BMW 135i cab joins the fleet
A rest for our 308
