Drop the hammer in the MX-5, and 100km/h is yours in 7.6 seconds - not blazingly fast, but not bad either. Reaching that speed quickly is part of the fun, but rowing through gears with the light clutch pedal and short-throw shifter is the other part. This car is all about driver involvement.
On the highway, though, the cockpit can get quite noisy. At a steady 100km/h, the engine is spinning at 2,800 rpm. It should be worse with the base GX's 5-speed, better with the optional 6-speed automatic. Now, we're not saying you should spoil a car like this with an automatic transmission, we're just saying the option exists.
Our fuel economy average during the course of the week is 9.6L/100km: not bad considering we drove the car like it should be driven.
Get a cloth top
Keep it simple. Yes, we like a power-folding hardtop for its four-season practicality, but it seems out of step with the car's philosophy. In addition, the power top adds 80lbs. Instead, get the manual, fold-it-yourself top. Keep in mind that you might want to choose the GS trim for its sturdier cloth top; the GX only gets vinyl.
Not all human shapes and sizes will fit in the cockpit of the MX-5. The door panels are close to your elbow, there isn't much in the way of seat adjustments, and the steering column tilts but doesn't telescope. And despite the GT model offering uplevel features such as leather, an intelligent key system and 7-speaker Bose stereo, this isn't a luxury car, nor should it ever be considered one.
Trunk space is rated at 150 litres. I don't have the patience and time to golf (maybe I should), but according to Mazda, a golf bag will fit.
On the highway, though, the cockpit can get quite noisy. At a steady 100km/h, the engine is spinning at 2,800 rpm. It should be worse with the base GX's 5-speed, better with the optional 6-speed automatic. Now, we're not saying you should spoil a car like this with an automatic transmission, we're just saying the option exists.
Our fuel economy average during the course of the week is 9.6L/100km: not bad considering we drove the car like it should be driven.
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| Our fuel economy average during the course of the week is 9.6L/100km. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
Get a cloth top
Keep it simple. Yes, we like a power-folding hardtop for its four-season practicality, but it seems out of step with the car's philosophy. In addition, the power top adds 80lbs. Instead, get the manual, fold-it-yourself top. Keep in mind that you might want to choose the GS trim for its sturdier cloth top; the GX only gets vinyl.
Not all human shapes and sizes will fit in the cockpit of the MX-5. The door panels are close to your elbow, there isn't much in the way of seat adjustments, and the steering column tilts but doesn't telescope. And despite the GT model offering uplevel features such as leather, an intelligent key system and 7-speaker Bose stereo, this isn't a luxury car, nor should it ever be considered one.
Trunk space is rated at 150 litres. I don't have the patience and time to golf (maybe I should), but according to Mazda, a golf bag will fit.
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| The cockpit is small and surely won't accommodate everybody. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |